When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 This is a perfect hymn to share on this beautiful Easter morning. We sang this arrangement when I was in Youth Choir at FBC Monroe. It's beautiful and very moving. I hope you enjoy.  Be blessed!

Recipe of the Week - Coconut Sheet Cake

 If you need an easy and delicious cake in a pinch, this is a great go to recipe. I will admit that I have absolutely no problem using a cake mix.  I don't always use one, but sometimes it's just convenient and this is one of those times! I found this in the 1990 Wingate Baptist Church Cookbook.  I don't often cook with coconut but it's something that every now and then I get a craving for it.  While I was reading this cookbook (again), I ran across this recipe and thought I would give it a try.  Coconut is one of those year-round flavors to me.  It's found in dishes over the Christmas holidays, but it also fits into spring and summer. I will definitely make this again but only when I know I'm having people over.  It's a lot of cake for one person.  I did share it and people liked it but I ended up eating most of it myself!  Enjoy!

Coconut Sheet Cake

1 pkg. Duncan Hines white cake mix

1 pkg. fresh coconut

1 large can cream of coconut*

1 small carton of Cool Whip

Make sheet cake as directed.  Bake and cool for a few minutes. Pour cream of coconut on cake and let it soak in. Spread Cool Whip over this and then sprinkle with coconut.  Serve chilled or at room temperature.

*This was my first time using cream of coconut.  If you have never cooked with it before, know that it separates in the can.  After I opened the can, I spent a lot of time stirring so that it was even before pouring it on the cake.  Well worth it! 

Tom Clark Gnomes

 I have talked about Tom Clark gnomes before.  I have a decent sized collection of them, and I really do enjoy getting them out and displaying them.  I keep finding them out in the garage.  One or two in a box here and there until they really start to add up.  Every time I find one out there, I bring it inside because the extreme temperature of summer is not good for them. If you are unfamiliar with Tom Clark gnomes, they are sculptures made out of pecan shell resin.  Each one has a number on it and there is always a coin of some kind on the piece.  Sometimes it's easy to locate and sometimes not.

I got my first one for Christmas in 1984 from my Aunt Sara.  His name was Jeffrey and I have been collecting them ever since.  It was always great fun to go to The Candlewick at the Monroe Mall and look at the new gnomes that had arrived.  For Mom, it made an easy Christmas gift for me and I got one just about every year until she passed.  Now, if I'm out at an antiques store or thrift shop and come across one, I will definitely consider adding it to my collection. 

Like any other collectible, their value fluctuates.  There was a period when they were extremely prized, and their prices were quite high.  Now, not as much.  But I still love them and that won't stop me from collecting them.  I do wish I had more fun ways to display them, but I just put out a few at a time and enjoy looking at them. They bring me happiness and that is important!  

Quote of the week

 I was searching online for an Easter quote to post, and I came across this one. For some reason, I could not get it out of my head as I looked at other quotes so I knew this was the one. Thanks, Victor Hugo!

I don't want to adult today

 

I don't want to adult today.  That is the sentiment that I woke up with this morning.  Last night, while chatting with a friend, I started to get really depressed. I went to bed shortly after because I knew that if I did not, I would keep myself awake with a brain that would not stop spinning.  And I did manage to go to sleep relatively quickly, thank goodness. But when I woke up this morning, I just did not want to do anything.  I still really don't.

As much as I love routine and order, the thought of going into work and doing things around the house and getting homework done today is about as far from my desires as possible.  I just don't want to be a responsible adult today. In my head, I know that I need to take this energy and make it into something positive, but I really don't want to do that either LOL  I don't feel depressed anymore, just blah.  I am sure that I will snap out of it and come back to reality and make it work.  Just not feeling it today.  We shall see how that goes.

That is all. 

Grandmother's Easter Eggs

 

I do not have a lot of Easter decorations, but I do put out what I do have every year. I have several rabbit figurines that I have collected over the years and some spring items that I enjoy.  And, of course, I have the Easter eggs that Grandmother painted.  She began painting these in late 80's at her ceramics class at the senior center in Monroe.  She would give them as gifts to friends and family.  Her designs were varied and you can see rabbits, ducks, flowers, butterflies, etc.

People always cherished her eggs when they received them as gifts.  I know that I certainly did. I wish that I had gotten her artistic abilities with painting but alas I did not.  But I love putting these out every year.  My friends always enjoy looking at them. I have several dozen of them and each one is unique and special.  Since Easter is this Sunday, it is time for me to get my eggs out and find a fun way to display them.  Enjoy!

The Impossible Dream - Jim Nabors

 Yesterday, I was out treasure hunting at a thrift store and found an record album by Jim Nabors.  I actually have several records of his.  His voice was just beautiful.  Many people of my generation only know him from Gomer Pyle and don't know he had such a great singing voice. And I wanted to start my week out with an inspiring some from his beautiful voice! Enjoy!