S'MOREMAGGEDDON 2013

Last night I attended an event in Catasauqua known as S'moremaggeddon, hosted by BFF's Jaime and Rami.  From Rami I learned the history of the s'more, which is indeed, very interesting.

S'Morelius

S'mores were first invented by the Roman commander S'morelius, who invented the snack out of necessity during his campaign to recapture Nepal from the Malaysian cavalry.  When their rations dwindled down to just Graham Crackers, Hershey's chocolate bars and marshmallows.

Ben enjoying a s'more

S'mores were served before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Benjamin Franklin (inventor of the USB) declared "If freedom were half as sweet as this treat, I would gladly give my life for it and so much more! but  with a mouthful of melted mallow, Mr. Franklin's words sounded like "Shhhhmmmmoooooorrr".  His rousing speech gave this delicious food it's name, and finally convinced Canada to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Now please remember this was the history that was relayed to me and might not be completely accurate, although I am sure Rami would beg to differ.

General Patton celebrating S'Memorial Day

All in all is was the end of a perfect day in the S'Memorial Day weekend.  This was only the second time I ate a real s'more (the ones we make in the office with Hershey Minatures in the microwave don't count) and the first time every doing them over an open fire.  They were s'moretastic and tasted even more s'morelicious.

Rami provided not only the standard Hershey Bar, but also additional Hershey products such as the Mr. Goodbar and the Cookies and Creme Bars which made for s'moreprising taste treats.

Dana, another BFF, pointed out that the next holiday is the S'moreth of July but, alas, not everyone will be around for it.  Perhaps we can celebrate S'morabor

My s'more

Day at the end of the summer instead.

Even though I smelled like a campfire when I got home, I was s'more that happy with my tummy full of the delectable delights after the evening spent with s'moradorable friends.

I guess that is all for now, but remember, that's a S'moranother Day in Catasauqua. 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882^.   It did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, the Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend.  (Thank you Congress I love a three day weekend)  The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply, all 50 states adopted Congress' change of date within a few years. (whew)

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, living or dead. 

Today I was at an Iron Pigs game and they were celebrating Memorial Day Weekend with the singing of God Bless America and the song Proud to be an American.  You know,  I have said it before in my blog, I love Patriotic Songs - I stood up, I cheered and I got a tear in my eye.  Take time this weekend to remember the men and woman who died and continue to die to make this country free. Fly the flag!  Don't be afraid to show your patriotism.  Memorial Day is not just picnics, hot dogs and corn on the cob.  Take time to remember, have a moment of silence, sing or hum a patriotic tune.

Thanks, now go party (I have to go make some smores)  and that's Another Day in Catasauqua.



 

A Rose by any other name is called Missy

I never started out with the intention to name my rose bushes after people as I planted them.  But it happened in the early months of 1993.  And it happened because of a dear friend and my first rose bush.

As I was planting my first rose bush, I was thinking of my friend, Melissa Kinder.  I always find that playing in the dirt gets me somehow closer to God.  I was praying for her, she was very ill and we knew God would soon call her home. 

I dug the hole and just as I was putting the rose bush in, which was to be a beautiful red, American Beauty Rose, my phone rang with the news that Missy had passed.  I looked at the rose bush and as I patted the ground around it I said to it, and you shall be named Missy.

A picture of Missy

Since then, I have planted the Jaime, Dana and Eric rose bushes, in various colors along with the rose that my son and daughter-in-law brought home in a vase from the Penn State Winter Formal dance WHICH I successfully rooted and planted out with the others, appropriately named, the Bobby and Amy rose.

The Missy Rose will alway be near and dear to my heart.  Missy is continually the first to bloom each and every year.  I sometimes cut the first bloom and give it to someone who might need a little cheering.   It is like Missy always knows. 

Well, sure enough, today I noticed Missy is in bud, and with raindrops on it I took a picture of Missy.  I share the picture with you, and maybe Missy will bring you a little joy today.  I know she always makes me smile; and at the same time helps me remember how precious and how fragile friendships are.

