Happy New Year Comment Graphics

Fun New Slideshow!

To see our new Slideshow of our High School Senior work, click on this link.
http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=116502 The link may ask you to download something, and rest assured it is safe.
Enjoy!
Dixie

Whats up with all the Engagements??

Wow, I cant believe how many phone messages and emails we've gotten since the 27th about weddings? Did everyone propose this Christmas or what? I guess I'm weird, I don't think of Christmas as a time to propose, but I guess people are home from college and every one is warm and fuzzy feelings. (or guys give engagement rings as Christmas presents? Anyway, I admit, my original web site is out of date.
I am mailing out our price lists to the brides, and the old site will be updated sometime in January, but I will go ahead and post our 2008 price list for you here.

This will be my 12th year photographing weddings in Wichita Falls and my 23rd year in general shooting weddings. Ive shot weddings all over, most of them in Texas, but also in Arizona, Florida, Japan and I even shot one in Belgium! (they have odd customs there, ask me sometime about it.)

Here it is. We've deleted a package that wasn't very popular and made a few changes on our mileage fees etc.

Thank you and Congrats to every one! Oh, I wont be at the Bridal Fair, Ive been there and done that for many years and I haven't attended in about 5 years now i think.

Most of my couples come from former clients and word of mouth.
We are off to go skiing! Have a wonderful New Year!

Available Wedding Dates are very limited for 2007 and 2008.

(NOTE: For sisters of our former Brides and long time clients in good standing, we offer a specially priced more intimate smaller wedding package which is under $1,000. but these are very limited to 3 per year. Call for details.)

2008 Wedding Collection Price List

The Silver Package

The Silver package is our entry-level wedding photography package. It comes complete with 5 hours of photographic coverage time, and a finished designed flush mounted album.
Dixie will arrive 1-2 hours prior to the wedding ceremony, she will capture the bride getting dressed (if desired) images of the groom with his groomsmen, candids around the church or wedding grounds and family images.
She and an assistant will attend the reception as well, and capture the cake cutting, toast, first dance, candid table shots, and other family images. This entry-level package includes 5 hours of time and a finished album with 100 photos included.
Includes:
Initial consultation with the bride in studio for up to 90 minutes. A flush mounted 8x8 album with 100 photos designed by the photographer. An engagement session photo shoot with one 11x14 portrait. -$2499.

The Gold Collection

This collection is all-inclusive Package from the Engagement and Bridal Portrait session, parent's album, to a magnificent Flush mounted wedding album. We compared prices with Dallas photographers and found similar packages priced at $4,000.Includes:
Consultation with the bride for up to 90 minutes.
Up to 6 Hours of Wedding Time Coverage,
120 Wedding photographs mounted in a beautiful flush mounted Album with delicate embossing of the couple’s names One Parents Album identical to bride and grooms in a 5x5 flush mounted size.A complimentary Engagement portrait sitting and 11x14 mounted portrait.A Bridal Portrait Sitting in studio or on location ,One beautiful 16x20 Classic finish Bridal portrait.Total all-inclusive package price -$2,999.


The Platinum Collection
This is a wonderful package for the larger wedding, which possibly has a sit down dinner and a dance. It has plenty of hours to cover all the happenings, and a generous large beautiful album.It also features an Engagement sitting, a Bridal Portrait sitting and a beautiful wall Portrait. A Very nice collection.Up to 7 Hours of photographer coverage time.
150 wedding photographs designed and bounded in a beautiful 10x10 Asauka flush mounted wedding album, Embossing of Couples names and wedding date.One Parent's Album either identical to Brides book, or with 30 5x5 portraits in a flush mounted mothers book. An Engagement Sitting- your choice of in-studio or on location;A Formal Bridal Portrait Sitting either in studio or out on location:Two beautiful 16x20 sized Classic Wall Portraits, One for mom and one for the Brides home.50 wallet size portraits from either Engagement sitting or Bridal-$3,599.

The Storybook Wedding
This is a popular wedding album package, containing full service for the discriminating bride.
This package includes A large and lovely Thick Beautiful Large Flush Mounted Album in your choice of 6 colors, an engagement session, a Formal Bridal Portrait Sitting in the studio or on location plus one lovely 16x20 Classic wall portrait for mother and a 20x24 from either the wedding day or Bridal portrait, complete with digital artwork.
50 wallet-sized images.Also includes up to 8 hours photography coverage time and a second photographer to cover candid moments and photo journalistic shots.
Complete package -$4,029.


