Quick Links: Watermelon Month

Okay, there seems to be a bit of confusion as to when Watermelon Month is actually celebrated. What's a girl to do? Write the Watermelon Guy himself? Yes. Here is what he had to say when queried about National Watermelon Month.

"You’re right, Louise. Some sources designate August as National Watermelon Month and some say July. I side with July because that’s the official word from the National Watermelon Association. July 2007 was designated as National Watermelon Month by the U.S. House of Representatives and if they say it’s National Watermelon Month, it must be National Watermelon Month. Of course, I’m not sure if that resolution only pertained to July of 2007 or if it was meant to apply to every July thereafter. If there’s still some confusion about July or August, we can always just celebrate watermelon in both months and have twice the fun!"

I agree! You know, I had this same problem with National Peach Month last year and I got through it like "Peaches N' Cream." Let's have some watermelon fun!!!

One of the first watermelon recipes I spotted and had to know more about comes from Mandy, Gourmet Mom on-the-Go. Can you guess the "secret" ingredient??? How clever. And, that picture! Amazing!!!

"It is chief of the world's luxuries, king by the grace of God over all the fruits of the earth. When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat..." ~Mark Twain~

Oh my, and here I thought those shapely spheres were only filled with refreshing crunchy goodness. Boy oh by was I wrong. There's another side to watermelon I just never considered. Thank goodness Stacey has more of a cosmopolitan approach to this member of the Gourd family. Doesn't Watermelon, Ricotta Salata & Mint Salad sound heavenly? Leave it to Stacey Snacks to wet this girl's appetite!

I don't know about you but I'm not quite fortified with enough glacial watermelon recipes. Hmmm...I know just when the seeds were planted. It was when I stopped in at Leslie's; The Hungry Housewife and feasted my tired eyes on those Frozen Watermelon Pops! I knew I couldn't leave without one. Go ahead, I dare you! The image alone will carry you off to a watermelon oasis.

Confession time...I rarely buy watermelon for myself. When I do buy watermelon, it has to be whole. I just don't feel comfortable buying it when it has been pre-sliced or cut into chunks and stuffed into one of those plastic containers. I mean really, how much watermelon can one person eat? On the other hand, my grandchildren LOVE watermelon! Is there a child that doesn't, I wonder? Perhaps, I really never cared for watermelon when I was a child. So, as much as I would like to venture into the world of cooking with watermelon, I may not get there in the near future. I will be saving the recipes I have included in this post (which by the way is one of the reasons I am doing this post:) for a later date. I think the recipes and gorgeous images above are all truly mouth-watering and worthy of at least one attempt by yours truly:)

In the mean time, I intend on setting my watermelon dreams on "Watermelon Cake and Thoughts of Summer" carefully prepared and shared by T.W. @ Culinary Types.

Staying true to my "rind," I just wouldn't feel right if I too didn't contribute a recipe, or two for Watermelon Month. The first recipe for Sweet Watermelon Rind Pickle was harvested from What Mrs. Fisher Knows about Old Southern Cooking published in 1881. The copy of Mrs. Fisher's book in my collection is in PA as is the second recipe for Spiced Watermelon Rind from The Best of Amish Cooking by Phyllis Pellman Good.

Sweet Watermelon Rind Pickle:
Take the melon rind and scrape all the meat from the inside, and then carefully slice all the outside of the rind from the white part of the rind, then lay or cover the white part over with salt. It will have to remain under salt one week before pickling; the rind will keep in salt from year to year. When you want to pickle it, take it from the salt and put into clear water, change the water three times a day –must be changed say every four hours – then take the rind from the water and dry it with a clean cloth. Have your vinegar boiling, and put the rind into it and let it lay in vinegar four days; then take it from the vinegar, drain, and sprinkle sugar thickly over it and let it remain so one day. To make syrup, take the syrup from the rind and add eight pounds more sugar to it, and put to boil; boil till a thick and clear syrup. Weigh ten pounds of rind to 12 pounds of sugar; cover the rind with four pounds of it and make the syrup with the remaining eight pounds. While the syrup is cooking add one teacupful of white ginger root and the peel of three lemons. When the syrup is cooked, then put the rind into the boiling syrup, and let it cook till you can pass a fork through it with ease, then it is done. When cooled, put in jar or bottles with one pint of vinegar to one quart of syrup, thus the pickles are made. See that they be well covered with vinegar and syrup as directed. What Mrs. Fisher Knows about Old Southern Cooking (1881)

"Watermelons were a delicacy for Nebraska settlers. When the watermelons were in season and ripe, they were a summer treat and a standard for the ten o'clock and three o'clock lunch. Some pioneer families even claimed to keep melons through the winter by stuffing them in haystacks. (images)

Spiced Watermelon Rind
5 pounds watermelon rind, cut in 2" chunks, each with about a 1/4" strip of pink watermelon fruit
1/2 cup salt
2 quarts water
5 cups granulated sugar
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1-1/2 cups water
1/8 tsp. oil of cloves
1/8 tsp. oil of cinnamon

1. Place watermelon chunks in a large dishpan or crock. Combine salt with 2 quarts of water and pour over watermelon. Let set overnight.
2. Drain, rinse with fresh water and drain again.
3. Place watermelon in large saucepan, add fresh water and cook until tender. Drain.
4. Meanwhile, combine sugar, vinegar, water and spices. Bring to boil and pour over the cooked and drained watermelon. Let set overnight.
5. Drain watermelon, reserving syrup. Bring to boil, pour over watermelon and let set again overnight. Repeat this process for 3 days.
6. On day 3, cook watermelon and syrup together for 3 minutes. Then pour into hot sterilized jars and seal. Makes 6 pints.
The Best of Amish Cooking by Phyllis Pellman Good (1988)

A special thank you to everyone who was kind enough to let me "borrow" their enticing images for National Watermelon Month. I would suggest you, dear reader, take a skip on over to their blogs and check out the recipes. Simply delightful! Thank you also to watermelon.org for the sculptured watermelon turtle pictured above:)

FYI: Oklahoma designated watermelon as the official state vegetable in 2007. (Yes, that's vegetable?)
Seeded watermelon chunks can be frozen to use in watermelon slushes or fruit smoothies. Watermelon sorbet or granita stays fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
According to Yum Sugar, National Watermelon Day is August 3rd!

Wait! Before you go, today is also Pina Colada Day! Check out this Pina Colada Freeze over at Hungry Girl.

Resources
1. Watermelon 101
2. National Watermelon Association
3. Watermelon—The Essense of Summertime (Brooklyn Botanic Garden)
4. Smoked Eels with Watermelon & Balsamic Glaze
5. Grilled Watermelon with Seared Wild Scallops
6. Watermelon Varieties for Pickling
7. Chinese Watermelon Art Sculpture
8. Peaches 'N Cream

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A Shameless Plug & A Give-Away (sorta)

What kind of mommy-in-law would I be if I didn't boast about my precious Kyla. I just happened to visit her blog this evening; Blue Collar Catwalk and as I was playing catch-up, I stumbled upon her first give-away. Now, I must take a moment to tell you, if you are into fashion and you are on a budget, Blue Collar Cat Walk is the blog to visit for honest to goodness inspiration. Let me introduce you. (clickable pics:)

Exquisite Kyla

Playful Children

Grand-Pup Iggy Pop

Tolani Scarf Give-Away

Have Fun! Good Luck!...tune in [late] tomorrow. It's Watermelon Month!!!

