Welcome to Awakenings

Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

How swe-e-et it is!

Turnovers, fold overs and today popovers! How swe-e-et it is! So many different names, yet each has its own way with our sweet tooth. So, pop on over to the kitchen and bake up some of today's tasty, puffy treat!

September 1 is...

What is the difference between a turnover and a popover? A turnover is any type of sweet or savory pastry made by filling dough and then folding it over to seal it (often referred to as a fold over). A popover is by simple definition a type of bread roll that is very light and made from eggs, milk and flour. Delving deeper into popovers uncovers British roots. The British Yorkshire pudding is comparable to what Americans affectionately call “popovers.” But, what actually is Yorkshire pudding? It is a popover made of baked unsweetened egg batter, typically eaten with roast beef. While these delicious rolls often go quickly during a meal, if you make extras, freeze them for future use, which for us Americans can be filled with sweetened cherries or cherry syrup for celebration.


Why not start your day with a breakfast popover?


Easy Homemade Popovers Recipe
The lovely thing about popovers are these big, gorgeous crowns that burst (or pop) over the top of the pan!
Basic Popover Recipe with Cherry Filling Recipe
  The popovers come out of the oven with perfect golden brown crowns, and hallow insides ready for a scoop of syrupy cherries.
Fanny Farmer Cookbook's Popovers Recipe
 Brown 'n' Crusty Outside and Creamy Inside




yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

Spectacular September


There is absolutely no question as to why September is spectacular! It welcomes the beginning of Autumn, a time of change! A much needed break from the sweltering temperatures of summer, an open door to landscapes erupting in riotous colorshow magnificent! With a new month comes occasions for celebration, so let's take a peek at what is at the top of the list for the month of September. What better start than to begin with music! Not just any music but tunes that date as far back as the 11th century that are still played in the 21st century. Then, make a music connection with each celebration.

Classical music may be at the bottom of your playlist but why not move it to the top during Classical Music Month? There is a huge possibility you know a lot more classical tunes than you think. Do you like the movies? More and more classical pieces are indeed intricate parts of their soundtracks. Even television programs and commercials have researched artistic masterpieces for marketing and advertising. You may or may not recognize the titles but perhaps the melodies ring a bell. Here is a sample...

According to Wikipedia, the term Hispanic is used to denote a link to Spain, whether it is a culture or a group of people. This is why the people of the countries and islands who were once ruled by Spain are labeled Hispanic today. As these geographical locations encompass a large variety of customs, traditions, cuisines, and music/art forms, the Hispanic community is a diverse group which cannot be limited to a stereotype. During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), celebrations are in order for the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. 
 
 
Put away the straw hats worn while gardening and the beach hats topping the head for protection from the summer sun. Jazz up your fall wardrobe with a stylish hat. Both men and women wear hats and hats have been a part of our history for centuries. A hat is a headcovering that may be worn for protection against the elements, for religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status. In the military, they denote rank and regiment. There are hats for men and hats for women, as well as hats worn by both sexes. Purveyors of men's hats are called hatters and purveyors of women's hats are called milliners. If you like, go cr-r-r-razy during Fall Hat Month.
The square dance is uniquely American. So American, almost 50% of the United States (24 to be exact) have designated the square dance as their state (folk) dance (click HERE). However, the format, many of the folk dances movements, and the terminology incorporated into the square dance were brought by early immigrantsEnglish, Irish and Scottish settlersfrom other countries to the United States. Celebrate International Square Dancing Month by participating along with a local square dancing club or host a square dance of your own. It's a great way to get some exercise while having fun at the same time!
We may be at the end of the summer season with temps beginning to drop (hopefully) but there are still some warm (even hot) days ahead. Of course, summer treats are not just for summer. Most are enjoyed year around with the Popsicle being one of them. The flavorful explosion of sweet blueberries at the end of summer has never tasted better. Include these in your next frozen treat experiment and you'll be a card-carrying member of the blue tongue society. Step back in time and celebrate National Blueberry Popsicle Month while listening to Jan & Dean's 'Popsicle'...
 
