October 1 ~ World Vegetarian Day

No fast food today!!! I'm sure this one was NOT an idea of McDonald's, Burger King, or Taco Bell...  If you've every thought about it, today would be a good day to try to go the whole day eating a healthy meat free diet.  Yes, I said HEALTHY, even I can go all day and it nothing but chocolate and potato chips.  In all seriousness though, World Vegetarian Day was established in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society.  Today is the kick off to Vegetarian Awareness Month which promotes the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.

There is a lot to be said for vegetables...here's a guy that really enjoys his veggies...try doing this with a hamburger...

September 30 ~ Feast of St Jerome

If you wanted to I'm sure you could celebrate a "Saint's" day every day of the year.  Some Saints though are more interesting or fun than others so I do include some of them in my holiday list.  Saint Jerome is the patron saint of students of scripture and librarians.  So, why not visit your local library and be kind to the librarian.  Return your overdue books and pay your fines. 

One of the most recognized libraries in the United States is the NY Public Library outside of which stands two lion statues.  Today's trivia questions is... What are their names?

September 29 ~ Save the Koala Day

 
The purpose of Save the Koala Day is obviously to raise awareness of the plight of the koala and to educate people about this Australian marsupial.  If you'd like to learn more, or even "foster" your very own koala you can do so at the website of the Australian Koala Foundation.

September 28 ~ Cabrillo Day

Juan Rodrigues Cabrillo was the Portuguese explorer who discovered California on 9-28-1542 when he sailed into the bay that would eventually be called San Diego. Cabrillo Day is celebrated in San Diego each year around the 28th of September and includes Portuguese music, dancing, and a reenactment of the discovery of the San Diego Bay.

Today's a good day to try your hand at some Portuguese cooking.

SER FELIZE!

  

September 27 ~ Family Day

Family day is a day to eat dinner with your children.  Created by The National Center on Addiction and Drug Abuse at Columbia University, Family Day was a grass roots movement launched in 2001 that has grown to become a nationwide celebration.  The premise is that the drug problem in this country needs to be addressed at the family level.  Parents need to communicate with their children to keep them off drugs, and the family dinner can make the difference.  To learn more about it you can visit the official Family Day website.  While you're there you can take the pledge to become a Family Day "STAR"  which stands for: 

S- Spend time with my kids by having dinner together

T- Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol

A- Answer their questions and listen to what they say

R- Recognize that I have the power to help keep my kids substance free!

Spend even more time with the kids by declaring one night a week family game night...communication is always easier when there is laughter involved.

September 26 ~ Johnny Appleseed Day

Johnny Appleseed's real name was John Chapman. Although he didn't really wear a pot on his head and ragged trousers, he really was a pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to a large portion of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Johnny Appleseed Day is celebrated on the day of his birth, September 26, 1774. He died in his sleep, March 18, 1845 of pneumonia. Legend has it that as he wandered the frontier planting apple trees he would sing this song:

Oh, the Lord's been good to me.
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need:
The sun, the rain and the appleseed;
Oh, the Lord's been good to me.

Oh, and every seed I sow
Will grow into a tree.
And someday there'll be apples there
For everyone in the world to share.
Oh, the Lord is good to me.

Oh, here I am 'neath the blue, blue sky
Doing as I please.
Singing with my feathered friends
Humming with the bees.

I wake up every day,
As happy as can be,
Because I know that with His care
My apple trees, they will still be there.
The Lord's been good to me.

I wake up every day
As happy as can be,
Because I know the Lord is there
Watchin' over all my friends and me
The Lord is good to me.


View more personalized gifts from Zazzle.

September 25 ~ National One Hit Wonder Day

Who's your favorite one hit wonder?

September 24, 2010 ~ Love Note Day

I must admit, I'm not really sure I have this on the correct day.  My initial research showed this day at the 4th Friday in September, but subsequently I've seen it referenced anywhere from the 22nd to the 26th this year.  I guess it just goes to show that true love has no boundaries.  Whatever day this is, it seems like such a nice idea to send the one you love a romantic note.  The very best love notes come from the heart and are not store bought or copied from a book of love poetry.  So, put on your thinking cap, pick up the pen, and write what you feel...  Have a wonderful day!!!

September 23, 2010 ~ Checkers Day

Nope, not the game with red and black game pieces that you need to get from one side of the board to the other to get "kinged"....Today in 1952, Richard Nixon gave his famous "Checkers" speech.  So, it's Checkers Day or "Dogs in Politics Day" as it is sometimes also called.  I'm not really sure why we are so fascinated with the pets of politicians...maybe it makes them appear to be more like the rest of us...normal everyday people.

So, we know that Checkers belonged to the Nixon family but can you name the family that goes with these "first dogs"....

