RECIPE: Watermelon Salad

Just in time for that summer picnic.... summer dessert.... or  a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g summer!

I LOVE watermelon, especially, during the summertime.

I always recall sweet memories of sticky fingers and a messy face.

Now as an adult.... the very elegant lady that I am {ahem}...

I don't really go for the sticky fingers and messy face anymore.

So, here is a more elegant, but yet refreshing way to enjoy this favorite summertime treat!

WATERMELON SALAD

INGREDIENTS:
3-4 cups seeded and cubed watermelon
1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
4 Tablespoons chopped mint
1 tsp cracked black pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon white balsamic vinegar {regular balsamic vinegar may be used}

* Sea Salt as desired for topping
* Feta Cheese for garnish {I did not have any on hand}

1. Prepare watermelon, cherry tomatoes and mint as directed.

2. Mix olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper in a small bowl.

3. Toss together all ingredients in large bowl.

4. Top with Sea Salt and Feta Cheese as desired and enjoy!

EASY-PEASY and....

R-E-F-R-E-S-H-I-N-G!

Perfect for a summertime snack, as a side salad or as an elegant dish that won't get your fingers sticky and your face messy!

PERFECTION!

Cinco de Mayo

Means.... Margaritas!

I'm hoping that my plan for a little family party tonight will work out.

Al Pastor Tacos, frijoles, cilantro rice, salsa, guacamole, and my famous
Margarita Cupcakes and
Watermelon Margaritas.

Check out the fiesta I threw my hubby HERE for a little more inspiration.

How ever you do up today... or any day... have a MARVELOUS time doing it!

HAPPY CINCO de MAYO, friends!

BAKING: Boo Bark

Everything seems to be closing in at warp speed.

My busiest time of the year, just seems to be getting a little busier.
Sorry, for my recent absence.... but, we had some family health issues that were at the priority of our days.... and nights. And even though I LOVE to paint and create, my family comes first. I'm sure y'all can understand. But, praise the Lord..... all is better than what we could have imagined!

So, back to business!

My friend posted a link on her FB page that contained a recipe for Halloween Candy Bark found here at Just a Taste. I decided to give it a shot for some of our lovely neighbors.  I altered a few things from the original recipe. I mixed bittersweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate chips. Plus, I added toasted pumpkin seeds. But, the great thing is.... you can add any candy... and ingredients. Have fun!

This was my take. I call them Boo Bark!

BOO BARK
Ingredients:
3 cups of bittersweet and milk chocolate chips
Kit Kat Bars
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Quartered
M&M's minus the blue ones
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds 
Candied Boo Eyes

1. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a skillet over a medium flame until they begin to brown and start to pop. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. Line baking sheets with wax or parchment paper.

3. Melt the chocolate chips in either a double boiler or a microwave.
I did mine in the microwave, just don't over cook. It took my chocolate about 1 minute and 35 seconds and then I mixed the chips until they were all melted and the mixture was smooth.

4. Pour melted chocolate on baking sheets.
With a spatula, spread the chocolate evenly about 1/4" thick.

5. Start placing the candy, boo eyes, and pumpkin seeds into the chocolate.
I pressed the items a little into the chocolate.
The chocolate will start to firm up a bit, so this step should be done quickly.

6. Place the baking sheets into the fridge for 30-40 minutes until the chocolate hardens completely.

7. Carefully peel the wax paper away from the chocolate and place on a cutting board.

8. Cut the bark into pieces.

9. Place pieces in an air-tight container until they can be packaged and enjoyed!

This is how I festively packaged them for our neighbors.

I love how you can see the eyes peeking at you from the container.

 

Do you have plans to make any special treats for friends?

I'd love for you to share with me.

Happy Boo-Day, friends!

Easter Dinner Preparations

I am starting to clean and gather my items for our Easter Dinner Celebrations.

I have so much fun deciding what to pull out and use!

I don't have that much fun cleaning every item, but it is a necessity after sitting on a shelf and collecting dust. Dust would not be so appetizing to our guests... I'm sure.

I start with a color scheme while deciding what to use in the tablescape.

This year, I am going with a neutral sophisticated palette.

I'll be using silvers, white, cream, gold and lilac/purple. I'll incorporate the lilac/purple color through an ombre selection of florals.

I will be using my ikat plates I purchased at the 2013 Dwell with Dignity Fall Thrift Studio. Plus, this is a perfect time to use the vintage white china passed on to me by my mother-in-law. These both will look wonderful on a mix of silver glass and fabric chargers.

I have decided to pull out my little vintage white milk glass vases to hold the ombre selections of florals. I will be utilizing the arrangements as our centerpiece along the length of the table.

To pull in some more natural elements, I hard boiled these brown farm eggs and will use them in these cute little egg cups! I'll add a few egg-shaped clear paper weights from my collection for contrast and sparkle.

And last, but not least, my fun gold flatware and gold patterned napkins will be getting some love on Easter!
I love the contrast on the natural table runner!

I can't wait to pull together this table and engage in sweet fellowship and food on Easter day!
We have a lot to celebrate and I am going to make sure to shower my guests with wonderful food, drinks, and laughter!

I have compiled my planned menu below with links to most of the recipes in case you need some ideas for your meal. My menu is planned with healthy options for some of the guests that are on specific diets. I have not yet decided on what type of drinks we will be serving other than peach iced tea and infused water. I'll probably stick to a selection of wines for the alcoholic beverages.

