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Summer is finally here, and nothing screams summer more than a refreshing slice of juicy watermelon. Not only is watermelon delicious, but it is also incredibly nutritious, making it the perfect snack for hot summer days. However, cutting, storing, and serving watermelon can be tricky, leading to a lot of wasted fruit. In this ultimate guide to watermelons, we will be sharing how to cut them, store them, and some helpful tips and tricks to ensure that you get the most out of your watermelon this summer. At the end, you will find a bonus recipe for watermelon dog treats. When it comes to summertime snacks, nothing beats a fresh, juicy watermelon. Not only is it incredibly delicious and refreshing, but it’s also highly nutritious – making it the perfect snack for hot summer days. But when you have family over or are looking to serve watermelon at a party, cutting the fruit can be tricky. That’s why in this guide I’ll be sharing my favorite way of slicing a watermelon when the family is over along with helpful tips and tricks on how to store your melon so that you get the most out of your fruit this summer. Cutting Watermelon: There are so many different ways to cut a watermelon and everyone’s preference is different. Whether you like your slices thick or thin, in cubes or wedges, it’s important to choose the right method for cutting to ensure that you get the most out of your fruit. Here is my go-to, quick and easily slicing method for an outdoor party with kids …and bees! Begin by washing the watermelon and placing it on a stable cutting board. Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise. You can cut off both ends to create a flat surface on both sides and stand it upright to slice it in half from top to bottom- I prefer having it lying down on the board like pictured. Now take one half and place is fruit side down on the board. Slice into 3 aiming the knife toward the middle to form wedges. Slice each wedge to desired thickness. Insert a wooden popsicle stick into the green part of the watermelon and serve. This method has always been a quick and consistent solution for parties. Check out some other fun ways to slice and dice. Storing Watermelon: Storing watermelon properly can make a huge difference in how long it stays juicy and fresh. If you’ve cut your watermelon and want to store the remaining unused fruit, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It should stay good for up to three days. An alternative storage solution is to cut the watermelon slices into smaller pieces and store them in an airtight container before putting them in the fridge. Helpful Tips and Tricks: Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your watermelons: Choose a ripe and juicy watermelon. The best way to tell whether a watermelon is ripe is to look for a yellow spot on the bottom. If it’s uniform and yellow, it’s ready to eat. Experiment with different ways of serving watermelon. Instead of just slicing it up, try cutting it into fun shapes or using a melon baller to make it into bite-sized pieces. If you have a lot of watermelon on your hands and don’t want it to go to waste, consider freezing it. Cut the watermelon into small pieces and freeze it for a delicious and healthy summer snack. Watermelon Dog Treat Recipe: If you’re looking for a fun and healthy treat to make for your furry friend, try out this watermelon dog treat recipe. Ingredients: 2 cups fresh watermelon 1 tsp. honey 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves Instructions: Blend the watermelon in a blender until smooth. Add honey and Greek yogurt and blend again until combined. Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray. Sprinkle fresh mint leaves on top of each cube. Freeze for 2-3 hours until solid. Pop the treats out of the ice cube tray and let your dog enjoy! Now that you know how to cut, store, and serve watermelon properly, you can enjoy this refreshing summer fruit to the fullest. From experimenting with different shapes and serving suggestions, to freezing it and making it into delicious dog treats, there are so many fun and creative ways to enjoy watermelons. And before we wrap up, here’s a fun fact and a joke about watermelons: Did you know that watermelons are over 90% water? Why did the watermelon go to the doctor? Because it was feeling a little seedy. Happy summer, folks!

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and for many of us that means last minute preparations. If you’re scrambling to get things together for Thanksgiving, have no fear! Here are some last-minute ideas that will help make your holiday run smoothly. And if you need a little extra help, I’ve included a link to my favorite Thanksgiving items that can be delivered right to your door via Amazon. The Meal. By now, the meal has most likely been planned out, the turkey has been ordered or is already in the freezer….and for some, the 20+lb turkeys are already defrosting in the fridge. If you are writing out the schedule for the meal prep and need a little extra reassurance, the Butterball website provides a helpful guide to Turkey cooking times (even pressure cooking), as well as a calculator that will give you the exact time required for cooking and defrosting a turkey based on its size. You can find it here: https://www.butterball.com/calculators-conversions. Side dish duties have already by now probably been divided up between the guests and some will have even be prepared ahead of time as you read this. If you need a last minute idea for a unique side dish that also provides an extra dose of protein for vegetarian guests, try my Holiday Brussels & Maple Squash recipe. Other last minute sides, drinks, games and table decor can be found in my Ultimate Friendsgiving Guide from last year. Last Minute Recipe Ideas Don’t forget the appetizer/cheese board turkey! Aren’t you glad I didn’t say charcuterie?! LOL Fun placemats are a great idea to entertain the little ones at the table! Now for these you can purchase them from Amazon, or head over to my shop and purchase the digital file to print them directly from your home or local print shop. You will also find a collection of fun printable Thanksgiving games, trivia, family feud, and children’s activity worksheets in my shop as well! All the digital items in my shop are available to access and print right after processing the payment- so if the turkey is taking longer than expected, head over to my shop and print out some fun games to pass the time! For a classy, upscale bonus, I love this idea of personal sized mini coquette bakeware for side dishes, soup or dessert. You can use small stainless pots or mini coquette stoneware (my preference). You can also find the mini coquettes from Staub and Le Creuset at local stores like Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma. I have even found some pumpkin shaped ones over the years! For a budget friendly substitute, try looking at local discount grocery and department stores. I found comparable mini coquettes for only $10.00 each at my local Aldi store! Click the picture to check out the Staub brand ones that I use. Along the same lines, try using simple dollar store mini cutting boards for guest to use as their own charcuterie snack plates or for their dinner rolls and butter. See the picture below for inspiration. You can even get creative and attach name tags to each little board. Table Decor Inspiration ~ Our Recipe is Now Being Featured in Kong Company’s Very First Cookbook! The Kong Company has been providing dogs with quality busy chew toys and treat holders since 1976 Turkey Meatballs For Dogs This turkey meatball recipe was inspired by an infamous picture of Bailey, in her absolute glory, under the kids table at Thanksgiving!  Instead of her loading up on potentially harmful table scraps and discouraging her from being a part of the feast, I decided to create a special treat just for the family dogs.  These meatballs are so incredibly easy to whip up, can be stored in the freezer, and are great year-round…in moderation, of course! Recipe includes directions for oven baked or pressure cooked. Recipe Link

The ultimate guide to hosting a backyard Friendsgiving. Ideas for decor, table settings, food, drinks, games and more! Perfect for Thanksgiving, and fall weddings and parties.