The Destination Wedding
HAVE PASSPORT WILL TRAVEL!

This is for the Destination wedding, which is so popular. Locations have included South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas or even cruise ship weddings.

(I'm also a licensed Scuba Diver and have an underwater camera, so we can get some great shots scuba diving or snorkeling!)

Dixie and one assistant will travel to the location of your choice. She will provide up to 12 hours of photographic time and a Deluxe 2 volume set album, containing your wedding images and beach photo session with the Bride and Groom.
The albums are custom designed by Dixie and contain all the joy, love and happiness from your wedding in paradise.
You also receive a complimentary Bridal portrait Sitting included in this lovely package!
A mother’s album is included with up to 150 images and custom designed by Dixie.You’ll also get 2 sets of Cd's containing every single image shot and a DVD Slide show from your Wedding. 100 images will be posted on line for family and friends viewing pleasure.
Also included is a $750 in photo credit for wall portraits.

The Fee for this Deluxe . all inclusive package is:
Air Fare for 2 rountrip to Destination wedding location
Hotel stay for up to 3 days for 2
Plus photographers fee of $4995.00.

• Studio Policies and Special Fees
  Please call the studio at 940-761-5111 to see if your wedding date is available.
  It is advisable to try and book your wedding from a year to 6 months in advance.
  
  
• We require a $250.00 retainer be paid to hold your wedding day. This payment will be applied towards the Wedding package that you select.
  
  
• In the event that you cancel your wedding, or reschedule it, the initial payment is not refundable.
  

• In studio Bridal Portrait fee is $50. On location session fee is $75 for within Wichita Falls city limits.



• For out-of-town travel for Bridal portraits or Engagement portraits, please add $.60 cents per mile travel fee. If the location is over 75 miles away, please add up to2 nights hotel accommodations, for Mrs. Dobbins. In addition, The Creation fee is $300 for photo shoots further than 75 miles away. If out of state, session fee is $500. (out of state shoots require Airline ticket be provided for the Photographer and hotel accommodations.)
  
• You may make monthly installments or pay off your wedding package at any time, within at least 30 days before your wedding day.
  
  *(Overtime charges may be pre-purchased additionally at $150.00 per hour.)

Snow, skiing, hot chocolate and mountains.

Only a couple of days until we go on our Annual Ski trip. I am already there in my mind.

Our daughter and 2 grandsons might come along with us too! I hope so. Ive got my fingers crossed she can. Were going on a sleigh ride in a 2 horse open sleigh and skiing and our son is Snowboarding.

This isnt the cabin we stay in, ours is a 3 br 3 bath with a Jacuzzi hot tub. Cant wait!
This is our son last year snowboarding.

Worth a minute.

Check this out and drop a "virtual coin" into the slot, and a donation will be made to a childrens hopsital. ENJOY!

http://wwe5.bchydro.com/2007holiday/

Whats important

As you start to think about what you want to accomplish in 2008, it's important to embrace WHY YOURE DOING IT.

I hope you can watch this short clip,

simple lessons for the New Year.

So turn up your speakers and enjoy this heartfelt message!

Feel free to share with your friends and family.

BE SURE AND MUTE MY MUSIC BOX TO THE RIGHT FIRST! PRESS THE II BUTTON TWICE ON MY JUKE BOX to Silence it.

Click on the link below.

http://www.tonyrobbins.com/12TENETS/index.html?=136092

Ive been fighting the urge...

Well guys... Ive been fighting the urge for about 3 years. You know that urge to hear the pitty pitty pat of little flat feet... and I cant repress that urge any more! Ive got to do it. No matter what my husband says... I'm doing it anyway.. No, I'm not having a baby, I'm seriously thinking of getting a little WESTIE!!!

I absolutely love these dogs! They are so precious!

I know a woman in Archer City who raises them and I think its time to add to the family. Our beloved dog is 9 now and I think its time she had a playmate.

So here is what Westies look like West Highland Terriers.
Tell me you cant say no to these guys. They're adorable.

Dr. Green and his wife have 2 that are adorable and I fell in love with them last year when I was at their home. They are great dogs.

