D-Day

D-Day, June 6, 1944, 70 years ago today, the Allies crossed the English Channel.  Landing in France on Normandy's beaches, they started taking back Western Europe from the Nazis.

I thought about all those brave men who fought and died for us and realized I didn't even know what the D in D-Day stood for.  With a little research, I discovered it means nothing specifically. Some say it stands for date or deliverance, but  it designates the beginning of  major military battles.  It's been around since World War I and has since come to represent the massive June 6th battle during World War II.  For security reasons, the exact day of battles was not used until the last minute so as not to alert the enemy when they might be attacked. Often the troops didn't know when they would attack until hours before. Another practical reason D-Day was used instead of an exact date was that battle plans were often hundreds of pages  long.  If a specific date was written on the plans and that date changed, then the plans would have to be rewritten.  

I'm glad I know what the D in D-Day means now.  Much more importantly, I'm glad I know it stands for freedom. Let's never forget to honor this very special time, not only in America's history but the world's.

Serving Makes the Difference- a Dessert

Rather than go out to a fancy dinner on our anniversary, I usually choose to make a semi-fancy meal at the house.  I'll set up a table in the living room or anywhere, other than the dining room.  It changes the mood from everyday to special.  Cover the table with a sheet, quilt, place mats, or tablecloth you rarely use, get out your best dishes and silver, a fancy serving tray or dish, cloth napkins,  and your grandmother's salt and pepper shakers.  Clip some greenery and a few flowers from your garden or your nice neighbor's, light an unscented candle (so the aroma is the food, not a candle scent), and turn on the music from your radio, TV, CD or phone. Try something romantic and slow for back ground atmosphere.  After dinner, dance to the wonderful lyrics from the Big Band era, something from Frank Sinatra always works.  In each other's arms, lean back and listen to the lyrics as they tell a story which will inspire you both or, if the words are sad, make you count your blessings.

 

As to the food, keep is simple and fun.  Make something in the slow cooker, so it's ready with no effort. It will give you both time to dress appropriately.  Whatever your lifestyle, the swirl of a skirt and the look of a tie add so much with so little effort.

 

And for dessert, I made these easy brownie, chocolate pudding (sugar-free), whipped topping (lite) and stemmed cherry delights. Yummy and the secret to special is to serve in a fancy stemmed glass.   In the photo below, I wasn't sure which order to layer the ingredients, so they would present best. I tried, from bottom to top, brownie pieces, whipped topping, pudding and cherry.  On the right, I had brownie pieces on the bottom, pudding topping and the cherry.  Decisions, decisions.  Which looks better?  I guess it really doesn't matter, because it sure tasted swell.



 

Oh, don't forget a selfie photo of the two of you and your dessert.  You can't have too many pictures. 

We Have Just Hit 500 Postings!

Do I hear the call for 501?  You bet!

Happy 11th Anniversary to Us!

www.GraciousJaneMarie.com, a division of www.greenlightWRITE.com, our 800 page website, celebrates 11 years of entertaining our diverse legion of  fans.  Thank you to all who support our efforts to entertain and enlighten by way of the mind and heart. Here's to many more years and fabulous adventures together. And to the friends we have yet to meet.  Thank you all!  Nancy Kamp and Jane Marie Malcolm