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A Birthday Kiss...

What can you do with a kiss, a Hershey's Kiss that is? Can you think of a better way to celebrate the birthday of Hershey Kisses than by playing with them? Oh, you can, can you. Well then, I for one would love to hear your thoughts. You see, I LOVE Hershey Kisses! You may believe I divulge this morsel of truth today because, it was 102 years ago to the day that Milton Snavely Hershey had the idea to disguise those love bite pieces of chocolate in shiny silver coats of foil. Perhaps, but there's another reason. You see, I LOVE Hershey Kisses.

Many regular visitors to this blog are aware of the fact that I travel back and forth to Pennsylvania pretty regularly. They also know I usually follow the same routine. What they don't know, is I have my own supply of Hershey Kisses with me every single time I make the trip! Yes Sir Ree, I have my own portable Hershey's Chocolate Factory at my disposal with a flick of the wrist. Wanna see?

How cool is that??? I'll give you a peek into the factory windows if you recite after me; Louise LOVES Hershey Kisses!!!

Perhaps the most popular candy in the world, Hershey Kisses celebrated their centennial in 2007 with lots of "Loves & Kisses" by way of a postage stamp issued by The United States Postal Service.

Let's see, what else can you do with a Hershey's Kiss? It is summer after all, I suppose one could celebrate in Hershey, Pennsylvania where the streets are lined with streetlights shaped like Hershey Kisses. I only live about 3 hours away from Hershey when I am in PA. But alas, I'm in New York for this Birthday Kiss birthday. Here are a few "crafty" things you can do with a Kiss.

Hershey's Kisses Kritters
Gabriela's Mice Kisses
Edible Halloween Witches Hats
Marshmallow Snowmen

As for me, I'm celebrating the Kisses' birthday by going to an online barbecue over at Gloria's Cookbook Cuisine blog. Everyone's invited but you better hurry because, the round-up is July 10th. I'm pretty sure Gloria won't be able to include my adapted barbecue recipe in her book because, I found it over at Slashfood where I also found a few other inviting recipes to help celebrate the Kisse's Birthday. For the BBQ, I adapted the recipe for Hershey's Chocolate Barbecue Sauce. I was going to melt down a whole bunch of Hershey's Kisses (2 cups worth) and substitute them for the Hershey's Syrup in the recipe but, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. You see, I LOVE Hershey's Kisses! However, I'm not too sure I would like them on my Grilled Chicken. I'll just have to send the Grilled Chicken with a Kiss instead:)

Here are a few more cooking things you can do with a Hershey's Kiss. I'm off to the BBQ!!!
Krispie Kisses
Chocolate Cherry Kisses
Win a Night at the Museum Sweepstakes (ends October, 2009)
Meringue Kisses with Passion Fruit Fool ("yields a light, crispy cookie that won't make you feel guilty.")
Meringue & Chocolate Kisses
Hugs & Chocolate Kisses

Did You Know? 95 Kisses =1lb. chocolate AND The name of the paper coming out of every Kiss is called a plume. So, If there are 95 Kisses in 1 pound of chocolate, How much would a single Hershey Kiss weigh in milligrams if 1 pound is to 2.2 kg? Did you know the answer? Have a Kiss below. Give up? Answer.

FYI: Today is also the "birthday" of Sliced Bread! Read all about it @ Tasteful Inventions. Friday I'll be serving up some watermelon dishes for Watermelon Month!

Resources
1. 100 years A Kiss to Build a Dream On, Hershey's Kiss Turns 100
2. Hershey's Chocolate Barbecue Sauce @ Slashfood
3. The Hershey Insider (blog that keeps up with all things Hershey
4. Hershey's Kiss @ wiki
5. Zoe's Hershey Kiss Collection
6. May is National Barbecue Month (previous post)

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The Domestic Side of Uncle Sam

Today, the day before one of our nation's most patriotic holidays, I would like to introduce you to, drum roll please...Aunt Sammy. Ah...You might be thinking. "Louise is going to formally introduce a relative; dear and close to her heart." "How sweet." Well, not quite. You see, Aunt Sammy is or should be near and dear to every American's heart. She is and always has been, Good Ol' Uncle Sam's wife! I digress:

You know that scene in the movie Miracle on 34th Street when Fred Gailey (John Payne) unequivocally proves Mr. Kringle to be the "one and only Santa Claus..."

Fred Gailey: Your Honor, every one of these letters is addressed to Santa Claus. The Post Office has delivered them. Therefore the Post Office Department, a branch of the Federal Governent, recognizes this man Kris Kringle to be the one and only Santa Claus.

Judge Henry X. Harper: Uh, since the United States Government declares this man to be Santa Claus, this court will not dispute it. Case dismissed. source

Well, the proof is in the pudding. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Aunt Sammy is Uncle Sam's wife. I know this to be true because, I found a 1974 edition Index to the USDA Home and Garden Bulletins available online. I quote:

Aunt Sammy came to life with the first radio broadcast of "Housekeeper's Chat" on October 4, 1926. The character of Aunt Sammy—wife of Uncle Sam was created by the USDA Bureau of Home Economics and the Radio Service. Many women across the country played the part as they spoke into the microphones of local radio stations.

The highlights of Aunt Sammy's show were the menus and recipes, but Aunt Sammy also talked about clothing, furniture, appliances, and other family and household matters. Aunt Sammy wasn't just a homebody, however. She commented on world affairs, reported the latest fads, and told jokes. The talk moved easily from one subject to another, always natural and entertaining as well as informative.

Many listeners wrote for copies of the recipes, and the Bureau of Home Economics answered these requests with weekly mimeographed sheets. In 1927 the most popular recipes were assembled into a pamphlet. The demand was so great that it had to be reprinted after only a month. "Aunt Sammy's Radio Recipes" was revised and enlarged three times between 1927 and 1931. In 1932 it became the first cookbook published in braille.

I wish I could show you Aunt Sammy's rosy little face. As the story goes, "Aunt Sammy was actually 50 women standing before 50 microphones in 50 radio stations across the country, and reading 50 identical scripts prepared by the USDA's Radio Service." (That old coot, Uncle Sam:)

Aunt Sammy's roots were planted firmly in small town America, just where the United States Department of Agriculture needed her to be. The "purpose" of Aunt Sammy's radio show was "to give homemakers useful information on the scientific practice of their job." Her warm, witty personality was welcomed into millions of American homes everyday. No longer did farming communities remain "out of the loop" when it came to matters that pertained to them. Aunt Sammy warned her female audiences of get rich schemes, while educating them in the use of the innovative appliances invading their homes. I found a most interesting article published in The Free Lance Star dated October 9, 1975. "A morsel please" you say? Surely,

"Housekeeper's Chat" was the high point in a series of radio programs initiated by the Department of Agriculture under Milton Eisenhower...

It just so happens, that Milton Eisenhower was the younger brother of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He also served presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard M. Nixon as a special consultant. His biography attests to the fact that he had rural America's needs close to his heart.