I also saw a Dog Calendar that had West Highland terriers and it was so adorable.

They are good dogs and playful but not too needy. They are small but have large heads and are so sweet. They are well behaved and very trainable. So Ive gone to the Dogs. What else is new?

If You Didnt get our Christmas Card yet this year...

I was behind the curve this year with our Christmas Cards, due to getting out everyone elses this year. (the photographers families cards are always the last ones out.)

If you didnt get one, then here ya go.

Thank you for all the cards you all sent us! Our 15 foot Pillar is covered in them! Im sorry I didnt get everyones out, but It will be to you soon!

Christmas at the White house with Barney

Here are some cute Christmas videos of the Presidents dogs Barney and Mrs. Beasley.
Fun for children or adults to watch. They are scottish terriers and so adorable. Just be sure and stop the music playing here on the Blog first so you can hear it. ENJOY!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/barney/barneycam2006.qt.v.html
to see more go to
http://www.whitehouse.gov/barney/

Life is Good... really good.

Our family had a wonderful Christmas. I hope you all did as well! Of course my wish always is Peace on Earth.

Heres a photo of our Blue Tree this year. Ive always wanted to do a tree with Blue and Silver ornaments and I did it this year. Another thing I love to do is to use REAL Pine and Holly on the mantel and all over our home. Where do I get it? From our own yard and the park nearby! It smells fantastic and looks so much better than artificial. You just have to be careful of the holly berries, they will stain your carpet if they drop off.

I most likely wont be Blogging for a while, between the Ski trip and spending time with family, I wont have time.
Our staff will begin working again on the 27th, But ill be out of pocket until the 7th.

I hope you all had a VERY MERRY Christmas. Santa brought a Wii Sportspack (with 8 games!) I am sore from Bowling, Tennis and golfing!
I also got a big bottle of the VIKTOR ROLF Flowerbomb parfum I had blogged about (my hubby does read my blog from time to time!) http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2895105?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=viktor+rolf+in+All+Categories&origin=searchresults

He even went to Nordstroms at StoneBriar Mall (in Frisco) to get it. My daughter surprised us all and shipped a Huge box full of goodies for all of us! Thank you Misty, that was so sweet of you, but my real gift will be seeing my grandsons in a few days and carving the powder on the slopes in a few days!

My husband always cooks the turkey in our house (Yes I'm lucky, married a great cook) and his mother and he and his father always make the famous Family Dressing.

It was our 13th Christmas in this home with my inlaws. (They are terrific people and it wouldnt be Christmas without them.)

It was a wonderful day. Back to the art of relaxing by the fireplace and looking through my book of Painting from Venice 607 pages thick!
Oh! I also got a Panini Grill, so got to make some Panini sandwiches for lunch here in a minute.
Our son wants to catch a movie today, were undecided between "The Great Debators" or Alien vs Predator. (Yep, the 15 year old voted for that one.)

Ill see you all later, and Thank you for being our beloved friends, Clients and Family. You each are all near and dear to our hearts.
Peace on Earth,
Dixie & Co. (PS Heres our son playing Santa Christmas morning, in his Texas A&M gear. He may be 6 foot tall, but he's just a little boy on Christmas morning! )

Jessica

Doesnt Jessica look warm and cozy in her coat? Your portraits will be ready to pick up tomorrow Jessica . Our hours are 9-12 tomorrow and then we are officially closed for Christmas holidays.

Thanks everyone! Our staff will reopen on the 27th of December.

Christmas on the Square

Here are some pictures I shot of downtown Decatur TX, decorated for Christmas. They always decorate the square so beautifully for Christmas. Here are a few of the stores and the awesome courthouse they have there.








Reminds me of the town I grew up in as a kid. So quaint and charming. I love the little shops there.































OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE IN A ONE HORSE OPEN SLEIGH.



One thing we are going to do on our ski trip in a few days is go on a sleigh ride in the New Mexico mountains! This is so much fun! So romantic and magical. I love sleigh rides. They take you through the winding historic Upper Canyon area of Ruidoso. Blankets are furnished, and we bring along our own thermos of Hot chocolate. D Lazy 2 Sleigh rides

We did it!

I wanted to tell you guys about a great place to shop! I dont know if they will be open on Christmas eve or not, but they are a great place to go anytime of the year. Its called MOSLEY TRADING COMPANY. http://www.mosleytradingco.com/aboutus.htm

They are located out on Hwy 287 near Henrietta.

