Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog

America felt a wide swath of hatred and intolerance on 9/11/2001. Today, we pause to reflect on more weaknesses in our human existence. From Martin Luther King, Jr. to Charlie Kirk, our nation has endured political and philosophical assassinations and assassination attempts. No matter what one’s philosophy, politics, or faith, violent responses or even advocating violent responses to someone whose views may differ from our own is ALWAYS wrong.

Freedom of speech is not just for those with whom we agree. Name-calling, derogatory labeling, and other extremist rhetoric that calls for violence as a response to political disagreement have absolutely no place in a democratic society. Diversity of opinion makes this country strong. Intolerance, especially expressed by those who regularly espouse tolerance, breaks us down.

Anyone who snickers or believes the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk is worthy or somehow good for America needs to do some serious soul searching or even seek mental health support. (That is not sarcasm.) Pray for sanity for violence advocates.

Meanwhile, remember one thing. Martyring Charlie Kirk does not silence his conservative advocacy, especially among our nation’s young people. Silencing one strong influencer merely awakens thousands more.

August 30 is National Mai Tai Day. The timeless rum-based cocktail was created in 1944 by Victor Bergeron (founder of Trader Vic’s) in Oakland, California. The name hails from his Tahitian friends, who said it translates to “out of this world” or “the best.”

Here’s the original Mai Tai recipe.

4 parts gold rum
1 part orange curacao
½ part simple syrup
1 part orgeat syrup
2 parts fresh lime juice
Combine and shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Strain into glass; add crushed ice. Garnish as you choose… mint leaf, twist or round slice of lime, or some other favorite.

Super Simple Beef Stroganoff

Last night we enjoyed dinner with friends and served up Super Simple Beef Stroganoff.

One of our friends is not a mushroom fan, so we kept them separate for his sake and served them tossed with the stroganoff sauce in a separate bowl.

(This recipe is for you, Elaine!)

Stroganoff Preps

Super Simple Beef Stroganoff
Serve simply with crispy onion bread and tossed salad on the side. This recipe can also be cut in half easily.

2 lbs of steak strips
1 tsp salt
2 T olive oil
6 T butter (divided)
2 lg sweet onions, peeled & sliced
1 lb shiitaki and/or cremini mushrooms, sliced
½ tsp minced garlic
2 T flour
2 tsp paprika (sweet or smoky)
1 T Dijon mustard
2 c beef bone broth or stock, whisked with 1 T Better than Bouillon Beef
2 c light cream or half-and-half
1 c sour cream
Ground black pepper, to suit your taste
4-6 T chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Sprinkle beef with salt; heat the oil and 2 T butter in skillet over med-high heat. Add steak strips; stir-fry 3-4 min. Transfer steak with slotted spoon to a large bowl and set aside. Add 2 T butter to pan; add sliced onions; reduce heat to medium; let cook for 5 min, stirring a couple of times. Transfer onions to bowl with steak. Add 2 T butter to pan and the sliced mushrooms and garlic; cook 3-4 minutes till mushrooms have released their moisture and started to brown. Transfer mushrooms to the bowl with steak and onions. Remove pan from heat and whisk in flour, paprika, and a couple spoonfuls of broth. Then whisk in mustard and 1 cup of the broth. Return pan to heat and whisk in remaining broth. Stir over med heat till stock thickens. Reduce heat to low; add the cream; bring to a simmer over med heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the sour cream, beef, onions & mushrooms. Season with pepper. To serve, spoon over hot cooked pasta (egg noodles or rotini) or rice and garnish with parsley. Makes 8 servings.

KISS Tips: Remove steak, onions, and mushrooms from pan with slotted spoon, reserving liquids in pan. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. (Thaw in refrigerator.) This makes a creamy sauce, which we like as pasta absorbs sauce liquids, but you can cut back on the broth for a thicker sauce. You can also keep this warm in a slow cooker, with or without the pasta stirred into the mixture. While cooking steak and veggies, boil water and cook & drain pasta.

“Money and success don’t change people; they merely amplify what is already there.”

— Will Smith (1968 – )
American actor, rapper & film producer

(Photo by Alexander Mils)

Photo by Matt Collamer

“When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?” 

— Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
American social activist & stateswoman
U.S. First Lady: 1933-45; Ambassador to UN

Photo by Tom Barrett

“No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities — they’re always there.”

— Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993)
American Protestant clergyman and best-selling author
From his book “Positive Thinking Every Day”

This morning, I opened my bedroom curtains and startled two first-year fawns just outside. They then nibbled some grass beside my pear tree. They still have their spots. So adorable.

Though I have mowed our pastures for many years, I always marvel because I see something new each time. Yesterday, it was this Maypop or Purple Passion Flower. They were all over our south pasture. Florida? Yes. The western North Carolina mountains? Nope. They don’t grow in this zone. (They like 9-10; we are a mere 7.) Nature is mahhhhhvelous.

The latest title in my Life Seasonings series is now available in paperback and digital formats! “Forgiveness: and Other Life Seasonings” is a perfect little guide to living a better, fuller life. You’ll find it full of quips, quotations, and words of wisdom, plus full-color photographs. Enjoy this Super Simple tool to add depth, compassion, and support whenever some understanding and compassion are needed.

“It’s not that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it’s your best friends who are your diamonds.”

Gina Barreca (1957 – )
American humorist

I am most grateful to have enjoyed decades of life surrounded by precious, sparkling gems!!!

Photo by Laurent Gence

“What you have outside you counts less than what you have inside you.”

— B. C. Forbes (Bertie Charles Forbes) (1880 – 1954)
Scottish-born American journalist & author
Founder of Forbes magazine