Today is Tuesday December 14, 2010
11 Days till Christmas
18 Days til 2011

National Bouillabaisse Day

Bouillabaisse is a tasty fish stew that originated in Marseilles, France around 600 B.C. The Phoceans actually founded Marseilles so the stew was referred to back then in Greek as "kakavia." Bouillabaisse also appears in Roman mythology as a soup that Venus feeds to Vulcan. Today, bouillabaisse is an extremely popular dish across the Mediterranean.

When bouillabaisse is made, it is rarely made for fewer than ten people. The more people that share the meal, the more different varieties of fish that are included in the stew and thus, the more tasty the bouillabaisse.

Marseille fishermen typically make the dish when they return to port. Rather than using the more expensive fish that they catch, they use common fish like rockfish and shellfish. Different herbs and spices are also added to the soup for flavor such as garlic, orange peel, basil, saffron, and bay leaf. Vegetables like tomatoes, onions, celery, and potatoes also began to be added during the 17th century.

To celebrate today, try your hand at conjuring up your own bouillabaisse stew for your family to enjoy!

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

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

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On this day in History:

1503 - Physician, astrologer and clairvoyant, Nostradamus, was born at St. Remy, Provence, France. 1799 - The first President of the United States, George Washington, died at the age 67. 1946 - The U.N. General Assembly voted to establish the United Nation's headquarters in New York. 1985 - Wilma Mankiller became the first woman to lead a major American Indian tribe as she formally took office as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. 1995 - The presidents of Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia signed the Dayton Accords to end fighting in Bosnia.

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Quote of the Day:
"The greatest danger, that of losing one's own self, may pass off as quietly as if it were nothing; every other loss, that of an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc., is sure to be noticed."

--Soren Kierkegaard

Today is Monday December 13, 2010
12 Days till Christmas
19 Days til 2011

National Cocoa Day

Nothing warms you up better on a cold winter day than a nice cup of hot cocoa! Cocoa, the dried, fully fermented seeds of the cacao tree, is the basis for cocoa powder which is used to make the hot cocoa beverage we all know and love.

Did you know that monkeys were the first creatures to discover that the cacao plant was edible and quite tasty? Over 1500 years ago, monkeys began to consume the pulp of the plant and spit out the beans. Humans soon began to follow the monkey's lead and the rest is history.

Cacao trees are grown all over the world, but it is believed that the first cacao trees grew in South America. Cocoa is is similar to wine in that its flavor differs depending on the location where it is grown. It's a good thing that cacao trees are plentiful because approximately 300 to 600 cocoa beans are needed to make just two pounds of chocolate!

To celebrate National Cocoa Day, conjure up your favorite type of cocoa to enjoy. For a holiday twist on a traditional cup of cocoa, try adding a candy cane!

 Here is a link for some yummy ways to add to your Cocoa

http://startcooking.com/blog/268/12-Twists-on-Instant-Hot-Chocolate

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

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

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On this day in History:

1913 - Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" was found. It had been stolen on August 22, 1911. 1961 - Anna Mary Robertson Moses, "Grandma Moses," passed away at the age of 101. 1978 - The Philadelphia Mint began stamping the Susan B. Anthony U.S. dollar. The coin began circulation the following July. 1987 - U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz told reporters in Copenhagen, Denmark, that the Reagan administration would begin making funding requests for the proposed Star Wars defense system. 1991 - Five Central Asian republics of the Soviet Union agreed to join the new Commonwealth of Independent States.

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Quote of the Day:
"The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving in."

--Oliver Wendell Holmes

Today is Friday December 10, 2010
15 Days till Christmas
22 Days til 2011

National Lager Day

Lager is a type of German beer that is bottom fermented and lightly hopped. It is usually stored for at least three weeks after brewing it before it is served.

Lager beer is the dominant beer style throughout the world, except in England where ale is the favorite style. The only real difference between ale and lager is that ales ferment and age quickly at warm temperatures, while lagers ferment and age slowly at cool temperatures. These different types of fermentation allow for a vast difference in flavor and aroma of the different styles of beer.

Lager yeast first emerged in the Holy Roman Empire due to a spontaneous mutation or hybridization effect. As a new variety of beer, it often had to be produced outside city walls because it faced opposition from the Catholic Church.

To celebrate National Lager Day, head to your favorite pub and enjoy a refreshing brew of your favorite lager or try brewing your own!

Today is also The Nobel Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

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

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On this day in History:

1520 - Martin Luther publicly burned the papal edict. The papacy demanded that he recant or face excommunication. Luther refused and was formally expelled from the church in January 1521. 1851 - American librarian, Melvil Dewey, was born. He created the "Dewey Decimal Classification" system. 1901 - The first Nobel prizes were awarded. 1906 - President Theodore Roosevelt became the first American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 1964 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the youngest person to receive the award. 1993 - The crew of the space shuttle Endeavor deployed the repaired Hubble Space Telescope into Earth's orbit. 1996 - South Africa's President Mandela signed into law a new democratic constitution, completing the country's transition from white-minority rule to a non-racial democracy.

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Quote of the Day:
"The two foes of human happiness are pain and boredom."

--Arthur Schopenhauer

Today is Thursday December 9, 2010
16 Days till Christmas
23 Days til 2011

National Pastry Day

National Pastry Day is a day of celebration for these divine baked goods! There are many different types of pastries including shortcrust, flaky, puff, choux, and phyllo. Pastry chefs must use a varity of culinary creativity and flavorings to create these amazing treats.

