Sunday, June 27, 2010

Recipe for a Fabulous Fourth--Watermelon Salad



All week long, the Killer Hobbies Blog Sisters will be sharing their favorite picnic worthy recipes. Yum! I'm leading off with a juicy treat:


Watermelon Salad


3 cups of cubed seedless watermelon

2 T. raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing (Newman's Own)

2 T. unsalted sunflower seeds

2 T. blue cheese (crumbled)


Put watermelon in large bowl. Pour vinaigrette dressing over the cubes and toss. Mix in sunflower seeds and blue cheese. Salt to taste.
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I grew up in a small town called Vincennes, Indiana, which was known as the "Watermelon Capital of the World." The first thing every resident had to learn was how to spell the town name. We did it with a rhyme: v-i-n/ c-e-n/ n-e-s.


Do you love watermelon? Growing up, I recall a watermelon festival in the summers. Oh, how I loved the sweet, ripe fruit, and the feel of the juices dripping down our arms on a hot summer day.


Today, you might have heard about Vincennes because they have another use for watermelons. Each New Year's Eve, they drop watermelons 100 feet to mark the New Year. Last year, they dropped ten melons. My best friend from Lincoln High School (in Vincennes) told me it was a hoot.


I'm feeling awfully partial to my old hometown these days because I just received a very special invitation. I've been invited to serve as the Grand Marshal for the Christmas parade. Next time you see me, be sure to ask me to show off my "wave" technique. (I've been practicing.) My dictionary says a parade marshal is someone who is an honoree and usually rides in front of the parade in a vehicle. Hmmm. Or maybe on Santa's lap?


Just when I was thinking life couldn't possibly get any better, my husband came home with the news that we're supplying the Steinway grand for the 4th of July celebration on the National Mall. Imagine fireworks with our national monuments as a backdrop. I can't wait!
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WINNER OF FREE COPY OF PHOTO, SNAP, SHOT:

Sarah S. of Sandwich, Illinois

9 comments:

sosarahsew said...

I am so thrilled to be the winner of the book!! Thank you the opportunity. It will arrive at a good time to take along while traveling. WAtermelon, a great mystery, and vacation - what more could a girl want?!?

Camille Minichino said...

Love the watermelon 'ball' -- and happy about so many good things, Joanna! Or should we say, Queen Jo?

misterreereeder said...

Looks like an interesting recipe!! Have to try it out!!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Sarah, I'm delighted you will have time to enjoy it.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Camille, I will, of course, expect all of you to bow down when I walk by!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Misterreereader, I know it's awfully weird sounding, but it's fresh and yummy.

Betty Hechtman said...

The recipe sounds interesting. I'll have to try it.

How nice about being the grand marshall of the parade. And the 4th of July on the Mall has to be very exciting.

There used to be a fireworks display at a community college near us. They would start off the festivites by dropping four guys from a plane. I could watch them float down from my front yard.

Betty Hechtman said...

The recipe sounds interesting. I'll have to try it.

How nice about being the grand marshall of the parade. And the 4th of July on the Mall has to be very exciting.

There used to be a fireworks display at a community college near us. They would start off the festivites by dropping four guys from a plane. I could watch them float down from my front yard.

Linda O. Johnston said...

In a few months you'll have to tell us all about being grand marshal, Joanna. Have a great 4th at the National Mall!