4 • December 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.


Cloverdale, CA. ~ Genesis, in the Old Testament, holds the oldest written recollection of a birthday celebration. Joseph, who was sold to Egyptian slav- ery by his brothers, attends the extravagant


A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY


feast the Pha- raoh throws on his own birthday.


man’s ardent- ly celebrated birthdays by


that evil spirits visited them on their birthdays. To protect the birthday honorary, people would surround them and make merry with lots of noise, to scare off the wicked specters. Gifts were unusual but eventually fl owers became the standard symbol of appreciation.


Christians have been celebrat- ing the birth of Jesus for nearly


throwing hedonistic parties and giving garish gifts. King Herod treated his lords, high captains and very special friends to a lavish supper party in Galilee. Old documented descriptions of birthday observances are re- served for the royals and the rich. Ancient man could not cal- culate dates until he gradually learned to understand the lunar cycles. Pagan cultures believed


The Ro- 2,000 years, since that starry night in Bethlehem. Birthdays were seen in a negative light in the Bible and by the 3rd century A.D. Christian scholars consider there celebration “disgusting”. During medieval times ordi- nary people observed their saints day, usually the saint for which they were named. The wealthy continued to commemorate their own special days. One of Chau- cer’s “Canterbury Tales” opens with a wild birthday soiree full of food and drink, for one King Cambuskan. Birthday cards be-


Eat Well & Prosper!


by Executive Chef Ron Skaar ronskaar@comcast.net ~ 707-490-7636


gan circulating around England over one hundred years ago. In 1893 two well educated sisters, Mildred and Patty Hill publish a popular tune called “Good Morn- ing To All”. Sometime later, their lyrics were altered to create the standard You”.


“Happy Birthday to


History of the birthday cake can be attributed way back to the ancient Greeks. They lit can- dles atop of cakes, resembling the moon, and presented them to their lunar goddess Artemis. When the candles were blown out the rising smoke took their prayers to the sky.


The Germans are credited with initiating the acknowledgement of a child’s birthday, which they call “Kinderfeste”. They also pride themselves on baking and one of their traditional Christ- mas treats is the “Stollen”. These fruit loaves, honoring the birth of Christ, are shaped in the form


of the crib with a child wrapped in swaddling cloths. By plac- ing big candles in the center of this “cake” they symbolized the ‘light of life’. Now-a-days, ac- cording to a Harvard study, De- cember 25th is the least com- mon day for births in the United States. My birthday is fi ve days before Christmas so the combi- nation of these celebrations was always the high light of the year, for me.


Chocolate would be a require- ment at my party, so I’ve includ- ed a simple but extraordinary cake recipe.


December’s EWP Recipe!


CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE


Ingredients:


1 pound semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, or a mix of the two


½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter


4 large eggs, separated Pinch of salt


1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon fl our 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions:


Butter the sides and line the bottom of an 8” spring form pan with parchment. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Once melted, off heat, whisk in the egg yolks, sugar, fl our and vanilla. Whip egg whites with salt until soft peaks form. Fold egg whites into chocolate mixture, pour into spring form pan and tap on counter to re- lease any air bubbles. Bake for 15 minutes only, will still appear moist in middle. Allow to cool and refrigerate. Ac- company with slightly sweet- ened whipped cream and gar- nish with your favorite holiday sprinkles. Serves 12.


4 • December 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.


JOKES & Humor # 2


A yuppie opened the door of his BMW, when suddenly a car came along and hit the door, ripping it off completely. When the police arrived at the scene, the yuppie was complaining bitterly about the damage to his precious BMW. “Offi cer, look what they’ve done to my Beeeemer!!!” he whined.


“You yuppies are so


materialistic, you make me a little noxious !!!” retorted the offi cer, “You’re so worried about your great BMW, that you didn’t even notice that your left arm was ripped off!!!” Oh my goodness...”, replied the yuppie, fi nally noticing the bloody left shoulder where his arm once was,


“Where’s my Rolex!!!!!” The Punitentiary #2


I was going to tell you a joke about infi nity, but it didn’t have an ending!


Did you see the movie about the hot dog? It was an Oscar Wiener.


I’ve always pictured myself taking selfi es.


The raisin wined about how he couldn’t achieve grapeness.


When the plums dry on your tree, it’s time to prune.


Paid Volunteer Delivery People wanted!


Scenic Route Available!


* 5 hrs, One time per month. Will Train. Must have valid drivers licence, insurance & own car! Flat fee for route & gas $ included! Send your info to:


upbeat@upbeattimes.com It’s Fun!


People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily. ~Zig Ziglar


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