National Piano Month
The piano has been instrumental in many different genres of music with musicians 'tickling the ivories' for centuries. For National Piano Month, celebrate an instrument that continues to be classical, contemporary and flexible at the same time; an instrument that contributed enormously to the development of music as we know it, and continues to play a key role in modern music. It is enjoyed by young and old...there is no age limit when it comes to the piano!
Let's Talk Chicken! Did you know there are more chickens than any other domesticated bird on Earth? With that thought in mind, it is so far down the list of endangered species there is no need to worry about running low or heaven forbid OUT of Southern fried chicken! For National Chicken Month, options are endless as to how to enjoy chicken: casseroled, crocked, crusted, baked, BBQed, boiled braised, broiled, fingered, fricasseed, fried, grilled, nuggeted, pied, roasted, rotisseried, rubbed, saladed, sandwiched, sauced, sauteed, seared, smoked, stir-fried, stuffed, just about any way you like it. I fact, you can eat chicken every day for the month and never eat the same recipe twice. While dining on one of your favorite chicken recipes, enjoy one of many popular songs with chicken in the title!
Ah-h-h-h, September, so much to celebrate, especially the sweetest gift of naturehoney, of course! This one, simple ingredient is all-natural, delicious and so-o-o-o versatile. The National Honey Board (NHB) has always recognized the importance of honey bees and the benefits of honey. From the kitchen pantry to the bathroom vanity and beyond, honey plays a valuable role in our everyday lives. Did you know to make one pound of honey, a honeybee needs to tap 2 million blossoms? Now, that's what I call a 'worker'! Have a Honey Chipper Day but this time every day for the entire month.
 
Celebrate a healthy start every morning during the month of September. If you are not a breakfast eater, this is the month to change your habits. Jump start your metabolism, feel better and stay healthy. The benefits of eating breakfast are well worth the effort. As with any food be sure to include the right foods on the menu. Choose foods that contribute fiber, protein and healthy fats. Did you know breakfast should make up one-fourth to one-third of daily caloric needs? Just don't overdo with the sweets. Eat better during Better Breakfast Month!
Whew! That is a lot of celebration...and, to think that is not all being celebrated but all for now! Enjoy September!


This is classical...this is piano!

 

♫Music Musings♫



Thoughts and reflections mirror personal impressions about musicians, their unique rhythms and styles of music. No two are exactly alike, even when covering another artist's song. Perhaps one genre in particular is special with maybe something random now and again thrown into the mix to be different. The mood of the moment sets the tone of the music: fast, anxious, noisy versus slow, relaxing, soft. What music speaks for you?

Today in Music History: August 31





1956 The top 10 songs in the UK singles chart were all by American artists including Elvis Presley, The Platters, Doris Day, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, and Gogi Grant. What a diverse group of recording artists and their songs! Each of these had No.1 hits in the US.
1963 The girl trio, The Angels, started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘My Boyfriend’s Back’. The writers of the song Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer were a trio of Brooklyn songwriter/producers who went on to write the hits ‘Sorrow’ and have the 1965 US No.11 single as The Strangeloves with ‘I Want Candy’.
 1963 The Ronettes first entered the US singles chart with 'Be My Baby' the girl group's only top 10 hit. Lead singer, Veronica Bennett who became Ronnie Spector, took producer and ex-husband Phil Spector to court in the late 1990s for unpaid royalties.
 1969 Decca Records released what has been called The Rolling Stones most political song, 'Street Fighting Man', written after Mick Jagger attended a March 1968 anti-war rally at London's US embassy, during which mounted police attempted to control a crowd of 25,000. The single was kept out of the US Top 40 (reaching No.48) because many radio stations refused to play it based on what were perceived as subversive lyrics.
1985 'Brothers In Arms' by Dire Straits started a nine-week run at No.1 on the US album charts. The album also topped the charts in 25 other countries and went on to sell over 20 million worldwide.
1985 UB40 with guest vocals from Chrissie Hynde had the UK No.1 single with their version of the Sonny Bono song 'I Got You Babe' a hit for Sonny & Cher in 1965.
1987 The largest pre-order of albums in the history of CBS Records occurred as 2.25 million copies of Michael Jackson's ‘Bad’ album were shipped to record stores in the US. The LP followed the Jackson album, ‘Thriller’, the biggest Jackson-seller of all time (over 35 million copies sold). ‘Bad’ went on to sell over 13 million copies.



1991 Metallica started a four-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with, Metallica. The album featured ‘Enter Sandman’, ‘Sad But True’, ‘The Unforgiven’ and ‘Nothing Else Matters’ went on to sell over 10 million copies in the US alone.
1997 Oasis went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their third album 'Be Here Now.' The album had sold over a million copies on the first day of release. At that point, Oasis were at the height of their fame, and 'Be Here Now' became the United Kingdom's fastest selling album to date.
  
