February 22 ~ Happy World Thinking Day

Happy World Thinking Day February 22 by Everydays_A_Holiday
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    World Thinking Day is a Girl Scout holiday.  Each year the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts designates a theme for World Thinking Day, and the activities for the guides and scouts are focused on that theme.  February 22nd was chosen for this holiday because it is the birthday of scout founder Robert Baden-Powell and his wife Olave Baden-Powell.

     No, my thoughtful gorilla has nothing to do with Girl Scouting, but why should they have all the fun... Everyone should be allowed to think on Thinking Day!

International Mother Language Day ~ February 21

This holiday was founded by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a specialized agency of the United Nations.  The idea of this day is to promote awareness of cultural diversity and multilingualism.
For many of us in the United States, English is our only language and the only language we grew up hearing.  But we don't have to be bored today or feel sorry for ourselves.  Unless you are a Native American (in which case your Mother Language is the native language of your tribe) your ancestors came for somewhere....
Today's the perfect day to begin to learn a new language.  Perhaps the language of your ancestors, or maybe just the language you've always wanted to know.

Use your new skills and plan for that trip you've always dreamed of...

Happy National Cherry Pie Day ~ February 20

National Cherry Pie Day February 20 by Everydays_A_Holiday
Browse Pie Aprons

I suspect the reason for Cherry Pie Day at this time of year has something to do with the old story about George Washington chopping down a cherry tree. 

If you do decide to make a home made cherry pie today don't forget the apron and this sweet gadget I found at GadgetTown.com.

Pulling out that oven rack will never worry you again. And they are so unique looking people will wonder what they are.  You can't see it, but there is a magnet on the back so they'll stay handy attached right to the stove.


Need a good recipe now?  Recipe.com is celebrating "National Cherry Month" so pop over there for some great recipes using cherries.


And it you want the pie but not the work...

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...

It's Pie Day ~ January 23

ME OH MY ~~ I LOVE PIE!!!

One of my favorite movies...I'm a bit partial to John Travolta because we share the same birthday...but that song was the first thing that came to my head when I learned about "Pie Day" (and yes, I love pie!)

In honor of Pie Day, I created a whole line of items at Zazzle...

Look for a personalized gift at Zazzle.

For those of us that will be spending the day baking our favorite pies some handy gadgets from Amazon...
  

And for those of us looking from some great pie recipes...

CDKitchen 

AllRecipes.com 

PastryWiz.com 

CooksRecipes.com 

MomsWhoThink 

All You 

Homemade Dessert Recipes 

Just to name a few...guess I'm not the only one that likes pie.

Go Nuts! It's Squirrel Appreciation Day ~ January 21

When I searched the word SQUIRREL on the internet I came across this colorful site all about the little critters...it's mostly just links to other sites, but I liked the way it looked.

If you love these cute rodents you can send out a Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day card to your friends...

And if one day a year isn't enough for you, these greeting cards are also available for other occasions...

Just a few of the thousands of cards available at Greeting Card Universe...

Happy Penguin Awareness Day ~ January 20

View more personalized gifts from Zazzle.

For those of you who are not sure, yes penguins are birds. There are 17 to 20 different species of penguins, all living in the southern hemisphere, with major populations in Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa.

Movies like March of the Penguins and Happy Feet have made the penguin a star in modern culture.

    

One of the reasons they are such an easy creature to love is their resemblence to humams...walking upright with a funny waddle and coloring that reminds of us a tuxedo...

Whether they are favorite of yours or not, you have to admit they do have their charms.. 

January 17 ~ Hot Buttered Rum Day

You know what you have to do today...Buy a bottle of Rum, make yourself a "hot buttered rum" and relax...  Don't you just love these holidays?

The basic recipe can be found at Cocktail Times... 
 

Or find a recipe in one of these...
 

Don't feel like making your own... Try a mix or ready made...

If you like the idea of relaxing with that warm comforting smell, but don't really care to drink you can always light a candle and be instantly relaxed with just the aroma...  Found these hand made votives by WoodcraftsandCandles on Etsy, one of my favorite sites..

That's all I've got for you today... Cheers!!!  

"Why is the rum gone?"

Hot and Spicy Food Day ~ January 16

Happy Hot & Spicy Food Day Apron January 16 by Everydays_A_Holiday
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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!

January 15 ~ National Hat Day

National Hat Day January 15 by Everydays_A_Holiday
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To find out more about hats and vote for the "Hat Person of the Year" visit The Headwear Association's website.  

