When Jillian came to visit last weekend, I had to put my shenanigans on the back burner whilst I shared with you the phases of Cupcake. Here is the human side of the weekend.

Being surrounded by the bayou, the mister, the child, and the world’s most awesome cat meant that I was blanketed by a certain happiness because all points in the universe had converged. I understand that happiness is a fleeting notion, but when one is truly happy – i.e., in the now moment – it means that one does not even consider that the present perfection will end. Now is all that matters. And even when the moment has passed, the  bliss will linger.

And linger.

Jillian brought me a watermelon – a small one, just the size for the family to enjoy while we practically melt in these dog days of summer. (Cupcake doesn’t like watermelon.)

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“You know, Jillian. We haven’t made watermelon teeth in a long time.”

“Seriously, Mom? I was going to make us some watermelon-infused water.”

“Sounds good. But we still have to make watermelon teeth.”

(Daughter rolls her eyes. Mother still likes to play, even though daughter is now twenty-something.)

Watermelon-Infused Water

2 cups diced watermelon
2 quarts water

Place the watermelon chunks into a two-quart pitcher and fill with water. Let steep for 3-4 hours in the refrigerator. You can leave the watermelon chunks in the pitcher and refill with water for up to three days.

What a refreshing treat!

Watermelon Water

Now, here’s the fun part – making watermelon teeth from the rinds. My daddy used to do this for me and my sisters every summer.

How to Make Watermelon Teeth

With a spoon, scrape all of the remaining pink off of the rind.

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Cut a mouth-sized rectangle. Of course, this will depend of the size of the mouth, but for this exercise, let’s say 1 1/2 inches by 4 inches.

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Carefully cut the white meat from the green rind.

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Make the teeth by cutting a horizontal line 1/2 inch from one edge to within 1/2 inch of the other. Then cut several vertical slits 1/2 inch from the top and bottom.

Watermelon

Insert the dentures between your lips and teeth and voilà! A lovely set of watermelon teeth.

Here I am, basking in the glory of my new set of glamorous watermelon teeth.

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The moment has, as predicted, passed. But the bliss has lingered. When this happens, a privileged situation becomes a perfect moment.

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