April 11th - Dandelion Day

Today is Dandelion Day and when you think about dandelions you can’t help but think about spring. This pretty little weed has been around for more than 30 million years. The name dandelion originates from the French words dent de lion meaning "lions tooth", of course they are not talking about the puffy yellow bloom, they are referring to the jagged leaves. You might think a dandelion is a single flower, but it is actually made up of many tiny flowers. After the dandelion blooms each flower produces a seed with a bushy cotton like stem that flies through the air like a tiny parachute.

For Children, dandelions spark curiosity. I fondly remember, as a child, making bouquets of dandelions and proudly giving them to my mom. I also remember dissecting them and blowing those tiny little parachutes all over the yard. I’m sure my parents appreciated that.

To celebrate Dandelion Day take yourself back to childhood and make a bouquet of dandelions. If you are not thrilled about bringing weeds into the house you can make paper dandelions out of pencils.


Paper Dandelions

Material required:
Construction paper, gift wrap (2-sided is best), or any paper
Scissors
Tape
A pencil
Markers (optional)

1. Take a sheet of construction paper and fold it in half. Cut along the folded line to create a long strip of paper.
2. At this point, if you are using plain paper, you can decorate both sides with markers.
3. Fold the paper in half and then half again.
4. Leaving a small section uncut on the ends, cut slits in the folded paper.
5. Unfold the paper. Tape one end of the uncut portion to the eraser end of the pencil.
6. Roll the paper around the pencil. Then tape the end of the paper to the pencil.
7. Push the pieces of paper away from the eraser, making it look like a dandelion. You now have a cute, decorated pencil.

By the way today is also National Cheese Fondue Day. After creating bouquets of flowers, you can enjoy a scrumptious snack of cheese fondue and bread or crackers. Get creative, you can dip many things into cheese fondue. Try your favorite vegetables, fruits or meat. The possibilities are endless and your family will enjoy snack time together.

Classic Cheese Fondue

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons ground dry mustard
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Directions:

In a separate bowl mix together the cheese and ½ of the flour. In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix together milk, Worcestershire sauce, ground dry mustard, garlic and the

remaining flour. Heat until almost boiling. Gradually stir in cheese blend. Continue heating until all the cheese has melted. Keep the mixture warm and melted in a fondue dish.

April 10th - Celebrate Golfer’s Day

Today is Golfer’s day; a day one might celebrate out on the luscious greens. If you have the opportunity to do so I would think today, weather permitting, would be the perfect day. If however you can’t play a round of golf or miniature golf for that matter, check out these fun golf facts.

• 
  Did you know Americans spend $630 million on goofballs a year.


• 
  Before 1850 golf balls were made with leather and stuffed with feathers.


• 
  The 1st miniature gold courses in the United States were built on rooftops in New York City in 1926.


• 
  Did you know there are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.


• 
  The youngest golfer to shoot a hole-in-one was Coby Orr, a five year old who was playing golf in Littleton, Colorado, in 1975.
  

To celebrate the day on a small budget, try these golf inspired games.

Paper Golf Game by familyfun.com

WHAT YOU NEED:
Paper
Marker

HOW TO PLAY:

1. Create a "fairway" on a standard-sized piece of paper--a shape that is the boundary for the tee-off area and hole. Draw a small circle (the hole) at one end of the fairway.

2. Place the marker point down at the tee (the other end of the fairway), close your eyes and try to draw a line to the hole. Lift your marker and open your eyes. That's your "shot." (If you strayed outside the boundaries, add a stroke.) The next player then tees off on the same sheet.

3. As with actual golf, the player farthest from the hole shoots first, and your score is the number of shots it takes you to reach the cup. Play nine holes or even 18 like the pros.

Balloon Golf

WHAT YOU NEED:
Ballons
Pennies
Dowel rods
Aluminum cans
Cardboard boxes

HOW TO PLAY:

1. Drop a penny into each balloon and blow it up. (For the best results blow the balloon up to about 5 inches in diameter.)

2. Make golf clubs out of dowel rods and aluminum cans.

3. Use cardboard boxes as the holes and label the par for each hole on the box.

April 9th - National Chinese Almond Cookie Day

I love celebrating food and today is National Chinese Almond Cookie day. These tender little cookies derived from the Chinese walnut cookie. A butter cookie with a walnut in the center which was thought to bring good luck. The almond cookie originated in the mid 1800's when Chinese immigrants came to the U.S. and replaced the walnut with an almond. To celebrate this day make a batch of Chinese almond cookies and enjoy them with a warm cup of your favorite chinese inspired tea or a cool glass of milk. Happy Chinese Almond Cookie Day!

INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon water

Colored decorating sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and extract. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with a fork. Add a sliver of almond in the center.

In a small bowl, beat egg white and water. Brush over cookies and sprinkle with colored decorating sugar. Bake at 325 degrees F for 14-16 minutes or until edges and bottoms are lightly browned.

Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.