Eggs in the Hole for Breakfast

I felt like eggs this morning, so I made a dish from long ago that I used to make on occasion.  I haven't made this for years, but don't know why because it's a one dish wonder and kind of fun to eat besides!  I happened to have some left over French bread so I used a thicker slice of that, cut out an oval shaped hole in the middle for the egg to sit in, melted some butter in a non-stick fry pan and browned the one side of the bread, meanwhile putting an egg in the hole to start setting it.  Then when the one side was browned I carefully flipped it over to cook the egg the rest of the way and also brown that side.  You have to use a medium to medium low heat so they don't burn before the egg is soft cooked.  You can eat it this way, or add your favorite French toast topping..I added some maple syrup on mine and it was yummy!  Fun for kids and for adults!

Strawberry (or any other flavor) Oatmeal Bars

I haven't baked for a while with the hot weather we have been having, but when I saw a posting for this on Facebook, I decided I should give it a try and use up some strawberry rhubarb jam I had opened in the fridge when my sister, Karen, came up to visit me from Florida.  I usually open a jar and then forget about it until I have to toss it, so glad I ran across this.  I had all the ingredients at home already in my cupboards or fridge, so that was another big plus about the recipe.  It is a super yummy bar!  I cut one as soon it came out of the oven for a photo and to taste of course, but I added a big blob of ice cream to cool it down and that made it extra extra good!  I will try other flavors of jam again with it, like apple butter, peach jam, blueberry, cherry etc.  so good and almost tastes like thumbprint cookies or a fruit crumble without all the work involved with those.  Here is the recipe..it came from the Pioneer Woman's recipe collection..

Strawberry-Oatmeal Bars:

1-3/4 sticks of cold butter cut into small pieces
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 cups oats (quick or regular-I had quick so used those)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 jar (10-12 ounces) strawberry preserves

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a 9 x 13 baking pan (I actually did use butter and not spray)

Mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.  cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs (I used my hands/fingers).  Sprinkle half the mixture into the pan and pat lightly to pack it a little tight.  Spoon preserves evenly over the surface, then spread carefully so it's evenly over the crust.  sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly again. 

Bake until light golden brown on top, about 35-40 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan. 

When cool, cut into squares and serve. 

A New Summer Banner for My Cube at Work

About a month ago, or so, my granddaughter Sam came over to make her 4H project for this year for the fair, and while she was working away on her table topper I decided to sew a new welcome banner for my cube at work.  I really didn't have a summery one yet and the spring one with the tulips and umbrella just was not working anymore.  I did get the whole top finished, but never did get the final touches like quilting it and putting on the binding.  I decided yesterday to get myself in gear and finish it before it is time for my fall one because summer is already speeding by and I was tired of looking at it on my cutting table downstairs reminding me that I have way too many works in progress.  I am calling the quilting on it "whimsical" because it's freestyle and kind of messy on the flowers and letters, but it works to hold the applique down and kind of suits it for some reason!  I will be glad to have something bright and new at work..suppose that means I should clean the rest of my cube huh? 

 

oh, and here is Sam with her 4H project-she quilted it this year by herself too..I wanted her to have some experience on how to finish her tops..it's just some basic diagonal lines, but she didn't get any puckers on the front or back and sewed nice and straight, so great job Sam!