APPLE BREAD PUDDING WITH BRANDY SAUCE, A WEDDING AND GRADUATION

GOOD MORNING LOVES....

Today, I am bringing you Number two recipe for Norma's bread pudding!
This special request dessert from her cafe, is all about apples and brandy.....
but before, we talk about dessert, I thought I would share a few
scenes from the wedding and the college graduation celebration.....

The Friday before the wedding, it was a dark and stormy day down
in New Braunfels.....but God had the sun shining and the clouds floating
overhead as this beautiful couple said their vows....

Everything and everyone looked beautiful..especially the wedding party
and the bride and groom were glowing with happiness...

We enjoyed visiting with friends and family and dined
on a delicious Texas style barbecue.....

Our granddaughter was the Matron of Honor

I can tell you, the darling and I were so honored to be guests
of our beautiful Amelia and her handsome groom, Colin...

We hosted a celebratory college graduation dinner
for our grandson...
what a fantastic achievement in his young life....

I was thrilled we accomplished this gathering as they
all have such busy lives these days....

Congratulations to our Noah for continuing your higher education....
well done!

The garden is in bloom and looking so beautiful...
my Rose of Sharon is blooming in beautiful shades of pink

And how gorgeous our Texas Vitex is looking right now....

Now, let's turn our attention to dessert....
when fall rolls around, I love to think about apples....
you may want to save this special treat for your holiday gatherings.....

APPLE BREAD PUDDING
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 quart milk
1 quart water
12 eggs, beaten
1 t. salt
1 T. vanilla
1 T. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 stick butter, melted
6-8 cups french bread, cubed
3 cups chopped apples
1 cup pecans, chopped

Combine the sugar, milk and water in a bowl, mix well.
Add the eggs, salt, vanilla, cinnamon and butter, Mix well.

Stir in bread cubes, apples and pecans,
Let stand until liquid is absorbed.
Spoon into a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes,
Serve with Brandy Sauce

BRANDY SAUCE
4 EGGS
1/4 CUP APPLE BRANDY
2 CUPS DARK BROWN SUGAR
1 CUP BUTTER, MELTED

Combine the eggs and flavoring in a food processor.
Process until smooth and well blended.
Add brown sugar and butter.
process until smooth.

COLLEGE GRADUATION CELEBRATION

It's a proud moment when you can celebrate a GRADUATE in the family...
and we did just that....it was ALL IN THE FAMILY.....

Oh the grandchildren are indeed growing up and flying out of the nest...
just as was intended....
we had a three day celebration of our only granddaughter
receiving her college diploma after much hard work
and working two jobs as she accomplished her goal!

The graduation ceremony was held at GLOBE LIFE PARK
which is our beautiful stadium where the Texas Rangers play......

It was a very happy occasion for us all.....

The newly engaged couple and both college grads.....

We continued the party over in Fort Worth with divine
Tex-Mex food and spicy margaritas....wine for me.....

Then came the big party...smoked pork butt, baked beans,
macaroni and cheese and these delicious cupcakes......

Abbie did most all of the decorations herself and what a fun and festive
job she did......

These two have been best friends since they were four years old.....
it's been a true blessing to follow them through all the years and 
celebrate their accomplishments.....

Even though rain had been predicted, we enjoyed a lovely
afternoon poolside.....

It was such a fun party and we were able to visit with family
and friends we had not seen in some time.....talking,

laughing, eating, reminiscing....what could be better?

Of course, we were thrilled the Divine Miss M had flown in
from Atlanta to visit and be a part of her niece's celebration...

The sister-in-laws...they sure put the SMILES in fun......

So these two begin their adventure of grown-up life...
she will be joining him in their new home in West Texas and we are so excited for them both...
It's going to be a new life, new job with most of the hard work behind them....
I remember when we started out in life, the same way......



Go with love my darling girl.....we will leave the lights on......

And....over in Atlanta, our youngest grandchild, 
who you all know as Luke the Duke has completed 8th grade...
oh my gosh...High School came too fast....
have a great summer sweetheart...love ya' to the moon and back.....

 

2018 GRADUATES AND ALL THE CELEBRATIONS

Abbie and friends have now completed high school

and have been celebrating for a week now!

It was a marvelous celebration as we congratulated
all these amazing young adults on their achievements and success!
These are a few highlights of our week.....

 Sunday marked the beginning of the ceremonies as NorthPointe Church
held the Baccalaureate, which was just lovely.

We all gathered for dinner at Nick and Cat's home
prior to the graduation ceremony which was held on Thursday evening.
Our graduate was stunning in her white lace dress.

Nick had prepared a batch of his infamous
Green Chicken Chili Spaghetti....
the sauce is exclusive to HEB!!

Luke the Duke was in heaven as he was able to spend
most of the week with his cousin Noah...
He just loves his older cousin!!!

The graduation was held in the high school stadium
and actually went very smoothly..it was a gorgeous evening....

Oh, how I love hearing about all their hopes and dreams
for their futures...these kiddos are just GREAT young adults!

Her proud papa....son #2, Nick!

This was a proud night for so many of these Joshua families!

The party was held on Saturday evening....
Miss M and I prepared the cake table
and I was very happy on how it turned out!

I had worried so about how her cake would turn out
and I was over the moon pleased with it!

I added the special decorations and it made ME happy
that ABBIE was so happy with it all!

All of the sunflowers made the table look beautiful....

All the outside decorations were just so fun and happy....

thanks to Mom, Andrea for all of her creative ideas!



Every nook and cranny  held memories and tributes to
our one and only granddaughter!

Cat prepared three briskets, while Nick smoked
some amazing BBQ ribs.....Andrea
provided all the side dishes of green beans. Mac N' Cheese
and baked beans...delish!!!

From kindergarten to high school....besties!

These kiddos are on their way to OLE MISS
and
the UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS



The food was amazing and the weather was perfect.....

Proud grandparents....she had
so many aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents
and her last living great grandparent in attendance!

It was just marvelous having a few days
with our Atlanta family......just a real blessing!

Halee and Luke spent a few days swimming and just enjoying
hanging out together...they are just a month apart in age.



2018 graduates....



They are all so pretty and so, so polite....
high achievers too!

Time to cut the cake......
a proud mom and dad for sure....
a bit of a bittersweet time for them.....

Miss M and her sweet daddy!

 

There was a tiny bit of cake left so I think everyone enjoyed

a sweet ending to a grand party!

After a lot of planning and a lot of family pitching in,
we had a grand time!
Now, everyone has returned home and are back to work....
The next item on the agenda is the San Francisco move in a few days
and triple digit heat for Texas...
I beleive SUMMER is here y'all!