Whether you’re coming in from the slopes or spending a chilly weekend huddled on the couch to watch a movie, nothing says welcome home or elicits comfort like the warming aromas wafting from a simmering pot of homemade soup. Celebrate Homemade Soup Day, observed annually on February 4, by breaking out your stockpot and cooking […]
Unity, Reverence And Pride
More than 80 years had passed before the day received the recognition it deserved. National Freedom Day isn’t as familiar as other important calendar dates, but February 1 marks a profoundly significant event. On that day in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln finalized the resolution that later became our 13th Constitutional Amendment. America began to emerge […]
We Are All Stewards
We can’t learn from a past that we don’t understand. We need to know why and how individuals and events brought positive, lasting changes to our country. African American History Month serves as a portal connecting us to long-ago experiences that transcend simple explanations. It’s not enough to recall important names and make note of […]
C’est Magnifique!
Croissants are soft and light as air on the inside, and crispy, flaky, golden on the outside. Celebrate this delectable treat on January 30, Croissant Day. Traditionally, butter is the primary flavor ingredient in a croissant. Of course, half the fun of making your own is experimenting and you are free to add or subtract […]
Satisfying Strands With Sumptuous Sauce: That’s Italian!
Homage is paid to the most famous staple of the Italian kitchen, as you heed the call of your pasta pots, to celebrate Spaghetti Day observed annually on January 4. Before the surge of Italian immigrants, Americans were only familiar with that canned stuff that was swimming in a ketchup-like liquid. However, intoxicating aromas, from […]
Take 365 Black Eyes For Good Health And Good Fortune
What are your hopes for the New Year? If prosperity is on your wish list, you’ll have to dish up some black-eyed peas. All across the southeastern United States, January 1 is Black-Eyed Pea Day. The notion of these lucky legumes originated during the Civil War when black-eyed peas were the only crops left after […]
New Year, New Hangover
Happy New Year! Was that too loud? Last night, you celebrated the turn of the calendar with uninhibited abandon, didn’t you? The beer, wine, cocktails and bubbly flowed a little too freely, and now you have a headache that’s pounding like last night’s band. You’re not alone. That hangover is universal among celebrants. The cure […]
The Gifts Of December
December always stuffs our celebratory stockings with extra holidays and runs our cider cups over with reasons to rejoice. As we make our merry way towards the magic of Christmas Eve and the countdown to New Year’s Eve, the twelfth month blesses us with very special gifts. Our Favorite Yuletide Rituals We pledge to […]
Shivers of Anticipation
The crisp air takes on a chilly snap as the leaves finally give up their hold on bare branches. Children stomp their feet waiting for the school bus while pets sneeze on their way back inside. The warmest mufflers come down from the top shelf, the heaviest coats tumble out of the closet, and extra […]
A Celebration Of Glory
It’s no wonder there’s confusion about All Saints’ Day. As if becoming a saint weren’t hard enough, imagine having your celebration squeezed between two other holidays. You do have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can be an unknown saint and still have your day. However, there was a time when recognition […]
Why Does Chris Get All The Credit?
Why does Chris get all the credit? Leif was ahead of him by almost 500 years. Unfortunately, most people still assume that Christopher Columbus discovered America. Mention Leif Erikson, and you might get a puzzled stare. The truth is that neither man ever set foot on the shores of the United States, but at least […]
Pause And Applaud
In the 1850s, New York City was short on prime real estate and deep into establishing our nation’s financial centers. Chicago’s population exploded from less than 100 hardy souls in 1830 to more than 30,000 just two decades later. These two historic facts alone don’t explain Skyscraper Day. Still, they give you an idea of […]
Celebrate With Jack And Johnnie
It’s time to open that prized bottle you’ve been hoarding because August 31 is International Whisk(e)y Day. If you don’t have a bottle on hand, heed the words of the late Jim Morrison, and find your way to the nearest whiskey bar. International Whisk(e)y Day originated in 2008, to honor the birthday of the late […]
Love, Dignity And A Sense Of Humor
It’s hard and starts with very little training, but it’s the most rewarding job in the world. Rookies quickly learn that classes and manuals don’t scratch the surface. Good advice is always available, but the sources don’t always agree. This is probably for the best because raising children is no more science than art. New […]
Lazy Lounging, Joyous Riots
We only get three months? That’s just not fair. According to the calendar, it starts near the end of June and ends near the end of September. That’s not enough time, but arguing with an almanac pinned to the wall is pointless. The weather is beautiful before June, so pretending that it starts early is […]
Good Food, Fresh Air And Natural Lighting
Everybody come on out for a relaxing day of nibbling and sipping in fresh air and natural lighting. Observed annually on June 18, today is International Picnic Day! Picnics were once formal affairs where attendees donned their finest frocks and consumed feasts of elegant edibles. Today, they are more casual and we can enjoy dining […]
Wrap Love Around Their Playful Hearts
It’s good they get smarter every day because they hold the world’s future in their small hands. It’s good we have a place in their lives because they need our love and protection. National Children’s Day, recognized the second Sunday in June, is their special date on the calendar, and its observance has grown from […]
A Marvelous Sweet To Behold
Doughnuts have their day of honor on the first Friday in June and folks line up to celebrate National Doughnut Day. The popular treat is a marvelous sweet to behold! In 1938, Chicago was home to the first official Doughnut Day. The event was created by The Salvation Army to honor volunteers who served doughnuts […]
Low And Slow Is The Way To Go
On May 28, pay homage to a humble hunk of meat, favored by pit masters and grandmothers alike, as you celebrate Brisket Day. Start preparing your brisket after you clear the breakfast table. No matter which presentation you choose to unveil at dinner, to produce the fork-tender meat your hungry celebrants will crave, cooking this […]
Snails Are Coming To Dinner!