APPETIZERS
Shrimp Shooters
Deviled Eggs

MAIN COURSE
Sweet-Hot Plum-Glazed Ham
Lemon Rosemary Salmon
Salad with Fresh Pears, Strawberries and Candied Bacon [I'm using Feta instead of Blue Cheese]
Asparagus Amandine without butter
Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
Rosemary Orange Biscuits

DESSERT
Lemon-Coconut Cake
Banana Pudding Pie
Berries and Whipped Cream

Yummy! Many of these items I can start prepping or complete on Saturday. That way, I am not running around too crazy on Sunday... going from church to cooking in the kitchen.

We also plan to have our annual Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt on Sunday. We seem to change it up a little bit every year, but this year I am planning to do something quite different.... it should be fun!

Happy Easter Preparations, everybody!

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

We have been iced in for several days...

But, today things are getting back to normal. 

It'll be above freezing soon and the rest of the ice will melt. 

We plan to venture out [doctor appointment and what not] for the first time since Thursday morning!

We have really enjoyed our time entombed in ice. For real.

We are introverts at heart.

Not to mention, I was able to complete an insane amount of Christmas preparations!

Plus.... I got to bake these cupcakes!

I shared them last year in a post, but here is the recipe again:

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CUPCAKES

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 22-25 minutes

Yield: 20-24 cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes:

1 3/4 cups cake flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa {I used Ghirardelli}

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs at room temperature

1 cup milk {I used non-fat and they still turned out great}

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting:

~7 ounces cream cheese softned

1/2 cup butter {1 stick}

1 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups confectioner sugar

1-3 Tablespoons milk 

CUPCAKES

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake pan.

2. In mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. Add eggs, oil, milk and vanilla and beat on medium speed for 1 minute.

4. Add boiling water and blend together. 

NOTE: the mixture will be VERY thin. I am thankful I was warned about this because it really is the consistency of buttermilk or so. But, don't worry. They turn out fabulous! But, instead of using an ice cream scoop to fill my liners, I just used a bowl with a pouring spout.

5. Fill liners 2/3 full with batter.

6. Bake at 350 degree for 22 - 25 minutes.

7. Cool cupcakes completely on wire rack prior to frosting.

FROSTING

1. Beat cream cheese and butter for about 30 seconds until smooth.

2. Add confectioner sugar a little at a time. Once combined increase speed to medium and beat until fluffy.

3. Add peppermint and vanilla extract and mix until combined.

4. Slowly add in the milk until you reach the desired consistency. 

5. Beat until fluffy {about 1 minute}.

Makes approximately 3 - 4 cups.

Utilize frosting immediately or it can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Frost cupcakes and ENJOY!

I added Hershey Peppermint Kisses to the top for an added festive punch.

And then I had fun breaking up a whole bunch of candy canes to sprinkle around the serving platter. I just spread the fine dust left from the candy canes across the top of the cupcakes.

ENJOY!

FOOD: Reese's Pieces Cookies

As promised from this post about our 80's themed birthday party...

The Reese's Pieces Cookie Recipe!

Quick.  Simple.  SCRUMPTIOUS!

INGREDIENTS

1 Package of Super Moist Milk Chocolate Cake Mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup of Canola Oil [or 1/3 cup applesauce]

1 bag Reese's Pieces

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Combine cake mix, eggs and oil in mixing bowl. Beat well.

3. Gently stir in Reese's Pieces.

4. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet in round balls.

5. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes [or until done].

6. Let cool and ENJOY!

These cookies taste SO good!

And... they are so simple to make... plus, they freeze well.

Perfection!

PARTIES: 80's Theme

Like... TOTALLY AWESOME!

We celebrated kiddo's b-day with an 80's themed party this year.

80's attire was encouraged!

Kiddo was sporting a vintage Atari Pac-Man shirt circa 1982.... pretty cool. 

Every year we chose our theme by kiddo's strong interests [of the moment]. This year was no different. 

He also likes to participate in the decision making and production of all the party decor.

For every holiday, birthday, or special occasion we decorate our front door. 

This is where kiddo participated and created all the pixel images of the ghost and Pac-Man.

  

Upon entering our home, our guests were greeted by a vintage E.T. Lite Brite, vintage Pac-Man Clock and some pretty radical buttons.

Awww.... boomboxes and cassette tapes.

Did you ever record songs off the radio on one of these things?

We wanted to anchor our decorating scheme with color. So, we chose the colors from a classic 80's puzzle -- The Rubik's Cube: orange, blue, red, yellow, green and white.

We also put emphasis on the 80's items that kiddo is specifically interested in: Pac-Man and the Rubik's Cube. And of course, the 80's pop music was playing during the entire party.

Before the cake, ice cream and presents.... we participated in our annual BOYS vs. GIRLS Scavenger Hunt. 

This year.... it was 80's themed. 

Each team was to complete a side of a "Rubik's Cube" in their team's color. Boys were blue and girls were yellow. Each clue provided an image from an 80's movie, TV Show, or song. 

Our guests had to guess how that corresponded to a location that was associated with the Birthday Boy. At that location they would find their puzzle piece. 

After 8 pieces were collected, the 9th location led them back to the birthday venue. 

The team that arrived first --- won. 

And.... the boys won... again. 

The current score is 2 wins for the boys and 1 for the girls. 

GIRLS -- We always have next year!

I made the cupcake toppers from an image located on the web.

The Reese's Pieces Cookies were delish! 

Here is the recipe.

Very very simple recipe, too. I'll share it later in the week.

What do you top a Pac-Man Birthday Cake with????

Ghosts.... of course!

Pac-Man wedges to place in your beverage of choice!

I utilized the same Rubik's Cube image to make the water bottle labels.

Each of our little guest left with a party favor Pac-Man cube filled with a vintage 80's Garfield mug, a mini Rubik's cube and popular 80's candy.

We had such a fun time!

Like... TOTALLY AWESOME!

Linked up at Thrifty Decor Chick and Tip Junky.