Tuesday Tip : Berry Trifle

I knew I was going to write this post while I was making this treat for our neighborhood's annual summer picnic, so I took a few pictures before heading off the festivities.  Well, I didn't know there was an entree and dessert contest this year!  And this little beauty won!  So, these are from before she was famous...

Trifle is such an easy dessert to make.  Don't let that mislead you, though, because it is delicious and makes a beautiful presentation when served in a...are you ready?...trifle bowl!  Pretty clever name, eh?  Well, that's what they're called.  Don't hurt the messenger.

So, here's my recipe. I've tried lots of different ones and have adopted bits and pieces over the years until coming up with this one that we use pretty regularly. That is, unless we are out of something and need to do some substituting. Trifle is pretty forgiving and always yummy.  You can use real custard for a decadent treat or whipped topping for a lighter dessert instead the mixture in the recipe.  I just added the ginger jelly about a year ago when I was low on orange marmalade, and I love it!  I add it every time now.

Berry Trifle

1 pound/loaf cake or angel food cake, depending on how you are feeling and whether you want low cal (loaf..well, lowER) or low fat (angel)

1 pkg (3.3 oz) instant white chocolate pudding mix

1 pkg (3.3 oz) instant cheesecake pudding mix

3 cups light whipped topping

2 1/3 cup skim milk

3/4 cup of orange marmalade

3 tablespoons ginger jelly (leave out if you don't like ginger, but this gives the trifle that special flavor)

6-8 cups fresh berries, cut into bite size pieces (strawberries, blueberries, black berries, raspberries or any fruit you have on hand)

Prepare pudding mixes together according to directions, but only use 2 1/3 cups milk total.

Fold whipped topping into pudding to make a light custard.  Chill for 30 minutes.

Cut cake horizontally in 3-4 thin layers.

Mix orange marmalade and ginger jelly in a microwave safe bowl and heat until spreadable, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Lay out slices of cake and spread or brush orange-ginger sauce generously on each slice.

(The rest is messy.  Wash hands after each cake layer to keep your trifle looking spiffy.)

Cut cake slices into bite size pieces about 1" by 1."

Place one layer of cake pieces in bottom of trifle bowl.  Cover with layer of berries and then a layer of the custard.

Repeat twice for a total of three layers, reserving some berries for garnish if desired.

Chill if you can stand it.  If not, enjoy right away!

If you want your own trifle bowl, this one is from Pampered Chef.  It has a lid and a removable pedestal that stores inside.
We've had a few trifle bowls over the years (did I mention that I REALLY love trifle?), and this one is, by far, my favorite.
If you are local, Mechelle Uhl's site is here, and if you are not, Katie Arthur's site is here.

Saying goodbye : Mine

There is only one smartest dog in the world, and every boy has it.

Louis Sabin

Thirteen years, two kids and three homes ago,

we brought our Bishop home.

Yesterday, we let him go.

Every boy should have two things: a dog and a mother willing to let him have one.

Robert Benchley

Rest in peace, puppy. We miss you.

Happy Father's Day!

I meet lots of children.

From a few days old to ones with grandchildren.

I have the same wish for each one.

This is the kind of dad I want them to have . . .

He says "I love you" easily and often.  And means it.

You know that what you say is important to him.

Whether you are an only child or one of many, when you're together he makes you feel like you're the only person he wants to be with.

He teaches you something he is good at.

If the two of you disagree on something, big or small, he does it respectfully and in a way that helps you see his point of view.

He smiles when he sees you.

You feel like it is a pleasure, not a chore, to do things together.

He is a good citizen, never hesitating to help someone in need.

He is quick with a hug, for no reason at all.

He shows you the value of hard work, without complaining about it.

He takes time out to play.

He doesn't talk poorly about people or gossip.

He is not ashamed to cry.

You feel like you can do anything because you know that he's in your corner.

I had a dad like that.  And it made all the difference in my life. 

