49 years ago the mister's base blew up in Danang, Vietnam. He likes to tell the story, to anyone who will listen; I've heard it a zillion times. I have to admit, it's a pretty interesting story as it was the ammo dump that blew and it continued to blow for 3 days as the Marines hunkered down in trenches, unable to do anything. The story involves a Marine's arm being blown off by shrapnel, (so nice to hear while slurping pho), the mister helping him and getting hit by shrapnel himself, then arranging for a tank to be sent in to get the severely injured Marine taken for help. The mister got a medal out of the deal and he lived to tell the tale...over and over again. So to celebrate this auspicious anniversary, we went to our favorite pho place. Once again the mister started to tell me the story, and I decided the Vietnamese waitress needed to hear it, too, so when she came over I said, "We are celebrating an anniversary." That's as far as I got before she said, "Congratulations!" and walked off! After we were through eating she brought us our bill and said, "On the house, happy anniversary!" She thought it was our wedding anniversary! The mister was thrilled that lunch was comped, but I was a bit miffed that she thought I looked old enough to be celebrating 49 years of marriage!!! Never going there again!!!
Strawberry Poof, a funny name for a "salad" or dessert that kids of all ages will love! Easter Eve my friend Shelly called me and asked me if I had the recipe for Strawberry Poof, said her 15 year old son had requested it for Easter dinner! Now, when a kid can remember a food and asks for it by name, well, then you move Heaven and Earth to make it! And if her kid liked it then I knew mine would, too! Through a series of texts we tracked down the recipe; it's a family recipe from our friend Lori. I didn't remember ever tasting it before and when I read the recipe I knew the mister would love it, too, and he did!
It is super easy to make and super easy to eat...before you've had time to reach for your napkin to wipe your lips, poof, it's gone! At our Easter dinner, it was scooped up and devoured in record time!
When you make this, because you really should, start out by making it in a large bowl and then when everything is combined you will pour it into a 9x13-inch baking dish. I started out with the baking dish and while everything worked just great, it would be easier mixing it in a large bowl. Just so you know - pictures don't always tell the whole story!
Powdered sugar and cream cheese get all nice and cozy with frozen strawberries and strawberry Jell-O and then Cool Whip is added - now it's cozy and creamy! It's simple, old-fashioned, homemade yumminess. Everything has to set so plan on making this several hours ahead of when you want to serve - my family said it is worth the wait!
The best part about Strawberry Poof is you can keep eating it, even when you can't take one more bite of anything else! You can be stuffed to the gills and like the old commercial said, "There's always room for J-E-L-L-O."
Strawberry Poof - With Thanks From Lori Johnson
1 (3 oz.) package strawberry Jell-O
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 (16 oz.) package frozen strawberries, cut into small pieces if they are large
1 (9 oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve Jell-O in boiling water. Add strawberries and mix well. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar with a hand mixer. Add cream cheese mixture to strawberry mixture and stir to combine. Gently fold in Cool Whip and mix until there are no streaks. Pour mixture into a 9 x 13-inch serving dish and refrigerate until set, about 3 hours.
The Strawberry Poof isn't in the picture! Must have been on the side-board - but it was there, in all it's glory! We had a wonderful Easter feast with family, friends, and all the fixin's...Mustard-Apricot-Glazed Ham, Potatoes Nan-A, Orange Hot Cross Buns, Bacon-Cheese-Tomato Deviled Eggs, just to name a few of the dishes that graced our table, along side the missing Strawberry Poof. When it was all said and done the boy asked if I could make another batch of Strawberry Poof...just for him! Of course I did - I LIVE for moments like that!
PS: Thanks Debbie for the tablecloth and napkins!
PS: Thanks Joella for the glasses!
PS: Thanks Tantillo's for joining us!
PS: Chocolates from See's Candies
