Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 65

World Children’s Day

“The theme for World Children’s Day 2023 is ‘For Every Child, Every Right!’ The day serves as a powerful reminder of the unwavering commitment to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or circumstances, are afforded the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.”

From our lips to God’s ears.

National Soup Day

Today is National Soup Day in Germany. Well, I’m going to celebrate it New England style with some Lobster Newburg. In my photo, you see a great way to go extra fancy for a full lobster bisque entrée. I garnished each bowl with a couple of lobster claws and lobster cakes. Hello! Can you say delightful decadence?

This is one of the dozens of recipes from my “Lobacious Lobster” cookbook. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Super Simple Lobster Newburg

This is one of the most wonderful ways to present a splashy-looking and tasting entrée without all the “fuss.”

¼ c butter
2 T flour
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp paprika (& a dash of cayenne pepper, optional)
2 T dry sherry (you can substitute dry white wine)
2 lg egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 and ½ c light cream
2 c (about 1 lb) cooked lobster meat, cut in ½ – 1” pieces

In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, melt the butter; stir in flour. Then stir in salt, paprika & sherry, followed by lobster.  In a small bowl, combine yolks and cream.  Stir a couple of spoonfuls of the hot butter mixture into the cream mixture; then gradually stir the entire cream mixture into the butter mixture in the top of the double boiler.  Continue to cook over the lowest heat over the hot simmering water just until thickened, stirring often.  Stir in the lobster and let cook 1-2 more minutes, just to heat the lobster through.  Serve on its own, over crispy toast points, in puff pastry patty shells, or in a crusty bread bowl. Makes 4 appetizer or 2 entrée servings.

KISS Tip:  Do NOT overcook this or any other lobster dish or you will get tough lobster.
KISS Variation:  For One-Bite Newburgs spoon the hot filling into pre-made miniature phyllo pastry  cups and serve with a touch of freshly chopped parsley on top.  Mini pastry cups can typically be found in boxes of 15 in a supermarket frozen food section.

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse!

 

Walt Disney’s iconic cartoon character Mickey Mouse made his debut on November 18, 1928, in the animated short “Steamboat Willie.”

 

 

 

 

(Minnie also made her public debut the same day, so… Happy Birthday to Minnie, too!)

 

 

 

Walt Disney used his own voice to create Mickey’s squeaky sounds in the cartoon. Often called Walt Disney’s alter ego, by the numerous artists who have drawn him over the years. “Steamboat Willie” is recognized as the world’s first cartoon with synchronized sound and launched a dynasty. More than 100 Mickey Mouse cartoons were produced during the 1930s.

 

 

By the way, the most successful Mickey Mouse merchandise ever created was the Mickey Mouse watch. Following its debut in 1933, more than 2.5 million were sold within two years. A Mickey Mouse watch was also included in the time capsule at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York.

Loving Home

 

“Love is easy, but if you want a daily happy home, be sure your beloved knows that you like them.”

— Cathy Burnham Martin, author
“The Bimbo Has Brain… and Other Freaky Facts”  Quiet Thunder Publishing, 2017

Great American Smokeout

The 3rd Thursday of November is the day that communities come together in the fight against tobacco addiction. Go tobacco-free today during the Great American Smokeout.

Reportedly, some 34 million people in America alone still smoke, despite the fact that smoking remains the single largest most preventable cause of death and illness. Despite stricter laws in public places, some 58 million Americans are exposed to second-hand smoke. Never mind the stats. This is important because this is a fight for someone’s life… be they an innocent bystander or someone who often lacks the strength or discipline to fight for what’s best for themselves.

For help today and everyday: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/great-american-smokeout.html

You CAN Do It!

 

“The trick is in what one emphasizes.  We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong.  The amount of work is the same.”

— Carlos Castaneda (1925 – 1998)
Peruvian-American writer

Fly, Baby, Fly!

“Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.”

— Amelia Earhart (1897 – disappeared 1937)
American aviation pioneer & writer

World Kindness Day

In celebrating World Kindness Day, we are all fully aware of the ugliness in the “big picture.” But this day is an opportunity to apply a little tenderness in our homes, schools, or workplaces. The 2023 theme is “Be Kind Wherever Possible.” Let’s all try to breathe a little life back into the art of consideration. Encourage someone. Make someone smile or laugh. When we think a pleasant thought about someone, share it out loud. Or driving? Yeah, let’s give someone else a break, even if they are being a road hog. Today is just one day in which we can all make a kindness difference in our world.

Glorious Gratitude

Today I feel grateful for a great many things. I think I will choose to mention the 6 wonderful weeks of fall foliage that we have enjoyed. Now, as I look across our meadow, I still see glimpsed of the glory. The radiant reds are mellowing to burgundy, while the oranges soften into russet, and the yellows mellow into gold. Leaves have started falling here in the North Carolina foothills, but it’s been a glorious autumn, indeed.

Celebrate Veterans Day

Photo by Ignacio Amenabar

“Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.”

— Kahlil Gibran (1883 – 1931)
Lebanese-American writer & poet

This is Veterans Day. Thank you to all veterans on this and every day.