"There's something that's so sweet about beginnings"

This post is late because it is hard to finish it.  I keep watching the slideshow, thinking, remembering, and then, of course, the tears come.

My eldest son turned 12 on Friday.  T-W-E-L-V-E.

My sweet Jack.  I still call him that.  He doesn't complain, so I have no plans to stop.  He is such a great kid - kind, funny, empathetic and helpful.  He's a loyal friend and quick to hug his mom (don't tell his friends).

And it WAS just tonight that they placed him in my arms....

 

When I decided to put this slideshow together, I was quickly reminded why I do what I do for living.  Not only do I love what pregnancy and a baby's first days mean in the life of a family, I know first hand what it means to NOT have those images.  When I was newly pregnant with my first child, my sweet Jack, we had recently moved to this area, and I searched and searched for a maternity and newborn photographer without success.   There were four talented child and family photographers in the area at the time, but none who specialized in maternity and newborns.  We have pictures that I treasure, of course, but not like what I had in mind.  It was just serendipity that I had always wanted to transition my lifelong serious hobby into a career and we moved to an area without photographers specializing in my favorite subjects!   Now (after several years of training and a little push in the form of a health scare), I am able to give my clients that gift, and it means so much to me.  More than I can say.

Some may say if this is a post about your son's birthday, then why are you talking business?  It's because my business is so personal, so emotionally charged, that talking about my family lends itself to talking about your families.  You are not just clients to me.

Not so little : Mooresville Child Photographer: Candy Howard

Took a few test shots of the boys recently. Wow, are they getting big!

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Tuesday Tip: Happy Valentine's Day!

My husband showed me this a few years ago, 

and it still gets to me now like it did the first time I heard it.

On this commercial day of love,

look past the cards

and guilt for not having the "right" gift

or spending enough money

and look into your love's eyes.

Say I love you.

And say it often. 

Best. Chicken Salad. Ever.

Years ago, a friend shared with me a chicken salad recipe.  It was from the restaurant

that made my favorite chicken salad.  Ever.  It was closing (why? oh, why?).

She knew the owners and how much I loved their chicken salad.

I won't lie.  I begged her for the recipe.  So, she also knew how the possibility

of never ever in my whole life having that chicken salad made me a little sad.

A little.  That's funny.  

Anyway, I have been in chicken salad heaven ever since.  Now, you can be, too.  Enjoy!

(Disclaimer:  Their's was not a recipe, so much as an ingredient list.

(which I loved, by the way . . .  it added the the already stellar aura
of the famed chicken salad).  My notations are in (  ).

Best. Chicken Salad. Ever.

Chicken breasts (3 boiled, then shredded)
Vidalia onion (1/2 to whole, depending on size and how much you like them, finely chopped)
Celery (2 stalks, finely chopped)
Duke's mayo (reduced fat, 2 heaping tablespoons, more if desired)
Sour cream (reduced fat, but not fat free...ew, 2 heaping tablespoons, more if desired)
White pepper
Paprika
Curry
(1/2 cup Craisins, if desired)
(Add all ingredients except spices to bowl.  I cover the ingredients with light dusting of each spice . . .  kind of a 2 second shake for each.  Mix, taste and adjust if necessary.)

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 Well, there you go!  The spices are what make this stand out from

your typical chicken salad, but it still tastes like chicken salad.

I add craisins to mine if I want it a little sweetness.   Yum!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident" is like "it goes without saying." Something or some situation is making your point necessary to say. It is NOT evident to something or someone. Regardless of how true it is, sometimes it needs to be said. And said often.

In the face of adversity and even, sadly, death.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.  

The first truth of our Declaration of Independence was and sometimes, is, not so evident.

Usually with when a "day" is established, you can add "happy" to the front of it and wish someone a nice day (or a nice sale). 

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, though, that doesn't seem right. So, instead, do something nice.  From a service project to a smile for a stranger to paying for someone's order in the drive through.  Anything you can think of to brighten someone's day.  And don't just do it today.

I bet someone will say, "It goes without saying, but thank you."