The Beatles

By Diane Forrest

My son was home this past weekend visiting. So I asked him to tell me about the Beatles.  Even though he was born long after the band broke up, he was a big fan when he was in high school.  He loved listening to their music and even learned a few of the songs when he played the saxophone at his school's band.  When I asked him to tell me about them he only answered that I should have asked him when he was 19.  I guess that meant that his musical tastes have changed since high school.

I must admit, I have never been much of a Beatle's fan; mostly what I know is about the song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.  It was rumored that the song was about the drug LSD, but in reality, it was about a picture that John Lennon's son drew at school.  A picture of a little girl classmate whom he had drawn stars around that looked like diamonds and thus the song was born.

According to osholidays.com, June 25th is Global Beatles Day, an annual celebration of the phenomenon and music of the Beatles that originated in 2009. And at the center of it is “All You Need Is Love,” both the song and the words. “The purpose is to have a globally recognized day to thank and acknowledge the Beatles for all they have done to change the world,” says Faith Cohen, the originator of the idea.

According to wikepedia.com, they are the best-selling band in history, EMI Records estimate that the Beatles have sold over one billion units worldwide. They have had more number one albums on the British charts, 15 and sold more singles in the UK, 21.9 million, than any other act. They ranked number one in Billboard magazine's list of the all-time most successful Hot 100 artists, released in 2008 to celebrate the US singles chart's fiftieth anniversary. As of 2012, they hold the record for most number one hits on the Hot 100 chart with 20. The Recording Industry Association of America certifies that the Beatles have sold 177 million units in the US, more than any other artist. They were collectively included in Time magazine's compilation of the 20th century's 100 most influential people.

So today, on Global Beatles Day, after a hard day's night, I just wanna hold your hand and lay in strawberry fields forever with Lucy in the sky, or either take a ride in a Yellow Submarine with Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band.  Listen to some of their old tunes and remember their contribution to the music industry.

(Photos from Google) 

National Jell-O Week - Yum

(Google Image) 

By Chef Diane,

Years and years ago, someone once told me that Jell-O was made from the stringy part of chicken, the part that is next to the bone.  Well after that it was a long time before I ate Jell-O again.  Jell-O is the brand name for gelatin desserts.  It originated in the Victorian period, where it was made in complicated gelatin molds, it was a difficult process, and so only the well to do were able to afford it.  In 1845 the patent was sold to Mr. Peter Cooper, who invented the powdered gelatin.  40 years later, the patent was sold to Mr. Wait, and he gave it the name Jell-O.  Not being able to make a go of the business, he sold the patent for $450.00.

(Google Image) 

It was then advertised in the Ladies’ Home Journal and proclaimed to be America's Most Famous Dessert.  Business began to improve, and started being advertised by Jack Benny in 1934, and was seen on “I love Lucy” show and other outlets. In 1974 Bill Cosby became the spokesman, and once again in 2010.  Today there are around 300 million boxes made each year.

(Google Image) 

Jell-O is one of the main foods of choice being served in hospitals for patients recovering from surgery, it is also an inexpensive food for school children, and is sometimes mixed with fruit.   I have since overcome my fear of Jell-O and make a congealed salad that my grandmother used to make.  I have a set of copper Jell-O molds like my mother had hanging around the walls of her kitchen.  There are many things you can make with Jell-O, one of my favorites is a crunchy punch, and you can change the color of the punch by putting the color of Jell-O you want.

This is National Jell-O Week.  The Joy of Jell-O site has some other fun activities you can do with Jell-O, they can be found below.

Ways to Celebrate Jell-O Week:

• Have a Jell-O Eating Contest
• Drink Jell-O Through a Straw
• Have a Jell-O Making Contest
• Have a Jell-O Wrestling Competition
• Make Jell-O Shots (if you are not Mormon) if you are, talk to your Bishop
• Buy a Jell-O Mold at a Near-by Thrift Shop
• Make Jell-O With Your New Jell-O Mold
• Buy a Jell-O Recipe Book
• Try out a New Recipe
• Try a New Flavor- or Better Yet- Create Your Own Flavor. Mix Kinds and Give a Nifty Prize to the Person that Can Guess the Flavors.
• Write a Letter to a Utah Congressman/Woman Telling About Your Jell-O Joys.
• Take Jell-O to a Neighbor.
• Take Jell-O to Work
• Congeal Your Co-Workers Stapler or Other Item in Jell-o. See Jell-ostapler.com for details.
• Congeal Your Husband’s Car Keys in Jell-O
• If you have had it with Your Teenager texting, 
• Congeal His/hers Cell Phone in Jell-O
• Play a Jell-O Joy Joke
• Have a Jell-O Buffet
• Utah's Delicate Arch
• Fill Your Bathtub with Jell-O
• Make Jell-O Jigglers
• Try to Make a Delicate Arch Out of Jell-O
• Make a Jell-O Valentine

(Google Image) 

Granny’s Orange Salad:

Disolve 1 package of orange Jell-Oin 1 cup Hot water.  Cool. 

Add 7 cups of miniature marshmallows,

1 small can crushed pineapples

1 cup cottage cheese and

1 small container of cool whip. 

Pour in casserole dish and place in the refrigerator until set.