National UNICEF Day ~ October 31

While most kids are out in costume today begging for candy, some will show up on your doorstep saying "trick or treat for UNICEF."  The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was created in 1946 by the United Nations to provide food and health care to children in countries devastated by World War II.  It continues today to help provide relief for children around the globe with funds donated by both governments and private donations. 

One of the most widely known fundraising campaigns in this country is trick or treating for UNICEF which began in 1950.  Each year small orange boxes are handed out to school children and to date donations from these boxes has topped $223 million dollars in Canada and the US.  So, when the doorbell rings this year make sure you have some nickles ready just in case you hear the familiar "TRICK OR TREAT FOR UNICEF"

Buy a Doughnut Day ~ October 30

Ok, if you insist!

As I've said many times before...I live in the south.  But I'm still a Yankee (Jersey born and bred) and while Krispy Kreme is the favorite down here, I'm still a Dunkin' Donuts gal.  I'm not sure if either of these franchises will be celebrating today, but it's worth a trip to their websites to see if there are any "specials" going on for this delicious holiday.

My all time favorite doughnut is the Boston Cream, with the chocolate glazed following as a close second.  What's your's?

October 29 ~ National Cat Day

National Cat Day October 29 by Everydays_A_Holiday
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Founded by Colleen Paige, National Cat Day was concieved to call attention to the millions of unloved and neglected cats in shelters, many of which will need to be euthanized.  This is also the day to pay homage to that feline in your life that makes everyday simply purrrr-fect!  Visit the official National Cat Day website for more information and some wonderful photographs of cats and kittens.

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National Chocolate Day ~ October 28

As far as I'm concerned every day should be "chocolate day"







Some facts about chocolate:

• Columbus brought cacao (chocolate) beans back to Spain on his fourth voyage in 1502.
• Americans consume about half of the world's chocolate production.
• Hershey's chocolate was introduced in 1900.
• Hawaii is the only state that grows cacao beans to produce chocolate.
• Seven billion pounds of chocolate and candy are manufactured each year in the United States. 
• Chocolate syrup was used in the famous shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.
• Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural substance that is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love.
• One plain milk chocolate candy bar has more protein than a banana.
• The average person will consume 10,000 chocolate bars in a lifetime...that's a lot of chocolate!
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October 27 ~ Navy Day

I really wanted to share with you the Village People singing "In the Navy" but I couldn't find one on YouTube that I was allowed to use. So, instead we'll take a step even further back in time...

If you know a sailor, send him or her some love today...

October 26 ~ Planet Wide Moon Howl

 

Wolves Howling at Moon Canvas Print by Splashscape
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This may very well be one of those holidays that fizzle out before it gets off the ground.  I was able to find some information about the First Annual Planet Wide Moon Howl which was last year, but almost nothing about any organized events or activities going on this year.  So, you can be a lone wolf if you want and howl on your own.  Or, get a group of friends together and keep the howling spirit alive.

Happy National Greasy Food Day ~ October 25

I live in the south.  They have a theory down here.  If you can eat it, you can fry it!  When I moved here from New Jersey my cholesterol levels were just fine, but not anymore.  Because if you live in the south every day is greasy food day.


What can be deep fried?

Your Thanksgiving Turkey

Twinkies

Candy Bars

Cookies

Even Soda can be deep fried

And if you really want your cholesterol levels to soar,

try deep fried butter

United Nations Day ~ October 24

Today is the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations.

From the official UN website this quote describes the UN in Brief: 

The UN is central to global efforts to solve problems that challenge humanity. Cooperating in this effort are more than 30 affiliated organizations, known together as the UN system. Day in and day out, the UN and its family of organizations work to promote respect for human rights, while also promoting gender equality and the advancement of women, protecting the environment, fighting disease and reducing poverty. UN agencies define the standards for safe and efficient air travel and help improve telecommunications and enhance consumer protection. The United Nations leads the international campaigns against drug trafficking and terrorism. Throughout the world, the UN and its agencies assist refugees, set up programmes to clear landmines, help expand food production and lead the fight against AIDS.

National Mole Day ~ 10/23

HAPPY MOLE DAY ! (Avogadro's Number) by TheBigTees
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This mole in not the furry little animal.  This mole refers to Avogadro's Number (6.02 x 10^23), which is a basic measuring unit in chemistry.  I do not understand it, nor am I even going to attempt to.  But if you are so inclined you can start at About.com for a brief explanation. 

To prove that chemistry geeks have a sense of humor these Mole Day definitions and jokes can be found at The National Mole Day Foundations website.

National Nut Day ~ October 22

Research into National Nut Day kept bringing me to sites and references in the UK. So, it's possible that the "National" in this instance is not American. We may have adopted it from the English. Oh well, wouldn't be the first thing we've taken from them.

I'm a nut lover...pistachios and cashews are my favorites.  Nuts are wonderful healthy snacks and also a great ingredient in many recipes, from main courses to deserts.

