While I absolutely love my life now, sometimes I want to take a month off of work and slip back into the good ol’ days… Days where my biggest worry was an AP history test (I got seriously worked up over those dang DBQs).
Back then, I knew that if I was really stressed out, I could curl up on the couch with my family to watch one of our favorite movies together (most likely Father of the Bride) and my worries would subside.
Running around with my family today reminded me of my childhood. It felt good to be together again!
Car Shopping
After lunch this afternoon, my family and I headed out to check out some cars at the Toyota dealership. My mom and dad are considering purchasing a new car and wanted to test drive some vehicles. 
What we figured would be about and hour-long trip turned into a three hour adventure. It was definitely a high-pressure sales environment that really got to all of us by the end of the experience.
In one of my marketing classes at UCF, I think I remember learning that car salespeople have monthly quotas and at the end of the month you can get a good deal because they’re often desperate to sell. Boy-oh-boy did we feel the desperation.
The whole experience really tried our patience. In the end my mom (who would be the primary driver of the new car) decided she just isn’t ready to sell her beloved mini van just yet. Our trip wasn’t in vain though because she was able to rule out the Toyota Highlander as a potential option in the future.
Plus I got a cookie and a latte! 
While over in Clearwater looking at cars, we met up with the photographer from our wedding, Gina, to pick up a box of prints of all of our wedding day photos from her.
I loved flipping through the amazing photographs and can’t wait to look at them in more detail with Ryan when he arrives home tomorrow. (Woo!!! I’ve missed him a lot.)
Gina is even using our wedding photos in her sample album to show future couples. It was neat to see which images she selected for her album. If you’re getting married in the St. Pete/ Tampa Bay area, I cannot recommend Gina enough. She’s amazing!
Bread Pudding
Once we arrived home after being out for several hours, I was hungry. It was still too early for dinner and my sweet tooth was running rampant, so I decided to get a little creative in the kitchen.
When I spied a loaf of Italian bread in the kitchen, I figured I would make my first attempt at homemade bread pudding. I searched around on the internet until I felt like I had a pretty decent handle on standard bread pudding recipes.
Then it was time to do a little experimenting!
I was really apprehensive about my creation because it seemed pretty soupy. I didn’t want to mess with it too much and threw it in the oven, crossing my fingers for a good result.
That whole “cross your fingers” business must work, because the end result was wonderful.
My whole family loved it and we all agreed it had a custard-like flavor to it. 
I ended up eating several bowls… a couple before dinner (we went out for sushi) and one small bowl after. I love how it tasted almost buttery without even a trace of butter in the whole recipe. Sweet deal!
Bread Pudding
(Serves approximately 16)
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Italian bread, torn into pieces (about 6 cups)
- 2 c. skim milk
- 2 c. sugar
- 4 c. egg beaters (or 8 eggs)
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 3/4 c. pecans, chopped
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 13 x 9 in. baking dish with cooking spray. Throw bread pieces into dish.
- Combine milk, sugar, egg beaters and vanilla in a bowl. Pour over bread pieces and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle pecans and brown sugar over top of the bread mixture, coating some of the pecans in the eggy liquid.
- Bake for 50 minutes, or until pudding is set.
Now it’s time for bed. My eyelids are closing at I type…
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I love car shopping!! It’s so much fun to sit in the ones you could totally never afford but pretend it’s yours. I especially love the smell of new cars, and free food at dealerships! 🙂
I have sold timeshare (super high pressure) and yes, Saturdays AND the last Sat of the month in particular…it’s no holds barred to do/say whatever it takes to close the deal! Pressure much ? 🙂
Oh goodness, I’m in APUS right now and I despise DBQs. I can handle FRQs but those darn DBQs….
Glad to know that I’m not alone 🙂
Oh man I know how you feel! I do miss the easiness of high school and simplicity. I just wanted to tell you that the love you have for your family and life is really obvious and shows through in your posts. It is truly a gem to read about!
