Banana Pudding

I know I have already shared this recipe with some of you, but I feel like more should benefit from this treasure. Mom sent me this a few weeks ago (courtesy of the one and only Paula Dean-so we know it has to be good, right Aly?), and told me I HAD to make it. So I did. It was divine. Not only do I love banana pudding, I love the memories that go with it. We used to always make banana pudding together sophomore year, in the good old Foxwood-remember? Oh how I miss those days...

So instead of our fast/easy banana pudding that we made as starving students-here is something more sophisticated for our grown up lives. Enjoy my darlings!

Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding

Ingredients:
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Cheesmen Cookies
6-8 bananas sliced
2 cups milk
1 (5 ounce) box instant French Vanilla pudding1
(8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipping cream

Directions:
Line bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2 inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top. In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping or cream into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

My recent obsession

Maybe it's just me, but I am in-love with cake stands lately. They are just so darling, and can make any cake look good. These can be found at Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and Macy's (You are welcome). Do yourself, and your cakes a favor.

Thankful

One week from today, I will be with my WHOLE family, in a cabin, in Park City, eating turkey. This is our first Thanksgiving in 2 years all together, since Michael is back from his mission. I am so excited to see mom and dad, to go shopping, and to just relax! It has been a while since I have done that...

As I think about the things in life I am most thankful for, it always comes down to the people I know and love. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family, and the best friends in the whole wide world. There is nothing more important in this life than our relationships we build with our family, friends, ourselves, and our Heavenly Father. I hope we all feel this during Thanksgiving, and always.

What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving this year? I hope that each of you have a wonderful time! I miss you all dearly. Megs and I are holding down the fort in P-town. Please come visit soon-all of you! The snow isn't too great yet-but I am certainly not complaining! This is the first year I have not cried when it snowed.

I can't wait to see Thomas, Alta and Krew the beginning of December, as well as Kels and Brandon! The end of December, Birdtree comes home from her mission! I just can't believe that. And then we will all be together...bliss. I miss you all! Everyone needs to get Skype, so we can at least see each other. That is my one request!

The Sweetest Thing

I came across this video today as I was searching blogs for trends for a project I am working on for my job. You will not regret watching this!

Farewell Summer...

This weekend will officially end summer bliss. However, a lot of fabulous things will be taking place to ease my mind from the inevitable first snow that is sure to come sooner, rather than later.

Tonight we will be heading up the canyon for a back to school bonfire. This is the third year we have done this-and it is always a success (until we get in trouble for having a fire outside of a fire pit). Tomorrow will be filled with Seven Peaks and BYU's first football game! Sunday will be filled with meetings, as always-but I don't mind it. We now have church at 12:40, which allows for more sleep--which is essential in my life at this point! Monday we will most likely have a BBQ, which is always a good time!

Any plans for Labor Day? Have a lovely weekend!

Perspective...

Wow. I think this is such a good reminder of how blessed we truly are. We get so caught up in what people have around us, and constantly have the mentality that we need more. But if we only realized that we already have WAY more than 75% of the world, we would be less eager to go out and buy that new pair of shoes, new car, or condo on the beach.

I know that no one has the perfect life, where everything works out exactly the way they want. We all will experience our own trials, helping us to grow. I have had a lot to think about lately, and it seems like every time something goes wrong, I try to think of what I am supposed to learn from the experience. This has helped me to gain perspective. I am currently studying D&C, and recently re-read one of my favorite scriptures, Section 122:7 "And if thou shouldst be cast into the a pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." In every trial, the Lord is preparing us to be stronger so that we can face what is ahead. He will never give us anything that we cannot handle. And He will be there to lift us if we just ask.

Not only are we blessed to have food, clothes, a place to live, and the best friends in the whole wide world, we also have the gospel in our lives. I hope that we all make the best of each day, and are thankful for the trials that make us stronger. How I went from coats and football to this post, I am not sure. But it has just been on my mind. Thank you for being in my life, and have a lovely end of the summer weekend my friends. I just love you.

Two good things about Fall...

Lovely coats and BYU football. Bring it on fall. I am ready for you.