HG Openhouse Blog

 Are you expecting overnight guests this holiday season? We are enthusiastically anticipating the first visit of a grandchild. It has been years since we have had a little one in the house, and I have realized that my house is anything but toddler proof!

I started preparing last week by looking into the things that need to be done to make our home safe. The following is a list of tips I found at Parents.com:

1. Conduct a quick childproofing review. Are stairs blocked? Are medicines, cleaning products, and breakables out of reach? Are electrical cords safely put away? Are sockets filled with safety plugs? Are windows closed at the bottom? Is access to decks and balconies restricted? Look around and correct or at least be on heightened alert for potential dangers.
2. Have familiar and new toys available. Having playthings with which your child is comfortable as well as something new to hold her interest can help prevent your child from undue exploring to entertain herself.
3. Cart along a safe space. If you’ll be spending any time in another’s home, consider packing a playpen, even if you generally don’t use one, so that you have a safe space for your child.

Based on the list I will have plenty to keep me busy in the days ahead. Besides making sure he is safe we also want to make sure he has fun. So, I’m most excited about a trip to the store to purchase a few toys and books to keep him entertained. I also have a request for all you moms and grandmas . . . please share any tips you have for making the the time you spend with your little guests special. Our readers give us the best suggestions!!

One last overnight guest tip I would like to share is an awesome breakfast recipe I discovered at Better Homes and Gardens. I can’t wait to make it for my family.

Creme Brulee French Toast

•   Plastic slow cooker liner or line with foil
• 12  ounces challah or sweet bread (such as Portuguese or Hawaiian sweet bread), cut into 1-inch cubes (about 9 cups)
• 4  cups milk
• 1/2  cup sugar
• 3  eggs, or 3/4 cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
•   Caramel ice cream topping, warmed
  Directions
  1. Line a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker with a plastic slow cooker liner. Place bread cubes in prepared slow cooker.2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Pour over bread cubes in cooker. Press bread lightly with back of a large spoon to moisten bread completely. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours.3. Remove from refrigerator. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Turn off cooker. Let stand for 30 minutes. Carefully lift plastic liner from cooker, using a plate to transfer French toast to a cutting board. If desired, slice French toast to serve or spoon it into serving dishes. Top with ice cream topping. Makes 12 servings.  BHG Recipes