Category Archives: Uncategorized

“I love the man that can smile in trouble, gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink. He whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his … Continue reading →

For National Gingerbread Cookie Day I salute Mom Burnham… again. For decades she handmade gingerbread boys and girls for the trick-or-treaters at Halloween, but she often made and froze extras so we could enjoy them through the holiday season, too. … Continue reading →

“When people speak to you about a preventive war, you tell them to go and fight it. After my experience, I have come to hate war. War settles nothing.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 – 1969) 34th US President Supreme … Continue reading →

    “To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.” — George MacDonald (1824 – 1905) Scottish author

  For National Apple Cider Day I offer my Mulled Wassail recipe. Though initially styled for the holiday season in 1980, when standard coffee percolators were still standard, this hot cider punch is also easy to make in a slow … Continue reading →

  “Silence will save me from being wrong (and foolish), but it will also deprive me of the possibility of being right.” — Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1971) Russian composer & conductor

As people and nations hold grudges and wage wars, but I think it’s important to remember what we need in the long term. “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” — Albert Einstein (1879 … Continue reading →

  “True empathy is rooted in humility and the understanding that there are many people with as much to contribute in life as you.” — Anand Mahindra (1955 – ) Indian billionaire businessman

Celebrate National Spicy Guacamole Day with your favorite level of spiciness… mild, medium, hot, or crazy-off-the-charts. A Second Helping , book 2 in my Dockside Dining trio of recipes that are easy to prepare with very little effort or kitchen equipment, … Continue reading →

  “Assumptions are the termites of relationships.” — Henry Winkler (1945 – ) American actor

  “The trust of the innocent is the liar’s most useful tool.” — Stephen King (1947 – ) American horror author

“Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.” — Robert H. Schuller (1926-2015) American Christian pastor & author  

Originated by the Mount Horeb Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin, the first Saturday of August is National Mustard Day, when we celebrate one of America’s favorite condiments.     Serve it up on your hot dogs or with pretzels… or … Continue reading →

  “A strong mind always hopes and always has cause to hope.” — Polybius (c200 – c118 BC) Greek historian of middle Hellenistic period

Heaven’s choir just added another angel. One of our extraordinarily talented friends, Elizabeth Carpenter, has gone to be with our heavenly Father. All I know now is that her passing was natural and sudden. Her voice and caring heart will … Continue reading →

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 →

“Youth is not entirely a time of life; it is a state of mind.  Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years.  People grow old by deserting their ideals.  You are as young as your faith, as old … Continue reading →

  “The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.” — Joseph Joubert (1754 – 1824) French moralist & essayist

“There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.” — Siddhartha Gautama aka Buddha (480-400 BC) Founder of Buddhism

What makes you happy may or may not be quite different from what makes me happy. All good. Choose happy, even when it’s not guaranteed. Let something happy happen for you… and let it be contagious. #happy

“This is your Monday morning reminder that you can handle whatever this week throws at you.” — Unknown

August 12 is National Middle Child Day. Middle children may not get as much attention as first-borns or as the youngest babies of a brood. But we usually try harder!

Please include everyone in Hawaii in your prayers. “We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, and an act of kindness.” — Mary Davis (1954 – ) CEO, Special … Continue reading →

August 10 is National Shapewear Day. Honestly? Seriously. Okay… I am skipping the Shapewear because I am in shape. Don’t hate me. Round is a shape.

In the US we celebrate National Pizza Day on February 9th each year. However, in Brazil, National Pizza Day is celebrated annually on July 10th. Sao Paulo is considered Brazil’s pizza capital because of its large Italian population. Sooooo…. We … Continue reading →

  “I was never less alone than when by myself.” — Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) English essayist, historian, and politician

I love crabmeat… in the shells or out! Serve it up, and I’ll chomp it down! A long-time favorite of mine is the Crab Cake. However, I prefer to make them without tons of breading or other fillers. Crab and … Continue reading →

“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.” – Arabian Proverb

This day celebrates a fluffy German spice cookie that’s filled with ground nuts and spices and then covered in confectioners’ sugar. The word “pfeffernusse” translates as “pepper nut.” One belief holds that this day started as part of the feast … Continue reading →

Our table was blissfully filled with a dozen fabulous friends. Feasting and frivolity were the order of the day. I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving.