Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 21

Never mind that they just got slammed with record amounts of snowfall, this is National Arkansas Day.

As part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Arkansas become the 25th state in the US. Its capital is Little Rock, which is also home to the American Taekwondo Association National Headquarters.

In 1957, Arkansas became the first state below the Mason-Dixon line to integrate schools.

Photo by Samantha Beaty

Hot Springs National Park is listed as the 15th national park. However, President Andrew Jackson designated it as America’s first Federal Reservation in 1832, 40 years before Yellowstone was designated as the first national park. Home to many parks and water bodies, the Wonder State or Natural State is especially known for its hot springs.

Also known for its million-acre forest, quartz, and diamonds, Arkansas is home to the nation’s only public diamond mine.

Yes, you can dig for diamonds there. One lucky digger found this 2.38 carat gem.

Photo by Aaron Burden

The honeybee is the state insect, the apple blossom is the state flower, and the mockingbird is the official insignia.

Photo by Mick Haupt

With more than 3 million residents, it ranks as the 34th most populous state and is the 29th largest state.

The town of Alma is known as the Spinach capital, growing more than half of America’s spinach.

Arkansas is the USA’s largest producer of rice, growing more than 9 million pounds each year. Other major crops include apples, cotton, wheat, and soybeans.

Tyson Foods started here as a single food truck.

Photo by Sean Davis

And long before it had 10,500 stores worldwide, Walmart was founded here by Sam Walton in 1962.

Ernest Hemingway, one of the world’s most famous authors lived in Arkansas when he wrote “A Farewell to Arms.” John Grisham is also from Arkansas.

Johnny Cash was born here in 1932, and his boyhood home is now a small museum…

…as is the barbershop where Elvis Presley received his customary flat top after he enlisted in the Army in 1958 and was sent to Fort Chaffee.

Fun facts include that mispronouncing Arkansas is illegal, but there is no penalty. (The final “s” is silent.)

And, at just 98 feet long, the world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade is hosted in Hot Springs. The mega-event is attended annually by famous actors, musical artists, and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

Photo by Alison Archer

“When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born its first laugh becomes a fairy. So, there ought to be.”

— James Matthew Barrie 1860-1937)
Scottish novelist & playwright
(Best known for writing “Peter Pan”)

“An effective technique in developing a peaceful mind is the daily practice of silence. Begin to listen for the deeper sounds of harmony and beauty that are to be found in the essence of silence.”

— Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)
American author & Protestant clergyman
(from his 1952 book “The Power of Positive Thinking”)

Bobbleheads date back to “temple nodder” figurines, including Buddha, in 17th century Asia. The first in the Western World were made in Germany in the late 1700s and were called “nodders” or “bobbers.”

The first sports bobblehead was a generic 1920s version for basketball. Whether we consider a plethora of professional athletes, politicians, or superheroes, bobbleheads have been with us for a long time. Now, for National Bobblehead Day, you can even have a custom bobblehead made of yourself. Hmmmm… I do not imagine that most of us like the image of someone bonking us on the head, however.

For National Shortbread Day, I thought I toss in a twist on the standard, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookie. With Potato Chip Cookies, you get all that sweet decadence with a balanced touch of saltiness tossed in and a touch of crispiness, too.

Super Simple Potato Chip Cookies
These cookies were introduced to me by a church friend in Marco Island, Florida. She was asked to make them for every event! There were never any leftovers.

2 sticks butter, softened
½ c sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 ½ c flour
½ c medium-finely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
1 c coarsely crushed potato chips
Confectioners’ sugar (for rolling & dusting)

Cream butter and sugar together till fluffy; stir in vanilla. Add the flour ½ cup at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon. Then mix in the nuts and chips. Drop sticky dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes till edges are golden. Transfer hot cookies to wire cooling rack and let cool completely before dusting with confectioners’ sugar.

KISS Tips: Though it’s tempting to eat the cookies while still hot, let them cool completely for crispness. This recipe is easily doubled. These do not freeze well; store airtight at room temperature.

I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself.

— Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)
German-born American actress

Throughout 2024, I posted some 220 quotations from a broad range of people and centuries. I shared words from authors and activists, poets and pacifists, politicians and pioneers, socialites and scientists. I enjoy reading thoughts that inspire, encourage, and help me feel grounded. Hoping a few touched you, too, I look forward to sharing more in 2025.

I enjoy sharing recipes on my website and social media articles. In 2024, I am pleased to note that I shared some 4 dozen recipes with you. Some have been previously published in my various cookbooks; others are new. They ranged from appetizers and beverages to entrees and desserts. Here is the full list of my recipes shared via my website & social media in 2024.

APPETIZERS & SNACKS
1970s Cheese Fondue
Asian Dipping Sauce
Buffalo Style Pretzels
Gulf Coast Guacamole
Oysters in Bacon
Marti’s Marvelous Pretzels
Moon Over Buffalo Chicken Wings
Onion Pretzels
Pepperoni Pizza Bombs
Pizza Dip
Roasted Cream Cheese
Rumaki
Super Simple Beer Cheese
Super Simple Chicken Taquitos

BEVERAGES
Bloody Mahhhvelous Mary
Mulled Wassail
Orange Pineapple Rum Punch

SOUP
Hot-and-Sour Soup
Mushroom Hot-and-Sour Soup
Souper Simple Asparagus Soup

BAKED (non-dessert)
Garlic Bread
Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Bread
Cheesy Garlic Bombs
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Raisin Bread Loaf

Photo by Jay Wennington

BRUNCH, LUNCH & ENTREES
Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats
Crabby Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Hot Pastrami Reuben
Perfect Grilled Steak
Sausage & Cabbage
Sesame Scallop Kebabs
Spinach Mushroom Omelet
Super Simple Hot Pastrami Sandwich
Super Simple Marvelous Meatloaf

VEGGIES, FRUITS, SIDES
Cranberry Applesauce
Fried Cabbage
Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Super Simple Truffle Fries
Sweet Potato Souffle

Photo by Priscilla du Preez

DESSERTS
Almond Joyous Chocolate Chip Cookies
Arkansas Possum Pie
Blonde Brownies
Glenna Burnham’s Gingerbread Boys & Girls
Papa’s Apple Pie
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Super Simple Apricot Macaroons
Triple Chocolate Mousse

Photo by Gabrielle Maurer

“Extreme hopes are born from extreme misery.”

— Bertrand Russell (1872 – 1970)
British philosopher

“The biggest seller is cookbooks and the second is diet books – how not to eat what you’ve just learned how to cook.”

— Andy Rooney (1919 – 2011)
American radio & television writer

All the best wishes to you for a happy and healthy 2025!