Sue Spitulnik

Author

Sue Spitulnik

I am a retired grandmother that grew up in western New York State, left for 25 years, and am now back in the area. I happily live with my husband and two cats. I am pro-military, writing, food, family, and quilting. I am con-exercise, insulting commercials, and lack of common sense. I have met some great friends through this website.

Give What You Can

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

I’ve had the radio on this morning listening to the many suggestions of places in my area that could use some financial help. I wish I could give to them all as they are all organizations that HELP people or animals. There are organizations as big as the Red Cross and United Way and small groups like the local women’s shelter where abused women and children can find safety (often with only the clothes they have on).

Please take a minute to assess your own situation. Think about how much you really do have, then make a pledge to share some of it, even a $5.00 bill can help the local food pantry. I’m sure you have regular places you donate. I challenge you to pick at least one other organization to give to for the benefit of others. We can all give up one trip to the ice cream stand, or one order of chicken wings during the next year in order to help another in a time of need.

Thank You for helping on Giving Tuesday.

11/29/2016 0

Cyber Monday

My sister has a new knee, Thanksgiving weekend is over, lots of us shopped on-line on Cyber Monday and are now awaiting our packages via the US mail, UPS or Fed-Ex.

Have you ever thought about the driver of a UPS or Fed-Ex truck? My son is a UPS driver, going on 23 years with the company. His body is shot from all the heavy lifting, the eighteen (or so) inch step out of and into the truck over 200 times a day, and he gets to see his daughter on weekends, because at the age of four, she is usually in bed by the time he gets home at night. On an exceptionally light delivery day he might get home by 7pm; between Thanksgiving and Christmas it is usually between 9 and 10pm. I’m not trying to complain, just educate. Yes, he makes good money, but it comes with a price.

During the month of December a UPS driver can actually be fired for calling in sick, or taking time to go to a friends funeral. That’s where Mom gets to help. Today I will be going to the funeral of my son’s best friend’s wife, who died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 50. I am going with my daughter-in-law for moral support and as a stand-in for my son. It’s a priviledge to be able to do these things for my son, but it bothers him emotionally that he has to tell his wife, or friend he can’t be there for them because his job is at stake.

I’m not looking for sympathy, but empathy would be nice. Next time you get a package delivered whether from Cyber Monday shopping or any other day, think about the sacrifices your driver may be making to get that package to you on the day it is expected. And if that driver is a little crabby during the next month, think about the fact he/she might be letting his family down during this busy season. Thanks for listening.

11/29/2016 0

Tie One On

Any one that likes to imbibe, enjoy a happy hour with co-workers or friends or celebrate the start of the long holiday season knows the day before Thanksgiving is the “best drinking day of the year.” Why? Because very few people get up to an alarm on Thanksgiving. Well, if you are driving to Grandma’s you might, but it’s generally only the person putting the turkey in the oven early in the morning (and fixing the rest of the meal, and cleaning the house, and bearing the weight of the day) that has any real responsibility. If you are lucky enough to not be the one in charge of cooking, then why not tie one on, just because you can. Let loose of the stress even before it happens!

Oh wait! Look at the picture! This day is actually about tying on an apron because you are the cook. Darn, I was ready to call my husband and tell him I would meet him out for a cocktail or two.

On any regular week-day, my husband says he can tell when something serious is going on in our kitchen because I have an apron on when he gets home. If I am making a big meal, or fancy desert and moving quickly, I like to wear an apron to preserve my clothing. As was my mother’s habit, I take it off before I sit down at the table, and then of course I dribble something down the front of me. But, a lady never wears an apron to the table.

I have four aprons that I made myself so I can wear the one that matches my outfit….usually blue jeans and a blouse. Like I really need to match….I guess I’m hoping one day my daughter or daughter-in-law will ask if they can wear one. That probably won’t happen either because I have taught them they don’t have to help. I usually do most of the cooking ahead if the family is going to be here, just so I can visit while they are here. My husband helps me clean up the mess when everyone goes home. Our system works well for us.

Whatever role you play in your holiday meals, enjoy yourself and Tie One On.

