Recipe Round-Up: Ambrosia Salad

This is one of my favorite salads ever.

It reminds me of the 4th of July in Oklahoma. And that reminds me of sunshine, laughter, flip flops and near-death experiences with fireworks.

Does it get any better?

I think not.

So here is my family recipe that has been tested and tried a hundred times. And just in case you don't finish this off in one sitting, the leftovers are TO DIE FOR.

Which actually could be a literal statement since there is a tub or two of sour cream in the dish. And who am I kidding when I call this a "salad?" I guess it just makes me feel better when I attack it with a spoonula at 2:30 in the morning.

Anywho, let's dig in, shall we?  And all you need are FIVE ingredients...

Coconut, Sour Cream, Pineapple Chunks, Mandarin Oranges and Marshmallows.

In other words: Yes, please.

Okay, grab a bowl and a spoonula and let's begin. You need a tub or two of sour cream. You can use low-fat or fat-free and I have even used plain yogurt. It all tastes the same because it is mixed with such yummy goodness. I am using full-fat sour cream because it was on sale. Remember folks, I am frugal.

I heart sour cream.

That is not to be confused with my "my heart loves sour cream." I am pretty sure it doesn't.

Plop as much as you want into a bowl.  I used about 24 oz.

Next, bust open the marshmallows.

Don't you just love those little buggers? They make me happy.

Throw in the entire bag.

That's right, you heard me.

Next up: mandarin oranges. Drain those puppies and pour in the entire can.

Isn't food pretty?

After that, drain and toss in a can of pineapple chunks.

Side note: fresh pineapple is my favorite fruit. Just so you know.

Oh man. Oh man oh man oh man.

And coming in at #5: coconut.

Now, some people have texture issues with coconut, my sweet sister being one of them. But I love the stuff and I think it adds a great little kick to this salad.

I poured in half the bag. It is up to you how much you want!

And mix it all together.

Make sure you take a taste because it very well could change your entire life.

And there you have it: Ambrosia Salad.

Pop it into the refrigerator until served. The colder it gets, the happier you'll be.

And if your sister has a super cool orange bowl for you to use, that's even better!

I love sisters.

Since this recipe is so simple and only needs five ingredients, I am leaving the measurements up to you. Add as much or as little of each ingredient as you want. Personally, I make sure everything is coated in sour cream and each bite is full of marshmallowy heaven.

Serve it up at your next BBQ. It goes perfectly with hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, kabobs and any other kind of meat you throw on the grill.

Or you can grab a bib and stick your head in it.

Either way, enjoy!

Super Supper

While I am working on posting one of the two recipes for this week, I thought I should ask you a question.

Are you ready?

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

Okay, here it is: If you had to hand-pick your favorite meal, what would it be?

Man oh man oh man. This is a toughy. But as I cook and bake each week, I always try to think of things that I not only love, but that others may love as well. So I am counting on you because I am sure your answers will give me some much-needed motivation to try new things or bust out old favorites.

Thanks for the input.  Remember, no drooling.

Hello World

Hello my friends. I am back!

I wish I could say that I was on a four-day cruise to the Caribbean but if that were true I would have jumped ship and swam back to shore where I would currently be sipping out of a pineapple and working on my tan. But we all know that isn't true because this Irish girl can't tan...just freckle.

I wish I could say that I spent days cleaning my apartment from top to bottom, but unfortunately I have a deadly pile of ironing to tackle and there is something unidentifiable in the corner of my room. I am hoping it isn't a rodent.

And I wish I could say that I worked out for hours a day, kicking the tar out of the STUPID INTERNATIONAL FITNESS CHALLENGE OF DEATH, but that makes me laugh just typing it out. I mean, seriously? Why on earth would I do that?

Actually, during the last few days I was able to do some things I have wanted to do for a long time. For instance, I read an entire book, cover to cover, IN MY PAJAMAS. If you haven't read Son of Hamas you should do so immediately. It is an amazing true story of the son of the man who founded Hamas and how he ended up spying for Israel and, in the process, became a Chrisitan. So run, RUN to your local library and check it out. It brings a bit of clarity to why there is so much turmoil in the Middle East.

I also went to see "The Losers." It came out a few weeks ago. And let me just tell you, I loved it. I LOVED IT. Now, keep in mind that it is not appropriate for anyone 29 years old or younger, but since I am now five months over that mark, I can say that I was mature enough to watch it.  Holy cow, people. It was a fun movie, a bit violent with a few choice words, but a very fun movie! And if you see it, let me just tell you that I have a crush on the guy with the hat.

Also, I ate a really delicious calzone. You too should eat this calzone. It is at MC's Pizza at Clement Park. Go right now and get one. RIGHT NOW. And if you don't live in Colorado, I will mail one to you.

Additionally, the BSF year came to a close last night with a humdinger of a Share Night and an amazing ice cream bar. Good thing ice cream and hot fudge are part of my diet.  And I loved studying the book of John. Don't you find it so incredible that God can make His Word come alive even if you have read it a million times? I do. I love it. So if you haven't read John lately, RUN AND READ IT.  Side note: That should not be confused with reading it while you run. You may puke doing that. It's like riding in the car and reading. Not a good combo for me. Regardless, John is amazing.

I have also decided that I want to wear sundresses all summer and eat fruit. Fruit dipped in dark chocolate.

Speaking of food, I have TWO recipes to share with you this week. Stay tuned.

Lastly, it's good to see you again. How have you been?

Dramatic Much?

