Trifle Strawberry Shortcake

Lately Eric and I have been invited to several cookouts so I have been on the hunt for quick, easy, delicious recipes.  Last Friday our friends Jon and Candis invited us over for a cookout.  I was supposed to bring a dessert and dip for an appetizer.  As I am walking through Meijer just hours before the cookout, I still had no idea what dessert I was going to make and then I came upon the strawberries!  Who doesn’t love fresh strawberries?  Right next to the strawberries they had angel food cake on sale then the recipe started forming in my head!

Ingredients

1 Large Tub of Cool Whip

1 Pack of Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 Large Tub of Whipped Cream Cheese

2 Pounds of Strawberries

2 Packs of Strawberry Glaze

1 Angel Food Cake

                                               I Chopped the Strawberries into Bite Size Pieces

                                                                            I Cubed the Angel Food Cake

                                                                    Add the Glaze to the Strawberries

    In a Separate Bowl Mix the Cool Whip, Cream Cheese, and the Powder of the Vanilla Pudding

After I Had all Three Parts Prepped I Started to Layer it

First I Layer the Angel Food Cake then the Filling and Topped it with the Strawberries and I repeated the Process Until the Bowl was Filled.  This Recipe Will Make Two Trifle Bowls Full.  Friday We Went to Jon and Candis's and Saturday We Had Friends To Our House "So I Had Enough For Two Bathces"                               

                                                                 The Finished Product "Yummy"

Flower Power

When we moved in our yard was covered with snow! So we had no idea what we would find when spring came! We found lots of weeds and over grown plants.  So one day I walked outside and pulled everything up except the little tree.  Eric was less than thrilled with my work but he did agree that there was no rhyme or reason to the landscaping.  The flower bed set empty for 2 weeks, and then our neighbors gave us a bunch of mulch.   Once we laid the fresh mulch we decided we should add a couple plants and some flowers to add a little curb appeal to our house! This is not our ideal landscaping but plants are expensive so we settled for what was within our budget! We bought a couple zebra grasses, some hostas and a flat of petunias.  We have been enjoying doing projects around the house together.  We are both learning a lot about being home owners and how to work as a team and compromise!

                                                                         Max Enjoying the Yard

CHINESE COLESLAW

In the summer Eric and I are invited to several cookouts and parties! I was looking for an easy go to summer party recipe.  I did not have to look to far, my boss Jerri had the perfect solution!

CHINESE COLESLAW

 1# pkg of fresh slaw mix from the produce dept

2 pkg of oriental ramen noodles, crumbled

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup sesame oil

1/4 cup sugar or equivalent splenda

1/3 cup apple or rice vinegar

Optional--soy sauce

1 bunch of green onions, chopped

Mix oil, vinegar, sugar/splenda, flavor packet from the ramen noodles, and optional soy sauce to make the dressing. Mix slaw, nuts, seeds, onions, and dressing. Chill and serve.

I served this at Annabelle's Sprinkle! I had 4 people ask me for the recipe! I always think if others ask you for the recipe then you know it  was hit!

Annabelle's Sprinkle

I am always looking for a good reason to throw a party! My best friend Kristi gave me the perfect opportunity to throw a fun party this month! She was expecting her second child but her first little girl! I threw a Couples Baby Shower for Bowen (her first child).  I know that it is not typical to have another shower so I put a spin on the traditional Baby Shower and threw Kristi a Sprinkle.   In my opinion Annabelle is not any less important and I wanted to celebrate her also.  Annabelle decided to come into the world a little early so she was in attendance for the party!  I think the sprinkle was a hit! Close friends and family had the chance to meet the newest addition to the Brouwer family!  There was plenty of food for all and lots of laughs to go around!  

                                                            Annabelle Rayne Brouwer

My favorite part of planning a party is thinking of all the small details. I made this banner out of scrapbook paper! Crafts like this are time consuming but inexpensive and Kristi will be able to use this for future birthday parties. 

                                                                        It's not a party without cake

  I ordered these off www.coolpacifiers.com! Personalize items are always a great gift!

                                                            Compliments of Jessica

                                                     Another inexpensive way to decorate

                                     I set up a onesie decorating station for Kristi's nieces

                                                                Mommy & Annabelle

Meeting Benjamin

2 weeks ago Eric and I had the honor of meeting our nephew

Benjamin James Strobel.   

I Love It

I can’t help it! That is right I can’t help but organize every inch of my house.  I think being a clean orderly person is a positive thing.  I find my organization skills to be helpful in many situations.  I love order and cleanliness.   A therapist might say that I clean and organize due to O.C.D. and control issues but they over think  everything (believe me I studied therapy in school for 6 years)! I like to think my organization helps my life run smoother and brings comfort to me.    

Eric Teases Me That I Am Ready For The TV Show Cribs

                              If My Spices Were Not Organized It Would Take Longer To Cook

     Another Reason For My Organization Is I Take Pride In My Home And The Things I Own

                                                                           I Love Order

4 out of 6

Last weekend Eric and I kept 4 of our 6 nieces and nephews overnight.  Alivia was at her Dad’s for the weekend and Benjamin lives 12 hours away and is a little young for an overnight visit.  I don’t know who was more excited about the sleepover the kids or me! We started the evening playing on the swing set.  All the kids love to swing after swinging Uncle Eric facilitated a soccer game!   After lots of outside play we all headed in for a snack, baths, and a movie! A little before 11:00 pm all 4 kids were asleep and at 7:00 am all 4 kids were up and ready to start the day!  By 10:30 am we had eaten breakfast; watched cartoons, played hide n seek, went on a walk, and played on the swing set.  At 10:30 we headed to church with all 4 kids in tow! Our congregation members were impressed that we made to church on time with 4 kids!  The kids were great at church! After church we headed to Pizza Hut for the hand off.  We met all the parents for lunch and discussed the fun night we had.  After Pizza I went home and slept for 2 hours, I was exhausted.  I live for nights like this though; nieces and nephews are one of the great gifts God gave us!  Eric and I have been blessed with 4 nieces and 2 nephews and as of this week we found out that my sister Jennifer and brother in-law Drew are expecting, baby Clark will be here around Christmas time! Eric and I are so excited for Drew and Jennifer!

                                                                                   Swinging

                                                                          All 4 kids are in the tube!

                                                                                      Breakfast Time

                                                           Chocolate Milk and Donuts

                                                 and fruit so that they had some nutrition

                                                                             Ready for Church