BRUNCH FOR MOTHERS DAY!!

First lets set a pretty table, with a picture of each mom, next to thier place setting, have candles and some fresh flowers, and soft music playing in the background, add in some great conversation and lots of laughs.. I am having some friends over Saturday and we are starting with Brunch for our day of Pampering!!
OK we need to start with some great drink choices and my favorite brunch drink is a Mimosa, YUMMM :-) Here is the recipe:

3/4 cup champagne, chilled
1/4 cup orange juice
Mix three parts of your favorite sparkling white to one part of your favorite orange juice. Enjoy! CHEERS!!

I will have some plain orange juice and coffee on hand, with all the great flavored creamers....

 Next the main menu choices, this is a favorite at my house, Almond French Toast..its fit for the princess in your life.. 
1 cup slivered almonds
3 eggs
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 thick slices French bread
3 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons butter confectioners' sugar for dusting Place almonds in a small saucepan over low heat. Tossing frequently, toast until lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, flour, salt, baking powder, almond extract and vanilla extract. Soak bread slices in the mixture until saturated. Place slices in a shallow pan. Refrigerate slices approximately 1 hour. Heat canola oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. One at a time, press one side of soaked bread slices in the almonds to coat. Fry bread slices on both sides until golden brown. Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving.

French Ham, Cheese, and Egg Fondue Casserole:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon mustard powder
3 cups cubed fully cooked ham
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, cubed
3 cups cubed day old French bread
4 eggs, beaten
3 cups milk
1 dash hot pepper sauce
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese


Generously grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with softened butter. Stir together flour and mustard powder. Place ham and Cheddar cubes in a large mixing bowl, sprinkle with flour mixture, and toss until evenly coated. Add bread cubes and toss to mix. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and hot pepper sauce. Pour 1/3 of the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth out to form a layer. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of butter, and sprinkle with 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. Repeat twice more to form three layers. Pour egg mixture overtop, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight. The next morning, remove casserole from refrigerator, remove plastic wrap, and allow to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake uncovered in preheated oven until the eggs have set, and the top is golden brown and crispy, about 1 hour.

I am also having some fresh fruit, cookies, and muffins on hand!!!
This fresh fruit salad is a favorite at my house...
1 pint strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
1 pound seedless grapes, halved
3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
3 bananas, sliced
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (21 ounce) can peach pie filling
1/2 cup sugar
In a large bowl, combine all the fruit, add sugar and mix well. Chill for 1 hour before serving.( you can add any other favorite fruit ( I usually add blueberries too)

 After all this we are off to the spa for a fun filled relaxing day!!! What do you have planned? On Sunday I am going to church then out to eat with my family, My friends and I just wanted to have our own special ME time!!!