220 Years ago Today, the First Official Thanksgiving...

. . . was celebrated as a national public day of prayer and thanks by a grateful nation.

Dear Folks,

First a recipe for that last minute take-with for today's meal or to quickly make a dessert that is a nice healthy option.

Jean Carper of "Stop Aging Now" published this recipe several years ago in the Sunday magazine section of the newspaper. I am printing it here now and also with my version of it.

Jean Carper's GOOD-for You Candy
Chocolate Cherry Clusters

2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
1 ½ cups cheerios cereal
1 cup dried cherries
½ cup walnut pieces

Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler or microwave. Quickly stir in the cereal, cherries and nuts until well coated. Use tablespoon to drop clusters on baking sheet. Freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 2 hours until no longer sticky. Makes about 24 clusters 137 calories, 2 grams Protein and 2 grams of fiber.

Catherine's Version of Chocolate Cheerio Candy
(The 60% cocoa is a better option for maximum dark chocolate health benefit - any dried red or blue fruit will work for the antioxidant helper.)
3 cups Ghiradelli 60% cocoa chips
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup of walnut pieces
1 ½ cups of Cheerios

On October 3, 1789 President George Washington proclaimed that November 26, 1789 would be a public day of prayer and thanksgiving by a grateful nation for what they accomplished and what they stood for.

I am thankful for all my family and friends and for the many people who share my passion for gardening and cooking well.

Happy Thanksgiving,

-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

. . .

First Official Thanksgiving

October 3, 1789

President George Washington proclaimed the 1st national Thanksgiving Day to be Nov 26

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to

"recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

In 1863 President Lincoln designated the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day.