Since we kept the celebration small, I took a smidge of time to add a few small touches to make Beckham's celebration special. The first being some dressed up brunch napkins to honor what the day was all about. I think dressing up something simple like this is a quick and easy way to add something a little "extra" to any occasion.
In this case, some scrapbook paper, ribbon and scrapbook stickers (cute little lambs/sheep) were all that were needed.
I used my hole punch to make a little circle, added the sticker and then threaded some ribbon. Wrapped around some baby blue napkins, they were a cute addition to our brunch spread.
I also used lollipop sticks and some simple blue ribbon to make donut holes something fun. My older kids couldn't wait to get home to have one of these (who knew a donut hole could be exciting?)!
I also picked up a few mums in white and blue and did a couple simple arrangements. Mums are so easy to arrange and they'll keep forever!
My overall thought for the day was to keep things simple. I didn't want anything outrageous or overdone, just a simple nod to what this day was all about. In keeping with that, our celebration included a simple, make-ahead brunch menu that (with the help of my amazing mother) was relatively painless--and delicious.
Menu
Dressed up donut holes
Pastries (store bought)
Fresh Fruit
Bagels and bagel chips served with veggie bagel dip
Egg Casserole
Overnight Caramel French Toast (my and my kids' s big favorite, recipe below)
Make-ahead Very Berry French Toast Casserole
Juices
And of course, all this to honor the new little man in my life, little B (a.k.a. Beckham). His simple onesie was not the dressiest outfit between the two little boys that were baptized this weekend, but when the mother next to me was fixing and pulling at her sons new white tux that wouldn't stay in place, I knew I had made the right decision for us!
Special thanks to the Block, Binder, Ripple and Buska families who made this day so special for us!
The main event...
Post blessing snooze (fell asleep in Pastor's arms and stayed that way in daddy's)...
Wake up and eat sister's face. Is brunch ready yet??
Overnight Caramel French Toast
(Adapted from Taste of Homes)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 Tbsps light corn syrup
1 loaf French bread
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Chopped pecans (optional)
Grease a 9 x 13" baking dish. Slice french bread into 1 to 1 1/2" thick slices. In a small saucepan, bring brown sugar, butter and corn syrup to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Pour into greased baking dish, sprinkle pecans over dish and immediately add slices of bread on top, working into caramel mixture. When all big pieces are in place (right next to each other) cut smaller pieces, if needed, to fill in any holes.
Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over top of bread. In bowl, whisk eggs, milk and vanilla; pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours.
Remove french toast from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Back uncovered at 350, for 30-35 minutes. Let stand for five minutes before serving. Serve slices inverted, caramel side up. Enjoy!