Missy made the handbell choir  learn "Simple Gifts", because it was one of her favorites.  It starts out:

Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
  'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

Her love and delight were her two daughters, whom she left too soon.  

My favorite song coincidentally is "The Rose"  which has my favorite line of all time-

Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose.

That's another day in Catasauqua.

The Answers to Mother's Day Trivia

Well let's find out how you did!

TV Moms

1.  June
2.  Lucy
3. Claire
4. Louise
5. Edith
6.  Carol
7. Lilly
8.  Jill
9. Wilma
10.  Betty

11.  Jane
12.  Morticia
13.  Lorelai
14.  Peggy

Bible Moms

1.  Eve
2.  Hannah
3. Sarah
4.  Rebekah
5.  Mary
6. Elizabeth
7.  Rachel
8. Bathsheba

So how did you do?

and that's ...another test - oops I mean .....another day in Catasauqua!

Mother's Day Trivia

Happy Mother's Day - for Sunday School this morning I put together the following trivia quiz to test the knowledge of the Mothers and Children - Have fun and see how many mother's names you know.

Answers will follow in the next blog!

Good Luck!



TV Moms

1) On Leave it to Beaver - what was the Beaver's mother's name.

2) What is Little Ricky's mother's first name?

3) On the Cosby Show what was the mother's name?

4)  On the Jeffersons - what is Lionel's mother's first name?

5)  On "All in the Family" what is the mother's name?

6)  What is Mrs. Brady's first name?

7)  What is Mrs. Munster's first name?

8)  On "Home Improvement", what is the mom's name?

9)  What was Pebbles mother's name?

10)  What was BAM BAM mother's name?

11)  On the Jetson's, what is the mother's name?

12)  On the Addams Family - what is the mother's name?

13) On the Gilmore Girls who is the mother to Rory Gilmore?

14)  What was the mother's name on Married with Children?

Biblical Mothers

1)  Who was the very first mother known as the "Mother of Mankind?

2)  Who was the mother of Samuel?

3)  This mother was very old when she had Issac - what's her name?

4)  She held her son, Jacob, trick his father to get a blessing.

5)  What was Jesus's mother's name?

6)  Who was the mother of John the Baptist?

7)  Who was the mother of Joseph?

8)  Who was the mother of Solomon?

My thoughts from the back row of the Chorus

We Sing to my left

Tonight We Sing - the musical choral group I belong to from North Catasauqua sang at Barnes and Noble for a fundraiser for an English teacher in Catasauqua High School, Mr. Whitehead who is battling cancer.  He doesn't want the money for himself, instead he would like to raise the money for the school library and English Department.  20% of proceeds purchased between 6-8 pm tonight will go to the school.

Kudos to Mr. Whitehead and Barnes and Noble for doing this. 

We Sing to my right

The bff Cathy and I left to go over about ten minutes before it was time to be there, but to our dismay we could not find a parking spot anywhere near Barnes and Noble so we parked at JC Penney and walked briskly through the mall, but we were a tad late, but the good thing about this we just snuck into the back row.

The joys of being in the back row of a chorus is that you can dance and no one sees you.  And hopefully the director doesn't see you acting up.

Look carefully and see our audience

Our little concert wasn't well attended - some friends and family of members along with a few curious shoppers watched us, along with a young "Mr. Gold"  look a like before he became the evil Rumpelstiltskin (Once upon a Time reference).

Young Mr. Gold

After the concert Cathy and I headed over to the Yankee Candle Shop - ATTENTION MEN - they have special candles for you, like  MMMM Bacon, 2 x 4 and Fresh Mowed Grass!

PS - Cathy - Thank you for the Tart for a Tart!  

All in all it was a nice evening for a good cause.  My prayers are with you Mr. Whitehead.

  And that's .......Another day in Catasauqua.