Here are a few more ideas to celebrate Memorial Day this weekend.

Take your family on a fun picnic together.

( Country Living)

Here is another great Cookout Menu.

Pizzazzerie has a great tablescape!

Be sure to get some of these great free printables from Posh Pixels!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend!

For Memorial Day make a festive dish to serve that honors why we are celebrating.  Here are a couple of flag recipes to try:

Red, White and Blue Dessert Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened 
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
• 2 quarts strawberries, halved, divided
• 2 quarts blueberries, divided

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and extracts until fluffy. Fold 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.
• 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. Yield: 18 servings.

Patriotic Taco Salad Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 6 cups tortilla or corn chips
• 4 to 5 cups shredded lettuce
• 9 to 10 pitted large olives, sliced lengthwise
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the water, tomato paste and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
• Place chips in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Spread beef mixture evenly over the top. Cover with lettuce. For each star, arrange five olive slices together in the upper left corner. To form stripes, add cheese and tomatoes in alternating rows. Serve immediately. Yield: 8 servings.

  Editor’s Note: If you wish to prepare this salad in advance, omit the layer of chips and serve them with the salad.

Fourth of July Pizza Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tube (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
• 2 slices process American cheese
• 4 string cheese, cut in half lenthwise
• 1 jar (15 ounces) pizza sauce

Directions

• Unroll pizza dough and press onto the bottom and 1/2 in. up the sides of a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 425° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
• Using a 1-in. star cookie cutter, cut eight stars from the American cheese. Cut each strip of string cheese in half lengthwise. Spread pizza sauce over crust.
• Arrange stars in the upper left corner. For stripes, arrange 15 pieces of string cheese over sauce (save remaining piece for another use). Bake 5-8 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 16 slices.

Recipes:  Taste of Home