Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 74
July 3, 2023
Celebrate National Fried Clam Day!
Mom taught me a passion for great fried clams. They are never doughy, and they are never clam strips. The frozen ones, such as the ol’ Howard Johnsons fried clams do not come close to the real deal. Great big monster ones with massive bellies were harvested way too late. Great fried clams are small and delicate, lightly dusted, and flash-fried to salty seafood perfection.
Makris, Concord, NH
Being raised in New Hampshire, I got to eat fried clams more often than I might have in other sections of the country. A favorite was at Spiller’s in York, Maine… sadly no longer a restaurant. Other classic places are also distant memories… from Willie’s toward the north end of Hampton Beach in New Hampshire and Armand’s in the Pinardville section of Goffstown, where I spent my childhood.
Shibley’s on the Pier, Alton Bay, NH
Blessedly, Cremeland in Manchester still delivers perfect fried clams in true takeout fashion. Makris in Concord and Shibley’s on the Pier in Alton Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee also come pretty darn close to awesome. (Sorry Pop’s Drive-In fans… consistently wayyyy to doughy and greasy there.)
Clambake, Fort Myers, FL
If you “snowbird” to Florida in the winter, you can grab some great fried clams at the Clam Bake in Fort Myers… the owners/chef are originally from New England. However you like fried clams, if you can get ‘em, eat ‘em. I’ll take mine piping hot, salted, with both tartar sauce and cocktail sauce… and some perfect onion rings on the side, please. Ooooooh, yeahhhhhh!
July 2, 2023
Freedom from Fear of Speaking Day
We’ve all likely heard about the studies that share with us that the fear of public speaking is a human’s only fear worse than death. This fear is reportedly now considered to be a social anxiety disorder affecting as much as 30% of the population.
This fear becomes intensified further by cell phone and social media domination of communication channels. Increasingly, young people are not being taught to even write, never mind speak.
When I developed my SpeakEasy123 public speaking training program, I was honored to be able to assist various people from CEOs and politicians to schoolteachers… various positions where one might mistakenly believe this “fear” would have been conquered or at least aptly handled. Teaching the required public or business speaking courses at the college level became a natural extension.
I recall starting each semester by taking a vote in the classroom. Every hand would go up in answer to the question, “Is this the most dreaded course you have ever taken?” Because it was a requirement, some procrastinated to the point that I often had many seniors in the room. So, okay. I would make the students one promise. By the end of the semester, this would be their favorite class.
What I had learned and tried to impart was that our fear of speaking stems from a certain level of insecurity. We are going to mess up… look foolish… or disappoint our audience. Much of the class time dealt with learning to recognize our own personal nerve triggers and then developing techniques to calm or cover them. (For instance, a Super Simple “fix” to an audience being able to see our nervous shaking would be to not hold a piece of paper with notes. Paper will flutter quite obviously, whereas something more firm such as a folder will not.)
We also spent time learning to like ourselves and learn to laugh at ourselves. Setting ourselves free from the fear of public speaking is learning to accept that if we care about our subject and our audience, it’s natural to find butterflies flying helter-skelter in our tummies. We just need to learn to picture those butterflies flying in formation. Care about the audience but conquer the fear of butterflies. Done!
July 1, 2023
National Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day
Creativity is many different things to many different people. I recall being in Moscow back in the days of the USSR, when any flavor other than vanilla and chocolate could have boggled someone’s mind, never mind sizzled with creativity. In the United States, having multiple flavors has always seemed natural, rather than creative. That is not to say that creativity did not exist. 
In the 1950s, I remember my Dad’s disappointment when I would order some crazy, “creative” flavor such as Red, White, and Blueberry. Truly this was just food coloring delivered in swirls, not really with berries, but my Dad knew that when he finished his strawberry cone, he would then be finishing mine.
The ancient Chinese are credited with inventing ice cream sometime back around 3000 BC. The treat got to Italy in the Middle Ages, and the Italians never looked back.
In more recent decades, creating designer ice cream flavors has become almost a national pastime. Early varietals included delights ranging from pistachio to chunky monkey. One personal favorite is anything resembling an Almond Joy bar… or genuine lemon ice cream, complete with the juicy bits!
