There is no denying that honey and oatmeal make a great combination. Also no denying that everything seems to cost more these days. So making your own Honey Nut Granola is both an economical and delicious endeavor, not to mention healthy and satisfying.
This is what a genius looks like. This is Thomas Edison who holds the world record for patents at 1,098 recorded patents. His major contributions include, but are not limited to, the phonograph, the microphone, the first commercial power station, the first industrial research laboratory, an electric railroad, key elements of motion picture apparatus, and of course, the lightbulb. But his genius wasn’t always so obvious.
One really does not have to have a lot of money to be generous. You can be generous with your smile, with your love, with your joy! And read on to hear the power of being generous!
Last week we did a post here on superfoods. Today we want to expand on that. When we think about what the world at large eats it is interesting to note that grains are by far the main staple of the diet of the world’s population. Corn is the most produced crop globally with 1.1 billion tons, followed by wheat with 760.9 million tons and following close behind is rice with 756.7 million tons.
According to Interesting Facts, while many nutritionists and physicians recommend healthy eating over fad diets, some foods offer more nutritional benefits than others.
As we know, lighthouses these days, because of modern technology, are not really necessary although some still do exist. Here are some interesting points about lighthouses:
Ancient Greek civilization is one of the foundations of Western culture, and its influence still echoes in our daily life. These thinkers gave us the modern concepts of pedagogy, mathematics, democracy, and, of course, philosophy.
The early philosopher Pythagoras is credited with inventing the word “philosophy” in the 5th century BC, referring to a love and respect for wisdom. Over time, the term began to designate a special kind of wisdom, born from the methodical use of reason.
As the only non-President to be honored with a national holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. most certainly gave us some words of wisdom which ring as true today as they did 50+ years ago as he was leading the civil rights movement. Today we share a most important quote that comes from a speech he gave when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize.
Most of us know a good word when we hear one. Today we are sharing a good word from a good man speaking words of encouragement to those who may most need to hear them.
As the New Year gets into full swing so do some of our New Years resolutions…you know the one about trying to be healthier in our choices and drinking more water? Today we share some infused water ideas for you to try.
With age often comes wisdom. When one has lived a full and rich life there is a “knowing” that sometimes eludes those who are young. Today we share some wise words from Prince Phillip who learned a thing or two in his 99+ years that seem especially relevant today.
Jude Nyame Yie Kofie made headlines last year after his family discovered the autistic 11-year-old is a piano savant who can play almost anything by ear.
“I just went to buy a Samsung washer and dryer from a guy, and he was asking $500. I told him I just had a kid and if he could take $400, I’d be really grateful.
Listening is an important part of how we connect with other people in the world. Being a good listener allows us to better understand those around us, to see through their eyes, to empathize, and ultimately, to understand ourselves better in turn.
What could be more basic in our kitchens as we start a new year, than eggs? And while you may have been eating them, and buying them all your life, we have a few basic things about this basic food and how to buy them that you may not know.
For many of us, the holiday season is a time to set goals and intentions for the new year. But we don’t have to wait for January 1 to hit the reset button on our lives or facilitate change in our communities.
Not sure if all of our chums agree but we have found that 2022 raced, if not sped, by! Here we are, a couple of eves away from a new day of a new year! Here are a few quotes which we think you will appreciate:
Jane Austen was an English author still beloved today for her sharp, witty descriptions of the social life of the landed gentry in the early 1800s. While she only lived to age 42, she wrote at least six novels and other works, most notably Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Mansfield Park.
Austen’s writing centers women’s experiences in an insulated world largely dominated by men. Her father was a country Rector and she had six brothers and one sister. She was close to her older sister, Cassandra, and the relationships between sisters are central to her works.
Importantly, Austen published anonymously as, “A Lady,” which was still a relatively bold declaration in an era when women’s literature was printed and respected much less than men’s work. Women authors often used male pen names at the time. Austen’s brother, Henry, helped her to get published and revealed her identity posthumously.
Austen never married. She accepted one proposal then changed her mind, and there are conflicting accounts that she loved a man who died soon after their meeting. After their father died, her brothers helped Austen, her mother, and her sister with their finances. While she became a successful author, she was still vulnerable to the fates and fortunes of men — a fact that is reflected in her protagonists’ lives.
Austen’s dry humor, engaging dialogue, gift for capturing the absurdities and poignancies of human relationships, and deft storytelling landed her a place in the Western canon of literature. Her works are still read and studied, and her popularity endures — in 2017 she was featured on a £10 bank note, and her works have been frequently adapted for both TV and film, most recently in the 2020 movie, Emma.
