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MEMORIAL
DAY 2009
Photo: Dept. of Defense
Courtesy of USAA
Three Marines kneel in front of their fallen brothers’ memorials in Iraq
We must never forget
ARMED FORCES DAY
MAY16,2009
The third Saturday in May is the day we salute the men and women in all
branches of the military
services. They leave their family and homes to physically and mentally
go into harm's way to
protect us and our country.
President Harry Truman announced the holiday in a presidential
proclamation in 1950. I, personally,
do not need a special day to honor these men and women. They are always
in my heart and a flag
is always flying.
,
The Leprechaun
By Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830-83)
In a
shady nook one moonlit night,
A leprechaun I spied
In
scarlet cloak and cap of
green
A cruiskeen by his side.
'Twas tick, tack, tick, his hammer went,
Upon a weeny shoe,
And I laughed to think of a purse of gold,
But the fairy was laughing too.
With tip-toe step and beating
heart,
Quite softly I drew nigh.
There was mischief in his merry face,
A twinkle in his eye;
He hammered and sang with tiny voice,
And sipped the mountain dew;
Oh! I laughed to think he was caught at last,
But the fairy was
laughing,
too.
As quick as thought I grasped the elf,
"Your fairy purse," I cried,
"My purse?" said he, "'tis in her hand,
That lady by your side."
I turned to look, the elf was off,
And what was I to do?
Oh! I laughed to think what a fool I'd been,
And, the fairy was laughing too.
Back in
the "Olden Days" when I was a kid in school we celebrated, in February,
the birthdays of
two Presidents - Abraham Lincoln on the 12th and George Washington on
the 22nd and we got a
day off from school for each birthday. These two holidays were later
combined to be celebrated
on the third Monday in February and named "President's Day".
This year President's day falls on the sixteenth which is neither
Washington's or Lincoln's birthday.
How confusing!
Now many people think it means a commemoration for all U.S. Presidents.
So who are we really honoring on this special day? Your guess is a good
as mine - and many
people, students or employees, don't even get a day off.
VALENTINE'S DAY WILL SOON BE HERE
February 14, OOOHHHBOY!!! St Valentine's Day! Another day to
celebrate your love for your mate
or beloved. Candles, flowers, a special dinner and a lot of snuggling.
Booooring! Old stuff! Now
its order a pizza, chicken or chinese and a movie from your playlist on
satellite or Netflix. How
about Gone With the Wind, an oldie but goodie for the romantic but some
fighting action for the
guys. But honestly, a flower, a box of candy (even tho I was cutting out sweets he thought I was
ok) and letting me know that the tv was all mine was great. OK ladies
what do you think? How
about e-mailing me at
http://www.mamapat@ncsd1970.com
and send me your thoughts. I would like to
include some of them in my Valentine Page - no names if you wish.
Super Sunday is almost here so I decided
to share with you an easy recipe that can be made
the day before and warmed up. Actually I think it tastes better the
next day.
Mama Pat's Chili
2 lbs ground beef
1 med onion chopped
1/2 green pepper chopped
1/2 red pepper chopped
1/2 yellow pepper chopped
(Jalapenos can be added if desired)
2 cloves garlic minced or
1 tsp bottled minced garlic
2 0r 3 14 1/2 oz. cans seasoned diced tomatoes
( I use the garlic, basil and oregano)
( I sometimes use a bottled spaghetti sauce)
1 or 2 cans dark red kidney beans
2 tsp ground cumin (optional)
Chili powder to taste
This is the mild version- I usually add
some hot sauce.
Brown hamburger - either chunky or crumbly- your choice
add onions, chopped peppers and garlic. Cook until onions are limp.
Add tomatoes, beans and spices. Cover and simmer for 60 minutes.
(I usually cook the chili on low heat for
several hours and if it needs
more liquid I add broth or beer)
Can be cooked in slow cooker for several hours.
Optional garnishes:
Chopped onions, grated cheddar cheese, minced green pepper
or sour cream.
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I
sincerely hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. I certainly
did. I had family for
Thanksgiving and Christmas and as usual Les and Di were here were here
to celebrate the New
Year. Di had to work so she was a little late. When she got here we
drank Cold Duck and ate
some snacks.
Many years ago a friend gave Bert and me a brass bell and every New
Year at 12 midnight we
would walk down the driveway and ring it. I still do that.
The weather is getting a little colder so it is time for a hot bowl of
soup. This is a recipe that
Una and Randy sent:
Cabbage Soup
6 cups salt-free chicken broth, defatted
1 medium head cabbage, shredded
1 large potato, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes, no-salt added
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 bay leaves
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. ground pepper, or to taste
1/8 tsp. salt (optional)
In a
heavy soup pot, combine all ingredients together, bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and
simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Makes 8 (1 cup) servings. Serve with garlic/butter bread.
For small families or singles: You may freeze leftovers...and enjoy
eating it on other days.
Note: You may omit potato from the recipe and bake it instead...so you
can eat soup, baked
potato and garlic bread. ---- That's what I do.
Sounds good doesn't it?
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To look for previous recipes posted in 2008, click here.
To look for previous recipes posted in 2007, click here.
To look for previous recipes posted in 2006, click here.
To look for previous recipes posted in 2005, click here.
To look for previous recipes posted in 2004, click here.
