When I was in high school the most popular past time for teenagers in Spanish Fork was “dragging main”. What were we thinking? It was such a waste of gas and time, but gas was only about 25 cents a gallon and I guess it was better than going to a wild party. You could always tell your friends by the car they drove. I was well known for driving one of the oldest and biggest cars, a blue 1947 Chevy. I’m sure my parents wanted to keep their newer cars free from scratches and dents.Mike was the tall, handsome star of the basketball team back then. Somehow he squeezed his tall 6 foot 7 inch frame into one of the smallest cars, a VW bug. I really liked his car and it became our little “Love Bug”. Our early dates together were in that car. The car was built to last and we drove it many years even after we were married.
Mike was one of the best basketball players to ever play for the Spanish Fork Dons. When he was a senior, he received more than 70 letters from colleges wanting to recruit him to play for their team. When he decided to go to BYU on a full athletic scholarship, I was elated! I was already an avid BYU fan, attending football and basketball games with my dad for years. I was also Mike’s biggest fan, keeping stats of all his games his senior year. I think he was quite impressed that I knew how many points, rebounds and assists he made.
In preparation to go to college, Mike decided to paint his little car. To save money, he worked so hard sanding and preparing it to get painted. He picked the perfect color, a metallic blue, similar to the old BYU blue color during our college days. After painting it, my dad let him keep it in our garage until the paint had cured. It was beautiful and looked like new. We named it “Herbie” after the famous volkwagon in the movies.
I remember the day we drove up to show it off to his parents. Mike ran to the back door not noticing his sister’s Easter chicken that was perched on the window ledge. He scared the chicken that was old enough to fly and watched as it tried to make a landing on top of the newly painted car. It left six long scratches which made Mike absolutely furious. He chased down the chicken and there was a tragic end to what once was a cute Easter chick.
Children love caring for animals. They can learn to work and be responsible by taking care of chickens or other pets. This week my grandchildren bought baby chicks and they are preparing to give them a good home. They will live in their fenced in back yard. Plans are underway for a grand chicken coop where they can sleep and hopefully lay many eggs. I will gladly help them with this project so maybe they will share a few eggs with me. In return, I will invite them over for a breakfast of fantastic Carmel French Toast. There’s nothing better that fresh eggs laid by happy chickens.
Caramel Apple French Toast
6 Tbsp. butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
2 apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup raisins, opt.
8 slices French bread cut 1 “thick
5 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
In a saucepan cook butter, brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat until bubbly, stirring constantly. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Place apple slices in rows over the caramel sauce and sprinkle with raisins, if desired. Place the bread over the apples. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and salt and pour over the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes, then invert on a serving platter. Serve immediately.
