Memorial Day and Triple Berry Cupcakes

According to http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html:  "Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. "  Tradition continues with honoring all solidars that died in service to their country. Today it has become a mark as the beginning of summer celebrated with parades, BBQs, openings of community pools and a day off from work.  It takes place on the last weekend of May the following Monday.  Sadly many of these events have taken away from the true meaning behind it (seems to be the case for many holidays in America). 

So what can  you do to remember this day?  Here in Chicago the local cemetaries have a field Mass for all the solidars buried in that particular cemetary.  Check out your local area.  If your cemetaries don't offer a mass check your local parish.  Most have daily Mass anyways so there will be Mass but the offices will probably be closed that day.  Continue that day by visiting graves of military men and women and posibbly placing flags on their graves or visiting your own families and placing flags.

Then it is time to celebrate the soon start of summer. Consider a picnic in the park or a bike ride.  Have a special family meal and consider treating this day as an extra Sunday and spend it with loved ones.  We will be spending the afternoon barbequing at my in-laws.  Hopefully I can sneak some yummy pictures in because my father-in-law has mentioned using the smoker!! Yummy!!

I am in charge of dessert which is nothing new for our family.  I am making cupcakes from the book The Cupcake Diaries.  This book is by the sisters Katherine Kallinis and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne from the show DC Cupcakes on TLC.  My husband and I went on vacation to Washington DC last summer and went to Georgetown cupcakes for dessert on our last night.  It was so yummy!  I bought their cookbook.  What I love about this book is that it is separated into seasons and provides the recipes that they feature throughout the year.  I made the Triple Berry Cupcakes that are meant for 4th of July but figured I needed something red, white and blue.  The cake has been made they just need to be decorated with actual berries so I will feature pictures of them with the BBQ on Monday. Until then check out the book!