Christmas Card Day

picture from www.webdesignerdepot.com 
 

In 1843, Sir Henry Cole, of England, created the first commercialized Christmas card. Now each year, December 9 recognizes him and becomes a popular day to send out cards to friends and family. Whether you and your family have a tradition of sending a funny rundown of what your past year was like, an aww-worthy photo, or a nice holiday message, you will definitely put a smile on someone's face by taking part in this day. If that doesn't really sound like your thing, consider drawing or printing out homemade cards and deliver them to a local hospital or nursing home.

Citations: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/December/christmascardday.htm

Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day

photo from http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/pearl-harbor-remembrance-day

72 years ago today, over 2,000 Americans were killed and more than 1,000 were injured at the American Army and Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II came as a surprise to us, and the United States declared war on Japan shortly after the invasion.


photo from www.examiner.com 

 

Today, Americans continue to observe December 7 and keep in mind all of the lives lost as well as the effects of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Citations: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/pearl-harbor-remembrance-day?starty=1900

St. Nicholas Day

picture from acelebrationofwomen.org 

Did you leave out a shoe or stocking last night and wake up with treats in them? That is a popular tradition associated with today. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6 each year in countries all over the world.
So who is this Nicholas anyway, and why does he have a day to celebrate him? Well, over the years, many stories and legends have been passed down about this selfless man. One of the very common ones is about a poor man in Myra, a town in what is now Turkey, who had three daughters. Eventually, the three daughters were ready to be married; however, their poor father could not afford the dowry that would raise the girls' chances of being married. With their financial circumstances, the daughters would most likely have to be sold into slavery. News of this family's situation reached Nicholas, who, touched by the story, anonymously snuck three bags of gold (one for each daughter) into their house over a fairly small period of time. Some legends have it that when he threw in the bags of gold through a window, they just so happened to land in a shoe. Later on, he would leave gifts for families while they were asleep in return for hay. Thus, the tradition was born. St. Nicholas became known as a gift giver, and people hopefully awaited presents from him. That hope still lives on today, particularly with children.

St. Nicholas VS Santa Claus
Many people are confused about what the difference between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus is, if there even is a difference! Hopefully ideas will be clarified if you keep reading below!
After stories of Nicholas's anonymous acts of kindness and generosity spread, families who lived in countries around the Middle East began to practice the "shoe tradition." When Dutch settlers went to New Amsterdam, they told tales of St. Nicholas, who they called Sinterklaas, and explained their traditions. The name Sinterklaas transformed into Santa Claus, who is now known to bring presents to children for Christmas.
Dr. Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote "The Night Before Christmas" in 1822, is the first person to


gif from www.sodahead.com 

introduce the image often times associated with Santa Claus that is a sleigh and eight reindeer. Over the years, Santa Claus and Christmas has become more and more commercialized. He is also an image that is associated with childhood, and sometimes with greed and entitlement or happiness and innocence.
St. Nicholas is viewed as more of a timeless figure and great example. He lived his life to help others, and he represents what the true meaning of Christmas should be all about.

Citations: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/, http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/p/Santa_Claus.htm,
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-origins-of-santa-claus.html

Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day

There are two types of people in this world....


picture from silvereaglegroup.com 

 VS

picture from parentables.howstuffworks.com 



Sometimes up to a few days before Black Friday, or the day after Thanksgiving, you can find eager bargain shoppers camping outside of a store to score a great deal on majorly discounted products. Since the 1980s this day has been very popular for people buying Christmas presents. Many argue, however, that the sometimes craziness, greed, fights, and intensity of this day can interfere with the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas
On the other side of the spectrum, Buy Nothing Day is also an increasingly popular day in Canada, the United States, and a few European countries. It was started in 1992 by Adbusters and is intended to focus on the meaning behind Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as abstaining from buying anything.
I decided to participate in Buy Nothing Day by not purchasing anything. Instead of using money, I thought it would be funny to count the change in my piggy banks that I have been saving for a rainy day that is still TBD. :)

Original photo; Abby Durante

Citations: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/buynothingday.htm and http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2013/11/26/thanksgiving-traditions-history/3709209/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cartoon by Dave Granlund from www.davegranlund.com 
 

As we get further into the month of November and closer to December, families all over the world start breaking out tradition from past years to celebrate the holidays. Thanksgiving is a day known to bring people together and focus on family, tradition, and what they are grateful for. Although this popular day did not begin being celebrated annually until Abraham Lincoln named it a national holiday that was to be celebrated each November since 1863, its origin goes back before then.

