Orange Tarragon Croissant French Toast

This past week, we had a chance to stay at the lovely Mt. Gainor Inn located in Dripping Springs, TX. I wish we could have stayed longer but we were only in town for one night.  Breakfast was wonderful.  They served Orange Tarragon French Toast.  The picture below does not do it justice.  I went in search for a recipe online that will hopefully come close to this yumminess.  I found *ONE* recipe that could be close, if not the recipe that they may have used. 

The recipe I found is on the Stonewall Jackson Inn Bed and Breakfast website and is titled:

Recipe:  Stonewall Jackson's "French Toast".  They state on this page that the recipe comes from "Virginia Bed & Breakfast Cookbook, 3rd Edition".

I would have pinned the recipe on Pinterest right from their page, but there is no image associated.  So I place here so I and others can enjoy!

Stonewall Jackson's "French" Toast

Author: Stonewall Jackson Inn Bed & Breakfast

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp orange juice
• ¼ tsp finely chopped tarragon leaves
• small pinch each: salt, white pepper, sugar
• 2 large day-old croissants

Instructions

1. To make the egg wash: Use a 5x8-inch dish and an egg beater or hand blender. Break the eggs, add all ingredients except croissants, and blend thoroughly until mixture just begins to foam.
2. Cut the croissants in half lengthwise, dip them in the egg wash, and press so that the air is forced out and replaced by the egg wash.
3. Place cut face down on hot (375° F.) lightly greased heavy skillet or grill and toast to a golden brown - 3 or 4 minutes - flip and lightly brown the uncut side 1 to 2 minutes, then flip them back to the cut side for 1 minute.
4. Place on a warm plate, stuffing or topping the open faces with the Southern Fried Apples (recipe at StonewallJacksonInn.com). Serve with a patty of fresh sausage and lightly scrambled eggs. If you don't stuff or top them, dust well with powdered sugar and serve the fried apples as a side, using link instead of patty sausage. Garnish with a quarter slice of freshly cut pineapple (husk on) and a sprig of parsley.

Our Newest Adventure

We're all about adventures here at the Beckelheimer household.  Our latest endeavor is beekeeping.  I'm keeping a separate blog detailing our new apiary.  So go on over to the Goofy Ranch Bee Company blog and check things out.  And stay tuned here to see what we're making with our eventual honey supply.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: End of Event Meme Challenge

 End of Event Meme:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  Hour 21 - that's when I crawled into bed hoping to stay awake for a while and read.  I didn't last long.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?  Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, and 11/22/63 by Stephen King
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  Be prepared for plan B if there happens to be technical snafu's.  It seemed like you were prepared, so when there were issues, looks like you all went around them quickly.  Bravo for that.  
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?  I thought it all went well.  Loved the hourly challenges.  
5. How many books did you read? Two
6. What were the names of the books you read?  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert and The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon
7. Which book did you enjoy most?  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert 
8. Which did you enjoy least?  The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  I will definitely do it again and would be happy to host or cheerlead.

Until next time!!!

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: Better Book Title Challenge

For this challenge I pick the book Medea by Euripedes.  I think the better title (albeit long) should be:

A woman scorned goes bat crap crazy with murder on her mind.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: 3-2-1 Action Challenge

This is me acting as one if the freak show people in Palisades Park by Alan Brennert. 

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: Book Jenga Challenge

Here is my Harry Potter Tower of Power. It's a short stack but difficult nonetheless.

I'm still awake and my phone and Kindle still have battery.  But I'm spending more time laying in bed reading but keeping the TV on to keep me awake!

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: Book Balancing Challenge

Ok. It was a heavy book. But my foot and  leg were off of the floor and not touching the coffee table. My leg was about 6" off the floor. But that is all the energy I had at this hour!

Must...prop...eyes...open

I had grand ideas that I would be able to make it through...but I'm waning fast.  Keeping in mind I'm running on 2 1/2 hours sleep to begin with.

Not giving up yet.....I think....Still wading through The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon.  Would really like to finish it tonight.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: An Uncomfy Challenge

I've never sat on the stairwell to read and my favorite reading companion, Harleigh, my bulimic Siamese found it as uncomfortable and annoying as I did.

Neither of us stuck it out very long!

