Happy 4th of July!

For the first time in our 6 year long relationship, we had no plans this year since we could not join our friends out of town. I decided to invite the family over for a cookout on the 3rd.  With the patio fiasco not being complete until days before, I was quickly regretting ever having mentioned this BBQ.  But in my style, I got it all done and it was a great success.  I tried a few new recipes that I needed to post though.

American Flag Fruit Parfait
Adapted from Taste of Home

• 2 ½ packages of cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup of white sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups of whipping cream
• 2 quarts of strawberries, halved
• 1 quart of blue berries

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in whipped cream. Place a third of the mixture in a 4-qt. bowl. Reserve 20 strawberry halves and 1/2 cup blueberries for garnish.
2. Layer half of the remaining strawberries and blueberries over cream mixture. Top with another third of the cream mixture and the remaining berries. Spread the remaining cream mixture on top. Use the reserved strawberries and blueberries to make a "flag" on top. 
3. Makes about18-20 servings.

Pretzel Sparklers   Adapted from Taste of Home

• 1 bag of Ghirardelli white chocolate baking chips
• 1 bag of pretzel rods
• 1 container of red, white & blue sprinkles

1. Line a platter with wax paper or foil (shiny side down).
2.  In a small, microwave-safe bowl, pour half the bag of chocolate.  Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each increment.  Repeat until chocolate is melted.  Be careful not to burn chocolate.  Typically melting time is 1 minute - 1 minute and 20 seconds.
3. Using a spoon, spoon chocolate onto pretzel rod and spread all around and across ¾ of the rod.
4. Place on top of foil/wax paper.
5. Repeat with second bag of chocolate.  While this chocolate is melting, toss sprinkles onto the already made pretzels.