Watermelon Salsa

Here's how to make it:

1 small watermelon diced

4 teaspoons of cilantro

4 teaspoons of green onions

4 teaspoons of green bell pepper

2-4 teaspoons of Jalapeño 

(taste after two before adding more)

1 teaspoon of lime juice

Salt

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips (Tostitoes are great) and garnish with the watermelon rind.  

Courtesy of Kaitlyn and Kyle's Grammy.  Thanks.  It was delish.

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Bad Marketing Ad#1

As a graphic designer I can not look at an ad without a critical eye. Usually I judge the typography, the layout, or the copyright.  In this case, I was appalled at the utter lack of respect this ad designer has for the audience.  

First rule of design:  If you do a before and after, at least use an image reflecting the same skin tone!!!  

What message do you get from this ad?

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Friendly Traditions - Start a Bunko Group

This year marks a 10-year monthly tradition of playing Bunko together. Our group started with 12 girls just married. A third of us were first time stay-at-home mommies deeply in need of adult conversation. Some wanted to reunite with old work friends and keep in touch better. We all wanted to GET OUT once a month - and spend fun time with friends.
We didn't set any rules except to supply dinner if you are a host and call if you can't make it. Themes were not mandatory but throughout the years, the themes these creative woman come up with is what I look forward to.
The latest party theme was a "Little Black Dress" Bunko by Karri. She set the table with elegant crystal and draped pearls around the napkins and centerpieces. She found initialed pearled ornaments and placed them next to each placesetting along with our personalized score card. For the main course she set up a mash-potatoe bar which was served in martini glasses. A light salad and shishkabobs skewered with tomotoe, mozzarella and basil were great accompaniments to the elegantly served carb. After dinner she read us an excerpt from the book, The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. It is a moving essay about women's remarkable capacity to support each other, to laugh together, and to endure. And yes, I cried.
We played one round of bunko (which is usually one round too many for me) and afterword enjoyed cake and sugar cookies adorned with a picture of Audrey Hepburn and her signature black dress. The theme was very simple and elegant.
Many bunko groups begin and end within a matter of months. Most don't last becuase women let their busy lives get in the way. If you start a bunko group, make the effort. Show up and don't make excuses. Perfect your entertaining skills. It is in times of difficulty when we need our friends the most. It is a tradition I hope to continue until all of us are rolling our dentures and sharing pictures of our grandkids.

For your bunko group, do you have themes? Share your favorites here. In the meantime, enjoy the following video of a reading from The Middle Place.

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Monkey Bread

Luckily we participate in this tradition once a year because it takes a year to burn off the calories we consume enjoying it.  It's called Monkey Bread and EVERYONE loves it!  In our family, we prepare the monkey bread on Christmas Eve to serve on Christmas morning.  The recipe is so easy, the kids can practically do it all! 

While I make the sugar cookies for Santa. (another tradition)

Monkey Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cinnamon 1 1/2 stick of melted butter
1/2 cup raisins and/or pecans (these are optional, it's great with or without them)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚ and grease a monkey bread pan (bundt pan or angel food pan works great)

2. Mix all sugar and cinnamon in a large plastic bag. Cut the biscuits into quarters and place in the bag with the sugar.
Shake well as you coat all sides evenly.

3. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the greased pan. Continue layering until all the biscuit pieces are coated with sugar and in the pan. I sprinkle raisins and pecans throughout the layering process as well.

4. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and pour on top of entire monkey bread evenly.  If you want to ensure an even coat, you can brush the butter atop each layer.

5. Bake for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate.  Top with the icing while warm. 

Icing (pour on top or serve on side)

1 cup cream cheese
1 stick butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

1. Allow cream cheese and butter to get to room temperature.

2. Beat butter and cream cheese together in a large bowl with a mixer.

3. Slowly add in the pound of powdered sugar.

4. After all the powdered sugar is added mix for 12 minutes (do not mix less than that).

5. When almost done, add in the extract and lemon juice.

Lately my daughter has been requesting this for her birthday morning treat as well.  

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