Tuesdays At The Table - Watermelon Margaritas

Tuesday - the yummiest day of the week!  Thanks you all you lovelies that share your recipes each week! :-)  Keep them coming.
Have you ever watched an episode of The Chew?  I just love the way that all the hosts interact with each other.  You can really tell that they're having fun! Add some yummy recipes (and Clinton's Craft Corner) and it's not an hour of wasted time.  I saw this recipe almost a month ago and, while I wanted to make it, didn't think about it again until I walked by a watermelon display in the grocery store today.  I just *had* to give in and make it!

Watermelon Margaritas
3 Cups cubed watermelon
1/4 Cup lime simple syrup
1 1/2 Cups tequila
1/4 Cup orange liqueur

Add the watermelon, lime simple syrup, tequila and orange liqueur to a blender and whirl until smooth. Pour margarita into salt rimmed rocks glasses filled with ice. Garnish with lime and watermelon wedge. (If you prefer a frozen margarita, I'd suggest freezing the watermelon before blending and add in about another cup of ice before blending.)

 

Recipe and picture via

What's cooking in your kitchen?

WOOF (aka Hi!)

Paisley, Brady and Meadow send kisses.

Beckett, on the other hand, would like to go back to napping on the top of the couch with his favorite blankie.

Brady (and Paisley) turned 5 months yesterday and weighs in at 8.9 pounds.  He is my little moose! Dr. W thinks he'll be 14-15 pounds!

Little Pai-sky weighed in at 6.2 pounds. Dr. W thinks she'll be under 8 pounds when she's done growing! I have to get a picture of her underbite - it just slays me.

Meadow thinks having the heatwave break calls for a roll in the grass.  I agree!

The girls welcome you to come visit....but only if they can sit on your lap and you'll feed them carrots/cookies.

3 on Thursday - Celebrity BFF

Programming note: my wordless Wednesday (aka "here, look at my fur-kids") post didn't go up as scheduled.  Darn you, Blogger!  Look for puppy cuteness on Friday instead. :-)
OK...now, where were we?  Are you having  fabulous week?!  I hope so!  I also hope you're visiting my lovely co-host, Andrea.  She's one of the sweetest people I've ever met and you should be reading her blog.  True story!

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Please remember that this is a “few rules” linky, so please post about the weekly topic in order to link up. Be sure to link to your specific blog post and not your blog. Any blogs linked just to get increased traffic (ie. totally off topic) will be deleted. Please don't make us do that! Finally - please do us a favor and visit some of the other ladies to see their answers!
This week' topic:
What three celebrities would you most like to be BFF’s with?

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Emma Stone. She seems so down to earth, has great style and I want the scoop on kissing Ryan Gosling!

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Piper Perabo. I love her on Covert Affairs, she seems so fun, and she actually answers when you send her a tweet. (Of course, she's new to twitter, so who knows how long she'll be able to keep up with people asking questions.) Love that!!!

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Reese Witherspoon. She is so pretty, fills every interview I've seen her on with Southern charm, and if what the gossip mags say is true - is one strict momma!  She totally seems like someone that I'd watch to hang out with on a regular basis.

Tuesdays At The Table - Vanilla Granola

Howdy!  It's Tuesday again.  I have no idea where the weekend went... It's been so hot that it probably went up in steam.  Heeheehee!  :-)  OK, I'll stop.  I know I'm not funny.

Anyway, I'm sharing my love of granola this week.  It seems to be costly in the store, but it's really economical to make yourself.

Vanilla Granola

6 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup sesame seeds
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a large bowl, toss oats, walnuts, coconut and sesame seeds. In a saucepan over medium heat, cook oil, honey, brown sugar, water and vanilla until well mixed. Pour over oat mixture and stir to coat evenly. Pour into two greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pans. Bake at 275 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool, stirring occasionally. Store in an airtight container.

Even though the recipe calls for coconut, I didn't use it (I'm allergic to coconut) and it still came out really well.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

3 on Thursday - Favorite Vacations

Before we start, please take minute and welcome back my lovely co-host, and one of my besties, Andrea!  She took a little break, but she's back and better than ever!
Did everone enjoy their little break from 3 on Thursday?  I did! Sometimes, we all need a little breather.  :-)  We have some great topics this month - I bet you'll love them!

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This week's topic:
Vacation Plans - tell us about your 3 best vacations, or the plans you have had/are planning for this summer!

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You all know how much I love Europe, right?! Well, I think I could probably move to the UK without a problem (you know, as long as I can bring my dogs and my family/friends).

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Disney!  I need to go every few years and act like a little kid!  I was lucky that my parents brought me every few years - my first trip was at 2 years old - and I think it's one of those places that ALL kids should go at least once by the time they leave elementary school.

The first time I went to Sedona, Arizona was on a business trip.  I've gone back a few times since and just love it there.  It has shops and artist communities and great food - all without compromising the natural beauty of the location.

Link up and tell us about your favorite trips!

Rumor Has It...

...it's my birthday.

I could deny it.  But I won't.  Some people love their birthday.  Some people hate it.  I'm kind of...wishy-washy.  Please tell me that I'm not the only one that feels that way!

However, I do have to thank my amazing friends Andrea and Jane!  They both surprised me with presents, and I adore them for it.  There's nothing like getting a package in the mail to make your day!  Especially when your crabby mailman has to get out of his little truck and walk it up to your front porch.  Heeheehee!

The awesome Andrea got me this:

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The fabulous Jane got me this:

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Aren't I such a lucky woman?!  My birthday lunch is at Wahlburgers.  It totally makes up for spending time at the DMV. :-)

Tuesdays At The Table - Avocado Ranch Dressing

Happy Tuesday!  Did all you lovely, recipe-laden ladies see that I gave you an award yesterday?  I did!
This week, I'm sharing one of my favorite dressings.  It goes well with most salads and on a hot night, I like to just dip carrots and celery in it instead of cooking.

Avocado Ranch Dressing

½ Avocado
¼ Cup Mayonnaise
¼ Cup Sour Cream
1 Tbsp Buttermilk
1½ tsp White Vinegar
1/8 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Dried Parsley
1/8 tsp Onion Powder
Dash Dill
Dash Garlic Powder
Dash Ground Black Pepper
2 Tbsp Tomato – Chopped (optional)
1 Tbsp Onion – Chopped (optional)

Place the avocado in a bowl and mash with a fork until it’s smooth. Some small lumps are OK.

Add in the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT the chopped tomato and onion.  Stir until everything is mixed well.

Place in a small serving bowl and top with the chopped tomato and onion (optional).

What's cooking in your kitchen?