My Happy Place

So our lives have been a little more hectic than we expected in the last few days. As I mentioned in my last post, I've been struggling with an icky sinus infection and thankfully I'm starting to feel better because on top of that Kraut and I have both been feeling swamped at work, topped off with the fact that we have renters moving into my old house that we haven't been able to sell this Friday and have a lot of work to do in preparation, also topped off with the fact that we are taking a vacation to Deutschland and while it will be fun there is a lot stress that comes along with getting ready for a long vacation.....all mixed in with this horrible run on sentence!!!!!!!!!!! Phew!

Given all of that, I thought today seemed like a great day for a yoga class. I went in feeling tired and sluggish and a little hesitant because I got there and the teacher seemed a little kooky. I love yoga, but I'm more into yoga for the workout and only partly for the meditation and when I got to this class today the instructor was really big on the mantra part. Don't get me wrong she had us doing some pretty hard ab and arm work, and she would make us do each pose or flow for 10 minutes and some for up to 15. In other words, you were dying to stop. But, while you were doing the flow she started talking about boosting your circulatory system and using the struggle to push through something that was really hard and using your mind and the mantra to mentally work through any issues that you have been struggling with. At first I was thinking how crazy she was, but I swear it worked! I have let go of all my stress from the day and I truly feel that I have released some toxins just by getting my mind and body more in sync. The point of all my rambling being that now that I'm rid of all of my negative energy, and I'm in my happy place and having some happy thoughts:

1-Kraut and I are going to Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, and Dresden) with my in-laws in just 2 days! Plus, Kraut and I are taking a quick side trip to Brussels, Belgium!!!!

2-We will be gone for a total of 11 work free days! Prost!

3-I don't have to cook or clean or entertain the dog for 11 days!


4-MS State's baseball team made it to the Super Regionals this weekend!!!!

5-We are 87 days away from September 1, which is the opening football game for my beloved Bulldogs, AND it just so happens to be in Memphis this year!!!!


6-Kraut finally has his own cowbell now so I don't have to share mine anymore!


7-I made my mom's bread pudding this weekend and it was yummy. I think I'm going to go have a piece as soon as I share the recipe. Then you can join me in my happy place.....

Jackie Sue's Bread Pudding
(Mom hates being called Jackie Sue, but it just makes the recipe sound more authentically Southern. Sorry Mom!!!)

Ingredients-

For Pudding:
1 loaf of French bread or 6-10 slices of regular bread (its better if its just a little dry or stale)
1/2 cup of raisins
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups of milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
4 eggs slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
(I also added 1/4 cup of chopped pecans to mine)

For Sauce:
1 stick melted butter
1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 cup evaporated milk
rum or whiskey to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon with melted butter. Tear bread into pieces, add milk raisins, cinnamon/sugar mixture, eggs and vanilla. Mix well and pour into 8x8 baking dish. Bake 45 minutes or until pudding appears to be "set" (not still wet). Cut into squares after it has cooled and serve each piece with sauce.

Sauce: Mix all sauce ingredients in a small pan over low heat until sugar is dissolved and adding rum or whiskey to taste.


Namaste~
Crawfish