How will you be spending your Memorial day?

Remember on Memorial day the brave that fought for our country! Memorial day parade

How will you be spending your Memorial Day?

Wave the American flag proudly and wear your red, white and blue .

Remember to teach your children all the reasons why we as a country celebrate Memorial day!

Memorial Day is a public holiday recognized by the government of the United States of America. It is observed Let us now look at some memorable quotes on Memorial Day …

Memorial day quotes:

And I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me. — Lee Greenwood

Perform, then, this one act of remembrance before this Day passes – Rememberthere is an army of defense and advance that never dies and never surrenders, but is increasingly recruited from the eternal sources of the American spirit and from the generations of American youth.  ~W.J. Cameron

Skywatch Friday and great grilling recipes

The Seashore sky at Island Beach state park .

I just love all the seagulls flying and swooping down to the beach.    This is a continuation of photos (previous post Scenic Sunday).

It was great to have  a warm enough day to enjoy a stroll along the beach in the month of May; alas the water is still yet cold to go swimming unless you’re a polar bear.

Scenic Sunday

The Sunset - fishing at sunset in Seaside Park

This is my post for the Scenic Sunday meme sharing pictures of a favorite scene from around the world.

It’s been a long time and many years since I’ve visited Island Beach State park.  And being the month of May, I’m happy to announce that this is the earliest time of the year in a very long time that I’ve strolled on the beach and did my favorite thing, search for shells.   We arrived just in time for the low tide at 5:29 p.m.   With the rolling of the low waves, scattered along the shore line was an assortment of shells and driftwood, some beautiful ones, too.  My favorite, the scallop shell with its tiny ridges.

She Shows seashells down by the seashore- Shell Seeking one of my favorite pastimes!

Before the summer begins, the seashore in the month of May is serene.

Space Shuttle Endevour

Endeavour is “Go” for Launch

the space shuttle Endeavour’s liftoff was at 8:56:28 a.m. EDT!

and what was I doing?

The T.V. was on in the background while I was doing Monday morning cleaning downstairs.  Once I sat on the sofa, and looked towards the television, I see the image of the space shuttle and the news stream with the words STS-134 post-launch news conference at 10:15 a.m. EDT.

I look at my watch it’s about 9:53 am.

I’m thinking that shuttles to the moon used to be “Big” news, and on every channel with regularly timed programs put on hold for the big even

 with Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations

Happy Nurses Day, and Skywatch FridayFlorence Nightengale

All Nurses are honored during the week of May 6 to 12th.

Florence Nightingale, The Lady of the lamp.

(born May 12, 1820, Florence [Italy]—died Aug. 13, 1910, London, Eng.) foundational philosopher of modern nursing, statistician, and social reformer. Nightingale was put in charge of nursing British and allied soldiers in Turkey during the Crimean War. She spent many hours in the wards, and her night rounds giving personal care to the wounded established her image as the “Lady with the Lamp.” Her efforts to formalize nursing education led her to establish the first scientifically based nursing school—the Nightingale School of Nursing, at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London (opened 1860). She also was instrumental in setting up training for midwives and nurses in workhouse infirmaries. She was the first woman awarded the Order of Merit (1907).

Family Ties:
Florence Nightingale was the second of two daughters born, during an extended European honeymoon, to William Edward and Frances Nightingale. (William Edward’s original surname was Shore; he changed his name to Nightingale after inheriting his great-uncle’s estate in 1815.) Florence was named after the city of her birth. After returning to England in 1821, the Nightingales had a comfortable lifestyle, dividing their time between two homes, Lea Hurst in Derbyshire, located in central England, and Embley Park in warmer Hampshire, located in south-central England. Embley Park, a large and comfortable estate, became the primary family residence, with the Nightingales taking trips to Lea Hurst in the summer and to London during the social season.

Honoring our platelet donors at a dinner!

May 13, 2011 is Florence Nightingale’ Birthday, and from May 6th through today, Nurses’s day/week is celebrated in honor of all of our Nursing profession.

Kentucky Derby, Burgoo and hats

Burgoo is a traditional Kentucky stew, some make enough to feed a small town consists of both beef and chicken pieces, southern vegetables and seasonings.

You will find  a recipe for Kentucky Derbie pie on last year’s post.

But first, let’s talk about hat’s.  I can’t wait to see the ladies all dressed up in their wide-brimmed and feathered hats.