11/23/2016 0

Cranberry Relish

Thanksgiving means turkey to most people, and in my house, you must have cranberry relish with turkey. I insist! My grandson will only eat the jelly type, no lumps for him, in the relish, the potatoes or the gravy. I like the kind with chunks of berries in it. Even better, I like home-made with fresh cranberries, oranges, apples, nuts and sugar.

During the Watergate scandal I was working at a restaurant in a small town. I guess you could say it was a big town as there were two restaurants vying for the same customers. As a new employee of one of them, I was given a ten-dollar bill and told to go have lunch at the competitor. I was to report the menu selections, the quality of service, especially how long it took to get my order and if it was correct. Wow! Really! It made me realize if this went on between two restaurants, there was certainly spying going in government or business. I digress.

My favorite part of working at that restaurant was the days we made cranberry relish. There was a big grinder we poured multiple bags of cranberries in, then oranges, a few apples, some pecans and then sugar. The machine ground and mixed to perfection. That relish was served in little paper cups with toast in the morning, with any turkey sandwich or dinner, and any time someone asked for it. I would eat it as a treat when I could get away with it. It had the perfect balance of sweetness, and tart fruit.

The restaurant is still open. I wonder if they still serve my favorite cranberry relish. Maybe I should stop next time I drive by.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

11/22/2016 0

Stuffing, Home-made or Not

Growing up I liked to help my mother make the home-made stuffing for our Thanksgiving turkey. We would save the bread heals for a couple of months letting them dry in a pan in a dark cupboard. (As I think back, I wonder why they didn’t bring us visits from a mouse or two.) The day before Thanksgiving we ground the bread in a hand-crank grinder that we screwed on to the edge of the kitchen table. Cranking it was my job. Mom would cut up celery and onions until they were very fine, then saute them with butter. We also cooked the giblets and the neck meat went into the stuffing. I don’t know what spices she used, but we all had our fill of stuffing for the meal and leftovers too. We never added apples, cranberries, or chestnuts. My father liked his food plain and plentiful.

As an adult I discovered Stove-Top Stuffing. I rarely use a prepared food but I have never come close to the flavor of Stove-Top when trying to make my own. Plus, we can have it any time of year with no fuss or muss. I still don’t add any extra ingredients. This year might be more interesting as I am now following a gluten-free diet. Gluten free bread is readily available in my city, and it always crumbles, so it might be just the thing to make a good stuffing with. I will check with my blogging firends to find a good recipe for a home-made stuffing for our turkey dinner.

May you enjoy Thanksgiving with family and/or friends. Safe travels to you all.

11/21/2016 0

Mickey Mouse’s Birthday

On November 18, we commemorate the birth of that ever lovable mouse that was once a rabbit called Oswald. It was back in 1927 while under contract to Universal Studios that Walt Disney first sketched a floppy eared bunny that later became Mickey Mouse.

From a rabbit named Oswald to a mouse named Mortimer, eventually the squeaky voiced rodent was dubbed Mickey. He flopped in two animated short films, then on November 18, 1928, Mickey’s star was born. The first animation synchronized to music and sound effects, Steamboat Willie premiered in New York.

Within a year, a Mickey Mouse Club popped up in Salem, Oregon. This particular club offered admission as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army with a donation of either a potato or a small toy and a penny. According to a December 22, 1929, Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) article, $12 and three truckloads of potatoes and toys collected by eager new members.

Remember, the stock market crashed just 20 days before Mickey Mouse was born. That a cute little mouse could bring smiles to the faces of children at an uncertain time really isn’t such a surprise.

Generally, new members joined the club by completing an admission form obtained from a local merchant and attending meetings held during matinees at local movie houses. The price of admission often was reduced for good deeds and report cards. By the end of 1930, the Mickey Mouse Clubs had spread across the country.

A makeover in 1935 by animator Fred Moore gave Mickey the look we are familiar with today. The big eyes, white gloves and the pert little nose. More lovable than ever before, he propelled himself even further into the hearts of children everywhere.

His companions Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto joined him along the way, bringing vaudeville comedy with them.

I took the above history from the National Day of Calendar and shared it because I had never heard any of it. Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse. A trip to Disney World is still on my bucket list.

11/18/2016 2