A year after Pilgrims arrived in the colonies from Plymouth, England via the Mayflower, the new settlers had successfully been able to harvest corn. That November in 1863, their governor, William Bradford, planned a feast to recognize the success. He invited Native American allies to join the feast as well, and that three day long celebration is now considered to be the first Thanksgiving. After several conflicts and disagreements, in 1941 Thanksgiving was officially stated to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of each November.

Individual families may have their own traditions that are unique to them, but there are several common traditions celebrated widely throughout America. Since 1924, Macy's department store has been putting on its famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. It takes place in New York City, and the original one even included animals from Central Park's zoo. Sports fans can usually be found gathered around a TV on Thanksgiving to cheer on their choice football team. This dates back to 1934 when the Lions played the Bears and had a surprisingly large show up of fans. Football has continued to annually be played on Thanksgiving since 1945. Last but not least, who could ever forget all the mashed potatoes, turkey, and pies?

Many people decide to give back to the community or donate their time around the holidays. For this Thanksgiving, I went to my local Soup Kitchen and helped organize canned, boxed, and jarred foods for about three hours. The job was not very difficult and did not take up much of my day, but it turned out to be a lot of fun and my help was needed and appreciated. Below is a before and after picture of all of the food.

Original photos; Abby Durante

It may not seem like a noticeable difference in the pictures, but we reorganized everything. Boxes off to the side are filled with food that is expired and its contents are either being pitched or given to farmers to feed to their animals (depending on how old it is and what type of food.) Boxes on the ground are filled with food that either very recently expired or are about to expire, but is still edible. These boxes are being delivered to local families in need. The shelves have been reorganized to have items expiring at the end of 2013 or 2014 in the front and things that have a year or so in the back. This is so that minimal items are wasted.
If you are interested in donating food or helping out with the Soup Bus or Soup Kitchen, contact a church near you to get further instructions! It is always needed and makes a world of difference!


Citations: http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving and http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2013/11/26/thanksgiving-traditions-history/3709209/ and http://www.businessinsider.com/why-thanksgiving-is-the-fourththursday-in-november-2013-11

Great American Smokeout Day

picture from up4health.org 

 

Celebrated on the third Thursday of November since 1977, the American Cancer Society created this day to make people more aware of the dangers of smoking and assist people in kicking their habit to the curb. Their goal is to someday not even need to have this day because they hope that it will be eliminated all together. For more information on the dangers of smoking or how you could stop smoking, visit:  http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/


Citations: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/greatamericansmokeout.htm

Book Worms

picture from www.clipartlord.com 

I would imagine that many of you are still recovering from all of the fun activities and sugar rushes involved with Halloween! If you're seeking a nice and quiet day, National Book Lovers Day may do the trick. This day is celebrated on the first Saturday of every November. Pick up your favorite read and dive right in, enjoy!

All Saint's Day

Have a lovely All Saint's Day and enjoy your Day of the Dead, or All Soul's Day, tomorrow!

