From Hovercraftdoggy this charming post about a father, a graphic designer, who has decorated his children’s sandwich bags every day since 2008. Cool.
Happy Fathers Day
Posts Tagged ‘holidays’
What am I sappy cat blogging?
June 14, 2013Today is FLAG DAY, so here are some patriotic kitties.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States of America in 1777. Observance of Flag Day came much later. In 1916, Wilson recommended the a day to honor the flag, but Flag Day was not designated as an official holiday until Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress in 1949 proclaiming June 14 as a nation wide observance.
No post on Flag Day would be complete without mentioning Betsy Ross, creator of the original American flag.
This is the Betsy Ross house and museum in Philadelphia.
What did I celebrate on Sunday?
June 3, 2013
The answer is that the first Sunday is June is traditional for celebrating the Day of the Rice God. From Chase’s Annual Events:
Chiyoda. Annual rice-transplanting festival observed on first Sunday in June. Centuries-old rural folk ritual revived in 1930s and celebrated with colorful costumes, parades, music, dancing and prayers to the Shinto rice god Wbai-sama.
Disclaimer: this is a totally self-serving plug from the author, Anne Bonney – pirate-potter.
What do we observe today?
May 27, 2013
We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance . . . Let pleasant paths invite the comings and goings of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generation that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided country.
Maj. Gen. John A. Logan – 1868
What is tattoo Tuesday about this time?
May 7, 2013
I think I mentioned the nest outside my front door. Here are some photos. The nest is in perfect condition, but the birds must have changed their plans because it does not look as if it was ever put to its intended purpose. Maybe the porch light was too much.
This week I celebrate the vernal appearance of birds and their nests.
Happy spring – and happy mother’s day a bit early.
What am I celebrating tonight?
April 30, 2013
April 30 is Walpurgis Night – the festival exactly 6 month opposite Halloween that marks the beginnings of spring, rather than the harvest season.
The holiday is named for St. Walpurga and it originated in northern and central Europe. Walpurga is the patron saint of those suffering from rabies – make of that what you will.
Traditionally celebrated with dancing and a bonfire, in Scandinavia, there are often fresh funnel cakes to celebrate this night.
Here is a funnel cake recipe from Alton Brown:
Funnel Cake
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time:
10 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 10 cakes
Ingredients
1 cup water
3/4 stick butter (6 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 cup eggs, about 4 large eggs and 2 whites
Vegetable oil, for frying
Powdered sugar, for topping
Directions
Boil water, butter, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan. Add flour and work it in until it is all incorporated and dough forms a ball. Transfer mixture to the bowl of a standing mixer and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes. With mixer lowest speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, making sure the first egg is completely incorporated before continuing. Once all eggs have been added and mixture is smooth, put dough in a piping bag fitted with a number 12 tip. Heat about 1 1/2 inches of oil in a heavy pan. Pipe dough into oil, making a free-form lattice pattern; cook until browned, flipping once. Remove cake from oil, drain on paper towels, and top with powdered sugar. Continue until all of the batter is used.
Credit: Alton Brown at Food
Whose birthday am I celebrating?
April 23, 2013Happy birthday to William Shakespeare, born on this day in 1564. This year his birthday corresponds to Tattoo Tuesday – so here goes . . .
What am I celebrating today?
April 22, 2013
Today is National Jelly Bean Day.
The pictures above are jelly bean art. These creations are an interesting take on the ancient art of mosaics. My research indicates that jelly beans themselves may have an ancient history, having evolved from Turkish delight candy – fruit jells coated with powdered sugar. Advances in manufacturing methods in the late 19th and early 20th centuries enabled candy makers to add a hard sugar shell to soft jell centers and modern jelly beans were created.
Click here for the Mommy Files compilation of the best and worst Jelly Belly flavors.
What am I celebrating?
January 6, 2013
The Inuvik Sunrise Celebration – the annual celebration of the return of the sun after an absence of about 28 days. A bonfire and fireworks add to this celebration on the Saturday closest to the sunrise.
More about Inuvik at L’Encyclopedie canadienne.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 