May 16th - Armed Forces Day

No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.

-General Douglas MacArthur

Today is Armed Forces Day. A Day to celebrate all those who sacrifice their lives for the freedom of our country. Celebrate this special day by making the decision to never take another day of freedom for granted. Just imagine what America would be like without our esteemed Armed Forces. Thank those in the Armed Forces and all the men and women who serve their country all over the world. Make a personal commitment to honor and respect their efforts from this day forward.

Armed Forces Day
by Del "Abe" Jones

At the urging of Harry Truman

The third Saturday in May

The new Department of Defense

Proclaimed it, "Armed Forces Day".
A day to Thank all the Services

Who defend our air, land, and sea

Who serve our Country Proudly

Defending, this Land of the Free.
All those young Men and Women

And too, all of those "oldsters"Who march, fly, and set sail

As Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers.
Some of them serve as "Regulars"And some just do, the weekend

But all step forward, Strong and Proud

When we need someone to send.
The times have been a'changing

And missions they are asked to

Grow much more complicated

Than what, they used to do.
They must be Warrior and Diplomat

With clenched fist or gentle touch

Pass the ammunition, feed the hungry

Build roads, hospitals, and such.
"A Tradition of Heroes"Is what some people say

And, we all owe them a, "Thank you!"On this, "Armed Forces Day"

How to Celebrate Armed Forces Day
By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Attend an Armed Forces Day open house at a military base near you. Talk to the men and women on duty. Ask questions. Learn what it's like to serve these days.

Go to an Armed Forces Day Scout Blast. If you don't have a scout in the family, find a friend who does and tag along. You'll see things like pinewood derbies, Civil and Revolutionary War reenactments, sports competitions, fireworks displays, kite flying, rock climbing, hang-glider and dog-team demonstrations.

Contribute to the preservation of an historic fort near you. Pitch in at a cleanup, volunteer to help out at the next holiday celebration, or simply pop a check in the mail.

Honor the spirit of today's all-volunteer military by lending a hand yourself. Join a literacy group and teach people to read. Sign on to help in a disaster-relief project. Help dish up food at your local soup kitchen. Give blood.

Tip: To find out what's going on in your area this Armed Forces Day, check your local paper, or call the Public Information Office at your closest military installation.

May 15th - National Chocolate Chip Day

It can't get any better than this. National Chocolate Chip day on a Friday, sounds like a good start to a great weekend. Today is the day you have permission to raid your cabinet for that stash of left over Chocolate chips. Come on, you know you have looked at them several times thinking “oh, just a couple won’t hurt,” but you chose to leave them alone. If you actually chose to leave them alone, be very proud of yourself because let’s be honest, who really does that? Either way, today you can grab a handful of chocolate chips and enjoy them guilt free because today is chocolate chip day!

Did you know Chocolate chips were created in 1937 by a dietitian named Ruth Graves Wakefield. She added cut-up chunks of a semi-sweet Nestlé chocolate bar to a cookie recipe. The cookies were a huge success, and Wakefield reached an agreement with Nestlé to add her recipe to the chocolate bar's packaging in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate. - Wikepedia

Think about all the yummy ways you can celebrate chocolate chip day.

You can make chocolate chip cookies or visit the Nestle website and find a new chocolate chip recipe to try.

Have a chocolate chip party and invite family and friends over asking each one to bring over their favorite chocolate chip recipe. Make sure and have them bring a copy of the recipe over so you can swap recipes.

Enjoy a handful of chocolate chips and a glass of red wine.(adults only) They are both full of healthy antioxidants so you will be taking care of your body while celebrating National Chocolate Chip Day. You can give children a glass of milk instead of wine or grape juice which is full of antioxidants as well. If they are old enough, serve the milk or juice in a wine glass to make it extra special.

It is Friday night, so you might want to enjoy a movie at home. It would be a perfect night to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

While making your favorite chocolate chip treat you can talk to your family about how The ancient Maya used cacao beans as money. Show them on a map where cacao is grown (most are located in Africa) and think about what it would be like today to use chocolate coins as real money.



One of my favorite chocolate chip recipe is Chocolate Chip Cheesecake.


