Click here for prev. issues of the newsletter. Just click a date when you get to the menu.
By the way, on some of the pictures, if you hover your pointer over the picture, ya might find a comment from me on it, now that I've learned how to do that.
Now its time for the show to start & I think we'll start now!!!!
Did Ya' Know: 020402 ------------------------------------ Many superstitions have
arisen over butterflies. Sicilians believe that good luck will follow if a
butterfly comes into the house and will prevent it flying out again. British
and U.S. superstition recommends anyone who needs a new set of clothes
to bite the head off a butterfly.
In 1873 inventor Andrew S. Hallidie
successfully tested a cable car he had designed for the city of San
Francisco.
George Samuelson and Frank Harbo completed a 3,000-mile
journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a rowboat. They landed in England
after having left New York on June 6th, 1894 .
1981 - MTV (Music
Television) made its debut at 12:01 a.m.. The first music video shown on the
rock-video cable channel was, appropriately, "Video Killed the Radio Star"
by the Buggles. MTV's original five veejays were Martha Quinn, Nina
Blackwood, Mark Goodman, J.J. Jackson and Alan Hunter.
From YOU The
Reader's Dept.: The Chicago Cubs are the oldest original franchise in
professional sports, dating back to the founding of the National League
by team president Walter A. Hubert in 1876. Nicknamed the "lovable losers"
of the North Side, the Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908 and have
not played in the fall classic since 1945. The Cincinnati Redstockings
(later, of course, the Reds) were the first professional team, long before
the Cubs. At the time, they were the only team of any sort, and traveled
the country by train playing other non-pro clubs. The Cincinnati Red
Stockings became the first truly professional baseball team on May 4,1869.
The team beat the Great Westerns 45-9 on that day, beginning a winning
trend that would last over a year. The Red Stockings were finally
defeated by the Brooklyn Atlantics on June 14 of the following year, ending
their 84-game streak. --JDS
*grin* It makes people
wonder! ~AIKEN~
Spaghetti and Chicken Meatballs submitted by Susan
1 pound ground
chicken 1 egg 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 2
cloves garlic, minced 2 tsps fresh oregano, chopped 1/2 tsp salt 2 TBLS
olive oil 1 onion, diced 1 14 ounce can tomato sauce 1 14-ounce can
diced tomatoes with Italian-style herbs 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp freshly
ground black pepper 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1 box
spaghetti
********************************************************************* Place
ground chicken, egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic, oregano
and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large bowl. Knead mixture together with hands until
evenly combined. Divide mixture in half; break apart and shape into 1-inch
balls. In large, non-stick skillet, warm olive oil over medium-high
heat. Place meatballs in pan, up to eight at a time, and cook until all
sides are browned, approximately 5 minutes for each meatball. Remove
meatballs from pan with slotted spoon; place on plate. Reduce heat on stove
to medium-low. Add onion; sauté until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in
tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Simmer mixture for 10 minutes. Gently add
all meatballs to sauce, cover pan and simmer 20 minutes. Sprinkle 1/2
teaspoon of salt and freshly ground black pepper into mixture. While
sauce is cooking, cook spaghetti according to package directions. Divide
cooked spaghetti among 4 large, shallow bowls or plates. Top with meatballs
and sauce. Pass 1 cup of Parmesan cheese separately for topping. Serves 4.
TWO INGREDIENT BISCUITS (YES, REALLY!) submitted by Susan
Measure 2 cups
of self-rising flour into a bowl; mix in one cup of heavy/whipping cream, and
gently mix until coarse crumbs appear. Gather loose dough bits into a ball
and place on a flat surface sprinkled with a little flour. Knead 10 times,
gathering more bits as you gently work the dough. Roll or pat about an inch
thick for tall, flaky biscuits (roll to half inch for shorter biscuits) and
cut with a 1 or 2-inch cutter. Bake at 450 on a lightly-greased baking
sheet for 10-12 minutes. I melt a little low-fat butter on top of the
biscuits just as they come hot out of the oven to soften the tops. I know
heavy cream is fatty, but without the usual fat from shortening,
butter, buttermilk, etc. the fat content comes out to be about the same.
