Ryan and I are waking now to sunrises and baby kicks. We open our blinds around 6:30am, and then we both lay in bed, feeling Lucy move. Cricket jumps from the window seat to our quilt. Margot stretches her legs across the floor, inching slowing towards her food. We’re a happy family here, and it feels right for this scene to be set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains.
Ryan asked me if I missed Austin the other night. And my immediate, honest answer was “no.” I miss our friends in Austin, some of them dearly, but I don’t miss the heat, or the allergies, or the traffic. And while Lady Bird Lake is pretty, nothing compares to the sun setting behind the front range. Quite simply, Austin never became home.
I know many people who live far from family, far from the places that settle their hearts. Ryan and I did it for a few years, and I found it more taxing than I could have imagined. I wonder if everyone feels a special connection to a certain geographic landscape. I have friends who long to return to the northwest, where the land is wet and verdant. I have others who will never leave the east coast, the tiny town they grew up in. And then there are those who find their places later in life, maybe after moving several times. They finally settle in a city or a state that feels like home.
Ryan and I are still trying to figure out so many details here. I graduate with my M.F.A in May, Lucy is due in June, and we still haven’t found a house (the other one…the old, adorable one…fell through). There are moments in which I can feel a wave of panic rise. What are we doing here? Where are we going to live? Raise our daughter? But then I remember: I’m home. Ryan and I have our sweet familes surrounding us, supporting us. We have good, challenging jobs in the place where we grew up and grew to love. Lucy will be born into a world full of love, laughter, and uncertainty. And when I think about it, there is nothing more we can hope for in life. None of our days are guaranteed. So much good and bad can happen in a moment.
If Ryan and I have learned anything, it’s to hold onto each other. And so I think Lucille Amelia will be just fine.
This wholesome bread pudding served to alleviate my nerves yesterday afternoon. Moving around the kitchen, I forgot my stresses, and focused on the slow precision of my knife, slicing through day-old cranberry bread. I whisked together milk and eggs, sprinkled in just a handful of sugar, and imparted a hefty dose of cinnamon. Within fifteen minutes, the pudding was baking, and I felt calmer. Lucy also enjoyed the exercise. She responded with several strong kicks.
Wholesome Bread Pudding
8 slices artisan wheat bread (I used a cranberry walnut from Whole Foods)
2 tablespoons melted butter
4 eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with butter. Set aside.
2. Coarsely chop bread into bite-sized pieces (slightly stale bread is actually best for bread pudding.) Spread into prepared baking pan.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour over bread. Using a fork, push bread into egg mixture until almost fully covered. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until pudding springs back slightly when touched. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Beautiful bread pudding. I’ll have to save that one for a leftover loaf of bread.
The feeling of home you described is so right. It’s the way I feel about New England the northeast. While I’ve lived in a bunch of places, nothing is quite like the change of seasons, the old feeling of the towns and streets, and having coast and small mountains nearby. I love how we all have a different place we call home.
Monet,
Your bread pudding is luscious with all of cranberries, and cinnamon. My husband loves bread pudding, but we haven’t had it in awhile.
I have only loved in one geographic area my whole life. Most of our friends and family are here, so this is home to me.
it’s all going to come together at the right time bella, I’m so sorry the other house didn’t work out, but when the right one does, you’ll look back and be glad it all worked out the way it did!!! PROVIDENCE!!! As soon as I’m getting ready to mail, I’ll check in with you one more time to confirm the right address for safe delivery….stay warm and cozy, enjoy all those wonderful baby kicks, pretty soon she’ll be all out of room in there and it will be time to make her grand appearance….it really does go by as fast as they all say it does!!!!
This looks lovely…and you are just gloooowing, girl!!
I think you are quite right about there being a special connection to the geography of home. And you are definitely right about bread pudding!
Oh your belly is so cute. It has been a while but I wanted to stop by.
That bread pudding would comfort me in a heart beat as well. I’m just sure everyting will work out for you 3 š You look absolutely beautiful btw!
You look lovely, Monet and that pudding sounds perfect for a chilly weekend. I’m so glad that you are enjoying being home. There is nothing like being close to family.
You’re so right– some places feel like home, and some just don’t. I think we’re still trying to figure out if Alabama is *that* place for us. There are some things that we love, and definitely some things we don’t like. But that’s been true of EVERY place I’ve ever lived!
In any case, it’s home for now, so I guess there’s no use overthinking it. š
This bread pudding looks awesome– so hearty and delicious!
Hi Monet, your bread pudding look delicious. Great to go with ice cream and coffee.
Have a lovely week ahead, take care.
Love, family, laughs, beautiful mountains… where exactly you will live seems unimportant when you have all this. I agree.
Don’t worry you’ll find a house soon! your bumps looking so big now! I love bread a butter pudding I don’t think I’ve had it since I was little, thank you for sharing this post, this is my Dad’s favourite dessert and it’s his birthday in a couple of weeks so I’m going to make this for him x
Everything will come together… you’ll see. This bread pudding looks marvelous. I haven’t made it in the longest time, so your recipe might have to be my next attempt.
o Monet, you look sweeter than the pudding!!!
