Since posting this photo, I've received several requests for the recipe for the striped Jello. Well, it's not my recipe; it's my mom's. So here, straight from the source — and in her own words — is the recipe for the striped Jello dessert my mom has been making for family functions ever since I was an itsy-bitsy girl:

There's really nothing special about this macaroni salad but for some reason, my family, friends, relatives, anyone who tries it really likes it. (Jim says it's because it's made with love. Awww...) I consider this the basic recipe but I change it up depending on what I have to work with, what I feel like eating. At different times I've added diced raw zucchini, diced tomatoes, switched out the pickles for cucumbers, used mozzarella instead of cheddar, tried bleu cheese dressing instead of ranch, added various herbs and spices. Oh, and I've used penne pasta just about as often as I've used elbow macaroni. Try the basic or tweak it to your taste -- and be sure to let me know how it worked for you.

For years and years and years I made the same macaroni salad. Parties, picnics, summer dinners, it was always "Mom's Macaroni Salad." This is not that macaroni salad. This Fajita Pasta Salad is a recent addition to my repertoire, a more grown-up macaroni salad recipe, one I altered from its original hot-dish form. It's spicy and filled with chunks o' yum. For a complete meal, add cooled grilled chicken tenders and serve with rolls. Enjoy!