Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 76

Are You Confident?

 

“Confidence, like art, never comes from having all the answers; it comes from being open to all the questions.”

— Diogenes Laërtius (180-240 AD)
Biographer of the Greek philosophers

August Is National Peach Month

Peaches juice up our happy little taste buds as a yummy fruit should.  Put them in a pie, put them in a muffin, or simply put them in your mouth! Because it’s summer, let’s put them in a dazzling drink.

 

Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy originated a peachy beverage named for the artist who famously worked with the color of the beverage. The true Bellini is an absolutely luscious sparkling cocktail. Typically, we find it made with peach puree or nectar and prosecco or champagne. Sometimes a bar goes Super Simple splashes champagne into Peachtree liquor.

The original Bellini became so popular than ever in the 1940’s, when it became necessary to have one employee’s full-time job to puree fresh white peaches daily. Due to inconsistencies in the sweetness levels of peaches, a bit of raspberry puree solved the challenge, while adding a slightly rosy glow to the beverage.

Harry’s makes no pretenses, serving it up in a simple highball-type glass. In my book “Champagne: Facts, Fizz, Food & Fun” I deliver the Bellini’s history, recipe, garnishing tricks, a frozen version, and several recipe variations. Thankfully, the original Bellini is easy to replicate at home, and it is perfect on a hot summer’s day.

 

 

True Bellini a la Harry’s Bar
Chilled white peach puree
Chilled raspberry puree
Chilled Prosecco

Stir just a bit of raspberry puree into your peach puree until you get the perfect rosy tint. Pour the puree into glasses to 1/3 full. Fill to the top with prosecco and serve.

Hawaii Flag Day

July 31st is the day to celebrate Hawaii’s flag each year. The flag, or “Ka Hae Hawai’i” in Hawaiian language, is the only state flag in the U.S. to feature another country’s flag. The Hawaiian flag bears 8 red, white, and blue horizontal stripes, representing the 8 primary islands. Signifying its long relationship, the Union Jack of the British Empire is featured in the top left corner.

The first Hawaiian Kingdom ruler, King Kamehameha I, had a very close relationship with British King George III. While never considered part of the British Empire, Britain did consider the islands to be a protectorate, but only ruled from 1794 – 1795. The Hawaiian Kingdom’s Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown by a group of American businessmen and sugar planters in a bloodless coup in 1893. A new government, the Republic of Hawaii was established, with Sanford B. Dole as its president. The new American government officially annexed Hawaii as a U.S. territory on August 12, 1898.

International Day of Friendship

With friends at Fratello’s

We are wealthy indeed when we enjoy many dear friendships. Especially prized as folks we see far too infrequently… and yet, when we do, it’s as if we just saw each other yesterday. Meet with one or gather with a whole group, always thankful for our relationships worldwide which promote caring, trust, acceptance, respect, and encouragement.

Sing!

Photo by Jason Rosewell

“In summer, the song sings itself.”

— William Carlos Williams (1883 – 1963)
American poet

Whatever we may love most about summer, makes it sizzle. Perhaps you love hiking in the mountains or walking along a beach, enjoying a picnic or BBQ with friends, going on vacation, savoring seemingly endless days, watching fireflies, or sipping icy cold lemonade. Summer flies by all too quickly. Never miss an opportunity to sing out loud.

Ah, Perspective

 

“People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.”

— Epictetus  (? – 135AD)
Greek Stoic Philosopher

National New Jersey Day

July 27, 1776, is when New Jersey became the 3rd state to join the Union. New Jersey’s location was vital during the American Revolutionary War, and it saw more battles than any other state. In that light, the state hosts one of the nation’s largest numbers of historical museums.  Henry Hudson first colonized the area and initially named it New Netherlands. When the British took over, they renamed it after the UK’s Isle of Jersey in the English Channel.

 

Known as the Garden State, New Jersey is famous for its tomato crop but also boasts blueberries and cranberries. It also has 4 national parks and 130 miles of shoreline. For a few little-known facts, New Jersey hosted the first drive-in movie theater and the world’s first submarine launch.

 

 

More cars are stolen in Newark than in any other US city. Princeton is where cheerleading got its start in 1869.  Beemerville, New Jersey is home to a dormant volcano.

 

 

The Monopoly game includes actual streets in Atlantic City, home to the world’s longest boardwalk.

 

Home to the most diners in the nation, it also has the nation’s highest population density, with 1300 people per square mile. 90% of the population lives in an urban area. In fact, all 21 counties are classified as metropolitan areas.

 

Photo by Christopher Kuzman

Speaking of people, many famous folks were born in New Jersey. Consider astronaut Buzz Aldrin, US General Norman Schwarzkopf, US Supreme Court justice William Brennan, publisher Malcolm Forbes, and editor Steve Forbes. Plus sportscasters Dick Vitale and Chris Wragge, NFL coach Bill Parcells, quarterback Joe Theismann, NBA great Shaquille O’Neal, and boxer Marvelous Marvin Hagler. And there is news anchor Bret Baier, film critic Leonard Maltin, author Fran Lebowitz, comedians Lou Costello and Flip Wilson, and illusionist David Copperfield.

 

Stepping into the music world we find bandleaders Count Basie and Nelson Riddle, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Frankie Valli, Dionne Warwick, Ricky Nelson, Connie Francis, Gloria Gaynor, Sarah Vaughan, Jon Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, and Queen Latifah. New Jersey also rocks the acting world with household names including, John Travolta, Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Jerry Lewis, Joe Pesci, Frank Langella, Michael Douglas, Sam Coppola, Bruce Willis, Judith Light, Roy Scheider, Ray Liotta, Nathan Lane, and Danny DeVito.

 

Way to go, New Jersey!

 

Pooch Pic Power!

Celebrate National Dog Photography Day by posting your pooch’s picture. Whether your fur baby is with you still or has crossed the rainbow bridge, please share a fave photo today through social media, email, or in person. Ours is little Bandit, who, for all his days and years, believed himself to be a Pillow Puppy.

National Merry Go Round & Carousel Day

If we were fortunate as children, we rode a merry go ‘round when a carnival or fair came to town. Delightful memories often get relived as adults.

 

 

 

Surprisingly, the carousel started as a sort of war training. Early merry-go-rounds date back to the 12th century, when knights used them to test agility and jousting skills as they galloped around the carousel. Children became enamored with the skill games and developed make-believe carousels with wooden horses.

Circles were pulled by humans or horses before steam engines and electricity. Music was also an entertaining addition. While all galloping horses initially, today’s children can ride in various seats, cars, and a full array of critters.

http://goodliving123.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/07-25-23-Carousel-TIEC-20230607_172649.mp4

National Tell an Old Joke Day

“The older we get, the earlier it gets late.”

Oh, this was supposed to be an old joke, rather than a joke about growing older. Well, be they witticism, proverbs, or riddles, jokes have existed as long as mankind.

One from Ancient Greece, around 400-300 BC has been attributed to Hierocles.
“Asked by the court barber how he wanted his hair cut, the king replied, ‘In silence.’”

Thru music, art, theatre, and jokes, humans have shared taboos and rebellion for thousands of years.

Another old gem hails from Ancient Greece, around 800 BC. In Homer’s “The Odyssey” — written 2,800+ years ago — Odysseus indulges in some dark humor.

“Odysseus tells the Cyclops that his real name is ‘Nobody.’ When Odysseus instructs his men to attack the Cyclops, the Cyclops shouts: ‘Help, Nobody is attacking me!’ No one comes to help.”