Tiramasu and My Favorite Things

The first time I had Tiramasu was at a restaurant with my grandaughter Paige. She spent the summer with me when she was 14 and we went to Olive Garden. That evening is now one of my favorite things.

Tiramasu Bowl

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
48 NILLA Wafers
1/2 cup brewed strong Coffee, cooled, 2
2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, coarsely grated
1 cup fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries

BEAT cream cheese with mixer until creamy. Beat in milk and pudding mixes. Stir in 2 cups COOL WHIP.

LINE 2-1/2-qt. bowl with 24 wafers; drizzle with 1/4 cup coffee. Top with half each pudding mixture and chocolate. Repeat all layers.

TOP with remaining COOL WHIP and raspberries. Refrigerate 2 hours. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes 16 servings

This morning when I woke up the song that popped into my head was My Favorite Things. Who would have thought "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, brown copper kettle and warm woolen mittens..." personal rememberances would be such a hit and people would relate to it. I started remembering my favorite things like my dad putting me in a snowsuit before I was old enough to go to school and convincing me even though it had pants, it was not boys clothes (I was very girly). I remember crying when I my baby sister was born. My dad asked me why I was crying and I remember saying "because I am a big girl now and you can't carry me to bed anymore"... the thoughts we have when we are four. He carried me everywhere that day and made sure he carried me to bed that night. I remember my first trip to the ocean when I was 9 with my uncle and bringing my mom back a teddy bear and her crying. I remember my son crying when the dandilions he picked for me blew away in the wind and holding his hand while we found other flowers.

The "treasures" I have are hand-made cards and things my children drew at school and sometimes the most valuable treasures are not as simple as the softness of the fur of kittens or the sweet smell of babies. Some of my treasures and favorite things are mixed with tears as my life changes and my place in the lives of others changes too. We nurture, we love and we let go because that is what life requires and it is good.

The chorus of another song comes to my mind.. "and now, let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich because of what the Lord had done for us... give thanks".

Matthew 6:19-21 do not store up your treasures on earth...store up your treasures in heaven... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Love,
Nana