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."

Trust

  “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” — William Shakespeare 1564 – 1616) English playwright

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Happiness

  “There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path.” — Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) (Born 564 BC) Founder of Buddhism

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More on Ellis Island

Yesterday I mentioned that Ellis Island had a dark past. Before becoming a major immigration center, it was used for hanging condemned prisoners, pirates, criminals, and mutinous sailors from the early 1800s through 1839. It then served as a Navy … Continue reading

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National Ellis Island Family History Day

If you love ancestry, checking out Ellis Island is a riotous “rabbit hole” to investigate. I had family enter the U.S. there, as did the nearly 40% of American citizens who can trace at least 1 ancestor to Ellis Island. … Continue reading

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National Eggs Benedict Day

Chef Charles Ranhofer is credited with creating Eggs a la Benedict at Delmonico’s Restaurant in Lower Manhattan. He came up with the combination in the 1860s when a regular diner, Mrs. LeGrand Benedict, sought something new on the menu. The … Continue reading

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Take a Wild Guess Day

Celebrate the silly, the scintillating, the serious thinker in all of us! We spend a great deal of time in our lives trying to seek exactly the correct answers. Whether we are guessing how many dandelions are budding in a … Continue reading

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National Look Up to the Sky Day

If the weather cooperates, great! If not, great! On National Look Up to the Sky Day, let’s take a moment to look up and appreciate our world from a different perspective. Look outward… no selfies!   Brilliant blue skies… stunning … Continue reading

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Enthusiasm

“You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars. Enthusiasm is the spark in your eye, the swing in your gait, the grip of your hand, the irresistible surge … Continue reading

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National Colorado Day

April 12th is the date in 1876 that the Centennial State became the 38th to join the Union. The first of the Four Corner States, Colorado is noted for the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, and boasts 53 mountain peaks … Continue reading

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Possibilities

  “In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.” — Janos Arany (1817 – 1882) Hungarian poet

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National Hug Your Dog Day

Whether you own or owned a dog or were ever owned by a dog… or more than one, celebrate this day by hugging your dog… or somebody’s dog… or the memory of your dog. Dogs make us better people. (If … Continue reading

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Happy Easter!

  “Blessed are those who have not seen and have yet believed.” –John 20:29 The Bible  

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Ahhhhhhhhh…. Freshening Up!

“A fresh mind keeps the body fresh. Take in the ideas of the day, drain off those of yesterday. As to the morrow, time enough to consider it when it becomes today.” — Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) English statesman, poet

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National No Housework Day!

  Okay…. Enough said. I shall take this day off! The housework can wait.

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Let Your Inner Artist Out!

  “Every artist was first an amateur.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882) American essayist & philosopher

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Let Freedom Ring!

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” — Dr. Seuss (pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel) (1904 – 1991) American children’s author & cartoonist

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National Burrito Day

Celebrate National Burrito Day by combining your favorites and wrapping them in a flour tortilla. The first photo is hubby Ron back in 2012, enjoying his favorite burrito at a Columbus, North Carolina restaurant, Cocula’s. It’s their gi-hugic Burrito Tejano, … Continue reading

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Spring into Happiness!

For me, magic bursts into view each Spring! The earliest flowers have now given way to dogwoods and rhododendron.   I love seeing the new pink, white, and red colors as I drive up or down our driveway.     … Continue reading

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Originality

When people have praised or celebrated my books, I have often quipped that I doubt I have ever had an original thought! That is not just wit or modesty. I mean it. Who do I think I am to imagine … Continue reading

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Great Combo!

National Grilled Cheese Month meets National Sourdough Bread Day. This is no April Fools Day joke. National Grilled Cheese Month meets National Sourdough Bread Day! Who doesn’t love a great grilled cheese sandwich?!? Enjoy it plain. Add a fried egg and … Continue reading

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No Turtle on the Half Shell, Please

We are digging up deliciousness today as we celebrate both National Clams on the Half-Shell Day AND National Oysters on the Half-Shell Day. Both are recognized on March 31st each year.     When it comes to oysters and clams … Continue reading

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Let Me “Help” You???

