A Haven for Vee

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Everything From Trees to Watermelon

I'm feeling very chatty these days. My Vitamin D levels must have finally kicked in.

Have spent a couple of days at the Ponderosa doing the little things that John tends to overlook. For example, he's very good at detailing a car and not so very good at detailing a stove. This morning, before the sun gets around too far, I have some window washing on the west side to accomplish. I really think that I'm going to need to hog tie John to get him out of there. He keeps seeing one more thing and one more thing and, at this rate, there'll always be something more that can be done and it will never end. (The most recent was closing in the porch and putting in all new windows. Ackkkk...enough already!)

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You know that you're really not paying attention when people from neighboring countries have to provide you with local news. Pamela asked me if I had felt the earth shake and I replied that three or more trees had been taken down and so, yes, I had. LOL! You know how I love it when a tree goes down over here in the jungle. Anyway, wouldn't you love to see my new view? This has happened quite quickly and one of these photos was just featured the day before yesterday, but I show it again as comparison.

~Before~

~After~

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Here are some first and lasts in the garden. I always like to document them. These photos were taken on the last day of spring.

~the first Bolero Lily~

~The Last Phlox~

(I almost missed it!)

~The first Crimson Knock-out Rose~

~The First Pink Knock-out Roses...yes, the chewers have arrived~

~The Last Peony~

~The Morning Glory just beginning to climb~

~Hoping that one day it'll look spectacular!~

Okay, I've pestered you long enough. Off for breakfast, which will include the first watermelon...now that is another good thing about summer. 


Oh here's a question for you... One grand loves watermelon; the other hates it. Both of my children hate it. Who hates watermelon? Do you love it or hate it?

47 comments:

  1. I can't get enough of the stuff! I'm glad it's a diuretic. The melons I've bought so far have been very good. I remember when all our melons were grown locally in Texas. Now we can get them almost year round from all parts of the world, but the best ones are the summer ones grown locally.
    Send John here...he'd have a heydey at our house!

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  2. Oh, I love it! I brought one home this week and cut it into big chunks and put it in a bowl. I used to like to put chunks in a big gallon jar, too! It's pure sweetness! Enjoy your day!

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  3. I'm crazy about your idea for taking pictures on the first and last days of a season. That just jazzes me for some reason. I missed taking pictures yesterday, but I think I will snoop about the place with my shiny red Kodak today.

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  4. I love watermelon and hate cantaloupe. Not that you asked about the latter. :-)

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    Replies
    1. I have only recently learned to love cantaloupe. Perhaps you will, too. Give it a try from time to time.

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    2. Becky - you've just never had a perfectly ripe cantaloupe - that must be it!

      I like watermelon - don't crave it but I like it!

      Deanna

      ps - Vee your knock out roses are so pretty! I've just decided that I need some in my gardens!

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  5. Re: The Ponderosa... Hey, unless he can be fully sure, that the next renters, will take care of the place, why is he bothering with all the niceties??? Like closing in the porch, and all new windows?????? WHYYYYYYYYY?!?!?!?

    Trees down. How and why? They were dead? Or a danger to someone's house? They surely didn't just fall down, in the jungle... -grin-

    Lovely 'firsts' and 'lasts'...

    Watermellon... He loves it. I never did. Why? It's sweet, so why wouldn't I like it? Because it makes a mess???? Could be! I always balked when he wanted to bring watermellon home. Well, with 3 kids, and figuring how it can be a messy-eat, and even holding in refrig, it can be messy... Maybe that is why?

    Or not... -grin-

    But now I love it! It is sweet, for Juicing. And it provides a very WET item, for the Juicing. Need some Wet Items, to juice-out the more dry items. :-)

    Happy June Strawberry Full Moon!!!

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  6. I hate to admit it, but I don't like any kind of melon. Never have - I love all other types of fruit just not melon. Don't hate me:)

    I buy a watermelon every week though. Mr OP says that it's so refreshing on a hot day. To each his own.

    Enjoy your breakfast!

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  7. I always loved cantaloupe, but until recently was not a big fan of watermelon. I think when I was young, it was dealing with the seeds. Now you can get seedless, though in truth there are little white seeds, so I tried it again. It is ok, but I still like cantaloupe best.