They've got beautiful western furniture, clothing, accesories of all kinds.

Heres their website. I am honored that I photograph all their grandchildren and Ive photographed their beautiful daughter as well.

Here s a recent image of one of their young grandsons. Hes adorable! We are thankful for wonderful clients like them!
http://www.mosleytradingco.com

Charlie Brown Christmas

Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy.

Well Im having a great time this holiday season.

I had a very nice visit with my mother, and just took her back to Frisco. I miss her already! We had a great visit and now Im back home with my family. Shes out of pain temporarily thanks to her new Physician up in Frisco.

My sister and I got to do some serious Christmas shopping at the StoneBriar Mall and then again yesterday at Grapevine Mills. We walked a hundred miles it feels like. Im offically finished with my Christmas shopping. I think my money went mostly to Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie, Restoration Hardware, Kirklands, Neiman Marcus (Darn those Coach Purses!) and Horchow.

My sister and I had a wonderful lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and I got to spend time with my adorable neice and nephew.
Ive bought all the gifts for my grandsons and everyone is taken care of now.

I hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New year! We will be taking a 6 day Ski trip to New Mexico but our staff will be holding down the fort while we are gone.And we have a dog and house sitter as well.

Thank you to our wonderful clients. Without you, I wouldnt get to do what I love to do.
Im sincerely honored that you guys return to me over and over and trust me with your most precious things, your children and your families.
It was a great year and I promise to always do my best for you, for your portrait memories. You are like family to me , all of you!

And a Big Thank you to my staff -Beckie, Gina, Brynlee, Jackie, Keisha and my housekeepers Leecha and Marie. I couldnt do all I do without you guys. You are the glue that holds me together!

Please be safe! I may post another post or two between now and when I get back from skiing.
If you need me, the best way is to email, as I will check it once a day.
Gods Blessings to you all.
Please remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Im so excited....

I am so excited, my husband and son are on their way to Frisco to pick up my mother to bring her back for a few days to have an early Christmas with her!
It will be fun. Im sure we will do some baking and sitting by the fireplace and sipping hot chocolate.
My mother has had some health issues and it will be nice to take care of her for a change. (She'll have some surgery after the holidays) and I pray she will be good as new.
But in the meantime, I get to spend some time with her!

Heres a photo of she and I on my wedding day. You can see she definetly has the Indian blood in her veins from her mother. hee hee.
I better go, got to put the finishing touches on our home, and finish stocking the pantry.
This is what the holidays are all about FAMILY.
(PS This will be the first time EVER my mom has come to my home for the holidays!) Usually we go to her.)
Hugs to everyone!

Truett

Just wanted to post one image of this precious little 1 year old boy named Truett.

He was so much fun. He gigled and laughed and played the entire time he was here.

Thanks!

Festive Evening

Last Night I attended a special function. It was the Burkburnett Boomtown Babes Christmas party! What a fun time we all had. The meal and appetizers were delicious and the ladies exchanged gifts and opened them and sang Christmas songs.

It was such a beautiful evening. What a beautiful sight it was to see all the girls decked out in their beautiful festive dresses.

It was lovely.

Thanks for inviting me to be a part of it Tiffany and everyone!

Nice young man.

My Family in Graham, Im thinking of you!

I miss my cousins and Great Aunt Mae in Graham, Please send me your addresses again! Ive lost my address book!
Fleda, Laney, and the gang!
Hugs to you guys!

Raylee

I was so excited to see Raylee last week! These are two of my favorites! She is growing up so fast and is so adorable.

I bought a tutu and pearls for the occassion. Shes getting more and more beautiful every day.

I miss you Raylee, Keisha and Jackie!

Hugs

A walk in the park is priceless.

This morning I had some time before work and I took my beautiful sheltie on a walk. SHE LOVES TO GO ON WALKS! I mean, when I ask her if she wants to go for a walk, she PERKS UP HER EARS and Starts barking and running in circles.

Shes normally a very mellow dog. Doesnt get excited about much. Very smart and always watching everyone, but usually quiet. But NOT WHEN I SAY THOSE MAGIC WORDS. haha

There is a beautiful park near our home and we walk down to it and she chases cotton tail bunnies. I took my camera this morning and took a few pictures.

