Today is...
National Macaroon Day

Macaroons are small unleavened cakes with a crispy outer layer and a moist, chewy center. Although they are the same size as cookies, macaroons do not contain any flour and therefore do not fall into that classification. The most popular macaroon varieties are coconut, almond, and chocolate.
Culinary historians believe that macaroons originated in Italy. In fact, the word “macaroon” comes from the Italian word for paste: “maccarone.” A key ingredient in early macaroon recipes was almond paste. In 1533, Italian monks and nuns brought macaroons to France. Two Benedictine nuns, Sister Marguerite and Sister Marie-Elisabeth, baked and sold the tiny cakes in order to pay for their housing. They became known as the “Macaroon Sisters” and their baking became famous throughout Europe.
To celebrate National Macaroon Day, buy some delicious macaroons or bake a homemade batch to share with friends and coworkers!

____________________________________________


May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 31 1870 - E.J. DeSemdt patented asphalt. 1909 - The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its first conference. 1955 - The U.S. Supreme Court ordered that all states must end racial segregation "with all deliberate speed." 1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded "Give Peace a Chance." 1977 - The trans-Alaska oil pipeline was finished after 3 years of construction. 1999 - VH1's "Behind the Music" began airing nightly. The premiere show was "The Red Hot Chili Peppers ______________________________________________________ "I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and want to make burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." --George Bernard Shaw

Today is...
National Mint Julep Day

Today is Mint Julep Day! A mint julep is a delicious and refreshing summer cocktail made with bourbon whiskey, mint, water, and sugar. A secret trick that many bartenders use is to lightly “bruise” the mint before adding the other ingredients. This releases the herb’s distinctive aroma and flavor. A traditional mint julep is then served in a silver or pewter cup filled with shaved ice.
According to many sources, Kentucky Senator Henry Clay introduced the mint julep in the 1800s. As early as 1816, county fair champions in the South received silver julep cups as awards. Today, the mint julep continues to be associated with the southern region of the United States, most notably as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Over the course of the two-day event, bartenders at Churchill Downs serve almost 120,000 mint juleps!
The Kentucky Derby may be over, but that’s no reason to stop enjoying this unique drink. Make one of these five mint julep recipes to celebrate the final race in the Triple Crown—the Belmont Stakes!

____________________________________________


May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 30 1539 - Hernando de Soto, the Spanish explorer, landed in Florida with 600 soldiers to search for gold. 1868 - Memorial Day was observed for the first time in the U.S. 1879 - William Vanderbilt renamed New York City's Gilmore’s Garden to Madison Square Garden. 1922 - The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. 1967 - Daredevil Evel Knievel jumped 16 automobiles in a row in a motorcycle stunt at Ascot Speedway in Gardena, CA. 1968 - The Beatles began recording "The White Album." ______________________________________________________ "We only live for ourselves when we live for others." --Leo Tolstoy

Today is...
International Coq Au Vin Day

Coq Au Vin is French for “rooster with wine." It is a popular dish made with braised chicken that is slowly cooked with red wine, mushrooms, pork fat, and various spices. According to some legends, Coq Au Vin has ties to Julius Caesar or Napoleon, but most historians agree that the dish has more humble roots. Roosters are only butchered when they are quite old and rather inedible. Peasant families most likely invented the Coq Au Vin recipe to avoid wasting the meat.
Coq Au Vin became popular in the United States thanks to Julia Child, who featured the dish in her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It also appeared many times on her TV show "The French Chef." Today, it is a popular dish in many French restaurants, but it is also a fabulous dish to cook at home. 
To celebrate International Coq Au Vin Day, embrace your inner chef and plan a French-inspired dinner party. Bon Appétit!

