Saturday 9: Shoo Fly Pie (and Apple Pie Dowdy)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) Shoo fly pie got its name from Shoo Fly the Boxing Mule. After the Civil War, the mule who could box was such a popular circus attraction that a molasses manufacturer started featuring him on their packaging. Since molasses is the key ingredient of this pie recipe, homemakers just began referring to it as "shoo fly pie." If we looked, would we find molasses in your kitchen?  No. I don't think I've ever used molasses for anything.

2) Apple pan dowdy is another uniquely American recipe from the 19th century. It's like apple pie, except it only has a top crust, which is broken up. Apples are a good source of fiber, Vitamin C and antioxidants. Do you consider nutrition when choosing a dessert? Or are you just all about how it tastes?  Dessert...nutrition? Um, I'll take 2 words that don't go together for $1000, please. I can honestly say I've never considered how nutritious a dessert might be.

3) The lyrics describe these two desserts as the ultimate comfort foods, able to make "the sun come out when the heavens are cloudy." Do you find that the foods you crave change with your mood?  Not really. I usually crave comfort foods and those tend to be starchy so they just make me sleepy.

4) Singer June Christy pleads with her mama to whip up this "wonderful stuff." Did your mother have a dish you often requested?  I can't remember any. Mom wasn't a terrible cook, but she wasn't a great one, either.

5) June was born in Springfield, Illinois' capital. Have you been to your state's capital city?  A few times, but it's been a while. I've heard it isn't the safest place these days. 

6) June spent years singing with Stan Kenton's Orchestra. At one point, she gave 38 performances in 35 towns in 35 days. That's a busy schedule! Do you thrive on activity? Or do you find yourself rejuvenated by quiet time?  I tend to be an introvert and I need my quiet time to recharge. 

7) In 1946, when this record was popular, bikinis were first seen in Paris fashion shows. How often have you worn your swimsuit this summer?  Not as many as I'd have liked to. This has been a weird, crazy wet summer. The pool water is not warm.

8) Also in 1946, Elias Tupper invented Tupperware, a plastic container with an airtight top that's great for preserving leftovers. Are there any leftovers in your refrigerator right now?  No

9) Random question: Is there a day of the week that goes by faster than the others?  Saturday.

* All the hoops have been jumped through. My scan results finally came back yesterday. There are a couple of things to keep an eye on down the road (a nodule on my thyroid and one in my lung...but likely not cancer), otherwise, I'm good to go and my surgery will take place on Thursday. As it looks now, I will be off work following that until October 9.

* Today I am off to a fundraiser for a friend who has pancreatic cancer. I made and donated a gift basket of fall items for the basket bash portion of the day. Tim has to work so my daughter and granddaughter are going with me. Mom can't get away so she gave me money to buy more basket tickets for all of us.

Sunday Stealing: What's Your Favorite?

This week's meme was stolen from Country Dew. A decade ago, she shared these "get to know you" questions she found on Facebook. Let's use them to get to know you better. 

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE...?

1. Flavor?  Pumpkin spice...and that goes for just about everything.

2. Movie?  Dirty Dancing.

3. Piece of jewelry?  My wedding ring.

4. Place to be?  Home or Chincoteague Island, VA if I can get there.

5. Boy's name?  Jake

6. Girl's name?  Savannah

7. Candy?  Lindor truffles.

8. Sports team?  Pittsburgh Steelers

9. Color?  I don't have one. I like the whole pallet of autumn colors.

10. Month?  October

Saturday 9: Blueberry Hill

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) Fats Domino sings about a hill named for blueberries. According to the Old Farmers Almanac, blueberries can grow just about anywhere in North America, as long as they have plenty of direct sunlight. Do you have a garden?  My dad always had a HUGE garden that working in was a required part of growing up. I wasn't a fan, but as an adult I have either had a garden or some raised beds or pots of vegetables each summer. I have given it up completely the last couple of years.

2) Blueberries are low in calories and rich in fiber. Are they a regular part of your diet?  Not as big a part as they used to be. My stepdad had quite a few bushes that produced an amazing quantity of berries every summer, but they have begun to die off. 