All Hallows Eve

picture from www.goodlightscraps.com

Happy Halloween, everyone! Just the thought of Halloween almost causes cavities to form in my teeth, but this festive holiday has always been one of my very favorites. The decorative pumpkins and scarecrows, gorgeous leaves, clever costumes, and candy galore are a few of the reasons why this day has got me, as well as just about everyone else, hooked! So...why do we even celebrate this wacky day anyway?
Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve, can be traced back to approximately 5 B.C.E.   Celtics had a yearly festival known as Samhain, and they believed that spirits of those who had died would rise and mingle with the living on October 31. That day marked the end of their harvest season and prepared them for winter. People would leave food on their doorsteps for good spirits and would start bonfires or wear masks to drive the bad spirits away.

picture of Samhain from pagepaige.blogspot.com 

"Guising," or dressing up in a costume, door-to-door can be traced back to Scotland in 1895 on Halloween. Trick-or-treating for candy or other similar treats became popular in North America in the 1940s.
Classic costumes that children and adults alike don on Halloween or to a costume party include witches, pirates, celebrities, fictional characters, animals, a play on words (example: writing or wearing a book on your face or head would be "Facebook"), or other people or objects that are big in pop culture. This year, one of the most popular costumes was Miley Cyrus as she appeared at this year's Video Music Awards.
If you will be out trick-or-treating tonight, remember to stay safe! There may be cars driving fast without thinking about the people in the streets, so wearing bright clothing or a reflector is a cheap way to ensure a little extra safety. If you are worried about ruining your costume's image, try attaching something to your candy bag!


picture from www.pamsclipart.com 

Too old to trick-or-treat or wanted a change of pace? Handing out candy can definitely be a blast too! To set the mood, I suggest playing some Halloween music (I use Pandora) and perhaps sitting on your porch with some hot chocolate and a cozy blanket. Speaking from experience, I can guarantee this is one fun way to start your night. Most towns have guidelines on how long trick-or-treating lasts, so if the night is young and you still have time to kill before you call it a day, try having a movie marathon! Some popular picks for this day include several of my personal favorites! If you are in the mood for more children friendly yet spooky picks, just about anything that Tim Burton made would be a great choice. Anywhere from Edward Scissorhands to Alice in Wonderland, or Coraline to the Nightmare Before Christmas would be terrific. Not your type? Well how about The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Halloween, Scream, Scooby Doo,  Ghost Busters, Harry Potter, or Nightmare on Elm Street? One of these films should surely put a smile on your face.

If you are feeling generous....
For many, you will have an abundance of candy and not enough mouths to eat it all. If you have extra Halloween candy that you do not want or decide you do not need, you have a few options. You could save it for a rainy day by placing extra candy in a plastic bag in your freezer. To put a smile on someone's face, there are many groups or clubs that collect unwanted or donated candy and send it to our troops overseas. Others donate candy to patients at hospitals or people in nursing homes. Anything would be greatly appreciated, so this may be an awesome event for you to try out this year!


picture from  mrspedtechtalk.blogspot.com 

Citations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating

National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

photo and recipe from http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/deluxe-pumpkin-cheesecake

One of the things I look forward to most in the fall is pumpkin cheesecake. You can, of course, make this dessert any time you please, but it somehow tastes more magical and delicious in the months of October and November. My personal favorite is from the Cheesecake Factory, but there countless other recipes out there that would surely hit the spot as well. If for some insane reason you have never experienced the pure joy that is pumpkin cheesecake, then by all means, make it happen! Enjoy!

Evaluate Your Life Day

photo from http://hiphopworldmagazine.com/2013/10/03/video-review-brymo-down/

Today is the perfect day to sit back and take a breather because October 19 is Evaluate Your Life Day. Well gosh, that may sound pretty intimidating! How does one evaluate their life, you may ask? While this day might seem to be far too serious or scary at first, my challenge for you is to go ahead and give it a try. You may be surprised that you could learn quite a bit about yourself and perhaps even have an epiphany.  Maybe you will come to realizations that could have a substantial impact on what you will do in the future, how you will behave, or what your goals are. Life can become crazy with constantly being on the go, so now is a great excuse to take a personal day to really think. One popular method for doing such a thing would be meditation. There are other people who can clear their mind, concentrate, and think the best when they are out in nature or on a walk. Some are fond of relaxing in the bathtub and thinking about what is up with their life. The cool thing is, there are no rules about where you have to be or what method you choose to evaluate your life and self. If you are interested in meditating but are not really sure how to, this video will point you in the right direction. Try your best to refrain from using electronics today and just focus on you! Good luck!