____________________________________________


May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 29 1790 - Rhode Island became the last of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution. 1849 - A patent for lifting vessels was granted to Abraham Lincoln. 1911 - The first running of the Indianapolis 500 took place. 1942 - Bing Crosby, the Ken Darby Singers and John Scott Trotter Orchestra recorded Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." 1951 - C.F. Blair became the first man to fly over the North Pole in single engine plane. 1953 - Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became first men to reach the top of Mount Everest. ______________________________________________________ "Happiness is not something you experience, it’s something you remember." --Oscar Levant

Today is...
National Hamburger Day

Nothing is more American than a big, juicy hamburger. Hamburgers and cheeseburgers have been a staple of the American diet for decades. In 2001, over 8.2 billion burgers were served in commercial restaurants in the United States. This number doesn't even take into account the number of burgers people eat at home, which is another 15 billion!
Although hamburgers originated in Hamburg, Germany, eating the burger in a bun is actually an American innovation. The hamburger sandwich was most likely invented in Seymour, Wisconsin. Each year the city hosts a hamburger festival called Burger Fest. That is where the world's largest hamburger made its debut in 2001. It weighed 8,266 pounds!
To celebrate National Hamburger Day, host a backyard barbeque with your friends and grill up some tasty burgers. Don't forget about all the delicious ways you can customize your burger — add bacon, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and your other favorite fixings!

____________________________________________


May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 28 1928 - Chrysler Corporation merged with Dodge Brothers, Inc. 1957 - The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) was established. The NARAS gives the Grammy Awards each year. 1961 - Amnesty International, a human rights organization, was founded. 1987 - Mathias Rust, a 19-year-old West German pilot, landed a private plane in Moscow's Red Square after evading Soviet air defenses. He was released August 3, 1988. 1999 - In Milan, Italy, Leonardo de Vinci's "The Last Supper" was put back on display after 22 years of restoration work. ______________________________________________________  "Death is not putting out a light. It is only extinguishing a lamp because the    day has come." --Rabindranath Tagore

Today is...
National Wig Out Day

Have you ever wanted to dye your hair a different color or try out a new hairstyle, but were too scared to take the risk? Well, today is your opportunity to experiment. It’s National Wig Out Day! This celebration is similar to Halloween, but the focus is just on wigs.
Wig Out Day was invented in 2006 by Kate and Alice Clark. The sisters were able to inspire the residents of Bellingham, Washington to go to work wearing all different types of crazy wigs and then gather downtown at the end of the day for a party. Since then, Wig Out Day has grown and spread throughout the nation.
So go ahead and stop by your local wig shop or shop for wigs online. Your wig can be anything from a mullet to a 70’s style afro. Whatever you decide to wear on your head, just be sure to Wig Out!

____________________________________________

Today is also National Escargot Day

This week is National Frozen Yogurt Week 
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 24 1830 - The first passenger railroad service in the U.S. began service. 1844 - Samuel F.B. Morse formally opened America's first telegraph line. The first message was sent from Washington, DC to Baltimore, MD. 1962 - The officials of the National Football League ruled that halftime of regular season games would be cut to 15 minutes. 1980 - Iran rejected a call by the World Court in The Hague to release American hostages. 1986 - Montreal won its 23rd National Hockey League Stanley Cup championship. ______________________________________________________ "The true way to soften one’s troubles is to solace those of others." --Mme. De Maintenon

Today is...
World Turtle Day

Did you know that turtles have been around for more than 200 million years? These ancient creatures evolved before mammals, birds, snakes, or lizards! Biologists believe that turtles have managed to outlive many other species due to the unique protection provided by their shells.
Turtles come in all different shapes and sizes, and can be found on every continent except Antartica. The smallest is the Bog Turtle, which usually measures just four inches in length, and the largest is the Leathery Turtle, which can weigh up to 1500 pounds!
To celebrate World Turtle Day, donate to your favorite “save the turtles” organization! 

