Till Then Smile Often

February 24, 2015

No Bake Strawberry Shortcake

My father’s birthday was this past Sunday, and I volunteered to make the cake. One of my Dad’s favorite is Strawberry Shortcake so I decided that would be the easiest to make. Ideally I would have made this the night before but since we had some snow, and my brother only told me the time at 9am that we were doing lunch at 1pm I only had so much time to plan.

Ingredients: 2 cups Strawberries ~ 1 tub of Cool Whip (12 oz) ~ 1/4 Sugar or sugar substitute (I used Stevia in the Raw) ~ Pound Cake – Family Size (16 oz) ~ 1 TBSP Vanilla Extract ~ 1 TBSP Milk or Almond Milk

Directions: Cut the tops off the strawberries, and dice into bite sized pieces. Sprinkle with the sugar and stir. Set aside.

Mix the Cool Whip, Almond Milk, and Vanilla and place in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes.

Heat the pound cake according to the directions, approximately 45-60 seconds. Cut down the middle to make 2 long pieces. Place the bottom half on the plate you plan on serving it on. Pipe a bit of the whipped frosting along the edges to keep the filing in place.

Spoon half the strawberry mixture inside the filling. Place a dollop of frosting on top of the strawberries and smooth it out.

Place the top of the sponge cake on top. I cut a little off the top so it wasn’t so rounded.

Repeat the frosting and strawberry layer and top with the remaining frosting.

It may spill out over the sides, but don’t worry. Place the cake into the fridge until ready to serve. My frosting was a little runny since I didn’t have the time to let it sit in the fridge long enough due to last minute plans.

4.8 from 5 reviews

No Bake Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients

2 cups Strawberries ~ 1 tub of Cool Whip (12 oz) ~ ¼ Sugar or sugar substitute (I used Stevia in the Raw) ~ Pound Cake - Family Size (16 oz) ~ 1 TBSP Vanilla Extract ~ 1 TBSP Milk or Almond Milk

Instructions

Cut the tops off the strawberries, and dice into bite sized pieces. Sprinkle with the sugar and stir. Set aside.
Mix the Cool Whip, Almond Milk, and Vanilla and place in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes.
Heat the pound cake according to the directions, approximately 45-60 seconds. Cut down the middle to make 2 long pieces. Place the bottom half on the plate you plan on serving it on. Pipe a bit of the whipped frosting along the edges to keep the filing in place. Spoon half the strawberry mixture inside the filling. Place a dollop of frosting on top of the strawberries and smooth it out. Place the top of the sponge cake on top. Repeat the frosting and strawberry layer and top with the remaining frosting. It may spill out over the sides, but don't worry. Place the cake into the fridge until ready to serve.

February 23, 2015

Birthday Bash

This weekend was the first weekend in about a month that I felt like myself again. I was motivated, and got a lot of cleaning done. Even though it snowed again on Saturday it wasn’t enough to make a difference and the temperature was up enough to melt some of the snow. The hope that Spring is near is helping.

Yesterday was my Dad’s birthday and he hates having his picture taken so I don’t have many pictures of him but if you want to read why I think he is awesome you can read yesterday’s post.

After Tori tagged a picture on Instagram of an anchor pillow I wanted to check out TJ Maxx to see if I could find it. Instead I hear the heavens part and this wall of mugs made the angels sing. 😉

I also hit Marshall’s, and got another 2 mugs, one was a gift though, I ended up with a total of five mugs. Home Goods and Targets to return items, and the Pet store.

I started a deep clean of the house in hopes to start feeling normal again, without salt trails, boots, and piles of wet gear.

I finished the second book of the Breathless Series by Maya Banks which so far is my favorite of the three books. All books are better than 50 Shades.

I shoveled a path to my oil tank refill since I need an oil delivery, it was not fun.

The last mug up there is one of my gifts to my Dad for his birthday. Picture and mug provided by the Morning Sunshine Shop.

I went to my brothers on Sunday afternoon to have lunch and celebrate my Dad. My brother being a pretty awesome Dad too.

