The Last of a Generation.. RIP Delia Abernathy Hunt.. You will be missed.. (Bread Pudding)

My sweet Aunt passed away on Monday..  something I was expecting,  but honestly not really prepared for..  she was 98..  she lived a very long life..  and she was such an amazing lady..  I loved spending time with her,  listening to life when she was a kid..  she was always full of spirit and life..  a wonderful example of how we should live our life..  giving, compassionate, loving, funny... not afraid to live..  she lived through a lot..  she outlived her 3 children and 1 grandson..  what a rock..  but she was ready to go home..  and I can't blame her..  I can't say that I want to live to be 98..  I don't..  but if that is God's plan,  then I hope and pray that I can do it with the dignity and grace that she did..

Bread Pudding

8 c stale bread, cubed ( I used the Raisin Spice Bread I made the other day)
4 cups milk
4 eggs
1/2 c butter, melted
1 c sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
raisins

Put the cubed bread in a large bowl..  preheat oven to 350 degrees..  mix the milk, eggs, butter, sugar, spices and raisins together well.. pour over the bread and push bread down until it absorbs the milk mixture..  pour into a greased glass 9x13 pan(I used my Mom's) and bake for 40 to 45 minutes..

I took a tiny bite thinking this isn't going to be anything like Mom's..  but it was.. and once it is cold from the fridge I think it will taste more like it.. the texture it there..  not to sweet..  so excited.. I figured out another of her recipes that she used to make all the time..   but never had a recipe for..   now to figure out that boiled chocolate frosting she made in her cast iron skillet..  I remember butter and sugar melting together with cocoa and then pouring evaporated milk over it and stirring it over medium heat until it boils..  and I haven't tried it in years,  and it seems simple..  but nope.. mine never cools to a hard candy like shell like hers used to..  she would put it over a 3 layer yellow cake..  and then top with pecan halves..  I can still picture it in my mind..  one day I will master that frosting,  but it won't be today!!!!