January 31 ~ !YaD SdrawkcaB YppaH

happy backwards day

I found several references to this day on the internet, but nothing that seemed very official.  In any event it sounds like it could be fun to do things backwards for a day...

Hot and Spicy Food Day ~ January 16

Happy Hot & Spicy Food Day Apron January 16 by Everydays_A_Holiday
See other Hot and spicy food day Aprons

Just so we don't get too confused, today is "International" Hot and Spicy Food Day.  I did find some references to the fact that there is also a "National" Hot and Spicy" Food Day in August, but those of us that love spicy food won't mind at all if we need to celebrate twice a year.

When we think "hot" - we think of peppers...and I found this visual guide to hot pepper to help you decide just how hot you like your peppers.  Pick a pepper today...and have a spicy day!

Happy Milk Day ~ January 11

Moooooo!!!!

It is believed that today is Milk Day to commemorate January 11th as the first day milk was delivered in bottles.  Previously the milk wagon would have come around with large cans and the customers would have to transfer their milk into their own containers, usually open pails.

There is some controversy about the validity of the date, and there are several other days of the year dedicated to this wholesome beverage, but for today pour yourself a tall glass of ice cold milk and enjoy! 

January 10 ~ Happy Birthday Pat Benatar

When it involves the birthday of a musician that I like I can't resist falling back on giving you some tunes and giving my typing fingers a rest....

Get your own....

December 22 ~ Haiku Poetry Day

Haiku is a form of traditional Japanese poetry that adheres to strict rules. The entire poem is short containing only 17 syllables in 3 lines. The first line must be 5 syllables, the second lines is 7, and the last line is 5 again, giving the poem a graceful meter. Traditionally the poetry will make reference to the season, and most often it pertained to winter which is why this holiday is on the Winter Solstice.

Obviously well known traditional Japanese Haiku when translated to English will not necessarily have 17 syllables, but by reading some of them, you will get the idea of the imagery associated with this form of poetry.

* Night; and once again,

* the while I wait for you, cold wind

* turns into rain.

Masaoka Shiki

* The crow has flown away:

* swaying in the evening sun,

* a leafless tree.

Soseki Natsume

* The moment two bubbles

* are united, they both vanish.

* A lotus blooms.

Kijo Murakami

To learn more about Haiku, or to learn to write some of your own, try some of these books available at Amazon.

National Cashew Day ~ November 22

My Favorite Nut!!!  Wish I could find a good sale on them today.

If you are familiar with how the cashew is grown you understand why it is a tasty but expense snack.  Not only are cashews good on their own, they are often used in recipes and candy confections.

Add cashews to your dinner menu tonight with this Garlic buttered broccoli with cashews...

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup chopped salted cashews

1. Place the broccoli into a large pot with about 1 inch of water in the bottom. Bring to a boil, and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender but still crisp. Drain, and arrange broccoli on a serving platter.
2. While the broccoli is cooking, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Mix in the brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, pepper and garlic. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Mix in the cashews, and pour the sauce over the broccoli. Serve immediately.

November 21 ~ World Television Day

You might think that this is a funny day to honor our favorite baby-sitter, the boob tube...but in fact, November 21st was proclaimed World Television Day by the United Nations to commemorate the first World Television Forum in 1996.  The idea is that we recognize and appreciate the usefulness of the broadcast media to enlighten and educate and bring the people of the world closer together.
Will you be watching something enlightening and educational tonight?  Cook up a TV dinner, get comfy on the couch, and enjoy!

National Adoption Day ~ November 20

Gee I hope I don't have to go adopt something today, I already have a houseful (pets that is, all my kids are grown ups)... 

Joking again of course, this day is about child adoption.  You may have seen the recent commercials thanking everyone, birth families, adoptive families, etc for their participation in adoption. National Adoption Day is sponsored by a variety of organizations to celebrate "A family for every child."  Today the family courts across the country will break records on the number of foster children that will be adopted.


There are all kinds of adoption story out there, if you're interested in know my personal story involving adoption you can read about it on my Hub Page.

November 17 ~ Happy GIS Day

I suppose we should start out by finding out what GIS means...

GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. Use this link to learn more about GIS and why it's important.  GIS Day is a moving holiday, and is always celebrated on the Wednesday of GIS week.

I'll leave you to your own devices to learn about GIS... but will share with you a similar activity that my son taught me about... Geo-caching.  All you need is a GPS tracking device, a few trinkets in your pocket, and some free time....  oh yeah, some bug spray is helpful too, and a flashlight, and water, and a rope...  Just kidding, as long as you don't trust my son to be your guide you'll be fine.  Should I tell you about our adventures?  You might think I was trying to discourage you from this fun activity if I did... But, if any of my family reads this it will definitely make them laugh.

 

 

November 7 ~ Happy Birthday Johnny Rivers

WHO???

November 4 ~ King Tut Day

King Tut Day is celebrated on November 4th, the day that the tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered.   For more information about King Tut and other Ancient Egyptian information check out this website KingTutOne.com

Some King Tut collectibles and other fun stuff available from Amazon...

 

All Saints Day ~ November 1

In the middle ages the Roman Catholic church celebrated with festivals hundreds of religious faithful saints and martyrs.  I came to pass that there were so many of these festival days that they decided to combine the lesser ones into one day which became known as "All Saints' Day."  As a religious holiday, there aren't any weird or wacky ways to celebrate, so you're on your own to decide how you want to make this day special.  Whatever it is you come up with as your holiday plans for the day...ENJOY!!!

October 29 ~ National Cat Day

National Cat Day October 29 by Everydays_A_Holiday
Learn how to sell artwork online at zazzle.com.

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.

Shop for a personalized gift at Zazzle.

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!
•  

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
Learn how to sell artwork online at Zazzle.com

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
Make a custom t-shirt at zazzle

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!