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 boxer

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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 became an important part of the Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves reach freedom in Canada.

 

Wisconsin’s prairie soil is very fertile, boosting corn, the state’s #1 crop. The Sun Prairie’s sweet corn festival is one of the largest of its kind in the nation.

 

 

The Badger State is so famous for its cheese that it has a cheese museum. In truth, the Swiss Cheese Capitol of the World is in Wisconsin, rather than in Switzerland. The term “cheesehead” started as a term used by German soldiers to insult the Dutch during World War II, long before Green Bay Packers’ fans adopted it. Famous for its dairy products, Wisconsin banned the sale and use of margarine from 1895 to 1967. It remains illegal for a restaurant to serve margarine as a butter substitute unless a customer requests it.

 

The name Wisconsin hails from a Native American word “meskonsing,” meaning “this stream meanders through something red,” likely referring to the state’s reddish sandstone. Eleven Native American tribes still live in Wisconsin today.

 

 

With a current population nearing 6 million people, the state is noted for its forests and fertile farmland.

 

 

 

 

Neighboring Minnesota is called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but Wisconsin has more than 15,000, all created during the last Ice Age some 12,000 years ago when glaciers scraped across the land.

 

 

 

 

 

Glaciers carved a sandstone gorge called the Dells of the Wisconsin River, along with flattop hills called buttes and mesas.

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin is also home to a major archaeological find: 14,500-year-old mammoth bones with human-made tool marks.

 

 

 

Here are a few more fun facts.

 

Nearly 21 million gallons of ice cream are consumed by Wisconsinites each year.

Green Bay, the oldest city in Wisconsin, is known as the “Toilet Paper Capital” of the world.

 

 

Sheboygan, which freshwater surfers know as the “Malibu of the Midwest” is also known as the “Bratwurst Capital” of the world.

 

 

The Fox River is one of the few rivers in the nation that flows north.

More than 800,000 deer roam Wisconsin woods.

With 250 miles of lake front shoreline, Door County has more shoreline than any other U.S. county.

 

 

A long list of famous folks hail from Wisconsin, including magician Harry Houdini, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, actor Orson Wells, and performer Liberace.

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin contains 60,570 acres of State parks and 471,329 acres of State forests.

Its highest elevation is Timms Hill at 1,951.5 feet.

 

 

 

The town of Warrens has 400 residents but draws 100,000 visitors each September for the world’s largest cranberry festival. Wisconsin produces 60% of the nation’s cranberries.

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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.

 

 

 

But the most popular food in Italy is pizza. In 1889, when Queen Margherita of Savoy visited the city of Naples, the now famous pizza Margherita was born.

 

 

 

Representing the colors of the Italian flag, it features tomato sauce, hefty chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves.

 

 

 

(Okay, I admit that before I toss one on the grill, I tend to add some pepperoni.)

 

 

 

On one of our Italian cruises with friends Dr. Jeremy and Beverly Moody, Sir Ronald and Dr. J learned to toss pizza dough. Glad we were on the top deck, as Sir Ronald was shooting for the moon!

 

 

We have also enjoyed pizza Margherita at Campiello’s on 3rd Avenue in Naples, FL. They cut the basil in strips and add shredded Parmesan. But, ahhhhh, it’s a treat to enjoy with a glass of wine at an outside table on National Italian Food Day or any other!

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Turn that Frown Upside Down

Image by Ryan McGuire

 

“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 Song.” She was most gracious.)

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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 Potato Lovers Month.

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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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Laughter Is Always

 

“Laughter is the closest distance between two people.”

— Victor Borge (1909 – 2000)
Danish-American comedian & pianist

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Snack Attack!

Celebrate National Snack Food Month with something salty and delicious. For me, while serving up fresh crostini with some Tomatoes Roma, I included nibbles on the side thanks to our friend, Marti Williams, who introduced us to these addictive little gems. We’re glad she did!

 

 

And I LOVE her tip to choose thin “styx” type pretzels or square waffle ones or mini pretzel twists… whatever sort provides the most surface area to hold all the yummy seasonings. Thanks, Marti!

 

 

 

Marti’s Marvelous Pretzels
¾ – 1 c vegetable oil (or canola or olive or a combo)
1 pkg (1-oz) dry ranch dressing mix (2 T)
½ tsp dry dill weed (or more, as you prefer)
¼ tsp lemon pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper, optional
1 lb pretzels (1 or combo of 2 types)

 

Whisk all ingredients except the pretzels together in a bowl. Pour over pretzels in a very large, heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag, turning to coat the pretzels thoroughly. Turn the bag again and again, several times for 5 hours. (During this time, you may add more dry ranch dressing and dill as desired.) Store airtight at room temperature, but do not expect them to last long. (I can’t figure it out; they seem to simply evaporate.)

