Author Archives: Cathy Burnham Martin

About Cathy Burnham Martin

Author of 20+ books, and counting! A professional voice-over artist, dedicated foodie, and lifelong corporate communications geek, Cathy Burnham Martin has enjoyed a highly eclectic career, ranging from the arts and journalism to finance, telecommunications, and publishing. Along with her husband, Ron Martin, she has passions for entertaining, gardening, volunteering, active and visual arts, GREAT food, and traveling. Cathy often says, "I believe that we all should live with as much contagious enthusiasm as possible... Whether we're with friends or family, taking people along for the ride is more than half the fun."

Food Fight!

“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.” — Mark Twain (1835-1910) 19th Century American author and humorist (pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens)

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Sausage and Cabbage

On St. Patrick’s Day we may tend to think about green beer or Irish whiskey. Or we hunger for traditional Irish foods. When doing so, corned beef and cabbage may come to mind, even though the dish is not originally … Continue reading

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Just checking…

“Why is it when we talk to God we’re praying, but when God talks to us, we’re schizophrenic?” — Lily Tomlin (1939 – ) American actress & comedian

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Welcome Sully’s Place!

Welcome to Sully’s Place in Columbus, NC! This new all-American grill sits in the classic location of the former Green River Tavern and Larkin’s Carolina Grill. The menu features a great selection of pub appetizers, salads, soups, and sandwiches. They … Continue reading

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National Steak Day

Ahhhh…. When steak is done right and “your way,” little can be more satisfying. Some like it fancy with sauces; some prefer it black and blue and straight-up. Though not a great beef fan, I do love biting into a … Continue reading

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Light Encouragement

    “We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own.” — Ben Sweetland (1900 – 1987) Author and psychologist

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National Baked Scallops Day

I do love the sweet, tenderness of scallops. Prepare them any way you like… on the half shell, baked-stuffed, wrapped in bacon or pesto encrusted. Here’s a recipe I first created in 1980, I’ve only done the very slightest update … Continue reading

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Spring Ahead!

I love Spring! And in the mountains of North Carolina we enjoy 3 gorgeous months of Spring.     Of course, Mom Martin’s double camellia is in bloom, as are the daffodils.           Our weeping cherry … Continue reading

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Go for Greatness!

  “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” — Albert Einstein  (1879 – 1955) German-born theoretical physicist; developed theory of relativity (Image by Iván Tamás)

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Goodness Gracious!

    “Confidence in the goodness of another is good proof of one’s own goodness.” — Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French Renaissance philosopher

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The 33rd State

Joining the nation in 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state in the U.S. Since the discovery of a small, prehistoric stone knife in 2012, some archaeologists believe people have lived in the region for at least 15,000 years. Home to … Continue reading

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Speechless

“Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it.” — Robert Frost (1874 – 1963) American poet

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To Be Continued…

  “A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” — Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967) American poet, biographer, journalist, & Pulitzer prize winner

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Ahhhh, Optimism

“An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?” — Michel de Saint Pierre (1916 – 1987) French journalist

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Pepperoni Pizza Dip!

For National Snack Day, let’s munch down on a little Pepperoni Pizza Dip. Super Simple and soooo satisfying. (The picture is how it looks heading into the oven. Sorry… no picture of how it looked when we took it out … Continue reading

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Problem Solving 101

“A positive attitude may not solve every problem, but it makes solving any problem a more pleasant experience.” — Grant D. Fairley (1959 – ) Business consultant & author

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Road to Success

“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal — a commitment to excellence — that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” — Mario Andretti (1940 – ) … Continue reading

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National Pig Day

With 675 million pigs in the world, on every continent except Antarctica, pigs earned their own special day. National Pig Day is not just to celebrate bacon, ribs, ham, and all the other goodies pigs deliver to help sustain humans. … Continue reading

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National Leap Year Day

True… a person turning 100 years old today only got to officially celebrate 25 birthdays.  This is also National Frog Legs Day. But, of course! A couple of silly one-liners seem in order. Sooooo…. What do athletes wear on Leap … Continue reading

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Encouragement Lives!

