Photo by Sergey Semin
A year ago, I focused on talking like a pirate, but this year I choose to recognize National Mew Like a Pirate Day…. Since pirates are rarely seen without a cat.
And here’s the cat’s meow… Why don’t pirates shower before they walk the plank? Because they’ll just wash up later on shore. Awww… you must be kitten me.
Oh, and do you know what color the pirate’s cat likes to wear? Purrrple, of course. Okay, I admit it… I once was a pirate, but they kicked meowt.
“When two elephants fight it is the grass that gets trampled.”
— African proverb
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
— Mark Twain (1835-1910)
(pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
19th Century American author and humorist
Photo by Daniela Dimitrova
This must be some sort of oxymoron. Anyone who has ever parented knows that whether or not you have an extra job outside of the home, you are always working. The days are long gone when most moms stayed at home. Now parents work… at home and elsewhere. The parenting job is full-time. It’s called responsibility. So today we salute all working parents… as if there was some other kind. Try to be focused on being good to yourself in whatever moments of calmness come your way. You do need to recharge your own batteries, too.
“The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day.”
— O.A. Battista (1917 – 1995)
Canadian chemist & author
Not to be confused with a grilled cheese sandwich, cheese toast is a single slice of bread… topped with cheese and then baked or broiled to unleash the cheese’s melty mahhhhhvelousness. Mom introduced me to this back in the 1950’s. Her favorite method is still mine today.
Cheese Toast
Bread slice
¼“ thick slices of muenster cheese (or some other melty delight)
Arrange cheese on the bread slice in single layer. Place in oven preheated to broil, 5-6” from the heat source for 1-2 minutes till melty and bubbly. Serve immediately.
KISS Tips: Yes, you can add all sorts of wonderful goodies under or over the cheese. Try thinly sliced bell peppers and/or tomatoes, for example. Or tomatoes. Or ham. Or chicken. Or a favorite, funky sauce. Or a sprinkle of herbs. Or… simply enjoy it au natural. Serve on its own, or as a side with soup or salad.
Ahhhhh… donuts. Sweet decadence and zero health value. We know. We know. Now let’s fill that flash fried wonder with a cream or creamy custard.
Take it plain or frosted. My fave is the good ole’ Boston Crème Donut. Yummmmmmm.
#donut
#cremefilleddonut
I believe we choose to be that “glass half empty” or “glass half full” sort of person. Even someone who seems to live in the midst of a whirling dervish of woes gets to be in charge of their attitude, approach to live, and expressions. We can choose to bitch and moan… or we can choose not to do so. Even if we’ve had one rather hideously negative moment, hour, day, week, or year, each day delivers a new opportunity to express better. Let’s go ahead and turn the page. Focus on what we can personally do more positively and avoid criticizing others’ behavior or getting sucked into someone else’s pity party. Say a little prayer (or a big prayer), tie a knot, and hang on tight! I am totally positive that we can do this!
“In order to carry a positive action, we must develop a positive vision.”
— Sonam Gyatso (1543 – 1586)
3rd Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader
“There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.”
— Siddhartha Gautama aka Buddha (480-400 BC)
Founder of Buddhism
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
— Confucius (551 – 479 BC)
Chinese philosopher
Make them all real or no deal. For me, that means no substitute or fat-free fillers, and they’ve gotta be natural casing franks for this chick. My all-time faves are Schonland’s (now owned & packaged by Kayem).
As a child, I’d slice hotdogs on pizza, or load them into macaroni and cheese or adorn almost any soup. Heck, I’d even eat them raw. It was no wonder that my parents dubbed me The Hotdog Kid.
Grill it, roast it, boil it, steam it; make it any which way you like. Land your dog in a bun and serve it au natural or adorn it with mustard, relish, onions, cheese, chili, or whatever else floats your boat. Since serving a summer college internship in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1974, I have been hooked on a topping combo of Dijon or country-style mustard and plenty of crispy, dry-fried onions. Ooooh-la-lah!!!
Wiener Schnitzel is a treasured Austrian dish, which translates to Viennese cutlets. Believe it or not, by law the cutlets must be veal. Yes… you can turn pork and chick cutlets into schnitzel, too. Today, we’ll make the real deal.
