Unforgettable

In September, Awakenings sister site catnipoflife posted a short piece on moments considered unforgettable. catnip reflected upon tranquil scenes and the beauty encountered when Flying Over America.

Remembered time and time again
Embedded dramatic, iconic images
Symbols of excitement and joy
Inspiring, mesmerizing, unforgettable

Awakenings will now look at some December moments that make historical connections to the past and present, on into the future. Patriotically speaking some can be classified as Defining Moments establishing, often shifting, the course of history.

In the first week of December, here are but a few...

 The birth of the modern American Civil Rights Movement

 December 1, 1955

 

"Back in the Spirits" 

December 5, 1933

  Do you recognize this iconic picture?

1,177 sailors and marines of 1,512 crewmen on board died 

December 7, 1941

Our December States

Of course, we would not be a nation without the establishment of the United States of America. See how many you recognize. Then, click the image or date to check out each state's history and splendor.

 21st state to join the union

"Nature Steals the Scene"

December 3, 1818

  

1st state of the United States of America

"Breathtaking Vistas"

December 7, 1787

20th state admitted to the Union

"Where History Runs Deep"
December 10, 1817

19th state admitted to the Union

"Sights Met with Wonder"
December 11, 1816

 

 2nd state to join the Union

"Freedom Rings"

December 12, 1787

 22nd state admitted to the Union

 "Echoes from the Heart of Dixie"

December 14, 1819

3rd state to join the Union

"Industry, Immigrants & Innovation"

December 18, 1787

29th state to join the Union 

"Epic Lands"

December 28, 1846

28th State Admitted to the Union  

"Authentic Western Snapshots (amid Colors of Splendor)"

 December 29, 1845

Then, there are those moments that hit at the Heart of America. This one is a love story...one of our own wounded warriors home from Afghanistan.  

 Have you followed this soldier's story? 

Injured Vet Returns To True Love

For each of us, what is deemed unforgettable differs. For some, it is all in the name of love, whereas for others, it is unconditionally patriotic. It may be a nature experience, a walk with Mother Nature—panoramic scenery or minuscule patterns or even the depiction of natural disasters. The possibilities are indeed endless.

What do you consider your unforgettable moments?

Related Articles:

21 Unforgettable Images That Will Change The Way You See The World

Full-throated, Robust Baritone

Within Awakenings is a LOT of music and music history. Tomorrow not only begins a new month but is the last month in yet another year. Let's step back in time to some great recording artists and hits that left an indelible mark in the music world, which touched and continues to touch our lives. 

Special NOTE: At the bottom of the post is a link that goes to the next day's music spotlight. This format will continue to the end of December where it will begin again with the new year.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

Today in Music History: December 1, 1966

Pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel, all have unique sounds of their own. Recording artists cross over from one genre to another but not all master multiple genres with No.1 hits. In other words, only a few have sung it all. In today's spotlight is a full-throated, robust baritone who is one such singing legend.

Tom Jones International

Tom Jones: a Welsh rock, pop, blues and soul singing legend best known as a hit maker over the last five decades in the U.S. and U.K.

Welsh singer Sir Thomas Jones Woodward is best known by his stage name Tom Jones. Emerging from the British Invasion in the mid-1960s Jones became one of the most popular vocalists of the era. Tom Jones began singing at an early age, regularly singing at family gatherings, weddings and in his school choir. At 12 years old, Jones developed tuberculosis. Many years later he said: "I spent two years in bed recovering. It was the worst time of my life." During convalescence he could do little else but listen to music and draw.

Since then he has sung nearly every form of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records. Jones' bluesy singing style developed out of the sound of American soul music. His early influences included blues and R&B singers.

1966 Tom Jones was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his version of 'Green Green Grass Of Home'. It stayed at No.1 for seven weeks giving Decca records its first million selling single by a British artist. The song was also a No.1 in Germany for nine weeks and a No.11 hit in the US.

More on this day...

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  1958 The Teddy Bears were at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘To Know Him is to Love Him'. The title of the Phil Spector song came from words on his father’s tombstone.

• 1973 The Carpenters went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Top Of The World', their second US No.1, which was also a No.5 hit in the UK. Country singer Lynn Anderson covered the song and her version became her first hit when it reached No.2 on the US country singles charts in mid-1973.

• 
  

  1984 Jim Diamond was at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'I Should Have Known Better'. The song was displaced after one week by Band Aid's charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas’. Diamond publicly requested that people not buy his single, but instead buy 'Do They Know It's Christmas’'

• 1990 Vanilla Ice started a four-week run at No.1 in the UK with the single 'Ice Ice Baby'. The track sampled the bass intro to the Queen and David Bowie No.1 'Under Pressure'. 'Ice Ice Baby' was initially released as the B-side to the rapper's cover of 'Play That Funky Music', and became the A-side after US DJ's started playing it.