• King Tut

• Sailor Boy

• Bo

• Millie

• Fala

• Feller

• Grits

• Heidi

• Lucky

• Laddie Boy

• Charlie

• Liberty

You can find the answers to these and learn about more white house pets at Presidential Pets Museum.

September 22, 2010 ~ Elephant Appreciation Day

Created in 1996 by Wayne Hepburn of Mission Media Inc., this holiday is a favorite of many who love elephants.  I have a personal favorite elephant story, one which many think I've fabricated, but for a while my parents had an elephant living in their backyard in Jackson, NJ.  It's not a story with a happy ending because Ned (the elephant) died while he lived with my parents, but the events and turmoil that it caused does have it's humorous points as you can imagine.  Ned was an Asian elephant as opposed to the more recognized African elephant...what's the difference you ask...

The Asian or sometimes called Indian elephant is smaller than it's African cousin.  Proportionately the Asian's ears are also smaller.  The skin tone of the African elephant is predominately grayish while the Asian elephant appear brown or reddish in color.  African elephants rarely lie down unless they are sick or wounded. Indian elephants, in contrast, lie down frequently.  African elephants have three nails on each hind foot, and four on each front foot. Indian elephants have four nails on each hind foot and five on each front foot.  Normally, the skin of an Asian is covered with more hair than its African counterpart.

If you love elephants you might want to check out an assortment of elephant items available at my Zazzle shop...

Browse other personalized gifts from Zazzle.

And, if you're just in the mood for some elephant jokes....

Q: How do you stop a charging elephant?
    A: Take away his credit card.

Q: How can you tell if an elephant has been in the refrigerator?
    A: Footprints in the butter

Q: What do you call an elephant that rides a bus?
    A: A passenger.

Q: Why do elephants wear sandals?
    A: So that they don’t sink in the sand.

Q: Why did the elephant stand on the marshmallow?
    A: So he wouldn’t fall into the hot chocolate.

Q: Why did the elephant wear red sneakers?
    A: So he could hide in the apple tree.

Q: How do elephants talk to each other?
    A: By ‘elephone.

Q: Where do elephants with skin problems go?
    A: Pachydermatologists.

AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ELEPHANT JOKE...

Q: What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?
    A: Time to get a new fence.

September 21, 2010 ~ Happy World Peace Day

Yes, the peace symbol is back in style!  I have no problem admitting that I was around when it was first in style.  Back then there was some controversy over the symbol itself, some believing it was satanic, demonic, or a derivation of a Nazi symbol.  You can still find references to those things on the internet, but for the most part I think today's youth just see it the way the youth of the 60's did... a sign of Peace and Love.  All that aside, today is World Peace Day, first celebrated in 1981 as a holiday declared by the United Nations General Assembly.  Globally there will be thousands of events ranging from prayer vigils to comedy club activities...All with one thing in common, the hope for peace throughout the world...

Celebrate Peace today and every day!!!

September 20, 2010 ~ National Rum Punch Day

How appropriate to have "Rum Punch Day" the day after "Talk Like a Pirate Day"!  Since I have a connection to the West Indian Island of Barbados (my maternal Grandmother was born and raised there), and rum is their official drink, I figured I would find a recipe for Bajan Rum Punch.  Everywhere I looked I found the same basic recipe and a simple way to remember it.  One sour, two sweet, three strong, and four weak.
Since you're going to want to have more than one I figure you might as well do this in cups.

• 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
• 2 cups simple syrup (heat equal parts sugar and water until sugar is dissolved)
• 3 cups of a good quality rum (from Barbados if  you can get it)
• 4 cups ice cold water
• a few dashes of Angostura bitters
• ground nutmeg

Mix all ingredients except nutmeg together.  Pour into glass with lots of ice (Rum Punch should be served icy cold) and sprinkle with nutmeg.  Garnish with a slice of lime if desired...kick back, relax, and enjoy!

September 19, 2010 ~ Talk Like A Pirate Day

Avast ye landlubbers and shiver me timbers...It's talk like a pirate day!!!  Here's a fun holiday that seems to have caught on big time.  Not sure if the Disney Movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" had anything to do with it, but it did seem to become very popular about the same time the movie was popular.  Of course I'll use any reason I have to watch Johnny Depp, even if I am old enough to be his Momma. 

My personal preferences aside, if you're looking for more info about Pirate Day, events, instructions, or ideas, this is the website to visit...Talk Like a Pirate.com hosted by Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket.  Tons of fun for the whole family, and even a section on how to talk like a pirate in German and Dutch.

As evidence of the popularity of this day, you can find lots of great cards and invitations at Greeting Card Universe...here a but a few of your choices...





Click on any of these cards to be directed to that card.  And be sure to check out more of the great card available on Greeting Card Universe. 

You can also hunt for treasures on Amazon...
  

September 18, 2010 ~ National Cheesburger Day

Just had to do that...

Now, let's fire up the grill and get those burgers on...give me two slices of cheese please!