Milton Stover Eisenhower, the last of six sons of David and Ida (Stover) Eisenhower, was born on September 15, 1899, in Abilene, Kansas, a farm-oriented town of about 5,000. His paternal grandfather, Jacob, a farmer and Mennonite minister, had brought his family to the midwest from Pennsylvania after the Civil War. He prospered, but son David, despite a wedding gift of a 160-acre farm plus $2,000 in cash, did not. So Milton Eisenhower grew up in relatively poor circumstances, but he was surrounded by the support of many relatives.

Wise Aunt Sammy and her radio broadcast had a tremendous impact on women of the post war era. As an official radio representative and Uncle Sam's female counterpart, Aunt Sammy gained the trust and loyalty of her listeners. The chats were written in an informal style. Unlike Betty Crocker who "hit the waves" in March of 1925, for the purpose of selling more flour, Aunt Sammy, passed along helpful hints and economical recipes. She discussed the important problems concerning home makers such as meal planning, marketing, cooking, canning, sewing, decorating, gardening and a host of subjects. By 1927, there were approximately 1,251,186 radio sets on farms in the United States. More than 100 commercial stations were broadcasting the USDA's programs including, Aunt Sammy's daily housekeepers' chat, noontime farm flashes, poultry chats, insect and wild animal allies and enemies, farm news digest, primer for town farmers, and the United States Radio Farm School. 

Report of W. M. Jardine, Secretary of Agriculture, November 1, 1926: Page 56: Radio and the Farmer

Early in 1926 the number of rural radio sets in the United States reached nearly 1,000,000. To furnish the users of these sets with timely agricultural information, the department has inaugurated a comprehensive radio program covering the full range of its activities. A new section in the Office of Information, known as the radio service, has been established, to originate programs; to make contracts with commercial stations as an outlet for these programs; and to adapt timely subject matter for radio presentation. Ninety broadcasting stations, representing every section of the country, lend their facilities regularly to the department for an average of half an hour daily. The department's farm programs are brief digests of the most timely, pertinent facts woven into story form, and covering a wide range of topics.

The United States Radio Farm School, which has already brought requests for a half million enrollment cards, is conducted from 25 stations. Lessons take the form of experience talks and imaginary inspection tours. Radio "schoolmasters" at the different stations conduct the classes. All lesson material is dramatized so as to catch and hold the interest of the listeners. Printed lessons are mailed to all enrolled students.

Another outstanding service, released from 50 stations, is called "Noonday Flashes." This program enables a million farmers to listen in daily on a conversation between a county agent and a farmer who discuss current problems. "Aunt Sammy," a new radio friend and neighbor for the 5,000,000 farm women of the Nation who have an opportunity to tune in, is heard from 40 stations. The service known as the "Housekeepers' Chat" is a 15-minute period devoted five days a week exclusively to up-to-date information on subjects of interest to women...During the 1926-27 season, the radio service sent 10,000 questionnaires to individual farmers, county agricultural agents, and managers of broadcasting stations. The replies are incorporated in a report, The Number and Uses of Radio Sets on Farms in the United States, April 1, 1927. In April 1927, there were 1,251,186 radios on farms in the United States, an increase of 128 per cent over the number on farms July, 1925.

The report was used as a guide in planning the radio programs. This season's programs include three of last year's favorites: Aunt Sammy's daily housekeepers' chat, the noontime farm flashes, and the United States radio farm school, as well as eight special features. The special features for 1927-28 are: The poultry chats, a new program worked out in answer to numerous requests for a special poultry program; the young folks' program; insect and wild-animal allies and enemies; primer for town farmers; the farm news digest, and chats by the weather man. Two new special monthly programs are scheduled: The agricultural situation review; and special monthly farm playlets dramatizing agricultural problems.

The services are well received by broadcasting stations. More than 100 commercial stations were broadcasting the department's programs in October. Hundreds of letters received from farmers cite instances of how these programs are put to use. Farmers report increased profits through improved marketing practices learned in farm radio lessons. More cotton on fewer acres, better food in the home, and better crops at lower cultivation costs, are listed among the benefits received. Thousands of individual requests have been received for literature mentioned in the services. Fifty thousand free copies of Aunt Sammy's Radio Recipes and 165,219 free Farm School pamphlets have been issued. (Early Radio History)

Aunt Sammy's chats were eventually reduced from 15 minute segments to 10 minute segments. However, Uncle Sam's fictional "wife" competed with the best of them. Betty Crocker still had her radio program as did Ida Bailey Allen. Ida Bailey Allen will be discussed on this blog in the future. Suffice to say now, she was author of Cooking For Two, a real dietitian, and a cooking instructor. Allen's "The National Radio Homemakers Club" ran on CBS radio from 1925 to 1935. By 1935, while Aunt Sammy was being broadcast on 200 stations in 48 states plus Hawaii, "The Radio Homemakers Club" had switched to NBC radio and remained on the air until 1936. Ah...Women in the Golden Days of Radio.

It isn't unusual to have recipe booklets such as Aunt Sammy's Radio Recipes Revised stamped with a political name of sorts. I have quite a few "politically driven" books in my collection. My edition of Aunt Sammy's Radio Recipes Revised is compliments of James E. Van Zandt; Member of Congress, 23rd Dist. Penn.

I have chosen a "seasonal" recipe to share from Aunt Sammy's Radio Recipes Revised in honor of today which just happens to be "Eat Beans Day," according to Gourmet Magazine's website; the Nibble. Despite the assortment of baked bean recipes I discovered at this website in honor of another bean speciality of the month, National Baked Bean Month, I have chosen Aunt Sammy's recipe for Boston Baked Beans. Boston Baked Beans require a fair amount of cooking time. However, they are indeed worth the effort.

Boston Bake Beans

2 cups dried beans 1/2 lb. salt pork 4 tbs. molasses

1 tsp. mustard, if desired 1-1/2 tsps. salt (depending on saltiness of pork)

Soak the beans overnight in cold water to cover. In the morning drain, add a quart of fresh water, simmer for 45 minutes, or until the beans begin to soften, and drain. Score the rind of the salt pork and put half of the pork in the bottom of the bean pot. Add the beans, mix the molasses and other seasonings with a little hot water, and pour over the beans. Add enough hot water to cover. Place the rest of the salt pork on top, cover the pot, and cook the beans in a slow oven (about 250 degrees) for 6 or 7 hours. Add a little hot water from time to time to replace that which cooks away and is absorbed by the beans. Keep the lid on the bean pot until the last hour of cooking, then uncover, and allow beans and pork on the top to brown.

A very special thanks to our Military and a Happy & Safe Independence Day celebration to everyone! 

Resources
1. Index to the USDA Home and Garden Bulletins
2. The Free Lance Star
3. The Feminine Side of Patriotism & Liberty
4. Popular Culture in American History (@ google books)
5. When Radio Was King
6. Marian Manners, Prudence Penny, the first celebrity cooks (LA Times article)
7. Farm Household Topics Via Radio (1927 newspaper article)
8. Betty Hits the Waves (previous post)
9. Ida Bailey Allen and the Chef (May 1947; podcast)
10. Happy Birthday Uncle Sam (a previous post of mine)
11. Eat Beans Day (@ hicards)
Recipes
1. Any-meat Rollups (inspired by “Aunt Sammy’s Radio Recipes”)
2. Aunt Sammy’s Radio Desserts
3. Aunt Sammy's Braised Beef
4. Quick Turnip Soup (from Aunt Sammy's Radio Recipes)
5. Aunt Sammy's Horseradish Sauce

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I've Been Swamped

Hi all. Just in case anyone has been wondering "where or where have Louise's posts gone," I'm here to tell you that I have not gotten lost, or hoodwinked. I will be back to my regular posting on or before Independence Day on Saturday. In the mean time, I don't want you to miss the many delicious food celebrations arriving in July.