 

 

KISS Tips:  Marti told me that she often uses a big 2.5-gallon-sized bag and makes 2 lbs of pretzels at a time. You can also let them marinate 1 hour, turning occasionally; then spread on baking sheets and bake at 250°F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Let them cool completely before serving.

And in my usual, “I-Can’t-Help-Myself Style,” here are some fun twists: Add ¼ tsp lemon pepper and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Or turn them into Buffalo-Style Pretzels by replacing dill weed with 1-2 tsp celery seed; use ¼ c oil, ¼ c melted butter, and ½ c Frank’s Red-Hot Sauce. (These are great baked; and served with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.) Or try Onion Pretzels by replacing the dry ranch, dill, lemon, and cayenne with dry onion soup mix.

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Let Adversity Build Your Strength

Photo by Max LaRochelle

 

 

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

— Colonel Sir Claude McDonald (1852 – 1915)
British soldier and diplomat

 

 

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Practice Hope

“Practice hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit, you can achieve a permanently happy spirit.”

Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993)
American clergyman and author
(Quote is from “Positive Thinking Every Day.”)

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Ice Cream for Breakfast

We celebrate Ice Cream for Breakfast Day with ice cream straight up or served on waffles. Make it your favorite ice cream flavor or flavors… or go for bacon ice cream to feel more “traditional” at breakfast time.

 

I do not know who comes up with some of these crazy days of celebration. However, I do presume they are sitting around drinking some adult beverages… or eating ice cream for breakfast. So… when should we gather next to eat some ice cream for breakfast? Er, uh… I mean develop some MORE crazy days to celebrate our human silliness?

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Have a Hot Breakfast

 

We’re celebrating National Hot Breakfast Month during February. Fresh, warm muffins… eggs and bacon… hot cereal with raisins or berries and brown sugar… pancakes or waffles with warmed 100% pure maple syrup. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. In the hot breakfast spirit, I share my recipe for a basic Spinach Mushroom Omelet.

 

 

Spinach Mushroom Omelet
This makes 2 omelets; size it up or down as you wish.

Butter and/or olive oil
4 lg or x-lg eggs, beaten with 1 T water & seasoned with salt & pepper
½ – ¾ c Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Swiss, or Muenster cheese (or combo), shredded
1 c (packed) fresh baby spinach (tough stems removed)
½ c chopped sweet onion & 2 T diced sweet red pepper; microwaved 2 min
½ – 1 c sliced mushrooms, sautéed 2 min; seasoned with thyme

Preheat griddle or skillet over med heat. Add 2 T butter and/or oil or combo. Pour in half the egg mixture (if using single skillet) or all of it in two sections (if making both omelets at the same time). Lift edges to allow extra liquid to run under the omelet. Sprinkle the cheese over the entire top surface; divide spinach leaves over the cheese, followed by sprinkle the onions, peppers, and mushrooms. When the eggs are just about set (2-3 min), fold both outer edges of the egg toward the center, forming your omelet. Transfer to warmed plates and serve with your choice of meats, toasts, breakfast potatoes, and fresh berries or fruit.

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Optimist Day

When it comes to name calling, call me an optimist each and every day of the week, for I’d much rather be called an optimist than a pessimist. So, do I see the glass as half full or half empty. Duh. But either way, there’s room for more wine!

P.S. Please serve my pinot grigio on plenty of ice.

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Perspective

“Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.”

— Dandamis
Brahmin philosopher 4th Century BC

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National Croissant Day

 

I was first introduced to croissants while on a college internship in Copenhagen, Denmark. Each morning, as I traversed the walking street near my destination, I learned to stop in at a pastry shop.

 

 

 

 

What started as one croissant in the morning, turned into two. I mean, that light crispy wonderful exterior and whispery flakiness inside required a double! Often it became one topped with sliced almonds and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar and filled with a delightful almond filling.

 

 

 

And it became increasingly difficult to resist a plain one… filled with melty chocolate bits.

 

 

 

 

If I was choosing a breakfast sandwich, that deserved a plain croissant, which was stuffed with a BLT and sometimes cheese or even a fried egg. Ahhhh… enjoy National Croissant Day.

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Things that make us say, “Hmmmm.”

 

This aphorism would be seven words long if it were six words shorter.

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Ahhh… to Seek Wisdom

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.”

— Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)
British philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate

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International Holocaust Remembrance Day

 

January 27 is the day established by the United Nations in 2005 for all nations to remember the Holocaust committed by the Nazis.

 

 

 

From 1933 and 1945 they eliminated 6-million Jews, two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population and countless others. Just as the Ottomans chose to settle their “Armenian question” in 1915, the Nazis attempted to implement their “final solution” to their “Jewish question.”

 

 

 

 

 

January 27 was chosen as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day as this was the date on which the Red Army liberated the concentration camp at Auschwitz in 1945.