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  8. LOVE LOVE LOVE watermelon. Have a nice juicy one all cur and ready in the fridge...yum! Enjoy your week-end Vee!

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  9. Oh and I like your view with the trees down! Is that wrong? Still pretty but more sky and just looks better!

    Deanna

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    1. No, it is NOT wrong to have a view and to be able to see the sky and to have some light. Now if a few more tree huggers would just agree with me, we could get this situation under control!

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  10. I love watermelon! Yummy treat in the summer. I must get some for when my wee grands arrive in two weeks. (I'm excited!) That is quite a change in your view from the window Vee! Did the quake take it down or a neighbour. I love the colour of that lily. And your roses are beautiful. I like the branches you use for your morning glory to climb on. Very creative. It was sunny now it's cloudy this morning. I wish the sun would stay. I guess it's going to be a very humid few days. Enjoy and stay cool. Hugs, Pam

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    1. Four trees down by design and not by an earthquake...thank goodness.

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  11. So the downed tree means more light shining through your pretty window?
    There's never too much natural light, in my opinion.

    I love watermelon, and so do the girls! Ron, not so much. He grew up on a small farm and watermelons were a dime a dozen. They used to break one open out in the field and eat the "heart." Warm watermelon...ick.

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  12. Love watermelon and my husband loved it even more than I. But my favorite melon is very ripe honeydew. I do like your new view, Vee. It may change the way things grow, too, if they begin to get more sun.

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  13. A great idea to document what's blooming as spring moves into summer. I must remember that one. Your lily is gorgeous!
    I think your view really opened up with the loss of the tree.
    As for watermelon, I can't even begin to imagine how it could possibly be summer without it. Put me in the LOVE IT camp. :)
    Happy Summer to you. Don't work too hard

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  14. Hi Vee, I'm really glad you're feeling chatty again. :) Wow, I didn't feel the earth shake at all; I have no idea what Pamela is talking about. Yikes. Anyway, I love your idea of taking pictures to document the beginning and end of the seasons. That's a marvelous thing to do!!! I'll have to remember to do that.

    I love watermelon, but our son is so-so about it. I loved it even more when I was growing up, so it is hard to imagine kids not liking it. Oh well. BTW, my hubby's not one for detailing the stove either. :)

    Hugs to you,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  15. Taking the trees down certainly opened up your view Vee. Did you show John Pamela's photos for inspiration? ;-)
    We both love watermelon and so do all the grands. The little guy takes it in his lunch with a cooler pack.
    Speaking of which....the last time I babysat I had to take the kiddies to school and was instructed to put a little pack from the freezer in each lunch bag. Knowing my grandson likes sports, I put the little football in his. Well, guess what Grandma did! The football thing is for boo boos and they all had a good laugh at my expense. :-)
    Have a great weekend.
    Judith

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    Replies
    1. Not my trees so John didn't have to take them down. Professional tree guys came in with harnesses and lots of equipment. It does make a lovely difference. I bet that football worked just fine!

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  16. Hi Vee, I love it but I generally love all fruit! I grew up putting salt on it and my hubby puts pepper on it-go figure. Love seeing everything in your yard!
    Have a great weekend.
    Noreen

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  17. I love the "first" and "last" photos of your garden--like a rite of passage that the seasons go on. Now, I LOVE watermelon, so does my grands and both my girls...my hubby does not. I can't understand why since it's mostly water and so refreshing; one of the mysteries of life I've pondered often:-D XOXO

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  18. Every once in a while I get an urging for watermelon. For the most part, I can either take it or leave it. But the other day I bought one of those mini-watermelons. It was so good. And I liked it because it was enough for just me and I didn't have to waste most of it.

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  19. Love all your photos...
    Watermelon is like all fruit (berries...??) to me...if it's SWEET, I like it...if it's just kinda sweet, I pass on it. Actually, now that I am thinking about it...I really wouldn't care if I never had another bite of watermelon....Now, Mr. Sweet, on the other hand, loves it to pieces.....

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  20. I love watermelon. Always have, it is pure summer for me. Glad you are enjoying the first and last blooms in your garden, Vee. xo

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  21. I love watermelon. So refreshing on hot summer days.
    I usually hate to see trees being cut down but I think it's ok when there are too many and block the view. I like your view now!
    Love your lily! Mine haven't bloomed yet.

