June 2009 Newsletter

June, 2009
CookiesItalian.com NEWSLETTER

Father's Day is June 21st

The History of Father's Day

Father's Day contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards.

In fact when a "father's day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards!

Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.

The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington.

At about the same time in various towns and cities across America other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day.".

In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father's Day.

Humorous Jokes on Dads

Who is the Winner?
The father of five children had won a toy at a raffle.
He called his kids together to ask which one should have the present.
"Who is the most obedient?" he asked.
"Who never talks back to mother? and
"Who does everything mother says?"
Five small voices replied in unison. "Okay daddy! You get the toy."

Who's the Boss?
While having their evening dinner together, a little girl looked up at her father and asked, "Daddy, you're the boss in our family, right?" The father was very pleased to hear it and confidently replied, "Yes my little princess." The girl then continued, "That's because mommy put you in charge, right?"

Mass for your Dad on Father's Day
On Father's Day - June 21st - I will be celebrating Mass for my dad and grandfathers. If you would like me to include your father and/or grandfather just e-mail me his name and I will remember him by name at Sunday Mass on June 21st . Also let me know if he is living on earth or in heaven.
CLICK HERE TO EMAIL ME or FrMichael@BuildMySpirit.com

Father's Day is a great day to send Italian cookies to your dad and grandpa or even a favorite uncle.

Special for
Father’s Day
Give Dad and Grandpa a
Hand Painted Mug from Italy
Complete with
Italian Coffee or
Italian Sipping Chocolate
and an assortment
of Italian Cookies

Special for Father’s Day $54.38
Save $13.59 - $14.09

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL SELECTIONS

Last Day to Order is June 13th for delivery by Father’s Day.
All orders will be shipped the week of June 15^th unless otherwise requested.

THIS MONTH'S COOKIE RECIPE
If you like baking cookies and using different shape cookie cutters you will like these.

Honey Cookies from Sardinia
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons butter
4 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs - lightly beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix the baking powder with the milk and set aside.
Heat the honey and butter in a small saucepan - mix until well blended
In a bowl combine flour and salt.
Add honey mixture, baking powder/milk mixture, and eggs.
Mix to a smooth dough.
Roll dough to 1/8 - thick on a lightly floured surface.
Cut with cookie cutters.
Place on a greased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper)
Bake at 375 degrees F. for about 10 minutes or until brown around the edges.
Cool on a rack.
Makes about 48 cookies

DID YOU KNOW?
The most popular expression in the Italian language
is probably Ma lei non sa chi sono io! (You don't know who I am! [mah lEH-ee nohn sAH key sOH-noh EE-oh]). It is used everywhere and by anybody claiming to be important and powerful, with ties to people in high places. It comes in a burst of anger and frustration during a personal confrontation with individuals who dare to disagree with us or who are stepping on our toes in some way.

The tone of the voice, the body language, and the excited use of hands and arms loudly and clearly carries the message of "Hey, you! Don't mess with me!"

The expression is also used jokingly with friends to poke fun at them and to be forgiven for silly behavior.

The person under attack may not ignore the verbal explosion and may quickly reply, "Ma chi si crede di essere!" (Who do you think you are! [mah key see crAY-deh dee EHs-seh-reh]). There will be a crisscross firing of the expression Ma lei non sa chi sono io! that will bring about the most colorful display of hand gestures, which may attract the attention of passersby. The verbal dispute usually ends with a handshake because both parties realize that they are trying to bluff the opponent with a fictitious show of strength.

Till next time - have happy days.
Thanks much for your interest in Italian cookies and Italian traditions.
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