Super Simple Wiener Schnitzel
4 (4-6 oz) veal cutlets, pounded to ¼“ thick
¼ c flour (plain or brown rice), seasoned with ½ – ¾ tsp salt
2 lg or x-lg eggs, well-beaten
½ – ¾ c breadcrumbs (fine, panko style, or combo)
High smoke-point oil for frying (ie. grapeseed, peanut, canola or lard)
4 lemon wedges, for garnish
Dredge 1 cutlet at a time in flour, dip in egg, and lightly toss in crumbs (without pressing them in). Immediately place in oil preheated to 350°F in large, heavy skillet for 2-3 min per side; drain briefly on paper towels, garnish and serve immediately.
KISS Tips: For extra flavor, fry entirely in butter… or add 2 T to oil after turning cutlets over. You can also give the schnitzel treatment to other proteins, such as pork, chicken, turkey, venison, or wild boar. Serve with salad, a green veggie, or noodles on the side.
Of all the love stories in the world…
…ours will always be my favorite.
Happy 22nd Anniversary to Sir Ronald!
One of my Grandmother Gulumian’s favorite veggies to cook was acorn squash. She’d halve them, roast them, and then fill them with mixed veggies in a creamy alfredo sauce. Here’s my favorite recipe twist.
Cranberry Apple Acorn Squash
2 small acorn squash, quartered, seeds removed
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
1½ c fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
1 cup diced apple or pear
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 T butter, melted
1 tsp grated orange peel
Place squash, cut sides up in lightly greased baking dish; brush cut edges with olive oil; season with salt & pepper. Cover with foil & bake 30 min at 350°F. Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients. Spoon stuffing into baked squash wedges; cover with foil & bake 20 more minutes. Makes 8 slices.
KISS Tips: This is also yummy with the addition of chopped nuts. If you prefer 4 larger servings, simply halve the squash.
On National Read a Book Day, choose something informative, uplifting, or engaging. Make it serious or silly. Turn the pages with care or adjust the audiobook level to suit you. Pick any book you’d like… Naturally, I’d love it if you choose one of my 20+ titles. The conclusion to my historical fiction Destiny trilogy will be released late this Fall, but now would be a good time to catch up with “Destiny of Dreams: Time Is Dear” or “Destiny of Determination: Faith & Family.” Just hinting.
I love pizza… and always with cheese. Okay… not often with JUST cheese. But add some buffalo mozzarella slices, and ooh-la-la!
“Patience is also a form of action.”
— Auguste Rodin (1840-1917)
French sculptor
“A thought is often original, though you have uttered it a hundred times.”
— Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809 – 1894)
American physician, poet & polymath
“The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table” (1858)
I guess I truly do not care how many days of the year get dedicated to the love of bacon. I am there! In celebration of several food favorites, I offer you:
Bacon Cheddar Popcorn.
4-6 slices bacon, regular or maple, fried & crumbled; 3-4 T drippings reserved
½ c popcorn kernels
¼ lb finely shredded or grated white or yellow cheddar cheese
Salt & pepper
Pop the corn in the reserved bacon drippings. While hot, toss quickly with cheese. Season with salt & pepper to suit your taste & sprinkle bacon over it. Munch madness is yours!
KISS Tips:
You can spread already popped corn (or even white cheddar popcorn) in a single layer on a parchment-lined, sided baking sheet. Sprinkle with cheese, seasonings, and bacon; bake 5-6 min at 300°F. For variety, try different seasonings, such as mixed Italian or a favorite BBQ rub. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions or chives, if desired.
September 1 launches Better Breakfast Month. Start your day with foods that will keep you going strong. Choose waffles, pancakes, or French toast, fruits and yogurt, or leftover pizza (a personal fave).
Or go for an omelet, frittata, quiche, or benedict.
Side grains range from cereal and toast to fresh, hot croissants.
And we love to add something meaty on the side, from steak or ham to sausage and bacon.
“Courage without conscience is a wild beast.”
— Robert Green Ingersoll, (1833 – 1899)
American lawyer, Civil War veteran, orator, and abolitionist
As with many of us, I enjoyed toasting marshmallows over the coals of a campfire.