3) They also have a high moisture content. Staying hydrated is important to human health. Do you drink the standard recommended 8 glasses of water every day?  No, but I'm doing much better since I discovered The Loaded Tea Shop. They have the most delicious flavors and they are healthy. You can also choose between regular and caffeine-free.

4) Fats originally had a big hit with "Blueberry Hill" in 1956, and then enjoyed the record's renewed popularity in the mid-70s, when "Blueberry Hill" was often referenced as Richie Cunningham's favorite song. Without looking it up, do you remember what show Richie Cunningham was on? (Extra non-existent Saturday 9 points if you can also name the actor who played Richie.)  Of course I know! That would be Ron Howard on Happy Days.

5) Born Antoine Domino, he took the name "Fats" not just because of his physique. Growing up, jazz pianist Fats Waller was one of his heroes. If you were to adopt the first name of someone you admire, what would we call you?  Frank...as in Frank Siller, founder of the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

6) Despite his warm and friendly stage persona, Fats was shy around strangers and hated giving interviews. Tell us about something you did only because it was part of your job, not because you enjoyed it.  I can't think of anything right now. I'm sure there's something, but the brain's got nothing tonight.

7) In 1956, when this record was topping the charts, the Olympics were held in Melbourne. Have you ever been to the land down under?  Nope. We raised the money to send our daughter for a 3-week tour with People to People as a student ambassador. She got to do so much and even at student rates it was EXPENSIVE. I doubt I'll ever have the funds to go and do half of what she did.

8)  The star of the 1956 Olympics was Austrian Toni Sailer, who won all three gold medals in Alpine skiing. Do you prefer snow skiing, water skiing, or just watching other people ski?  When I was young I was willing to give water skiing a try now and then, but I've never had any desire to strap on skis and fly down a mountain. These days I'll just watch, thanks.

9) Random question: Do you believe everyone has a jealous streak?  I don't know about a "jealous streak" but I do believe we all feel a bit envious once in a while.

August Happiness Challenge

Today's bit of happiness came in two ways. First, while at Home Depot with clients (looking at the Halloween animatronics) I found the countertop I want for the pantry Tim's putting in this weekend...and it's about $100 less than something similar at Lowe's.

Then we took the boys to the mall to walk and have lunch since it was raining. My coworker also works part-time for his aunt running the train there. She was there today so we were able to give the boys a ride for free. They had so much fun. It makes me happy when they're happy.

Currently & Some Happiness

I am...

Reading... Autumn at the Cat Cafe by Kathleen Fuller.

Watching... a quirky Canadian comedy called Corner Gas on Peacock+.

Listening... to a lot of remakes. My coworker and I are on a kick and digging up all that we can find. It's been fun...I'm introducing him to my music and he's introducing me to his (there's a 20 year age difference).

Eating... tonight I had a big, grilled chicken salad. It was what people call a Pittsburgh salad because we throw the fries and everything in there.

Thinking... that if anyone's looking for a good career, reading imaging results would be a good one. Every doctor and hospital system says the same thing. Since Covid people are still being sent for lots of CT-scans, MRIs and the like, but there is hardly anyone reading them. That's why it can take up to a month for results. They're going to try to push my test through so I get the results in time for surgery on the 27th. If it isn't, I suppose they will delay the surgery...which will be a royal pain.

Feeling... better now that drinking the contrast for my test is behind me.

Celebrating... my birthday is this Saturday. It's also my mom's birthday.

Enjoying... that there is already beginning to be a hint of Fall in the air.

Thankful... my mom and stepdad are staying on an even keel, everyone at work is being very supportive, Megan is finally getting an MRI next week for the headaches she's been having, and God's hand in all of it.

Giggling...

And for today's moment of happiness...

One of my coworkers decided it would be a good idea to make S'mores today. With extra large marshmallows. In the microwave. For special needs individuals.

Oh, my goodness, the mess! Cleaning up was not fun, but watching them enjoy their treat was priceless. Think of the scene in Ghostbusters when they blow up the Stay Puff marshmallow man. Had I not been sticky myself I would have taken pictures. We were all laughing until we cried.

August Happiness Challenge

So, on the whole I'm stinking at this whole challenge this year. We're eight days in and this is only my second post. I could beat myself up over it, but I've decided to cut myself some slack. I have a LOT going on right now and I deserve to be cut some slack...even by myself. I doubt I'll post something about happiness every single day, but I will post when I can or when I have something to share.

