Welcome to “Thursday Thoughts…today is February 2nd 2023…Did you know that on February 2nd 1887 Groundhog Day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, was celebrated for the first time at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania?…way back then however Groundhog day originally came from an old tradition called Candlemas Day…of course with me not being familiar with the meaning of “Groundhog Day” I had to look it up and apparently February 2nd is when the groundhog comes out of hibernation and if the animal sees its shadow then there will be 6 weeks more of winter weather…
February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. The month has 28 days in common years or 29 in leap years, with the 29th day …however we will have to wait until 2024 for the next leap year although we do have Valentine’s day on the 14th of February and Shrove Tuesday(Pancake Day) on the 21st February…
Today’s musical favourite…I do love listening to the Sax…
Londoner Thomas Brightfield designed the first flushable toilet in 1449 – however, it was Elizabethan writer and courtier John Harrington who was the first to provide a written specification for one. In 1596, he penned his Metamorphosis of Ajax (a pun on ‘jakes’, a slang word for a privy) in which he described a remarkably modern-sounding device that he’d installed in his house.
Then on February 2nd 1852, London opened the world’s first public flushing toilets. The toilet was located at 95 Fleet Street.
I don’t have a recipe for you today…I am hoping someone has one for me…
The first request is for a recipe for “Knish” often made with a flavoured potato filling that is surrounded by a flaky pastry…golden on the outside and lovely and soft in the middle..they can be either baked or fried apparently they can be quite addictive and you are unlikely to eat just one…Now I have looked at a few recipes and some mention using powdered instant potato as it doesn’t go brown…I am not a fan of instant potatoes and would rather not mix it with my freshly cooked potatoes that’s why I am asking if anyone has a recipe they would like to share with me and my readers?
The second request is for the beautiful little cakes pictured they are called ma lai go and are little steamed cakes…very popular here at festivals like Chinese New Year..generally, it seems no fat is used, but the flour varies as does the use of carbonated drinks…Some recipes use a line of sugar crystals across the surface of the cakes that helps the smile which is what the Chinese call the cakes as the top cracks and it is like a smile it also reminds me of the game we used to play as children by folding paper and moving with our thumb and finger does anyone remember that game the sections were numbered and a little message was underneath the layer…known as the fortune teller or Cootie Catcher
Anyway back to these cakes I have seen some lovely ladies on one of the stalls near my market making them and I’m going to see if they will show me how to make them and give me a recipe unless any of you make them and would love to share…I am not sure what they use to colour the cakes and sometimes they stamp the cakes with a motif plus they have a slight perfume to the cakes…
Thank you for joining me today for Thursday Thoughts as always I look for ward to your comments and thank you for any shares xx
Retired? No one told me! 
I loved the film Groundhog Day and looking at the weather for America this week the six weeks more of winter predicted this year is accurate. I remember that folded paper game very well from primary school and my disappointment when I asked if Peter Birch loved me and it kept coming up with ‘love me not’ repeatedly lol.. Love the little cakes… ♥
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Hi Carol, this was fun! I remember that folded paper game, and who doesn’t love the Blues Brothers. We have 6 more weeks of winter, thanks to the groundhog.
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It was fun to write thank you, Jennie…Ahhhh so winter has been extended and then spring will be welcomed…I also love the Blue Brothers and love their version of this song …I hope you are having a great weekend 🙂 x
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You are welcome, Carol. Spring will be very welcome, albeit late thanks to the groundhog. I’m so glad you’re a Blues Brothers fan! 😎
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Absolutely am 🙂 x
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I love the tradition with the rodent meteorologist. Why should animals not be smarter than humans. 😉 Once again theBritains brought the world something wonderful the first public toilet. Now i know why this wasn’t discussed in Germany. Lol Thanks for all this very interesting information, Carol! Enjoy a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
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Yes, it is fun and quirky, Michael and oftentimes not altogether accurate…I agree often animals are far smarter than humans and they appear to not make so many mistakes either we could learn a lot from the animal kingdom…I hope you also have a wonderful weekend Michael 🙂 x
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you so much for the reblog, Michael it is much appreciated 🙂 x
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It’s grey here in Vermont today, so that means spring is right around the corner – in about six weeks!
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Thats good to hear spring was always welcome when I lived in the UK 🙂 x
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I always loved Groundhog day growing up as no matter the outcome, it always meant Spring was on its way! I haven’t heard yet if he saw his shadow or not yet today. Folks have said they would let me know. Happy Groundhog day!! (Loved the movie too.)
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Happy Groundhog Day to you , Darlene..Happy you loved the movie:) x
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Have you ever seen Cab Calloway’s original performance of Minnie? Here it is. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Thank you for the link, Pete..I had seen it but decided that although this version was great I prefer the Blues Brothers…I hope you have a good weekend 🙂 x
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Those cakes do look like cootchie catcher fortune tellers! I can still make them and was surprised that our grandchildren hadn’t come across them before. xx
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Don’t they, Trish I showed Lily how to make a cootchie catcher a few years ago now and showed her the elastics game too it seems the kids here were not familiar with those games but all good fun 🙂 x
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