Thankfully, Deb the Fabulous Foodie has posted her Culinary Calendar for July. Yours truly has also compiled a collection of July Monthly Food celebrations including a few daily celebrations as well. You might have to make a quick hop on over to the Kettledrum to unveil them. I can just about guarantee you, you won't be disappointed.

July is...

I do realize many readers are preparing their menus for the Fourth of July so how about I just list a few monthly celebrations here without links. Here goes:
1. Watermelon Month
2. Blueberry Month
3. American Beer Month
4. National Grilling Month
5. National Ice Cream Month
6. National Baked Bean Month
7. National Bison Month
8. National Peach Month
9. National Picnic Month
10. National Hot Dog Month
11. National Culinary Arts Month

Today, July 2, is National Anisette Day. I don't have time to discuss my personal encounters with that tasty little glass of clear licorice like flavoring. However, I will tell you, Anisette is one of the easiest liqueurs to make at home. Here's a recipe I found @ An Herbal Bedfellow blog. See ya in a few! Louise:)

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Picnic Game Recipes

Have you ever played the picnic game? I wanted to do something special for Picnic Day this year. It's been raining for what seems like weeks and the scant peeks of sunshine were just not sufficient to add enough glimmer. "This calls for a picnic," I thought. A comfortable picnic filled with laughter and chats. A virtual picnic where everyone, everywhere can connect, yet, come as they are. Food, we need food. You certainly can't go on a picnic without any food. So, we gathered our picnic baskets; virtual of course. We dug through our recipes; archives that is. And we sat down to a picnic; and here's what we brought...

I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing...

A-Apple Pie with Dutch Crumb Topping

B-Buttermilk Spice Cake
C-Chocolate Cherry Pie
D-Dilly Potato Salad
E-Election Day Cake
F-Fruit Cocktail Meringue Pie
G-Gluten Free Upside Down Cake
H-Hangar Steak
I-Ice Cream in a Bag
J-Jell-O a la Haute
K-Kue Pukis
L-Lotek Salad
M-Margarita
N-Nectarines Grilled & Glazed
O-Oysters (no pic, just shuck:)

P-Potato Balls (Cynthia can't "play" but she's here in soul:)
Q-Quesadilla (Elise is "swamped" right now. She sends picnic greetings)
R-Redneck Gazpacho 
S-Shook-Bag Chicken
 
T-Tzimmes
U-Ultimate Cheater Pulled Pork
V-Vinegary Potato Salad
W-Warm Sweet Potato Biscuits
X-XXX Pizza

What a wonderful time we've had playing the Picnic Game. There are just a few late comers but hey, this is a picnic and the comings and goings that go on at a picnic are all part of the fun. 

We had a few people who couldn't make it to play the game. They sent their good wishes and some goodies for us to enjoy in their absence. (Thanks Cynthia & Elise. We appreciate it:) 

I want to thank everyone for joining in on the festivities. I don't know about you but, I've had a ball! I've "met" new people, drooled over enticing dishes, and discovered so many new places to visit. We've "chatted" back and forth planning and juggling dishes around (thanks Mary:) and shared diverse dishes from around the globe. (thank you Selba:) Best of all IMHO, like girlchef said, we now have an "excuse" to all meet and have some picnic fun in person! (get that Hangar Steak ready Stacey. July is around the corner)

That reminds me, July is National Picnic Month. Why not have a picnic? Anywhere, anytime you can fill up that picnic basket and frolic under the sun. Schedules collide? Have an online picnic and play the picnic game with your family and friends! Perhaps, make some new ones. Louise

Y-The Alphabet Picnic Game basket is full.
I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing...YOU!

Zee Zipped up the leftovers and ran. A fun time was had by all...Cheers! (We just couldn't have a picnic without Courtney:)

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Picnic Day, Picnic Game Update

Update: (June 23rd) The Alphabet Picnic Game basket is full.
I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing... YOU!

I've been frolicking around the blogosphere with such excitement, I thought I would never get to tell you how the Picnic Game is coming along. Wait! ...I'm back. That was Julie from Noshtalgia. She has "T" covered! And, she added a sense of mystery to her RSVP. She said, 

"this is a great ethnic recipe perfect for a picnic."

Hmmm...I wonder what Julie is bringing.

"Then from his knapsack very calmly and contently he takes cold chicken and golden encrusted rolls, packed for him perchance by loving hands, and lays conveniently by the wedge of Gruyere or Roquefort which is to be his whole dessert."-Brillat Savarin (The Physiology of Taste: Gastronomical Meditation)

It has been said, "a picnic is a form of a moveable feast." I tell ya, the Picnic Game sure does have me moving!!! Request for letters that are already taken have forced me to request picnickers to recheck their pantry archives. I do believe there are the beginnings of another Picnic Game, with double letters. Excuse me a moment. Okay, I'm back. I had to break the news to Marjie over @ Modern Day Ozzie and Harriet that the letter "C" was taken. Her picnic dish is the perfect example of where double letters would have worked just fine. Now, I'm not going to tell you because who knows maybe she wants to save it for Picnic Month in July. I will tell you though, "CC" would have been spoken for:)

Before I go on with this and that, let me tell you what 4 letters are still available for the Picnic Game.

O, P, Q, Y 

If you're ready to "bring your dish" to the picnic and you have a letter beginning from A-Z, let me know when you post it by sending me the link. Don't worry about sending me the link for the picture, I'll download it and send it to whoever needs it for their post. This way I can rename it in order to keep track of everyones picture. (I'm going to assign them by letter to avoid confusion:) If you have already done the Picnic Game post and your not in that group of first letters, you can still send me the link, as Mary from One Perfect Bite has done. I'll save them until I get the next string of letters.

I realize in the first post I did for International Picnic Day, where I attempted to explain the "rules," I said that the time to have all of the dishes in was by June 22, at midnight. That is still the time I need for the letters and dishes to be chosen because just in case all of the letters are not taken, I'm ready to come up with SOMETHING!!! (I do have a few ideas) If you're just joining us, there's still time to choose a letter and play, I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing... Just a reminder, if you would like to take another letter which is not already taken, that would be AWESOME too!!! Just let me know.

...But I wish that fate had left me free
To wander these quiet haunts with thee,
Till the eating cares of earth should depart,
And the peace of the scene pass into my heart;
And I envy thy stream, as it glides along
Through its beautiful banks in a trance of song...

William Cullen Bryant

The Picnic Game Menu

Perhaps, the most invigorating aspect of preparing for a picnic is the anticipation of what dish to bring. The Picnic Game has energized a sprinkled menu of distinct picnic dishes. Each one I've seen so far compliments the creators personality as well as their blog's. Some with such vim, vigor and vinegar (literally:) they completely take your breath away. Wait till you see! Oh no, I'm not giving any hints. I want you all to be pleasantly surprised!