#uncomfyreadathon 

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: Page 35, 3rd sentence

Our challenge his hour was to turn to page 35 of our current read and use the 3rd sentence on that page to be the beginning sentence in a new story/poem/etc. that we create ourselves.  Here is what I came up with:

I am reading The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon. Page 35(ish – on an e-reader), 3rd sentence is:

“Oui?” Sister Eustacia took the note with the same care with which it was proffered.

Here’s my writing:

“Oui?” Sister Eustacia took the note with the same care with which it was proffered. “I see we are passing notes again instead of completing your French lesson. Well, Mr. Jacob, let’s just see what was so important that you had to cause a disturbance within the entire classroom.” Sister Eustacia walks to the front of the classroom, stopping at the very front. As every eye looks her way, she proceeds to unfold the note and without looking at it herself, holds the paper above her head for everyone to see.

The entire room begins to laugh, giving Sister Eustacia the feeling that the joke is on her. Upon further review, the sister realizes that the paper is completely blank. “What is the meaning of this, Mr. Jacob?”

“Absolutely nothing! Renee asked for a piece of paper to finish her lesson and I was just passing her a blank piece. Ne pas sauter aux conclusions trop rapidement. You might not want to jump to conclusions too quickly, Sister Eustacia!”

Hello and Welcome to Hour 15

Yes, that is 15....9 more hours to go.

Here are current stats:

Currently reading:  The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon

Books finished: 1

Pages read:  8

Running total of pages read:  171

Amount of time spent reading:  25 mins

Running total of time spent reading: 7.32  hours

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: My Name In Titles

Here's my name in titles.

My name is Teri and I used:

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice
Evening by Susan Minot
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
In This Mountain by Jan Karon

I finished my first book and on to book two.  Can I stay up long enough to start a 3rd book?

Here are current stats:

Currently reading:  The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon

Books finished: 1

Pages read:  4

Running total of pages read:  163

Amount of time spent reading:  7 mins

Running total of time spent reading: 6.90  hours

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: Book Blending Challenge

This one was a little difficult, but here it is:

I had some figurines that I tried to use as the heads of the women on this cover.

Here are current stats:

Currently reading:  The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon

Finished:  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert 

Books finished: 1

Pages read:  15

Running total of pages read:  159

Amount of time spent reading:  38 mins

Running total of time spent reading: 6.79  hours

Dewey's Read-a-Thon ~ Half Way there: Mid-Event Survey

Here's my answers:

Mid-Event Survey

1. What are you reading right now?  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert

2. How many books have you read so far?  Just one but I am about to finish it up.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?  The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon.  It's her newest novella and only 100 pages!

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?  Oddly no.  It just worked out that I got to have the day alone and I am a reading fool!

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?  Not too much but I did manage to spill half my lunch on the floor.  I got the little floor vacuum out and read while I vacuumed it up!  Multitasking at its finest.  

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?  How well it is managed.  Not really surprised by it, mostly in awe.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  I can't really think of anything unless you could automatically have a beer and pizza sent to us a meal times.  I'm sure that's an amazing task considering you have hundreds (HUNDREDS) participating in this great event.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?  Nothing different, but I might consider joining as a cheerleader next time.

9. Are you getting tired yet?  Sadly, I was tired before I started.  I ended up only sleeping for about 2 1/2 hour last night because.....I was up reading late.  (palm plant onto forehead)

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?  Have an alarm set at the top of each hour to remind yourself to take a break, check the website, recharge, reload then...go read.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: First Edition Challenge

For this challenge we are sporting pictures of the edition of a book we are currently reading. Just so happens this book that I am reading Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self by Sarah Ban Breathnach is a first edition. 

Dewey's Book-a-Thon: Selfie Challenge

This challenge wants us to show off a pic(s) of our bookshelves. Here's a couple.

Oh yes, there are books on the shelves, on the coffee table, under the coffee table and many other places not seen in these photos!