 

The Sweetest Day of the Year!

picture from http://vi.sualize.us/funny_stressed_illustration_retro_picture_3oVp.html

     For everyone out there who has a sweet tooth, prepare to jump with joy because it is National Dessert Day! No need to count those calories today because you can pile your plate with as many sugary treats as your digestive system will allow. If you are insisting upon sticking to a healthy diet despite the fact that today is, indeed, a freebie day to eat as you wish, do not panic because there are some scrumptious snacks that won't cost you too much. Now it is simply time to break out those Easy Bake Ovens and gather your favorite dessert recipes!
     While baking can be a very fun and yummy hobby, we are not all  Betty Crockers...mhmm, you know who you are. If this is the case for you, don't fret! Baking can be a stress-free time if you just have fun with it. Botched your batch of brownies? No worries, that can just be your practice round! A few things I like to do while I bake to make the overall experience more enjoyable is pop in a good yet light-hearted movie that doesn't require my full attention, or I turn up the volume and listen to some music. Because today has an oh-so-sweet theme to it, why not go for movies such as Chocolat or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or songs like "I Want Candy," "The Cuppycake Song," "Sugar, Sugar," or "Tootsie Roll."

WARNING: The following recipes are so delicious that you may or may not go into a sugar coma.

If you love cookies...
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: http://vi.sualize.us/funny_stressed_illustration_retro_picture_3oVp.html
Gooey Butter Cookies: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/gooey-butter-cookies/f7a9017b-870f-4b20-b37f-392f53c65fbc
Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/desserts/delicious-cookie-recipes-00000000056105/page20.html
Caramel Apple Cookies: http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/cookies/caramel-apple-cookies

If you love cakes...
Southern Red Velvet Cake: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sara-moulton/southern-red-velvet-cake-recipe/index.html
German Chocolate Cake: http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/German-Chocolate-Cake
One-Bowl Yellow Cake: http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/best-one-bowl-yellow-cake-recipe/


compilation of cookie and cake recipes


If you are health-conscious...
Frozen Peanut Butter Pie: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20463963_4,00.html
Strawberry Shortcake: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20463963_2,00.html
Nathan's Lemon Cake: http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/healthy-dessert-ideas-00412000076052/page10.html
Roasted Banana Pudding: http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/healthy-dessert-ideas-00412000076052/page51.html

healthier desserts

If all else fails...

picture from https://twitter.com/benandjerryspdx

You can't possibly go wrong with Ben & Jerry's! Enjoy!

Columbus Day

photo from ridic.tumblr.com 

Celebrated the second Monday of each October is Columbus Day when we recognize the anniversary of Christopher Columbus arriving in America on October 12, 1492. Although America had already been discovered by Native Americans, Columbus did discover for Europeans that the world was not flat like they had thought, and it did not end in the Atlantic Ocean.  In 1906, Columbus Day became an official state holiday for Colorado, and it became a federal holiday in 1937 for the United States.

