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."

National Sundae Day

Sundae makes Fun Day on each and every day you choose. But must “I scream; you scream; we all scream for ice cream” necessitate traditional ice cream in that sundae? I used to think so. But now I’ve been introduced … Continue reading

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The Big Island

Being greeted by a rainbow as we cruised into the harbor, we knew we were in for a great day. And a wonderful new adventure! The Big Island is home to Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano. Simply having to … Continue reading

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Sunrise on Haleakala

Haleakala is a rare and sacred place with an abundance of stories from both ancient and modern Hawaiian times. The seemingly barren volcanic landscape delivers a stark contrast to the sub-tropical rain forest just below the massive crater, which measures … Continue reading

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Election Day

  “It’s time for greatness — not for greed. It’s a time for idealism — not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action.” — Marian Wright Edelman (1939 –  ) Founder, Children’s Defense Fund … Continue reading

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Here Today… Gone to Maui

On our cruise, we got to enjoy 2 days docked at the Kahului Port on the island of Maui, known as The Valley Island. Cruising into the harbor, I could easily see how the warm moisture from the Pacific Ocean … Continue reading

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National Nachos Day

I love nachos of all sorts. A marvelous Mexican chef and restauranteur taught me to make them with a single layer of chips, individually adorned with cheese, sauce, and any other finely diced toppings you need. That is still my … Continue reading

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Yes! Oahu Is Correct!

Sean O’Kane got it right! He recognized the classic spot on the North Shore near the Polynesian Cultural Center. Ron and I spent just a couple of days on Oahu, before boarding a cruise ship. We stayed 3 nights on … Continue reading

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Guess Where We Are!

Yes, it’s an island… a very specific island. Can you name it? (Only true guesses, please. Just email, text, or private message to me if you know because Sir Ronald or I shared the info.) Think now… the visual and … Continue reading

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National Sandwich Day

Most historians agree that the sandwich was “invented” by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, and thus, the name. It is noted that the “problem gambler” did not like leaving his card game for any reason. He asked that … Continue reading

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“Destiny of Determination” Launch Day

Book 2 in my Destiny trilogy officially becomes available today! While both sweet and heart-wrenching, this story is also 100% true. Mom’s friends have been so excited because they know that as this story of her family progresses, this is … Continue reading

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National Fun with Fondue Month

Fondue adds fun to any entertainment plan. It’s versatile and very easy. Anything you like can serve as “dippers.” Try crackers and breads, or meats, seafood, vegetables and fruits. To show you how simple it really is, here’s is an … Continue reading

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Happy Halloween!

With Halloween falling on a Monday this year, a great many parties and celebrations happened Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! For those who cherish this holiday… like a few special friends of mine… nothing could be more perfect. Some embrace … Continue reading

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National Candy Corn Day

This is officially the day to celebrate America’s favorite “vegetable.” Candy corn was yellow, orange, and white to represent the bright colors of corn kernels. Talk about sweeeeet! If you are a fan, you most assuredly have a sweet tooth. … Continue reading

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Good Habits Take Practice

“Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.” — Aristotle (384 – 322 BC) Greek philosopher

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Happiness

“If we cannot live so as to be happy, let us at least live so as to deserve it.” — Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862) American naturalist, poet, and philosopher As written in his Journal on January 21, 1838

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National Popcorn Poppin’ Month

My folks used to say that I could live on hot dogs and popcorn. They were probably right. When I smell popcorn popping, I feel as though I could literally float in its direction, lilting across the space on the … Continue reading

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Just ONE Week to Go!!!

Destiny of Determination: Faith and Family gets released in digital and paperback formats in just one week! This is a very personal story for me, as it continues telling the Armenian side of my family’s story. No worries if you … Continue reading

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National Butter Day

I love butter. No substitutes, please. (In fact, if you read the ingredients on substitutes, you will not likely let them cross the lips of anyone you love.) Real butter on hot popcorn beats movie theatre “buttery topping” every time. … Continue reading

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Sing Your Song!

“I feel like a tiny bird with a big song.” — Helen Keller (1880 – 1968) American author & disability rights activist   Whatever your song may be, and however your voice may sound, sing it loud. Let your life … Continue reading

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Our Good Earth

“If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology.  We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after … Continue reading

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National Nut Day

I am a nut. If we are what we eat, then I am truly nutty. I like them all… pecans, walnuts, cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, pistachios, pepitas, macadamias, hazelnuts, and even the ones, like peanuts, that aren’t really in the … Continue reading

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All Hands On Deck

Looking back at my photos taken for Granddaughter Ada’s 2nd birthday celebration on October 8th, I realize how many busy hands the celebration took. Everyone helped out. Adam and Caiti were constantly in motion, from last-minute touches for the special … Continue reading

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Counting Down to Book 2 Release!!