EAGLE BRAND® Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups finely crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour

Directions:
Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press firmly on bottom of ungreased 9-inch spring form pan or 13x9-inch baking pan. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. In small bowl, toss 1/2 cup chocolate chips with flour to coat; stir into cream cheese mixture. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup chips evenly over top. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until set. Cool. Chill. Garnish as desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

Dance like a Chicken day & National Buttermilk Biscuit day

Dance like a chicken. You know you want too. Just get up and dance. I bet if I said dancing like a chicken would cause you to lose weight, you would hop to your feet immediately. Dancing like a chicken or any kind of dancing for that matter is good for your heart, so put on those dancin’ shoes and boogie. When I think of dancing like a chicken, I fondly remember doing the chicken dance with my grandpa. He loved to dance and often danced with us and grandma in their living room to all kinds of great big band tunes. The chicken dance was one of my favorites and I still get excited to bust out the chicken moves when I hear the chicken dance song.

Accordion player Werner Thomas of Davos, Switzerland, created the chicken dance song. The original name for the song was "Der Ententanz" (The Duck Dance.) The dance was introduced in the United States in 1941 during the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oktoberfest by the Heilbronn Band from Germany. They wanted to demonstrate the dance in costume, but there were no duck costumes available anywhere near Tulsa. At a local television station, however, a chicken costume was available which was donated for use at the festival, giving the "Chicken Dance" its name. Over the years, this witty song has become very popular at weddings and other dance venues.

If you have never heard or seen the chicken dance, I highly recommend you check it out. You will be showing off your chicken moves in no time. The dance goes something like this:

Chicken Dance

At the start of the music, shape a chicken beak with your hands. Open and close it four times, during the first four beats of the music.

Make chicken wings with your arms. Flap your wings four times, during the next four beats of the music.

Make a chicken's tail feathers with your arms and hands. Wiggle downwards during the next four beats of the music.

Clap four times during the next four beats of the music.

Repeat this process four times.

At the bridge, hold your arms straight, in imitation of an aeroplane. All dancers spun around the room in "flight" until the bridge ends.

(Alternately: At the bridge, link arms with the nearest person, turn right eight steps, switch arms and turn left eight steps, then repeat until the bridge ends)

The dance repeats, progressively getting faster and faster, until the music stops.



Today is also National buttermilk biscuit day. Biscuits can be a little intimidating to make, but try it a few times and I promise you will never go back to the store bought variety.


Basic Buttermilk Biscuits

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 stick butter or margarine

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Cut in shortening and ½ stick butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll to 3/4-in. thickness; cut with a floured large biscuit cutter or the rim of a juice glass. Place 1 in. apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Use remaining butter to brush the tops of the biscuits when they come out of the oven. Serve warm.

The great thing about this recipe is you can add cheddar for cheddar biscuits, herbs, cinnamon & sugar, or whatever your crave to make the perfect biscuit



If you refuse to dance like a chicken, the next best thing to do today is to eat chicken. Try this yummy chicken & biscuits recipe by Rachel Ray.



Chicken & Biscuits

Ingredients:
2 quarts chicken stock
2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
5 tablespoons butter , divided
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), 2 turns of the pan
2 large carrots , peeled and sliced into half inch thick discs
1 large onion peeled and chopped
4 ribs celery from the heart chopped
2 large russet potatoes , peeled and chopped
Coarse salt and black pepper
1 bay leaf , fresh or dried
1 cup frozen green peas
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped, a generous handful
3 tablespoons (a generous handful) chopped fresh dill
2 tubes bake off biscuits , store bought, (or use above biscuit recipe)
A few pinches cayenne pepper

Directions:
Heat chicken stock to a boil in a deep skillet or pot. Add chicken breasts and poach at a gentle simmer until cooked through about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove chicken, cut into bite size pieces and reserve. Heat a large deep pot over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter plus 2 tablespoons EVOO, 2 turns of the pan. When butter melts into oil add all chopped vegetables. Season with salt and pepper, add bay leaf, cook vegetables 10 minutes until they begin to become tender. Do not brown vegetables; you just want to sweat them out a bit. While vegetables are working, over small skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter, whisk in flour, and cook a few minutes to form a roux. Remove and reserve. To the vegetables add the chicken and stock that you cooked the chicken in, pouring stock through a strainer to remove any by-products from poaching the chicken. Whisk roux into your completed chicken and vegetable mixture. Simmer until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.While chicken works, bake off biscuits to package directions, sprinkle the tops of each biscuit with a little bit of cayenne pepper just before they go in the oven.When ready to serve, stir peas, dill and parsley into chicken. Split biscuits and place in bottom of shallow bowls and ladle chicken on top.

