Iced & Sliced

 

Ice cold beer and a slice of pizza… If you love it, this day’s for you.

 

 

 

 

 

October 9 is International Beer & Pizza Day.  Enjoy your favorite combination or try some new flavors. You can’t go wrong.

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Genius!

 

“Intellectuals solve problems;

geniuses prevent them.”

— Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
German-born theoretical physicist & Nobel laureate

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Forgiveness and Happiness

October 7th is National Forgiveness and Happiness Day. We are all encouraged to practice forgiveness to let go of anger, grudges, and resentment, as we promote peace, healing in relationships, and overall well-being for individuals and communities.  I found this especially timely, considering my new “Life Seasonings” book series titles of both “Forgiveness” and “Happiness.”

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Light My Fire

“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”

— Albert Schweitzer (1875 – 1965)
German French polymath, philosopher, physician & Nobel laureate

My deepest thanks to everyone who has kept the torch glowing or been there to brighten my world when I needed it most, especially when you didn’t even know my flame had been doused or my spirits dampened.

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Shine On

 

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”

— Margaret Fuller (1810 – 1850)
American journalist, critic, & women’s rights advocate

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Well, Okay!

 

“If you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.”

— Catherine Aird (pen name of Kinn Hamilton McIntosh) (1930 – 2024)
English  novelist

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Niiiice!

Photo by Roberta Sant’Anna

 

“I don’t need a hair stylist; my pillow gives me a new hairstyle every morning.”

— Anonymous

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Hmmmmm…

Photo by Saimy Patel

 

“If we were to wake up some morning and find that everyone was the same race, creed, and color, we would find some other cause for prejudice by noon.”

George D. Aiken (1892 – 1984)
US Senator 1941 – 1975
64th Governor of Vermont 1937 – 1941

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Live!

“Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.”

— Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)
American naturalist, philosopher, and writer
As written in his Journal on January 21, 1838

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Whoopie!

Tomorrow is National Homemade Cookie Day. A friend recently asked for my Mom’s Whoopie Pie recipe, as she had misplaced Volume 1 of my “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites: Starters, Sippers & Sweets.”  I understand; these are the very best Whoopie Pies ever! So, instead of just sending the requested recipe to her, I thought this would be a great day to share it with you. Enjoy!

 

Mom Burnham’s Whoopie Pies
A family summer outing was not complete without these!  Many wonderful memories include Mom’s wonderful Whoopie Pies.

½ c Crisco shortening
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
1½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
5 heaping T cocoa

Filling:
1 c Crisco shortening
2 c sifted Confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 T hot water
½ jar marshmallow fluff

Make cookies by creaming sugar into Crisco shortening.  Stir in eggs, milk & vanilla; beat until smooth.  Sift dry ingredients together & mix into shortening mixture.  Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheets; bake 7 min at 400°F.  Cool.  Meanwhile, make the filling.  Cream sugar into shortening.  Stir in vanilla & water.  Beating on med-high, add marshmallow a little at a time until light & creamy.  Spread onto cooled cookie halves; top with another cookie to make mini sandwiches.

KISS Note:  Mom always doubled this recipe because there never seemed to be enough!  If she could hide any in the freezer, she always tried, because they do freeze beautifully. I also make mini versions of these for any reception where you are serving finger foods and want to include some sweet bite-sized treats. (Bake them 1-2 minutes less.)

Find all three volumes of “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites” wherever books and digital books are sold.

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Mr. & Mrs. James Oberle

“And I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties, there isn’t any privacy.”
―  F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896 – 1940)

American novelist & essayist
From his 1925 “The Great Gatsby”

 

Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, RI

 

How delicious to be a guest this weekend at a true Gatsby-style, black-tie celebration…

 

 

 

 

 

… the wedding of a dear friend.

 

 

 

 

 

We have now attended a truly royal wedding!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The entire Gatsby-inspired event was held at the Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, the site of the lavish parties in the 1974 film “The Great Gatsby.”

 

 

 

Over-the-top barely begins to describe the festivities.

Congratulations, Wendy & James!

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As a Stupid Question Day

Today’s the Day. This is “Ask a Stupid Question Day.” So, go ahead and ask a stupid question. No worries, because there is no such thing.

(The answers, however, may be downright ridiculous!)

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Well, Yes!

Photo by Mads Severinsen

 

 

“If the camel once gets his nose in a tent, his body will soon follow.”

— Arabian proverb

 

 

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Humor, Please

Who needs a little humor? “Humor: and Other Life Seasonings” launches today in paperback and digital book formats. The 5th book in my Life Seasonings series follows “Perspectives,” “Hope,” “Happiness,” and “Forgiveness.”

“Humor” is a fun little guide to living a better, fuller life. It’s full of comic information, quips, quotations, jokes, and words of wisdom, plus full-color photographs. Enjoy this Super Simple tool to add smiles, insight, and support whenever a little levity or perspective is needed… not that any of us need a bit of humor just now.

