Serendipity RULES

OK, I was doing a load of laundry this morning, and was thinking that I should get rid of some of the crap I store on the "temporary" (if 12 years can be considered temporary) cheesy shelves in there. Whenever I do this, the first thing to mentally be flung from a high building onto a very hard pavement below is the punch bowl...really, who uses a punchbowl anymore? I know some do, I just like the convenience of a pitcher, or maybe one of those cool big glass receptacles with a spigot that you can never be sure is clean - but then I'd have to buy one. So it sits there, and as it has the added bonus of possibly being a family heirloom since I think it was used at my sisters wedding like a hundred years ago, it has avoided a spectacular end thus far.

So this afternoon, while I was accidentally going through my personal emails at work, one from a quilting website (I don't quilt, and I don't know why they send it anymore than I know why they think I need Viagra) made me stop and look at the pretty quilts I will never make, and a photo of an amazing thing with a promised recipe attached caught my eye. I held my breath, and my first thought was "I wonder if Denice knows about this!" (my blogging compadre) and I clicked and clicked, but it would not take me anywhere, so I just did a search with the name it gave. Ergo the following offering which may stay the execution of my punchbowl - I am going to make it this weekend and hope it does not kill me:

Punchbowl Cake

One yellow cake mix, prepared as directed in two 9" layers
2 boxes (3.5 oz) vanilla pudding, prepared as directed
1-20 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
6 bananas, peeled and sliced
2 pints strawberries, cleaned and sliced (or you can use a big can of cherry pie filling if you want)
1-24 oz. container Cool Whip
1 Cup toasted coconut
1/2 Cup chopped pecans

Using a punchbowl or a REALLY large trifle bowl w/straight sides, layer with:
1-9" yellow cake layer
Half the vanilla pudding
Half the drained, crushed pineapple
Half the sliced bananas
Half the sliced strawberries
Half the Cool Whip
Half the toasted coconut
Half the pecans

Repeat with remaining cake layer and other half of each ingredient as above. Refrigerate at least one hour, serve with large spoon or diving board. I am considering sending one of the boys to the all-night grocery store so I can make it, take a 1 hour nap, then get up and eat some....doesn't it sound lovely??