Today is Wednesday December 27, 2010
5 Days til 2011

National Fruit Cake Day

Though fruit cakes are certainly a delicious treat to enjoy around the holidays, they are quite possibly the most popular re-gifted item. A whopping 38 percent of people said they give fruit cakes away when they receive them!

Nevertheless, fruit cakes have remained popular for thousands of years. Originating in Ancient Egypt, they were often placed the cakes inside tombs because they believed that they were essential for the journey to the afterlife.

The Crusaders were also known to eat fruit cakes because they were full of nutritious items like dried fruits and nuts and they could also withstand the Crusaders' long journeys.

To celebrate National Fruit Cake Day, don't regift it for a change and instead share a slice with friends!

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:

1831 - Charles Darwin set out on a voyage to the Pacific aboard the HMS Beagle. Darwin's discoveries during the voyage helped him form the basis of his theories on evolution. 1932 - Radio City Music Hall opened its doors to the public for the first time. 1945 - The World Bank was created with an agreement signed by 28 nations. 1947 - The children's television program "Howdy Doody," hosted by Bob Smith, made its debut on NBC. 1971 - Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Woodstock of Charles Schulz’ "Peanuts" comic strip were on the cover of "Newsweek" magazine. 1978 - Spain adopted a new constitution and became a democracy after 40 years of dictatorship. 2000 - Mario Lemeiux (Pittsburgh Penguins) returned to the National Hockey League (NHL) as a player after over 3 years of retirement. He was the first owner-player in the modern era of pro sports. Lemieux had purchased the Pittsburgh Penguins during his retirement from playing. 2001 - U.S. President George W. Bush granted China permanent normal trade status with the United States.

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Quote of the Day:
"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover will be yourself."

--Alan Alda

Today is Wednesday December 22, 2010
3 Days till Christmas
10 Days til 2011

National Date Nut Bread Day

Date nut bread is the perfect bread for the holiday season. It is delicious, healthy, and really easy to make!

Though the first date nut bread recipe traces back to only 1939, dates are one of the world's oldest fruits. Date seeds have been found in ancient digs of sub-tropical areas around the world. It is believed that the ancient Moors brought the date to Spain who later introduced them to America.

Dates are a notoriously known for having a high sugar content, so it is no surprise that most date nut bread recipes have no sugar ingredients to be added. To celebrate National Date Nut Bread Day, try your hand in the kitchen at making some yourself. Don't forget to top it off with cream cheese frosting!

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:

1864 - During the American Civil War, Union General William T. Sherman sent a message to U.S. President Lincoln from Georgia. The message read, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah." 1895 - German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen made the first X-ray. It was of his wife's hand. 1944 - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrived in Washington for a wartime conference with U.S. President Roosevelt.

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Quote of the Day:
"It is not how much you do but how much love you put into what you are doing."

--Mother Teresa

Today is Tuesday December 21, 2010
4 Days till Christmas
11 Days til 2011

Winter Solstice

Can you believe it? It is officially winter. As the earth rotates the sun, winter solstice occurs when the sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance from the northern hemisphere resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year. This event also signifies the reversal of gradually lengthening nights and shortening days.

Though it was recognized on a different date, the winter solstice was first observed in 45 B.C. on the Julian Calendar. Pope Gregory XIII changed the calendar in 1582, bringing the northern winter solstice to the date that we celebrate it today, around December 21st.

The interpretation of the winter solstice differs from culture to culture. Most countries however, recognize it as a symbol of rebirth. Various festivals, gatherings, and rituals take place today worldwide. To celebrate Winter Solstice, attend a local festival or just sit cozy by a fire with your friends and family.

Today is also Kiwi Day & Forefathers 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:

1620 - The "Mayflower," and its passengers, pilgrims from England, landed at Plymouth Rock, MA. 1879 - Ibsen's A Doll's House was first performed in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a revised happy ending. 1913 - The "New York World" Sunday edition included a crossword puzzle as an added feature of the "Fun" supplement. It was the first crossword puzzle to be published. 1937 - Walt Disney debuted the first, full-length, animated feature in Hollywood, CA. The movie was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 1968 - Apollo 8 was launched on a mission to orbit the moon. 1995 - The city of Bethlehem passed from Israeli to Palestinian control.

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Quote of the Day:
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today is Monday December 20, 2010
5 Days till Christmas
12 Days til 2011

National Sangria Day

This refreshingly fruity drink is the perfect cure for your winter blues: the sweet taste of summer. There are thousands of different variations of sangria combining such ingredients as sliced fruit, honey, sugar, juice, carbonated soda, red or white wine, and other alcohols to change the flavor, alcohol content, and carbonation of the sangria. 

Sangria is a popular drink at bars, pubs, and restaurants in Portugal, Spain, and Mexico, and throughout the United States. But at one point it was illegal to serve sangria in the state of Virginia! It violated an obscure 75 year-old law that forbid the mixing of wine or beer with spirits. Violators of this law could be charged with a misdemeanor, a hefty fine, and up to a year in jail. It was not until 2008 that the Virginia General Assembly finally legalized the serving of sangria due to public outcries about the law.

