Niki Anderson ~ Author & Speaker

       As I smoothed green pistachio-cream frosting on a favorite March cake, I was thinking mostly about you. I decided to share pictures of what I do besides taking dictation from God at a keyboard. (You know I’m kidding—about dictation, not green cake.)

       Below is a photoblog—my first—of activities that help me balance email replies, first drafts, searching a rolodex for forgotten passwords, and selling books, opposite the other satisfying delights of life. Here’s a peek at a few of 16 days this month.

       As you noticed above, I’m usually whipping up green cake about now. My son and daughter-in-law will soon drop in for a slice of the delectable dessert, compliments of Jell-O brand pudding! I’m certain the back-of-the-box recipe for pistachio cake elevated stock in Jell-O to blue chip status only hours after pistachio pudding hit the shelves years ago. Fabulous not only during the month of the Irish, this cake is also color-specific for Christmas; just garnish the top with maraschino cherries. And at Easter, the soft dips of apple-green icing are a pretty bed for jelly beans. Recipe below.

       Like many in America, I also posted on Craigslist this month. But when days are dull, Bob and I do more than list our cast-offs. For entertainment, we laugh about ill-worded postings. As in the Want Ad for a something-or-other which the owner noted he “wonted.” I’ve wanted a lot of things in my life but I’ve never “wonted” anything--until recently.

       You have to understand that authors are sleuths when it comes to misspelled words, and the rendering of “wonted” just struck us funny. Since first reading about the wanton desire of “wonting,” suddenly Bob and I have become skilled at “wonting” things. As in “Honey, I wont that newspaper. Don’t throw it out.” Or, “Wait! I wont to tag along, so give me five to put on my make-up.” But better than getting what we wont, we get a big smile or even a belly laugh out of just wonting what we want.

       Back to my post on Craigslist. I’m selling four antique, cherry wood folding theater chairs (1930s?) with original velvet seats and backrest coverings secured with brass nail heads. (This is not a pitch, maybe just TMI.) We’re thinning out inherited treasures we don’t use. The sales pay bills, relieve HIV in Africa, and finance Bob’s occasional whim for Ben and Jerry’s Pfish Food.

       Now come with me to Oasis on Thursday nights when I meet with 100 women who study the book of Esther. We worship in song, gather in small groups of about 10, discuss the week’s study, share personal concerns, and watch a video presentation by Bible study teacher, Beth Moore.

      The coolest part of Oasis is this. Thursday’s input overlaps onto Friday through Wednesday. Like last Sunday when half our band of bonded ladies gathered around a water tank at church and celebrated the baptism of a girlfriend-sister from our group. I love Thursdays. (Photo not available, but let your imagination go wild and add rapturous clapping and shouts of hallelujah.)

       Thanks for letting me share snippets from my other life. I’m not always the keyboard-tapping woman you envision. I wanted to open my front door, and invite you in to drool over cake, admire my little chairs, and let me share the joy I experienced at a baptism. And if you wont to, try the cake.

Pistachio Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (2 layer size) yellow or white cake mix.

1 pkg. JELLO brand pistachio flavor instant pudding and pie filling (don't use sugar-free or other brands)

3 eggs

1 cup club soda

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Blend all cake ingredients in a large mixer bowl and beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Bake in greased and floured 10-inch Bundt pan at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on rack.

Frosting:

1 pkg. Dream Whip brand whipped topping mix

1 pkg. JELLO brand pistachio pudding and pie filling

1 ½ cups cold milk

Blend 1 ½ cups cold milk, 1 envelope Dream Whip topping mix and 1 pkg. pistachio instant pudding and whip until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Cut the cake horizontally making two layers. (I don't split mine.) Spread about 1 cup of the frosting between layers and spoon the rest into center and over entire cake. (I spread my frosting over entire cake and fill the center). Chill. Garnish (or not) with chopped pistachio nuts (preferred) or walnuts (also very good).