Citations: http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day

World Egg Day

photo from thedesigninspiration.com 

In 1996, it was decided that a day should be given to spread awareness about the benefits of eggs. Since then, the second Friday of each October is entitled "World Egg Day." To those of you thinking that they give everything the honor of having a holiday nowadays, well, you are not too far from being wrong. There are, however, dozens (pun very much intended!) of reasons why eggs deserve their own day to be celebrated and recognized. As the International Egg Commission stated, eggs are a great source for your body to obtain nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy, such as protein, vitamins, zinc, iron, pholate, and phosphorus. Eggs also are made up of the good kind of fat because it is lean and unsaturated.
How many recipes can you list that contain eggs as an ingredient? Probably too many to count! Challenge yourself to widen your horizon during the month of October by trying new ways to eat eggs. Poached, scrambled, sunny side up, fried, hard boiled, deviled, and omelets are just a few delicious examples of how to prepare your meal. Eggs are also a key ingredient in popular dishes such as quiche and eggnog!
These versatile objects are not limited to being used as a just food source. While it is a bit early to begin dying eggs in preparation of Easter, eggs can be used year round for Do-It-Yourself beauty purposes. Because they have Vitamin A, eggs are a good way to keep your skin moisturized and rid of excess oil. After washing your face with hot water to open up your pores, apply a beaten egg to your face  for 15 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly. The egg whites help to exfoliate, clean, and tighten the skin while the yolk moisturizes and soothes the skin. For hair that is damaged by chlorine or too much sun, try shampooing with an egg mixture! The combination of an egg, olive oil, and water will give your hair shine and volume.
One thing you will never be too old for is Dr. Seuss! Get in the spirit of World Egg Day by reading a classic, Green Eggs and Ham. While you are at it, go ahead and make it, too! By adding a couple drops of blue food coloring to your batch of scrambled eggs, you will have a meal worthy of smiles and giggles. Experience a blast from the past of your childhood by watching the video below!

Citations: http://www.natural-homeremedies-for-life.com/egg-face-mask.html
https://www.internationalegg.com/corporate/eggindustry/details.asp?id=49&cid=26
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULDtgnQ0fy4

Leif Eriksson Day

Happy Leif Eriksson Day! The Viking being celebrated today is recognized to be the first Norwegian explorer to reach the United States. He is said to have arrived in 1001 AD which is about 500 years before Christopher Columbus arrived! It was not until 1964 that Leif Eriksson had a day dedicated to him nationwide. Lyndon B. Johnson was the president who proclaimed October 9 to be Leif Eriksson Day. As somewhat of an uncommonly known holiday, a very memorable episode of SpongeBob Squarepants was created to inform audiences who he was and why he is celebrated. Check out the short clip from that episode below!

Citations: http://www.mnc.net/norway/LeifErikson.htm
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YqehGlg6m8

Are You as Mad as a Hatter?

gif from http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/mad-hatter-gif

 

The Mad Hatter is considered to be one of the most notable characters from Alice and Wonderland, so why not set aside a day to celebrate him! This silly day was created in 1986 in Boulder, Colorado.  In the 8th century, hatters used mercury in a process called "carroting," and this actually resulted in some of the makers becoming crazy, or "mad."

Make your way on over to a library, video store, or costume store so that you can join in all the fun too!

Citations: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/October/madhatterday.htm

World Smile Day

photo from http://www.worldsmileday.com/
 

The smiley face that is now recognizable just about everywhere and symbolizes goodness and happiness was created by Harvey Ball in 1963. Ball, born in Warcester, Massachusetts, put this symbol on pins for employees at The State Mutual Life Assurance Company to wear as a reminder that they should smile while completing tasks. By 1970, an unanticipated five million smiley face buttons were sold.
After over thirty years later, Harvey Ball was concerned that people were beginning to lose sight of the actual importance and meaning behind the smiley face. He thought that at least one day per year should be devoted to being kind and making others smile. Thus, World Smile Day was born. The first one was celebrated on October 1, 1999, and it has continued to be celebrated the first Friday of October every year. The slogan for this sunshiny day is "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile." What makes you smile? Whether it be your friends, family, pets, music, favorite movie, sports, or even a hot fudge sundae, set a goal to make people smile and feel happy today. Maybe you want to play it safe and are shooting for making five people grin, or maybe you feel ambitious and want to impact one hundred people's day! Whatever you can do to contribute and get involved is wonderful. Although Harvey Ball passed away April 13, 2001, World Smile Day still lives on and becomes more popular each year.

Here is a list of some of my favorite songs about smiling, and they are sure to put a smile on your face!