2003 Elton John went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Are You Ready For Love'. The song was recorded in 1977 and released in 1979, when it reached No.42. It was used by Sky TV for their Premiership football ads.

2002 NASA announced that Lance Bass, singer with NSYNC, was to become the first celebrity astronaut. His $23.8 million (£14 million) place on a Russian Soyuz module would make him the youngest person at 23 years of age to go into orbit. Bass ended up not taking part in the flight after failing to pay for his $20+ million ticket on the craft.

2004 UK medical magazine Thorax issued a warning to music fans saying that listening to loud music in the car can give you a collapsed lung. One 19 year-old had been treated in Bristol after his left lung collapsed as his 1,000-watt bass box boomed out in his Fiat Panda.

2006 The Times ran a story on the demands of rock stars when on tour. Check these out...
Ozzy Osbourne insists on an eye, ear, nose and throat doctor at each venue.
The Beach Boys require a licensed masseur.
Meat Loaf requires a mask and one small tank of oxygen.
David Bowie requests that the dressing room temperature is between 14c and 18c.
Paul McCartney must have a large arrangement of white Casablanca lilies in his dressing room.
Mick Jagger must have an onstage autocue with the lyrics to all the songs, it would also tell him the name of the city in which they were performing.
 


And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...  

Wink on Wednesday

Today's History Lesson...nuggets of knowledge

History is filled with nuggets of knowledge left by individuals, teams, or groups of persons providing a peak into often humorous slices of time. These may occur at any time, on any day with or without warning. They just happen. Some have even resulted in permanent changes, thus impacting lives forever.

It happened one day some time in 1907...

Will Keith Kellogg
Source: en.wikipedia.org
One of the craziest schemes turned into one of the greatest ad campaigns of the century in 1907 in an effort to alter breakfast habits forever. Guess who was responsible? A Michiganian ... Mr. K-E-Double L-O-Double G himself Will Keith Kellogg

You never know where a spark is lying dormant just waiting for the right moment to be kindled and start blazing. That is exactly what happened in this case. According to people who knew Will Kellogg, it was not very likely he would be a successful person at all, let alone a entrepreneurial genius...eventually one of the wealthiest men of the century!

*****
There are fascinating details behind the scenes of Kellogg's fame and fortune. He left school at age 14 and began his working career selling brooms with his father, which lasted only a few years. He was not the best broom salesman. He joined his brother John Harvey Kellogg who ran the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan. He performed odd jobs, a few basic management functions and personal chores. The most excitement of his day was when he had the opportunity to chase down a patient trying to escape! Of course, the best time of the day for him was working in the kitchen helping with the food preparation. The rest of that part of the story is history at its finest! Not bad for a kid who quit school in the sixth grade!

What does all of that have to do with a wink on Wednesday? 

While the product sold itself in taste, there was a lot of competition going on at the time. Even his brother became a competitor! That's when Will Kellogg's brain seized the moment! Advertising was a relatively new phenomenon. After all communications were still in their infancy. 


In one of Kellogg’s first ads, he began, “This announcement violates all the rules of good advertising.” Why? Because readers were not able to by his product from any grocers at the time; none of them carried the product. Instead, Kellogg gave out coupons for free samples and asked people to urge their grocers to carry the product so they could redeem their coupons.
Of course, he still promoted the great taste of the cereal and the fact it was nutritious.  Will also began to market his product as the 'original' corn flake, especially in the wake of his brother's increasing competition. By 1906, his ads ran in 17 magazines, which equates to six million readers and he had shipped out over 180,000 cases of cereal.

When skeptics told Kellogg that his product would never become national until he conquered the New York market, Kellogg decided to make that his next challenge. He launched an ad that read, “Wednesday is ‘Wink Day’ in New York,” promising every housewife in the city who winked at her grocer on Wednesday that she would receive a free box of corn flakes. “This advertising will arouse the curiosity of the entire city,” he thought to himself. He sent New York grocers word of his promotion, warning them, “Don’t give out samples before then. If anybody winks on Monday or Tuesday, tell them to wink on Wednesday.” Kellogg’s promotion worked. The Wink Day campaign pushed Kellogg’s sales up from two carloads a month to over 30!  
While focusing on Will Kellogg's 'Wink on Wednesday' campaign, don't lose sight of the times. For a woman to wink at another man, especially if she were married, was not the sign of a true lady but a signal of different intentions. Can you imagine if one of the grocers had not received the message about the ad? Should several women enter his store at the same time and start winking, oh, dear, what would the man have thought?