I feel mightily blessed by all the marvelous early review comments I have been receiving for my upcoming book “Destiny of Determination: Faith and Family.” Author Anthony Avina just posted an interview he did with me on his blog. The … Continue reading

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National Seafood Bisque Day

Even the word “bisque” sounds fancy. Chefs make bisques out of all sorts of ingredients, including fruits, squash, carrots, and tomatoes. However, the original bisque was always seafood based. This is a rich soup and pricy, too. In truth, the … Continue reading

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A New Grandbaby Blessing

At 5:03 this morning, Ayla Wren was born to Caiti and Adam, making us happy Grandparents again. (Her name is pronounced with the long “I” sound for the Ay.) And making Mom a proud Great-Grandmother for the 3rd time! Ayla … Continue reading

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National Pasta Day

Caboodles of noodles! Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes. Virtually every culture has its own variations. The first recorded mention of pasta is credited to Sicily back in 1154. While we can find pasta and noodles all over the … Continue reading

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Fall Cleaning

Spring Cleaning is a standard for many of us. I also do Fall Cleaning. In all the packing and unpacking from season changes and travel adventures, I find I have… yet again… too much collected “stuff.” Fall Cleaning comes with … Continue reading

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National Mushroom Day

Yes, there’s a fungus “amungus.” If you are not a fan of shrooms, simply click delete and move on in your reading. I love mushrooms, stuffed, grilled, sautéed, fried, etc., etc., etc. However, ‘tis Autumn, which in my world signals … Continue reading

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Resist!

  “A desire to resist oppression is implanted in the nature of man.” — Tacitus (Publius Cornelius Tacitus) (58 – 120 AD) Roman historian and politician

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Family Fun to Remember!

We so enjoyed our weekend with family last week as we visited Long Island, New York. Between Adaline’s “Two Groovy” 2nd birthday party to picking out pumpkins, lots of laughter and fun surrounded us. Then, of course, she enjoyed time … Continue reading

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National Pumpkin Pie Day

As Americans prepare for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, a pumpkin pie is frequently on the menu. Pumpkins were first cultivated in Central America around 5500 B.C. and were one of the first foods that European explorers took home from the … Continue reading

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Meeting Challenges

Thank you. Thank you to the thousands of people who are helping others following Hurricane Ian’s destructive chaos. First responders of all types had their hands more than full. National Guardsmen put in long days and weeks. Utility, service, clean … Continue reading

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National Angel Food Cake Day

While we can now buy them ready-made or make cakes from mixes, Mom always made her cakes from scratch. (But, of course!) And she made a lot of them. One of her most in-demand cakes for various birthdays was one … Continue reading

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Two Groovy

That was the theme for Granddaughter Adaline’s 2nd birthday party… or perhaps I should say Toooooo Groovy. We all donned our happy hippy best. (And yes, in my costume bin I did still have a few tidbits from the 1960s … Continue reading

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National Fluffernutter Day

Sooo many wonderful textures and flavors go with peanut butter. In making sandwiches, we may opt for a straight-up toasted peanut butter sandwich (a personal favorite). Or we may choose to slather one slice of bread with a favorite jelly … Continue reading

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National Inner Beauty Day

On this day we pause to recognize what makes someone truly beautiful. It has nothing to do with looks. No make-up will help. It comes with no jealousy, bragging, or conceit. Inner beauty cannot be faked. Inner beauty reflects our … Continue reading

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Action vs. Inaction

“There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” — John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963) 35th President of the United States (Photo by Tim … Continue reading

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National Apple Betty Day

While similar to British apple crisps, Apple Brown Betty is an all-American dessert, the recipe for which was passed down from generation to generation. Unlike an apple crisp, the topping for which typically contains oats,… or an apple cobbler that … Continue reading

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Words and Actions

“Words may show a man’s wit but actions his meaning.” — Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) Founding Father of the United States, inventor, publisher, political philosopher

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National Taco Day

Okay… in all fairness, today is also National Cinnamon Bun Day. However, just thinking about the sugar made my teeth ache, and focusing on the yumminess made me want to eat 2 or 3…. Warm and toasty with a nice … Continue reading

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