Today is...
National Amaretto Day

Today is National Amaretto Day! Amaretto is a popular Italian liqueur that is a common ingredient in many dishes and beverages. Its most notable characteristic is its strong almond flavoring. This flavor comes from apricot kernel oil, burnt sugar, and spices. The name "amaretto" means "slightly bitter" and refers to the aftertaste of the drink.
Although amaretto did not arrive in the United States until the 1960's, it can be traced all the way back to 16th century Italy. According to legend, a painter named Bernadino Luini traveled to Saronno in northern Italy and met a beautiful widow. When he asked her to be the model for one of his paintings she expressed her gratitude by presenting him with the first amaretto drink.
Celebrate this historical liqueur tonight by enjoying a divine glass of amaretto or try adding it to one of your recipes for some delicious almond flavoring!

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April is National Grilled Cheese Month & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

images and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for April 19 1764 - The English Parliament banned the American colonies from printing paper money. 1852 - The California Historical Society was founded. 1897 - The first annual Boston Marathon was held. It was the first of its type in the U.S. 1933 - The U.S. went off of the gold standard. 1982 - NASA named Sally Ride to be first woman astronaut. 1986 - Prince became only the 5th songwriter to have two top ten hits at the same time. The songs were "Kiss" (Prince and the Revolution) and "Manic Monday" (Bangles). ______________________________________________________ "Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route." --Charles Caleb Colton