Tomorrow is the first day of summer. Rain or Shine, summer skies will be smiling as we prepare to play the Picnic Game and feast our eyes on the dishes who beckon us to be enjoyed. I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing... Welcome all...Louise

Resources
1. What is a Picnic? (The Food Time Line has a basket full of picnic history, menus and recipes)

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An International Picnic Day Invitation

Update: The Alphabet Picnic Game basket is full. I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing... YOU!

Today is International Picnic Day and I thought it would be fun to invite everyone to join in to play an online Picnic Game. What? You've never played the Picnic Game. It was one of my very best favorite alphabet travel games to play when I was a child. Almost every Sunday, after church, my mother and father would pack us in the car for the long ride to Grandma's house. Grandma lived in the city (Manhattan) and we lived in the suburbs (Long Island.) In retrospect, I guess the ride wasn't really that long. It took a little over an hour, I think. Anyway, it seemed like forever then. My sister and I saved the Picnic Game for those "highly anticipated" trips to grandma's apartment in the projects. We would pass the time away dreaming up items to bring to our fantasy picnic. Want to Play? I hope so because it would be so much more fun if we had twenty-six blogging friends to tote a goodie along.

Since I've never played the Picnic Game online before, I'm not quite sure what the rules should be. Below, I've done my best to make up a set of rules (all games need rules, you know:) However, if there's anything I've missed, or, you have any suggestion, I'm all ears. Let's go over the basic rules for the traditional Alphabet Picnic Game first.

The traditional memory game starts when one player recites:
"I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing an ___." (some word(s) that start with an A; for instance Apple Pie)

The second player says, "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm bringing an Apple Pie. (the same "A" word(s) the first player used, in this case an Apple Pie) and ___." they add a "B" word. (for instance, Blueberry Muffins)

Now, if the second player said they were going to bring a Hula Hoop, they wouldn't be able to come:( You see, although the Picnic Game is played various ways, since today is International Picnic Day, I thought it best to stick with the alphabet version, that's the game I am most familiar with. (We are also going to concentrate on picnic recipes too, but we'll get to that later:) So the full sentence would be:

I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing an Apple Pie and Blueberry Muffins.

Let's do one more the traditional way just to make sure I know what I'm doing:)
I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing an Apple Pie, Blueberry Muffins and Candy. (I added a "C" word; Candy)

Sometimes, the picnic game is played and the words can be anything; people, places, or things. Although that's fun too, I thought it would be more exciting to add a bit of zip by offering a previously posted recipe. (or a new one if you prefer) Plus, it would give everyone a chance to go back over their blogs and highlight a recipe that has gotten lost in the archives. For those visitors who haven't joined the blogosphere yet, an exception can always be made:) Just remember, the recipe must begin with your letter of the alphabet, which leads me to the rules for the Online International Picnic Day Game.

Online Picnic Day Game Rules

Update: June 20, 2009-Picnic Day Picnic Game. Only nine (9) letters left.

Once again, I've tried to make the "rules" as easy and fair as possible. I am open to suggestions.

1. Since this is a virtual picnic day celebration, that means Anyone, Anywhere can play. It doesn't matter if you live in Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, India...or the USA. If you have a suitable picnic recipe you're welcome to play.

2. Leave a comment below with the recipe dish or letter you would like to bring on the picnic and I will let you know if you can join. Recipes will be chosen by alphabet letter only. For instance, if you want to bring a dish to the picnic, that begins with the letter "A," your comment must be left before another person's letter "A" dish. We can only have one letter of the alphabet for each dish. Note: If you would like to choose a backup letter just in case your chosen letter is taken, that would be GREAT too!!! If you would rather I suggest a letter from those letters that are left or you just LOVE surprise, let me know and I will "assign" you a letter and you can create the dish.

3. I will let you know if you can bring your dish to the picnic by leaving a You're Invited! comment on your blog. (for those with no blog, please leave an email address) "You're Invited" will be your signal to prepare a post for the Picnic Day Round-Up. Now, here's the confusing part. Your post can be your usual post but at the beginning of the post, you should mention something about the Picnic Game and a link list of the dishes that are being brought before yours. For example:

Let's say my dish begins with the letter "F" and I'm bringing Foolproof Dark Chocolate Fudge. After a short introduction to the game, my post would look something like this:

I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing...
A-Apple Raspberry Turnovers
B-Blondies
C-Cilantro & Lime Chicken Breasts
D-Double Good Macaroni & Cheese
E-Edamame & Violet Risotto
F-Foolproof Dark Chocolate Fudge.

Naturally, it will look much more appetizing with fetching photographs between each dish:) UPDATE: Gloria over @ Cookbook Cuisine is coming on the picnic she posted her dish today. She chose the letter "D" You can look at her post to get a better idea. 

In its traditional form, the Picnic Game is not written down, or in this case posted. Memory is of the utmost importance. As items are "brought" to the picnic, the list becomes longer and longer finally concluding at the letter "Z." As the picnic goodies are recited, it becomes more difficult to remember who is bringing what. That's usually the times players choose to "change" the rules. Just like there are different ways of playing Monopoly, (free space money, or NOT) Players can agree beforehand if they choose to leave out the more difficult letters such as X, Q and Z. We won't be eliminating any letters. In our game, the list will continue from blog to blog with each blogger adding an alphabetical link for each item being brought on the picnic. They will also include their dish in their post whether it be by posting the recipe or by linking to a recipe previously posted on their blog.

In the above example, I did a quick search focusing on the first letter. As most of my regular visitors know, I don't usually post scrumptious looking pictures, precise cooking directions or tempting accompaniments. Many of the recipes I include are scanned or offered from one of the many cookbooks in my collection. (like the recipe for Blondies above) Quite frankly, I don't cook as often as I should. (Hint: That will be changing when I get to PA:) However, my plan is to actually include a recipe for the International Picnic Day Picnic Game. We'll see:) At first, I was going to start things off by filling the picnic basket with the first item. I have decided against that for the time being. Many people are on a blog hiatus since the nice weather is upon us. (will it ever stop raining on the east coast?) I'm going to leave the letter choosing all up to YOU! I will whip up something with the leftovers:)

Well, I think I've covered all the bases. If I've missed anything, please feel free to let me know by leaving a comment or dropping me an email. (acalenda {at} gmail {dot} com) IMHO, I think this is going to be fun, inexpensive and a wonderful opportunity to revisit some of the posts many have buried in their archives. You might be surprised to realize the difficulty in choosing a dish when alphabet letters are involved so may I suggest, that you choose a letter quick! 

I was trying to come up with an appropriate time-line for the picking and posting. I've decided on Monday, June 22nd. It just happens to be this bloggers birthday and I've been wanting to go on a picnic so badly; I can taste it. So, please email me your picnic day link, by midnight, June 22, 2009 (the sooner the better so I can pass it along) and I will post the complete Picnic Basket of goodies on Tuesday, June 23rd which just happens to be National Peaches & Cream Day:) If the majority of contributors don't mind, I will also revisit the Picnic Basket of goodies in July for National Picnic Month and include a list of the links and images on that post also.