Perhaps her most powerful legacy is in helping to establish the value of a woman’s story told by a woman. Here are 20 quotes that exemplify her keen and sensitive voice.
The big day is over but another one, or many other ones, are around the corner. Guests will come for fun times, there will be parties to celebrate the New Year, and there are always those get togethers to watch big games, not to mention just the ordinary weeknight dinners you will prepare. And since there is food involved, we are always on the lookout for ways to simplify the steps needed to serve the food you’ve worked so hard to make. Enter this Savvy Secret!
The official purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom the globe’s roughly 2.2 billion Christians worship as the Son of God. The unofficial purpose is to spend quality time and exchange presents with loved ones, preferably near a fireplace. Based on the fact that Christmas (short for “Christ Mass”) takes place on December 25, one might reasonably assume that this is the date of Jesus’ birth. The truth is a little more complicated.
It won’t surprise you to learn that this Christmas cake is popular in countries such as Belgium and Switzerland, but did you know that Yule logs are also served in Lebanon and Vietnam?
The very first American Presidents — George Washington included — led the country through the American Revolution and its earliest days without wearing a single pair of pants!
Words are powerful, capable even of changing the course of history. They can win wars or prevent them. They can impart comforting knowledge in the face of adversity and inspire others to great feats and great discoveries. They can set people free, or at least set them on a path to freedom.
If you’ve been around Two Chums for more than a minute you know how much we love our butter! We have some Savvy Secrets for you today for using all that lovely butter 🙂
These days, more often than not, you will hear an older person (aka a senior citizen) referencing how they are slowing down, or need to slow down because of their age, or their physical challenges and health. Not so for Clint Eastwood.
With the Holidays upon us, a lot of us are being invited out and needing that extra little bit of “polish” that perhaps we learnt when children…..or NOT! There is good reason for this polish, to be sure. Why?
It is so interesting, culturally, to see how languages differ, are the same, or have something in their language that is very telling about how the culture, as a whole, thinks.
We came across a wonderful reminder for any parent, grandparent or special person in a child’s life. We think it is certainly worth sharing here with our chums.
The story of King George V and his parrot goes as follows: When the future King was serving in the Royal Navy in his youth, he traveled the world. At age 17, he was a midshipman on HMS Bucchante, which docked in Port Said, Egypt. While ashore, the then Prince purchased an African Grey parrot named Charlotte.
On this day we set aside each year to offer thanks and gratitude for all our blessings, we came across a quote that touched our hearts. We hope it might touch yours too.
As you are well aware, Thanksgiving is only couple of days away. And no Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without that iconic and yummiest of sides, mashed potatoes. So today we have a Savvy Secret for making those mashed potatoes to go alongside your turkey. We came across this great idea on Instagram, gave it a try, and want to share it with you, our chums.
Charles III Is the Oldest Person to Ascend to the British Throne
Given that his mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II, was the longest-reigning monarch in British history — ruling for over 70 years — it makes sense that Charles III holds the distinction of being both the longest-serving British heir-apparent and the oldest individual to assume the British throne.
On September 8, 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth realms.
For the first time in most of their lives, the British found themselves ruled over by a king, with even the words of their national anthem changed — after 70 years of “God Save the Queen” — to reflect the new male monarch. The actual coronation of King Charles III is set to take place on May 6, 2023, with all the pomp and circumstance associated with the British royal family.
Everyone seems to receive great advise when it comes to living and eating healthy, from well meaning friends and family and anonymous sources in articles and on television. The problem is, one week something is touted as “the best for you” and a month or so later you hear about all the terrible adverse problems this said “healthy thing” can create.
In the spirit of staying light and keeping a sense of humor, we offer you this today:
Goodnight Moon is a very familiar book to most people. It is one of the first books that newborns receive, for sure. And “read” it they do, over and over again!
Some of the most common, most well-known sayings we share are about the idea of home. Whether it’s The Wizard of Oz’s famous “There’s no place like home” or the classic “Home is where the heart is,” home is the subject of so many famous quotes exactly because it is such a difficult concept to pin down.
In one 2021 survey, 41% of consumers reported eating at least one slice of pizza every week. Other data indicates that around 350 slices are sold every second — and in 2021, American pizza sales topped $48 billion. But the doughy, saucy, cheesy goodness wasn’t always an American staple. In fact, pizza was around for more than a century before making its way across the Atlantic from Italy.