 

 

 

 

 

And yet, chaos continues throughout the world. We humans are dreadfully slow to evolve.

 

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Good for YOU!

 

“Aim above morality.  Be not simply good, be good for something.”

— Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)
American naturalist, philosopher, and writer

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National Florida Day

The Sunshine State became a US Territory in 1921, after falling under colonial rule by France, Spain, and Great Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries. Florida became our nation’s 27th state in 1845. Of course, Native Americans were living there for at least 12,000 years prior being named “La Florida” (meaning “land of flowers”) by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. Florida is home to the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the country, since St. Augustine was settled by Spaniards in 1565.

Averaging 300 days of sunshine each year, Florida is famous for warm, sunny weather and beautiful landscapes, average temperatures range from 65-70°F in the northern region and 74-77°F in the southern region. With its 825 miles of publicly accessible beaches, Florida also has the longest coastline in the continental US and is the only state bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. When you are in Florida, you are never more than 60 miles from the ocean, and there are more than 7,700 lakes.

 

Florida has 47,300 commercial farms and ranches, totaling 9.5 million acres. The state ranks #1 for fresh market tomatoes, cucumbers, snap beans, watermelon, grapefruit, sugar cane, and oranges.  Producing 75% of the nation’s oranges, Florida also produces 40% of the world’s orange juice supply.

 

Only Texas and California have larger populations, and approximately 1,218 people move to Florida every day, adding to the 22-million people already living there. Florida is a melting pot with Native American, Hispanic, African, and European influences among those represented in the State’s architecture, cuisine, and culture.

 

 

 

A number of “firsts” can be claimed by Florida. For example, on January 1, 1914, the world’s first scheduled passenger flight occurred, as the plane flew from St. Petersburg to Tampa. NASA also launched its first communications satellite from Florida as Echo 1 launched from Cape Canaveral on August 12, 1960. Benjamin Green, a Miami pharmacist, invented the first suntan lotion.

Key West is the southernmost point in the continental US. Protesting the traffic jams caused by a US Border Patrol checkpoint on the only road to the mainland, the mayor of Key West and a number of businessmen declared the Florida Keys independent in 1982, under the name “The Conch Republic.” (You can still get a Conch Republic passport to the tongue-in-cheek micro-nation, and the Conch Republic flag still flies throughout Key West.)

 

Thanks to Walt Disney’s early vision, Orlando has become the country’s amusement park capital. No other amusement park destination gets as many visitors. In fact, Disney’s Magic Kingdom is the 8th most popular tourist destination in the world, right behind New York’s Times Square, the Las Vegas Strip, and Niagara Falls.

 

 

Greater Miami is the nation’s only metropolitan area with two national parks… Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. The Florida Everglades mark the only place on the planet where crocodiles and alligators co-exist.

 

Funky Florida facts:

  • No dinosaur fossils have ever been found in Florida.
  • Florida is the 29th most obese state.
  • Florida is the flattest state.
  • At 345 feet, Florida’s highest point (Britton Hills) is the lowest highest point of any US state, lower than many of Miami’s skyscrapers.
  • Florida hosts more golf courses than anywhere else in the US… more than 1300.
  • Gatorade was named after the University of Florida’s Gators football team, for which the drink was first developed.
  • The Florida driving test no longer requires parallel parking, but you must demonstrate that you can park your car straight and centered in a parking spot… and show that you can use your turn signal 100’ before you turn… and demonstrate the ability to fully stop at a stop sign before safely proceeding into an intersection… and be able to turn your car around in a 30 to 40-foot space.
  • Among the peculiar laws you will find that it is illegal to skateboard in Florida without a license, illegal to sing while wearing a swimsuit in public, and illegal for an unmarried woman to skydive on Sundays. Of course, oral sex is also illegal in Florida, and it’s illegal in Miami Beach to bring a pig with them to the beach. You can also face up to 30 days in jail for selling oranges on the sidewalk.
  • And last, but not least… The famed honky-tonk Flora-Bama Beach Bar, which sits on the state line between Florida and Alabama, hosts thousands of Floridians once a year for its annual Mullet Toss, during which thousands of Floridians stand at the state line and toss dead fish into Alabama. (Hmmm… I am sure there is no beer drinking involved.)
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And the Sun Rises on a New Day

 

“There won’t be a better tomorrow if you can’t move on from today.”

— Unknown

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Rah! Rah! Rhubarb!

Though this is National Rhubarb Pie Day, we’ll have to use frozen rhubarb, because Spring is still way off in most parts of the country. But rhubarb is a great addition to our diets if we have health concerns. Rich in antioxidants, rhubarb has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. This means that rhubarb is one of the veggies that protects us from many health issues, from heart disease and diabetes to cancer. It also lowers blood pressure and aids digestion.