• 1990 Whitney Houston went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I'm Your Baby Tonight', her 8th US No.1 and the first for writers and producers Reid and Babyface.

1987 A Kentucky teacher lost her appeal in the US Supreme Court over her sacking after showing Pink Floyd's film 'The Wall' to her class. The court decided that the film was not suitable for minors with its bad language and sexual content.

1997 Kenny G set a new world record when he held a note on his saxophone for 45 minutes and 47 seconds. (The record has since been broken by Geovanny Escalante, who held a note for 1 hour, 30 minutes and 45 seconds, using a technique that allows him to blow and breathe at the same time).

Beginning the Christmas Spirit...

2008 Wham's 'Last Christmas' was the most played festive track of the last five years. The Performing Right Society put the 1984 hit at the top of their chart of seasonal songs, just ahead of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas'. The Pogues came third with 'Fairytale of New York', recorded with the late Kirsty MacColl and first released in 1987. Other featured artists include Slade, Mariah Carey and Bruce Springsteen.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

  

#CyberMonday

   #Black Friday                                                                                 #GivingTuesday

Shopping madness continues but this time no more having to fight the crowds or wait in lo-o-o-o-ong lines. No more battling the weather in areas where rain or snow might be prevailing. Today you get to shop in the comfort of your own home and stay in your PJs if you so desire while taking advantage of HUGE sales.

November 30 is ...

Cyber Monday occurs on the first Monday after Thanksgiving in the aftermath of Black Friday Insanity. Competition is still at its peak with businesses trying to out beat each other with who has the best deals. This is not just the end of the season closeout, leftovers that no one wanted or overstock account poor decisions, but the time of year to get the best prices on quality merchandise. Matching, slicing, advertising price reductions are all part of this shopping game. 

On this day it is easy to overspend! Necessity should always come before wants but that is often a difficult decision when the price is right. The deals won't last long nor will the top items. So, take advantage of some Helpful Tips. Following some very basic instincts might save a lot of stress later on when the credit card bills come due! They may also save headaches down the road from spammers that are only after your money with nothing to give in return for your investment. 

Make sure to check out the dedicated page for more Cyber Monday shopping tips and the article on Online Safety Tips/Precaution which are measures that can be taken when shopping online.

Remember...just about everything for sale is on sale somewhere!

Are you tired yet?

Next on the Calendar...#GivingTuesday

Moussing the Pumpkin & More

There are numerous variations/usages for pumpkin that extend way beyond the carvings on Halloween. In fact, pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins are everywhere, especially in scrumptious fall dessert recipes! First thought is perhaps the ever popular pumpkin pie. What about pumpkin ice cream? Maybe pumpkin cupcakes or spiced pumpkin layer cake? Of course, there is always pumpkin cheesecake. Nope! None of these. Looking ahead, pumpkin is absolutely the perfect addition for tomorrow's celebration! Want chocolate instead? Keep on reading, a day without chocolate is like a day without sunshine!

November 30 is...

National Mousse Day

 

What better mousse than Pumpkin Mousse at this time of year! Before delving into this light as air & perfect for fall recipe, let's examine exactly what encompasses the mousse.

mousse

mo͞os/

noun

1. 1.

   a sweet or savory dish made as a smooth light mass with whipped cream and beaten eggs, flavored with chocolate, fish, etc., and typically served chilled.

What gives the mousse its lightness? It is not just the fact it is made with whipped cream and beaten eggs (some recipes call for the yolks, others the whites). Actually we can thank the teeny, tiny air bubbles formed from the whipping that gives mousse its signature delicateness. During the 1800s, chocolate mousse was a specialty in French restaurants and is probably the most popular mousse to this day. In the 21st century, it can be found in restaurants and prepared in home kitchens worldwide.

On to the pumpkin mousse...  

Pumpkin or sweet potato are common flavors associated with the holiday recipes. Variations according to taste makes either dish unique and personal.

Basic Pumpkin Mousse
Mousse is also referred to as a mass of tiny bubbles that forms on the top of a glass of champagne or sparkling wine. So, serve your mousse in a champagne glass for a unique presentation!

Frozen Pumpkin Mousse with Walnut-Toffee Crunch

Even in the wintertime a cool dessert is pleasing to the pallet after a hot meal!

EASY Spicy-Sweet Pumpkin Mousse

The spicy-sweet flavors of pumpkin pie are whipped to velvety, airy perfection in this five-star treat.

Pumpkin Mousse Parfait
The parfait makes The Perfect Snack!  Preparing in mason jars allows you to eat just the amount you want with some left over for later. Just cap it off and store in the fridge!

 Pumpkin Mousse-Filled Cupcakes

The mousse does not have to be served in a cup or glass. Have your cake and eat it too by piping the mousse into a cupcake!

Sweet Potato Mousse with Gooey Praline Sauce

This is the best way to eat sweet potatoes! The praline sauce is a perfect addition and the pecans add just the right crunchiness.

