Inspired

This week I have been inspired by several different things. First, last weekend I went to a BBQ where I brought this watermelon side dish. Everyone thought it was awesome and seriously it was so easy. It took my creative brain and about 15 minutes and we were good to go. Try it the next time you have to bring something. This was an all adult affair so I am not sure if kids are cool with green in their watermelon ...but it's worth a shot.

One medium seedless watermelon..scooped into balls either with a melon baller or a 2 Tsp measuring spoon...which is about the only use I have for this crazy size spoon.

About 2 to 3 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves (currently growing on my deck!)

Juice of half fresh lime (depending upon the size of your melon you may want more)

Toss gently, refrigerate or serve immediately!

Alright, the inspiration for this comes from Big Al. Al turned us all onto Blogging recipes last week and I thought...what a great way to share. This one got such rave reviews by my friends that I thought you might like it.

The second inspiration of the week came on Tuesday night. A large Mac & Cheese producing customer of ours...we wont say who they are....blue boxes...were in town and we wanted to wine and dine them, showing just what a fabulous company we are......please let us make your seasoning blends??!! Anyway, our executive staff put together a wine and food tasting/paring. The food was created and designed around our Flavor Forecast. Our chefs and food insight folks get together with about 15 well known chefs around the country, including some of those that you see on the food network to come up with what the next great flavor pairings will be. Orange and wood smoke. Hummmm can you say BBQ sauce? wait...on a mini BBQ chicken slider with provolone cheese. Yum! Alright now train my mind how to pair an awesome big and bold Syrah from California with that and man....I was in heaven. It made such a difference. Pair acidic iwth acidic, sweet with sweet, smoky with smoky....How to pair things completely changed how the two tasted together. By the end of the night I said to myself. "I love this stuff!" Awesome food and how it is all put together and then the wine paired up so beautifully. What a dream to go around doing this type of thing for a living. What would I have to do to do this for a living?...um other than have a degree in wine making and 10 years experience in the food industry.....check. Well, motivation to leave my current job for one...anhh...let's take some baby steps first. So, baby step one. Meet up with all my foodie friends and start learning, tasting, pairing, and teaching. Once a month a girlfriend and I are planning said experience. There is already one group that does something similiar to this but to this point I have not yet been included. We are just not that close of friends, however, I hope to be able to incorporate myself into the group if mine fails miserably! Stay tuned.

God Bless America....a week late but...we shouldn't need a day!

This last weekend was filled with so many activities that Monday was here before I knew it, and then the work week, and now it is Friday and I am just getting to posting. We had a last minute BBQ on Friday, posted an Evite as many friends had nothing going on. Above is a shot of the most handsome host. How I love this guy! It is amazing how we come to the East Coast to advance my career and he is doing so awesome with his! Darrell just got rave reviews for managing his staff of 5 and the fact that he has passed every project against the city council that he has presented to them. He is so meticulous with financial details and presenting his reasoning! How can they say no. Sure genius! Love this guy! Anyway, "The Fourth" was a hit. We live on "the hill" so the view of the fireworks downtown are great from our deck. We had about 15 people over. A few showers but none-the-less people were fed and happy. I told the story of the Fish celebration and see that photos have been posted......thanks Sarah and all. I do miss the awesome personal show that comes with being a Missouri relative! Next year we should seriously consider coming out...although I still have scars from my last visit to the chiggers!!!!

Well...either way I love you guys and we will have to see the little ones sooner or later, whatever excuse we want to give the husband! Thanks so much for Natalie posting her love of the Star Spangled Banner. Written at Fort McHenry, I might add. Just about 3 miles away. Any time you want to come visit the home of the actual making of the flag (D and I have actually been there) or Fort McHenry, where it was written, just holler! Some serious great American History here on the East Coast. Next year, if we don't come to Missouri, I am considering going to D.C. where you can watch the fireworks to a full symphony orchestra overlooking the Washington Monument Fireworks Spectacular! You can't love freedom more than that!!!!

Miss you all- Cheers!- Steph

Stealing from Amanda

Alright, so I understand that the game is probably that I am supposed to be tagged before I lay out the three things about me but I just thought it was such a great way to tell about yourself, at least for that moment in time. So here it goes:

Three Joys

*Cooking (shocker!)

*Taking Fall Hikes with my wonderful husband and dog

*Snuggling my cat

Three Fears

*Heights

*Going fast (either in a ride, water skis, downhill skiing, etc.)

*Motorcycles

Three Goals

*Manage a product development lab

*Reach a 50 year wedding anniversary

*Complete another marathon under 4 hours and be able to walk the next day!

Current Three Obsessions

*Softball- In particular, avoiding making a fool of myself.
*Farmer's Markets on the weekends

*Not working over an extra 4 hours a week....not an easy one for me.

Three Surprising Facts

*I don't like Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Icing or Chocolate Ice Cream.

*I am completely uncoordinated and go through several injuries a week.

*I have to be reminded to drink water.

Three people I tag....I'll skip this one since I wasn't really tagged in the first place.

So that is me this week. I thought I might share this cute picture of Diana. Most of you haven't seen her since we adopted her two years ago. She is in love with Darrell!

Cheers!

Steph