Summary

1. Choose a recipe with your chosen letter and write a post about it on your blog. (see #5 below) If the recipe is from your archives, link to it from the post or just repost it.

2. If you would like to include the Picnic Day Logo I "designed" above, (no easy task for this blogger. I used a vintage die-cut recipe book:) be my guest. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a dish from every letter of the alphabet. The more the merrier, they say...

3. Email me at acalenda {at} gmail {dot} com (it would be really nice of you to include Picnic Day in the subject line) In the email please include the following.

a. Your name
b. Your blog's name
c. Your post URL
d. The name of your recipe
e. A description (optional)
f. An image of your dish (250 pixels wide sounds good) Also let me know if you give me permission to pass the image along to another picnicker. (see #5 below)

4. If you would like to bring more than one dish to the picnic, you are more than welcome. Just note it in the email and include items c-f for each additional dish.

5. You must list what the people before you are bringing. That's why it's called the Picnic Game! I will email you with those links and images, if permitted, (see f above) as soon as they are emailed to me.

6. Please email me as soon as you know what you are bringing. No later than Monday, June 22, midnight EST. The sooner the better so I can forward your link to the other picnickers.

7. I will be posting the entire list of Picnic Day recipes by midnight June 23, 2009. If for some reason, there are not enough entries by that time, I may have to delay the posting until Wednesday, June 24th. (I may be going to PA for my birthday:)

8. If you would like to participate in the Picnic Day Game, and you don't have any available recipes or, just aren't up to creating a dish to bring on the picnic, get creative and find other non-food items to bring along. (take a picture of some silverware or anything picnic like:)

9. If for some reason, there are not more than 16 entries for the Picnic Day Game, I will announce it on my blog on Sunday, June 21st. In that case, I will more than likely wait until the end of June and do the complete list posting for National Picnic Month in July. At that time, I will ferret out dishes to bring with my Hospitality search engine and include those you have sent me. Like I mentioned before, many people are away. However, if you have been lurking @ Months of Edible Celebrations, now would be the perfect time to introduce yourself and your blog if you have one. If you don't have a blog, introduce yourself anyway. Picnics are always more enjoyable when there are new people to meet and greet!

10. Most important of all, Have FUN!

Do you want to go on a picnic with me for my birthday? Oh goodie, then just pick a letter and let's get toting!!!

Resources
1. Picnic Recipes and Tips (food network)
2. Picnic Recipes @ Epicurious
3. Stalking Wonder: The Picnic (I was blog hopping late the other night and ran across this inspiring picnic post:)
4. Warm Fingerling Potato Salad ( This one also. I suppose I was in a picnic state of mind:)
5. National Picnic Month (my Picnics for Motorist post last year)

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Madame Schumann-Heink "Anybody Can Make Jell-O"

It is said, there's always room for Jell-O. So, I'm sure, one more post which includes a Jell-O recipe isn't going to bother anyone especially if it includes cherries. Yes, yes, I know, I celebrated Rose O'Neill's birthday last June. However, today I want to share a Jell-O recipe endorsed by one of San Diego's most beloved opera singers; (and mother of eight) Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink. (née Ernestine Rössler or Ernestine Roessler) San Diego officials were so taken with her profound effect on the city that they proclaimed March 22, 1915 as "Schumann-Heink Day." Since today is the day Ernestine Schumann-Heink was born, I thought I would share a few biographical clips with you and also a couple of recipes in her honor.

In the early 1900s, Mme. Schumann-Heink was San Diego's most famous and best-beloved citizen, a legendary figure. She was considered the world's greatest contralto singer. Her records sold by the thousands. And like Babe Ruth and Mary Pickford, her fame was so great that her name became a household word. source

Mme. Schumann-Heink made her American debut in Chicago in 1898, and first appeared at the Metropolitan Opera as Ortrud on January 9, 1899 a few weeks after giving birth to her seventh child. So happy was she with the enthusiasm of American audiences that she bought out her contract from Berlin and continued to perform regularly at the Met until 1932. Schumann-Heink's first commercial records appeared as part of Columbia's Grand Opera Series of 1903. That year, Schumann-Heink shocked the opera world by appearing in a Broadway revue, Love's Lottery; the show was followed by a highly profitable tour. During the tour, Paul Schumann died; Schumann-Heink then married her American manager and moved her family from "Villa Tini" in Dresden to an estate in New Jersey. She became an American citizen in 1908. source

For years the annual Christmas Eve radio broadcast of ‘Silent Night', sung by Madame Schumann-Heink, was an American tradition.

In 1926 Schumann-Heink first sang “Silent Night” in English and German on the radio at Christmas. This became an annual tradition that continued until 1935. On March 11, 1932 she bade farewell to the stage, singing Erda at the Metropolitan Opera, but she continued to perform in weekly radio programs sponsored by a manufacturer of baby foods, which led to her being termed “The Nation’s Beloved Mother.” Though not beautiful, Schumann-Heink turned her plainness into an asset by playing the part of an ideal, self-sacrificing mother who loved her children (that is, everybody) yet scolded them when they did not come up to expectations. She once said that her lack of good looks enabled her to avoid temptations that might have proved enjoyable. source

Before I share the Cherry-Strawberry Jell-O recipe with you, I'd like to point you in the direction of another recipe attributed to Madame Schumann-Heink; Madame Schumann-Heink Cookies. It is at the Yahoo World Opera Group and also includes a short biography.

The following Cherry-Strawberry Jell-O recipe was featured in the Jell-O cookbook All Doors Open to Jell-O Other celebrity recipes in this booklet include, stage actress; Ethel Barrymore, cookbook author; Marion Harland, Kewpie artist; Rose O"Neill and the most famous contralto of her generation; Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink. click to enlarge and Enjoy!

Ernestine Schumann-Heink had the remarkable gifts of great musical talent, survival, and an enormous sense of humour. Once, when she was in a New York restaurant, about to tackle a huge T-Bone steak, Caruso walked in. On seeing the size of the steak, he said, "Ernestine, you're not going to eat that all alone?" She replied, "No, mit Pomme Frittes!" source

Where ever the teakettle sings from Happiness...That is home

What is Home? A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father. Warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindess, loyalty, comradeship. Home is the first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick. Where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved. Where children are wanted. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home. God bless it.-Ernestine Schumann-Heink

Resources
1. Rose O'Neill's Birthday
2. Journal of San Diego History
3. Madame Schumann-Heink Cookies (another location)
4. Time Magazine article
5. Is there Always Room for Jell-O?
6. Jell-O History

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It's Donald Duck Day!

I'm like a duck out of water here in Pennsylvania. Everyone is celebrating Donald Duck's birthday except me. Why? My flower garden is in deep trouble and I must keep working to bring it back to life. Wish me luck!

In the mean time, I didn't want you to miss Donald Duck's 75th birthday today. So, stop by Disney and catch up on Donald Fauntleroy Duck's "biography." I know there is somewhat of a discrepancy as to whether Donald Duck's birthday is in March or June. It is definitely June 9, 1934 as per this Disney website. May I suggest that you pop on over to Baking Bites where you can find Donald's original waffle recipe and an eatable adaption that looks yummy. Here are some Fun Donald Duck Facts to keep you entertained while you watch Chef Donald at work @ You Tube.