To celebrate National Sangria Day, conjure up your favorite sangria recipe and enjoy with friends and family!

Today is also Go Caroling Day & National Fried Shrimp 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:

1606 - The "Susan Constant," "Godspeed" and "Discovery" set sail from London. Their landing at Jamestown, VA, was the start of the first permanent English settlement in America. 1803 - The United States purchased the Louisiana Territories from France for $15 million. 1880 - New York's Broadway became known as the "Great White Way" when it was lighted by electricity. 1928 - Mail delivery by dog sled began in Lewiston, ME. 1946 - The Frank Capra film "It's A Wonderful" Life had a preview showing for charity at New York City's Globe Theatre, a day before its "official" world premiere. 1963 - The Berlin Wall was opened for the first time. It was only for the holiday season. It closed again on January 6, 1964.

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Quote of the Day:
"There is more to life than increasing its speed."

--Mahatma Gandhi

Today is Friday December 17, 2010
8 Days till Christmas
15 Days til 2011

National Maple Syrup Day

Maple syrup is a distinctly North American product. Canada, the largest supplier of maple syrup, produced 5.1 million gallons of it in 2007!

Native Americans were the first to harvest and boil the sap of the maple tree into a thick syrup during the 1600s. Tapping a maple tree does no permanent damage to the tree and only 10 percent of the sap that is produced in a year is actually collected. Many maple trees have been tapped for 150 years or more!

Did you know that it takes 30-50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup? Maple syrup can also be further boiled down to produce maple cream, maple sugar, and maple sugar candy.

Whether you like your maple syrup topped on pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream, enjoy some today in honor of National Maple Syrup 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:

1843 - "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens was published. 1903 - The first successful powered-airplane flight took place near Kitty Hawk, NC. Orville and Wilbur Wright made the flight. 1959 - The film On the Beach premiered in New York City and in 17 other cities. It was the first motion picture to debut simultaneously in major cities around the world. 1969 - Television history was made when Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki Budinger were married on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. 1986 - Davina Thompson became the world's first recipient of a heart, lungs and liver transplant. 1992 - U.S. President Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari signed the North American Free Trade Agreement.

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Quote of the Day:
"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved."

--George Sand

Today is Wednesday December 15, 2010
9 Days till Christmas
16 Days til 2011

Chocolate Covered Anything Day

Chocoloholics, rejoice! Chocolate Covered Anything Day is the official day to top everything that you eat with chocolate. Chocolate covered waffles, pretzels, raisins, nuts, ice cream, strawberries, you name it!

There are many different types of chocolate that you can use to top your food: sweetened, unsweetened, bittersweet, semisweet, milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, cocoa, and many more. 

Fun fact: Cacao beans, the main ingredient in chocolate, were so valuable in the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations in Mexico that they were used as a means of currancy to pay for commodities and taxes.

So go ahead, cover all of your favorite foods today with chocolate. And in spirit of the holiday season, share some of your chocolate covered treats with your friends and family. Enjoy!

Today is also Boston Tea Party

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:

1901 - The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter, was printed for the first time. 1903 - Women ushers were employed for the first time at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. 1944 - During World War II, the Battle of the Bulge began. It was the final major German counteroffensive in the war. 1972 - The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to go unbeaten and untied in a 14-game regular season. 1990 - Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a leftist priest, was elected president in Haiti's first democratic elections. 1999 - Sigourney Weaver received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Quote of the Day:
"Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked."

--Viktor E. Frankl

Today is Wednesday December 15, 2010
10 Days till Christmas
17 Days til 2011

National Cupcake Day

Cupcakes have been an edible American icon since the 19th century. Prior to cupcakes, ingredients used in baking were primarily weighed rather than measured. These delightful little treats shifted the art of baking from weighing to measuring ingredients.

For a while cupcakes were known as one-two-three-four cakes because of their recipe: one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, four eggs, plus one cup of milk and one spoon full of baking soda. This formula is still the traditional cupcake recipe that many people use today.

Fun fact: the world's largest cupcake was on display in July 2009 at the Covent Garden Real Food Market in London. This cupcake was about 4 feet in diameter and weighed over 330 pounds! It also contained 200 eggs and took over 50 hours to make. Yikes!

Celebrate National Cupcake Day with your favorite cupcake recipe or head to a local cupcake shop to find one that fits your fancy!

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:

1815 - Jane Austen's "Emma" was published. 1938 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt presided over the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. 1939 - "Gone With the Wind", produced by David O. Selznick and based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, premiered at Loew's Grand Theater in Atlanta. The movie starred Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. 1966 - Walter Elias "Walt" Disney died in Los Angeles at the age of 65.

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Quote of the Day:
"Happiness is like coke -- something you get as a by-product in the process of making something else."

--Aldous Huxley