Pastries were originally created by the Egyptians around 2600 B.C. They would make doughnut-like pastries out of crude flour and honey and then dip them in wine.

In the 7th century in the Middle East, pastries further developed into a culinary art form. After the Crusaders brought these tasty recipes back with them to Europe during the Medieval Ages, Roman and Italian chefs were able to perfect the recipes and create many new ones.

Celebrate this rich history with a trip to your favorite pastry shop! 

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

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On this day in History:

1793 - "The America Minerva" was published for the first time. It was the first daily newspaper in New York City and was founded by Noah Webster. 1884 - Levant M. Richardson received a patent for the ball-bearing roller skate. 1940 - During World War II, British troops opened their first major offensive in North Africa. 1941 - China declared war on Japan, Germany and Italy. 1962 - "Lawrence of Arabia," by David Lean had its world premiere in London. 1984 - The Jacksons played their last show together in Los Angeles, CA.

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Quote of the Day:
""One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon--instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."

--Dale Carnegie

Today is Friday December 3, 2010
22 Days till Christmas
29 Days til 2011

National Roof Over Your Head Day

The single largest investment that a person has is often their home. People spend thousands on their houses, pouring their paychecks and savings into its purchase and upkeep. National Roof Over Your Head Day is a day of appreciation for the roofs that we have over our heads.

Homelessness and poverty are growing problems in America and around the world. Millions of people spend their nights sleeping on the streets and feel helpless that they have nowhere to turn. There is much to be done to help with these rising issues. Learn more about projects going on in your community to combat homelessness.

So whether you own, lease, or rent your home, appreciate the roof you have over your head today!

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

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On this day in History:

1835 - In Rhode Island, the Manufacturer Mutual Fire Insurance Company issued the first fire insurance policy. 1931 - Alka Seltzer was sold for the first time. 1966 - The first Monkees concert was held, in Honolulu, HI. 1967 - In Cape Town, South Africa, a team of surgeons headed by Dr. Christian Barnard, performed the first human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky. Washkansky only lived 18 days. 1968 - Elvis Presley's NBC-TV special "Elvis" was aired.

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Quote of the Day:
"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he hoped to make it."

--James M. Barrie

Today is Thursday December 2, 2010
23 Days till Christmas
30 Days til 2011

National Fritters Day

Fritters are delicious fried cakes or dough that can be filled with fruit or meat. They can be served as a snack, side dish, dessert, or even the main course!

There's not much difference between a pancake and a fritter as they are both made with the same ingredients in the batter. It is only once fruit or meat is dipped into the raw batter and then fried that it actually becomes a fritter.

The first recorded mention of fritters dates back to 1665 in Samuel Pepys' diary on Shrove Tuesday, the last day before the start of Lent. Pepys mentioned that he would be enjoying some fritters before the 40 days of no meat eating.

To celebrate National Fritter Day, try making your own tasty fritters to enjoy!

Today is also National Mutt Day

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

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On this day in History:

1901 - Gillette patented the KC Gillette Razor. It was first razor to feature a permanent handle and disposable double-edge razor blades. 1954 - The U.S. Senate voted to condemn Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy for what it called "conduct that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute." The censure was related to McCarthy's controversial investigation of suspected communists in the U.S. government, military and civilian society. 1969 - The Boeing 747 jumbo jet got its first public preview as 191 people flew from Seattle, WA, to New York City, NY. Most of the passengers were reporters and photographers. 1983 - MTV aired Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video for the first time. 1998 - Shania Twain's video "That Don't Impress Me Much" debuted on CMT - Country Music Television. 1998 - Microsoft Corp. chairman Bill Gates donated $100 million to help immunize children in developing countries.

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Quote of the Day:
"The secret of happiness? Enjoy small pleasures."

--Samuel Smiles

Today is Wednesday December 1, 2010
24 Days till Christmas
31 Days til 2011

Eat a Red Apple Day

You know the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away?" It's true! Apples have a high nutritional value to keep you healthy. The peel alone contains antioxidants that help reduce damaged cells and fight some diseases. Apples are also fat, sodium, and cholesterol free!

Did you know that there are 7,500 varieties of apples grown throughout the world? They can come in a variety of shapes, flavors, and colors including all shades of red, green, and yellow.

This delicious fruit can be eaten raw, cooked, baked, or juiced. Apples are one of the few fruits that you can find fresh any time of the year. Enjoy Eat a Red Apple Day with a bite of your favorite red apple, a red delicious or macintosh, perhaps?

December is National Fruit Cake Month & National Egg Nog Month

This week is National Cookie Cutter Week

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

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On this day in History:

1835 - Hans Christian Andersen published his first book of fairy tales. 1913 - The first drive-in automobile service station opened, in Pittsburgh, PA. 1942 - In the U.S. nationwide gasoline rationing went into effect. 1969 - The U.S. government held its first draft lottery since World War II. 1982 - Epic Records released the album "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. 1990 - British and French workers digging the Channel Tunnel finally met under the English Channel. 1991 - Ukrainians voted overwhelmingly for independence from the Soviet Union.

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Quote of the Day:
"Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile."

--W. T. Grenfell