We can also celebrate National Toasted Marshmallow Day with a smore… the traditional graham cracker- chocolate bar-marshmallow sandwich or any variation, like the ones with peanut butter cups. Enjoy s’more!
Super Simple Smores
I enjoyed toasting marshmallows around a campfire as a child and making these sweet treats. But when we hosted a truly massive bonfire as adults, I needed a twist that could let everyone stand back from the roaring bonfire. Success!!
Graham crackers, snapped in half to form squares
Pieces of milk chocolate pieces (broken snack sizes work fine)
Large, round marshmallows, snipped in half horizontally into 2 rounds
Lay Graham crackers in single layer on foil-lined baking sheet. Top each with 2-3 mini pieces of chocolate, followed by marshmallows (2 halves per cracker square). Bake (or cook in a closed grill) at 400°F for 3-5 minutes. Serve warm!
Chop Suey epitomizes American Chinese cuisine. Both Chop Suey and Chow Mein are stir-fry dishes. Chow Mein is an authentic Chinese dish, while Chop Suey is totally Americanized. In preparing Chow Mein we typically mix the stir-fried ingredients in with our noodles (or rice), but Chop Suey is served on its own or with rice, perhaps, on the side. So, as today is National Chop Suey Day, feel free to use leftover or fresh proteins and any assortment of veggies that you would like.
Super Simple Chop Suey
Serve over or with rice, if desired.
Marinade: 1 T each: tamari (soy sauce) & oyster sauce
1 tsp salt & ¼ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp cornstarch
Sauce: ¼ c each: tamari (soy sauce) & water
2 T each: oyster sauce & rice vinegar
1 T toasted sesame oil
1 tsp monkfruit (or other sweetener)
1 T cornstarch
Stir-Fry:
2-3 T canola, peanut, sunflower or other high smoke point oil (or as needed)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 lb protein: pork, beef, chicken, or combo cut in thin strips
2-3 c crisp raw veggies, such as sliced sweet onion, sliced/chopped cabbage, diagonally-sliced celery, sliced carrots
2-3 c softer raw veggies, such as thinly sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced zucchini, thinly sliced red bell pepper
1-2 c specialty veggies, such as sliced (or whole) baby corn, sliced water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, trimmed snow pea pods
Garnishes:
Thinly sliced chives
Crispy fried Chow Mein noodles
Whisk together marinade ingredients and pour over sliced protein in large, zip-top plastic bag. Let sit for 10-15 min, turning the bag over once. Meanwhile, whisk together sauce ingredients and set aside. Heat 2 T oil over med-high to high heat (450°) in wok or large skillet; stir-fry meat just till barely done. Remove from pan and cover to keep warm. Adding a bit more oil as needed, stir-fry crisp veggies 2-3 min; add softer veggies and stir-fry 2-3 more minutes. Then add specialty veggies and stir-fry 1-2 min, before returning the protein to the pan. Add the sauce and stir for 1-2 minutes to thicken and coat ingredients. Serve hot with or over rice, garnished as you prefer.
“Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”
— Mark Twain (1835-1910)
American author and humorist; pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens
“Wise men don’t need advice. Fools won’t take it.”
— Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790)
Founding Father of the United States, inventor, publisher, political philosopher
“When farewells make us sad, try to remember that farewells are necessary before we can meet again.”
— Cathy Burnham Martin
Author & dedicated foodie
We can all get a bit curmudgeon-like from time to time. Well, here it is… an official day to live and let go. Let’s release whatever negative we may be feeling… resentments, grudges, or anger. Whether accepted or not, we can try to make a gesture to reconcile. Kiss and make up.
“It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter lies in the depth, where few are willing to search for it.”
— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832)
German poet, dramatist
1996 send-off for Miss NH 1996 Michelle Tolson
Honored to have been included in the new “Where Are They Now” series on “Forever Miss NHs,” launched by our 2023 Miss New Hampshire, Brooke Mills. For decades, I have watched the young women grow more beautiful, smart, talented, and community-involved. I am humbled to be considered one of their “Forevers.” Thank you, Brooke!
