Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Pineapple Princess, I Love You

Today's Wonder of the World is...the Pineapple!

Flickr photo by passgo
Welcome to the blog, all you pineapple princesses and princes out there!
You do know that the pineapple is a symbol of welcome, right? (The ridiculously large font wouldn't make sense otherwise.)
People down south are pineapple crazy. Maybe it's our southern hospitality or our proximity to the equator. Or maybe we just want an excuse to try the pineapple door decoration we saw in the December issue of Southern Living.

Photo from Our Family Christmas Diary, by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
I keep meaning to make one of those but it never works out. Somebody always cuts into the pineapple or eats up my apples. Or puts my magnolia leaves in the compost pile.

I'm blogging about the joys of pineapples today because lately I've had a terrible hankering for a pineapple upside down cake.

Flickr photo by crafty bean
It's probably because I'm watching my weight at the moment. Boo hoo.
Since we're talking southern hospitality, why don't you pull up a chair with me next to this pineapple fountain in Charleston and lets talk pineapple. Fresh, no cake.
Okay, maybe just one dollop of Lite whipped cream.

Flickr photo by snowleslie99
It's still delicious.
Did you know that the pineapple got its name back when European explorers discovered them in 1694? They thought a pineapple looked like a pine cone, which folks called pineapples back then. (Confused?)
The scientific term is Ananas comosus, which makes me smile because l'ananas is one of my favorite French words. It means pineapple, of course. I bet you know the word for pineapple in Central America.
Here's a hint:

Flickr photo by msondo
Piña
! As in piña colada.
Okay. So now I want a piña colada too. Shoot.

Let's distract ourselves with a close up of pineapple skin.

Flickr photo by @Ucreations
Beautiful! Even the skin looks juicy.
Speaking of beautiful, take a look at the work of this pineapple artiste.

Flickr photo by ericparker
Sammy just came in and looked over my shoulder. He says I've forgotten a very important lover of pineapples. Can you guess who he's talking about?
Absorbent and yellow and porous is he.
Why it's Bob l'éponge carrée! That's French for Spongebob Square Pants.

Flickr photo by Rock Chalk Jayhawk Cartographer
His home sweet home is in the Mall of America, in case you want to swing by for a visit.

But why stop there? Let's take a world tour of crazy pineapple architecture.
Next stop? Queensland Australia!

Flickr photo by megbar!
While we're there we could saunter on over to the world's largest macadamia nut.
Or maybe not. We shouldn't lose focus.
Scotland is next.

Flickr photo by Kat 30
Very nice, though not quite as appetizing.
But maybe it's better that way. If we eat too much pineapple, we might just turn into one!


Flickr photo by hawhawjames
Scary!

Have a wonder-full Wednesday, y'all!
Love, Becky

25 comments:

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Sorry friends.
I love that Annette Funicello song, but I must warn you, if you listen too much it gets under your skin like ringworm and TAKES OVER YOUR BRAIN!
Have a nice day.

LW said...

One of my very favorite ways to have fresh pineapple is to serve it with
homemade caramel sauce…

My family thinks I am wonderful when we have this…

Louise

Susan said...

Pineapple upside down cake was my mom's favorite. Who knew Bikini Bottom was at Mall of Americas. Fun post. Thanks.

Felicity said...

And now I know I MUST take my children to visit Mall of America! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

What a fun post! I never knew the pineapple was a symbol of welcome.

Suzie said...

MAsons use pinapples as their symbols Ive seen some great ones in masonic temples

a Tonggu Momma said...

Hawaiians consider it the "King of Fruits." And I haven't eaten one since we left Hawaii. Because pineapples shipped to the east coast are a poor substitute to ones picked that same day. Sigh.

Unknown said...

LOL! THank you for the warning, Becky! I will NOT listen to Annette Funicello today.

This was another fabulously fun post! :)

Pineapple Princess said...

What a great post. I especially love the title!!

I'm a fan of yours now!

Adrienne said...

We are big fans of pineapples and Spongebob.
I'd be a little afraid to walk under that door decoration. I hope they used some heavy duty wire to assemble that!

lotusgirl said...

I love pineapples too. I have to be careful eating them though. The acid kills my stomach if I eat too many.

Paula Clare said...

Hi Becky! I LOVE your banner by the way!

You nailed my favorites: Pina Coladas and fresh pineapple! AND you posted an Annette video I've never seen before!

Kudos!

Kelly H-Y said...

How have I never heard that 'Pineapple Princess' song?! I LOVE it! You're right, though ... I may be singing it the rest of the day ... and tomorrow! But, that's OK. LOVE pineapple ... and all your fun facts!

Renee said...

Becky that guys face was so scary. Even if that was a halloween costume it is totally freaky.

Love Renee xoxo

rochambeau said...

Adore your Pineapple post Becky!
Pineapple upside down cake is one of the all time very best desserts ever!!
Here's my homage:

http://rochambeau.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/07/the-parlance-of.html

Happy week to you friend!

xox
Constance

Rosemary said...

I like that song too!!
You crack me up!
Love pineapple!
Have a great day!
Rosemary

May Vanderbilt said...

This week my husband made pineapple fried rice for dinner and I nearly swooned. Pineapple is hands down my favorite fruit but it makes my throat a little scratchy.

Some say I have an allergy. I say, La, la, la, I can't hear you!

judy in ky said...

Fabulous photos! And I love pineapple upside down cake! Can't get enough of it.
And fresh pineapple in Hawaii... mmmmmmm!

Cindy said...

nope...that's not the song that has taken over my brain.....what's running through mine...

"who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Sponge Bob Square Pants!" Yellow and something and porous is he...sbsp! SBSP, SBSP, SBSP.....

acccckkkkkkk! :D

-c
yapping cat

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

What, there's no pineapple water tower?? I guess the pineapple building is close enough.
Nothing better than a fresh pineapple, though!!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Loved, Loved your post!. My Grandma was born and raised in the land of pineapples "Hawaii". So growing up we had lots of pineapples and lots of pineapple upside down cake.
Take care and enjoy your day, Go out and get your cake.
Elizabeth

LarryG said...

dat's a lotta pineapples!
sponge bob rules!
and Annette -- definitely Queen of the pre artificially enhanced pineapple days of tv - or maybe not... hmmmm...

David Ebright said...

Fresh pineapples now cost $4.99 at Publix. Ridiculous! Deb bought a brass pineapple lamp a few years ago - cost $499. Ridiculous! I hate that lamp.

Unknown said...

You'll just have to c'mon down to Charleston to see the pineapple fountain.

Sherry at EX Marks the Spot

WendyB said...

That first picture is so happy! I have a pineapple of my own to contribute:
http://wendybrandes.com/pro-detail.php?colid=29&collect=true&id=251