Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 50

Friendship Finds

Photo by Julia Gadalina

 

 

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

— Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014)
American poet & civil rights activist

Attitude of Gratitude

 

“We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.”

— Neal A. Maxwell (1926 – 2004)
American scholar & educator

Freedom Is Not Free

When I wrote the “Destiny” historical fiction trilogy that tells my Armenian family’s story, I had no idea that the religious intolerance and violence themes would be emerging again. Yet, they have. Not just in the Middle East region, but here in our own nation.

For true hope, love, and faith (also powerful themes in the “Destiny” trilogy) to prevail, a great deal of education, compassion, and forgiveness are required.

Freedom must never be taken for granted. Not there. Not here. Not by anyone.

Work… Or Not

 

“The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.”

— Robert Frost (1874 – 1963)
American poet

You Are Worth Strong Self Esteem

 

“Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.”

— M. Scott Peck (1936 – 2005)
American psychiatrist & author

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.