MDBCs 22 Dec 2023

Made with different kinds of nuts like walnuts and pecans and dates that give it its distinct sweet flavor, date nut bread is thought to have been first baked in England.

Ancient Fruit

Grown in many parts of the world, dates are the fruit of the date palm. Food historians believe that the date palm was first cultivated for its fruit in the Middle East around 6000 BC. Farmers classify dates based on their texture and the sugar content into 3 types. These are soft, dry and semi-dry dates.

Date Nut Bread Day is an unofficial holiday which is also known as National Date Nut Bread Day.

How to Celebrate?

Bake date nut bread and share with family, friends and coworkers. Remind them that it is a healthy treat.
What about making little muffins instead of making a loaf of the bread?
Experiment with the flavors of your date nut bread. What about adding strawberries to it? Or chocolate chips? Make a banana date nut bread or an orange date nut bread instead. Serve toasted slices of the bread with a pat of butter.

Did You Know…

…that contrary to popular belief, a peanut is not a nut, but is part of the legume family?

***

My 90-year-old dad was giving  a talk at our local library about his World War II experiences. During the question-and-answer period, he was asked, “How did you know the war was over?”

He replied, “When they stopped shooting at me.”

***

Wandering inside a pet store,  I stopped in front of a birdcage to  admire a parakeet.

We watched each other for a few minutes before it asked, “Can’t you talk?”

***

My son and I were checking out  a house he was interested in buying. When the owner came to the door, she looked at me and said, “Larry?  I know you. We went to school  together. I’m Elaine. Don’t you  recognize me?”

I drew a complete blank. She took out our old yearbook and showed me her graduation picture—still nothing. “Let’s look at your  picture,” she said.

She flipped the pages until she came to me. Under my photo I  had written, “Elaine, I will never  forget you.”

***

Shortly after we moved to rural South Carolina, we found out Clemson Ag Extension was selling all sorts of berry and fruit trees at great rates. We needed quite a few things because the property we bought was cleared cow pasture and, besides a huge pecan tree, had no other trees on it.

So I ordered blueberry and blackberry bushes and apple, peach and pear trees. When it came time to pick up the order, my friend called to ask if I could pick hers up, too. I told her we’d better take two trucks. When I got to the extension office I was shocked to find the pickup area empty except for some little bundles of twigs tied with string.

I asked where my order was and the attendant led me to one of those bundles. They were bare root cuttings, which take up very little space.  I could lift mine in one hand. I mentioned to the attendant that I felt silly bringing a truck to pick up the order.

It was then that I noticed a man behind me. He ruefully stated, “Don’t feel bad; I brought a trailer.”