P.S. I celebrated Mickey Mouse's birthday back in November when he turned 80. Here's a recipe for Vegetable Lasagna from Boulangerie Patisserie @ Epcot and Chocolate Mousse Cake from Tony's Town Square Restaurant @ the Magic Kingdom both from the cookbook Cooking with Mickey Around the World. You might want to visit the Mickey Turns Eighty post I did also. Have a Ducky Day!

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Have a Strawberry Thanksgiving

Run outside and Look up! in the sky. It's the Strawberry Moonbeam and it's coming to take you away to the land of Cockaigne where the streets are paved with pastry ... and no one ever gets old.

Cockaigne was the Big Rock Candy Mountain of medieval Europe, where the living was easy and the land flowed with milk and honey. This mythical country had houses of barley sugar, roofs of cakes, rivers of wine, and streets paved with pastry; buttered larks (a delicacy of the period) fell instead of rain; roast geese passed slowly down the streets, begging to be eaten; even better, shops provided goods without asking for payment. (source)

Such lunacy, what can I tell you? I'm a moon girl and the full moon of June is my favorite full moon of all. What's not to love about June in the land of plenty? So what if the sky isn't raining cheese. Food is plentiful and the Strawberry Moon is on the rise. Oh, you may not be able to see it right now because in North America it is beneath the horizon. Take my word for it. At precisely 2:12 PM, in New York and Pennsylvania, the Strawberry Moon will begins its sail across the sky. When will you be able to feast your eye on the glistening Strawberry Moon? Well, you can check right here, however, remember, if you live in China, June is the month of the Lotus Moon. European visitors will be in search of the Rose Moon.

The sixth moon of the Chinese lunar calendar is called the Lotus moon. In Peking, the birthday of the lotus is celebrated on the 24th day of the sixth month, according to Burkhardt. People flock to see the pink lotuses blooming in the lakes around the Winter Palace with the same enthusiasm the Japanese bring to cherry-blossom viewing. The sight of the lotus blooming in ponds and moats signifies that prayers to the Dragon-Prince have been answered and there will be sufficient moisture for an abundant harvest.(source)

When Berries Were Gathered

The unique seasonal names for the full moons were entrusted to us by the Native Americans of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The indigenous American natives kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Names were given to the entire month in which each full moon occurred. There were some variations in the moon names, but in general the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England on west to Lake Superior.

Long before the arrival of Colonists, multi-tribal celebrations took place at particular times of the year. Native people celebrated as many as thirteen thanksgivings throughout the year including "Strawberry Thanksgiving" and the "Green Corn Thanksgiving" festivals. These summertime gatherings drew Native people together after having been separated by a long winter. On Strawberry Thanksgiving the bounties of the harvest were shared while songs, dances and stories were celebrated as a reminder to all, of the generosity of the Creator's gift of food. Since the first fruit of of the new growing season is the wild strawberry, the natives adopted it as a symbol of the Creator's renewed promise of provisions. This was their way of showing appreciation to mother earth and their creator. Each tribe had its own music and dance to coincide with the thanksgiving celebration.

The Great Law of the Iroquois:
...The recognized festivals of Thanksgiving shall be the Midwinter Thanksgiving, the Maple or Sugar-making Thanksgiving, the Raspberry Thanksgiving, the Strawberry Thanksgiving, the Cornplanting Thanksgiving, the Corn Hoeing Thanksgiving, the Little Festival of Green Corn, the Great Festival of Ripe Corn and the complete Thanksgiving for the Harvest. Each nation's festivals shall be held in their Long Houses.
...When the Thanksgiving for the Green Corn comes the special managers, both the men and women, shall give it careful attention and do their duties properly.
...When the Ripe Corn Thanksgiving is celebrated the Lords of the Nation must give it the same attention as they give to the Midwinter Thanksgiving. (source)

Iroquois Uses of Maize and Other Food Plants: (1910)
Fragaria was so appreciated by the Iroquois that the fruits were considered symbolic of their deities' beneficence and used in the Strawberry Thanksgiving. Strawberries are eagerly gathered in the spring and eaten by every one as a spring medicine. Handsome Lake, the prophet, commands their use for this purpose in his code...Quantities are gathered and brought to the feast- makers at the Long House for the Strawberry Thanksgiving. This is an annual ceremony of importance though it lasts but a day. source

"We waited to drink the red strawberry juice and to confess our sins. The Iroquois believe the strawberry plant came directly from Heaven.  When someone almost dies they say, “I almost ate strawberries.”  Strawberries grow on the path to the Creator’s house.  Strawberries are special to my people.  They are used in this forgiveness ceremony every year in the ancestral religion of my Iroquoian people."

The constitution of the Five Nations: (1916)
...The recognized festivals of Thanksgiving shall be the Midwinter Thanksgiving, the Maple or Sugar-making Thanksgiving, the Raspberry Thanksgiving, the Strawberry Thanksgiving, the Corn- planting Thanksgiving, the Corn Hoeing Thanksgiving, the Little Festival of Green Corn, the Great Festival of Ripe Corn and the complete Thanksgiving for the Harvest. source

The Strawberry Moon of early summer is celebrated wherever strawberries are grown. Strawberry Thanksgiving plays an important role in the reaffirmation of cultures, traditions and communities both in the past and present. The Thanksgiving address is included in the Oneida Nation Opening Prayer:

Time of Abundance - Ceremonies: This ceremony has to do with giving thanks, honoring and acknowledging the wild strawberry as well as all other berries.  The wild strawberry is the first fruit to ripen...In our Creation Story, it says that this berry originally came from the Creators world. This day is set aside to make a strawberry to be used as a medicine. Prior to drinking it we are to give thanks to our Creator for all the things he has given to us...A boy is chosen to pass it out to the men and a girl for the women. During this ceremony, two Great Feather Dances are done, one before we drink the medicine and one after. source

And a message from Snow Owl and the The Moon of Ripening Berries from the Manataka America Indian Council.

The Algonkian tribes held six thanksgiving festivals during the year. The beginning of the Algonkian year was marked by the Maple Dance which gave thanks to the Creator for the maple tree and its syrup. This ceremony occurred when the weather was warm enough for the sap to run in the maple trees, sometimes as early as February. Second was the planting feast, where the seeds were blessed. The strawberry festival was next, celebrating the first fruits of the season. Summer brought the green corn festival to give thanks for the ripening corn. In late fall, the harvest festival gave thanks for the food they had grown. Mid-winter was the last ceremony of the old year. When the Indians sat down to the "first Thanksgiving" with the Pilgrims, it was really the fifth thanksgiving of the year for them!

One of the many traditional Thanksgiving celebrations held by the Wampanoag, the natives who shared bounty with the English colonists in the autumn of 1621, is still celebrated at the Plimoth Plantation the last Saturday in June. It includes singing, dancing, mishoon (boat) races, and traditional football. (I've left a few resources for Strawberry Thanksgiving celebrations in 2009 below.)

The Strawberry Thanksgiving Ceremony involves an Native American legend of the strawberry as a symbol of friendship. In honor of the first berry of the year, it also impresses upon the acts of forgiving and forgetting. The Cherokee Indian Strawberry Legend is yet another lesson.

