Good Morning and a chilly, happy morning to you! I took a vacation day to bridge the holiday and my regular day off. I am hoping to put a dent in the mess in my office space today, by at least a few hours, leaving time to have a little fun in the kitchen before dinner time. As with all great plans, something COULD leap in to change things, but I hope not. I have a mental image of what my office is eventually going to look like and unless I get started, that isn’t going to happen any time soon.
Verse of the Day
February 20, 2018
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
“It’s just a little harmless gossip.” The Wise Teacher reminds us that gossip is neither little or harmless. Its consequences are huge and its damage horrible. Instead, it is much better to be a peacemaker and an offense mender.
Food for Thought
Balloons do NOT make good play things for cats. Funny for the human, NOT so funny for the cat. On the other hand, it is quite amazing how quickly a cat can flee the scene when a balloon comes to an untimely death.
Love Your Pet Day – I love my pets, to the point that I treat them like children sometimes. You’ve all read about my “babies”, but I’m never reluctant to talk about them again. Our house is home to two pets – we have Moose, our 2 year old Newfoundland/Rottie/Aussie Shepherd mix and Itty Bitty – our 11 year old, not sure what breed she’d be, but she’s a short haired black cat with an attitude. Until Saturday my precious Pepsi cat was part of the group, but she crossed the Rainbow Bridge to join our Tibbi Girl. My lap misses her very much. She was my cuddle baby. Those of us who are pet owners know that we love our babies all the time, and we shower them with love every single day. Today though is special. Today we celebrate our babies with some extra special cuddles and treats for no reason other than we love them and appreciate the companionship they give to us without asking for anything in return, without judgment and with complete acceptance of who we are, all of the time. That’s a great reason to celebrate them, isn’t it?
Northern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day – I will not personally be celebrating this one today, but I’ll pass along the information for those of you who wish to observe it. For the folks sick of winter and ready for spring, this day is for you. On this winter day, people go out at noon, wave their hands over their heads and chant “Hoodie-Hoo”. Apparently this is intended to chase away the winter and bring in the spring. Where they came up with this idea, I have no clue, but this is what I’m reading. Maybe it’s a little bit of cabin fever from being shut up all winter and not seeing the sun. If that’s the case, well, I can tell you they don’t live near me. It’s been acting like spring since the beginning of February. The reason I won’t be celebrating this? Well, for starters I’d feel silly, and though I don’t mind feeling silly for a good cause, this one to me isn’t a good cause. Which brings me for reason 2) I WANT winter! I haven’t really had one this year, so why on earth would I wish to chase it away??? Duh!
FYI – Hoodie HOo Day is a copyighted holiday, created and provided courtesy of the folks at Wellcat.com
This Day in History –
1962 – John Glenn became the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth.
Food Celebration of the Day –
National Cherry Pie Day – Did you know that cherry pie is America’s second most popular pie? It’s in line behind only apple pie in popularity. In February though, it’s #1. When he was a young boy, George Washington made the cherry tree popular, with his famous quote “As I can not tell a lie, I chopped down the Cherry tree.” We celebrate George Washington’s Birthday and President’s Day in February therefore it is traditional to bake cherry pies in honor of these occasions. Being the “hot pie” of the month, it is only fitting that Cherry Pie Day falls in February. I tried every way I could figure out to make this low-carb, but seriously, I could make it LOWER carb, but not low-carb, and since I love cherry pie so much I don’t want to ruin the ingredients by messing around with a good thing. I’ll wait until I am ready for an amazing splurge for this one. On Cherry Pie Day, if you aren’t on a special eating plan that excludes this, celebrate today with a piece of pie.
- Cherry Pie
- Apple-Cherry Pie Bread
- No-Cook Chocolate-Covered Cherry Pie
- Cherry Cheese Pie
- Dream Whip Cherry Pie
- Impossible Cherry Pie
National Muffin Day – When I think of muffins I can’t help but think of cinnamon and spice, amazing aromas and the comfort of a fresh warm treat slathered in butter on a chilly morning. Muffins are pretty universally loved, having been enjoyed in the form of English Muffins as far back as a thousand years ago in Wales, and for the muffins that we know here in the United States, since about the 18th century. I had no idea how many different types of muffins there are, since when I think of a muffin I think of the cupcake-like pastry that most of us are used to. There are English muffins (yes, I’ve heard of these, but I think of them more like something to be interchangeable with toast), Portuguese muffins (I had to look this one up – more in a moment), American muffins and many hybrids such as cruffins (?), duffins (??), muffin tops and even more! Added to the types you have the huge variety of flavors! Muffins are quick to whip up, don’t take long to back, make the house smell nice and bring a smile to the faces of anyone who sees them as an unexpected treat. Everyone has their own way of eating muffins. Some people eat the bottom first, saving the top for last, some go straight for the top (which led to the muffin top pan), some split the bottom and butter in between, some just pick up tiny bits and nibble, and some stuff the whole thing in their mouth. OK, those Portuguese muffins? They are sort of like pancakes or a sweeter version of English Muffins.
Have a wonderful Tuesday and stay warm if you’re somewhere that is experiencing extra cold temperatures! I find it to be invigorating, but I know now everyone does. God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow.
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