Grandma's Apple Raisin Bread Pudding

Spring may be the season of love with all the birds and bees stuff but I love the romantic flavors of Autumn. Apples, pears, raisins, cinnamon and clove, pumpkin and squash all ticking the senses to inspire warmth and love. To share my love of the season with my family, I've turned to a favorite recipe of Gram's. Growing up on a farm during the early 1900's she learned at an early age to utilize whatever you have on hand and turn it into something delicious. Over the years she tweaked her recipes for us "modern folk" but they never lost the ingredient of love.

Grandma's Apple Raisin Bread Pudding

Preheat oven 350 degrees            Grease a 7x11" baking dish

Ingredients:

4 cups bread cubes (I pick up a loaf of bakery bread from the "day old shelf", cut into cubes then leave them on a cookie sheet overnight)

¼ cup raisins

2 cups peeled and sliced apples

1 cup brown sugar

1 ¾ cup milk

¼ cup butter (1/2 stick)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon vanilla

* In a large bowl, combine bread, raisins and apples

* In a small sauce pan over medium heat, combine 1c brown sugar, 1/24 c milk and 1/4 c butter (1/2 stick). Cook and stir until butter is melted.

* Pour over bread mixture. Blend gently then pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.

*In a small bowl whisk together the cinnamon, vanilla and eggs. Pour over the bread mixture.

*Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until center is set and apples are tender.

While pudding is baking, make the Vanilla Sauce.

¼ cup white sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

½ cup milk

½ cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

OPTIONAL:  1 teaspoon – 1 Tablespoon bourbon or whiskey, I like to add ¼ cup of powdered sugar to thicken

Mix the white and brown sugars with the milk and butter in a small sauce pan. Bring to boil then remove from heat. Add the vanilla (and the optional ingredients). 

Serve over pudding.

The orgasmic flavor and the look on your honey's face once this amazing dish touches the pallet is soooo worth it!!!

Allergy Sufferer Finds Romance

 There is nothing romantic about suffering allergies but that doesn't mean something romantic can happen.

I raised my boys to share and like a good son, #3 shared his sore throat with me. Oh, joy!As I lay on the couch suffering in silence, hubby brought me a steaming cup of tea. Awww......and it gets better. It was a cup of herbal tea designed to ease a flaming throat! AWWWWW! He's such a romantic guy. *sigh*

The primary ingredient in this herbal tea is Slippery Elm. Native Americans especially the Eastern Woodland Peoples have been using Slippery Elm for ages to treat a variety of ailments. The inner bark when combined with water, created a gummy substance that could be used as a soothing ointment. Gram said the Chippewa peoples of our state cut small flat dolls from the bark. Because of the calming attributes, the dolls were often chewed upon by fussy, teething toddlers.

I've used Slippery Elm in tea for years due to suffering sore throat issues regularly since childhood. Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat is one of my go-to teas. I like the silky licorice flavor, reminding me of Gram's homemade tea, thus adding an extra layer of comfort. Keep in mind there are several variations of Throat Coat depending on which flavor you prefer or what you are trying to achieve. Some blends are good for overall health, while others add in improving respiratory health or the immune system. Check out Amazon for a list of all the teas for a side-by-side comparison.

In the name of romance, I will sit and enjoy every cup of herbal tea hubby brings to me.

Sexual Daydreaming

Sexual daydreams are pretty common and most definitely normal. But what do they mean?

(Image: © Yuri Arcurs, Shutterstock

 "People often ask me if sexual daydreams are normal. They are! Here's what the most common ones say about you." - Dr. Hilda Hutcheson, a clinical professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

1. Sex with another man (usually he's a celerity). This doesn't mean you're dissatisfied with your real sex life, just that your excited by new experiences and, of course, gorgeous stars.

2. Ménage a trois. If you're picturing yourself with two men, you want to be adored and doted on, heck, maybe even fought over. Thinking about yourself and your guy with another woman ignites the very sexy idea that other ladies find your guy attractive too.

3. Domination. This fantasy allows you to engage in sexual stuff that may seem taboo, without any guilt. Seeing yourself as submissive can signify a desire for a loss of control, freedom from responsibility is thrilling!

4. Sex with a woman. No, this doesn't necessarily mean you're questioning your sexuality. It shows that you appreciate the sexiness of the female form (we are gorgeous) and that your open-minded about pleasure.

