Lessons About Parfaits

Do you remember the scene in Shrek where Shrek is trying to explain to Donkey that ogres are like layers? Donkey comments that not everyone likes onions, but how about parfaits? Everyone likes parfaits.

[If you haven't seen the movie, you're either A) lacking young children or B) lacking young grandchildren and C) are missing out on some great lines.]

Anyway, not just being perverse as I sometimes I am, I'm sticking up my hand here. I don't like parfaits. Don't like eating them and sure don't like making them.

Every Friday Cam and I "make" something sweet. It's usually chocolate chip cookies, though we've also done brownies, fudge, no-bake oatmeal cookies, red velvet cookies and Rice Krispies treats. (They were really good! I think I've had them about twice in my life and never liked them until this time around.)

Last Friday we made parfaits from a kit.

Lesson 1 - don't spend $5 on a kit when all you need is chocolate cookies, butter, pudding mix, milk and Cool Whip. And that way you get as much of the chocolate cookie crumbs as you want.

Lesson 2 - Cam, who can outdo a squadron of fighter jets for sheer decibels, thinks the mixer is too loud and so can't do that part.

Lesson 3 - real honest-to-God parfait glasses are wide at the top for a reason, which is . . .

Lesson 4 - it's darn hard getting layers of chocolate pudding and whipped cream into a non-parfait glass without smearing both on the sides, unless . . .

Lesson 5 - you use a margarita glass, when it works just fine!