Seamus loves to kick the blankets off the couch and make a bed on the ground, so I decided to get him a new bed when I saw that one at TJ Maxx. He hasn’t liked them in the past but this one seemed really cushioned so I gave it a shot. He was skeptical for a few minutes, then I couldn’t keep him off it.

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Biana from B Loved Boston.

February 22, 2015

The Man, the Myth, the Legend

Today is the day a legend was born. You may call him Steve, but I just call him Dad. If you ask him about Winter, he will tell you he used to walk miles up a hill, with no shoes, with sharks chasing him. Okay I added the sharks, but every storm was a foot of snow back in those days.

He would tell you about all the fast muscle cars he used to own, and how groovy they were.

He is a Vietnam veteran, but he doesn’t like to talk about it much, and on Veteran’s Day I call to check on him but he likes to be alone to remember the fallen. He is the reason I still stand when the National Anthem is being played on T.V. and cry when I hear it.

He is the man I get my strength from, and also why I learned to fix things myself. 😉

He is the man I can call when I get angry, sad, happy, or when something really funny has happened.

As a single father times were always tough, even more so then I ever knew but he never made us feel like they were anything but happy.

When I see the movie Dakota Sky is playing on TV I have to call to see if he is watching. He has a crush on Charlotte Ross and has seen it a hundred times. Shhh don’t tell him I told you. 😉

He was the President of our baseball league growing up and probably why I was so athletic back in the day, but it was his way to stay involved. It caused him grief sometimes but he really liked to help make it a good league for not just us, but all the kids.

I find myself lately saying some of his phrases and while they make me stop and pause, they also make me stop and smile, because I know where I heard it last.

So I leave you so I can celebrate with the old man who I call Dad, who just so happens to celebrate his birthday today.

I love you with all my heart, I will always be so grateful for all you have sacrificed.

February 20, 2015

Friday Favorites | Weekend Awaits

Happy Friday!!! As with all Fridays, it feels like the longest week ever. It has been busy at work, and the chores at home are piling up. It’s also my Dad’s birthday on Sunday, so I need to finish up wrapping his gift. I’ll be heading down there to celebrate with him and my nieces.

I am also excited because today I am paying off my car!!! No more car payments for me. Woohoo. Well enough about me, here are my favorites for the week.

Favorite Quote: The sun always rises, don’t let anything keep you down long!

Favorite Recipe: Bacon and Smoked Gouda Cauliflower Mash??? Yes, please!

Bacon and Smoked Gouda Cauliflower Mash Shared on https://www.facebook.com/LowCarbZen

Favorite Outfit: I am dreaming of Spring after all this snow melting, this would be the perfect outfit to welcome the beginning Spring.

Favorite Purchase: This came out on Wednesday and I knew I was going to get it. I Bet My Life is the radio single making waves, but so far Polaroid, I’m So Sorry, and Dream are my favorites.

Favorite Funnies:

#Funny #Humor #Jokes .. . . Top 35 Most Funny Humor Quotes and Jokes #Hilarious #lol

For my book lovers!!

#Funny #Humor #Jokes . . Top 35 Most Funny Humor Quotes and Jokes

What are your plans for the weekend? Linking up with Amanda

Also linking up with Natasha for 5 on Friday.

February 19, 2015

How Small Is Too Small?

I did it. I got sucked into a show called Tiny House Nation and it got me thinking, could I like in a house that was under 500 square feet? My current house is about 1450 square feet. It has 3 bedroom, 1/2 baths, three floors, and a full basement that houses my home gym. I have a lot of hobbies and a lot of tools!! Could I pair that down into a house of 204 square feet?

I have to say though that they really find some great ways to save space. Large walls of shelving, or japanese style stairs with build in shelves and drawers. I love the idea of being more minimalist, but I do have a lot of “stuff”. I mean, where would my mugs go? My tools? My home gym? Seamus’ farts would be even worse in a tiny space.

With the smaller space you could cash flow the house, the house I was watching them build was under $20,000 to 35,000 and with my trying to get debt free that is a huge benefit to consider!

Putting a rustic tiny house near some hiking trails and a body of water, and you could possible sway me. I mean look at that one with the porch! The barn doors and the Carpe Diem Kitchen…Swoon!!