If you really love cheeseburgers you might be interested in these...

September 17, 2010 ~ Citizenship Day

Citizenship Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman on February 29, 1952.  You don't hear much about the holiday now-a-days, but I recall my Mother thinking it was a very important day...she loved holidays too.  For many students they will be learning about our Constitution today as this is the anniversary of the day that the document was adopted in 1787.  

And of course, we all know the Preamble:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

September 16, 2010 ~ Mexican Independence Day

Happy Mexican Independence Day!!!  Okay, so if there isn't anything else to celebrate I'll celebrate the holiday of another country.  It might not be a silly holiday for them, but since I'm not Mexican I think it qualifies for me call it an unusual thing to celebrate.  I've actually been looking forward to this one...gives me a good reason to eat Mexican food which I love.

While enjoying my meal I'll listen to some great Mexican music.... For your entertainment here's a video of some song and dance to get you in the mood.

September 15, 2010 ~ International Day of Democracy

The United Nations General Assembly decided in 2007 to declare September 15th the International Day of Democracy.  The internet is full of information about this day and it's importance.  All too often I believe as Americans we forget just how lucky we are to live in a country founded on the principles of democracy. For me, I've always been a bit of a sucker for that good old patriotic spirit, so I'd like to share with you a wonderful rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance.



God bless America and the American people.

September 14, 2010 ~ National Cream Filled Doughnut Day

MMMMMM....don't you just love these food days that give you an excuse to eat something fattening and totally void of any nutritional value?

Scout out the doughnut shops in your area, some of them actually give away free doughnuts today.  If you can't find a shop giving them away, you might want to try your hand at making your own.  Here's a recipe courtesy of About.com:Southern Food.

Cream filled doughnut are made with yeast and butter, filled with your choice of instant pudding.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 6 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour (about)
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 4 cups cold milk
• 2 packages instant pudding (3.4 ounces each)

Preparation:

Scald milk in saucepan; stir in sugar, salt, and butter. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm. Measure warm water into a large mixing bowl; sprinkle in the yeast and stir until dissolved. Stir in lukewarm milk mixture, eggs, and half of the flour; beat until smooth. Stir in lemon peel and remaining flour to make a soft dough; mix well. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place in a buttered bowl, turning to grease all sides. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, for about 45 minutes, until doubled in bulk. Punch down and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll out half into a large round, 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured doughnut cutter, with center section removed. Place doughnuts on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining half of dough.
Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from draft, until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes. Fry in deep hot fat, 365°, until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels; cool thoroughly before filling.
While doughnuts are cooling, pour milk into a deep bowl. Add pudding mix and beat until well blended, about 1 minute. Refrigerate for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Spoon pudding into a pastry tube with wide nozzle and pip into the cooled doughnuts. Sprinkled filled doughnuts with confectioners' sugar. Refrigerate until served.

Too complicated for me...I think I'll just go buy myself a dozen or so... Until tomorrow...Keep celebrating!!!

September 13, 2010 ~ National Peanut Day

P

Pea-Nutty Facts and Fictions:

• Peanuts are not really nuts, they are legumes-related to beans and lentils.
• Astronaut Allen Sheppard brought a peanut with him to the moon.
• Peanut growth cycle from planting to harvest is about 5 months.
• The peanut plant originated in South America.
• Peanuts are naturally cholesterol free.
• The world's largest peanut was 4 inches long, grown in North Carolina by Earl Atkins.
• One out of every 90 people in the US suffers from a peanut allergy.
• The US produces about 6% of the world peanut crop.
• 20% of the world's peanut production is used in candy.
• Two US Presidents have been peanut farmers: Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter.
• The official state crop of Georgia is the peanut, Georgia is the number one producer of peanuts in the US.
• Peanut shells can be used in the manufacture of wallboard, fireplace logs, roughage for livestock feed and kitty litter. 
• Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth.
• The term "peanut gallery" became popular in the late 19th century.  It referred to the "cheap seats" in the theater where audience members would throw peanuts, a common theater food at the people in the more expensive seats or at the performers to express their dissatisfaction with the performance. 

  
Make sure you go out an get yourself some peanuts today!!!  What you don't eat yourself, you can save for Elephant Appreciation Day!

September 12, 2010 ~ Video Game Day

I'll admit, I don't know much about video games....I'm an old timer, I remember when Pong was the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Now a days there are more video games out there than Carter has little pills...(now if that doesn't tell you how old I am nothing will)
This is definitely a day for the young, and those without carpal tunnel.  My idea for the day...Moms and Dads leave the kids alone and let them veg out as much as they want to today playing their games.  If nothing else, it will keep them quiet and you'll be able to do what you want without being interrupted.

Upcoming Holidays:
September 16 - Mexican Independence day

September 19 - Talk Like a Pirate Day

September 22 - Elephant Appreciation Day

September 29 - Save the Koala Day