Crockpot Pudding Cake submitted by Susan
1 (18 oz) box chocolate devil's
food cake mix 1 (3 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix 2 c. sour cream
4 eggs 1 c. water 1 c. oil 1 (6 oz) pkg semi-sweet chocolate
chips Whipped cream or ice
cream ************************************************ In mixing bowl,
combine dry cake mix, dry pudding mix, sour cream, eggs, water and oil; beat
with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips.
Coat crock pot bowl with vegetable cooking spray; pour batter into
crockpot bowl; cover and cook on low 4 to 7 hours. Center should be just set.
Finished cake will be very moist. A toothpick inserted near center should
come out with moist crumbs when done. To serve: Spoon into bowls while
still hot and top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. This is so good.
Today's thought is: 020402 We apologize for the technical problems that have
prevented the delivery of our Today's Gift e-mails since last Thursday. We
have posted the missing meditations on our website at: http://www.hazelden.org/newsletter_detail.dbm?ID=1377
We
believe we have the problem resolved for now and are working on a permanent
solution. In the interim, if we are unable to deliver your e-mail, we will
post a link to the e-mail's message from the announcements area toward the
bottom of our homepage at www.hazelden.org. * * * * * * * * * * *
*
Today's Gift for April 2
It is wealth to be content.
On
the evening of the first day of spring, a woman gave her husband a bright
right geranium in a clay pot. To celebrate, he placed it on the window
sill, and together they marveled at the delicate petals.
In the
harsher light of the morning, though, the man frowned at the geranium and
said to his wife, "How shabby it makes the sofa look." They spent the day
at the furniture store and came home with a new couch, blue and red flowers,
like the geranium. They placed the couch in the front of the window sill
and admired together its grace and line and fashionable
upholstery.
But the next morning, the man frowned at the couch and said,
"How shabby it makes the carpet look." Soon they had a lavish new
carpet, which led to new curtains, lamps, and chairs. When the room was
completely redone, they set the geranium back in the window and surveyed the
finest room in the neighborhood. The man frowned. "The geranium," he said,
"it's out of place. It will have to go."
Will I be able to
appreciate life's simple pleasures today?
Did Ya' Know: 020403 ------------------------------------ Steve Martin studied
philosophy at California State University at Long Beach, and for a time,
considered becoming a philosophy professor instead of an
actor-comedian-writer.
How many karats is pure gold? (24) Twenty
Four
Gold was first known to be used in parts of Central and Eastern
Europe in 4000 BC.
In 1803, North Carolina (not California) was the site
of first US gold rush. The state supplied all the domestic gold coined
for currency by the US Mint in Philadelphia until 1828.
In medieval
Europe, alchemists mixed powdered gold into drinks to "comfort sore limbs,"
one of the earliest references to arthritis.
In ancient Rome, gold
salves were used for the treatment of skin ulcers. Today, gold leaf plays
an important role in the treatment of chronic ulcers.
As long as
4,500 years ago, the Egyptians used gold in dentistry. Remarkable examples
of the artistry of these early orthodontists have been found, perfectly
preserved, by archaeologists of our own time.
Today, American
dentists use some 13 tons of gold each year for crowns, bridges, inlays and
dentures. The reason? Gold is non-toxic, it can be shaped easily, and
it is tough -- it never wears, corrodes or tarnishes.
*grin* It makes
people wonder! ~AIKEN~
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Today's thought is: 020403 To be wildly enthusiastic, or deadly serious-both are
wrong. Both pass. One must keep ever present a sense of
humor. --Katherine Mansfield
How familiar wild enthusiasm and deadly
seriousness are to most of us. We experience life within the extremes. The
thrill of wild enthusiasm we try to trap, to control. We are exhilarated
and feel good. Our serious side traps us, controls us, lowers a pall on all
our activities. Both expressions keep us stuck. Neither expression
allows the freedom of spontaneity so necessary to a full, healthy
life.
Through our addiction-the liquor, the upper, the person, the
food-we were searching for a feeling we didn't feel. We were searching
for an unnatural state of happiness, even perhaps wild enthusiasm, because
we had so little of any enthusiasm for life. Our search failed. Again and
again we'd "catch it," only to have it elude us.
