National Pretzel Day

By Chef Diane

The days before Christmas I can be found in my kitchen.   When I was growing up, the best part of Christmas was the treats my grandmother made.   My favorites were the fudge and snowball cookies that were kept in a foil lined metal tin.   As my grandmother got older, I began making the treats she couldn’t make anymore.  After she passed away I would make my favorite things, but then I thought that others in my family had their favorites too, and I wanted them to have great Christmas memories too, so I started fixing their favorites too.    Of course by the end of the holiday I wish that everyone had the same favorite!

One of my mother's favorites is chocolate covered pretzels, so every Christmas I fix her a batch.  I have learned that some others like them too, so this past Christmas, my mother's pretzels were eaten up by everyone.  So, I fixed her some just for her on Valentines, and other special occasions, such as Easter, Mother's Day and her birthday.  This past year my cousin's daughter made some chocolate cover pretzels using the rod pretzels that look like sticks.  I have seen them before, but have been wary of trying them thinking if the looked like sticks...maybe they were hard like sticks too.   Well I am happy to report they were delicious, and not hard at all! The bad news for her is now I will be expecting them every Christmas!!!

Today is National Pretzel Day.  Pretzels come in many shapes and sizes; they can also be crunchy or softly baked.  According to legend, in the late 1600s a Pennsylvania baker forgot a batch of pretzels in the oven. The over-baked treats were dark and hard, but the baker sampled one anyway. He was pleasantly surprised by the crunchy deliciousness. Hard pretzels are now one of the most popular snack foods.  According to punchbowl.com, centuries ago, Catholic monks created the first pretzels from scraps of leftover dough. The unique knot shape represented the Holy Trinity, but the significance of this symbol has evolved over the course of history. During the 17th century, pretzels symbolized the bond of marriage. This is where the phrase “tying the knot” originated.  It is also said that the pretzels were formed in the shape of a praying child.  If you are feeling adventurous today, click here to make your own soft pretzels.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Soft-Pretzels or you can just stop by the closest mall or grocery store and pick some up to enjoy.

Keeping America Beautiful - Get Involved!

Celebrating National Pie Championship

By Chef Diane

Pie

Pie

Me oh my

Nothing tastes sweet, wet, salty and dry

all at once o well it's pie

Apple!

Pumpkin!

Minced

an' wet bottom.

Come to your place everyday if you've got em'

Pie

Me o my

I love pie

This is a little song that was sung in the movie Michael, a movies with John Travolta, who played an angel whose job was to introduce two people for the purpose of falling in love.  The woman, was an aspiring song writer, and came up with this song while the group had stopped at a restaurant.  This little tune has always stuck in my head to be pulled out on days like today.

If you are a pie lover, and happen to be around Florida this weekend, you are in luck!  For the twelfth year in a row, the town of Celebration, Florida will become the Pie Capital of the World on April 27th and 28th, 2013 when thousands of pie lovers, tasters and bakers gather together the Great American Pie Festival sponsored by Crisco®. The highlight, as always, will be the Never-Ending Pie Buffet, featuring award-winning pie, ice cream, toppings, cheeses and beverages from some of our fine sponsors!

While it may be too late to enter a pie in the contest, its not to late to sample the many different types of pie, and even get ideas for your own pie at home.  The first place winner will bring home a $5,000.00 check for their efforts, not to shabby for baking a delicious pie.

If you are not fortunate enough to be in the Florida area, never fear, you can just stop by a local diner, and order up a slice of your favorite pie.

If you will be in the area, don’t miss this opportunity to check out the pie contests, and maybe even think about entering your own pie next year.  For more information, click here: http://www.piecouncil.org/2013AmateurRules

(All images from Google) 

Administrative Professionals

By Terry Orr

They are the Heart of any organization - keeping things moving - the nerve center and your trusted partner.

All to often, folks forget to let their administrative person know the great job they are doing and how much that is truly appreciated. Take a moment and thank them as often as possible.

How many times has your administrative saved the day?

(All images from Google) 

National Garden Month

By Diane Forrest

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a row.

I have a friend who loves spending time in the yard.  She is always outside either cleaning or planting or doing something in the yard.  She is always complaining if it rains, because she can't get outside.  I am just the opposite.  I love to see it rain, it gives me an excuse to stay out of the yard.

I have never been much of a yard person; I prefer air conditioning to the hot humid days of Mississippi, and all the bugs that go along with it.   I do like for my yard to look nice, but.... getting it that way is certainly not my favorite thing. 

According to Nationalgardenmonth.org, every April communities, organizations, and individuals nationwide celebrate gardening during National Garden Month. Gardeners know, and research confirms, that nurturing plants is good for us: attitudes toward health and nutrition improve, kids perform better at school, and community spirit grows. Join the celebration and help to make America a greener, healthier, more livable place.

TLC offers some ways to help celebrate this month.  They include:

• Plant a row for the hungry
• Organize a yard share in your community
• Garden with a friend or neighbor
• clean out your garden storage area and inventory your stuff
• Organize a flower brigade and take fresh flowers to the local nursing home or hospitals.

Not only is it the time for planting fresh flowers and plants, but also fresh fruits and vegetables.  My father has already put out his tomato plants, and his neighbor has put out squash, zucchini, peppers and beans.   Not only do they grow enough for their families, but also have plenty to share.

For more gardening ideas, click on this site, and start planting your garden today!  http://www.nationalgardenmonth.org/

(All images from Google) 

Real Hollywood Heroes

Over the weekend while browsing my Facebook page, I found this gem and highly encourage each of your to watch this two part video.  I believe Charlton has capture things very well.

Real Hollywood Heroes: Charlton Heston Speaks at Harvard Law School (Video)

http://independentfilmnewsandmedia.com/charlton-heston-speaks-harvard-law-school/

"That scares me to death, and it should scare you too, that the superstition of political correctness rules the halls of reason. You are the best and the brightest. You, here in this fertile cradle of American academia, here in the castle of learning on the Charles River. You are the cream. But I submit that you and your counterparts across the land are the most socially conformed and politically silenced generation since Concord Bridge. And as long as you validate that and abide it, you are, by your grandfathers’ standards, cowards." ~ Charlton Heston

Your comments are most welcome.

Playground Safety

By Diane Forrest

Yesterday we told you it was Kindergarten day, so today is a great time to also let you know that is it National Playground Safety week.

Probably one of the most repeated playground activities that have been depicted in a movie scene involves the licking of an ice-cold metal pole. And of course, getting stuck on it.  Hopefully by now the weather has warmed up enough to prevent freezing your tongue, but it has also warmed up enough to encourage young children to go out and play.

Playing on the playground during school at recess is not only a fun activity, but it is also beneficial for exercise and fresh air and sunshine.  My daddy always tells me my favorite class was recess!!

We recently told you about the home improvement areas you should do at the start of spring, but it is also important to check your local playgrounds to make sure they are safe too.  During the winter month, there is damage done to wood pieces getting rotten, and metal objects getting rusty.

During winter months most playgrounds are empty, however this does not prevent garbage and debris being deposited in the area that can also cause injury.

Take some time this week and check the areas your child or grandchildren will playing, make sure they are clean and safe, report any brooked toys to the authorities, and make sure the children are supervised while on the playground to prevent accidents during play time.

Did you know…that from Monday, April 22 – Friday, April 26, the national parks waive all entrance fees? So, whether it is your first trip, or the latest of many memorable park experiences, there couldn’t be a better time to get out and explore!

(All images from Google)