Saturday, October 27

Let's Have Some Fun

First of all, before we have a bit of fun with some October Trivia and I share one of Grandma's recipes with all of you, I would like to say thank you to each of you who visits and uplifts me each day. I love each and every one of you.






Glitter Graphics - GlitterLive.com



I have always been interested in facts about October. I'm not sure why, except that I love autumn and October is also the month my birthday falls in. On top of those things, the end of October brings a fun day for kids around the globe - Halloween.






October Trivia




*Christopher Columbus discovered America on October 12, which is my birthday.

* October 24th is United Nations Day.

* The Cosmos is October's flower.

* John Keats was born on October 31st.

* Houdini died on October 31st, which is now known as National Magic Day in his honor.

* October was the eighth month of the ancient Roman calendar.

* Columbus Day was officially celebrated for the first time in New York City in October 1792.

* Noah Webster of Webster's Dictionary fame celebrated his birthday on October 16th.

* October was Winmonath or wine month in ancient England.

* Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October. Canadian pioneers celebrated when the harvest was in and, at that time, it was much earlier than it is today.

* The American flag was first raised over Alaska on October 18, 1867, the same year that Canada officially became a country.

* The full moon in October is known as the Hunter's Moon. In 2007, we also had a Blue Moon. A Blue Moon occurs when there are two full moons in the same month.

* The United Nations charter was signed on October 24, 1945. * October was the birthday month of seven US Presidents - President Jimmy Carter, President Dwight Eisenhower, John Adams, Rutherford Hayes, Teddy Roosevelt and Chester Arthur.

* In the US, October is Children's Safety Internet Month among others. Please monitor your child's activity when he/she is online no matter where you live.

* Canada celebrated National School Safety week from October 17th to the 23rd in 2007.






Grandma's Cake Doughnut Recipe

Ingredients:

* 1 cup white sugar

* 1/4 cup butter.

* 2 eggs.

* 2 cups flour.


* 3/4 cup milk.

* pinch of salt.

* 4 teaspoons baking powder.

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

* 1 lb. shortening for frying. (Can be substitued with 1 quart of cooking oil)

Method

* Place baking powder, salt and baking powder in a mixing bowl and set aside for later use.

* Cream butter in a large mixing bowl and add sugar and eggs. Mix thoroughly with a spoon.
* Add vanilla and milk. Stir until well mixed.

* Slowly add flour mixture, stirring constantly until dough is thick and pasty.

* Use hands to form ball.

* Cover with tea towel ( plastic wrap or waxed paper can be used today) and chill for an hour.

* Flour pastry board lightly and roll dough with rolling pin to 1/4 inch thick.

* Cut with doughnut cutter.

* Heat shortening or oil in large pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until oil sizzles when a drop of cold water is dropped into it.

* Drop doughnuts carefully into oil.

* Cook until golden brown and then turn with a fork.

* When doughnuts are completely golden, remove from grease and drain well.

* Roll in confectioner's sugar (icing sugar) or white sugar is desired. White sugar may be colored using food coloring for special holidays and events.








24 comments:

  1. Yum ... the doughnuts sound delicious. I would love to have one on this chilly day.

    Your friend poem is beautiful!

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  2. I love your poem about friendship.
    It is really neat....

    I like all the fun facts!! On Oct.24th I thought to myself, I think this is or used to be United Nations Day... I was eight when this happened and I remember,in grade school reading about it in the Weekly Reader!! It was a big deal back then!! Such high hopes... Now every thing seems bogged down.

    Yummy doughnuts too!!

    Thanks for all your visits! Blessings, Carolyn

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  3. Kate,

    Those doughnuts are delicious. I love making them, though they never seem to taste just the same as Grandma's did, but I expect it's because Grandma didn't make them.

    Have a wonderful day.

    Mary

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  4. Grams,

    The friendship poem is nice and I wanted to share it with my online friends.

    The fun facts are just that...fun.

    Hope you make the doughnuts for a chilly winter's day. They're wonderful.

    Have a great weekend.

    Mary

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  5. YOur countdown to Christmas is scaring me to death! We're going to Hawaii for our 35th anniversary on Dec. 7, returning the 17th, so I need to get hopping on shopping. I will be decorating the day after Thanksgiving, because I need to have a 4x4 group from church over before we leave. YIKES!!

