Cool Summer Appetizer {Prosciutto w/cantaloupe/honey dew melon and fresh mozzarella cheese}

Summer is almost here and with summer comes entertaining to include backyard BBQs.  My kids and I went to the library recently to sign up for their summer book club reading.  I picked two books both by Williams-Sonoma.  One was Outdoor Entertaining and the other one was Essentials of Mediterranean Cooking.  I love looking at different cookbooks and trying new recipes.  I am especially drawn to books and magazines that include pictures of the recipe.   When we have guest over, I want to entertain them.  I don’t want to be in the kitchen all day long, which takes away from entertaining.  A cool yet flavorful dish you can whip up in no time is prosciutto with cantaloupe/honey dew melon and fresh mozzarella cheese.  While staying in Italy we were always served family style but these can easily be put on skewers and served individually.  All you need is:

Cantaloupe/Honeydew melon

Prosciutto

Mozzarella (the pearl mozzarella balls work great with this recipe if you can find them)

Olive oil

Basil (I love to experiment with different herbs so try some thyme also)

Salt

Pepper

If you have a melon baller start by scooping the cantaloupe into balls, take the prosciutto and randomly place around the cantaloupe balls.  (I am a big believer in you eat with your eyes so presentation is a big thing for me).  Next randomly place the mozzarella balls around the serving tray.  Once you have these ingredients in place sprinkle olive oil and finish up by sprinkling with kosher or sea salt, fresh ground pepper and basil (you can either tear or chiffonade the basil).

This is such a great appetizer that is perfect for summer entertaining and I know your guest will love them too.

 Buon Appetito

Memorial Day Sale! 15% off everything in our Etsy Shop

Not only have we added new items to our shop but to help celebrate Memorial Day we are offering 15% off everything in our Etsy shop!  Here are just a few of the things that we have added:


Fun Animal Print Toddler Bib


Super Cute Lovey/Security Blanket with Pacifier Holder


Baseball Print Stroller/Crib Blanket


Ever so cute Mommy Needs a Nap onesie

These are only a few of the items that have been added to our shop.  Visit our Etsy shop to take advantage of this sale.

Use code MEM11
This offer ends Monday at 12 p.m. EST
Happy Memorial Day! 

Genovese Basil

I know that I have not posted in a while but I have been busy getting all of my seeds planted.  I did not plant all of the seeds at once but I am finally finished planting all of the seeds that I ordered.  Can you believe I even went to Lowe's and got more during the whole planting process?  I have always planted sweet basil and loved the results but before placing my order with Burpee I took alot of time out to read the reviews about each item that I ordered.  After reading the comments for genovese basil, I definitely wanted to try it out since I love pesto.  Some of the comments and reviews stated that it was best basil for Italian pesto and very easy to grow therefore I wanted to plant some just to see if there was a big difference.  Although I have not made any basil this year, take a look at my plant so far:

I only recently planted the basil and it has grown the biggest thus far.  This basil has excellent germination.  In as little as 3-4 days the seedlings were emerging from the soil. 

Whether you are a green thumb or not these seeds are definitely a "must try" and here is an excellent recipe for pesto from an earlier post:

CLICK HERE:

Remember with basil in order to encourage growth pick the leaves quite often but do not allow to flower because they will lose some of their flavor and even become bitter. 

Happy Gardening!

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!

{New Products Added to Etsy Shop} Amy Butler Collection

I thought this print by Amy Butler was so beautiful the first time that I saw it.  I have been torn for a while as to what I should make using this fabric.  Well I finally finished using most of the fabric and I am so excited of all the items that were made using this print.

Minky Binky Blanket

Baby Bib and Burp Cloth Set

Stroller Blanket

We also have toddler bibs and more. 

We have them all listed in our Etsy shop. Be sure to visit our shop for this collection as well as our other items!

New Product Added to Etsy Shop (Heirloom Baby Jewelry)

Many families pass down items to the next generation.  I can remember my dad giving me a quilt that my great-grandmother made by hand.

As you can see the quilt is too big for the picture and this is a very big quilt.  I can only imagine how many hours it took her to finish just one quilt and she did this all by hand, no sewing machine involve.  Her hand stitching was impeccable and she made several of these quilts and they are very thick and heavy.  So heavy that years ago I tried putting this quilt on my bed one winter while we were living in Germany and I had to take it off because I was literally about to burn up.

 I hope to be able to pass this very quilt down to my kids and keep the tradition going.  She was an awesome seamstress and I hope to be as good as her one day. 

Jewelry is the same way and I am so excited about this heirloom item that has been added to our Etsy shop.

This bracelet features sterling silver beads and Swarovski crystals that can be passed down from generation to generation.

Check out this item as well as many other items in our Etsy shop



Spring....Again

     Last week we had a cold spell but today it is back in the 80s and all of a sudden the other azalea bush bloomed.  One day there were leaves and the next day there were blooms.  I love this time of the year but got set back with my garden because of a snake (Yikes).  I am not use to snakes at all.  We rented a medium duty tiller from Home Depot on a Saturday for 24 hrs.   I was so excited and I started tilling away.  I was almost finish and out slithers a snake from under the ground.  I ran so many ways around the yard calling my husband’s name that my neighbor and his dog probably thought I was crazy.  Slowly but surely I am getting back into the yard but I am definitely keeping a watchful eye.  I still wanted to show everyone my beautiful azalea despite the snake encounter:

I will keep you posted on all the entire process of my 2011 planting!