The legend of Strawberry Thanksgiving teaches about relationships and forgiveness. "A Native American girl and her brother were best friends and enjoyed playing together. On a walk in the woods one day, they disagreed on which path to follow. The girl angrily went her own way. She soon realized that she was lonely without the companionship of her brother and started to weep. Her tears fell on small bushes in straw. Strawberries grew where her tears landed. She gathered them to share with her brother. Now whenever people eat strawberries, they must forgive those with whom they have disagreed."

The rose is a rose,


And was always a rose.


But the theory now goes


That the apple’s a rose

The Rose Family 

~Robert Frost~

Astronomy, religion, and timekeeping have always been closely entwined. Since the lunar month is about 29.5 days, the dates of the full moon change from year to year. In the calendar of some Native Americans, Strawberry Moon is the European month of June. European settlers followed their own customs and created some of their own full moon names. The French call this moon la lune rose, which translates into English as "the rose moon." Ironically, like apple and cherry trees, the strawberry is a member of the rose family. And, June, dear visitors, is National Rose Month. In Roman mythology, the rose has a legend of its own:

The story goes that during the Roman empire, there was an incredibly beautiful maiden named Rhodanthe. Her beauty drew many zealous suitors who pursued her relentlessly. Exhausted by their pursuit, Rhodanthe was forced to take refuge from her suitors in the temple of her friend Diana. Unfortunately, Diana became jealous. And, when the suitors broke down her temple gates to get near their beloved Rhodanthe, she also became angry, turning Rhodanthe into a rose and her suitors into thorns. source

Recipe of Friendship

Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, knew the indigenous people well, noted a recipe for Wuttáhimneash Strawberries “This Berry is the wonder of all Fruits growing naturally in these parts: It is of it selfe excellent: so that one of the chiefest Doctors of England was wont to say, that God never did make a better Berry: In some parts where the Natives have planted, I have many times seen as many as would fill a good ship within few miles compasse: The Indians bruise them in a Mortar, and mixe them with meale and make Strawberry bread.” The colonists took note of this recipe and developed their own which is the supposed origin of strawberry shortcake.

From Roger Williams Key Into the Language of America (1642), describing the Wampanoag's mixing of cornmeal with dried or fresh berries:

Sautaash are these currants [huckleberries] dried by the natives, and so preserved all the year, which they beat to powder, and mingle it with their parched meal [cornmeal], and make a delicate dish which they call sautauthig; which is as sweet to them as plum or spice cake to the English.  They also make great use of their strawberries having such abundance of them, making strawberry bread, and having no other food for many days. source

The floral moon of June is time for strawberry gathering and the focus of a Strawberry Thanksgiving Festival is naturally the strawberry and all it's luscious splendor. The wild berries that were harvested by Native Americans were not the same berries as we now grow. What we grow is a cross between American strawberries and European alpine strawberries. Native Americans believed the "nourishing essence" should be drunk especially by children and the elderly as it is said to be a powerful medicine.

According to the Wisconsin Berry Association, the flavor of strawberries are influenced by the weather and the state of ripeness when harvested. When you pick strawberries, you should pinch the stem between your thumb and forefinger and pull with a twisting motion leaving the stem on the fruit. They also recommend not washing strawberries until you are ready to eat them and a bit of strawberry trivia. Did you know, there are 200 seeds in a strawberry and they are the only fruit with their seeds on the outside! Get your fresh strawberry primer over @ the Luna Cafe. 

Public suppers are a New England tradition that some believe were inspired by many of these seasonal festivals. Maple sugaring parties and strawberry suppers, spaghetti dinners and wine suppers were a very fashionable means of entertainment that are anchored in the many local fund raising suppers still enjoyed throughout the US. I've chosen to share a few strawberry beverages with you in celebration of the sweet nectar of strawberries. I hope you don't mind. First, how could I resist this vintage recipe for Strawberries à la "Bridge" which includes champagne and marshmallows? I'm trading in my winter Mojito for this spring gem, Strawberry Mojito Okay, so I found it difficult to turn my back on the Smitten Kitchen's recipe for Cream Cheese Pound Cake and Strawberry Coulis. I mean really, can you? I got the biggest kick out of Sara's Dirty Little Secret so I grabbed her recipe link for Strawberry Bellini a new favorite of mine. It seems she's a fan of the show The Real Housewives of New York so I told her about the cocktail contest over @ Coco Cooks. Personally, I've never seen the show. My contribution to this line of fresh strawberry beverages is not a drink recipe at all. It comes from a cookbook titled A Cookbook for Lovers. The suggested menu appeals to the radiance of moonlight observed during the Strawberry Moon, another culinary enticement this moon girl just can't endure. From the book: (click to enlarge)

Menu

Chicken Mollina

April Peas

Croissants

Strawberry Rum Flame

Wine: Pinot Chardonney

If you and your afficionado share a passion for blazing desserts, this dinner should light up your souls. You can warm up first with spicy Chicken Mollina and then fan the flames with Pinot Chardonney. The finale is a blaze of glory--Strawberry Rum Flame.

So, if you look at the moon and it's huge and pink, you might just be looking at the Strawberry Moon or the Honey Moon or the Planting Moon...a vine of moons for the month of June taking you off to Candyland or the Garden of Paradise in the land of Cockaigne! Yes, I'm a mystical moon girl enchanted by the magic of June’s full moon. Perhaps, it's because my birthday is in JUNE!!! Have a Strawberry of a Thanksgiving

If the Earth were the size of an orange, how far away would a strawberry moon be?

Tidbit: The authors of the famous Joy of Cooking cookbook named their country home near Cincinnati, Ohio, "Cockaigne." They included the term on many of their "old family favorites" included in the cookbook. It is explained in the foreword of the 1975 edition of the cookbook which I don't happen to own, yet!

...The house has many rooms and halls;

Pies and pasties form the walls,

Made with rich fillings, fish and meat,

The tastiest a man could eat.

Flour-cakes are the shingles all

Of cloister, chamber, church, and hall.

The nails are puddings, rich and fat---

Kings and princes might dine on that.

There you can come and eat your fill,

And not be blamed for your self-will...

~The Land of Cokaygne~

Strawberry Thanksgiving Resources
Strawberry Thanksgiving Ceremony The Tomaquag Museum in Rhode Island (June 14, 2009)
Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center-Strawberry Thanksgiving, CT (June 12, 2009)
Patuxet Strawberry Thanksgiving Plymouth, MA (June 20, 2009)

Note on images: After a beautiful Saturday afternoon of taking many many pictures of store bought strawberries, I placed some of them in a teeny tiny wild strawberry patch on my front lawn here in Westhampton. Instead of me watching everyone on the tennis courts each weekend, this weekend they got to see me do all kinds of poses to get the "right" picture. Oh, okay, so I'm no photographer:) My rendition of the strawberry moon took a few more hours with an abundance of help from the Make Your Own Kaleidoscope site. Very Cool!

Additional Resources
1. Cockaigne @ wiki
2. Full Moons: What's in a Name? (from National Geographic)
3. This Month in Astronomy
4. Full Moon Names and Their Meanings (Farmer's Almanac)
5. Strawberry Thanksgiving (a teacher's resource)
6. The Rose Family by Robert Frost
7. This Garden is Illegal
8. Taming the Wild Strawberry (history, trivia, recipes ets.)
9. Native American Recipes
10. "Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks in New England"

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