1. "Smile" by Nat King Cole
2. "Smile" by Uncle Kracker
3. "When You're Smiling" by Louis Armstrong
4. "Bubbly" by Colbie Callait
5. "Smile" by Lily Allen
6. "Smile Like You Mean It" by The Killers
7. "Smiley Faces" by Gnarls Barkley
8. "Make Me Smile" by Pearl and the Puppets
9. "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" from Annie
10. "That Smile" from It's Only Life

                                       And don't forget this quote!!

photo from stylegerms.com 

Citations: http://www.worldsmileday.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:about-wsd-art&catid=17:aboutwsd&Itemid=43
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Ball

This Post Is So Fetch.

photo from http://twicsy.com/i/Mu3Xuc

Because of the memorable scene pictured above, October 3rd has been recognized as National Mean Girls Day ever since this hit movie made its debut in 2004. Tina Fey wrote the screen play for Mean Girls which was based off the book written by Rosalind Wiseman in 2002, Queen Bees and Wannabees. This must-see comedy stars Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Jonathon Bennett, Tina Fey, Amanda Seyfried, and Lacey Chabert, to name a few. For a full list of the cast members as well as interesting trivia about the movie, head on over to IMDb or click on this link http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377092/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1. To celebrate this hilarious day, my friends and I quoted this movie all day long and then, of course, ended the day by watching it. I strongly recommend watching this movie because it should definitely make you laugh, and, coming from a fan who has seen it dozens of times, it really never seems to get old. However, please be aware that it is rated PG-13 for sexual content, language, and underage drinking.

On Rory Cashin's list of the top ten most quoted movies of all time, Mean Girls is ranked number three! If you want to see some of the funniest quotes in a gif form, click on this link: http://www.eonline.com/news/466464/the-20-best-mean-girls-quotes-ranked-from-grool-to-totally-fetch. Even the White House made a reference to Mean Girls on August 13, 2013 by tweeting a clever picture of Bo with a tennis ball.

photo from newsfeed.time.com 

Well, what are you waiting for?! Break out the popcorn, candy, and soda and start warming up your DVD player! If you are already in love with this movie, check out some witty apparel at redbubble.com-->   http://www.redbubble.com/shop/girls+mean+t-shirts. Enjoy!

Starbucks, Anyone?

Happy National Coffee Day! For all those caffeine addicts out there, this is your time to shine. Go ahead and splurge because today you shouldn't get any judgmental glares for refilling your mug for the seventh time. In fact, you should head on over to your local Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, or Krispy Kreme for a free cup of regular coffee or a discounted mocha or latte. Most locations are participating in this generous event, but don't forget to have your offer present! Go to their websites for more information.

• www.starbucks.com
• https://www.dunkindonuts.com
• www.krispykreme.com

If you are really wanting to get in the spirit, check out these awesome coffee mugs! http://www.coolcoffeemugs.net/

This caffeine molecule shirt is a must for true coffee-lovers, and it also makes a thoughtful and fun present!

Buy it here: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/1342/?itm=31863608805product_typeT-Shirts_%26_Apparel_Unisex_Shirts_Science_%26_Math&rkgid=441230433&cpg=ogpla&source=google_pla&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=COavrMnY9LkCFfBaMgodDWcA1A

 
Citation: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/09/28/2716703/national-coffee-day-2013-is-sept.html

Johnny Appleseed Day

photo from http://livefitstrong.com/2011/an-apple-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/johnnyappleseed/

Surely all of you have heard of the Johnny Appleseed! I would imagine that the first image that popped into your head was similar to the picture I have posted above, a man surrounded by apples with a pot as a hat and sacks as clothing. As the tale goes, Johnny is noted for being friends with just about everyone he encountered which ranged from Native Americans to settlers to even animals. His goal was to plant apple seeds all over so that no one would ever be hungry and there would be a great source of food for people and animals. This ambitious, very religious, and kind-hearted man lived  rustically without any complaints, and he journeyed through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio to create many apple orchards. While Johnny traveled, barefoot, might I add, this caring vegetarian would inform farmers and other people of how to take care of the apple trees and how beneficial they could be for everyone.

