4-LAYER DELIGHT

Today I'm sharing a delightful dessert with you. I first saw the recipe in a church cook book, and I've changed the recipe over the years to get it just the way we like it. It's a favorite at our house and every house I take it to. It's so good, and has something for everyone--nuts, chocolate, whip cream--it's all there. It does take a little time, so you can't do it in a hurry, but when it's served, it will be well-worth the wait and effort. Your family or your guests will love you for this one. :-)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks of butter (I use Blue Bonnet)  

1 1/2 cups of self-rising flour

1 cup of chopped pecans

1 - 8 oz bar of cream cheese, softened

1 cup of powdered sugar

1 - 16 oz container of Cool Whip

2 small boxes of chocolate instant pudding

3 cups of 2% milk

Directions:

LAYER ONE

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir flour and chopped pecans in a medium bowl. Melt and add butter to the flour and pecans. Mix well.

The dough will form a large ball. Lightly spray a 13 X 9 baking dish. Press the flour ball into the bottom of the dish. Bake the crust until it starts to brown, about 20 minutes, longer for a crunchy crust. Cool completely.

LAYER TWO

Mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 cup of the Cool Whip. Spread on the cooled crust.

LAYER THREE

Mix both boxes of pudding with the milk. Spread the pudding over layer two.

LAYER FOUR

Carefully spread the remaining Cool Whip (or the desired amount) on top of the pudding. Keep refrigerated. It should be ready to serve in about an hour.

The final step is to try not to eat it all! Enjoy.

I hope you are having a good week...

Kathryn

THRIFT SCORE THURSDAY

Over the holidays I did a good bit of treasure hunting. I found a few things at my regular stops, and then some time in January, a new antique/thrift store opened up. I love roaming the aisles, deciphering as I go, between the truly old and unique and the recently purchased but tagged to look old. Treasure hunting is one of my favorite ways to spend some free time, and my favorite way to add a little something new (for not much money) to the look of our home. I found some great deals and steals on all kinds of goodies. I thought I'd show you a few keepers from out there in thrift store land...

Probably the favorite of my recent loot is this footed milk glass bowl.

Not too long after I found the bowl, I was inspired by an Instagram photo using poinsettias. It led me to use it as a planter. I probably needed one more mini-poinsettia. I had too much room left around the sides, so I just added pine cones from my yard to take up the space and make it look complete.

And now that the holidays and the flowers are gone, it's holding apples and serving as a center piece on the dining room table.

Next up, blue and white...

I found a set of eight vintage blue and white transferware plates at the new thrift store I mentioned above. (For my local readers, it's called The Alabama Antique Market.) Can't wait to set a table with them. All 8 were only $16.

One of my favorite Instagrammers is Kristine at The Painted Hive. She flawlessly uses natural elements in her decorating. Lots of greenery, and it's real--I asked her. :-) I found two matching white planters to use in my bedroom on the bedside tables to bring in my own touch of nature. (I've been changing some things up in there, and I hope to show it to you guys soon.)

Over Christmas we rearranged our living room--flipped it completely. I had never had my club chairs by the fire place even though I've always wanted them there. We figured it out and made it work! But the new plan left no room for end tables. I needed a small accent table for coffee or the remotes. I found this one.

It will need some TLC eventually, but for now, it's serving it's purpose.

What I like most about these finds is the pieces are timeless. White is always going to work well with any look, and so much more than dining can be done with plates. For a few plate decorating ideas read here and here. And the little table, it can be used anywhere.

That's it for Thrift Score Thursday. Who knows what I'll find next month!

I'm linking up with Kim at Savvy Southern Style. Come check out all the great ideas in her party!

Do you have a treasure you've found at a thrift or second hand-store? Share your find in the comments below.

Kathryn

ROASTED VEGETABLES VIA JOANNA GAINES

Do you guys follow Joanna Gaines on Instagram? (I know, dumb question.) But just in case you don't, I have a fabulous way to get your kids to eat a few vegetables.

She posted this idea to Instagram a few weeks ago. I made it recently and loved it. 

Ingredients:

Vegetables of choice for roasting

Sea salt

Pepper

Olive oil

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil and line up your veggies. I cooked broccoli and cauliflower when I tried this. 

Drizzle vegetables with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

And that's it! What could be easier. It almost tasted like French fries. :-) I forgot to take an after shot, but when the time is up, there will be a tiny bit of browning on the edges. Get ready for good! 

Have you tried any of Woodbank Lane's recipes? I'd love to interact with you guys in the comments. I'm a teacher, so I don't get to respond until later in the evening, but I read and look forward to each one.

Happy veggie roasting! 

Kathryn

PINK, WHITE AND RED ALL OVER

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

The mailman brought me a catalog a few days ago, and it had the cutest pink striped pajamas in it. So I did a little roaming around the Internet and gathered us up some Valentine's Day inspired pajamas. Click the link under the pictures if you'd like to go shopping!

I love these with the black hearts. 

Belk

Red for the win!

Target

The pretty lace detailing adds a touch of elegance. 

Macy's

You can never go wrong with pink.

Nordstrom Rack

I might wear these all day.

Nordstrom Rack

These look comfortable and cool. 

T J Maxx

I really like the clean-cut classy look of these. 

Nordstrom

Although there is no mention of black in the title of today's post, I think the pair with the black hearts is my favorite!

Don't forget to hug someone today who could use a little love...

...and the greatest of these is love. 

II Corinthians 13:13

GO RED FOR WOMEN THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Have you ever lost anyone to heart disease?

I have.

We met as adults. Our boys played ball together, and we were fast friends. We loved all the same things: our families, watching our kids play anything, and decorating our houses. She worked at her son's school and since I'm a teacher, we were on the same schedules. We spent lots of summer days together. We swapped recipes, ideas, and clothes. We could talk about anything.

Then, one day we couldn't.

Her husband Tony came home and found her on the floor of their bedroom. An ambulance came. She went to the hospital. She never left.

She was 49. I remember thinking I might not ever stop crying. But I did. Life went on, just without my friend Jacqueline.

This Friday I will wear red to honor her memory and to remind the women in my life to be heart-healthy.

Go Red for Women

Don't be so busy taking care of everyone and everything that you forget to take care of yourself. Here's a great reminder for us all via YouTube.

It's just a little heart attack...

Image: YouTube

Go Red for Women on Friday to remind the women in your life not to forget about their hearts...

#gored #loveyourheart

A summer day about six years ago

This post is dedicated to my friend Jacqueline, her husband Tony, and son Landon.