AUTUMN is here!

TODAY it's official...AUTUMN is here! Gone are the swimming excursions, cold popsicles and lazy days of summer. Taking their places are a rejuvenation of spirit and wonderment over the upcoming color changes in their crowning glory.

It is the summer's great last heat,
It is the fall's first chill: They meet.

–Sarah Morgan Bryan Piatt

 

TOMORROW marks the Fall Equinox...a balancing point in the light and darkness of the year. The September (Fall) Equinox occurs the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from north to south. This happens either on September 22, 23, or 24 every year. 

Tomorrow's tomorrows boast the Harvest Moon. Look for the Harvest Moon to shine on the night of September 27-28, 2015. The night of September 27 has the brightest, fullest moon for the Americas. Meanwhile, in the world’s eastern hemisphere – Africa, Europe and Asia, the full moon comes after midnight September 28. And it’s not just any Harvest Moon. It’s also a supermoon that’s staging a Blood Moon eclipse.

Why is the harvest moon so big and orange?

  What is your favorite time, place, event of the autumn season? Perhaps it is everything and anything that has to do with the falling leaves...music, poetry, childhood memories!

What's Happenin' on September 21?

Posted in 2014 but NO matter...same date, different year! Get ready, get set, step back in time, enjoy a cookie and listen to the mood-altering music!

Start with This Day in History: September 21, 1780

When someone refers to a person as a 'Benedict Arnold', that individual is definitely NOT receiving a compliment. The connotation by which this reference is targeting goes back to the year 1780, that's 234 years (235 now that we are in the year 2015)! In other words, the time is during the Revolutionary War only four years after America became an independent nation. The intended outcome: money and high position. Read MORE...

September 21 is...

National Pecan Cookie Day

The fruit of the pecan tree - pecan nuts - have a rich, buttery flavor that makes them a fine ingredient in baking as we all know. Did you know that a handful of pecans a day has been know to help reduce cholesterol? Not bad, for a nut!  Read MORE...

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

 

Today in Music History: September 21

The impact of music never wanes. Melodies and harmonies move up and down, in and out, all around the body and mind wavering within our emotional being. This song we love, that song we hate. Another one ignites our energy, while yet another stills the heart. Each carries with it ties that bind the past, present and future with the ability to alter our moods at any moment. Read MORE...but mainly LISTEN TO THE MOOD-ALTERING MUSIC!

Put these on your calendar!

Butterscotch & Pot Pies

Along with What's Happenin' in September should be added the days of September 19 and 23, which somehow got overlooked on the September calendar. With somethin' happenin' each and every day of the year, these two days definitely do not need to go unnoticed. So, plan ahead and get ready to celebrate...

On September 19, a school lunchbox favorite of days past...

 

National Butterscotch Pudding Day

 Butterscotch is a type of confectionary basically made with boiling sugar syrup, butter, cream and lemon (recipes do vary). There are several theories on the name and origin of the candy. One is its obvious connection to the country of Scotland. Buttery toffee is sometimes called butterscotch. (Source: History of Butterscotch)

If the pudding alone is not your forte, try using it as a main ingredient in a different recipe. Perhaps muffins will better suit your taste...

Butterscotch Muffins Recipe photo by Taste of Home

OR a mini-pie providing a chocolate connection...

Mini Butterscotch Graham Pies* (Recipe)

*This recipe grabs two days of celebration since one of the ingredients is white chocolate. White Chocolate Day is one of the triple celebrations of September 22!

On September 23, celebrate one of America's comfort food classics...

 

 National  Great American Pot Pie Day

  

National Great American Pot Pie Day, an “unofficial” national holiday, was created in 2002 by the pot pie and frozen food company Marie Callender’s. If you are one to never let leftovers go to waste, check out the recipes below!

 Chicken Pot Pie (Recipe)

Roast Beef Pot Pie (Recipe)

Is your mouth watering yet?

 

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

We the People

An important look back at yesterday... 
 
This Day in History: September 17, 1787

Source: http://todaysdocument.tumblr.com/

We the People. . .

of the United States,
in Order to form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare,
and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Read MORE. . .

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Yesterday marked 228 years since 39 people gathered in a room and signed the United States Constitution, which is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the oldest written national constitution still in force anywhere in the world. While it is not a "perfect" document, set your mind to the possibility of it not being set in place and by the way, vanquish the Bill of Rights at the same time.

How knowledgeable are you on the U. S. Constitution? 

Check your understanding!
 Click HERE!

Did you know? 10 Things You Didn't Know About the U.S. Constitution

Test Your Knowledge: Trivia Quiz - US Constitution

More Testing: How much do you know about the US Constitution? A quiz.

Halfway To St. Patrick’s Day

A new holiday is spreading the globe: Halfway to St. Patrick's Day. With its Irish origins, Halfway to St. Patrick's Day is set to become the next great Celtic holiday for the Fall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raise a Glass on September 17th for Halfway to St. Patrick's Day

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Events take place all over the globe from Sept. 17th to the 22nd, so you don’t have to choose when to celebrate. Grab a pint, put on the Irish music, and bask in the green glow of the season!

Halfway to St. Patrick's Day finds its roots in "Arthur Guinness Day" or "Arthur's Day," which celebrates that patron saint of beer, Arthur Guinness himself. All over the world,  people raise their glasses to salute the man, the beer, and the fact that we are halfway to our favorite celebration of Irish customs, drink, and food!

