Watermelon Lovers!

Today we have a treat, a guest post from Jeni of Peppertowne.com a sweet blog written by two sisters.  Jeni writes for Peppertowne from Mesa, her sister Amy writes from Utah.  And yes, Jeni just won our Flour Vintage Clothing giveaway.  Lucky girl. 
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I Heart Mesa!  I really do! 
I grew up in a small mid-western town, ran cross-country and track, went to college to study dance and human development, traveled and explored the world a little, met the 'Man', got married and a few years later found myself speeding down highway 17 from Flagstaff toward Mesa with a U-haul full of everything we owned (An orange flowered sofa comes to mind, ugg!  Why did we keep it!?).

We were insane.  We had no 'real' job and definitely no idea what were we getting ourselves into.  Seven years later we love this land of endless summer.  Our roots have sunk deep into the clay, silt and sand of Historic downtown Mesa Arizona.  I Heart Mesa!  Even in the middle of Summer.

And, nothing says summer like fresh sweet watermelon! 

Let me introduce you to the Mesa Farmers' Market.  If you haven't been here already, GO!  Believe it or not, some of the world's best watermelon comes to us locally grown (sure, this is just my simple opinion...but its' juicy, mouth-watering sweetness is hard to beat).

Watermelon season has begun in Mesa and the melons only get better as the summer gets hotter. In a few weeks the delicious and unique yellow watermelons will ripen. I wait all summer for those yellow melons. Is this an obsession?

Here's a summer recipe to finish off my watermelon rave.  I'm not sure who to credit or where I found this recipe but it is perfect for a sweltering Mesa summer afternoon.

Watermelon Arugula Salad

Watermelon pieces

Arugula or other salad greens

Salt and cracked pepper

Feta Cheese

Assemble your salad ingredients.

-Dressing-

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1Tbs Honey

Simmer the vinegar/honey and

reduce to a syrup. 

Cool to room temperature and

then drizzle on your salad

Bon Appetit!

DATE: Fridays - Open all year every Friday except holidays.

Hours: 9 AM - 12 Noon

Location: On Center St. just South of University at Rendezvous Green (260 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201)

So, I'll see you Friday morning at the market. 

I'm the girl standing in line with a watermelon under each arm!

-Jeni

Peppertowne.com