For more information about Rachael Ray, visit www.rachaelrayshow.com.

May 13th - Frog Jumping Day

To celebrate Frog jumping day a few jokes should get you hopping.

What kind of shoes do frogs wear?

Open toad!

What happened to the frog's car when his parking meter expired?

It got toad!!

What do stylish frogs wear?

Jumpsuits!

Why are frogs so happy?

They eat whatever bugs them!

What is a frogs favorite time?

Leap Year!

To get yourself in the frog jumping spirit make these cute froggy crafts.

Potholder Frog Puppet

This cute idea comes from Linda of Alabama.

What you need:
Green Pot Holder
Two Large White Pompoms
Tacky Glue
Scraps of Fun Foam
Scissors
Elastic (optional)

What to do:
Fold pot holder in half. Glue on pompoms for eyes. Add scraps of foam for pupils and nostrils. You can stitch a piece of elastic at the fold to hold the child's hand more securely. Open and close fingers to make the mouth move.

Jumping Frog

What you need:
A square of paper about 15 cm x 15 cm
markers to decorate your frog (optional).

What to do:
Fold the opposite edges of the paper together, and press down along the folded edge to make a crease. Unfold the paper and repeat using the other two edges.
Fold each corner inwards so that they meet in the middle.
Fold the two upper edges to the middle, forming an upside-down kite shape.
Fold the small triangle at the bottom upwards, forming an isosceles triangle.
Fold each of the bottom two corners inwards, forming two small triangles that meet in the middle of the bottom edge.
Fold the bottom upwards so that the bottom edge meets the top of the two small triangles from step 5, forming a rectangle.
Fold the top half of this rectangle down back towards the bottom - this will be your frog's legs.
Fold down a small section of the triangle point to make a head for your frog.

If you like, you can draw some eyes and other markings. Make your frog jump by pushing down on it near the back and then sliding your finger off.

You can’t celebrate frog jumping day without playing leapfrog. Happy Jumping!

Leapfrog

You need at least two players for this game.

Select an open area to play in.

Choose one person to start. All other players form a line, kneeling on the ground and resting their heads on the ground, covered by their hands.

Have the chosen starting player place his or her hands on the back of the person at the back of the line. He or she must press on the person's back and leap over the person, spreading his or her legs apart and hopping like a frog.

The player continues hopping until reaching the front of the line, kneeling and covering his or her head.

There are no winners or losers in this game. The point is to have fun and be silly.

May 12th - Kite Day & Limerick Day

Today is Kite Day and to celebrate this day I thought I would share with you a few interesting kite facts.

Kite flying was banned in Japan in 1760 because too many people preferred to fly kites than work.

For centuries kites have been used in wars and battles, for signaling, lifting observers, target practice, as barrage kites, dropping propaganda leaflets etc.

Large kites were banned in East Germany because of the possibility of man lifting over the Berlin Wall.

In the Orient, kites are given to someone to bring them happiness, good luck, prosperity and cure illness.

Ancient stories of fire breathing Dragons were probably a windsock type of kite flown by soldiers in the middle ages which had burning tar in the mouth opening to frighten the enemy in battle.

If the weather in your area is perfect for kite flying today, I would highly recommend making the effort to do so, you will be so glad you did. If weather is not on your side, go ahead and get your kite ready and remember to fly it as soon as the weather permits.

Make your own kite; it is easy.


A simple paper-fold kite

What you need:
1 Sheet of copier paper
Sewing thread
Stapler
Hole punch

What to do:
Fold the sheet of paper in half. Mark two points, A and B on the folded edge of the paper. Point "A" should be 2 1/2 inches from the end, and point "B", 2 1/2 inches.Fold the top corners of the page to point A and staple them in place. Do not crease the paper. Just bend it back. Punch a hole at point B and attach you flying thread.

While you are busy making or flying kites sing these fun kite songs

I Like Kites Original Author Unknown

Sung to: "3 Blind Mice"

I like kites,

I like kites.

They fly high,

they fly high.

They keep on spinning round and round,

Sometimes they even touch the ground,

They fly through the air without a sound.Oh, I like kites!