There are some popular legends about Johnny such as the time he was bitten in the foot by a rattlesnake but was not injured because of how tough his feet were. Another is that he made water to drink by melting snow with his feet. It is known that he did get along with animals, and one story even speaks of him playing with a family of bears. Despite some of these tales that may seem crazy, Johnny Appleseed--errm...more like John Chapman...was indeed a real person. Chapman was born on September 26, 1774 (which is why we celebrate him today!) in Massachusetts. He began his dream at the age of 18 and continued planting apple seeds everywhere he went for more than forty years until he grew ill and died in 1845. There is a memorial for him at Fort Wayne in Indiana that appropriately has the words "he lived for others" engraved on it.

Craving some delicious apple themed treats now? Well now that it is fall, you won't have to search very far! Head on over to a store or farmer's market to pick out some of your favorite apples or even go to an orchard and hand pick your very own! Grab some pals and host an apple pie eating contest or go bobbing for apples! One of my personal favorite apple treats are caramel apples. Gather some sweet treats such as crushed up Oreos, sprinkles, nuts, and caramel and make your own Do-It-Yourself candy apple bar!
Here is a list of even more scrumptious apple desserts! --> http://www.tasteofhome.com/Top-10-Recipes/Top-10-Apple-Dessert-Recipes

Now it's time to sit back with a nice glass of apple juice and watch this Johnny Appleseed movie, enjoy!

Citations: http://www.npr.org/2012/10/20/162862456/the-strangely-true-tale-of-johnny-appleseed
http://www.applejuice.org/johnnyappleseed.html

National Comic Book Day

      

If you are into ongoing stories and love illustrations, comic books may very well be your cup of tea! The first known comic book was written by Rudolphe Töpffer of Switzerland in 1837. At forty pages long, "The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck" was published in the United States five years later and became the first comic book to ever be published there.

       

 Richard Outcalt, in 1895,first comic book writer to use a "speech balloon" in his illustration to indicate what the character said. This popular debut can be sighted in "Yellow Kid." 

Even if you aren't the biggest fan of actually reading a comic book, you may be very familiar with some of the movies these books inspired. A few popular movies released by DC include Batman, The Green Lantern, and Superman. Some Marvel movies include  Thor, X-Men, Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Avengers,  and Fantastic Four. 

       

Check out my lovely montage of comic book fashion below if you are looking for some fun new style and accesories that may suit you!

                                          

Now right about now I imagine you are probably looking at your screen in excitement because you're so pumped up to go to the Comic book store or rent a super hero movie. If you are a member of the massive fandom of comics, why not go to Comic Con which is an annual convention filled with people just like you! It will be held July 24-27 at the San Diego Convention Center next year.

STILL looking for more fun activities?? Clicking on these links below is an absolute must.

Andy Worhol Pop Art generator: http://bighugelabs.com/popart.com

Comic Book Maker: http://www.pixton.com

Photo Citations: 

wired.com 

dartmouth.edu 

papakennmedia.com

Other Citations: www.inventors.com/od/cstartininventions/a/comics.htm 

www.ign.com/face-off/marvel-vs-dc/movies

National Stepfamily and Guacomole Day

Gradparents, mothers, and fathers have been getting their own day, so it only makes sense that there should be a special day dedicated to stepfamily members as well! Today is a perfect time to show how much you love and appreciate each of your family members. Maybe you'd like to express your feelings in a card or poem, or maybe you just want to spend some quality bonding time with them. I recommend having a nice family dinner or game night with lots of laughs and good conversations, and you'll of course need a fresh batch of guacomole! Yet again we have a perfect combination of holidays for today, so why not take advantage of it? Grab a bag of your favorite tortilla chips and check out this mouth-watering guacomole recipe below!

Guacomole Recipe: http://t.today.com/food/its-national-guacamole-day-6-recipes-twist-8C11167778

National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day

Who doesn't love these sugary treats filled with frosting-like goodness? I spent a chunk of my National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day taking a field trip to Krispy Kreme where the workers certainly seemed even more upbeat than usual. Below are some rather fabulous pictures from my adventure!

                                

And the fun part of course.....................

                                       

Citations: All photos on this post are original

Feelin Superstitious?

Happy Friday the13th! 