Today I have an over-abundance of things that made me happy. 

1. I slept all night!

2. I got going early and went to the yard sale a friend was having as a fundraiser for her church. I found some real bargains and got to help out the church.

3. My leg hurt, but I didn't let it stop me. I went to Target and Walmart while I was out. I was proud of me for pushing through rather than giving up and coming home.

4. I was shopping for fall items to make up a big gift basket to be raffled off at a fundraiser for a friend of ours who has pancreatic cancer. It made me happy to be able to do something to help.

5. I found an inspirational journal I'm planning to use while I go through my own little cancer adventure. One section is to record a way I rock each day...that is going to be helpful as some days are more difficult than others. I also love that it has a section each day to draw something in case it's just too hard to write anything.

6. The cherry on top of my happiness today is that Tim took me to Lowe's this afternoon to buy some of the kitchen cabinets to get started on the kitchen. We bought four cabinets today and 2 of them turned out to be on clearance sale and were only a small fraction of the listed price. Tim's going to install them next weekend. I'm off Friday for my birthday so he took that day off, too.

Saturday 9: Sugar, Sugar

Saturday 9: Sugar, Sugar (1969)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) This week's song is credited to The Archies, a band that never actually existed. The song is performed by singer Ron Dante and studio musicians and backup singers hired on behalf of the five members of the popular Saturday morning Archie Show. Were you a fan of this animated series?  I loved The Archies! I even read their comic books. I think I still own (though, heaven only knows where it might be) a 45 of Sugar, Sugar cut from the back of a cereal box. Remember those? Also, I found a chair exercise video set to this song that we do with the consumers at work quite often. They also LOVE this song!

2) Archie was Archibald Andrews, a character first introduced in the 1941 comic strip. Archie was the linchpin, the leader of the band, and the center of his social group. Tell us about one of the popular kids from your school days.  I grew up in small town, white bread America. There was a boy from Puerto Rico in my class. He was cute and an artist, but it was being a bit more exotic than the other boys that had all the girls swooning over him. Sadly, he turned out to be not so nice (an abusive alcoholic) in his adult relationships. He's on FB so I know he lost his legs from the knees down in a drunken accident on a motorcycle and the serial marriages continue.

3) The Archies' drummer was Jughead Jones. He was smart, funny, and had a fondness for headwear. Do you often wear hats or caps?  No, I hardly ever wear them. If I do it's either because the temperature is below zero or it's a goofy holiday thing for work.

4) Reggie was the lead singer and bass player. He was a gifted athlete who liked to come in first. If he couldn't win with his natural talents, he was not above cheating. Have you ever cheated in a friendly game?  I'm sure I probably did as a kid, but as an adult winning doesn't mean that much to me.

5) Blonde Betty Cooper was on the tambourine. Her hobbies include playing baseball, caring for her cat, and helping Archie work on his car. Tell us three of your favorite pastimes.  Reading, crafting, and playing around on the computer.

6) Raven-haired Veronica Lodge was the keyboardist and joined Betty for backup vocals. She was a fashion plate, known and loved by Riverdale store owners because of her willingness to spend big bucks to stay on trend. What's the latest thing you've added to your wardrobe?  Um....probably beach shoes before we went on vacation last month. Oh, wait! I did buy a couple of souvenir t-shirts.

7) The biggest news story of 1969 was one of the biggest stories in history. On July 21, man first stepped onto the moon. Without looking it up, do you remember the astronaut's name?  Neil Armstrong

8) Also in 1969, Triple H was born and today he's in the WWE Hall of Fame. Do you follow professional wrestling?  Not these days. I was a big fan in high school and college. I even went to a big match in Pittsburgh.

9) Random question – Would you prefer to be: a) super successful in business or b) a politician elected to an influential office or c) a champion athlete?  If I thought I could make a difference I'd say a politician, but I think a lot of good people with good intentions (from both parties) go into office and find out they can't accomplish much if anything outside of their party's desires. I tend to believe our system has become very corrupted by those who get into office and stay for a lifetime. So, I will say a business person.