We are hoping to help you start this new month with a chuckle. If you have a family…and we all do of one kind or another…you know there are those unfortunate incidents or quirky personalities or embarrassing qualities, (or maybe all three of those) you know people outside your family might not understand and you would just as soon keep quiet. We found a pillow with just the reminder your family may need to adobt as a motto…
Everyone loves a fun jack o’lantern on Halloween, but the carving of one can be a challenge. Today we have some tips and a video from Good Housekeeping we think might help you have an easier time.
The next time you want to do something or learn something new and someone tells you that you are “too old” (it might even be you telling yourself that) remember this:
Abraham Lincoln was the ultimate self-made man. Largely self-educated, he rose from the humblest of origins to become a lawyer and politician before being elected President of the United States in 1860.
His unshakeable faith in and devotion to the United States was severely tested during the Civil War, and his savvy leadership ensured the Union’s survival. But his life and legacy were more complicated than history books often present. Explore six intriguing facts about America’s 16th President.
Words are wonderful things. They keep us connected, express our thoughts and give our ideas meaning. But sometimes there is confusion about words that sound alike but mean very different things.
This weekend, October 15th, marked the 71st anniversary of the first airing on CBS of one of the favorite TV shows ever made…I Love Lucy. It was an instant success!
Interesting Quotes shared with us some valuable tips!
Sometimes the hardest thing in life is letting go of what’s holding you back. It could be a painful situation you have to overcome, the loss of someone you love, the consequences of a poor choice, a deflating job, or even just a negative mindset you can’t shake. We can get stuck in a holding pattern where we focus on the things that we struggle with, and wind up in a cycle of stress, frustration, and sadness.
If you’ve been our chum for any amount of time you probably know our regard for Corrie ten Boom and her wonderful autobiographical bookThe Hiding Place.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us,” Helen Keller wrote in 1929. Being deaf and blind, she knew well about “closed doors”!
Nearly 250 years after the fabled ride of Paul Revere leading up to the American Revolution battles of Lexington and Concord, many people believe he yelled the phrase, “The British are coming!” along the way — but this would have lacked a lot of subtlety for Revere, who also worked as a spy.
You may think this is just a little boy about to hug a firefighter. But this is an even better story than that. What you are seeing is a wonderful act of kindness.
With a name that translates to “head of the year”, Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish celebration of the birth of the universe, the changing of the civil calendar, and the start of the religion’s High Holidays. It runs over two days and started last night.
It has been quite an amazing couple of weeks now beginning with the announcement of the death of The Queen. So to round out our memories and stories of Her Majesty we thought we would leave you with a treat that came directly from her … the Queen’s pancake recipe.
If you know anything about HM The Queen, you are very aware of her deep love for her animals.
This was made evident on Monday when, as her coffin was driven along The Long Walk at Windsor Castle, you could see on the side Emma, her fell pony, standing at attention for her darling Monarch.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was certainly an amazing lady – full of humility, compassion, love! The past couple of weeks have brought this out so very clearly! If you had any reason to doubt before, you now KNOW!
Yesterday at the funeral services for Queen Elizabeth II the world watched and British citizens, along with dignitaries and leaders from all over the world, came to pay their respects and honour the Queen. For little more than 70 years when anyone referred to “The Queen” everyone knew who was being referred to…there were and are many royal monarches in the world but there was only one true “Queen”.
One of the most touching tributes to the Queen is in this video.
A poem from a 7 yr.old girl, Lincoln, from northern England near the Scottish border in Carlisle. It is hard to watch without a tear. We share this with heavy and grateful hearts.
Again we say… “Thank you Ma’am” And… “Long live the King”
The Queen has made the journey this week from the place of her passing at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands to where she now lies in state at Westminster Hall in London. Her daughter Anne, The Princess Royal made that journey with her and issued a most touching statement.
Everyone feels they “know” her. Obviously only relatively few have had the privilege or pleasure of meeting her, much less actually knowing her. But so many of us feel she is a part of our lives. Your Two Chums are certainly among those.
There are so many qualities being currently discussed about the late Queen. But perhaps one that most endeared her and connected her to the public was her charming sense of humor.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrived yesterday in Edinburgh at the Palace of Holyroodhouse where she will lie in state until this afternoon. There to watch the arrival were 3 of her children, her sons Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex, and her only daughter Anne, The Princess Royal.
Today, your Two Chums are feeling much sadness, and yet at the same time the deepest of gratitude for the example of faithful servanthood, leadership, and duty that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, showed us all through her life and reign as Queen.
Yesterday was Labor Day but our respect for the American worker and desire to honor those extraordinary individuals who pursue excellence and persever goes on. So in that vain we have yet another special person whose story we want to share with you today.