Adult Margarita Watermelon Wedges

Happy summer. It's hot and getting hotter. We're always looking for ways to stay cool and chill during the summer. This recipe is specifically for the adults at your next pool party or cookout. {Sorry, kiddos.} Combining the refreshing aspect of ice cold watermelon with the components of a margarita couldn't be easier. You do most of the prep ahead of time. And, you can bet that everyone will hover around when you bring out a tray of these babies.

To make these, you'll be slicing up half of a watermelon into small wedges and inserting popsicle sticks {or something similar} into the rind ends. Follow those easy steps up by drizzling on some tequila, triple sec and freshly-squeezed lime juice. Store in the fridge until you're ready to serve. {I even like to pop the tray of wedges into the freezer for about thirty minutes prior to service so that the wedges are super duper cold.} Right before serving, garnish the fruit with the salt/sugar/lime zest combo. That's it.

Yields about 20 wedges

Ultimate Potato Salad

I've been the Family Potato Salad Maker for years. On both my side of the family and my husband's side, I'm the one who is asked to bring the potato salad to summer gatherings. This task bodes well for me since potato salad is one of my all-time favorite dishes ... so long as the potato salad is made right.

I'm severely and unapologetically picky about 'tater salad. I want nothing to do with any that comes close to resembling the kind found lurking behind the glass at most deli counters or the kind in those plastic pails next to the rotisserie chicken display at the supermarket. You know the ones. They are often slimy and heavily laden with pimentos.

And, I don't care for potato salad made with sweet relish or sweet pickles. Also, I cringe when the potatoes are not cooked long enough. And, I like the potatoes cut into itty, bitty cubes. Furthermore, I don't understand the logic behind boiled potatoes simply coated with a little mayo and mustard (a.k.a. bland potato salad ). I cherish a potato salad that is complex in flavor even though it is considered a simple side dish. It has to have the right vinegar-to-sugar ratio in the mix as it's all about balance to me. When everything comes together as it should, it's a beautiful (and scrumptious) thing!

See ... told ya I was picky.

Many friends and family members have requested my recipe through the years. The problem has always been that I'd never really measured anything. I just eye-balled everything as I went along. But, I have spent a lot of time recently working on nailing down the precise measurements and writing up an actual recipe for my tried-and-true potato salad. So, now I'm finally able to share it here with you.

There are a couple of key steps that I think really help make this recipe a true winner. Drizzling some vinegar over the potatoes while they are steaming hot (right after draining) is one of those key steps. Don't skip it. It makes a world of difference. And, mixing together the dressing with the potatoes, onions, celery and eggs while the potatoes are still warm is another key component to this recipe. The result is a super creamy, you'll-think-you-died-and-went-to-heaven potato salad that is sure to make you the rock star at your next summer party.