BTW - here are current stats:

Currently reading:  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert (almost finished)

Books finished: 0

Pages read:  13

Running total of pages read:  115

Amount of time spent reading:  30 mins

Running total of time spent reading: 4.86  hours

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: On Food and Books challenge

Here's a recipe right out of Jan Karon's wonderful Mitford series:

From Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader

Esther's Orange-Marmalade Layer Cake
(Yields: 1 cake, 10 to 12 servings)    

Ingredients for the Cake: 
    3 cups cake flour
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter
    2 cups granulated sugar
    3 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten lightly
    1 tablespoon grated orange zest
    1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
    1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

Ingredients for the Orange Syrup:
    1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
    1/4 cup granulated sugar

Ingredients for the Filling:
    1 cup orange marmalade

Ingredients for the Frosting:
    3/4 cup well-chilled heavy cream
    3 tablespoons sugar
    3/4 cup well-chilled sour cream 


To Make the Cake:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans, line with parchment or waxed paper, and butter and flour the paper, shaking out the excess. 

In a bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter until combined, add the sugar, a little at a time, and beat the mixture until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, orange zest, and vanilla. Beat in 1/3 of the dry ingredients alternately with 1/2 of the buttermilk until combined well. Add half the remaining dry ingredients and the remaining buttermilk and beat until combined well. Finally, beat in the remaining dry ingredients until mixture is smooth. 

Evenly divide the batter between the pans, smooth the surface, rap each pan on the counter to expel any air pockets or bubbles, then transfer to the oven. Bake for 45 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to racks and cool in the pans for 20 minutes.

To Make the Orange Syrup:
Meanwhile, make the orange syrup: In a bowl, stir together the orange juice and sugar until sugar is dissolved. With a toothpick or wooden skewer, poke holes at 1/2-inch intervals in the cake layers and spoon the syrup over each layer, allowing the syrup to be completely absorbed before adding the remaining. Let layers cool completely.

To Make the Filling:
In a small saucepan set over moderate heat, heat the marmalade until just melted. Let cool 5 minutes.

To Make the Frosting:
In a bowl, whisk the heavy cream with the sugar until it forms firm peaks. Add the sour cream, a little at a time, and whisk until of spreading consistency.

To Assemble the Cake:
Arrange one of the layers on a cake plate, carefully peel off the waxed paper, then spread 2/3 of the marmalade over the top, smoothing it into an even layer. Invert the remaining layer onto the top of the first layer, peel off the waxed paper and spoon the remaining marmalade onto the center of it, leaving a 1 1/4-inch border around the edge. Frost the sides and top of the border with the frosting, leaving the marmalade on top of the cake exposed. Or if you prefer, frost the entire cake, adding the marmalade as a garnish on top. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. 

Two Hours of Sleep...what what??

Why am I doing this on 2 1/2 hours of sleep?  Oh, because I love a challenge.  Stats last hour:

Currently reading:  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert (still...)

Books finished: 0

Pages read:  9 - oops, I copped a 10 min name

Running total of pages read:  87

Amount of time spent reading:  21 mins

Running total of time spent reading: 3.85  hours

Seventh Hour Stretch

Well, I didn't get as much read this past hour thanks to a bulimic cat yakking on a throw (or is that throw-up) rug, the carnage that is/was 1/2 of my left overs from Cheesecake Factory, and my husband "the cowboy" texting me pictures of blooming cacti and pregnant, frolicking deer.

Now that we have that bit of bizarre-ness behind us...let's recap what we accomplished last hour:

Currently reading:  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert (still...)

Books finished: 0

Pages read:  10

Running total of pages read:  78

Amount of time spent reading:  30 mins

Running total of time spent reading: 3.5  hours

Dewey's Read-a-Thon: Hour 6 Challenge

The challenge for hour 6 (yes six!  I've lasted this long...let's keep going) is "The best of your reading year".  Picking 3 categories, list three of the best books of the reading year:

The Best Non-Fiction:  The Astronaut's Wives Club by Lily Koppel
The Best Historic Fiction:  Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
The Best YA Fiction:  Fool's Gold by Philippa Gregory

Here are my stats for this past hour:

Currently reading:  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert

Books finished: 0

Pages read:  14

Running total of pages read:  68

Amount of time spent reading:  38 mins

Running total of time spent reading: 3  hours

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon: Hour Five Challenge

Our challenge this hour is to create a book puzzle, where you use pictures to show a book's title.  Let's see if you can guess this one:

Comment your guesses!

Here are my stats for this past hour:

Currently reading:  Palisades Park by Alan Brennert

Books finished: 0

Pages read:  14

Running total of pages read:  54

Amount of time spent reading:  38 mins

Running total of time spent reading: 2.37  hours

~ Teri