 

Rhubarb stalks are also being hailed as “the next fruit superfood.” That’s great, even though it is technically a vegetable… a member of the buckwheat family. However, it was labeled a fruit in 1947 to avoid the higher tariffs that were placed on vegetables. That’s okay, especially when we remember that a tomato is technically fruit.

 

 

 

If you like tartness, rhubarb is most tart when eaten raw. It sweetens when cooked, much like onions. Oh, but never eat the leaves. Very toxic.

 

Thanks to Mom teaching me to cook and bake when I was a child, I have been making pies for decades. Rhubarb is a favorite, since I enjoy tart flavors, such as cranberries. But most folks prefer pies to be a little (or a lot) sweeter. So, I now always add strawberries. They sweeten the rhubarb.

 

 

Cathy’s Strawberry Rhubarb Pie  
4 c rhubarb, thick stalks cut in half lengthwise; all sliced in ½”-pieces
2 c strawberry slices (thick or thin, your preference)
¼ c sugar
¼ c light brown sugar
2 (3-oz) or 1 (6-oz) sugar-free strawberry Jell-O
1 T cornstarch
1/3 c flour
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp orange zest
¼ tsp salt
¼ – ½ tsp almond extract, optional
Pastry for 2-crust (9 or 10” pie), fresh or frozen
2 T cold butter, cut in tiny pieces
For glazing the crust:
Either 2 T milk & 2 T sugar Or 1 large egg yolk, beaten with 1 tsp water

In large bowl, combine sugars, cornstarch, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, zest & salt. Toss with rhubarb, berries (& almond extract, if using), till coated. Pour into prepared pastry shell. Dot with butter. Cut 2nd pastry into ½ –  ¾” strips and weave a lattice top for pie.  Fold ends under at edges; press to seal; crimp edges. Brush lattice with milk; sprinkle with sugar OR brush with egg yolk wash. Bake at 400°F for 20 min.  Reduce heat to 350°F and bake additional 25-35 min till crust is golden and filling is thickened & bubbly. Cool on wire rack to desired temperature. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

KISS Tips: You may want to protect crust edges with foil for last 10 min to prevent from getting too dark. Cooling to room temperature allows the juices time to thicken. To absorb some of the liquid that naturally is created by cooking the rhubarb, add 2-3 T instant tapioca in place of the 1 T cornstarch.  Let filling stand 5-10 min before putting in pastry shell. For a Super Simple shortcut version, skip the nutmeg, cinnamon, orange zest & almond extract. You don’t even have to dot the filling with butter.  To add a flavor zip, switch to 1 box Strawberry and 1 box Raspberry Jell-O. You can also top with a full crust, rather than creating lattice, but do cut slits in top for steam to escape.

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For the Love of Brownies!

 

This is National Blonde Brownie Day! Oooooh, I have such fond memories of Mom regularly making these for us in the 1950s and 60s. Then I started making them, too. Nothing has changed. They are still merely mahhhhvelous!

 

Blonde Brownies
Mom made these for us constantly in the 1950’s & 60’s.  Nothing has changed.  We still love ‘em! 

2½ c flour
3 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ c (1½ sticks) butter, softened
1¾ c packed light brown sugar
3 lg or ex-lg egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 c (12-oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ c (or more) chopped pecans or walnuts

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder & salt.  In a large bowl, cream brown sugar into the butter till smooth; beat in eggs and vanilla.  Gradually stir in flour mixture till well combined.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Spread batter in well-buttered 9×13 or 10×15” pan. Bake 20-25 min at 350°F till golden.  Cool in pan on a wire rack before cutting.

KISS Tip:  These are just as chewy & great when made nut-free. And they freeze splendidly.

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National Squirrel Appreciation Day

Whether you think squirrels are pests or fascinations, they are playful and agile rodents. Indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, they are indeed rodents, in the same family as chipmunks, woodchucks, prairie dogs, rats, mice, and beavers. However, they also play an important role in the environment. In one season, a single squirrel can bury up to 10,000 nuts, but a good 25% of those never get dug up again by that squirrel or any other. Thus, squirrels are powerhouses in forest regeneration.

 

Their favorite foods are nuts, insects, and berries. Squirrels are hoarders, but they are also acrobats and bandits. They can run up to 20 mph and jump up to 20 feet in length.

 

We all have likely seen their antics as they fashion ways to access even the trickiest bird feeders. They can also be annoying, as when they gnaw on our home’s wooden siding. I get it. Their front teeth never stop growing, so they must gnaw. But I fear they’ll be in the house one day. We’ve tried a variety of scents they allegedly do not like… from peppermint oil, coffee grounds, and white vinegar to cinnamon, garlic, and rosemary.