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  22. Amazing isn't it how different our world can look with the loss of a tree or two. It takes some getting used to and then you won't remember how it was, tho it can be like losing an old friend. I can take or leave watemelon, but cantelope is another story --- love it. Your flowers look so nice and have I mentioned how much i love your header! The grass is so rich and green!

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    1. I am beyond thrilled with the "loss" of these four trees. I'd probably take down another ten. LOL!

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  23. I love watermelon.
    I'm sure you'll enjoy more light with those trees down. Opens up the sky nicely!

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  24. I had my first watermelon for the season camping with my first grade class...so I love it. Your vitamin D is working, I might need some. Now send those trees to me!!!....this yard is stripped of trees. I go walking to find trees. Glad you can see out. Your flowers are wonderful.
    Fun post...thanks!

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  25. I love it and the dogs do, too. K loves it, but is very allergic to it.

    You have been enjoying many more blooms in your garden than we have in ND. Is it really already summer? Thank you for sharing pictures of your flowers. I'll have some to share soon. . .soon is a few weeks.

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  26. Watermelon is okay... doesn't really excite me. I mean, I can eat it, but I'd more likely "pass." Love cantalope... you didn't ask, but somebody else mentioned it too. Just bought a few at the flea market today for 75cents each. What a deal!

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  27. How much brighter and open is the view from your window with the trees taken down. Glad you didn't have to do it.
    I like watermelon, icy cold and sweet, but I don't crave it or consider it one of my favorites. Same with cantaloupe. I'm more of a berry person - the local strawberries around here are scrumptious just now.

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  28. LOVE IT!
    Such pretty first and last pictures from your garden.
    In my new yard there are lots of roses and I think she told me they were knock out roses.

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  29. First and lasts in the garden: I want to believe in heaven all flowers bloom a the time.
    Just saw a watermelon "cake" idea: a cylinder of seedless watermelon frosted with whipped cream the decorated with berries and sliced almonds. The fristing was actually whipped coconut cream; I've never tried that.
    It looked like a real cake and sliced like one too! Great for low cal summer birthday party cake.

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  30. Love watermelon and your first and last pictures are great. The seasons just march along and it's nice to document these things. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  31. What are the white spots on the knock out roses? Your flowers are so pretty!

    I always thought EVERYONE loved watermelon like I do, that is, until I had my first born..... he hates all types of melon. I'm on my fourth melon for this season. I buy the $4.98 seedless at Wal Mart, I cut it up and put it in containers and then I devour......I shouldn't eat any before I go to bed.... but I do....... and then I'm trotting to the bathroom all night....

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  32. As a kid i didn't like it much but the beer fairy loves it and so do my kids so I learnt to like it, it's always the thing on hot summer days.
    Merle.......

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  33. My husband hates watermelon! He'll have one bite (to be polite) but it's something he can live without. He likes honeydew.

    You can see the sky now! I guess that means that you might be getting a bit more light with the loss of the trees.

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  34. I love watermelon and you are getting a real view!

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  35. My, you are hitting a chatty spell! LOL...

    Love to see all of the going-ons. I don't hate watermelon, but I don't love it either. I'll eat a taste of it if Mr. Jim buys one, but he gets 90% of it. It's like eating crunchy water to me, and picking out all of the seeds is very annoying.

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  36. I love watermelon especially the seedless variety!

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  37. I love watermelon. Look forward to when I can get it local.

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  38. I don't understand people that hate watermelon?!
    Oh hi, stopping by to say hello and partake of your loveliness :)

    P.S. It's like people who hate chocolate? Are they aliens !?

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  39. Your roses are so pretty! Well, everything is pretty. Watermelon. hmmm. As a kid I loved it, then somewhere along the way I couldn't eat it at all. Now, I can mostly leave it. Random, but how do you keep grass out of your phlox????

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  40. Your watermelon LOOKS pretty, but NO I do not like it!!
    HOWEVER, sweet husband loves it and the diva cat waits impatiently for him to finish a chunk so that she can lap up the juice in the rind! Who would have ever thought that a cat would like watermelon juice?
    Blessings to you,
    J
    PS: she also likes strawberry ice cream......
    silly cat!!!

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