Conversation 34

NATIONAL BUTTER DAY

Few ingredients make a meal richer and more flavorful than butter. On November 17th, National Butter Day gives this creamy ingredient, and those who make it, a pat on the back.

Butter has been used by humans for thousands of years. As recently as the first half of the last century, the butter churn was an essential tool in many kitchens. When butter was rationed during World War II, households struggled to get along without this delicious staple.

NATIONAL HOMEMADE BREAD DAY

On November 17th, homes will fill with warm, comforting aromas reminding us to slow down and enjoy National Homemade Bread Day.

Yeast bread calls for us to slow down. We need to spend time with each other as we work the dough and let it rest and rise before baking. Quick breads allow a special treat to share and enjoy with coffee or tea. Other homemade breads, such as donuts, pretzels, muffins, and biscuits, add variety to our everyday meals. And making them with friends and family brings joy and an opportunity to exchange recipes.

Those who make homemade bread commit to using good ingredients and investing in the time. They make it not only because they love the flavor, but because they know the people they love to do also. Homemade bread enriches the flavors of our meals and the flavors of our conversations, too.

Bread is full of symbolism around the world, across cultures and religions. In our lives, bread is valuable. We consider our livelihood to be our daily bread. We are making it, breaking it, consuming it as part of our faith. Bread can be exciting if it’s sliced or boring if it’s white. There’s a bonus bread, too. However, it seems a bit messy if it’s buttered on both sides. Then again, when we roll in the dough, it’s messy, too. Bake it, and it becomes heavy bread, but it means the same thing.

NATIONAL TAKE A HIKE DAY

National Take a Hike Day on November 17th encourages us to get out there and hit the trails. With over 60,000 miles of trails in the National Trail System across the 50 states, there is no lack of opportunity to take a hike.

NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY

On November 17th, National Baklava Day fills the kitchen with an aroma of a sweet and flaky pastry. Baklava’s sweet layers of texture and flavor are created between sheets of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and drizzled with syrup or honey.

Many believe Baklava to have originated with the Turkic people in Central Asian nations. However, many countries prepare the dessert in a variety of ways. The word “Baklava” first appeared in English in 1650.

If you’ve never tried baklava, try sampling the many varieties. Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or almonds can be used. The filling can be composed of raisins, dates, prunes, and even figs. Most baklava recipes call for cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves – sometimes all three spices.

Preparing this dessert may be somewhat time-consuming. However, it is a treat worth the work and the wait.

Good Morning Peeps and welcome to the HSN Community. 😎🎈

Enjoy your shopping.

@Sheba011

I am home and now getting ready to say goodnight. So sorry to hear the scores tonight. Game must have been exciting. I kept thinking they were playing tomorrow.

I saw hubby today. He was in bed with layers of clothing. The Rehab was icy. Thank goodness I was prepared. I brought some dessert for hubby and me a salad. I did make a brief stop at Aldi. I checked my email and found a note with a picture of our bathroom and made a few suggestions. I never expected this firm to not only show a blueprint, but what the room would look like when completed. I was mesmerized. I will use my cell tomorrow to show hubs.

Will any of your children be joining you for turkey day???? Our weather will turn a bit cooler starting Wednesday.I’m all set. Some winter things are in today’s wash so I should be OK. My back and knees were a problem today. I suspect the weather is changing prior to mid week. So what else is new???? I just go with the tide until I get up from a chair. No fun with climate change. On that note, I think I will say good night and hope you have a great Monday.

@taci

I am not that familiar with the Villages. Suffice to say that it is a 55 and over community that is gated. They have their own stores, physicians, dentists, hotels/motels, etc.. There is always something going on to keep your mind going. If this is an area you are looking at, then take a look at their sightseeing trips and staying in that area for a few days or so. Staying there will give you an idea of the housing and costs as well as some of the activities. There are many agents throughout Florida that make a stop in the Villages.

Another area is one I have been looking into. This is Lakewood Ranch which abuts both Bradenton and Sarasota. This area is for all age groups. Their hospital is up and coming and has a friendly atmosphere. This where I go for my mams and where hubby al most had the reconstruictive surgery on his knees. It is easy off and on to Interstate 75. Costco is there and so is Target. Whole Foods is now buiding in the same area. Just down the road you have many places to stay and eat. They are not near the beach area, but it is easy to get to. There are some new builds for 55 and over. However, I like being with all age groups and doing whatever.

There are a couple of small towns that have not been hit by a hurricane. I will try to get that info to you. The hurricanes in 2024 were huge. However, the first one I was able to find a room at the Quality Inn which was 4 miles west of hubby. There was a tornado with this one, but it didn’t hit us. However, the next storm, two weeks later was not a miss. We did have a tornado, but no rain. Demolition looked like a bomb had hit us. Thankfully, our shelter was OK and so were the vehicles in the lot. However, my home and all those on our street sustained some damage. Some more than others. Essentially, we are about miles East of the Gulf. We were without electricity for a week.

I do like where we are in Florida. In some respects it reminds me of the Northeast and the Cape. However, it does get cold there and they do get snow and sometimes more than they asked for. But the taxes are high. Florida is a bit easier on the wallet. We do get a change in seasons with the oak trees. Very few maples where I am. I think we have one maple tree that turned red this year. So, in respect, I had a small taste of the other homes.

I will get back to you on the other towns. Welcome home.