Ah… the Gripes of Cath. We all seem to know someone who steps up to help on a project without being asked. Wonderful! However, despite the positive value they may bring to the project, if their assistance seems to come … Continue reading

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It’s Magic!

“Love can sometimes be magic. But magic can sometimes… just be an illusion.” — Javan 4th son of Noah’s son, Japheth   Pull back the curtain, Dorothy! This is National Smoke and Mirrors Day. Appreciating the art and skill of … Continue reading

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National Something on a Stick Day

Now, this could mean anything from a wrapper on a stick of gum to some tree bark. For me, I naturally think food! From breakfast to snacks to dinner, all sorts of yumminess can be yours on a stick.   … Continue reading

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Ability

  “It is a great ability to be able to conceal one’s ability.” — Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC) Roman statesman & philosopher

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Bonfire Magic!

Very little can top an old-fashioned bonfire for a casual celebration with friends! We’ve hosted a few doozies over the years, and last night’s ranks among the sweetest. Gorgeous weather with after-dark temperatures hanging in the low 70s. A massive … Continue reading

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Eyes and Ears Wide Open

  “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” — Dwight Eisenhower 1890 – 1969) American military officer & 34th President of the United States I find myself continually stunned by the confidence and innocence of … Continue reading

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National Cocktail Day

Sooo many cocktail possibilities exist. Plus, you can create your own. Not being a current fan of hard liquor, I do recall some truly fun cocktails. A piña colada on a hot summer day or a frozen strawberry daiquiri or … Continue reading

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This is National Chips and Dip Day!

Sorry, but I did not realize this was not celebrated every day. Chips and Dips anchor nearly every Happy Hour we serve. Some are fancy. Some are sassy. Some are colorful. Some are hot. Some are cold. Some are cheesy. … Continue reading

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Let Love Live Large!

    “It didn’t matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it.” — Peter Buffett (1958 –  ) American musician     Sir Ronald and I feel mightily blessed. We have loving family and … Continue reading

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Take a Bite Out of National Crunchy Taco Day

Soft tacos are fine, but today we celebrate the satisfying crunchy texture and fun of crispy tacos. Choose your fillings to suit your happy little taste buds! Go for traditional beef with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, diced avocados, sour cream, taco … Continue reading

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International Day of Happiness

This is not just one of the thousands of silly holidays on the calendar. On July 12, 2012, a United Nations resolution officially proclaimed March 20th as the International Day of Happiness. The intent was “recognizing the relevance of happiness … Continue reading

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Sometimes You’ve Just Got to Laugh!

  This is one of those days… National Let’s Laugh Day. I like it. Laughter is infectious… in all the right ways! Everyone needs a mood uplift now and then. So, go ahead and share a giggle or a guffaw. … Continue reading

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Character Building

“You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.” — James A. Froude (1818 – 1894) English historian and editor

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Irish Fun Facts

Today is a great day to celebrate Irish fun facts. Ireland is more than whisky, beer, rain, and green hillsides. But, speaking of beer, in 1759 Arthur Guinness signed a lease for the land on which the Guinness Brewery stands. … Continue reading

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Freedom of Information Day

  “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” — James Madison (1751-1836) 4th U.S. President Per the American Library Association, March 16th, the birthday of the 4th President of the United States, is celebrated … Continue reading

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National World Speech Day

“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” — Plato (428-348 BC) Ancient Greek philosopher

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Commonwealth Day in Canada

Annually, the 2nd of March commemorates the Commonwealth of Nations as a show of solidarity and a time to renew vows of international cooperation. Originally called Empire Day, as a nod to the British Empire, this is noted as a … Continue reading

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Recognize National Good Samaritan Day

  The term “Good Samaritan” is derived from the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 of the Bible. Regardless of our circumstances, we all have the ability to choose to fill or not fill this day and all of … Continue reading

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It Takes All Kinds

“Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane, and the pessimist the parachute.” — Gil Stein (1928 – 2022) American lawyer, law instructor, and 1st NHL president

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