Celebrating Sponge Cake Day

~★~♥~♥~★~ El Morno! ♥~★~★~♥ ~
August 23, 2011

★~  Today’s Quote: The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.  Carl Rogers

★~ Astrologically Speaking:  

Aug 23–Sept 22 is traditionally identified as the sun sign of Virgo, the Virgin. The ruling planet is Mercury.  A few qualities that might describe a typical Virgo:  truthfulness, loyalty, determined, practical, responsible, sensible, logical, analytical, precise, punctual, dedicated, critical and introverted.

★~ Spongecake Day: 

What makes sponge cake different from any other cake? It’s made from live sponge harvested from the sea floor. Sea sponge is on the endangered list and can only be harvested for a very short period each year. Divers use large shears to cut the sponge,  and then store it in a metal bowl (metal is the best kind of bowl to use because it keeps the sponge at sea-level temperature). The divers only harvest sponge that is light, bouncy to the touch, and a little foamy around the edges.

When you mix the right sponge with the right ingredients, you have the perfect light and airy dessert for a summer’s day.

I like sponge cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream on it. I like sponge cake with a drizzle of melted chocolate on it. I love sponge cake all by itself with nothing on  it. And I love madeleines and ladyfingers.

Hope you have a chance to soak up a little sponge cake in honor of Sponge Cake Day.

★~ Today in History:

♥~ 1902 – Fannie Merrit Farmer opened her cooking school, Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery, in Boston, MA. Ms. Farmer was the leading cooking authority of her day. Known as the ‘mother of measurements’, she revolutionized food preparation throughout the world with her introduction of precise measurements — the level teaspoon, tablespoon, cup, etc. And, in 1919, candy maker Frank O’Connor paid Fannie the ultimate compliment by naming his now famous company, Fanny Farmer Candy Shops.

♥~ 1926 – Rudolph Valentino { Rudolfo Alfonzo Raffaelo Piero Filibert Guglielmi De Valentina D’Antonguolla) died from complications due to surgery to repair a perforated ulcer. He was just 31 years old. The silent-film star’s unexpected demise sent thousands of his fans into public mourning.

♥~ 1991- In Lansing, Michigan, 250 gerbils chewed their way out of shipping boxes and scampered though the airport. Most were gerbilnapped by airport visitors.

♥~ 1999 Robert Bogucki was rescued after getting lost in the Great Sandy Desert of Australia on July 11. During the 43 day ordeal Bogucki lost 44 pounds. Bogucki, an Alaskan fireman, was found by a TV camera crew covering the search.

♥~ 2000 – Richard Hatch shocked U.S. TV viewers when he was crowned the original sole survivor on CBS’ Survivor 1 – Borneo. Hatch won $1,000,000 for his stay on the island of Pulau Tiga in the South China Sea.

♥~ 2006 – Annie Donnelly, a 38-year-old bookkeeper for a doctors’ office, pleaded guilty to stealing $2.3 million from her employers. The Long Island mom spent the money on lottery tickets, buying as much as $6,000 worth of tickets a day trying to hit the jackpot.

★~ Born Today:

♥~ 1912 – Gene (Eugene Curran) Kelly dancer, actor: Singin’ in the Rain, An American in Paris, Anchors Aweigh, The Three Musketeers, Marjorie Morningstar, Inherit the Wind, North and South Book I; director:Singin’ in the Rain, Hello, Dolly!, A Guide for the Married Man, The Cheyenne Social Club; died Feb 2, 1996

♥~ 1925Robert Mulligan film director: To Kill a Mockingbird, Fear Strikes Out, The Great Imposter, Love with the Proper Stranger, Inside Daisy Clover, Up the Down Staircase, The Stalking Moon, The Pursuit of Happiness, Same Time, Next Year, Summer of ’42; died Dec 20, 2008

♥~ 1934 – Barbara Eden (Barbara Jean Moorhead) actress: I Dream of Jeannie, Harper Valley P.T.A., The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Seven Faces of Dr. Lao

♥~ 1936 – Rudy Lewis singer: group: Drifters: Up on the Roof, On Broadway; died in May 1964

♥~ 1946 – Keith Moon singer, drummer: group: The Who: Substitute, I’m a Boy, Happy Jack, Pinball Wizard, See Me, Feel Me; solo: Two Sides of the Moon; actor: Sextette, Tommy, That’ll Be the Day;died Sep 7, 1978

♥~ 1949 – Shelley Long Emmy Award-winning actress: Cheers [1982-83]; Irreconcilable Differences, Outrageous Fortune, Troop Beverly Hills, Night Shift, Don’t Tell Her It’s Me, The Brady Bunch Movie, The Money Pit

★~ Did You Know:  Today’s Horoscopes:

♥~ Aries: Suddenly, you’re gung-ho to get better organized. This feeling will stay with you for the next six weeks, so make the most of it

♥~ Taurus: It’s party city for Taurus. The next six weeks are a fabulous time for a vacation and a great time to enjoy playful activities with children.

♥~ Gemini: Home, family and domestic matters have your attention for the next month. Many of you are excited about re-decorating projects

♥~ Cancer: Busy you! You’ve got things to do, people to see, places to go. Many of you will be involved with increased reading, writing and studying during the next six weeks.

♥~ Leo: For the next six weeks, your focus is on money and cash flow.. Your money vibes look good!

♥~ Virgo: Ah ha! Today the Sun moves into your sign, where it will stay for the next month, boosting your energy and recharging your batteries for the rest of the year. Fair Venus is also on board, paving the way for your relationships with others. People will see you in such a positive light!

♥~  Libra: Work alone or behind the scenes for the next month, because this is the perfect time to strategize and plan what you want your new year (birthday to birthday) to be all about.

♥~ Scorpio: A popular month ahead! For the next six weeks, you’re on the go seeing everyone.

♥~ Sagittarius: Make friends with your bank account. Something to do with shared property, taxes, debt, inheritances and insurance matters might suddenly change today.

♥~ Capricorn: Try to travel, explore new ideas or get further education in the next six weeks.

♥~ Aquarius: You can expect to focus on shared property, debt, taxes, insurance matters and inheritances much more than usual during the next six weeks.

♥~ Pieces:  For the next month, the Sun will be opposite your sign which is as far away from you as it gets all year. Since the Sun is your source of energy, you will need more sleep

★~ Today’s Paradox:

  

What is better than eternal bliss? Nothing. But a slice of bread is better than nothing. So a slice of bread is better than eternal bliss.

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Today’s El Morno is very lengthy so I will say fare thee well for now and be back later to muse with you.  If you have a favorite paradox to share or just want to share randomly–Odd Loves Company!


Kb

11 thoughts on “Celebrating Sponge Cake Day

  1. Love El Morno. Catching those gerbils had to be a real challenge! I’m surprised people did not think they were mice or worse.

    Sponge cake is yummy.

  2. Which sign is always late! I’m running but wanted to stop off for a quick sip of El Morno.

    The Paradox is a nice El Morno Twist.

  3. Now Katybeth, there are people that will actually think they have to have sponges to make a sponge cake. Boy, are they in for a surprise. I’m sure you will hear about it too.

  4. Pingback: Musing About Sponge Cake and Helpful Cousins

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