With Belinda (Bridgeman) Freeman and Miss NH 1995 Stephanie Foisy Mills Ryan in Atlantic City, during Stephanie’s Miss America Pageant week.
The RePost:
!!! Welcome to a new series of “Where are they now?” with our Forever #MissNH’s !!!
Where are they now?
Cathy Burnham Martin, 1975
May 9, 1975 At Miss NH pageant reception celebrating my 21st birthday
As a student at New Hampshire College, I planned to enter their local competition. Because I was nervous to do my first local pageant in front of my college chums, I entered the Miss Manchester Pageant as a warm-up, and won!
August, 1975 – hosting other New England titlists at Volvo International Tennis Tournament dinner
Talent: I was thrilled to win the Talent award at the 1975 Miss New Hampshire Pageant. As a stage actress, I chose comedy for my talent and performed Queen Lucy from the Broadway musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” I recall being concerned that I might run over the time allowed, as there was a lot of laughter throughout, but I was thrilled to see the sponsor Union Leader’s publisher William Loeb laughing so hard he was holding his belly!
September, 1975 competing in Miss America evening wear competition
Favorite Memory: 1975-76 were packed with an abundance of awesome memories. Some are funny, some are poignant, and all are cherished. The experience taught me a great many skills, including public speaking. (Someone, somewhere believed that if you put a crown on someone’s head, she could speak easily in public… so I learned.)
September, 1975 – Atlantic City midnight celebration following Miss America Pageant
My craziest lesson in speaking came while commentating a girl scout fashion show. Not one of the young models would even enter the stage until AFTER I finished reading the one and only line written about them on the little 3×5 cards that I had been given. Sooooo, I quickly learned to ad-lib throughout the entire program. Great lesson and fond memory.
July 4 1975 parade appearance
Favorite Sponsor/Gift: The jazzy Fiat X19 from Sexton Motors in Nashua was a phenomenal gift, as I am certain every other Miss New Hampshire feels about the car that is provided for the year. And wardrobe gifts also provided great confidence and added to many memories.
After emceeing 1992 Miss NH Pageant, with the beautiful winner, Rachel Petz
But I think one item stands out as particularly special because I have owned it for decades. From a store that no longer exists in New Hampshire I was gifted a stunning Lane Hope Chest. The idea of a hope chest may seem antiquated in this day in time, but it was a superbly high-quality piece of furniture. Inside, a young woman would collect items for when she got married. These might include trousseau articles or goodies she was making for her future home.
With my 1975 Miss America Pageant sisters at our 20th reunion in Atlantic City
What are you doing now? After retiring from an eclectic career path that wove through broadcast journalism, marketing, bank organizing, and telecommunications, I chose writing as my retirement career. With over 20 published books now, genres range from cookbooks and nonfiction to comedy and fiction.
Backstage at the 1995 Miss NH Pageant with reigning Miss America Kimberly Aiken and my fabulous Mom Glenna Burnham, an annual, beloved hostess for the State contestants
My latest endeavor has been into historical fiction, and the third part of the “Destiny” trilogy will be released late this Fall, concluding a story that tells the hauntingly meaningful tale of the Armenian side of my family. I also try to post something positive daily to my www.GoodLiving123.com website and on social media.
Anything else?
I gleaned the title of one of my non-fiction works while covering the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City back in the 1990s. I was beside the famed Convention Hall runway with my videographer and heard a couple of guys quipping about the contestants who were on stage rehearsing. “What a bunch of bimbos,” the man beside me laughingly said. “Yeah,” I butted in. “But these bimbos have brains.”
“Huh?” They looked confused. I couldn’t help myself, so I replied, “They are smart, poised, talented, and expected to answer impromptu political, environmental, and life-changing questions in front of 25,000 people… questions that baffle even world leaders.” My later non-fiction life lessons book focusing on relationships got gleefully named The Bimbo Has Brains… and Other Freaky Facts. (Yes, indeed… available in paperback, digital, and Audiobook formats.)
“The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes rather than with their minds.”
— Will Durant (1885 – 1981)
American historian & philosopher
“The more you venture to live greatly, the more you will find within you what it takes to get on top of things and stay there.”
