Memories of the Past

     I think I’m on time. It’s the 10th of January, and I’m being lazy again. My body freezes up in the winter, and I want to hibernate. I may have been a bear in a previous life. 
    Speaking of, how far back in your life can you remember? I have four things I remember, and I wasn't in pre-school. Maybe three to five years old.
     In my day, they didn’t have pre-kindergarten or kindergarten. I went into the first grade in September after I turned six the previous January. So I was almost seven.
    Anyway, one of my pre-school incidences happened when Mother and I were at my cousin Danny’s house. It was winter time, and they had a new litter of puppies. I wanted to see them, so mom put my coat on and sent me outside. I guess I thought they needed a bath. I ran water, took off my coat, and proceeded to give those little, black and white buggers a bath. I just remember getting my coat wet and washing the puppies. I don’t remember the outcome. That’s called selective memory, I think. 
    Another incidence I remember is crawling under a big tub we had outside, and when Mother called, I didn’t answer. I have no idea how long I was under the tub. Again, selective memory.
    The last one happened when we lived in the ‘bottoms’ as we called it. My grandparents lived deep in the woods where a large lake is now. I played with my favorite cousin, Pat. He was born in December, and I was born one month later, so we were close. The only thing I had against him was years later he could climb to the top of the sycamore tree, and I couldn’t. Back to my adolescent experience, Pat and I took a walk down the sandy road into the woods. I told him I thought we were lost and maybe we should turn around. 
     He said, “We’ve all ready been that way.” He kept walking.
   We finally heard someone calling us, and we turned around and ran back up the road. I don’t think we got spanked, but I might have shut that out, too. Below is a picture of my cousin and I, back in my topless days.

    Now for some serious stuff. I’m re-writing a book and writing a new one at the same time. That’s not easy. I want to finish them both this month. Forever Love is going to be a re-write of When the Past Came Back. The other is the third book in my Weber, Texas series. It is so intense it makes me shiver. I can’t wait for you guys to read it, but you are going to have to wait. I don’t want to hurry the book. It’s way too juicy.
    Speaking of juicy, this month’s recipe is called Banana Split Lush. No, it’s not one of my other two Banana Split Cake recipes. It’s a different one and ooooohhhhh so good. It would probably taste better in the hot summer, but, hey, save it for later or make it now.

Banana Split Lush

Serves: 16

Ingredients

2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, divided
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup butter, melted
2 [8] oz cream cheese
1¼ cup powdered sugar
1 [20] oz can crushed pineapple, drained
4 medium bananas, sliced
2 [3.4] oz white chocolate instant pudding
3 cup milk
1 [16] oz whipped topping or 4 cups fresh whipped cream, divided
hot fudge sauce, slightly warmed
16 maraschino cherries with stems
sprinkles [optional]

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread ½ cup walnut pieces in a single layer and toast for 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool. 
Spritz the bottom only of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
In a medium mixing bowl mix together the graham cracker crumbs, remaining ½ cup chopped walnuts, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Press firmly onto the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden and set. Cool completely.
Whip together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, drained pineapple, and 1 cup whipped topping. Whip for 2 minutes until fluffy and evenly combined. Spread evenly over the crust.
Top with a layer of banana slices.
Whip together both boxes of instant white chocolate pudding with 3 cups of cold milk for 2-3 minutes until thickened but still pourable. Pour over the bananas.
Frost the top with the remaining whipped topping. Drizzle with chocolate fudge, and garnish with the remaining toasted walnuts and maraschino cherries. Decorate as desired.
Chill for at least 4 hours before cutting to allow the layers to set.
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