Are you tired of winter? I sure am! I can't wait for spring and the time change. That's when you know for sure you survived another winter and can look forward to the long days of summer.

At my age, time goes by so fast. It's my grandchildren that keep me young and full of hope. They are truly a blessing from God.

Children nowadays have so much of everything. Not like when I was a little girl. Why I remember my mother telling us to eat all the crust of our bread or the Crust Man would get us. So, for all you Mom's out there whose kids don't like bread crust, here is a most delicious recipe to keep the Crust Man away.

Raisin Bread Pudding

6 slices raisin bread cut into ¾ inch cubes
½ cup raisins
2 cups milk
2 large eggs
¼ cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Grease a 1-quart baking dish with butter. Combine the bread cubes and raisins in the baking dish. In a bowl, combine the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blend well and pour the mixture over the bread and raisins. Let stand for 5 minutes. Bake it uncovered for 50 minutes or until knife inserted in centre comes out clean.

Makes 4 - 6 servings. Serve warm or cool with ice cream, cream or this lovely sauce.

Sauce

1 ¼ cups icing sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1 large egg, beaten
¼ cup apple juice (If the grown-ups are the only ones having the sauce, you can substitute dark rum or brandy for the apple juice.)

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. About 3 minutes. Serve warm over bread pudding.

I hope you enjoy this old-fashioned recipe as much as I do. It's a wonderful way to warm your insides on these last cold days of winter.

Remember to send me a note with all your questions. I'm always here! You can send me questions or recipes by email or you can post them in the Mighty Miramichi Community Forum. You have to join the Forum in order to be able to leave messages, but not to read them. This month Forestburg is sharing her Prize Winning Chilli Recipe there and it sounds yummy! Thank you for posting it, Forestburg.

I'm looking forward to getting more questions and recipes from all of you.

Until next time, remember I made it especially for you.

"It isn't the big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones." -Jean Webster

Grammie is waiting for you in her kitchen, rocking in her favourite chair by the stove, knitting needles clicking away the seconds. Drop by and join her for a spot of tea, a warm molasses cookie and some wise advice. Every month she answers all your letters as only she can. So, if you have a kitchen-type question or comment for Grammie, send an email to editor@breadnmolasses.com and put Grammie in the subject line or drop by the Mighty Miramichi Community Forum and post a note under the Recipes section.