How many meals can you add nuts to today...

Banana Nut Waffles

Hazelnut coffee

Sugared Walnuts

Perisian Rice and Pistachio Salad

Pistachio Mayonnaise

Spicy Nut Mix

Tangy Almond Garlic String Beans

Nut crusted Mashed Potato

Chicken Cashew

Meatloaf with Pistachio Nuts

Swedish Nut Cake

Chocolate Chip Nut Cake

Looks like you might be able to have a nut with everything today!

Caramel Apple Day ~ October 21

This time of year Caramel Apples are a familiar favorite.  Years ago I remember receiving them as a Halloween treat.  Of course these days you won't find them in your trick or treat bag, but you can still make them a home pretty easily.  Or you can buy the gourmet variety at a good candy shop or by mail order.












For the home version, Kraft caramel candies often come with wooden sticks this time of year and you might even find the recipe on the bag.  If not, visit Kraft's website for the recipe and some good tips.

I've created a line of cards and gift items on Zazzle just for this fun and tasty holiday...

Browse other personalized gifts from Zazzle.

National Brandied Fruit Day ~ October 20

You just have to enjoy these food days...  I'm not a big fan of brandy on it's own, but brandied fruit can be very tasty.  Allrecipes.com has a quick and easy recipe for Brandied Fruit Topping that is wonderful over ice cream.
At myrecipes.com you can find the recipe for the Brandied Fruit Compote (pictured above) from Southern Living magazine.

October 19 ~ Ty Pennington's Birthday

     Gary Tygert Bruton "Ty Pennington" turns 46 years old today.  In case you are not familiar with this television personality, Ty found his way into the hearts of America on The Learning Channel's hit show Trading Spaces. His boyish good looks, over the top energy level, and slightly quirky sense of humor helped to make the show a success.

     Born in Atlanta Georgia, Ty's interest in carpentry and home improved started early where at the age of 12 he and several friends built a 3 story tree house in the neighborhood.

     For the past 7 years Ty has hosted TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition a reality show that provides complete home renovation to deserving families.  To get some "behind the scene" photos, hop over to Still Images Productions website, where Bart Baldwin and Cesar Palacio along with David Hartfield, Keith Jones, and John Herrel, all very talented photographers, have their work on display.  I'm honored to know all of these guys by way of The Columbia Camera Club here in Columbia South Carolina.

Wow, I think that's the most links I've every put in a blog entry....  Hope you visit some of them and enjoy.  And oh yeah....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TY!!!

October 18 ~ National Chocolate Cupcake Day

     I've been waiting for this one.... Yummy!!!  My favorite cupcake is chocolate with vanilla icing, but I never turn down an all chocolate one.
     Whether you make a batch from the box, buy them ready made, or go all out and make them from scratch, today you have permission to indulge and forget about calories and diets.  
     If you want to try your hand at making the perfectly chocolatey chocolate cupcake I came across this recipe at a blog called Cupcake Project...looks sinfully delicious, and they claim it's better than sex.
       Some great cupcake supplies...
   

National Mulligan Day ~ October 17

A mulligan, in a game, happens when a player gets a second chance at a move or action.  In essence it's a "do-over".  On Mulligan Day you get a second chance.  At what?  It's not specific, so I suppose you get to "do-over" whatever you'd like.

In cooking, mulligan stew is basically a stew made of whatever you have on hand or whatever is left-over.  So I suppose it's foods way of getting a second chance.  When my children were little they loved the story about stone soup.  If you're not familiar with it, basically a wanderer comes into town and has no food.  So he boils up some water and adds a stone.  Everyone in the town wants to share his soup and so the each bring a little something to add... a potato here, a carrot there...until it becomes a real meal.  Now we all know how kids feel about left overs, so I used the story to my advantage.  One of the other issues was that my younger children seemed to love to rip the labels off of canned foods.  I usually knew what was in them, but it actually helped that they didn't. Making sure to have some soup base and vegetables in the mix, I let them pick some unlabeled cans, added some left-overs, water or broth as necessary, and voila ~ they made stone soup.  I'm sure they would have turned their noses up at it if I made it, but because it was their creation they thought it was the best meal ever.

October 16 ~ Boss's Day

This year Boss's Day falls on a Saturday...if you're the boss (or even if you're not) that's a treat in itself.  If you're not the boss and you're looking to suck up, here are a variety of cards devoted to this holiday...

October 15 ~ White Cane Safety Day

Visit the National Federation for the Blind's website for a great article by Marc Maurer about White Cane Safety Day.
One of the things recommended for today is to recognize the contributions of the blind.

Some music to enjoy by some very talented people who happen to be blind...

Happy National Chocolate Covered Insect Day ~ October 14

And a great big YUCK!!!  I'm sorry, but I just can't bring myself to eat bugs...even if they are covered in chocolate.  If you really must try them Candy Warehouse carries chocolate covered insects, chocolate covered ants, as well as crickets and larvet snacks.