Here are a couple of nutty facts about squirrels. A male squirrel is called a boar. The female is a sow. She selects her mates, and mates with several males. She will give birth to an average of 2 to 8 offspring, all of which are born blind. At just 1” long, a baby squirrel is called a kitten.

 

Squirrels run in a zig-zag pattern when trying to escape hawks and other predators. (Yeaaaah, that technique doesn’t work so well with cars.)

 

 

The Native American symbol for preparation, trust, and thriftiness is the squirrel.

 

 

 

And we humans can learn something from squirrels. When it’s cold outside, eat more and bulk up. (Okay, I think we’ve got that covered.) When it’s hot outside, lying down and sprawling out on a cool surface is the squirrel’s answer. It’s called splooting.

 

Have a gleefully squirrelly day!

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Say, “Cheese!”

For National Cheese Lover’s Day, I’ll share my updated 1990s recipe for stuffed zucchini boats. They are Super Simple and fast to make. They’re moist and cheesy.

Cathy’s Stuffed Zucchini Boats
3 medium zucchini, not peeled, ends cut off, halved lengthwise
1 c Ritz (or other buttery) cracker, crumbled (24 crackers)
½ c finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 c each: sharp Cheddar & Mozzarella cheeses
½ c chopped sweet onion, microwaved 1 minute to soften
2 T each: minced fresh parsley and Italian herbs (freeze-dried are fine)
½ tsp each: salt & ground black pepper
1 lg egg, beaten
Topping: 2 T butter & 3 T shredded Parmesan cheese

Use a small spoon to remove the pulp, hollowing out each zucchini half to form “boats;’ place pulp in a bowl. Place zucchini shells in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Combine remaining ingredients (except topping) and press into each shell. Sprinkle the extra Parmesan on top and dot with butter. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

KISS Variations: Not only are these great stuffed with cheese as a side dish, but you can also kick it up to luncheon entrée status. For Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats, add some cooked & crumbled bacon or sausage plus 3-4 T of a favorite red Italian sauce.  Crabby Stuffed Zucchini Boats are splendid too. Simply switch muenster cheese for the Cheddar, add crabmeat and a squirt of fresh lemon juice. Or go for Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats by adding shredded chicken and a few drops of Mike’s Red Hot (or other favorite) sauce to the mixture and replace the chopped onion with chopped celery and replace the Parmesan cheese with Monterey Jack.

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Trust, But Verify

“The trust of the innocent is the liar’s most useful tool.”

— Stephen King (1947 – )
American author

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Ah, Politics!

We are not the first generation to witness a barrage of attacks on someone in politics with whom folks disagree.

 

 

 

“Before you give up hope, turn back and read the attacks that were made on Lincoln.”

— Bruce Barton (1886 – 1967)
American author and advertising executive

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National Classy Day

I like to reflect on people who grace the world with qualities that make it a better place. That said, I note that “classy” needs a touch of refinement, as we could be high or low class, just as the word “quality” does not specify good or bad quality. Classy to me means rich in spirit, not in money.

 

So, I suggest Classy Day seeks those with sophistication, elegance, and inner classiness… whether gobbling up a lobster or lounging barefoot in my back yard.

 

 

 

 

To me, classy folks exude good manners, respectfulness, or a timeless way of dressing, even when donning costumes to attend special events…

 

 

 

…or winning a spring hat contest by  making one featuring Annalee doll bunnies.

 

 

 

I am honored to say that my mother is a perfect example of a classy person. She and Dad met in high school.

 

 

 

 

They were married in 1950, and you can be certain that she was a classy bride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here on my www.GoodLiving123.com website, I endeavor to express and share little things that can help make good living as easy as 1-2-3. I learned all such things from my mother.

 

 

 

 

 

I was quite the handful as a youth, but she had the strength and determination to get and keep me on the right path. As a little tribute to her for her 90th birthday, in 2020 I released a book dedicated to her. “Good Living Skills Learned from my Mother” gave me an opportunity to expound on just a few of the countless skills she worked hard to live and teach by example.

 

 

 

Amidst the 40 that I chose to include, skills like “no idle hands,” “choose to be a positive role model,” “get back up,” and “forgiveness” get chapters. The same is true for “rise above the fray,” “make every moment count,” and “follow your dream.” No matter what she has been doing, Mom always exudes all those skills and many more.

 

 

Of special importance to me is the chapter called, “Leave a Place Better than You Found It.” She always took the extra time to do this, even down to sweeping any stray grains of sand off the porch of the little cabin we would rent for a week at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire before we could drive away.

 

 

 

She was classy during travels, too… whether on a boat with Dad off Cape Cod or on a cruise ship in Bermuda.

 

 

 

 

 

Family has always remained paramount… whether we visited them in Florida…

 

 

 

 

 

…or they visited my sister living in Hawaii.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mom has always been the “Hostess with the Mostest.” Countless people have been grateful recipients of her gracious hospitality and fabulous baking skills.

