Do you ever look back at memories on your phone? The photos taken on the very same day only they are from years ago? I personally love looking at what we did as a family over the years. Each year brings back a mood, song, or color from the snapshots. It brings up emotions within me as I recall what was going on behind the now frozen images. Not all of those memories are positive and some are even cringe worthy, but although a period in time may have not been the best, I still find myself feeling grateful for it. I am grateful not that it happened, but that I am where I am today. I am on the other side of it looking at it from a new and wiser perspective.
Today I looked at a photo that was taken four years ago on a beach near our home. In it, my son, Kenton stands beside me with his goggles securely placed over his eyes. He looks excite and ready to run into the water. I am pregnant with his sister, Ruby. In my right arm I am holding my ROC paddle board. I look happy and relaxed. The sky behind us is blue with not a single cloud in the sky. As I reflect on the image, it was a beautiful July day! Back then I kept reminding myself to take in these last moments with my current only child. That summer Kenton and I did so many “mommy and me” activities. It’s a summer that I hold close to my heart. Today my son, now much taller, stands beside me. He still has goggles on his head and he still can’t wait to jump into the water. His skin is golden brown like every summer before. He is my summer son-shine! Fluffy white clouds fill the blue sky behind us. Ruby is no long in my stomach. She is a busy three year old exploring her world. Like her brother, she loves playing in the water whenever she can. Unlike her brother, she loves pretend play. Today, she announces with pride that she is a jet ski before diving into the lake waves.
Over the summer, one of my favorite things to do with Kenton while he is on summer break is try new recipes at home. I love having him in the kitchen with me chopping, smelling, and enjoying the cooking process. I always tell him, if you don’t season your food you might as well stop cooking right now because flavor is everything when it comes to making a delicious meal! With flavor in mind, I don’t know if you noticed, but I’ve been slightly obsessed with making salsa’s. I love them so much because it’s an easy and creative way to use up a lot of fresh produce at one time. It’s such an easy way to incorporate both fruits and vegetables into one dish. And did I mention, it’s perfect on any hot summer day! My son, in particular is a picky eater so having something like a salsa with different textures and flavors has really helped him explore more options. Previously we made a Watermelon Salsa and Peach Salsa that were both great!
Today we want to share with you our fresh, juicy, and oh-so-sweet honeydew melon salsa recipe! It simply can’t be beat!
Honeydew Melon Salsa
Ingredients:
- 2 cups honeydew, wash exterior, remove seeds, slice, and dice interior fruit
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1 1/2 cups mini sweet peppers, remove seeds, dice
(bell peppers work great too! 
) - 1 tbs cilantro, finely diced
- 1 small lime, juiced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Additional ingredient ideas: 1/2 cup strawberries, diced 
, 1/4 tsp minced garlic 
, or sliced prosciutto
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the chopped and diced ingredients and mix together. Chill and serve cold. When ready to eat, scoop up the salsa with either a corn tortilla chip or a cucumber slice and taste the goodness! Not ready to eat? Refrigerate up to five days. This salsa pairs great with seafood and a fruity cocktail! 
Enjoy!
Additional ways to use honeydew:
Freeze it. Make popsicles by puréeing honeydew with a little sugar and a splash of lime juice. Pour into molds and freeze.
Melon Salad. Honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon mix well for a beautiful and delicious fruit salad. Drizzle with maple syrup and spice with shavings of ginger root.
Honeydew Smoothie. Light and delicious, this recipe is so easy to make and is perfect on a summer day.
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