My Kite Original Author Unknown

Sung to: "The Farmer in the Dell"

My kite is up so high,My kite is up so high,

Oh my - - just watch it fly

My kite is up so high.

My kite is falling down, My kite is falling down,

Oh no - - it's down so low

My kite is falling down.

The wind has caught my kite,the wind has caught my kite,

What fun - - I'm on the run

The wind has caught my kite.

My kite is up so high, My kite is up so high,

Oh my - - just watch it fly

My kite is up so high.

Let's go fly a kite Written by Robert B. Sherman

...

Let's go fly a kite

Up to the highest height

Let's go fly a kite

And send it soaring

Up through the atmosphere

Up where the air is clear

Oh, let's go fly a kite!

...

Toying With Kites a Limerick By Madeleine Begun Kane

The sight of a kite in the sky

Is delightful and lovely, so why

Is it quite impolite

To say, “Go fly a kite!”

This idiom just doesn’t fly.

Today is Limerick Day it is a day to celebrate the birthday of Writer Edward Lear who made limerick poems popular. A Limerick is a humorous verse or poem. It's name came from the city of Limerick, Ireland. Celebrate Limerick Day by writing a Limerick.

To write a Limerick start with the line "There once was a..." or "There was a..." The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically 8 or 9). The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically 5 or 6).

If you do not feel like writing your own Limerick enjoy reading these funny Limericks written by Edward Lear.

There was an Old Man in a boat,

Who said, "I'm afloat! I'm afloat!"

When they said, "No! you ain't!"

He was ready to faint,

That unhappy Old Man in a boat.

There was an Old Person whose habits,

Induced him to feed upon Rabbits;

When he'd eaten eighteen,

He turned perfectly green,

Upon which he relinquished those habits.

There was a Young Lady whose nose,

Was so long that it reached to her toes;

So she hired an Old Lady,

Whose conduct was steady,

To carry that wonderful nose.

May 11th - Twilight Zone Day & Eat what you want day

The twilight zone is an iconic American television classic. In total there were 156 episodes in the original series. The show aired between 1956 to 1964 and entertained the masses through science fiction, fantasy, suspense and horror. Each episode was guaranteed to offer an unexpected twist and some episodes were thought to be used as a medium for important social issues typical censored by the media.

When I think of the twilight zone, it usual sparks a memory in my mind about something scary or out of this world, but did you know the twilight zone happens to be "a term used by the US Air Force to describe the terminator, the imaginary border between "night" and "day." The terminator passes through any point on the Earth's surface twice a day at sunrise and sunset."- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aside from the twilight zone today is also “eat what you want day.” Often times we restrict ourselves from foods we love due to dieatery needs, but today, (permiting it does not harm you) indulge a little. Take some time to really think about a food you have not alloud youself to eat and enjoy it. I give you fair warning, if you celebrate this on any other day than today, with the exception of holidays, of course, your pants might get a little snug. So limit the celebration to just this one day and enjoy a guilt free day of eating whatever it is that your little heart desires, but remember do not risk your health in the name of celebration.

Happy Eating!

(Due to other obligations I am unable to spend quality time on writing my blog today, but I promise I will return with some great stuff in a few days. In the meantime don’t forget to celebrate everyday, because every day is special in its own way.)

May 10th - Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the fantastic, hard working, loving, caring, patient, the list goes on.......mothers of the world. You deserve special treatment and celebration everyday.

To my mom,

You brought me into this world and as I remember you saying you can take me out. Just kidding. I love you. You are the very best. Thank you for putting up with all of my shenanigans and always loving me unconditionally. You are the mother I aspire to be. Here is a little poem I found that made me think of you. Happy Mother's Day mom!

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a Mother's love

Can understand our tears,

Can soothe our disappoints

And calm all of our fears.

There are times when only a Mother's love

Can share the joy we feel

When something we've dreamed about

Quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a Mother's faith

Can help us on life's way

And inspire in us the confidence

We need from day to day.

For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith

And a Mother's steadfast love

Were fashioned by the Angels

And sent from God above.

Author Unknown

And I could never forget celebrating my mother-in-law on this day because you are the amazing women who made my husband what he is today. I love you and thank you for taking me in as one of your own.

(Due to other obligations I am unable to spend quality time on writing my blog today, but I promise I will return with some great stuff in a few days. In the meantime don’t forget to celebrate everyday because every day is special in its own way.)