My husband used to sell cars, and it was the sales quota that eventually drove him to quit. It’s stressful for the customer and the seller too. At least, when we have to buy a new car, he’ll know all the “tricks.”
I think about how easy it was being a teenager and all I had to worry about was school. Although at the time I was always thinking I couldn’t wait to be an adult and now that I am I always think about how great it would be to go back!
I hate car shopping….so I can def relate to that ‘awful’ pressure! Glad you made something good out of that tension 😉
Your bread pudding sounds oh so yummy and simple!
I totally know how you feel about getting stressed over tests; I’m currently a college student right now!!
i LOVE car shopping.. looking at cars is somehow entertaining to me.. they also smell really good… fresh car smell.. YES!
bread pudding looks WAY good- i have actually NEVER tried it!
Mhm, bread pudding, I have to make some soon. It’s really delicious, and versatile. I like the savory versions too!
sorry your car shopping was stressful! it’s always horrendous, isnt it? still, a very productive day if bread pudding was involved!
that bread pudding looks delicious!!!!!!
glad you had a good time with your family! =D
Yum…Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts! I am going to save this recipe….thanks for sharing!
Julie, that bread pudding looks awesome! I am going to have to give it a try! I know what it feels like to be missing your hubby…mine is going out of town this week for a business trip. I sure wish a had a cute little dog like Sadie to keep me company!
I just bought a car a few days ago, and my hubby and I were talking about hoe UN pressured we felt. Our sales guy must of hit his quota lol.
Ohhhh APUSH. My teacher for that class smelled SO BAD….like the worst BO you’ve ever smelled, clinging to all her clothes. And she did the baby powder instead of shampoo thing EVERY DAY, because there was always white stuff on her ears and forehead. So gross.
Glad you’re having a good time at home!! I miss high school when I’m stressed, too :/
That’s so reassuring hearing that people miss high school when they’re stressed! Definitely makes me appreciate what an easy life I really do have if you think about it! Thanks!
I hate shopping anywhere that people are paid on commission. I always feel guilty when I say I’m not interested.
Just out of curiosity, what made your mom rule out the Highlander?
I hate car shopping! Luckily the last time I bought a car, I went in knowing exactly what I wanted, and walked out with it as a great deal because it was the 31st.
Bread pudding looks delicious, I might have to try that recipe.
Oooohhh! I love bread pudding! I usually only get it when I’m out at a restaurant. I’ll have to try it out at home! Thanks for sharing
Sounds like a great day!
This looks amazing, Julie! I adore bread pudding but never make it because I am the only one in my house who will eat it 🙁 I so know what you mean about DBQ’s, I’m a junior in High school and those things really do suck! Family certainly helps though, I couldn’t agree more:)
i LOVE bread pudding…it’s one of my absolute favorite desserts! i like this healthier version too…less guilt and more ice cream on top 😉
i know how you feel with wishing things were like the good ol’ days. life gets kind of hard sometimes, and it’s so great to know that you can go home and relax with people who love you and GET you 🙂
I love bread pudding, so simple yet decadent 🙂 This one looks great, good job experimenting!
Ack, car salesmen…definitely would have tested my patience too. At least you got a cookie and some caffiene out of it 😉
I absolutely love spending time with my family as well, totally reminds you how truly blessed you are, you know? It’s just comforting 🙂 So is that bread pudding! Yum!
Enjoy your day, Julie 🙂
Would you believe i’ve never had bread pudding…like ever!?!?!
I love bread pudding!!! I wouldn’t try it for the longest time because I don’t really like pudding and I thought it would taste like it. Bread Pudding is amazing!!!
Yes, I remember the good old school days….we don’t know how good we had it!
I hate being pressured by salespeople- car dealers always seem to be the worst!