We may not have
given up the search. But we will come to accept both states of mind as
temporary and search instead for the middle ground. A sense of humor will
make all of life's loads easier to bear. A sense of humor will offer us the
balance that has been missing for so many years.
Today will offer me
a chance to be wildly enthusiastic and a chance to be deadly serious. I'll
try to focus on the middle ground and cultivate my sense of humor. * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Today's meditation comes from the book
Each Day a New Beginning by Karen Casey copyright 1982, 1991 available
through our online bookstore at: http://www.hazeldenbookplace.org/store/product.asp?sku=1076
TWO ARRESTED IN TRUCK TERROR THREATS
Two men have been arrested in widely separated instances involving
threats - one naming President Bush -- to use trucks to create explosions,
new sources reported. http://www.ttnews.com/members/topNews/0008674.html
Diesel Averages increase to $1.30
The increase in the price of diesel slowed its acceleration this week, but
prices still rose by more than a cent, according to government figures released
April 1. The average price of a gallon of diesel rose to $1.295, the highest
price since October.
Potato Latkes ( Jewish Pancakes ) Makes 32, three-inch long latkes (serves
6-8)
4 pounds white potatoes - about 16 small potatoes juice from 2
medium lemons 1 medium onion-- peeled, in chunks 4 large eggs, lightly
whisked 1/4 to 1/2 cup matzo meal 2-3 teaspoons salt and pepper (to
taste) ******************************************************************** Heat
the oven to 425 degrees. Have ready 2 nonstick jelly-roll pans or rimmed
cookie sheets. Grate the potatoes and onion, in batches, in a food with
the grating disk, pouring in the lemon juice as each batch gets
grated. Dump the mixture into a large bowl. Squeeze out excess
moisture (this can be done with your hands, or by placing the mixture in
a towel and squeezing. Place the metal blade in the processor and return
some of the potato mixture to the processor bowl. Pulse a few times to
make a finer texture. Dump into another bowl. Repeat with remaining mixture.
(The amount that you can fit in the processor will vary with the size of
your equipment). Mix the smaller quantity of matzo meal and the salt and
pepper into the potato mixture. Let stand for 15 minutes. Place about
1/8" of peanut or canola oil in a large, heavy skillet or electric pan. Heat
to about 400 degrees- just under the smoking point. Now you can make a taster
pancake by spooning a teaspoonful of potato mixture into the hot oil. Cook
it until well browned, flip, and brown the other side. Drain it on paper
towels, let cool slightly, and then taste it. Adjust by adding more
matzo meal or and/or salt and pepper to taste. The amount of matzo meal
to use will vary with the amount of moisture that you have squeezed out of
the potatoes, and the final texture that you like. More matzo meal will make
thicker pancakes. For the actual pancakes, use a serving or other large
spoon to transfer potato batter into the hot oil. Flatten lightly. the
latkes should be about 3-4" long and about 1/2" thick. Cook for 2 minutes on
each side - they should be nicely browned, but not crisp. It will be
necessary to raise and lower the heat depending upon how fast the latkes are
cooking. The hotter the oil the less greasy the pancakes will be. Add more
oil, as necessary, but do not add more potato batter until the oil comes back
up to temperature. Fry all of the pancakes, draining them on paper towels,
and placing them in the jelly roll pans, as they are finished. The partially
cooked pancakes can be baked immediately, left at room temperature for a
few hours, refrigerated or frozen. Bake the pancakes for 10 minutes,
turn and bake for 5 minutes on the other side until both sides are well
browned (longer if the pancakes have been refrigerated or
frozen). Remove and blot both sides with paper towels. The pancakes should
crisp as the excess oil is blotted from them and as they cool slightly.
Non Dairy Whipped Topping by request 1 cup Cremora Non-Dairy Creamer or other
non dairy creamer 1/4 cup cold water 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice from
concentrate 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
**************************************************************** In small
chilled mixer bowl, combine Cremora, water and lemon juice. Using
chilled beaters, beat on high speed about 1 minute or until soft peaks form.