____________________________________________

Today is also National Taffy Day & Chardonnay Day

This week is National Frozen Yogurt Week 
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 23 1785 - Benjamin Franklin wrote in a letter that he had invented bifocals. 1949 - The Republic of West Germany was established. ______________________________________________________ "The life which like the sun grows larger at its setting is the ideal." --Walter M. Bortz

Today is...
National Vanilla Pudding Day

 The delicious, creamy pudding we know and love today has been around since the 19th century. Most culinary historians agree that our modern recipe evolved from custards, which date back to Ancient Rome.
Jell-O introduced its first line of instant pudding in the 1950s. The advertising campaign announcing the new product promoted it as a “busy-day dessert.” Check out one of the original commercial spots!
To celebrate National Vanilla Pudding Day, make some delicious homemade vanilla pudding from scratch, or from an instant mix! For an extra special treat, pair it with fresh fruit or chocolate. Yum!

____________________________________________

This week is National Frozen Yogurt Week 
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 22 1761 - In Philadelphia, the first life insurance policy was issued in the U.S. 1841 - Henry Kennedy received a patent for the first reclining chair. 1900 - The Associated Press was incorporated as a non-profit news cooperative in New York. 1985 - Pete Rose passed Hank Aaron as National League run scoring leader with 2,108. 1992 - Johnny Carson hosted NBC's "Tonight Show" for the last time. He had been host for 30 years. ______________________________________________________ "Do not be interested in the quantity of people who respect and admire you, but in their quality. If bad people dislike you, so much the better." --Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Today is...
National Strawberries and Cream Day

The simple combination of fresh sliced strawberries and homemade whipped cream has been a popular dish for centuries. In fact, in medieval England it was customary for newlyweds to enjoy strawberries and soured cream for their wedding breakfast.
The strawberry is the first fruit to ripen every spring and each refreshing bite contains high levels of Vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and potassium. If you’re feeling experimental, there are many interesting variations on the classic strawberries and cream recipe. Try flavoring your whipped cream with amaretto liqueur or substituting a combination of fat-free sour cream and brown sugar instead. For a more elaborate dessert, put together a trifle with alternating layers of fruit, cream, and a sweet pastry such as ladyfinger cookies. For more ideas, check out these recipes for stuffed strawberries.
To celebrate National Strawberries and Cream Day, head to a local farm and pick your own fresh strawberries as a fun spring activity for the whole family. Then enjoy the fruits of your labor with a delicious snack of strawberries and cream at home!

____________________________________________

This week is National Frozen Yogurt Week 
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 21 1840 - New Zealand was declared a British colony. 1881 - The United States Lawn Tennis Association was formed in New York City. 1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a ten-day "bed-in" in Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel. ______________________________________________________ "We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about." --Charles Kingsley

Today is...
National Bike to Work Day

Today is National Bike to Work Day! In 1956, the Cycle Trade Association of America announced the first ever Bike Month. The purpose of this occasion was to promote bicycle sales. Today, National Bike Month, Bike Week, and Bike to Work Day have a much broader focus. These events encourage safe bicycling practices and promote cycling as a legitimate commuting alternative.
Join thousands of other Americans and participate in Bike to Work Day today. Whether you are environmentally conscious or just love the exercise, biking to work is a great way to avoid the commuter traffic and stay in shape! Happy cycling!

____________________________________________

Today is also National Cherry Cobbler Day & Pack Rat Day

This week is  American Craft Beer Week
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 17 1792 - The New York Stock Exchange was founded at 70 Wall Street by 24 brokers. 1875 - The first Kentucky Derby was run at Louisville, KY. 1975 - Elton John’s "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" album was released. It was the first album to be certified a million-seller on its first day of release. 1975 - NBC TV bought the rights to show "Gone with the Wind." The one time rights cost NBC $5,000,000. 1985 - Bobby Ewing died on the season finale of "Dallas" on CBS-TV. He returned the following season. 1993 - Barry Manilow appeared on the CBS-TV's "Murphy Brown." 1998 - New York Yankees pitcher David Wells became the 13th player in modern major league baseball history to throw a perfect game. ______________________________________________________ "There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond our control." --Epictetus

Today is...
National Sea-Monkey Day

Sea-monkeys, which are also called “brine shrimp,” are small crustaceans that live in salt lakes. People in the United States have been keeping sea-monkeys as pets since the 1960s. Ever wondered how the sea-monkey got its name? These underwater creatures have long tails and demonstrate playful, monkey-like behavior!
One of the most fascinating characteristics of the sea-monkey is its ability to live for years as an egg before hatching. Purchased sea-monkeys only begin to hatch and grow once you’ve added the proper nutrients to the water environment. Fun Fact: Sea-monkeys have three eyes and breathe through their feet!
To celebrate National Sea-Monkey Day, buy some sea-monkeys of your own and enjoy watching them grow!