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Fall Flowers

“Earth laughs in flowers.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)
American writer & philosopher

 

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Generosity of Spirit

Photo by Aaron Burden

 

 

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

-Greek proverb

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You Gotta Have Heart

“A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.”

Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873)
English statesman, poet

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Peace, Please

Photo by Casey Horner

September 21st is the annual International Day of Peace. May peace grow in everyone’s hearts.

 

“The world is now too small for anything but brotherhood.”

— Arthur Powell Davies (1902 – 1957)
English American Unitarian minister

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Sweet!

Photo by Tiffany Chan

 

 

“A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives the rose.”

— Chinese proverb

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Respect for the Aged Day

I find it healthy to pause daily and express gratitude for the sage advice and guidance I have received from my elders. We are very blessed when those who have lived much longer than we set great examples and create a path which we can follow.

My 95-year-old Mom always gets my utmost respect. She raises the barre and consistently exudes more love, compassion, and energy than I could ever imagine.

(Thank you, Mom!)

“Those who respect the elderly pave their own road toward success.”
African proverb

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If You Believe…

Photo by Shayna Douglas

“If you believe free speech is for you but not your political opponents, you’re illiberal.

If no contrary evidence could change your beliefs, you’re a fundamentalist.

If you believe the state should punish those with contrary views, you’re a totalitarian.

If you believe political opponents should be punished with violence or death, you’re a terrorist.”

— J. K. Rowling (pen name of Joanna Kathleen Rowling) (1965 – )
British author & philanthropist, best known for Harry Potter series
Posted in her X account on September 11, 2025, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk

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Wake Up Call

America felt a wide swath of hatred and intolerance on 9/11/2001. Today, we pause to reflect on more weaknesses in our human existence. From Martin Luther King, Jr. to Charlie Kirk, our nation has endured political and philosophical assassinations and assassination attempts. No matter what one’s philosophy, politics, or faith, violent responses or even advocating violent responses to someone whose views may differ from our own is ALWAYS wrong.

Freedom of speech is not just for those with whom we agree. Name-calling, derogatory labeling, and other extremist rhetoric that calls for violence as a response to political disagreement have absolutely no place in a democratic society. Diversity of opinion makes this country strong. Intolerance, especially expressed by those who regularly espouse tolerance, breaks us down.

Anyone who snickers or believes the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk is worthy or somehow good for America needs to do some serious soul searching or even seek mental health support. (That is not sarcasm.) Pray for sanity for violence advocates.

Meanwhile, remember one thing. Martyring Charlie Kirk does not silence his conservative advocacy, especially among our nation’s young people. Silencing one strong influencer merely awakens thousands more.

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National Mai Tai Day

August 30 is National Mai Tai Day. The timeless rum-based cocktail was created in 1944 by Victor Bergeron (founder of Trader Vic’s) in Oakland, California. The name hails from his Tahitian friends, who said it translates to “out of this world” or “the best.”

Here’s the original Mai Tai recipe.

4 parts gold rum
1 part orange curacao
½ part simple syrup
1 part orgeat syrup
2 parts fresh lime juice
Combine and shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Strain into glass; add crushed ice. Garnish as you choose… mint leaf, twist or round slice of lime, or some other favorite.

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Super Simple Beef Stroganoff

Super Simple Beef Stroganoff

 

Last night we enjoyed dinner with friends and served up Super Simple Beef Stroganoff.

One of our friends is not a mushroom fan, so we kept them separate for his sake and served them tossed with the stroganoff sauce in a separate bowl.

(This recipe is for you, Elaine!)

 

 

Stroganoff Preps

Super Simple Beef Stroganoff
Serve simply with crispy onion bread and tossed salad on the side. This recipe can also be cut in half easily.

2 lbs of steak strips
1 tsp salt
2 T olive oil
6 T butter (divided)
2 lg sweet onions, peeled & sliced
1 lb shiitaki and/or cremini mushrooms, sliced
½ tsp minced garlic
2 T flour
2 tsp paprika (sweet or smoky)
1 T Dijon mustard
2 c beef bone broth or stock, whisked with 1 T Better than Bouillon Beef
2 c light cream or half-and-half
1 c sour cream
Ground black pepper, to suit your taste
4-6 T chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Sprinkle beef with salt; heat the oil and 2 T butter in skillet over med-high heat. Add steak strips; stir-fry 3-4 min. Transfer steak with slotted spoon to a large bowl and set aside. Add 2 T butter to pan; add sliced onions; reduce heat to medium; let cook for 5 min, stirring a couple of times. Transfer onions to bowl with steak. Add 2 T butter to pan and the sliced mushrooms and garlic; cook 3-4 minutes till mushrooms have released their moisture and started to brown. Transfer mushrooms to the bowl with steak and onions. Remove pan from heat and whisk in flour, paprika, and a couple spoonfuls of broth. Then whisk in mustard and 1 cup of the broth. Return pan to heat and whisk in remaining broth. Stir over med heat till stock thickens. Reduce heat to low; add the cream; bring to a simmer over med heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the sour cream, beef, onions & mushrooms. Season with pepper. To serve, spoon over hot cooked pasta (egg noodles or rotini) or rice and garnish with parsley. Makes 8 servings.