 

 

 

I observed her calm and diplomatic approach, and her ability to make others feel special as she supported every endeavor any of her children undertook, like the grand opening of a new bank for which I’d been an organizer.

 

 

Mom lifted us above herself and celebrated with us with a heart filled with genuine love and generosity… even while hosting Miss New Hampshire contestants and then meeting a Miss America backstage.

 

 

Classy people, like Mom, are honest and trustworthy, culturally aware and involved, and self-confident in who they are. Together, Mom and Dad made a rockstar team.

 

 

I feel blessed to have been able to celebrate many of their anniversaries with them… including the 25th, 50th, 60th, and more.

 

 

 

 

Mom loved becoming a grandmother and then watching her grandbabies grow up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And she is a doting great grandmother, too!

 

 

 

 

Now, at age 93, we are blessed with her good health. She works out in the swimming pool, sings in a fun chorus, runs a card shop, plays bridge regularly, and remains active in her women’s organization.

 

 

Her spirits and wits are sharp. We can still talk about absolutely anything and everything and get laughing like schoolgirls.

 

 

 

I am also confident that when the Lord does call her home she will have left this Earth as a far better place than she found it. But till then, I keep on praying for more blessings and more years with Mom.

 

 

 

Happy Classy Day, Mom!

Glenna Gulumian Burnham, my mother, remains the classiest person I’ve ever known. If I can follow her lead in even a miniscule manner, I will know that I have contributed to Life in a positive way.

Thank you, Mom!

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National Religious Freedom Day

“Ultimately, America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.”

— Robert F. Kennedy (1925 – 1968)
American politician, US Senator, lawyer, and 64th US Attorney General

Observed annually in the US, Religious Freedom Day commemorates passage of a significant 1786 piece of legislation penned by Thomas Jefferson. The day promotes religious freedom and tolerance.

In the days of the 13 colonies, the faith of Britain’s appointed governor in each colony determined that colony’s official religion. Only white males of that governor’s religion could vote in that colony. In our fledgling nation, Jefferson fought against any such mandatory establishments of religion. Separation of Church and State was very clear. Leaders were expected to practice their religion, but not force it on their states. Everyone was to be able to practice their religion without discrimination or coercion.

And yet, trouble brewed in Virginia, which had been an Anglican colony. The new legislation settled that issue. Dissenters from the Anglican/Episcopal church in Virginia “would no longer suffer civil penalties for their religious beliefs. The precedent was set. Citizens could not be compelled to support any religious worship, place, or ministry.

However, Thomas Jefferson and the founding Fathers expected everyone to have and practice faith. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson referred to God three times… Nature’s God, Creator, and Divine Providence.

In 1954, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add “under God” to our Pledge of Allegiance. “In God We Trust” was added to all US currency in 1955 and became our national motto the next year.

Courts, both high and low, have affirmed and reaffirmed that such a national motto and its appearance on currency and federal buildings does not violate our separation of church and state, as it neither establishes nor endorses a specific religion.

Praise God!

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National Hat Day

Observed since 1983, National Hat Day commemorates the day in 1797 when the first Top Hat made its appearance in court, inspiring the judge to proclaim the rather prominent hat disturbed the public. That did not dampen the hat’s popularity. Even baseball umpires wore top hats in the 1800s.

 

 

 

Originally designed for women, fedoras later became strictly a man’s hat, but today they are  not gender specific.

 

 

 

So, what hats have you donned? In 1960, I wore the first of many graduation caps as I graduated from kindergarten.

 

 

 

 

And since posting “crowns” grew popular during Miss America week, here’s a pic from the night I became Miss New Hampshire back in 1975.

 

 

 

During my years at WMUR-TV, hats became the order of the day for special appearance… as when co-anchor Tom Griffith and I attended a Great Gatsby charity gala in 1989 (perfectly dressed by June Pastman of “Junz” for the occasion).

 

 

 

Baseball caps are a very All-American hat. Hubby and I knew we were at odds when Sir Ronald’s was the Yankees, his youngest son Adam’s was the Mets, and mine represented the Red Sox… and we were attending a Patriots football game.

 

 

Of course, we also wear hats for sun protection and when we travel.

 

 

Hats were the order of the day during certain community service activities, too, like grilling hot dogs and burgers for the Kiwanis Fish with a Child event.

 

 

 

And we do enjoy Halloween and costume parties, as when attending events like a Pirate Party

 

 

 

 

Naturally, theatrical productions provided the most moments for marvelous millinery, from playing Morgan Le Fey in Stage One Productions’ “Camelot”

 

 

 

 

… and the New London Barn’s “Man Who Came to Dinner”

 

 

 

 

…to a favorite Palace Theatre production of “The Wizard of Oz” where I played one of my favorite characters… the original WWW.