I have been told I am fairly dramatic. I know, hard to believe, right? Apparently I was born that way. And that is why my entire high school career was spent in the theater. I lived drama. I breathed drama. I was drama. And I loved every second of it.

Well, almost every second. I once auditioned for a part and was given the roll of an understudy. AN UNDERSTUDY, people. Do you know what that means? It means you might as well be a techie. It means that your only chance at fame would come if the person who got the part was either abducted by aliens or got strep throat. Oh, how I longed for a good case of strep throat! And all that came were tears, heartache and the feeling that my entire world was falling apart and I would never be happy again. No not ever, ever again. And on top of that, it was my senior year and this would be my final performance. Ever.

And then a few days later, the person who got the part left town so I had to fill in during rehersal. And by the time she returned from her trip, I had now taken her role and she was my understudy.

Oh the tears. The heartache.

But don't feel too bad for her. She was actually a teacher and had other important things to do.

If you feel bad for anyone it should be me because I was the one that was an UNDERSTUDY to a teacher!

But such is life in high school, especially with other overly dramatic teenagers who have no concept of the real world unless it was on MTV. Or whose only conern was how to wear more than one flannel to school or try to score tickets to the Cranberries.

So, after 12 years, I still love a bit of drama which is why I have become a fan of Glee.  Of course they are a tad more talented than my high school ever was, and it tends to be a bit more scandalous than my very protected world in small town, USA, but I love that they burst out into song at any moment in time. Why can't life be like that? I love bursting into song!

In fact, as I was making dinner tonight, I sang a little ditty from Guys and Dolls. And I may have twirled a bit. And busted out some spirit fingers. And I am pretty sure it made my taco salad that much better.

A Brief Recap...For Your Reading Pleasure

Just because I am sure you are dying to know, here is a brief recap of my day. Brace yourselves, it may be more than you can handle:

5:45 a.m. - the alarm goes off.
5:54 a.m. - the alarm goes off again.
6:03 a.m. - and again
6:12 a.m. - I am cursing technology that beeps every nine minutes.
6:21 a.m. - I am cursing the fact that I stayed up and watched The Office last night.
6:30 a.m. - I am praying that a miracle occurs and work is cancelled because it is cloudy outside.
6:32 a.m. - I realize that no one has ever cancelled work for that reason and begin to cry.
6:33 a.m. - I stumble out of bed, slightly embittered.
7:33 a.m. - I leave my condo in cowboy boots and a heavy coat. I blame it all on the crazy weather we are having.
7:58 a.m. - I arrive at work.
8:00 a.m. - the international, highly important meetings begin.
6:00 p.m. - the international, highly important meetings end...for the day.
6:42 p.m. - I show up at a 5 year-old birthday party where I was made to wear a pointy hat and eat cake. My kind of party.
7:40 p.m. - I arrive back home and contemplate going straight to bed or going to McDonald's for a milk shake but then I remember the STUPID INTERNATIONAL FITNESS CHALLENGE OF DEATH and instead I decide that need to get on the treadmill. Dumb idea.
8:20 p.m. - decide that it is finally time to get on the treadmill where I proceed to curse the birthday cake I ate earlier but thankfully pass the time watching Glee, which, by the way, reminds me a lot of my high school career, except with more drama and less talent. I'll fill you in sometime.
9:20 p.m. - stumble down the stairs and collapse on the couch, wishing someone could get me ready for bed and tuck me in.
Now: Writing to all of you. And watching The Office.  Apparently we have come full circle.

And for a little eye candy...here he is at five:

Thank you and goodnight.

World Peace and Fat Cheeks

Hello my friends!

I just want to let you know that I am in the midst of some extremely important, top-secret, international meetings. That's right, picture the U.N. General Assembly, but only in Littleton. And with a little less security. And no translators. And no Jack Bauer.

So what I am saying is that it is a busy week around here with lots to do, tons to discuss, and international food to be consumed.

But, I couldn't possibly go another day without showing you this picture:

This guy is going to be five years old on Wednesday. Did you hear me? FIVE. YEARS. OLD.

How the heck is that even possible?

I just can't handle it. And I also can't handle those cheeks. I am pretty sure I am going to have to suck them right off.

How have five years gone by? Shouldn't he still be in diapers and shouldn't I still be in my twenties? 

Well, if you come up with an answer on how to stop time or shrink cute nephews, let me know. And in the meantime, I am going to go pluck any gray hairs that have popped up overnight and try to bring peace to the Middle East.

Wish me luck.

Djibouti

On a continent far, far away, there is a small country called "Djibouti."

That's right, you heard me.

And in Djibouti live a couple of our Associates who own an eye clinic. Their primary objective is to train nationals on how to give eye exams and make glasses.

This is revolutionary, people. Some Djiboutians are being able to see clearly for the first time. Can you imagine?

So, in an effort to help their project, my office is asking for old glasses frames. They could be retro with a few wing tips on the sides, they could be decked-out with the finest rhinestones and gold molding, they could be nerdy and cool with dark-rims, or they can be any old pair that you are not using anymore. And if you have an old pair of reading glasses, that's even better!

So for the next month, we are gathering up as many frames as possible to send back with our Associates after they visit our office in June.

If you would like to help, drop them in the mail and send them to:

IDEAS

7931 S. Broadway, #296

Littleton, CO 80122.

And thanks very much.  And many grateful Djiboutians will thank you too.

And you should tell your friends because Djibouti is just a fun word to say. Go ahead, say it. It will make chuckle.