I actually won a contest a couple of years ago with an image I shot in the park on a day that an ice storm hit.

We had so much fun. I just love our dog. If you are considering getting a dog and not sure which breed to get, I highly recommend Shelties. They are super smart, I taught her how to do several tricks in one day!

and shes 9 and hasnt forgotten them. They are CARING. They LOVE people. Now, heres a funny reason. (THEY DONT LICK THEMSELVES!) I mean it, they really dont! A breeder told me that once and I was surprised.

They are SMART. Did I mention how smart they are? Our dog literally came potty trained at 6 weeks old. She has been a joy. They dont chew on things. (She chewed a little bit her first year of life but not since.) They dont DIG HOLES. They are LOYAL as loyal can be.

If she ever gets out of the backyard somehow (gate left open while mowing the yard) She will not run away and go on a neighborhood romp. No she just walks around to the front door and sits patiently on the porch until we figure out she got out.

She is so well behaved. I did a lot of research before I got her since i had only had 1 dog my entire life and I understand it is a huge comittment.

We love her so dearly. Shes a part of our family. Heres a shot of her watching the blue jays.

Taking a walk with her is the best therapy and stress reliever. Just thought Id share with you guys.

Adorable Ava!

This precious little girl was so much fun. She sent her letter to Santa in our special "Dear Santa, I want it all" mailbox and frolicked around our tons of Poinsettias.

She was just an angel. Love those curls and big blue eyes. Thank you Ava for choosing Pics by Dix, you are precious in every way.

She really had fun with my Tinkerbell camera! She loves Tink!
She really made my day. Thank you Ava and mommie.

Going through Old photos.

I had a busy day today, but this evening, I was going through some old photos. I just wanted to post these. These are my 2 grandmothers. My mothers mother and my fathers mother.



Both were beautiful ladies and very interesting.




Its so amazing to me, to see pictures of your family when they were young.
My Mother mother, Alta is on the left and my fathers mother Hazel is on the right.


I think they were both very beautiful women. My dads mother was really an amazing lady. She had the finest in taste and drove a beautiful convertible with one of those large Poodles. His name was Pierre. She lived in California and took fantastic vacations and she and her husband traveled.


She really had a great life and was a socialite of sorts.


My other grandmother wasn't wealthy, but she was very interesting as well. She was a fantastic cook and was a free spirit. She lived in Burkburnett a long time ago, and I wasn't even aware of it until recently. She is part Native American (Cherokee) and that's where I get my Indian blood from. My mother gave me a quilt that supposedly Quannah Parkers relative sewed and she had it all these years.


They have both passed on, and I miss them. I think they were beautiful and lived interesting lives.


I encourage you all to get out your photos albums this Christmas and go through them epically looking at your parents and grandparents pictures. It such an amazing thing to hear about their lives. I will Miss them this Christmas, but they will be alive in our hearts. What I would give to have them in the Kitchen with me this Christmas.

The last picture is of me with former Texas Govenor Ann Richards. She was campaigning for Govenor and I got a private interview with her, when I was a reporter. I was pretty clever about finding people and getting the scoop! She and I got to talk for a while as she got off her Jet and rode to the courthouse to give her speech down in Central Texas.

She had that charm that my grandmother Hazel had. That grace and beauty yet was strong at the same time.

Ahhhh memory Lane.

SANTA CLAUSE

This came to me from one of our most special clients. Crystal in Jacksboro.
Thank you Crystal. I got goosebumps and a lump in my throat.

Santa Clause

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I
was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit
her
on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus,"
she jeered.
"Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that
day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma
always
told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot
easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I
knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so.

It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told
her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" She
snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going
around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your
coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second
world-famous cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town
that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through
its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and
buy
something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car."
Then
she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother,
but
never had I shopped for anything all by myself.
The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish
their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there,
confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and
who
on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my
friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to
my
church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker.
He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind
me
in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went
out
to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling
the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby
Decker
didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the
ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a
coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real
warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter
asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.



"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really
needed
a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in
a
bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out
of
the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and
ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said
that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to
Bobby
Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever
officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept
noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.

Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she
whispered,
"get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw
the
present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety
of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to
open.
Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent
shivering,
beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.