From fascinators to football helmets, it’s hats off to all hats today!

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National Hot Pastrami Day

I can think of no better way to celebrate National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day than sinking my teeth into the crunchy, savory, succulent, perfectly grilled sandwich! Pastrami on rye was introduced to Americans in 1888 by Romanian immigrant Sussman Volk. His deli was New York’s first, and the first pastrami on rye was made with goose meat. Much has changed, and the variations are endless. You can even swap coleslaw for the sauerkraut and thousand island dressing for the mustard, but then you are making a Pastrami Reuben. Today, we’ll focus on the Hot Pastrami Sandwich. You can grill it, toast it, or serve it simply on the bread. Your way is the right way.

Super Simple Hot Pastrami Sandwich
I like to grill these beauties up as I do for a grilled cheese sandwich. That means I spread mayonnaise, rather than butter on the outside of the bread. I think you’ll find little as superbly satisfying as this mini stay-at-home trip to a NY Deli!

1 T butter
4-6 oz shaved pastrami
2 slices hearty Jewish rye bread with caraway seeds
1-2 T Dijon, yellow, or other smooth brown mustard
2 large slices Swiss cheese (or combo with 1 of Provolone)
2-3 oz sauerkraut, warmed on grill or in microwave
2-4 T mayonnaise
2 T butter

Melt butter in skillet over med-low heat; add pastrami. Stir it a couple of times just to warm it through. Spread 1 side of both slices of bread with mustard; top each with a slice of cheese. Then divide the warmed pastrami atop the cheese slices. Pile the warmed sauerkraut on one side and fold the other side over to complete the sandwich. Spread half the mayonnaise on the top slice of bread. Melt the remaining 2 T butter in the skillet over medium-low heat. Turn the sandwich over so the mayonnaise side is down and place in the melted butter in the hot skillet (or ridged grill pan). Then spread the remaining mayonnaise on the top slice of bread. Let cook 1 – 1 ½ minutes; turn over with a spatula and let cook another 1 – 1 ½ minutes. Remove from pan, slice in half, and serve hot. Makes 1 sandwich.

KISS Tips: I love to serve this the same way I enjoyed it for years at the Rein’s Deli… with chips or fries and a kosher dill pickle.

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To You Abundant Health!

 

“It is health which is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

— Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
Indian lawyer, spiritual & political leader, and nonviolent resistance advocate

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National Baking Month

We’re celebrating National Baking Month with a recipe from yesterday’s look at National Arkansas Day. Arkansas Possum Pie does not contain opossum… or any other meat. It’s a creamy layered pie with chocolate and cream cheese in a melt-in-your-mouth pecan shortbread crust. Okay, you could opt for Super Simple and use a prepared, store-bought 9” graham or shortbread crust, but the crust is the only thing we’re truly baking in this recipe. The pie’s name came from its deceptive appearance. Topped with thick whipped cream, you can’t see the flavorful layers beneath, so the pie is “playing possum,” so to speak. ‘Tis yummy!

Arkansas Possum Pie
Crust:
1 c flour
½ c butter, softened to room temp
¼ c brown sugar
¾ c finely chopped pecans
Combine with a fork; press firmly into a 9” pie plate. Bake 15 min at 350°F. Let cool.

Cream Cheese Layer:
6-oz cream cheese, softened to room temp
½ c confectioners’ sugar
2 T heavy, whipping cream
¼ – 1/3 c chopped pecans
Combine cream cheese, sugar, and cream in a bowl till smooth; spread in bottom of cooled crust. Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the cream cheese.

Chocolate Layer:
1 ¾ c cold whole milk
¾ -1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 (3.4-oz each) boxes instant pudding (see KISS Tips)
Whisk together for 2 minutes; let stand 2 more minutes to set. Spoon over the pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and chill the pie for at least 4 hours before adding the whipped cream and garnishes to serve.

Whipped Cream Layer:
½ c heavy/whipping cream
2 T confectioners’ sugar
½ tsp vanilla
Grated or shaved chocolate curls
2-3 T chopped pecans (or 15-30 pecan halves)

Beat cream with hand mixer till soft peaks form; add sugar and vanilla and continue beating till mixed. Spread over the chocolate layer; garnish with chocolate and/or pecans and serve.

KISS Tips:

For the instant pudding, you can choose 2 boxes of chocolate, or 1 of chocolate and 1 of either chocolate fudge or vanilla or white chocolate. While there’s no substitute for the real thing, if you are a fan of Super Simple, feel free to use Cool Whip in place of whipping cream… or use canned whipped cream.

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National Arkansas Day

Joining the Union in 1836, Arkansas became the 35th State. The name Arkansas came from the Quapaw Indians, whom the French called the “Arkansaw.” In truth, the first people to live there arrived around 11,650 BC.

