The history of watermelons is a long one. There is a Sanskrit word for watermelon, and fruits are depicted in early Egyptian art, indicating an antiquity in agriculture of more than 4,000 years. Domestication and selective breeding have resulted in intensely sweet large fruits with tender flesh and fewer seeds. Some modern “seedless” cultivars have almost no viable seeds.
Here is our Hattingdon, acknowledging the day of this juicy wonderful fruit in a special hat for the occasion. How cool she looks. Wink!
Melonie Hattingdon.
On a summer’s day A slice of watermelon Under the hot sun.
AT this time of summer, the cherry harvest is at its peak. Today is the perfect time to celebrate all things “cherry”. It is July 16th, National Cherry Day.
Many farming communities celebrate with a harvest festival. We don’t have to tell you what is in the baked goods for those celebrations.
The Hat
Hattingdon can wait no longer to join the festivities and show off her new hat — designed especially for her for this day. How cool does she look? Ain’t she sweet?
Cherry.
Variety of cherries
Cherries are a fun and tasty fruit. There are sweet cherries for eating fresh. There are tart or sour varieties that are best for baking. There is even a yellow variety. Yellow varieties are quite sweet. In addition to tasting good, cherries are healthy eating.
Super snack
Pop a few into your mouth and feel guiltless. Why!? Simply because they are good for you. While they are sweet, they are also low in calories.
Cherries are high in fiber. They are high in vitamins A and C. Their high level of antioxidants helps to fight free radicals. It contains anti-inflammatory properties, too. And, they have lots of potassium. Cherries are gluten-free.
Studies show that they help to lower blood pressure. And, if you have trouble sleeping, have a few pieces of this magical fruit in the evening. They contain melatonin, a natural chemical that helps to induce sleep.
Even diabetics can enjoy the natural sugars in cherries. But, don’t eat a whole bunch at one sitting. Rather, eat a few at a time.
Cool facts
• The first recording of the cultivation of cherry trees goes back to ancient Mesopotamia in 300 B.C. • Ancient Romans and Chinese dynasties also cultivated them. • Prehistoric caves in Asia and Europe contained cherry pits. • Cherry blossoms are a symbol of beauty and renewal. • Cherry trees are not native to N America. Early settlers brought them to the New World in the 1600s. • According to legend, George Washington chopped down the family cherry tree. But, when confronted by his father, he could not tell a lie. The rest as they say is history. • The first time cherry turnovers were made was in 1440. At the time, cake was banned in some European countries. • The average mature tree produces approximately 7,000 fruit each year. • Japanese cherry trees do not produce fruit. Rather, they are ornamentals. • On August 30, 1909, Japan announced it was donating 2,000 cherry trees to the United States for planting along the Potomac River. The trees arrived in the United States on January 6, 1910. Today, millions of people visit D.C. at Cherry Blossom time just to see them in bloom. _______
You see. We are more than just pretty hats. Wink. See you again soon. Love, Hattingdon.
National Flag Day takes place each year on June 14 to honor Old Glory, and commemorate the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777. The holiday is a day when Americans show respect for the country’s national flag, and what it represents.
While Betsy Ross has been given credit for stitching together the first American flag, there is no sound evidence to support the story. However, there are none to challenge it either.
It seems some of the conflict arose because there were several designs being considered all at the same time. There were many flag makers during that time, and more than one claim as to whose was first. During Ross’s Revolutionary time, several standards were carried bearing red and white stripes along with varying symbols where the blue field and white stars now reside.
Our nod
Here is Hattingdon’s nod to the original U.S. flag. The hat has thirteen white stars set against a deep, dark blue rounded cap, together with a red and white striped bow below. Naturally, we named the design Betsy. Isn’t she sweet?
Betsy Hattingdon.
Flag facts
• Since 1777, the design of the United States flag has been officially modified 26 times.
• On June 24, 1912, by Executive Order of President Taft, the proportions of the flag was established, providing for the arrangement of its stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, with a single point of each star to be upward.
• On July 4, 1912, the United States flag grew to 48 stars with the addition of New Mexico (January 6th, 1912) and Arizona (February 14, 1912).
• The 48-star flag was official for 47 years, the 2nd longest length of years. Only the 50 Star Flag is longer.
• In 1959, the 49-Star version of the Flag became official on July 4th. The following month, President Eisenhower ordered the 50-Star Flag on August 21st.
• The 50-star American flag was designed by seventeen-year-old Robert G. Heft of Ohio. His was one of the more than 1,500 plus designs submitted to the President for consideration. We find the “backstory” on this fascinating. We hope you do too.
Greetings and salutations . . . as they used to say. Thank you for stopping by. We have one of our most popular hats of all time today — a sweet, charming classic hat in pink. Vivian named the design “April”.
April Hattingdon
The floral pattern created for this hat is so lovely, and suits our Hattingdon “to a T”. Our Hattingdon always looks pretty in pink.
HATTINGDON HORSES 