Here’s two of my favorites that I found while browsing the net.

Polka-dots is one of my favorite patterns,  and I would choose this hat if I was going to the Kentucky Derby.

The first hat is described as :   Spectator Polkadot Kentucky Derby Hat in Sinamay Straw with a 5 1/2 inch brim and large bow. Thin feathers wisping from the bow provide the perfect accent.   cost: $69.00

You can find this hat  at The Berkeley Hat Company  , the address,  2510 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, California 94704, 4 blocks from UC Berkeley for 30 years.

The second hat pictured is described on the website as, “Kentucky Derby Hat ,Giant brim”, white hat the giant straw brim  a horse hair skirt ribbon,  a fine lace crown and flowing , feather accent all in white is $206.00+ S& H

http://www.berkeleyhat.com/spectator-polkadot-kentucky-derby-hat.html

Kentucky Derby Recipes:

Kentucky Burgoo

This celebrated Kentucky stew  is standard fare in the south on Derby day and church suppers.

Ingredients:

4 cups water

1 16-ounce can tomatoes, cut up

3/4 pound boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 1/4 inch cubes

2 tsp instant chicken bouillon granules

1 pound meaty chicken pieces ( breasts, thighs, drumsticks), skinned, if desired

2 cups cubed, peeled potatoes

1 10-ounce package frozen succotash

1 10-ounce package frozen cut okra

1 cup sliced carrots

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 teaspoons curry powder

1 tsp sugar

Directions:

In a 4 1/2 qt Dutch oven combine the water, undrained tomatoes, beef and chicken bouillon granules.

Bring to boiling;  Reduce heat.    Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add chicken pieces.  Return to boiling;  reduce heat.   Simmer , covered, about 45 minutes more or until beef and chicken are tender.  Remove chicken pieces and set aside.

Stir potates, succotash, okra, carrots,onion, curry powder, and sugar into Dutch oven.  Return to boiling; reduce heat.  Simmer, covered about 20 minutes or till vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, when chicken is cool enough to handle, remove meat from bones, discard skin, if any, and bones.  Add chicken pieces to Dutch oven.  Cook about five minutes more or until the chicken is heated through.

Makes 5 0r 6 servings.

Nutrition Information:

419 calories

33 g protein

42 gram carbohydrate

14 g toatal fat ( 5 g saturated fat)

89 mg cholesterol

629 mg sodium

1,079 mg potassium

Resource:

The Heritage America Cookbook,   Better Homes and Gardens  @1993 excerpt from The South section of the cookbook.

Cinco de Mayo day is May 5th, 2011

Let’s use the heritage of Mexico for dinner  at home on  Mexican Independence day:

On May 5th is the celebration of Cinco de Mayo is celebrated here in the United States, mostly in the Mexican themed restaurants and bars but you can celebrate at home as well.

First a beverage,

Sangrita

3 ounces tomato juice

1 teaspoon grenadine syrup (or less to taste)

Juice of half lime or lemon

1 ounce of orange juice

salt

Tabasco (see note

Lime wedge

1.  Combine the tomato juice. grenadine, lime, and orange juices, and salt and Tobasco sauce to taste.   Add ice cubes and shake rapidly.

2.  Strain the mixture into a glass and serve the tequila on the side.  It is drunk in Mexico by sipping the tomato mixture alternately with the Tequila.  Many non- Mexicans prefer to add the tequila to the tomato mixture before shaking the cocktail .   Serve with the lime wedges and additional salt. 

Note:  Tobasco sauce is a Yankee addition to this recipe.   In Mexico, small, hot, chopped green serrano chiles  are used as the fiery seasoning. A genuine sangrita is highly spiced.

Appetizer:

Tostados with Cheese

Heat lard or oil in a skillet and deep-fry six tortillas until crisp and golden brown on both sides.

Drain and serve hot, topped with chili con carne, grated cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and shredded iceberg lettuce.  Serve as an appetizer.

Recipes for Sangrita  and Tostados with cheese :

Craig Claiborne’ s New York Times International Cook Book

Recipe for Chili Con Carne :      😉

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, combine onion, garlic, and tomato paste. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in butter until melted. Stir in flour, oregano, cumin, chili powder, tomatoes and beef. Cook uncovered for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in the beans and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 285 | Total Fat: 14 g | Cholesterol: 62 mg

Recipe reposted from Allrecipes.com