KISS Tips: Remove steak, onions, and mushrooms from pan with slotted spoon, reserving liquids in pan. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. (Thaw in refrigerator.) This makes a creamy sauce, which we like as pasta absorbs sauce liquids, but you can cut back on the broth for a thicker sauce. You can also keep this warm in a slow cooker, with or without the pasta stirred into the mixture. While cooking steak and veggies, boil water and cook & drain pasta.

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Money & Success

 

“Money and success don’t change people; they merely amplify what is already there.”

— Will Smith (1968 – )
American actor, rapper & film producer

(Photo by Alexander Mils)

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Human Kindness

Photo by Matt Collamer

“When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?” 

— Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
American social activist & stateswoman
U.S. First Lady: 1933-45; Ambassador to UN

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Possibility Thinking

Photo by Tom Barrett

 

“No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities — they’re always there.”

— Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993)
American Protestant clergyman and best-selling author
From his book “Positive Thinking Every Day”

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Welcome Home

 

 

 

This morning, I opened my bedroom curtains and startled two first-year fawns just outside. They then nibbled some grass beside my pear tree. They still have their spots. So adorable.

 

 

 

 

 

Though I have mowed our pastures for many years, I always marvel because I see something new each time. Yesterday, it was this Maypop or Purple Passion Flower. They were all over our south pasture. Florida? Yes. The western North Carolina mountains? Nope. They don’t grow in this zone. (They like 9-10; we are a mere 7.) Nature is mahhhhhvelous.

 

 

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Forgiveness: and Other Life Seasonings

The latest title in my Life Seasonings series is now available in paperback and digital formats! “Forgiveness: and Other Life Seasonings” is a perfect little guide to living a better, fuller life. You’ll find it full of quips, quotations, and words of wisdom, plus full-color photographs. Enjoy this Super Simple tool to add depth, compassion, and support whenever some understanding and compassion are needed.

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Sparkling Friends

“It’s not that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it’s your best friends who are your diamonds.”

Gina Barreca (1957 – )
American humorist

I am most grateful to have enjoyed decades of life surrounded by precious, sparkling gems!!!

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Character Rising

Photo by Laurent Gence

 

“What you have outside you counts less than what you have inside you.”

— B. C. Forbes (Bertie Charles Forbes) (1880 – 1954)
Scottish-born American journalist & author
Founder of Forbes magazine

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Coffee Time

 

“Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat.”

— Alexander Levine (1955 – )
Russian-born British composer

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Timely Value

“If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money.”

— Abigail Van Buren (pseudonym for Pauline Esther Phillips) (1918 – 2013)
American advice columnist & radio show host

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Changing Times

 

“There is nothing permanent except change.”

— Heraclitus (c. 6th century BC – c. 5th century BC)
Persian (Ancient Greek) philosopher from Ephesus

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National Prosecco Day

 

Celebrate National Prosecco Day with a Harry’s Bar Bellini with the delightful Italian sparkling wine.

 

 

 

 

Naturally, we can’t all be in Venice, Italy, and pop into the famed establishment where the classic beverage was first created. However, we can easily make genuine Bellinis at home. Harry’s Bar has a full-time staff member dedicated to pureeing white peaches for their Bellinis.

 

 

 

The official recipe is prosecco, white peach puree, and a touch of raspberry puree. That was added to offset the inconsistent sweetness level of fresh peaches. It’s not served fancy at Harry’s… just in a regular glass and no garnishes.

 

 

Version 1.0.0

 

Enjoy a genuine Bellini or one of my Super Simple modifications. Catch more of my recipes for sparkling wine drinks and tapas treats to serve with bubbly in “Champagne: Facts, Fizz, Food & Fun.”

Super Simple Bellini
In a flute or other glass:
½ shot Peach schnapps
Then fill ½ full with Peach nectar
Fill with champagne

KISS Note: To get the slightly rosy color right, add a bit of raspberry sorbet or puree
Frozen version: Use Peach sorbet rather than Peach nectar.

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Succeed

 

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.”

— Albert Schweitzer (1875 – 1965)
German French polymath, philosopher, physician & Nobel laureate

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Colorful

(Photo by Jeff Sieipman)

 

“Our nation is a rainbow—red, yellow, brown, black, and white—and we’re all precious in God’s sight.”

— Jesse Jackson (1941 – )
American civil rights activist, politician, & Baptist minister

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Think Democracy

Photo by Jon Tyson

 

 

“The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from without. It has to come from within.”

— Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)
Indian lawyer & political ethicist

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Always Hope

Photo by Joshua Earle

 

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 – 1945)
32nd U.S. President

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Eric Grant Trio

Caught the Eric Grant trio last night at Cactus Jack’s in Gilford, NH.

Talented and fun, as always. You can find their schedule…

for both the entire rocking band, the trio, and Eric Grant’s solo gigs at www.EricGrantBand.com. Worthy!

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