And life goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times... 

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Fun! Fun! Fun! Triple play!


Do you enjoy the outdoors? Ready to hike along a wooded trail? What about a picnic? Like to grill or enjoy grilled food? Bring on the rest and relaxation away from the stress and busyness of the hectic workday. The coming celebrations are definitely reminders of having the cake and eating it too! What a grand way to end the month of August, not with just one named 'day' but three!

August 31 is...

Eat Outside Day

 

Prepare to set the table on the porch or patio, or spread a blanket on the ground. If you prefer to dine out, be sure to choose a restaurant where you can eat on an outside deck. This is the day to enjoy some fresh air hopefully without sweating too much in the sweltering, unrelenting August heat. With it being the end of the month, temperatures should be cooling down somewhere but unfortunately not everywhere. Find a good shade tree or maybe head out of the house in the early morning hours before the day's temps begin to rise. Um-m-m-m? Who said eating outside could not commence at breakfast time! However and whenever you decide to celebrate just don't forget the knork and be sure to make the day family time! 

While deciding where to go and what to eat, keep in mind...

 

August 31 is also ... 
International Bacon Day
aka Baconmania!


Ah-h-h-h...the aroma of bacon baked or fried, the sound of bacon as it sizzles in the oven or pan, the feel of choppin' bacon for a salad or placing bacon strips on a sandwich or burger, and of course, the taste of bacon as tastebuds become absorbed in flavor bursts of pure delight. Are you craving bacon yet? If not, you should be...so get it ready for the picnic, grill some bacon burgers or be sure to include bacon in one of your menu items if dining out. Ever tried frying bacon and eggs in an iron skillet on the grill? Yum! Bet it's breakfast time somewhere around the globe!

http://didyouseethis.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/international-bacon-day-2010/
Bacon is celebrated every year with the photo at left maybe going a bit overboard but the point well taken: A toast to bacon! Did you know that bacon originated in China? What about in the year - 1500 BC during the Shang Dynasty? That's a long, long time for people to have been enjoying bacon and solidifies the fact that bacon has been consumed for centuries upon centuries upon centuries. Whether cured or fried extra crispy, its decadent, rich, indulgent flavor calls for more, more, more! Did you know the average American eats 17.9 lbs of bacon each year? That is just one of basic 17 Mouthwatering Facts About Bacon...
The third and final celebration for this day is a snack that can be enjoyed throughout the morning or afternoon while preparing to eat outside or prepping the bacon.

August 31 is also...
National Trail Mix Day
aka GORP Day
"Good Old Raisins and Peanuts"
 
http://calendar-printable.com/holidays/national-trail-mix-day-august-31st-history-pictures.html

There is always the need to have snacks available any day, any time of the day. One of the best between meals snack is Trail Mix, aka GORP"Good Old Raisins & Peanuts", which can be purchased at the store or made fresh at home.
In New Zealand, trail mix is known as scroggin or "schmogle". The term is also used in some places in Australia but usage has only been traced back to the 1970s. Some claim that the name stands for Sultanas, Carob, Raisins, Orange peel, Grains, Glucose, Imagination, Nuts or Sultanas, Chocolate, Raisins and Other Goody-Goodies Including Nuts; but this may be a false etymology. Source: wikipedia.org
As for GORP, it doesn't have to stop with just the raisins and peanuts, no, sir! Toss in the Chex, sunflower seeds, favorite cereal, M&Ms, chocolate chips or chunks, pretzels, dried fruits (banana slices, pineapple chunks, cherry bits), dates, coconut flakes, almonds, pistachios, cashews, pecans, whatever tickles your nose or fancies your taste buds. Since August 31st is also Eat Outside Day and International Bacon Day, plan a hike outdoors and don't forget to toss in some crispy fried bacon pieces into baggies of Trail Mix to snack on along the way.

Recipes to be enjoyed at some time throughout the day...
Click the image or the name of the recipe!

For Eat Outside Day...

http://southernfood.about.com/od/burgerrecipes/r/bl60718c.htm

For International Bacon Day...

Add bacon to the Juicy Grilled Burgers or


Wondering what to have for dessert?

http://bacontoday.com/chocolate-bacon-pecan-pie-with-chocolate-whipped-cream/
Click HERE for recipe!

For Trail Mix Day
enjoy a munchie between meals...

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/trail-mix-recipe.html

http://www.brit.co/trail-mixes/

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/trail-mix-cookies/

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

*****

On the horizon...