 Sweet Potato Mousse Cups

A deconstructed version of sweet potato pie - gingersnap crust, sweet potato pie filling, and marshmallow whipped cream

What about a combo?

No-Fuss Sweet Potato Pumpkin Mousse

This no-fuss mousse is an easy, decadent and nutritious recipe that can be enjoyed any time!

More spins on moussing the pumpkin!

On to something different...

It is interesting that mousse is not limited to a dessert. As the definition points out, it can be sweet or savory. With that thought in mind, let's shift gears toward the savory.

Fast, Easy & Yummy Appetizer: Smoked Turkey Mousse

The answer of what to do with the leftover turkey! If you didn't serve smoked turkey, add a little smoked paprika or black powder seasoning.

Mousseline de Homard (Lobster Mousse)

Lobster meat, cream and cayenne are chilled in a lobster-shaped mold to make this airy hors d'oeuvre, which can be garnished to create a whimsical appearance.

No way can we leave without chocolate - served in cup, espressoed a bit, baked in a pie, layered in a cake & peaked on top of cupcakes!

Dark Chocolate Mousse with Salted Butter Caramel

This delicate chocolaty mousse melts on your tongue exciting all your senses!

Espressoed Chocolate Mousse

Of course, nothing goes better with chocolate than the flavor of coffee!

Lightened Baked Chocolate Mousse

This is one of those confounding dishes in which a finished whipped mousse - cold, rich, a perfect balance of density & airiness - is popped into an oven.

Triple-Chocolate Mousse Cake

The mousse texture in this cake is exactly the same from one layer to the next and the flavor so overpoweringly rich it's hard to finish simply a mere forkfuls.

Chocolate Mousse Cupcakes

A rich chocolate cake with a creamy mousse topping, this is a classic cupcake combo for chocolate lovers.

Chocolate Mousse Recipes are endless!

*****

Is your mouth watering yet?

 You have plenty of time to do the shopping necessary, then, get to work and get it made! 

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

Next on the Calendar...Bite! Bite! Bite!

Food Fights for Freedom

First thoughts might be the "food fights" so familiar in a high school cafeteria with freedom being a day out of the classroom because of suspension! Not so in this case. Look at it again this time letting food act as a subject with fights serving as a verb. Reading it in this context sheds a whole different light on the topic. Um-m-m-m? That poses a question: How does 'food' fight? Ever heard of rationing?

  This Day in History: November 29, 1942

WWII on the Home Front: Rationing

War brings about changes, adaptations and often simply doing without amenities once taken for granted—daily routines, availability of food & clothing are no longer the same. During WWII, those on the home front made do with less in order for the troops serving overseas to have enough. Even though America was thought of as the land of abundance, times of rationing became necessary. Shortages began immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor during the winter of 1941-42. All U.S. citizens soon found themselves with limited supplies of meat, sugar, canned goods, fuel, shoes. Then, on November 29, 1942, the commodity hit was coffee.

Why coffee?

Brazil and other Latin American countries were producing bumper crops of coffee beans even during WWII so production was not the issue. The countries responsible were either American allies or neutral. The problem was the demands on the military on shipping. All available ships were being diverted to the war effort. In addition, German U-boats were patrolling the shipping lanes and sinking merchant ships. The coffee supply in the US was dwindling. To ensure men in uniform received enough, civilians had to make do with less.

Sales of coffee were halted to prevent hoarding. As a result, each citizen was assigned ration cards, which insured the equivalence of all concerned. Sugar rationing had already been put into effect the preceding May (War Ration Book One) so the concept was nothing new to citizens. Ration stamps were modified to adjust their value and stamps #19 - 28 were each designated for one pound of coffee during a specified five-week period. When the period expired, so did the stamp. Coffee stamps could only be redeemed for family members over the age of fifteen. 

One pound of coffee every five weeks = Less than one cup per day

For those who just could NOT make it on less than a cup depended heavily upon family and friends who were non-coffee drinkers. To help spread the amount a little further, the coffee was not brewed as strong (lesser measured amount of coffee), coffee grounds were 'reused' and substitutes such as chicory or Postem were brewed. 

Another 'coffee' victim was the familiar coffee can. In the '40s, there was also a shortage of tin so the coffee manufacturers packaged it in glass jars. Aluminum was in much demand by the military. There are some great collectibles from this era since the coffee 'jars' were of unusual, interesting shapes and sizes. The jars did have metal lids with many manufacturers advertising support of the military with slogans such as "Food Fights for Freedom".



Old Judge Coffee was owned by David Evans. It was actually called the David Evans Coffee Co. and was one of the best selling brands in the USA until it was purchased by Chock Full O' Nuts in 1969. The building is still located on the Saint Louis Landing and can be seen from I-70.

Even though rationing is not in effect today, there are ways to support our military who are serving overseas. Show them you care!

 How much do you know about the flags of the United States Armed Forces?