It is impossible to know exactly when and where Memorial Day began, as people in towns all over the country began in the 1860s setting aside special times to honor those who had died fighting to defend their homeland. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan.

The holiday was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. After World War I most states began celebrating Memorial Day, and the holiday has been officially celebrated the last Monday in May since the passage of the National Holiday Act in 1971.

On this Memorial Day 2012, let us pause to remember those who have bravely fought and given their lives to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today – those freedoms our courageous forefathers first outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the First United States Constitution.

As you celebrate today, try this simple, but patriotically colorful recipe. All you need is:

Strawberries
White chocolate
Blue sugar crystals

Wash and dry the strawberries thoroughly.
Melt the white chocolate in a pan on your stove top.
Pour the blue sugar crystals in a bowl.
Dip half of a strawberry in white chocolate.
Dip the tip of the white chocolate covered strawberry in blue sugar crystals.
Repeat until all strawberries are decorated.

Enjoy.

Happy Memorial Day!




 
A decade ago, I was looking for a way to spice up the cookie recipes I baked for family celebrations and holidays.  I tried putting my cookie dough in mini muffin tins and Mookies were born.  The entire extended family loves them and requests them for every event.  Later I began lining the mini muffin tins with decorative liners for birthdays and holidays.  Over the years they have become very popular at our school, church and neighborhood activities. 
My husband combined the words "cookie" and "muffin" and created the name "Mookies."  I am constantly experimenting with ingredients and trying ideas my children come up with.  Try Mookies.  You will fall in love with their delectable sweetness!