Poor Richard's Almanac

Poor Richard's Almanack (sometimes Almanac) was a yearly almanac published by Benjamin Franklin, who adopted the pseudonym of  "Poor Richard" or "Richard Saunders". It was first published December 19, 1732 and appeared continually from 1732 to 1758. It became one of the most popular publications in colonial times, selling an average of 10,000 copies a year. It was popular for its extensive use of wordplay and witty phrases.

But the Almanack also contained weather, poems and astronomical and astrological information that a typical almanac of the period would contain. Franklin included an occasional mathematical exercise and the Almanack from 1750 features an early example of demographics  Poor Richard's Almanack is chiefly remembered for Franklin's aphorisms and proverbs, many of which live on in American English.

These proverbs appeared in the Almanack.

• There are no gains without pains.
• At the working man’s house hunger looks in but dares not enter.
• Industry pays debts while despair increases them.
• Diligence is the mother of good luck.
• Work while it is called today for you know not how much you may be hindered tomorrow.
• One today is worth two tomorrows.
• Trouble springs from idleness and grievous toil from needless ease.
• Industry gives comfort and plenty and respect.

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Brunch Appetizers

Elf hats

Cook's notes: These tiny bites are made with only 3 ingredients; bugles, M and M's, almond bark. Follow this link for the tutorial

 http://dandelionsandlace.blogspot.com/2010/12/week-of-no-bake-christmas-party-treats_15.html

Cranberry Roll Ups

Cook's notes: recipe adapted from food.com

Ingredients:

• 1 package dried sweetened cranberries
• 1 container garlic herb cheese spread
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese  
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion
• 4 large flour tortillas, 4 large wheat flour tortillas or 4 large spinach tortillas

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients except tortillas, mix well.
• Divide and spread mixture evenly among tortillas.
• Roll up tightly, wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least one hour.
• To serve cut into 12 slices.
• Option: add thin slices of ham on top of the spread before rolling.

BLT Appetizers

Cook's notes: Advance planning makes assembling these appetizers go quickly. Make filling the day before. Use a pastry bag or small plastic bag for filling. Snip a corner and squeeze out filling into each tomato. Cook bacon on a jelly roll pan in oven @ 400

Recipe from food.com

Ingredients:

• 24-30 cherry or Roma tomatoes
• 1/2 cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
• 1 lb. bacon, cooked and diced
• 1/3 cup green onion
• 2 tsp. Italian Herbs
• 4 TB. Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Cut top off tomatoes and scoop out center
• Use a bag to pipe in filling
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate till serving