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  6. Dawn,

    That thing is scaring the life out of me as well. A couple of times I've wondered why I put it up there. LOL I need to get a LOT of things done before Christmas arrives. Usually my shopping is almost wrapped up right now. This year I'm only halfway there and have no clue what to get anyone.

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  7. Hi Mary,
    Loved the Oct facts! My birthday is in Oct also, when is yours??
    I love to cook and bake but have never attempted donuts. Yours look very tempting and perfect for fall. A nice mug of warm apple cider would be perfect with these!!
    xo

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  8. Apple cider is perfect with these doughnuts.

    My birthday is the 12th. When is yours?

    The doughnuts are very easy to make and I'm sure you will enjoy them. Give them a try. They are wonderful with hot chocolate also.

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  9. Hi Mary,

    October fun facts are interesting! And the doughnut recipe sounds yummy. I think I would love one of those with a nice, fresh cup of coffee. Oh, and the Hunters Moon looks beautiful out there!

    Have a lovely Sunday.

    Renie

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  10. Renie,

    Thanks so much for dropping by. Yes, the Hunter's Moon is beautiful every year, as is the Harvest Moon.

    Hope you decide to make yourself some of those doughnuts. They would be wonderful on a chilly winter's day with a nice cup of coffee.

    Thanks for dropping by. I always enjoy your visits.

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  11. I'm so excited about your recipe! A new treat to make with the kids!
    Such fun and interesting facts about October. And your friendship poem was so sweet.

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  12. Cynthia,

    I'm glad you enjoyed the friendship poem.

    Yes, you and the kids will have lots of fun with these. I'm going to have my grandsons on Tuesday and think we might just make up a batch them. They love to make things and these would be great.

    Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Sunday.

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  13. I am definitely going to try those doughnuts, yummy. I enjoyed the trivia, thanks my dear friend.

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  14. Dear Mary ~~ I loved the Friendship
    poem and the donut recipe sounds yummy. Must copy it for my daughter
    Thank you for your comments, yhat yellow rose os just beautiful as I am
    sure your Mothers was. Glad you enjoy visits here and the jokes. I liked that 35th anniversary one too.
    Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

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  15. Denise,

    You will love the doughnuts. They are so nice on a cool winter day with a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or apple cider.

    Thanks for your visit. Hope you have a wonderful day.

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  16. Merle,

    I'm glad you enjoyed the friendship poem. My blogging friends lift me up and are so important to me.

    The yellow roses are beautiful. Are yours fragrant? Mom's has a beautiful fragrance.

    Thanks for stopping by. I wish you a wonderful Sunday.

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  17. Dear Mary, I didn't know your birthday had been October 12th!! Oh dear, I love posting cards on my blog for my blogging friends but I didn't realize your birthday was the day before mine! I've now written it down for next year:-) I love that friendship poem and the October facts were so interesting, some which were new to me! I am going to try your grandma's donut recipe..it's a bit different from the ones I make. I so love my donuts! lol xoxo

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  18. Do you think your grandson would like to come to my house and tend my garden? I'm afraid my thumb is an ugly shade of brown. Sigh...

    And thank you so much for the donut recipe. I may not know my way around a kitchen but I do love to bake...although does frying donuts constitute "baking?"

    Have a wonderful day!

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  19. Love the beautiful graphics and the donut recipe sounds delish! Thanks for sharing, Mary ;0)

    Smiles,
    Michele

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  20. What a great post today!!! Loved your lavender, your trivia (Happy Birthday by the way...mine was the 18th!) I love your freakin donut recipe...sure wish I could eat one...maybe I just will in honor of our birthday month!!! LOL
    Julie

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  21. Pea,

    Yes, we are close together in October, but I think the years are farther apart. LOL I've also made a note of your birthday.

    Glad you enjoyed the friendship poem and the October facts. This was a fun post.

    Enjoy the doughnut recipe. They are delicious.

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  22. Joan,

    My grandson would love to go to anyone's house if it meant working in the garden. I think it is therapeutic for him.

    Yes, in my opinion frying doughnuts is baking. After all, bakers make doughnuts. LOL

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  23. Michele,

    Glad you enjoyed your visit. I look forward to you stopping by. Have a great week filled with many blessings.

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  24. Julie,

    Sure, our birthday month is a great excuse to have a doughnut. Glad you enjoyed your visit here. You're welcome anytime.

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