Gradually beat in sugar; continue beating about 2 minutes or until stiff
peaks form. Chill. Mixture stiffens after chilling; stir. Serve on
cake, pie, fruit salad, gelatin or pudding. Refrigerate leftovers.
Coconut Poke Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix 1 (14 ounce)
can cream of coconut 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 (16
ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed 1 (8 ounce) package flaked
coconut
**************************************************************** Prepare
and bake white cake mix according to package directions. Remove cake from
oven. While still hot, using a utility fork, poke holes all over the top of
the cake. Mix cream of coconut and sweetened condensed milk
together. Pour over the top of the still hot cake. Let cake cool
completely then frost with the whipped topping and top with the flaked
coconut. Keep cake refrigerated. Makes a 9x13 in cake
The Seminar... ._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.
The company I
work for sometimes puts on what they call "Lunch and Learn" seminars during
the employees' lunchtime, dealing with a variety of physical and
mental health issues. If the seminar lasts beyond the normal lunch hours,
we're supposed to get managerial approval to attend.
So, last week,
this flier came around:
LUNCH AND LEARN
SEMINAR:
WHO'S CONTROLLING YOUR LIFE?
(Get your
manager's permission before attending)
Looks like that question's been
answered ...
Idiots! ._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.
Late one night during
bad weather, the following was heard over the radio at an airport control
tower:
Helicopter Pilot: "Tower, I'm holding at 3000 feet
over Heli-pad 1."
Second voice: "NO! You can't be doing that! I'm
holding at 3000 over that pad!"
There was a brief moment of
silence.
First voice again: "You idiot! You're my co-pilot!"
Did Ya' Know: 020404 ------------------------------------ Top 10 Hollywood
Nicknames
1. The Blonde Bombshell - Betty Hutton
2. The Duke - John Wayne 3. The Italion Stallion - Sylvester
Stallone 4. The Look - Lauren Bacall 5. The Man of A Thousand Faces
- Lon Chaney 6. The Muscles From Brussels - Jean-Claude Van Damme 7.
The Platinum Blonde - Jean Harlowe 8. The Sex Kitten - Brigitte
Bardot 9. The Sweater Girl - Lana Turner 10. The Vagabond Lover -
Rudy Vallee
The main rotor on an autogyro - such as the
one flown by James Bond in the film "You Only Live Twice" - is not powered.
It is only the motion of the aircraft through the air that keeps the
blades rotating. Juan de la Cierva, a brilliant Spanish mathematician, made
the first successful flight in a rotary wing aircraft in Madrid on June 9th
1923. Although the gyroplane never really became commercially
successful, the principle of the hinged, flapping rotor blade, which was
pioneered by its inventor, was a vital step in the evolution of the
helicopter.
Study the anatomy of the human body. It's fun, interactive,
and an ideal reference site for students or those who just want to know
more about the medical descriptions used by doctors and nurses. http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html
From
YOU The Reader's Dept.: >In medieval Europe, alchemists mixed powdered
gold into >drinks to "comfort sore limbs," one of the earliest
>references to arthritis.
Even today I have 3 taxi customers that
I take in my cab for their gold shots to treat their arthritis. And the
doctor is no quack but a well respected physician in Sacramento.
--Sacramento Mike
*grin* It makes people wonder! ~AIKEN~
Today's thought is: 020404 The hand that gives gathers. --English
proverb
Maybe we grew up believing somehow that to give is to lose. We
were taught to believe, or came to the conclusion on our own, that when
we give away something, we have to do without it; to give meant to
experience loss.
Now, our spiritual friends show us a love that demands
nothing in return, and we have a different attitude. We discover that when
we give in a spirit of generosity, we lose nothing at all. When we
share our love with others, we feel loved. When we share a material
possession, we feel rich. The opposite is true, too, of course. When we
withhold love, we feel unloved, and when we don't share what we have, we
feel the loss of something.
There is a spiritual maxim at work here. We
can give of ourselves and have everything, or we can withhold ourselves and
experience spiritual poverty.
I give what I have. It is the way to
be truly happy.
