September is typically when summer comes to a close. While I refuse to let summer die until I’m standing in six inches of freezing snow, I can see why people consider it to be summer’s last hoorah. It’s the dreaded time when kids go back to school (or the much-anticipated time, if you’re a busy … [Read more...]
AUGUST PRIZE: WOULD YOU TAKE A DIP WITH THIS WATERMELON RAFT?
There are so many things I love about summer. The weather is beautiful, the watermelons are plentiful, and everyone seems to be in summer mode. One of my favorite summer rituals is opening the pool. I love peeling back the pool cover and seeing the water below (even if it’s green and leafy). I … [Read more...]
NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH PRIZE #1: A WATERMELON COOLER BAG
Short of Thanksgiving and Christmas, Independence Day ranks pretty high on my personal list of great food holidays. Poised smack dab in the middle of the summer, July 4th brings Americans together to celebrate the land of the free and home of the brave. And, if you’re my family, you also celebrate … [Read more...]
NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH PRIZE #2: WHERE WOULD YOU PUT THIS YARD DECORATION?
Earlier this year marked five years since we moved into our family home, so my wife and I are celebrated by building a small garden in the backyard. I’ll be honest, when my wife first mentioned the idea to me, I couldn’t help but think of the many hours of maintenance a garden requires. It seemed … [Read more...]
NATIONAL WATERMELON PRIZE #3: WATERMELON CARVING BOOK
For this month’s final prize, I had some different ideas bouncing around about what it should be. Then I started to think about July coming to a close and how half of the year is basically gone. The close of July usually marks the end of my favorite month, as July is National Watermelon Month. I … [Read more...]
MAY PRIZE: WHO’S THIRSTY FOR A WATERMELON DRINK?
You know, it’s good to see watermelon-flavored drinks finally making an appearance in grocery stores. Nothing against, oranges, apples and grapes — their juice is great, too — but watermelon juice is long overdue for its time in the beverage spotlight. It’s catching on with some big names, too. … [Read more...]
APRIL PRIZE: A HANDY, DANDY WATERMELON SLICER!
Based on the monumental amounts of YouTube videos one can find on how to cut watermelon, it’s no secret that cutting it the right way is easier said than done. Having sliced and diced a few million watermelons in my day, I can attest that there is, indeed, a method to slicing correctly. (Sort of … [Read more...]
MARCH PRIZE: WHICH OF THESE TWO PRIZE OPTIONS WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Maybe it’s the view outside my window (a front lawn covered in grass and NOT snow) or the anticipation of warmer, sunnier weather to come, but I’m feeling extra generous this month. That’s why I’ve decided to make this month’s prize your choice between TWO different watermelon-related options. As … [Read more...]
FEBRUARY PRIZE: A WATERMELON SALT & PEPPER SHAKER!
Now at age 4, my daughter has quite a collection of, well, collections going on. Between the boxes of Barbie dolls and all their tiny clothes, a tote full of barnyard animals, and a million other toys, she has a selection most kids would go bonkers for. As I tucked her into bed last night, I … [Read more...]
JANUARY PRIZE: THE WATERMELON OVEN MITT!
Yesterday, I revealed my New Year’s Resolution — to prepare more meals using watermelon — so it’s only fitting that our first monthly prize of 2015 be something related to cooking. Based on the outcome of my recent attempt to conquer my resolution, it’s safe to say that this month’s prize would … [Read more...]