Summer Appetizer

Well, we survived our backyard bash this past weekend despite a crazy day with two kids in the baseball/softball championships and a evening full of thunderstorms!  We had about a hundred neighborhood friends filling our tented backyard and house.  It was a ton of preparation but a ton of fun!  I have been spending the last few days playing catch up and clean up. 

Despite the hard work, I love to entertain and in the summer I am drawn to ease and simplicity.  Foods that don't require an oven or even a stove.  This cool appetizer is perfect for a summer gathering.  Few ingredients that are plentiful in summer months.  

Watermelon Feta Bites

1 small watermelon sliced-

1 boxes of chunk Feta cheese

1 cup of fresh basil for garnish

optional-balsamic vinegar 

Use a small round cookie cutter to cut small circles from the watermelon slices.  Cut Feta into bit sized cubes.  Place Feta cube onto watermelon round and garnish with fresh basil leaf.  Place on to platter and drizzle with balsamic.

Super simple!  

Here are some pics from the Saturday preparation:

Happy Wednesday!

Thirsty Thursday-Watermelon Cocktail

How is it even possible that it's already Thursday!?!  How come the summer weeks go flying by and the winter seems never ending??  Anyway, weekend BBQ planning is in full swing and I'm finding myself feeling a bit of motherly guilt.  Except for a trip to the library, a quick trip to the pool, and outings for ice cream-we have been so busy running errands, cleaning the house, preparing the yard that kids summer fun has been minimal this week.  Hoping to make it up to them after Saturday!  

Today is Thirsty Thursday and I'm whipping up this cool watermelon tequila cocktail!  We all deserve a break and I'm sure it's 5 o'clock someplace??!!

Watermelon Cocktail 

1. 8 cups diced seedless watermelon (1 pound)
2. 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3. 1 can of Sprite*special ingredient, use instead of simple syrup
4.  Fresh mint leaves for garnish
5. 1 1/4 cups silver tequila
6. Ice
7. In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the watermelon juice, pressing gently on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp.
8. In a large pitcher, combine the Sprite with the lime juice.  Add the watermelon juice and tequila. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
9. Pour the cocktail into tall ice-filled glasses. Garnish with the mint sprigs and serve.

Hope you will enjoy this summer-y drink!  I plan to enjoy mine as I check out the Nordstrom Anniversary Preview Sale online tonight.  It's my favorite yearly sale.  I love to pick out the kids shoes for back to school!  I will find my faves and share them with you tomorrow.  

Happy Thirsty Thursday!