Aaah I haven’t had bread pudding in SO long, and that looks delish! Must rectify this soon! 😛
I’ve never been a huge fan of bread pudding–but for a custard-like pudding? I could definitely give it a go!! 🙂
I never liked bread pudding much either, but this looks great! Definitely going in my recipe book!
OH my gracious that breadpudding looks soooo delicious!!! I have never thought to make that. I must try that ASAP!
Also!! I wanted to let you know that your Xmas tree ornament idea inspired me and my mom to try it out on our pups… and I just did a recap about how it went with our little Happy for my post on my blog today!
hahah DBQs! I love that you even remember what they were called. I feel like that stage had also a lot to do with social conforming and just learning a lot about life in general.
its a document based question essay. you are given about 10 articles and they ask you a question that you write an essay to and use the documents to back up your points.
hope that helps!
Am I the only person who has NO idea what DBQ means? 🙂
ts a document based question essay. you are given about 10 articles and they ask you a question that you write an essay to and use the documents to back up your points.
hope that helps!
Thanks! It does. I don’t know if it is a regional thing or I am too old, but I have never had a test with questions like that! 🙂
Car shopping can be so stressful when you have to deal with annoying sales people. As fun as having a new car feels, it almost isn’t worth the hassle of it all! Father of the Bride also happens to be one of my very favorite movies too, by the way. I’d love a time out to stay home and watch all of my favorites…with some bread pudding. 😉
Car shopping can be such a pain. I remember when we were shopping for my car, I had to drag my dad out of the house kicking and screaming to go car shopping. We did most of it online so we knew exactly what we wanted before going to the lot. That way the salemen didn’t have much of a chance to haggle us.
Talking with car salesmen can be so brain boggling. I remember going through all of that before settling on my car, and it was definitely a headache. Although there’s definitely truth to shopping at the end of the month in order to get a bargain, that’s for sure. 😀
Yah! I’m glad the bread pudding turned out well 🙂 Ben loves that stuff, I should give it a whirl…
Bread pudding is so good! You should check out the recipe for chocolate bread pudding in the Joy of Cooking, sooooo flippin’ delicious!
I hate car shopping! The constant attention and questions always makes me nervous. But hey-if I got cookies and a latte out of it I probably would suffer through it!! lol
That bread pudding looks amazing!! One of my favorite desserts 😀
I love that that bread pudding recipe looks so amazing, but so simple to make! This means there’s hope that I will try making it! Ha, that’s funny about your mother car shopping. My mom just recently gave up her beloved mini-van for the Highlander. It was a long struggle, but she finally decided it was time to let the car with 180,000+ miles rest.
we went car shopping on friday…and ended up getting a new-to-us durango! my husband & i have been sharing a car throughout our marriage and we had saved cash to buy a used car…we are so excited! i definitely agree w/ you on the end of the month thing. we got a good deal!
Oh geesh, I hate going in to car dealerships and furniture stores just for that reason. They are super pushy and follow you around like a lost puppy those salespeople!
On an opposite note, that bread pudding looks super delicious! Since it serves 16, I hope you brought half the pan back home with ya!
I’m sorry it didn’t turn out wall. At least you got a cookie! 🙂
Your Bread Pudding looks to die for!!!
Did you go to the Toyota in Clearwater, off 19?
OMG, we went there about a month ago and it was insane. We just pulled into the parking lot and the salesmen were like vultures. It was surreal. There were about 12 salesmen standing in the parking lot just waiting for some poor sucker to pull in. We just drove around the parking lot and when we pulled into a spot to check out the new Scion TC we could see a salesman hauling hiney towards us. We just left without actually looking at something. It was to hardcore for us, and we weren’t really looking to buy anything, just looking. Yikes!
YESSSSS. awful, awful.
that bread pudding looks delicious! Yuuuuum Especially the pecans.
I love brunches. I really want to go to one now.
I still have nightmares about AP Calc. HS was very traumatic for me. Life is far less stressful now.
man i love bread pudding!!! bread. pudding. mmmm.