Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 45

PJ Party

Launched in 2004, National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day is celebrated every year on April 16. It’s a sort of reward for staying up nights working on your taxes. If you work from home, PJs for work may not be new. If you work away from home, well…. Use your own best judgment. (But cartoon characters would be great if you can get away with it.)

National Tax Day

For National Tax Day, here’s a look at some quotes regarding the income tax.

“They can’t collect legal taxes from illegal money.”

— Al Capone aka “Scarface” (1899 – 1947)
American gangster & businessman

 

“A fine is a tax for doing something wrong. A tax is a fine for doing something right.”

— Anonymous

 

“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.”

— Albert Einstein  (1879 – 1955)
German-born theoretical physicist; developed theory of relativity

War Is Hell

 

“It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.” 

— William Tecumseh Sherman (1820 – 1891)
Union General in the American Civil War

Succeed Happily

 

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.”

— Albert Schweitzer (1875 – 1965)
French theologian, philosopher, physician, and Nobel laureate

National Cheese Fondue Day

 

For National Cheese Fondue Day, I gleefully share a recipe from my book: “Champagne! Facts, Fizz, Food, & Fun.” (Yes, still available in paperback and digital formats.) This timeless classic may be decades old, but it still reigns as fabulous!

 

 

1970’s Cheese Fondue
This is an early recipe creation showing the emerging Keep It Super Simple thinking.  Fondue was very “in,” and this recipe was very easy.  Both fondue and simplicity are back in vogue, so this vintage recipe, originally created by the KISS Kitchen in the 1970’s, is perfect. 

1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 single serving can (6-oz) tomato juice
1 envelope dried onion soup mix
2 c shredded Swiss cheese
1 c shredded Cheddar cheese (mild or sharp)
1 c shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Heat and stir together all the ingredients until melted, thick, and stringy. Serve and keep warm in a fondue pot with large cubes of crusty French bread, whole mushroom caps, fresh broccoli florets, sweet red pepper sticks, and wedges of Granny Smith apples.

KISS Tip: Feel free to garnish your fondue with items such as, roasted pepita nuts, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of spice or pepper.

Find Your Contentment

 

“If I can be somewhere with sunshine and have bare feet and a book, I’m happy.”

— KT Tunstall (1975 – )
Scottish singer-songwriter

National Unicorn Day

In ancient Greek times, people believed unicorns lived in India. The magically mythical, horse-like beings have been celebrated ever since. A favorite with children, unicorns are celebrated by young and old each year on April 9th. So, here are a couple of unicorny jokes.

 

What do unicorns call their dad?

Pop corn

 

 

Why did the unicorn want to join the school band?

So he could wear a uni-form.

 

 

I could go on, but neigh… I will spare you. Just remember, never play leapfrog with a unicorn.

Live!

 

“Don’t forget until too late that the business of life is not business, but living.”

B.C. Forbes (1880-1954)
Scottish-American journalist and author

Calling All Beer Fans

Celebrate National Beer Day with your favorite brew. For me, I’ll take my beer in a marinade or a splendid pub cheese.  Try this beauty served up with crackers, raw veggies, or warm pretzels.

 

Beer Cheese
3 T butter
3 T flour
¾ c half-and-half (or other cream or whole milk)
2/3 c beer
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp each: smoked paprika and salt
3 c freshly shredded sharp Cheddar, Gouda, or Pepper Jack cheese (or a combo of 2)
2 T thinly sliced green onions or chopped fresh parsley

Melt butter in medium saucepan over med heat; whisk in flour to form a thick, clumpy paste. Pouring in a slow, steady stream, whisk in the milk. Continue whisking over the heat for about 1 minute until mixture thickens slightly. Then whisk in the beer thoroughly. Add the Worcestershire and mustard, followed by the garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Gradually stir in the cheese till melted. Pour into serving dish, garnish with green onions or parsley, and serve.

KISS Tip: The cheese dip is quite thin when hot, but it begins to thicken as it cools. Serve it warm or at room temperature with your choice of crackers, bread chunks, raw veggies, a charcuterie board, or toasty warm pretzels. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.

Do It!

 

 

“Do or do not. There is no try.”

— Yoda in “Star Wars”