Cook Like Jane - Watermelon Salad

Sometimes, I cook.

Sometimes, I prepare.

Other times, I am a guest.

The South is too hot to really cook in August.  It is really, just too hot and muggy to do much of anything and that is probably why watermelon is one of our favorite treats.

My guests have been getting my famous Watermelon Salad.  It sounds and tastes glamorous but it doesn't photograph very well.  The recipe is so simple I am not sure it should be a recipe or an "instruction" but here it is:

Watermelon Salad

1 small watermelon

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

1. Cut the watermelon into 1 inch cubes.   
2. Place in a bowl.
3. Chill.
4. Toss in crumbled feta cheese.
5. Dish up and Enjoy the luscious salty sweet combination.

I thought ya'll would like to see some fancy recipes from Southern Living Magazine (the have great ideas for cool treats) that use our luscious heat beating fruit: the watermelon.

Drinking your watermelon is even better than drinking water!

Recipe for Watermelon Coolers

Doesn't this look DELICIOUS?  

Recipe for Grilled Grouper with Watermelon Salsa

Learn Like From Jane: Tweetiquette

Today's Topic: You were invited but you smart phone was not.

"How do you do? Thank you for the follow, it's nice to tweet you."  When is the last time you saw these polite exchanges among the twitterati?  They are out there and these "tweeters" are probably those who needn't read this Tweetiquette Tip on how to enjoy a party sans le cell phone.  

There are four possible ways to party with actual old school style face-time:

1.  The easiest is this one, just don't invite people who use their phone as a make shift life support machine.  We all know who these people are and they cannot leave their phones alone for even a minutes.  Rather than risk a run in or a rude guest, just don't invite them.  

2.  When guests arrive, have a basket for keys and phones.  You could use a fun sign that implores people to Carpe Diem instead of Record Diem.  Or, let them know that for their protection, you have asked all twitterati and paparazzi to leave recording devices in the off position.

3.  Greet each guest with the following statement, "I'm so glad you could come for our electronics free party."  Guests might not completely get it, but you have set the tone in a fun way.  Remember, you set the tone and if you are giving your undivided attention to them, they will not have time to do anything but reciprocate.

4.  Take photos of everyone and promise to post them later so that people are free to enjoy the party.  Sometimes guests just want to make sure they record a memory.  Let them know that you will do that task for them so they can relax and enjoy themselves.

What are you fun ways to engage guests in the moment and entice them to leave their phones off?