I loved these “salads” when I was a kid! Seriously, what kid’s eyes didn’t pop out cartoon-style when THIS was set on the table….and called “salad”! 😀

Sweet, fruity, creamy salads such as this came in every color and every flavor! They were easily whipped up with economical ingredients, and usually contained assortments of fruity pie fillings, vibrant jellos, tubs of Cool Whip, assorted nuts, pillow-soft marshmallows, and were a pure joy to see as much as eat!

These silky-creamy, cool on the tongue delights were always present on every table, at every holiday, and every potluck!

And they went with everything, no matter what you were serving.

From a humble leftover roast ham and cold cheese sandwich for lunch, to backyard barbecues and potlucks down at the local VFW or American Legion hall, to a fancily decorated Christmas dinner table with Great Grandma’s china and hand-sewn and embroidered tablecloths you didn’t dare spill on.

The simple, hearty meal was always unforgettably delicious, unpretentious, and always made with honest pride and lots of love.

Dinners, even weeknight and casual, friendly, get-togethers weren’t just “meals”, either. They were memories unfolding that would last a lifetime. When people took the time to really cook from scratch with great care and didn’t slap together a “5 ingredient – one pot – to-the-table-in-20 minutes” eat just to eat kind of supper.

I don’t want to sound preachy. I really don’t.

I’ve just never forgotten the fun that was had, and wish every single day that life would slow back down. Even just a little.

Maybe I was just born in the wrong time, but I’m not sure that we have caught up to today’s technology. I think maybe things have moved so quickly that we haven’t even had time to really let it soak in, understand it and it’s consequences fully, and accept the responsibility of it all.

If you, too, feel like you’re drowning and can’t keep up, take a few days to slow down, look around, take a breather, and put things back into perspective of importance. I’m trying to do just that, too. Life is flying by. And we can’t get a split second of it back.

Take it easy and I hope that you make time to enjoy this sweet, simple, humble salad!
Serve this luscious treat with your next home cooked dinner!
It truly does go with everything. Especially smiles! 😉

Retro "Cherry Fluff" Sweet Salad

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Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed
• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (20 - 21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
• 1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, well drained
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 large banana, sliced, *optional but very good
• ½ cup chopped pecans, can sub chopped toasted almonds, optional
• whipped cream, toasted coconut, and maraschino cherries for garnish if desired

Instructions

In large bowl, fold together first four ingredients.

Fold in the remaining four ingredients. (*Fold in bananas last if adding.)

Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Spoon into serving dishes and garnish with whipped cream, toasted coconut and maraschino cherries if desired. Sprinkles are also fun and festive!