Faithy's Favorite Red, White & Blue Salad

Just thought I'd share this quick & easy salad recipe in case you're looking for something healthy and delicious for the 4th of July. 

Ingredients:
--salad greens (I used a mix of red leaf lettuce, spring mix and spinach - but just use whatever you like!)
--fresh blueberries & raspberries (you could also use strawberries or even watermelon)
--crumbled feta cheese
--sugared nuts (This time I used store-bought sweet & spicy pumpkin seeds with black pepper, but you could also use sugared pecans or walnuts or even almonds.  I like to just dump some in a pan with sugar and seasoned salt, and stir them over low to medium heat until the sugar is melted and coats the nuts.  The you just spread them on parchment paper to cool, and break them up before using.)

Just toss everything together and serve in a clear glass or plastic bowl.  I generally serve it with poppy seed dressing and/or raspberry vinaigrette on the side.  (It stays fresh much longer if you don't "dress" the salad before serving.)

"Dressed" Salad

Quick, easy & delicious!

Happy 4th y'all!!
Blessings,
--Faithy 

Fun Stuff for the Fourth of July - Watermelon Slice Cookies

HOWDY!  Just wanted to pop in and share a fun recipe for the 4th of July!  I've made these several times, and they never fail to receive rave reviews.  They take a little effort, but they're really yummy and lots of fun.

I found this recipe called Watermelon Slice Cookies many years ago, in a copy of Taste of Home magazine.  They've published it several times since in various cookbooks, and even another edition of their magazine.  You can find the recipe by clicking here.

Believe it or not, I really haven't tweaked this one much, so I won't repost the entire recipe here.  The only things I've done differently, are:

1. Rather than 1/2 tsp. almond extract, I use 1/4 tsp. almond extract and 1/4 tsp. vanilla (I've also made them with vanilla only when I found myself out of almond extract once.  They're delicious either way.)
2. ALWAYS double the recipe so you'll have plenty of them.   (With the effort it takes to make them, you won't want to start over for the second batch!)
3. I like cutting the cookies into wedges rather than halves (they're super cute, and you get more cookies this way!).

Give this recipe a try, you're sure to impress, and you'll be glad you made the extra effort.

And...when you try them, don't forget to tell me know what you think of them!

As I celebrated the 4th of July with at least 4 generations of my family this past weekend, I was reminded once again how grateful I am to live in a country where we can get together to celebrate the many freedoms we are blessed with - including the freedom to worship, pray and play together.  I don't take lightly the sacrifices made by so many men & women (and their families) to ensure that those freedoms continue.  I hope you don't either.

Blessings,
--Faithy