____________________________________________

Today is also Biographer's Day

This week is  American Craft Beer Week
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 16 1866 - The U.S. Congress authorized the first 5-cent piece to be minted. 1946 - "Annie Get Your Gun" opened on Broadway. 1965 - The Beach Boys appeared on the "The Ed Sullivan Show" and performed "Help Me Rhonda." 1985 - Michael Jordan was named Rookie of the Year in the NBA. 1991 - Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address the U.S. Congress. 2000 - U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was nominated to run for U.S. Senator in New York. She was the first U.S. first lady to run for public office. ______________________________________________________ "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." --Anonymous

Today is...
National Chocolate Chip Day

In the 1930s, Ruth Graves Wakefield created the original chocolate chip cookie at her Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. Ruth intended to bake chocolate cookies for her guests, but she ran out of baker’s chocolate. She substituted with chopped up semi-sweet chocolate morsels and discovered that the pieces did not melt into the dough as she expected. Her cookies were an instant hit. Today, 25% of all the cookies baked in the United States are chocolate chip!
To celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day, pick up a bag of chocolate chips at the supermarket and bake something yummy to share with friends and coworkers!

____________________________________________

This week is  American Craft Beer Week
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 15 1862 - The U.S. Congress created the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1926 - The New York Rangers were awarded a franchise by the National Hockey League (NHL). 1930 - Ellen Church became the first airline stewardess. 1941 - Joe DiMaggio began his historic major league baseball hitting streak of 56 games. 1964 - The Smothers Brothers, Dick and Tom, gave their first concert in Carnegie Hall in New York City. 1990 - Vincent Van Gogh's "Portrait of Doctor Gachet" was sold for $82.5 million. The sale set a new world record. ______________________________________________________ "Make voyages. Attempt them. There’s nothing else." --T.S. Eliot

Today is...
National Dance Like a Chicken Day

 Although we may not like to admit it, we all have rocked the Chicken Dance at least once or twice in our lives. This silly dance is a perennial favorite at birthday parties, bat mitzvahs, weddings, and other family gatherings.
A Swiss accordion player named Werner Thomas wrote the melody for the Chicken Dance song in the late 1950s. In 1963, he began performing it at his restaurant. The people who bravely stood up and danced along to the tune often used sporadic movements that reminded Thomas of ducks and chickens. By the time the Chicken Dance arrived in America in the 1970s, it had acquired set choreography with repetitive beak, wing, and tail motions.
Today, the Chicken Dance has earned a permanent place in the pantheon of cheesy party dances. Other favorites include the Hokey Pokey, the Electric Slide, and the Macarena. To celebrate National Dance Like a Chicken Day, turn on this familiar tune and dance like a chicken!

____________________________________________

Today National Buttermilk Biscuit Day & Shavuotis also 

This week is  American Craft Beer Week
 
May is National Hamburger Month & National Strawberry Month & National Bike Month

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

History for May 14 1787 - Delegates began gathering in Philadelphia for a convention to draw up the U.S. Constitution. 1853 - Gail Borden applied for a patent for condensed milk. 1878 - The name Vaseline was registered by Robert A. Chesebrough. 1913 - The Rockefeller Foundation was created by John D. Rockefeller with a gift of $100,000,000. 1985 - The first McDonald's restaurant became the first fast-food business museum. It is located in Des Plaines, Illinois. 1998 - The final episode of the TV series "Seinfeld" aired after nine years on NBC. ______________________________________________________ "Be thine own palace, or the world’s thy jail." --John Donne