— Norman Vincent Peal (1898 – 1993)
American clergyman & author
(in his book The Power of Positive Thinking)
Annually, on August 20th, we celebrate National Bacon Lovers Day. If you are a fan… and you know who you are… this day invites us to indulge in all things bacon.
Perhaps you’ll add a peppery slice to your Bloody Mary cocktail. (Adding a lobster tail or jumbo shrimp is nice, too!)
Or cook up a sandwich-sized bacon weave to fully top your next burger or BLT. Serve up your eggs with bacon. Add crumbled bacon to your macaroni & cheese, salad, chili, or any other dish. I love bacon. Every time I cook bacon, I tend to prep 3-4 pounds at a time. There are ALWAYS great uses! And it freezes great, so I get a lot of bacon but only make the mess once.
Lately, a favorite request when we attend events, is to bring my Sassified Bacon Jam Dip, served over BBQ Roasted Cream Cheese. (The jam freezes well, but I do not prefer the texture of frozen/thawed cream cheese. However, I have never had any leftovers to consider!)
1 lb bacon, fried, but not crisp (drained on paper towels); drippings reserved; bacon chopped
8-oz block cream cheese
Your favorite dry BBQ seasoning
2 lg sweet onions, thinly sliced
¼ – 1/3 c golden monkfruit (or brown sugar)
3 T balsamic vinegar
½ c favorite bottled sweet Thai chili sauce
Open foil wrap around cream cheese and brush top and sides with bacon drippings; sprinkle heavily with BBQ seasoning. Then flip, top-side-down into oven- or grill-safe pan. Score top ½“ deep into ½ – ¾“ diamonds. 
Then brush with bacon drippings and sprinkle with BBQ seasonings. Bake in 275°F oven (or closed grill) for 45 min. Meanwhile, in some of remaining bacon drippings, cook onions over med-low heat to med heat for 10-12 min, stirring several times. Stir in sugar, vinegar, and chili sauce. Then stir in bacon. Mound over the hot, roasted cheese block and drizzle with more sauce, if desired. Serve hot with buttery crackers or scoop-style chips.
KISS Tips: No time to roast the cheese? No problem. Simply serve the bacon jam as a dip surrounded by buttery crackers, like Ritz. Or try stirring softened cheese and jam together, warm in microwave, stirring a couple of times so it all melts together. Make Go for Cheesier Bacon Jam Dip by creaming together ½ c mayonnaise, softened 8-oz cream cheese, and stir in 2 c shredded cheddar cheese and 2 thinly sliced green onions. Then stir in bacon and caramelized onions. Pack into a baking dish & drizzle with additional sauce and a sprinkling of crumbled Ritz crackers before baking 15 minutes at 350°.
August 19th is World Photography Day. 2023’s theme is Understanding Clouds. Well, that could fill volumes… er, uh… voluminous.
Whether they bring screeching sunsets, welcome shade, various shapes for cloud gazing, storms, or delightful whisps, I love taking photos of clouds from the ground, air, or water. Share yours, too!
#World Photography Day, #Clouds
” If your morals make you dreary, depend on it, they are wrong.”
— Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 – 1894)
Scottish novelist
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
— Mae West (1893 – 1980)
American actress
Wheeeeee!
Popular in the US since the 1920s, we all likely recall our first roller coaster rides. That slow climb up the first large hill led to the crazy exhilaration of flying through the remaining loopity-loops to the final slide back home.
The first roller coaster was made of wood and icy ramps in Russia in the 1500s. By the 1700s, the Russians had added wheels on carts. The 1900s brought on the Golden Age of roller coasters until they fell out of popularity in the Great Depression. Disneyland brought back their soaring popularity with its Matterhorn ride shortly after the California park opened.
Today’s thrill seekers will find all sorts of new technological craziness. Not your thing? Well, you can always try a never-leave-the-ground virtual reality roller coaster, offering all the thrill with total safety.
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
On this day in history…
1961… Construction began on the Berlin Wall
1960… First 2-way telephonic conversation took place via satellite
1918… First woman enlisted in the Marines
Birthdays today?
1926 Fidel Castro
1899 Alfred Hitchcock
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 Olympics