Chocolate Shakes and Video Games!

There is not a whole lot that is more refreshing than drinking a cold chocolate milk shake whilst playing your favorite video game--what a stellar way to spend your Thursday evening! It seems perfect that National Video Game Day and National Chocolate Milk Shake Day fall on the same day, so why not take advantage of this fun holiday and indulge a bit! In the mood for a movie? Try Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory or Wreck-It Ralph. Feeling competitive? Host a video game party! Have as many friends over as you want, but keep in mind that many video games have a limited amount of people that are able to play at a time. As for chocolate milkshakes...you have all sorts of options. Luckily, most recipes are very basic and flexible, so you are definitely able to improvise with the ingredients you have at home. Of course, restaurants such as Steak'n'Shake or Crown Candy Kitchen make some delicious shakes as well. Enjoy your day to just have some fun and do something that makes you happy!

I decided to partake in this silly day and made a scrumptious chocolate shake earlier this afternoon. Check out my how-to portion of this post below!

As I mentioned earlier, milkshake recipes are very flexible, so you can essentially personalize it and make it however you like. Here are the steps to how I made my sweet treat:
1. To start off, I gathered all of my materials in a neat space. Some typical necessities for this recipe are a blender, chocolate syrup, vanilla or chocolate ice cream, vanilla or chocolate milk, whipped cream, a spoon, and--to make it more fun--a cute glass(it never fails to somehow make its contents taste better!)
2. Use your spoon to scoop three large scoops of ice cream and place it inside your blender.
3. Pour anywhere from a small splash to 3/4 a cup of the milk in the blender. Note: the more milk you add, the thinner your shake becomes.
4. Squeeze as much chocolate syrup as you would like, you may need to experiment.
5. Blend for about thirty seconds, and you may need to take your spoon to make sure all of the contents are blended.
6. Carefully pour your chilly drink into a glass.
7. If you would like, add garnishes such as whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Bon appétit!

September 11 Remembrance Day

 

Today people from all over the world keep the approximate 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attack in their thoughts and prayers as well as the countless families who lost a loved one or were affected in any way by this tragic event. If you are interested in helping out or would like to do something in honor  of those who were killed, find out more information on the links below.

• http://www.911memorial.org/
• http://www.911day.org/

National Teddy Bear Day

For most people, a substantial momentum from their childhood is their Teddy Bear. They come in all sorts of varying sizes, textures, and colors, and they can act as a source of comfort, protection, and loyal friend when we need them the most. Many children have a difficult time letting go, or at least becoming less attached, to their furry friend. In fact, it is common to still hold on to their beloved bear just as a keepsake. So where did these adorable companions come from?

Oh me Oh my, Have a Big Cheese Pizza Pie!

That's right---September 5 is National Cheese Pizza Day! Whether it be your breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner, making a time for a slice of cheese pizza today is an absolute must. Several possibilities you have to please your palate include going out to a nice pizzeria or Italian restaurant, ordering a delivery, baking your own homemade pizza, or even making a virtual pie on a fun app such as More Pizza!

Labor Day

As most of you are probably enjoying a nice day off work or school, you're well aware that it is Labor Day! Whether you are cranking up your favorite Pandora station at the pool, out shopping with all the special sales going on, or just lounging around your house, it is always nice to enjoy some free time. The first Monday of every September since 1882 is set aside to show appreciation for the work that people do, and it also is viewed as the end of the summer.  If you wanted to flaunt your summery pedicure one last time with your favorite flip flops or show off a cute white dress you snatched up on clearance today, by all means go for it because this may be one of your last chances until next summer. Going to a "last hurrah" type of barbecue? Here are a few simple and delicious sides the host would secretly love you to bring!

• Watermelon Salad: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/watermelon-salad-with-feta-and-mint
• Potato and Cheese Casserole: http://www.cooks.com/recipe/t041e4wj/potato-cheese-casserole.html.  
• Gooey Butter Cake: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/02/18/homemade-gooey-butter-cake-recipe/