24 years ago today, I was on the eve of a Leap Year Day surgery. Following a diagnosis of Stage IV ovarian cancer, I was given 3 months to live. If I didn’t wake up from surgery in the hospice … Continue reading

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Participate!

  “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” — Thomas Jefferson 1743 – 1826) 3rd president of the United States; diplomat, architect, and philosopher (in his papers at the … Continue reading

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Say ‘No’ to a Destiny of Self-destruction

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” — Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) American statesman; 16th President: 1861-65; assassinated following Civil War

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Chow-der Down!

Let’s celebrate National Clam Chowder Day with a simple discussion of the Great Chowder Debate. Some insist it must have a clear broth base; others want it creamy and thick. Some add tomatoes; some stick to onions and potatoes. Everyone … Continue reading

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Perspective

  “We don’t see things as they are.  We see them as we are.” — Anais Nin (1914-1977) French-born American novelist and dancer

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Bloomin’ Attitude

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” — Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (1808 – 1890) French critic & journalist

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National Cook a Sweet Potato Day

I thought I’d serve up a dish that is often popular at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it’s a big hit at Easter, too. Funny, none of those holidays land in February. And yet, February 22 is National Cook a Sweet … Continue reading

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Duh!

“If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.” — Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) American statesman; 16th President of the United States, 1861-65; assassinated following Civil War

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Speak Up!

  “Be sincere; be brief; be seated.” — Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882 – 1945) 32nd President of the United States

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Be YOU!

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! — Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) (1904 – 1991) American children’s author, illustrator, and political cartoonist Happiest Birthday wishes to my … Continue reading

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Rumaki Anyone?

I was recalling Rumaki, a popular appetizer from the 1950s & 60s. Thought you might like this updated rendition and some variations. Rumaki 1 recipe of Asian Sauce (below) 6 chicken livers, halved 6-oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained 6 … Continue reading

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Educate

  “Bigotry is the disease of ignorance of morbid minds.  Education and free discussion are the antidotes.” — Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) 3rd president of the United States; diplomat, architect, and philosopher (in a letter to John Adams on … Continue reading

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Do a Grouch a Favor Day

I think I will simply share a positive thought for “Do a Grouch a Favor Day.”   “I’ve always believed that you can think positive just as well as you can think negative.” — Sugar Ray Robinson (1921-1989) American professional … Continue reading

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National Wisconsin Day

  Wisconsin became the 30th state of the union in 1848. Being shortly before the Civil War, people met in Ripon, Wisconsin to discuss stopping the spread of slavery, resulting in the creation of the Republican Party. The state then … Continue reading

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Happy Valentine’s Day

  “Love is an attempt to change a piece of a dream world into reality.” — Theodor Reik (1888 – 1969) Austrian psychoanalyst

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National Italian Food Day

  We celebrate National Italian Food Day every year on February 13th.         So, perhaps you’ll want a nice Bolognese pasta, because Ragu alle Bolognese is Italy’s national food, made with meat, tomatoes, and tagliatelle pasta.   … Continue reading

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Turn that Frown Upside Down

  “Start off every day with a smile and get it over with.” — W.C. Fields (1880 – 1996) American actor and comedian

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We Need Songbirds

  “The only thing better than singing is more singing.” — Ella Fitzgerald (1917 – 1996) American jazz singer (I was humbled and honored during work at one fundraising event to share a dressing room with the “First Lady of … Continue reading

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Defend Freedom

  “We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. “ — Edward R. Murrow (1908 – 1965) American broadcast journalist and war correspondent  

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National Potato Lovers Month

Potato? What’s not to love?!?         Potato chips, especially homemade, could have their own food group.           Bake them, fry them, mash them, but do include me in the fan club for National … Continue reading

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Thank You, Friends

“A good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.” — Irish proverb I consider myself extraordinarily fortunate. I am blessed with a wealth of good friends. Thank you.

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