Insects can be found in other foods as well....check out this video...



This family obviously didn't realize they had gotten the "gourmet" version candy bar...

October 13 ~ International Skeptics Day

Are we really sure that's today?

Actually a search of the internet assures me that it is today, but I have no idea why.  I've been unable to find any history or reliable facts about the day. 


Today's mission - Question everything!!!


But if you're interested in some "wordz of wizdumb"  visit my Zazzle shop...



See more personalized gifts from Zazzle.

Traditional Columbus Day ~ October 12

Until 1971 and the Uniform Monday Holiday Act , Columbus Day was celebrated on October 12, the anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in the New World.  Probably one of the biggest and best know celebrations of the day is the Columbus Day Parade in New York City.

This may not be a strange or unusual holiday, but some people believe we shouldn't celebrate it at all.  The story of Christopher Columbus we all learned in grade school is not exactly an accurate picture.  But, if you're happier with the story as we learned in school that's okay too.   

October 11 is National Coming out Day

Move over Christopher Columbus, you're sharing your day with National Coming Out Day.  




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October 10 ~ World Mental Health Day

Well, how about that for a "crazy" holiday!!!  I may joke, but this is a very serious day first celebrated in 1992 by a very serious organization, the World Federation for Mental Health.  

I'm starting my day off with a song, after all music has an important role in a persons general well being...  

The words may be a bit depressing, but the sound is beautiful.

Octoter 9, 2010 ~ Leif Erikson Day

Leif Erikson Day honors the first Scandinavian known to have set foot on American soil and the contribution of the Nordic peoples to the United States.  For a bit of background and history about Leif Erikson I found this website at Net Glimse very informative.
Want more Viking facts and fun...try these...
  

National Fluffernutter Day ~ October 8, 2010

Oh you need Fluff Fluff Fluff to make a Fluffernutter,

Marshmallow Fluff and lots of peanut butter.

As if peanut butter weren't sweet and sticky enough, the addition of Marshmallow Fluff may just put you over the edge.  If you don't think you can handle the sandwich, why not try these cookies found at The Picky Palate.

Fluffernutter Cookies

1 Cup creamy peanut butter

1 large egg

1 cup marshmallow cream

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a large bowl mix the peanut butter and egg until well combined with a spoon.  Slowly stir in the marshmallow cream until just combined.  You want to see the marshmallow cream not fully incorporated, almost like swirled through.  With a small-medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until baked through.  Let cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

October 7, 2010 ~ National Frappe Day

What exactly is a Frappe... Well here's an instant Frappe for you... 

Happy Mad Hatter Day ~ October 6, 2010

Obviously celebrated on 10/6 (look at the hat if you haven't figured it out yet), Mad Hatter day is a day to be totally silly and crazy.  Similar to the more familiar April Fool's Day, except that it's more about silliness than pranks or practical jokes.  Just in case you're unfamiliar with this character, he is the invention of Lewis Carroll in his story of Alice in Wonderland.  The most remember element in the story involving the Mad Hatter is the tea party as depicted here.

Hope your day is filled with Silliness and Fun!!!

World Teacher's Day ~ October 5, 2010

 Great Teacher appreciation cards available on Greeting Card Universe...

Today's teacher quote:

A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils.  ~Terri Guillemets

Glad Kanelbullens Dag (Happy Cinnamon Roll Day) ~ October 4, 2010

A bit of a Swedish lesson today as we celebrate with them on of their strange holidays.  You can start your day with a Kanelbullen (Cinnamon Bun) and some Kaffe (coffee) before you head out to Kontor (office) or Klassrummet (classroom).  They certainly do like their K's in Sweden.   

Since this falls on a Monday this year, you might not have the ambition to make fresh buns this morning.  I found this recipe on the Food Network website by one of my favorite Food Network stars Alton Brown.  They are "Overnight Cinnamon Rolls"  so you can do the bulk of the work the night before you want them.

 And of course, if you have even less time and energy for that, you can always resort to our favorite helper, Pillsbury's own Poppin' Fresh.

I don't know about you, but I've never been able to get mine to look like the picture on the package.   Until tomorrow....
Ha en bra dag!

October 3, 2010 ~ Stevie Ray Vaughan's Birthday

Today's easy for me... I'll be listening to Stevie all day, how about you?

October 2, 2010 ~ World Card Making Day

     Founded by Paper Crafts magazine, World Card Making Day began in 2006 as National Card Making Day. All a person needs to do is walk into any craft store to see that the possibilities in card making are endless. 
     However, for those of you not inclined to make your own card from scratch, you have a great alternative.  As a contributing artist on Greeting Card Universe  I'd like to invite you to take a look at some of the beautiful and unique cards you can find there.  One of the very nice things about this site is that you can personalize the inside of the cards with your own sentiments or even photos.  And, if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, many of the artists are willing to do custom orders.