Let’s Celebrate (Almost) Anything Today

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Let’s Celebrate (Almost) Anything Today

Wow, Who knew August 15 had so many strange celebrations. Lets see if I can list them

  • National Shoe Donation Day
  • Assumption of Mary (Spain)
  • Hawaiian Shirt Day
  • India Independence Day
  • Kool Aid Day
  • National Men’s Grooming Day
  • National No Sponge Bob Day
  • National Relaxation Day
  • World Greatness Day
  • National Lemon Meringue Day

There’s more but you get the idea.  My favorite is Chant at the Moon Day.  

 

95,600+ Full Moon Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...

Full Moon- Stock photo

Chant at the Moon Day

The story goes that a cherry grower in Washington State thought harvesting his cherries around the full moon made them sweeter. In an inspired moment of promotional madness this grower decided that this sweetness deserved a celebration. So gather up your cherry loving friends and let out your best lunar cheer to cherry madness.

Superfood of the Month: Cherries | Lexington Medical Center ...

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Chant at the Moon Activities

1. Host a moonlit picnic
Gather your friends for a late-night feast under the stars. When you’ve had your fill, let the chanting commence! Just… maybe give your neighbors a heads-up first.

Picnic in the moonlight - Edible cake topper

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2. Eat cherries under the moon
This day was born from cherries, so naturally, they should be part of the party. Munch on sweet cherries as the moon rises and toast to summer’s bounty.

Prunus cerasus / 'Morello' Cherry | BBC Gardeners World Magazine

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3. Learn a little lunar lore
How big is the moon, really? Take a few minutes to look up fascinating moon facts. Not only will you be amazed, but you’ll also impress your Chant-at-the-Moon crew.

166 Free CC0 Full moon Stock Photos - StockSnap.io

4 Facts About Cherries

  1. Every 100 feet in elevation delays harvest by a day.
    This is why “moon cherries” are harvested late in summer.

  2. They’re harvested at sunrise.
    Cherries are delicate, so growers pick them early to preserve their shine.

  3. 62% of U.S. sweet cherries come from Washington.
    Add California and Oregon, and you’ve got 94% of the nation’s sweet cherry supply.

  4. One cup = under 90 calories.
    Plus, that same cup packs 3 grams of fiber for digestion, heart health, and blood sugar control.

291,500+ Fresh Cherries Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty ...

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Why Chant at the Moon Day is my pick for the day

It gets us outside.
Summer evenings are magical. This holiday is the perfect excuse to connect with nature.

It lets us be silly.
How often do you let loose and howl at the moon? This is your moment. Make the silliest chant possible — and yes, video evidence is encouraged for future “blackmail.”

It celebrates the season’s sweetest fruit.
August is the last big hurrah for cherries, peaches, and nectarines. Chant at the Moon Day reminds us to savor summer’s best before it’s gone.

2,700+ Peaches Nectarines Cherries Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free  Images - iStock

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Sometimes the best holidays are the ones that make absolutely no sense — and that’s exactly why they’re so much fun. Tonight, I’ll be outside, cherry in hand, chanting away. Will you?

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July

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Stay Safe Out There!

 

*New England 4th of July events calendar

Its 2025!

Happy 2025

This pretty much says it all!

Happy New Year Kitten Stock Photo - Download Image Now - Domestic Cat,  Party Hat, New Year's Eve

 

Resolutions?

I think NOT. At my age I’m pretty much set in my ways. Plus experience has proven that no matter my intentions I’ll fail in my resolutions and usually in a spectacular way. After all habits, especially age old ingrained habits , are hard to break.  For example, when Rocky crossed the Rainbow bridge I said no more cats. I’m too old. I will outlive them. Nope I’m done. But look who’s sharing my home now!

Banner & Balboa on Cat tree photo credit Deb Neumann

I’m sure we’ll have many adventures together but for now its time to change the kitty litter so we can start the New Year off nice and fresh. Then maybe I can make a nice breakfast and watch the Rose Parade 

 

Happy New Year Everyone. My Best Wishes to all!

 

 

Rainbows and Leprechauns

Happy Belated St Paddy’s Day- All Rainbows and Leprechauns

3,800+ Leprechaun Rainbow Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty ...

Leprechaun Rainbow Stock Photos

I hope your day was filled with Rainbows, pots of gold and Leprechauns. Did you do anything to celebrate? A pint of Guinness or just a green beer?. I made beef stew. Its not quite Irish stew but close. What is the difference between classic beef stew and Irish stew?  According to the internet its all in the meat.  Traditional Irish Stew uses  lamb (mutton) while beef uses, well, beef. 

a very cute and adorable few day old lamb

Lamb stock photo

59,500+ Beef Cattle Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...

Beef Cattle Stock Photos,

I love making stew since we have slow cookers now and I confess, I often cheat by using the McCormick Slow Cooker Beef  Stew seasoning packets.  I’ve found it keeps the prep simple and the flavor consistent. But whether I make it from scratch with beef broth and seasonings or use the packets one step I never skip is browning the stew meat.

I dump all those little meat cubes in a plastic bag with flour, salt and pepper and give them a good shake to coat. Then I toss them into a hot cast iron pan and brown the sides.  Once they are all browned up into the crock pot they go.  (By the way, I started using a liner and it makes clean up a breeze. )

My mom used to add a can of Veg All but I just chop up celery, carrots and onions and lots of potatoes. Any kind will do but I like the Yukon gold the best for my stew.

Beef Stew- Photo credit Deb Neumann

Basic Beef Stew Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 lbs beef stew meat , cut in 1 inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teas. salt
  • 1/2 teas ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 Cups beef broth
  • 4 medium carrots, sliced
  • 3 medium potatoes, diced
  • 1 medium onion , chopped
  • 1 stalk of celery, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Place the meat in a plastic bag or large bowl and coat with flour, salt and pepper
  2.  Brown the floured meat and place in your crock pot/ slow cooker
  3.  Add Broth, Vegetables and bay leaf to the slow cooker.  Stir to combine.
  4.  Set Slow Cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours or high for 4-6 hours. 

NOTES

  1. You can add other seasonings to taste like garlic, paprika, a dash of Worcestershire sauce for example. Like I mentioned above, My mom always added a can of Veg-All. 
  2.  I’ve used the low setting and the high settings and I have the best luck for tender, fall apart meat with the low setting. Long and slow wins in my house every time but when time is an issue I’d rather use high and a shorter cook time than go without.
  3.   AS mentioned above, the McCormick Slow Cooker Beef Stew Seasoning packets produce a consistently flavored stew and are easy to use and you don’t need the beef broth when you use them. Just water

 

Hope You all Had a great day!

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