Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe (GLUTEN-FREE)

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD

Everything is better with butter . . . except watermelon. My mind can't wrap around the thought of the two together. Or watermelon and bacon.

I did see chocolate candy with bacon pieces at Whole Foods. No, I didn't buy it because I didn't want to waste the money. Do you really think chocolate and bacon are going to taste good together? Can you see now why I didn't want to waste my money.

Alas, I occasionally wish I had splurged.

I want to be more of risk-taker with trying different and unusual combination foods.

Which brings me to Alta Barker's recipe for Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

My mother taught me that when you're at someone's house you eat whatever food is served even if you don't like it. Well, we were at someone else's house where this was served. Salty pretzels with Jello and strawberries? I don't know.

Try it, try it and see.

Preheat oven to 400*.

2 cups crushed GLUTINO pretzels*

2 teaspoon sugar

3/4 cup butter, melted

Mix pretzels, sugar, and butter. Spread in a 9x13 pan (pat down) and bake for 7 minutes. Allow to cool. Feel free to turn your oven off at this point if you aren't baking something else.

 *If you don't have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten, you can use regular pretzels. However, numerous people have tasted the Glutino pretzels and commented they taste better than regular pretzels. I agree.

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

1 (8 oz) carton whipped topping

1 cup powdered sugar

Blend cream cheese, whipped topping, and powdered sugar. Spread on crust.

1 (6 oz) box strawberry Jello

1 (10-16 oz) package  frozen strawberries

1 small can crushed pineapple

Mix Jello according to directions. Place in refrigerator to congel. Before it sets (when it's the consistency of slime, isn't that appetizing?), fold in the thawed strawberries and drained pineapple. Pour this mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Chill.

If you have a larger container of whipped topping, you could add a dollop to the top of each serving. Or not. :-)

Masterpiece Marriage book review

5* Amazon book review by Kathleen

Being skilled in the Art of Pleasing Others truly did obliterate her individuality. No wonder the average English girl was viewed as decidedly dull by the Americans. Years of being "improved" made her this way.
--Masterpiece Marriage, 46

Join another wonderful Quilts of Love story ~ finding how quilts change and resurrect the longing to express.

A beautiful story of hope and love ~ and Mary. So reminded me of It's A Wonderful Life ~ the old house, the dreams, the future to be taken when you realize why you were born. To live, to love; to be received, to reach for the plans He has for you.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity...
--Jeremiah 29:11-14a, KJV

Guilt of Zenus Dane's past drives him to perfection-seeking in all he does. Gone is the gaiety of his youth and he settles into a routine he believes is what he has and is to do. A flooded warehouse sends him to his aunt Priscilla to try to recoup his damages in his textile mill. An accomplished and respected quilter/designer, Zenus is certain her artwork will bring his goods into a salable option.

Mary Varrs is house-sitting while completing her scientific experiments with tomato seedlings, preparing to submit her work for her first employment in the field. Being advised of a new requirement to add drawings with her papers, she finds neighbor Priscilla Dane Osbourne with the skill she most needs to complete her application; line drawings so desperately needed in a short time. She sees Mrs. Osbourne's drawings on an invitation she receives to be part of a Quilting Bee to complete a Bride's Quilt. Being an Englishwoman, certainly she knows how to do handwork.

I enjoyed the humor in the story but also the depth of thought in determining what held importance in Mary's life and the freedom she had to choose. In 1891, the academics did not favor women taking part. Being sponsored brought Mary under obligation, until she realized the choices she did have.

Very well-written and expressed, I look forward to future writings by this author.

___________________

Masterpiece Marriage on sale at Amazon!

Inkwell Inspirations: Writing Myths Perpetuated by Christian Writers, Pa...

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Masterpiece Marriage book review

5* AMAZON REVIEW BY writer@heart!

Masterpiece Marriage is a delightful story about finding true love when you least expect it, exactly when you need it.

The story’s leading lady is Miss Mary Varrs, a single woman from Europe who is visiting and lodging in a home on the East Coast of the United States of America because of the soil of the Eastern Shore. According to Mary, the soil there “enjoys the agricultural advantages of a mild climate, abundant rainfall, and a long growing season” which is just what Miss Mary whose passion is studying the growth pattern of her tomato seedlings, needs.

But her studies are interrupted by a dashing gentleman by the name of Zenus Dane who at first is repelled then intrigued by the mannerisms of ever so proper and elegant Miss Mary. As the story progresses, the reader is in for laughter, sweet scenarios and moments that make you hold your breath in anticipation for what happens next.

The author, Gina Welborn, knows how to weave a beautiful story of romance matched with reality of a historical time. The reader is not likely to get bored because even when they’re tempted to speed read, the characters, plot and engaging dialogue will draw the bored or hurried reader right back into the vivid action and heart of the story.

After reading Masterpiece Marriage, the reader may want to read another one of Welborn’s books because by the end of this book you want more from this talented author whose characters in this story are not only likeable but flawed and wonderful.

If there was a soundtrack for the love story between Miss Mary and Mr. Zenus Dane, I’d say perhaps the popular love song, “If You Asked Me To” by Celine Dion is best suited to portray the inner thoughts of these two characters. Clearly, I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to all who need their hope of finding true love rekindled.

____________________________

Masterpiece Marriage  on sale at Amazon!

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