Today you can find anything from macaroni & cheese and Cheetos Flamin’ Hot ice cream to avocado-cayenne or ghost pepper-peppermint. Whether you go for cinnamon-basil or peanut butter-banana or bacon chutney ice cream, today is your day. Of course, you can still opt for chocolate and vanilla. Go crazy… combine 2. Since this is also National Gingersnap Day, crumble some gingersnap cookies into whatever flavor you choose. What is YOUR favorite creative ice cream flavor… or the one you would most avoid?
June 30, 2023
This Is Social Media Day
Wait! Hmmmm… Every day is “Social Media Day” for many of us. I try to post something positive on social media every day. I appreciate all the messages about how some postings have been helpful to someone. In truth, it also helps me, because it gives me the opportunity every day to think positively and come up with something to post. I look for fun specialty days or official State days or quotes ranging from silly to superbly thought-provoking or some one of my Super Simple recipes to share. I believe that focusing on fun, thoughtfulness, kindness, or ways to encourage or thank someone else is one great way to help us feel good, too. I cope better, and I feel more grounded. Sharing positive helps me focus positively, even when it may feel that my world has turned inside-out and upside-down. So, Happy Social Media Day!
“If you can give your child only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.”
— Bruce Barton (1886 – 1967)
American author, advertising executive, and politician
June 29, 2023
Celebrate National Waffle Iron Day!
Waffles are FUN food. Period. Large or small, round or square, sweet or savory… they are allll good! As we appreciate our waffle (and chaffle) makers today, just imagine the possibilities. I like the classic… soft butter and 100% pure maple syrup. Or go for a favorite berry drizzle.
Stack up your waffles and drizzle with chocolate, fresh coconut shavings, sliced almonds, berries, cherries, or all of the above!
Or keep it Super Simple with just some fresh berries and a sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar.
Use your waffle as an egg benedict base or with fruit salad, or as fried chicken & waffles. Pile your favorite lunchtime goodies between a couple of savory waffles and enjoy your BLT, loaded grilled cheese, chicken salad, or whatever as a waffle sandwich.
Of course, there’s always room for ice cream! Today, scoop it into a waffle cone.
Get creative with your waffle iron. Make a cheese waffle (aka chaffle) or waffle up some zoodles. Add chopped ham & onions to your batter, or make a waffle/chaffle out of turkey stuffing and serve it slathered with hot gravy! Or add plenty of pulled pork and serve the waffles with a favorite BBQ sauce.
Get ready now for delectable deliciousness inside and incredibly crispy edges outside. I’ll leave you with this little gem:
Mac & Cheese Waffles
3 c your favorite macaroni & cheese
½ c flour
2 lg eggs, beaten
1 c shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1-1½ c finely diced ham or crumbled, cooked bacon
Combine & scoop onto hot, buttered waffle iron; close cover. Let cook 4-5 min.
KISS Tips: Serve hot with BBQ sauce, marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or salsa, if desired. Turn into a meatball sandwich. Freeze for later use. Reheat in toaster to revive the crispiness.
Waffles! Not just for breakfast anymore!
June 28, 2023
Shine On!
“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”
— Chinese Proverb
June 27, 2023
Exploring, Experimenting, Forgiving
“Life is an adventure in forgiveness.”
— Norman Cousins (1915 – 1990)
American journalist
June 26, 2023
Problems?
“Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them.”
— Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
German theoretical physicist; developed theory of relativity
June 25, 2023
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Today is Mom’s Birthday!!! All of us blessed to still have Mothers with us here on this Earth regularly pinch ourselves. In our prayers, we include all Mothers in Heaven and those to become Mothers.
They are the ones who love us unconditionally, forgive continuously, and set the pace forever.
Happy 93rd to Glenna Burnham, my Most Marvelous Mom with me throughout the ages… and the absolute best woman I have ever known. All my love… always!
June 24, 2023
In the Eyes of the Beholder
“An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.”
— James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
American painter