Prepare to indulge in the flavors of molten butter laced with garlic and a kiss of parsley. There’s just one catch. You have to eat a snail. There is no better time than on May 24, Escargot Day. Join other gastronomic Francophiles and introduce your palate to the humble gastropod. Escargot is especially popular on […]
Revel In The Optimism Of Financial Gain
With an origin as shrouded in enigma as the process of becoming one itself, Be A Millionaire Day has been celebrated on May 20 since at least 2015. While who created it and why remains a mystery, it’s the one day a year where everyone can revel in the optimism of financial gain. After all, […]
A Day Of Fun Or Awkward, Silent Eating
Depending on how enjoyable your family is, Visit Your Relatives Day could turn out to be a day of fun or a day of awkward, silent eating. Hopefully, on May 18, you have at least one relative on the family tree who would be worth visiting. It can be easy to lose track of your […]
Nonsensical
It’s now that time of year Where all good folk gather near; Let down their hair and soak up the sun Run all day and celebrate fun Casting out all doubt and fear! The Limerick is a sort of nonsense poem with a more musical rhythm that makes it light and enjoyable. They were first […]
Geez, Just Ask Bubba!
Lobster is too expensive, crawfish is primarily regional, and for those having arachnophobia issues, crabs too closely resemble spiders. Shrimp are the most widely abundant, acceptable culinary specimens of the crustacean world. On May 10, we celebrate Shrimp Day. When deciding on selections for your Shrimp Day celebration, the list of ways in which to […]
Fast And Feast, United In Gratitude
When we celebrate the stories of our American holidays, we’re united by the different cultures and customs that fill our calendars. We embrace the unique, and it becomes familiar just as Ramadan has become a part of our multi-faith nation. This observance marks the ninth month of the Islamic lunar year, and as the new […]
Rolled-Up Mexican Goodness
On May 5, everyone flocks to the nearest cantina to order margaritas and shots of tequila in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Can’t decide what to order? Your decision just got easier. May 5 is also Enchilada Day, so order a few varieties to enjoy with those margaritas. Enchiladas are tortillas stuffed with savory fillings. […]
Refining The Edge On Her Sword
If you claim an extra 3 feet of your neighbor’s property as yours, he has recourse through civil court. If he covets your backyard grill and murders you while he’s stealing it, the wheels of justice take a different turn. From fence-line squabbles to criminal acts, our system works. It isn’t without flaws. Our country’s […]
An Official Day For Stating The Obvious
What could be more American than Loyalty Day? We’re all red-blooded regardless of the color of our skin. No matter where we come from, we love our country. This nation is far from perfect, but it stands tall among the world’s strongest powers. As citizens, we’re free to vote, express opinions and worship as we […]
The Spirit Of Imagination
If you’ve ever recited nursery rhymes about Humpty Dumpty falling off the wall or Jack and Jill making their way up the hill, you have Mother Goose to thank – sort of. There’s no evidence that she was ever a real person despite the perennial popularity of verses attributed to her. However, that doesn’t […]
Beautifully Marbled, Always Rare
For many folks, the prospect of having beef for dinner usually leans toward a grilled Porterhouse steak or a burger. When it’s not playing the starring role on a wedding menu, prime rib rarely takes center stage in the beefy spotlight. However, you can grant this meaty entrée the appreciated audience of your taste buds […]
Double-Helix, A Landmark Event
It’s April 25, 1953: James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin publish a series of scientific studies detailing the nature and structure of the heretofore little understood double-helix DNA. Fast forward fifty years: The Human Genome Project is successfully completed and the above-named scientists are celebrated for making this […]
Dedicated Civil Servants
While they continue to give the kids their undivided attention, this day is set aside to show our appreciation. Every year, on the fourth Tuesday in April, these unsung heroes have their own holiday. School Bus Drivers’ Day originated in 2009 when a bill was passed by the California State Assembly, drawing attention to the […]
Springtime’s Answer To Santa Claus
Easter is a day in which Christians commemorate the resurrection of Christ and kids await the arrival of the beloved provider of sugar-rush euphoria. Christ is Easter’s most prominent character. However, kids would argue that he doesn’t hold a candle to the Easter bunny. To them, the lovable lagomorph is springtime’s answer to Santa Claus. […]
Dining To Ward Off Vampires
Touted for centuries to heal illness and ward off vampires, garlic is also the starring ingredient in kitchens everywhere. On April 19, invite garlic as the guest of honor, to your home buffet, in celebration of Garlic Day. Mince raw garlic into mayonnaise with saffron, lemon juice and a hint of cayenne pepper for a […]
