It could be his Mona Lisa smile on the 100-dollar bill or the image of a grown man flying a kite in the rain. Benjamin Franklin is still considered a fascinating character, a gentleman and a rascal. Of all the Founding Fathers, Ben is the one we’d most enjoy inviting to the local pub. He […]

Every January 16, we all quietly mark Religious Freedom Day with observance and respect for our differences. Even though it seems ironic that this basic freedom came about as a way to diminish the influence of an established religion, Thomas Jefferson saw a larger truth, and our country is better for his vision. When Jefferson […]

Help yourself to an extra squirt of Sriracha sauce. International Hot & Spicy Food Day, observed annually on January 16, is the day to dial the heat up to your highest echelon of palate-searing tolerance. From mildly hot Serrano peppers to extremely hot Scotch bonnet peppers, heat has been thrown into pots, pans and mixing […]

Love the satisfying crunch of fried foods?   Tempura Day, celebrated annually on January 7, was created just for you.   The battered, fried delicacy originated in Portugal, although it is synonymous with Japan. Preparation is quick and easy. Food is dipped into a thin batter, coated with breadcrumbs and plunged into hot oil. The […]

The Twelve Days of Christmas mark our countdown of the Advent Season, and we observe Epiphany on the sixth day of January. Three kings are a part of this holiday as well as countless cakes and tiny dolls. The day marks the end of extended celebrations but in the American South, it is considered the […]

If you are standing at the window sipping your morning coffee and suddenly see your neighbor scooting up a tree with binoculars in tow, relax.   Today is National Bird Day, observed annually on January 5. Birdwatchers near and far will be positioning themselves for close encounters of the bird kind. Sylvester the Cat is […]

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 stuck with the canned stuff that was swimming in a ketchup-like liquid.   However, intoxicating aromas from […]

Your New Year’s resolution wasn’t to take off a few pounds, was it?   Well, perhaps you should rethink your goal since Buffet Day, observed annually on January 2, will just tack on more pounds to shed before you’ve reached your target weight. Pride for overindulgence without prejudice against those that partake is what this […]

Delicious food, resolutions and superstitions are all on the menu even if our morning gets off to a lazy start. Waking up on New Year’s Day is a little slower than most mornings, but the night before was later than usual, and it’s still a holiday. This is our one opportunity to carouse, catch a […]

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 […]