Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

As the risk of sounding as if I am obsessed with strawberry desserts, I want to share this recipe. 😉 Last week I highlighted berry brownies (recipe) which I had taken for a group and then I prepared this strawberry trifle Monday for a board meeting. As we say in first grade, this is an easy peasy, refreshing dessert for these hot summer days.

Strawberry Trifle 

one angel food cake, cut into one inch cubes

instant vanilla pudding mix, 3.4 ounce box

2 cups milk

1 large tub Cool Whip

2 (plus) pounds fresh strawberries

Prepare the angel food cake according to box directions. Allow to cool and then cut into one inch cubes. Set aside. 

Wash fresh strawberries and set aside. When completely dry, slice berries.

Mix one box of instant pudding with 2 cups cold milk. Wisk for two minutes and then fold in one large tub (or two small) Cool Whip.

In a deep glass bowl (I inverted my glass cake plate to use the lid as my bowl and rested that in the inverted base), spread about a third of the pudding mixture in the bottom of the bowl. Sprinkle half of the angel food cubes over mixture. Layer half of the sliced strawberries on top. Repeat. Use remaining third of pudding mixture over top of trifle. I used three whole berries as garnishment on top.

Keep well chilled in refrigerator.

Notes: I was concerned that the angel food cake would get "soggy" if I assembled this way ahead of time. I put it together about 6 hours beforehand it was perfectly fine.

You could add blueberries and raspberries to the strawberries if you wish. 

Have a wonderful day and stay cool!

Tickled Pink

A few weeks ago, I showed a tablescape with pink glassware as the centerpiece. At the time, I promised to highlight it all and today's the day.

The candleholder is actually a vase which I inverted. I also flipped over one of the bowls and stacked another on top before adding a greenery ball.

My aunt found the  depression glass pieces at a charitable thrift store after they had been shared by someone who was downsizing her collection. 

Depression glass was manufactured from the 20s through the 40s. It was mass-produced and while it contained flaws (air bubbles, mold marks, etc.), its lovely colors were pleasing to consumers. It was affordable to acquire and was often given away as freebies with particular products. 

Do you have old depression glass pieces? If so, what color? I recently filled the vase with flowers I had cut from the backyard...and I was tickled pink !

Tuesday's Tablescape

Although it's hot here, it's comfortable enough to enjoy dinner on the patio. By evening, the table is in the shade and there always seems to be a gentle breeze.

I always enjoy using these cobalt and white plates, which I picked up at a yard sale several years ago (for a quarter a piece).

The little red glasses are from my dad's  growing up years. Originally filled with bubblegum, the glassware came from the small store where my dad worked. Located at the lake where my grandparents built their home, it was adjacent to the Howe Military Camp and serviced the people who summered in the area. My parents gave me the little ruby beauties several years ago and I have them on display.

How do you like the large wet spot showing on the left hand side of the table?!

Do you care to join us for dinner?

Little Gloves for a Little Project

My aunt recently sent me these adorable little vintage gloves. Measuring in at 2.5 inches long and one inch wide, they are made of  leather and are in good condition.

Aren't they sweet? She acquired them from their church's recent annual yard sale so we don't know the full story, of course, but suspect they were doll gloves of yesteryear. I did a little online research and found them to look quite similar to French doll accessories from the late 19th century. Could they be?

My aunt said she thought that I could do something crafty with them and I am delighted that she thought of me! My mind began imagining creative ways to display the little treasures. I ended up making this 5 by 7 inch picture, using supplies I had in my stash. The frame was one I had picked-up at a yard sale for 25 cents because I thought I could use it someday for a little project of some sort. The background is a floral-printed paper doily that a friend gave me last Christmas. The buttons and scrap lace along the bottom were in my supplies and the three miniature roses were given to me by a friend.

In this close-up shot, you can see that the gloves, pale pink roses and buttons are the only dimensional objects. 

Wouldn't it be interesting to know the real scoop on the little gloves?

Do you have any little vintage treasures on display at your house?

Weekend blessings to you!

A "Berry" Refreshing Dessert

Don't you love fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables? It's a great summertime perk! Here is an easy-peasy dessert with fresh fruit that  you may want to try. I recently carried it in for a gathering and it was popular.

I didn't happen to use raspberries this time, so added extra strawberries and blueberries to compensate.

Berry Brownies

1 box brownie mix

water, vegetable oil and eggs as called for on brownie mix box

1  8 ounce block cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup Cool Whip, thawed

1 1/3 cups quartered fresh strawberries

1 cup fresh blueberries

1/2 cup fresh raspberries

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and bake in a 9 by 13 inch pan. Allow to cool completely.

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth and creamy. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread on brownies. Arrange berries over top of cream cheese mixture. Cover and store in refrigerator.

I think you'll enjoy this "berry" refreshing

dessert!🍓

Ark Encounter

We recently traveled to Ark Encounter in KY and it was wonderful! Located in Williamstown, it's halfway between Cincinnati, OH and Lexington, KY.  As the world's largest wooden structure, this life-size replica of Noah's Ark is both interesting and informative. Measuring in at 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high, this impressive structure is built per biblical specifications and is constructed from 3.3 million board feet of timber.

Three decks host opportunities to learn and explore as you step back in time.

This is the view of the decks when looking up from the ground floor.

You feel as though you were on Noah's Ark. There are vessels of water and...

bags of food in preparation for the journey.

The cages for smaller animals have clay water dispensers and wooden feed boxes.

Larger animal exhibits contain realistic-looking pairs of creatures.

Displays showing Noah's living quarters were of particular interest. I hadn't ever spent much time considering how that portion of the ark was appointed since I was focused on the animals!

Additionally, there are movies, storyboards, special exhibits and hands-on animal lectures onboard.

There are numerous books of the story of Noah's Ark in existence and many are compiled in a room on the second deck. This is just a glimpse of their extensive collection.

The grounds are tasteful and well-maintained.

There is a small zoo of animals showing various animals who could have traveled with Noah.

Ark Encounter opened July 7, 2016 so it was just under a year old when we were there. Building is currently underway as they continue to expand additional features throughout the grounds, but it does not impact what is already operational. In no way do you feel that anything is lacking. The complex will just become bigger and even better over time! We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and highly recommend it.

Isn't this a lovely picture? I can't take credit for this one, though! We were told that the photo was snapped by an Ark Encounter manager and it's so perfect that it almost looks photo-shopped. I purchased a package of pictures while we were there and by doing  so, have legal rights to make copies... so I had to include it.

Happy Independence Day!

We wish you a happy and safe fourth of July!

God bless America!