 

 

Much later (around 650 AD) a group called the Plum Bayou built mysterious mounds of dirt that can still be seen at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park. The Rock House Cave in Petit Jean State Park contains well-preserved rock drawings created more than 500 years ago.

 

The population is about 3 million. And food specialties do not go unnoticed. Arkansas is known for such delights as Southern hush puppies, fried catfish, chicken fried steak, Arkansas Possum Pie, and southern biscuits with chocolate gravy (oh, yeah… breakfast made beauteous)!

1957 photo by Burt Glinn / Magnum Photos

 

Arkansas made history in 1957 when 9 African American students were escorted by Army troops into the previously all-white Little Rock Central High School.

 

 

2007 photo by Doug Wertman

 

But the state is known for more than its role in the Civil Rights Movement. For example, Arkansas is the world’s largest producer of bromine, and it’s the only state that actively mines diamonds. In fact, the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro is the only diamond-producing site in the world that is open to the public. A 37.5-acre plowed field is where visitors can hunt for real diamonds.

Yup. Finders Keepers. The site ranks as the world’s 8th largest diamond-bearing volcanic crater.

 

With its nickname “The Natural State” it comes as no surprise to find beautiful lakes, rivers, mountains, and wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

Among the abundant wildlife species, you will find elk, the Eastern spotted skunk, and the indigo bunting.

 

 

 

The highest point in Arkansas comes in at 2,753 feet. Magazine Mountain is flat-topped with steep cliffs.

 

 

Photo by Brandon Rush

 

Plenty of water flows through and around Arkansas, which is home to the 2nd smallest national park in the US. With just 8.6 square miles, the waters of Hot Springs National Park can reach 143°F.

 

Photo by Patrick Hodskins

 

 

Another “don’t miss” site is Mammoth Spring State Park, which sees 9 million gallons of water flow through every hour.

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Save the Eagles

 

When we see an eagle soaring through the sky, we tend to stop whatever we were doing and just watch.

 

 

One of my most memorable moments came as stood in my own backyard in New Hampshire. With our land abutting a wetland, I had been able to watch an annual eagle nest. Just once I happened outside in time to observe an eagle teaching its eaglet to ride a thermal updraft. The little one would catch it and go up and around, but then, whoops… out it slipped, drifted back down and caught it again. On its third attempt, the eaglet “got it.” Then I watched as they both gracefully drifted up, up, up and away out of sight. It was glorious.

 

So, on January 10th, National Save the Eagles Day, I like to pause and thank those who have worked hard to protect eagles from extinction. Since 1787 the bald eagle has been our national symbol.

 

 

Though there are some 60 eagle species, only the bald and golden eagle are found in the U.S. Here, the eagle is a symbol of freedom, and we all know far too well how deeply freedoms are endangered around the world.

 

 

Threatened by extinction, the bald eagle began receiving special protection in 1972. By 2007 the bald eagle population had rebounded enough to be removed from the endangered species list. May freedom for everyone be so fortunate. Just like the eaglet, we must never give up.

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The Sun Rises with Hope in its Heart

“Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so indispensable, none so powerful, as hope. Without hope men are only half alive. With hope they dream and think and work.”

— Charles Henry Sawyer (1868 – 1954)
American painter and photographer

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Well, thank you. Thank you very much.

Many music icons were gone too young, and Elvis Presley was one of them. He was born into a poor family in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. His twin was delivered 35 minutes before him, stillborn. In 1946 for his 11th birthday, his parents gave Elvis his first guitar. At age 13, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he received a “C” in music class in high school. His teacher told Elvis that he just didn’t have an aptitude for singing. So, he brought in his guitar and sang a song that had just been released by Fairly Holden and His Six Cold Papas… “Keep Them Cold Icy Fingers Off Me.” The teacher agreed that Elvis was right. She didn’t appreciate his kind of singing.

 

Elvis Presley could not read music, but he played and sang by ear. If he heard a song that he liked, he could make it his own. In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis and his group performed their first live show and he signed his first contract with RCA records at age 20. In Nashville, Tennessee, in 1956, Elvis recorded his first album, which included the hit single “Heartbreak Hotel.” His stardom grew rapidly, even while he served in the U.S. Army from 1958 – 1960. Elvis continued recording music and making movies until his sudden passing in 1977 at his home in Graceland in Memphis at just 42 years of age.

 

The singer and actor still reigns as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. He holds many records to this day, including the most certified gold and platinum albums, the most albums charted on the Billboard 200, the most number-one albums by a solo artist on the UK Albums Chart, and the most number one singles by ANY act on the UK Singles Chart. In 1971 the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences recognized Elvis Presley with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Today marks what would have been the 88th birthday of Elvis Presley. Fans have been celebrating at Graceland with 4 days of live music and special tours.

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