People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.

                        ~Edmund Burke

Irish culture includes customs and traditions, language, music, art, literature, folklore, cuisine and sports associated with the island of Ireland and of the Irish and Northern Irish people. Particularly famous examples of noteworthy works are those of James Joyce, Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and Ireland's four winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature: William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney.
Source: Culture of Ireland

Click the banner at left for Irish traditions, history, folklore & more!

Now you don't have to wait until St. Paddy's Day with the new halfway mark just waiting for your enjoyment. If your preference is not gathering with friends in a pub, tavern or bar, there is always the FOOD! Try some of the following just for starters:
Slow-Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage
Bangers and Mash
Irish Brown Bread
Slow-Cooker Beef Stew
Irish Creme Bundt Cake 

Of course, the image at right resembles something simply irresistible. That's the BaileysMint Chocolate Poke Cake! If this cake recipe is not of your fancy, just click HERE!

What do you think about this 'halfway holiday'? Share your thoughts in a comment!

What's Happenin'? in September

September is almost half over and Autumn is just around the corner. So much has already been celebrated but much, much more awaits. Check out What's Happenin'? in September at Pinterest. Even if a celebration has passed, you can always celebrate belatedly!

September 15 was missed on the What's Happenin' calendar so let's get prepared for...

Linguine (often misspelled “Linguini”) is a long, flat, narrow type of pasta. Most commonly linguine is used in seafood or pesto dishes, such as Spaghetti Alle Vongole (“linguine with clams”).

Linguine originated in the Liguria region of Italy and literally means "little tongues" in Italian. Pause for a moment. Use your imagination and project a mental image of you dining at one of the local trattorias, taking in the flavors and aromas of good, hearty pasta dishes! These flat noodles pair well with seafood and pesto, but sheer happiness abounds when teamed up with chicken, meatballs or even in a special dessert! Salivate in thoughts that transform the most simple of pasta dishes in an explosion of flavor.

Have a favorite linguine dish? Serve it for lunch or dinner in honor of National Linguine Day!

O-o-oh! La! La!  

Spaghetti Alle Vongole (Recipe)

The briny juices from the clams help to flavor this brothy sauce—the fresher the clams, the better the dish!

Comments welcome -  Share your favorite linguine dish!

Reflection & Tributes

At the heart of Awakenings you will find defining moments reflective of the greatness of America...My America, YOUR America, Our America! The Voices of America speak loud and clear of the people, for the people, by the people. America's freedom came at a high price of sacrifice. While freedom has been won, the fight to maintain that freedom still goes on.

On this date, September 11, 2001, a dark day in America's history succumbed to a series of deadly terrorist attacks striking the areas of New York City and Washington, D.C.. The destruction of the Twin Towers caused serious damage to the economy of Lower Manhattan and had a significant impact on global markets.

Click 9/11 by Bruce Dodson

Reality in Darkness

What started across the sea now struck home
at the heart, mind, and soul of America.
A beautiful day under clear, sunny skies
unfolded a threat of terror's reality in darkness.

 

A lifeless cloud descended
Upon a splendid city
Raining hatred and terror
Without regard or pity

 

Nearly three thousand perished
More wounded or missing
Leaving behind a legacy
Well worth reminiscing

 

There were those who survived
Needing the greatest of care
To understand, carry on
Through hope and endless prayer

 

Let us not ever forget
America’s families and friends
Going about daily lives
Unsuspecting of terrorist ends

 

That dismal, dark day in history
Brought about a stark reality
America is vulnerable
Amidst gracious hospitality

Connecting the past to the present…

“The attacks of September 11 were intended to break our spirit.
Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified…
We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom.”

—Mayor Rudolph “Rudy” Giuliani, New York City (in office 1994–2001)

©2012 Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults

 

We Shall Never Forget (9-11 Tribute)
by Alan W Jankowski · Sept 30, 2010

Oh, one could say a few things about this one...it's been in print at least 15 times that I'm aware of, and probably far more...and was used in more 9/11 ceremonies this past tenth anniversary than I will ever know...the stuff with the school kids, scout troupes and the like is always touching...made a list actually of some places it appeared... Click HERE!

Yeah, this one got pretty big...

We Shall Never Forget...

Let the world always remember,
That fateful day in September,
And the ones who answered duty's call,
Should be remembered by us all.

Who left the comfort of their home,
To face perils as yet unknown,
An embodiment of goodness on a day,
When men's hearts had gone astray.

Sons and daughters like me and you,
Who never questioned what they had to do,
Who by example, were a source of hope,
And strength to others who could not cope.

Heroes that would not turn their back,
With determination that would not crack,
Who bound together in their ranks,
And asking not a word of thanks.

Men who bravely gave their lives,
Whose orphaned kids and widowed wives,
Can proudly look back on their dad,
Who gave this country all they had.

Actions taken without regret,
Heroisms we shall never forget,
The ones who paid the ultimate price,
Let's never forget their sacrifice.

And never forget the ones no longer here,
Who fought for the freedoms we all hold dear,
And may their memory never wane,
Lest their sacrifices be in vain.

©2010
Alan W. Jankowski

Where were you when terror struck
at the heart of our nation?