5. Last but not least: Sex with your guy. This is the most common fantasy for women. It's usually more exciting than your average rol in the hay,say, a replay of your hot honeymoon. And it simply means that sex with your partner turns you one. What a great thing!

Dr. Hilda Hutcheson is a nationally renowned expert in women's health. She is a firm believer in education and is often found speaking across the county or dolling out information via a monthly column. Her medical commentary has been featured on TV, magazines.

By Hilda Hutcherson, M.D.

Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and the author of Pleasure. 

Vanilla-Infused Oil for Mouthwatering Romance

Sunday is a good day to set aside for some personal spa time. I don’t mean GOING to a spa, I’m referring to a make-it-at-home spa. Create healthy, soft skin during this somewhat therapeutic activity. Some ingredients you might already have on your pantry shelves; others can be found in a local market or health food shop. Your honey, a daughter or friend might want to join in the event as well.

Welcome to Sunday Spa

It has been said that men prefer scents of “edibles” such as vanilla, citrus and spice to those of flowers and powders. Maybe that’s were the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” comes from. Use a vanilla-infused oil on your skin and you just might get him drooling over you.

Vanilla-Infused Oil

Ingredients

8 oz jojoba oil or carrier oil of your choice (almond and coconut are nice too)

2-3 vanilla beans 

4 vitamin E capsules

What you will need:

Double boiler (if one is not handy, I use a glass measuring cup placed in a saucepan then fill pan half full with water.

Strainer, 8oz bottle, funnel.

1.    Boil water then turn down to simmer. Add carrier oil to top of boiler or glass measuring cup.

2.    Using a sharp knife, slice the vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the edge of the knife. Put the seeds in to the oil.

3.    Chop the vanilla pods into small pieces and add to the oil.

4.    Cover and let simmer for an hour or longer. Check periodically to make sure there is still enough water in the pot.

5.    Remove from heat and let cool.

6.    Pour into bottle. (Straining is optional.)

7.    Pierce the vitamin E capsules, squeeze the liquid out. Discard gel caps.

8.    Place cap on bottle tightly and shake.

9.    Will keep 2 years or longer if stored in the bottle in a cool dark place out of direct sunlight.

Use as a moisturizer, massage oil or add a couple of teaspoons to bath water. Can be used as a base for body scrubs too!

Where's The Romance in Fall Football?

 Fall brings football to our little town. The stands full of families cheering, hot chocolate flowing, and cuddles under warm blankets. But 2020 has different plans.

This year, is so very different. Each player is allow two guest per game. I picked up my season passes in the office this week. Despite being so few, we still hung banners, cheered loudly and rang our cowbells in support of our boys. We don't complain, this season wasn't even supposed to happen. The Michigan governor wanted football to be played in the spring. Ah... we have snow until April. (?????) Lucky for us the powers-that-be in high school athletics managed to keep fall sports in the autumn but with few adjustments. (Read the MHSAA article.) We parents complied because our kids NEED this and the games are for them not us. We are simply supporters.

Nevertheless, the game went off without a hitch. Our team is wearing a first of it's kind type of  shield on their helmets so they don't have to wear fabric over their mouths on the field. (Read the article here.) The players have matching gators around their necks they pull up when they are on the sidelines sporting their team name and colors. Coaches sport masks and gators showing their team spirit and unity.

2020 Montrose Rams games look very different than years past.

Teams are a little smaller this year and they struggle with all the Covid restrictions. No team dinners or bonding exercises are allowed. Masks, spatial codes, crazy school schedules, online courses and mental stress are all factors weighing on these boys. Somehow, the boys manage with a team group chat and having fun on the field. 

As I sat in the stands, I closed my eyes for a moment. Was the romance of fall football gone?

The cool breezed carried the faint smell of  bonfires and grills tickled my nose. The grunts and and smacks of powerful young men pushing themselves to their limits for the love of the sport could be heard between the cheers of proud parents. 

I opened my eyes to look around. Bottles of water and a thermos or two were spotted among  the small crowd. Moms were chewing on their nails when their boys hit the ground. Dads jumped and shouted encouragement to their sons. Couples cuddled close and smiled at each other with love as if to say, "That's our boy!". The sky blessed us with a lovely sunset. 

Love and pride abundant. The romance of fall football remains.