We often talk about the Dog Days of Summer, but August 17 marks the beginning of Cat Nights, which come with wonderful stories about witches and their cunning ways.
The Farmer’s Almanac describes Cat Nights:
The term “Cat Nights” harks back to a rather obscure old Irish legend concerning witches and the belief that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldn’t regain her human form. This bit of folklore also gives us the saying, “A cat has nine lives.” Because August is a yowly time for cats, this may have prompted the speculation about witches on the prowl in the first place.
In addition, there are a number of feline constellations in the night sky at this time – Leo Major, Leo Minor and the Lynx all appear. More here at space.com.
Confetti Bursts
Any day can be a celebration when you serve these crunchy chocolate balls, dipped in white chocolate and coated with colorful Pop-Tarts® Frosted Confetti Cupcake toaster pastries.
Directions
1. In heavy, medium saucepan combine semi-sweet chocolate morsels, cream and butter. Cook over low heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until smooth, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Transfer to mixing bowl. Refrigerate for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
2. Beat chocolate mixture on high speed of electric mixer about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Stir in KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal.
3. Using small ice cream scoop or rounded tablespoon, divide mixture into thirty 1 1/2-inch portions. Use hands to quickly shape portions into balls. Place on baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in small saucepan melt white chocolate morsels and shortening over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Let stand for 10 minutes.
5. Insert lollipop stick or ice cream stick into each chocolate ball. Working with 1 ball at a time, spoon white chocolate mixture over each, allowing excess to drip off. Press KELLOGG’S POP TARTS Frosted Confetti Cupcake toaster pastry pieces into white chocolate. Place on baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes or until firm.
For the record, I also think this post is ironic coming on the heels of my homage to Julia Child yesterday.
Today is Macedonian Republic Day and also the festival of St. Elijah. Elijah, in the Slavic tradition, comes with some history beyond Christian culture and is sometimes known at Elijah the Thunderer. His biblical ascension into heaven in a fiery chariot made him a natural analog to the Slavic pagan god of storms.
It seems that every day there is news about something else that is bad for us. The internet is littered with news about what foods we should NEVER eat. And it runs the gamut of things such as bananas, movie theater popcorn, and Chinese food (really?)
Here is Anne Bonney’s list of 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER EAT
1. Right at the top is hemlock – natural, organic, deadly.
2. Lima beans
3. Fugu – that’s just silly
4. Lentils – there’s no reason for lentils
5. Polonium-laced sushi
6. Celery – it’s like eating wet wood
7. A cheeseburger between 2 Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Love you, Paula, but you can see where eating this got you
Pop-Tarts – introduced on this day in 1964. I think it is interesting that Pop-Tarts are sold in the US, Canada, England and Ireland, but have been discontinued in Australia. These cardboard-like toaster items (I think “pastries” is too strong a word to use in this instance) have been the focus of news and lawsuits over the years from their fat content, leading to low-fat Pop-Tarts, to allergy recalls, and toaster fire warnings.
As with creme brulee, I think Pop-Tarts are best plain – no frosting, no sprinkles. I prefer brown sugar cinnamon or strawberry, but I am willing to give the s’mores flavor a chance sometime.
Paula Poundstone on Pop-Tarts:
Here’s a list of flavors available from the Kellogg’s website via Wiki:
I was recently on a road trip and stopped (twice) at a doughnut shop (Dunkin Donuts) and was dismayed at the poor quality of the product. These shops advertise that they offer quality goods, (mostly) twenty-four hours a day. Not this time. The donuts were stale.
A bit later, on another trip, I encountered a stellar doughnut shop, on my way to the airport in Roanoke, Virginia (Krispy Kreme). It was all one could expect – friendly, white-haired ladies in aprons at the counter, a bright, clean shop, a wide selection of fresh, fresh doughnuts, a wonderful aroma. Doughnut heaven.
I know this is a frivolous post and doughnuts are nutritional instruments of the devil, but oh they can be so good. We don’t have many doughnut shops where I live. Ich ben wanting ein berliner.
I have posted before about craft-cat connections. I do know someone who has knit objects from dog hair. In this book, the projects incorporate or are totally composed of hair that your cat is no longer using. Crafty recycling.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 