That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were
just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and
well,
and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag
tucked inside:
$19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that
care....
And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year





Who says an 8x10 is a BIG SIZE? We get a lot of calls of people saying, What is the best size? I dont want a really big portrait. Well, this is a 24x30 and we dont think its too big do you?

When you visit our studio, you will also see 30x40 inch prints and we believe the bigger the better! Espically for families.
We dont recommend close up face shots to be that large. But the image does need to fill the space its hung in. Just our recommendation.

We will discuss sizes with you to help determine what is best for your particular room.

Just thought you'd like to know.

BREAD PUDDING

Authentic New Orleans Bread Pudding


1 Tbsp. butter
1 loaf stale New Orleans French Bread
6 eggs, beaten well
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. pure vanilla
2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
5 cups whole milk, scalded*
1 cup whipping cream
1 stick butter, melted
2 cups rum-soaked raisins
1 large Rome or Fiji apple, peeled and diced

First, grease an 11 x 14 Pyrex baking pan with the tablespoon of butter. Next, cut the stale French bread into 2”x2” squares and place them in the pan.

Take a large mixing bowl and a piano wire whisk and make an egg custard by creaming together the eggs and the sugar until smooth.

Then whip in the vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until everything is thoroughly incorporated into the custard.

Now stir in the scalded whole milk, the whipping cream, and the butter and work that well into the mixture.

At this point pour the custard mixture over the bread chunks and, using your fingers, work it into the bread until the pieces soften (ideally, you want to allow the bread to truly “soak” into the custard).

Then when the bread becomes “heavenly moist” and fluffy, evenly sprinkle on the raisins and the diced apple (again with your fingers, gently push them into the softened bread).

Finally, sprinkle a little more cinnamon over the top of the pudding and bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for about an hour (or until the pudding turns a rich honey brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).

This bread pudding is wonderful served either warm or chilled, especially when it’s topped with my Rum Walnut Sauce. Step-by-step, here’s how you make it:

RUM SAUCE
1 stick butter, softened
1-1/2 cups dark brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
Zest of one lemon
Dash cinnamon
Dash allspice
1/2 cup dark Puerto Rican rum

First melt the butter over medium heat in a 3-1/2 quart saucepan, stir in the brown sugar, and cook until the sugar fully melts.

Then rapidly stir in the lemon zest, the vanilla, the walnuts, the cinnamon, and the allspice and cook gently over medium heat until all the ingredients thoroughly come together.

Then just before you’re ready to serve, slowly pour in the rum, stir it quickly into the sauce, and cook it—slowly stirring all the while—for about 3 minutes to marry the ingredients and to drive off all but the essence of the liqueur.

Y’all, I know it sounds complicated, but it’s really just that simple.
I'm making it for Christmas dessert this year.
-Dixie

=======

Chef’s Notes:

There’s a certain way to “scald” milk. You pour it into a deep saucepan and heat the milk gently, stirring constantly. Don’t let it come to a boil and don’t let it burn! When you see tiny bubbles beginning to form around the edge of the pan, take the pan off the fire and stir the milk until the bubbling stops. Some food scientists say that because of pasteurization it’s no longer necessary (it was done originally to kill whatever bacteria might be in the milk). . .other scientists, however, say it should still be done when doing baked goods. I always scald the milk that goes into my bread pudding.

To make the raisins plump up and take on an even greater flavor, soak them in the rum for about 30 minutes before dropping them into the pudding. Of course, reserve the rum for use in the sauce.

Raylee is Baptised

Today I was asked to be a guest at a very special celebration. The Baptism of our employees daughter Raylee. As you may or may not know, Keisha is undergoing Chemo at MD Anderson and so we've temporary lost 2 of our employees. Keisha and her mother Jackie.

They are originally from Louisiana, but moved here just a few years ago. Jakie's mother was displaced by Hurricane Rita and they've had their share of ups and downs and struggles.

But they are wonderful people and I love them dearly!

They made the long drive from Houston this weekend to have Raylee baptised at their church, Sacred Heart. It was a beautiful ceremony with a lot of the family and friends flying in and driving in from all over, as far as California.

Raylee was a doll and never even cried once during the ceremony, even as the water was being poured on her scalp!

Ill be praying while Keisha completes more of her Chemo treatments and thinking of them every day. Please keep her in your prayers as well.

Be safe and God Bless!