Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about where God has planted me — my state, my city, my neighborhood. He’s put all of us in a neighborhood, whether it’s a rural route or an area of a city. And because of that, our neighbors matter, whether they’re next door or a mile down the road.

When my husband and I first bought a house (10 years after we’d been married), our neighborhood had an annual block party, usually in the fall, with bales of straw and a bonfire, and of course, s’mores.

Then life got busy, new neighbors moved in, old neighbors moved away, and the block party went by the wayside. We tried a few Friday night flamingo parties (you went to the house with the flamingo in the lawn and brought an appetizer to share). But then COVID-19 hit, and we huddled inside and kept to ourselves.

A few of us recently decided to bring back the block party on our lane. We printed flyers, delivered them and even posted on a neighborhood watch site. The neighborhood turned out. They brought side dishes, lawn chairs, a couple of bag toss games. We grilled hamburgers and brats, met new neighbors and got reacquainted with a few others.

I’m a firm believer that your neighbors matter, and it’s important to get to know them. We’ve shared a meal, shared a cup of coffee or glass of wine, walked together, and even joined in a monthly Bible study. My neighbor Sharon checks on my cat when we’re gone and grabs my mail. My neighbor Danny plowed the snow from our driveway when we didn’t have a snowblower.

There’s something special about bringing a loaf of pumpkin or zucchini bread to a neighbor who is hurting or taking a tray of Christmas cookies to those we share the lane with.

Perhaps because of COVID-19, we all got out of the habit of making time for our neighbors — sharing meals and cookies and the ups and downs of life.

I’m challenging myself to get to know my neighbors better, to continue helping plan the block parties and make the effort to have a few over now and then. And to continue hosting the monthly Bible study.

It’s amazing how much fun you can have with your neighbors.

Here are a couple of recipes that were a hit at our block party:

Watermelon Feta Salad

6 cups cubed watermelon
½ red onion, chopped
½ cup feta cheese
½ cup red grapes, halved
⅓ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 cups romaine or spring lettuce, torn
Balsamic vinegar or glaze, optional

In a large bowl, combine cubed watermelon, red onion, feta, grapes and mint. Stir until ingredients are combined. Add to lettuce. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar or glaze. Serve chilled. Serves eight.

Marinated Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato and Basil Salad

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1 pound ciliegine mozzarella (cherry-size mozzarella balls)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (regular, white or golden)

Combine oil and basil in a bowl. Add the mozzarella and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Add tomatoes and vinegar to the mozzarella and toss to combine. Season to taste with more salt and pepper, if desired, and serve immediately. Serves six.

Fargo Ware is a registered dietitian with Southern Illinois University Medical School in Springfield, Ill. Send recipe ideas to her at [email protected]. The opinions of this writer are not necessarily those of Farm Progress/Informa.