We have moved so many times. Finding “home” can take a long time. It wasn’t until we found land to farm that we have finally settled down a bit. That anxious feeling that always occupied my body has finally quieted. You guys are lucky to have family close. Colorado is a beautiful place. However, no matter where you go at least you have each other. And Lucy!
Monet, this bread pudding looks so lovely and perfect for a winter breakfast or snack. Thank you for sharing your recipe and adorable photo. You’re the happiest, cutest little pregnant lady I’ve ever seen! We’re beyond thrilled for you and Ryan! Let’s hope you three eventually swing by Austin for a visit.
I’ve never tried Bread and Butter Pudding with cranberries before. Looks very comforting – glad it helped you to de-stress. Sorry the house didn’t work out. These things have a way of sorting themselves. Try not to worry š
You look so happy my friend, it is a pleasure to see š
And this bread pudding looks brilliant!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Oh no, the house! That’s what happened with the first house we put an offer on and we went on to find a much better house that we adore. Yours will come along too! Adore this house but, as you said, we long to be elsewhere and while I haven’t announced it on the blogs, I can tell you we will be moving to Seattle in about a year. Greg is being transferred by his company to their facility nearby and we’re so excited. That area feels more like home to us because we enjoy the lifestyle and scenery. We can’t wait to settle down and start a family. You and your bump are adorable!
Bread pudding sounds like a fantastic way to calm your nerves! And, right about now, I’m getting a little tired of the allergies in Austin. Hopefully, the sneezing season is almost over. Best of luck with your house search!
There’s no place like home, Monet, and I can hear the contentment in your writing. Everything will work out! I remember feeling that nesting instinct rush in when I was especially pregnant with my second – we had moved when I was eight months pregnant – the desire to be settled in a house was so intense! But you’re right, you are home, and I’m so glad you’re surrounded by your loved ones!
And this bread pudding? Yes, that helps in the settling in š
xoxo
Hi Monet! Glad to hear you are doing well back home, and you are right, nothing compares to being home with those you love. Your bread pudding sounds so warming and comforting, so perfect for these cooler days. Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week :)!
Monet, I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful and happy you look! And the idea of baking a “Wholesome Bread Puuding” fits the atmosphere of your blog post just perfectly – a wonderfully harmoniuous post that I really enjoyed reading and looking at! Take really good care of yourself and put up those feet whenever possible!
I had heard through the food blogger grapevine that there was a new addition for you!! I can’t tell you how excited I am for you. If anyone was ever meant to be a mom, it is you! And I’m loving the name you have chosen. Somehow, without even knowing her, it fits beautifully.
It will all work out in the end, one way or another. It will, because it has to. Somehow that always gets me through.
Though a nice dose of your beautiful bread pudding would help too!
Hi Monet!
First, let me introduce myself. My name is Amanda Garbutt and I am the Owner & Co-Founder of The Hot Plate (www.thehotplate.com). I found your blog and could not stop drooling over the photos! The Hot Plate is a free community for the hungriest Food Lovers on the web, and Iād love to have you share your recipes with us!
The Hot Plate has lots of ways for you to promote and share your recipes with thousands of Food Lovers across the world! Now you can:
– Promote your recipes and blog by submitting them to our THP Loved Photo Section (if you use Foodgawker and Tastespotting you know the drill)
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If you have any questions or comments do not hesitate to let me know!
Happy Cooking,
Amanda
This is a comfort dessert food, dear Monet! Do not worry in the end everything will be fine. You are home.
Look at you, all glowing! I’m so sorry the house fell through š I know the perfect one is waiting out there for you, and in the meantime, you have a loving family (and a delicious wholesome bread pudding!). I’m so happy to be sharing these experiences with you through your blog š
For me, Colorado is home, even though I didn’t grow up there. The chance Peter and I will end up there is nil, but it’s fun to dream nonetheless š
I love the cranberry walnut bread from Whole Foods…and now I know what to do with the leftovers:) Thanks for sharing your sweet baby bump! Such a wonderful time for your wee family!
Sorry about the house, that is so disappointing. But with everything you guys have managed to get through, I know you’ll figure this one out too.
Also, I just read your last post about how you chose your baby’s name, and it gave me chills. It sounds like you’re naming your daughter after someone amazing. It can’t get better than that. š
You’re adorable, girl! And wow, this bread pudding looks decadently delish!
Monet, I am glad you finally are back home. I totally understand your feeling about being home, having been overseas for many years. This bread pudding looks delicious.
Such a great belly pic and an amazing looking bread pudding! I have faith that everything will work out well for you. Good luck!
Sounds like a delicious bread pudding! I’m sorry the other house fell through but you’ll find another. You are well, you have your family and each other and soon you will have little Lucy. Everything’s going to be wonderful!
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