Strawberry Trifle Recipe

I realized today that summer is basically over! (of course, it's winter a.k.a the rainy-but-still-super-hot-and-humid season, here in Panama.) So in honor of summer, I wanted to post my favorite summer-time dessert recipe. It's always a hit at a potluck or party, super easy to make, and just downright delicious. Oh, and this recipe is from my mom's kitchen!

Strawberry Trifle

1 Angel food cake (premade or mix)

1 large box instant vanilla pudding

2 10oz. cartons of frozen sweetened strawberries

1 large carton cool whip

Almond extract

• Cut cake into 1-1 1/2" chunks & put on the bottom of a large glass bowl (you can actually buy glass trifle bowls with a pretty pedestal for like $10 at Walmart)
• Prepare pudding according to package directions, but add slightly more milk & a little vanilla extract.
• Pour over angel food cake pieces while pudding is still thin and runny.
• Stir strawberries in a separate bowl with a dash or 2 of almond (or rum- but I prefer almond) extract... don't leave this out... this is what makes the dessert sparkle! (not in the literal sense)
• Pour strawberry mixture over pudding.
• Finally spread cool whip over the top.
• Very important! Refrigerate ALL DAY or OVERNIGHT! It takes time for the juices to soak the cake... otherwise it's dry and just not as good!
• Sometimes when I'm feeling fancy I'll put a sprig of mint and a slice or two of strawberry on the top as garnish... sometimes I barely finish spreading the cool whip before we dig in.

YUMMMMMMMYYY!

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First Words

My baby, at 14 months old now, babbles and rambles all day... but doesn't really say anything comprehensible. Her first word was not "mama" or "dada" or "hot", etc. like a first time mom such as myself would expect. No, not my baby girl. My daughter's first word was "tickle"... and she would even say it as she would attempt to tickle you with her tiny little fingers. Her next word was "dog"... although it sounded more like "da"... but we know what she meant! Yesterday she said her third word "uh-oh", as she dropped her toy behind the couch. Okay, so all this is really stinkin' cute and everything... but I was in labor for 36 hours with this child! When am I going to hear those blessed words "mama"???



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Ticks Ticks Everywhere Ticks!

First off, I want to apologize if this post totally grosses you out! If it does... well... welcome to my world! I am completely disgusted by the tick infestation we have! We live in a tropical country, so insects, bugs and other assorted creatures come with the territory. But we also have two dogs... one small one who sleeps inside next to our bed... and one big dalmation who sleeps on the porch. Ever since the dogs arrived, ticks have been everywhere! Our yard must be infested, we are constantly picking ticks off of them. Last night, Scarlet, the little dog, was sleeping on my pillow in the evening. When I got in bed, I decided to check the sheets... just to be safe... and sure enough. There was a little tick crawling IN MY BED. Then during my morning sweeping of the house, I came across several small ones and one HUGE one crawling in the kitchen! My husband has purchased chemical spray for the yard... and now I can only pray that it works! I HATE TICKS!

Addendum: I kid you not, just as I am about to press "Publish Post" I looked down at the rug at my feet and found ANOTHER TICK... you are kidding me right? I'm livin' in a tick farm!!

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My New Mommy Blog!

It has been so fun posting to this blog and keeping everyone back home up to date on the goings on in Panama! But the Lord put it on my heart, to start a personal blog, written to other christian moms. I very much enjoyed designing my new blog, which I entitled "Mommy Chronicles", and am excited to have a place to share what God is doing in my life, as a woman, wife and mom... on a more personal level! So any of you girls out there who want to check out my new mommy blog... just click the button above!

And in case you're interested, the actual web address is http://www.mamaneedstoblog.blogspot.com/

A Must Read for Christian Wives

I have read a ton of books on the subject of marriage and being a godly wife. So many are beautifully written, but without a lot of practical, day-to-day application. I picked up this book, Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow... expecting much of the same.

I skipped the first couple of chapters and went right to the chapter entitled "My Own Robert Redford". I read the first three pages and then couldn't read any more. I needed to pray.

Eventually I started at the beginning of the book... and the pattern was always the same. Read a few pages, get on my knees, and pray. The harsh reality and scriptural truths woven through every page of this book left me no other option but to cry out to the Lord. First for forgiveness, for not being the wife that he has called me to be. And second for strength to put into practice the incredible and life-changing behaviors I was reading about.

I have completed the book, and have prayerfully begun implementing what I have learned (and let me tell you, my husband has taken notice!). I bought a special journal, and will now begin going through it again, chapter by chapter, taking notes, writing down and memorizing key scripture and pertinent quotes, and praying over every word. There is nothing more important in my life than my walk with the Lord... and he has given me an invaluable ministry... my marriage. I can choose to continue to be selfish and complacent, or I can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to change my heart and transform my marriage. I choose the latter.

Anna Gets Down to Silly Songs with Larry!

Anna Gets Down to Silly Songs with Larry!

A Favorite Slow Cooker Recipe

God Bless the invention of the slow cooker... am I right ladies?! You dump all the stuff in during the kids' morning nap, and by dinner time... it's ready to eat! I am currently functioning (barely) without a crockpot... as they do not sell them in lovely Panama (at least I haven't found them yet)... and since I haven't made this recipe in quite awhile, I felt it deserved to be passed on so that others can enjoy the deliciosity (I'm pretty sure that's not a word) and simplicity of slow cooker BBQ beef sandwiches.

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches

1 (3 to 4 lb) boneless chuck roast

1 1/2 cups ketchup

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp liquid smoke flavoring

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Rolls from your local grocery store bakery!

1. Stir all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour a little into the bottom of the slow cooker.

2. Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker (whole... you don't need to cut it up)

3. Pour the remaining sauce over the roast.

4. Turn crockpot to low setting (8 to 10 hours)

5. After 8 hours or so, use a fork and knife to shred the roast (if it hasn't already fallen apart)

6. Let stand for a few minutes before serving... sauce will thicken a little.

7. Place meat on an open roll and dig in!

This probably isn't an altogether healthy meal... so go ahead and throw some broccoli on your plate also!

Jumping Right In

I decided to start this blog so that I could post about things that interest me, things I am learning, and things that relate to my daily life! I suppose my first official post should be something amazing and captivating... but instead I'm just going to say "Hi", and "Welcome to Mommy Chronicles"... where you can read about the goings on of raising a family and running a household smack dab in the middle of Latin America!

Custom Blog Design Services & Portfolio

Thank you for your interest in my custom blog design work!

I offer a complete blog makeover package that includes:
1. custom 2 or 3 column blogger design
2. horizontal navigation bar
3. custom sidebar titles
4. square blog banner & code
5. coordinating siggy
6. complete widget transfer
7. installation into blogger
*I also offer an "A-La-Carte" menu.

Please email me for prices or to get started!

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