Submission (#3925) Approved

Prompt: Watermelon (wc:731)

While Calix was finishing with the Lallabaa and the Fyrehens Larkspur decided to make a snack for them as a reward for all the hard work the chores were. Plus, a healthy snack was a good idea regardless. With how hot it was lately it made the choice easy, they would have watermelon today! She grabbed one she had just picked that morning and could already feel her mouth watering at the anticipation of her favorite fruit. She grabbed a knife, a scooper, a bowl, and a plate. Being very careful cautious of her movements she cut the watermelon in half. She sets one of the halves aside for the moment and focuses on the other. She takes the scooper and starts using it to get little round balls of watermelon out and dropping them in the bowl. She worked fluidly, she loved being in the kitchen almost as much as she loved to read so most of the things she did while in the kitchen came easily to her at this point. It didn't take long for her to have a bowl full of juicy red watermelon balls, the half she had been working on cleaned to the rind. She put the rinds aside and put some plastic wrap over the top of the bowl and placed it in her fridge to save for later. She returned to the counter and began cutting up the rest of the watermelon into triangles to eat now. She made short work of that as well and set them on the plate as she cut them then placed them in the fridge to keep them cold until Calix was done with his chores.
She pulled the rinds back to her and began to work on those. First she cut the dark green skin off of them and set them off to the side, she would add them to her compost pile. She chopped the rind into small roughly one inch pieces. Satisfied with her work she placed them in some water and vinegar to cook for a bit. She set a timer for an hour and set to work cleaning up the dishes she had used to far and cleaning up the counter from the watermelon juice. Before the rinds were done her brother entered the house and mentioned being hungry. With a smile Larkspur pulled out the watermelon triangles and set them out. They both began munching on the fruit happily. He jumped when the time went off and questioned what she was making. With an excited grin she pulled out the rinds and showed him. His eyes lit up and he let out an excited gasp, asking if she was making jam for real. She laughed and nodded, moving to drain the water vinegar mixture and let them cool as she went to snatch another slice of watermelon off the plate. Calix had started telling her about chasing the Fyrehens around and how they needed some more Lallabaa to keep the one he has company. She was humming agreement and listening to him while she worked. She began adding sigar to a pot, added the water, and let it heat up. She stirred it to keep the sugar from caramelizing and have it dissolve properly. Finally it boiled and she added the rinds, licking her lips in excitement about the jam they would have later. Calix was still talking, something about going to the river later to swim and she nodded. They both knew she wouldn't join him for that but it would be fine. She was watching the pot, making sure it cooked properly and didn't risk overcooking. Watermelon had to be her favorite fruit, without a doubt. There was so much to do with it, it was so tasty, and a perfect treat for hot days as well. She walked over to grab another triangle of watermelon and raised an eyebrow as she noted it was the last one. They had eaten a lot and she didn't even realize it until she was on the last piece. She finished it in a couple bites and licked her paw of juice, walking to the sink to wash them clean before she began getting jars out to pour the jam mixture into, filling several jars, sealing them tight, and placing them in a cabinet with several other jars in it as well.

Reward	Amount
Silver	35