Two Schools Of Thought
Income Tax Day spurns two schools of thought in addressing the procedure for filing returns. Options depend on whether April 15 is met with anticipation or dread. Thought One Throughout January, those anticipating a refund from Uncle Sam anxiously await the arrival of their year-end tax documents. Once the coveted stubs of paper are in […]
A Cheesy Celebration Of Gooey Goodness
Cheese and sandwiches step into the spotlight because today is April 12, Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. Sinking your teeth into crispy buttered bread filled with gooey melted cheese is a simple pleasure that all diners love. In America, this sandwich soared in popularity during the Great Depression because bread and cheese were attainable staples for […]
Scratch Your Itch
You can stop holding yourself back from whatever itch you’ve been longing to scratch. Today is April 12, Walk On Your Wild Side Day. You don’t have to be Lou Reed to let your inner wild side out. Those of us who are a little more strait-laced than the litany of characters Reed salutes in […]
Savor, Don’t Gulp
Celebrate some superior offerings on April 7, National Beer Day. Remember that yellow, watery stuff we imbibed in vast quantities during our college days? It was called beer, but it had no substance, it was cheap and it only served to inebriate. Today, there are infinitely better options thanks to the craft beer movement that […]
A Marriage Of Savory And Sweet
Today we celebrate two culinary ingredients that came together and formed a marriage that has endured for more than a century. Observed annually on April 2, it’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Day. Their union is the perfect balance of savory and sweet, from smooth and creamy to satisfyingly crunchy. And they didn’t forget the health […]
Today, Trust No One
As April 1 approaches, pranksters revel in the practical jokes of All Fools Day, better known as April Fools’ Day. This holiday allows for equal-opportunity prank fests. No one is immune to trickery or exempt from participation. Trust no one. Approach all objects with heightened suspicion and regard all declarations with skepticism. Such defensive tactics […]
Renewed Life And Eternal Optimism
We know that it’s just around the corner, but we go about our business. The days are a little longer, and the chill is almost gone. The groundhog had his annual show, but no one remembers how it ended. Still, something starts to quicken in our souls. We almost remember a familiar fragrance on the […]
A Glimpse Of The Legendary Leprechaun
Do you believe in fairies dressed in green hats and coats? By nightfall on Saint Patrick’s Day, seeing just might be believing. On March 17, everyone embraces the opportunity to revel in all the fun of being Irish for a day. The day kicks off with parades, as dancers step lively to rhythmic strains from […]
A Stick-To-Your-Ribs Meal
For some, March 17 is all about drinking green beer to the skirls of bagpipes, but those who appreciate cooking and eating global cuisines, celebrate Eat Like an Irishman Day. It’s all about the food on the table. Leave the corned beef at the market. Beef was a luxury in Ireland that most couldn’t afford. […]
A Warming Cure Of Simple Comfort
On March 13, Chicken Noodle Soup Day, you don’t need sickly symptoms to cook up an excuse to slurp and savor. Enjoy the soup as both a chaser of winter’s final big chill and an Epicurean adventure. Traditionally prescribed by mothers and grandmothers to chase away sniffles and sneezes, a steaming bowl of chicken noodle […]
The Most Widely-Celebrated Block Party
Looking for an excuse to throw a party, just to liven up the winter doldrums? The people of New Orleans will do just that when they host Mardi Gras, one of the most widely-celebrated block parties. The French translation for Mardi Gras is ‘Fat Tuesday’, aptly named because it’s the last opportunity to feast lavishly […]
Less Than A Week And More Than 100 Years
One of the reasons we love to explore different holidays is best summed up by the unforgettable first line of our national anthem: “Oh, say can you see?” You see, there are all kinds of interesting facts about this song that most of us don’t know. For example, how many of us knew that its […]
A Glorious Mosaic of Global Meats
Take a number and pass the time drooling by the display as you await your turn at the deli counter. Expect more time to deliberate the delicious options on March 3, Cold Cuts Day. It’s a day when slices of global, meaty goodness come together to meet their ultimate destiny, your stomach. The starring source […]
How About An Extra Day, With Pay?!
The first Friday in March looms near. Employers are giving thought to a day of dictated fun for their charges, in the name of Employee Appreciation Day. Well, listen up! Why not give your employees something they will really appreciate? Instead of the rah-rah cheer-leading, or free lunch, or silly games, give us a paid […]
