Mrs Mary's Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding
2 tablespoons butter,softened
1 pound loaf sliced white bread, toasted
12 eggs
3 tablespoons vanilla extract
5 cups half and half cream
3 cups white sugar
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch nostalgia





Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter each slice of bread on both sides. Tear buttered bread into little pieces, and put into a very large mixing bowl. Beat eggs with vanilla, and then pour over bread. Stir in half and half and sugar. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the
cinnamon and nutmeg over the top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes. Serve hot or cool.

When from a newborn to the second grade, we lived in Sopchoppy, Florida. While my mother taught fourth grade at Sopchoppy High School, Mrs Mary Rudd and her husband Emory kept me next door on their little farm. Each morning, I eagerly looked forward to seeing the rats Mr Emory had killed the previous evening, playing with the empty Prince Albert tins and matchboxes, swinging on his foot riding horsey. He made me a wooden high chair and in this I fondly remember eating Mrs Mary's bread pudding.
It was a sad day for this little boy when one day, I was unable to go over to Mrs Mary's. It was my first experience with death, as later that evening, we went over to see Mrs Mary in the front bedroom lying in state. In those days before the funeral industy got involved, a wake would be held in the home.
Ever since then, anytime someone makes bread pudding, I compare it to Mrs.Mary's. In all my years, I have yet to taste any like Mrs Mary's. Was it the homegrown yard chickens eggs? Was it the homemade butter? We shall never know. This past evening, my sister came across an old recipe and tried. I told her it came awfully close. That was one of the best compliments I could have given.
Each time I go to Sopchoppy, I make it a point to visit Mrs. Mary's grave across the river at the West Sopchoppy Cemetery.
Someday in glory, it would not suprise me to find out the manna the Lord fed his children upon was concocted by Mrs Mary. It is too bad we shall not need food in heaven, for once again, Lord, let me taste Mrs Mary's bread pudding.