To celebrate today, wear your best chapeau. And if you don't have one, today's a good day to go out and buy one...

and for those of you that would love to learn how to make your own fabulous fashion hats...

Dress up your Pet Day ~ January 14

I have to say that I'm not one to dress my pets, but for those of you who do, today is a great day to buy them a new outfit.   The photos below will link you to a variety of places you can find fun fashions for your furry friends...

Duke and Fritz

Cat Prin

Paw Palace

Posh Pet Glamour Boutique

Little Pampered Pets

January 13 ~ Rubber Ducky Day

Who could not be happy on Rubber Ducky Day???

I didn't find any reason why January 13th in particular is "Rubber Ducky" day, but who cares...it's time for a bath and some fun with my ducky!!!

Rubber ducks have come a long way since their creation...you can now find them dressed in all sorts of costumes to fit your personality...

 

January 12 ~ National Pharmacist Day

The facts about this day are pretty much confirmed... no one knows who invented it, no one can say why it's on January 12th, and it isn't actually a "National" holiday which needs to be declared by Congress.  In any event, many sites dedicated to pharmacists and pharmaceuticals recognize the day as an important holiday.

I found this pharmacist job description on YouTube...it seems a little bit simplified, but you'll get the idea.

It's a good day to stop by your pharmacy and thank the staff behind the counter for all of their hard work and dedication.

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....

January 9 ~ Happy Apricot Day

This beautiful artwork is available on a greeting card at Greeting Card Universe.com by artist Gail Morrison.




Why apricot day falls in the winter I'm not exactly sure, but not to worry because there are still plenty of good things you can do with either canned or dried apricots.

                                                                             
Need some recipes to help make your Apricot Day special?   Try one of these:


Apricot Nut Bread

• 1 1 pound can apricot halves
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups sifted flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain apricots and reserve liquid.  Sieve apricots and then add reserved liquid to make 1 cup.  Cream shortening and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time and beat until fluffy.  Stir together dry ingredients.  Add to creamed mixture alternately with apricot mixture.  Stir in nuts.  Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes.  Cool on rack.  This is great sliced with cream cheese...yum!

Apricot Drop Cookies

• 2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup egg whites (3 or 4)
• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Combine sugar, flour, baking powder, and egg whites.  Add walnuts and apricots mixing well.  Drop by teaspoon onto well-greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on rack.  Makes about 3 dozen.


Apricot Liqueur

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 9 ripe apricots
• 3 cups vodka 

Peel and chop apricots discarding skin and pits.  Add apricots in a large jar with vodka.  Let marinate a few weeks shaking several times during the process.  Strain contents in a wire strainer, pressing liquid from fruit.  Make sugar syrup by boiling sugar and water for several minutes until it is clear and thickened.  Add sugar syrup.  Strain several times to remove any particles.  Let stand for 4 to 6 weeks.

Happy Bubble Bath Day ~ January 8

Ahhhh - a day that I can really enjoy!

No one seems to know who started this day or why, but once your in that warm tub with luxurious bubbles you won't care.

Found this great poster on Zazzle (other items also available with the same design)...doesn't she look happy?

Bathtub Joy Poster by floatinglemons
More Floating Posters

And if you need some bubbles of your own....

  

National Bird Day ~ January 5

For some of you today would be a good day to learn about the hobby of bird watching.

 

For others, you non nature lovers, it's a good day to renew your love for that Alfred Hitchcock classic....

Trivia Day ~ January 4

Do you love trivia?  Would you like to be challenged every day?  Check out Trivia Cafe and you just might get hooked.

Want to play Trivial Pursuit online?  The Pogo website might be for you.

Do you think you know enough to be a Jeopardy contestant.  Test your skills.

Or, Just stump your friends with this trivia question...What's the holiday of the day today?


Think small and have big fun....Happy Trivia Day!!!

January 3 ~ National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

 I love the holidays that involve chocolate!!!

I'm not sure who is responsible for the Food Holiday list, but all the different sites I've found seem to agree on them.  There is a food for every day of the, but for now, since I'm only doing one holiday a day, I alternate between the food holidays, the religious holidays, the foreign holiday, and the just plain weird holidays.  And, when the food holiday has something to do with Chocolate it usually wins my debate on which holiday to feature.

If you're feeling creative today try these...

These Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice are soooo cute... I made them one year for Christmas, but couldn't make them fast enough to give any away.



If you'd rather not make your own there are some gourmet and ready made options...

and if you really want to start from scratch....