Make Up Your Mind Day It's no mistake that today focuses on making up your mind.   To resolve or not for the new year? Or as we celebrated at the beginning of this year, to  commit  or not?  Sometimes when I am having trouble making up my mind I just make a decision and trust it will all turn out okay.  In fact, earlier this year I even wrote about decision-making, click here to read those thoughts.  New Year's Eve Saying goodbye to the old to usher in the new. There needs to be no explanation for this day.  We all know what it is. The most popular song to be played and/or sung on this day is Auld Lang Syne , but why?  Unlucky Day Well if you are unlucky today the consolation is that it's last time you will be for this year. :)  No Interruptions Day I will say this is a great day to get stuff done at the office if you are looking to be productive. But I think I'll stay home and read, that shouldn't be  interrupted  either!  *wink*

National Bicarbonate of Soda Day What is Sodium Bicarbonate? Baking soda, for so much more than baking ! Bacon Bacon Around the World So bacon has been "a thing" for a few years now. I personally think it is overly popular but to each their own.  :) If you are a bacon lover then this website is for you! If you actually need any idea of what to make with bacon here are 50 ideas to get you started. ( source )

Pepper Pot Day Authentic Pepper Pot Soup Recipe Tick Tock  Time's a wastin' on finishing up this year strong. What's your list look like?  I prioritized mine so whatever was leftover wouldn't disappoint my Type A personality. :)

Card Playing Day History of Playing Cards My family is big on playing card games together. My mama is going to be so excited about this day! Our family favorite card games are: Hand and Foot , Shanghai Rummy ,  Oh Heck , Hearts

Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day   The Origin of Paper Snowflakes Here's how to make paper snowflakes Grab some scissors and some paper and make your own !         National Fruitcake Day   January 3 is National Fruitcake Toss Day. Click here to get the history of the fruitcake. Why? Why was it ever created?  It kinda looks like a brick of ick to me. Visit the Zoo   During the holidays a lot of zoos decorate for Christmas. So bundle up and go to your local zoo for the night lights of the season! Our local zoo, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, calls their holiday lights Electric Safari

Boxing Day The History of Boxing Day Just like most other observances or holidays that started off with charity, Boxing Day has morphed from charity to just another day of after Christmas sales and vacation. Sigh. But I really, really like the original intent of Boxing Day so that's what I am going to focus on! Thank You Note Day Thank You Notes: Social Must or Time Suck Bust? Is the Thank-You Card Obsolete? How about you? What are your thoughts on the 'thank you card', still relevant? Candy Cane Day Candy Canes are delicious.  I would chew on them year round. The Invention and History of Candy Canes I'm also a purist when it comes to candy canes. Peppermint is the only acceptable flavor choice in my opinion.  :)

Pumpkin Pie Day The History of Pumpkin Pie I love pumpkin pie, but only one kind . Do you like pumpkin pie? Christmas Day This is another one that I don't feel needs any history given. In part, because I don't have the energy to research all the various "histories and origins" of Christmas and read through all the controversial thoughts, etc. :)  Call me a wimp but the year is winding down and I've done so much research this year! I'll just leave it at this, however you celebrate or don't this day, happy December 25! *wink*

National Egg Nog Day The Origin of Egg Nog Egg Nog Recipe (my note - it says rum is optional, I personally say it is a must !) National Chocolate Day This year we have celebrated A LOT of chocolate, A LOT ! At this point I've given us more info about chocolate than anyone of us probably needed or wanted to know.  So by now you know the drill, indulge in some of your favorite chocolate - again - today! And I hope that you do so by indulging in socially conscious chocolate (just a reminder!).

Festivus Day  Happy Festivus...for the Rest of Us! Roots Day Do you know your genealogy? Explore your roots if you didn't take the opportunity to do it earlier this year.

December Solstice It's the longest day of the year for those who reside in the Southern Hemisphere and the shortest day of the year for those who live in the Northern. Here where I live (Colorado) the sun will rise today about 7:18 am and it will set approximately 4:39 pm. It's fascinating to me that while I observe the shortest day/longest night of my year, my friends in Kenya will be observing the longest day/shortest night of their year! :) Forefathers Day Which group of forefathers is today about? Any of you trace back to the Mayflower? National Date Nut Bread Day Here's a recipe to try

Humbug Day Yes, it's exactly what you think. Bah Humbug! Think outside of the box: it's a candy , it's an album by the Artic Monkeys , it is a video game (a rather old one), and it's a bag . National Flashlight Day The Invention of the Flashlight I like playing flashlight hide and go seek, flashlight tag, or exploring with a flashlight. My favorite memory of flashlights is from 2007. We had these wind up flashlights on a trip to Kenya. The power had gone out at the place we were staying. After a moment or two of silence the sound of wind up flashlights echoed throughout the halls.  We all had picked up and started winding up those flashlights at the same time! Following the sound of the wind up?  Our giggles. Look on the Bright Side Day This holiday is a little tongue in cheek since today also happens to be the shortest daylight day of the year! So while it may get dark way earlier than any of us would like you can still look at the bright side!

Go Caroling Day   My favorite one was always O Christmas Tree . This is super cheesy but when I was a wee one I would sneak out to our Christmas tree late at night, plug it in and sing O Christmas Tree to, yes you've guessed it, the Christmas tree. I don't know why but I loved that song then. :) Now? Well I'm not sure I have a favorite one now. Do you have a favorite? Sangria Day The variations of Sangria I do love Sangria. I make a really good one that I got from the Pioneer Woman. But here's a couple more recipes that have caught my eye, or rather my taste buds: 10 Easy Sangrias , 25 Sangria Recipes Games Day Games! Board games, card games, Wii games, word games, strategic games, interactive games Our family loves to play Rummikub , Sequence , Stadium Checkers , Mexican Train , and Pass the Pigs

Look for an Evergreen Day The Evergreen Tree Oatmeal Muffin Day I love baking, I love oatmeal, I love muffins so today is a win for me! Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffin Recipe

Bake Cookies Day I love baking cookies. Love it. So today I might indulge in a recipe or two or three. How do you feel about baking? International Migrants Day What is a Migrant Worker? " On International Migrants Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to shape diverse and open societies that provide opportunities and lives of dignity for all migrants. " Ban Ki-moon What about migrant worker rights? A Migrant Rights Campaign  in the Middle East Migrants' Rights Network in the U.K. U.S. Laws That Protect Migrant Workers Arabic Language Day The History of the Language A Guide to Arabic - 10 facts, 20 key phrases, the alphabet and videos

National Maple Syrup Day The History of Maple Syrup Homemade Maple Syrup Recipe  Buddy the Elf Breakfast Re-Gifting Day Re-gifting? What's that? Regifting 101 10 Rules of Regifting

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day By now we have talked about chocolate in so many forms! Trader Joe's has some of the best chocolate covered yummies around, in my opinion.  I mean if you aren't around a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory that is.  *wink*  If you can get to a RMCF then I highly suggest you do, it's wonderful!  But if you aren't so fortunate to be able to get to a RMCF then see if you can't get to a TJ's for some of these delicious treats:  Chocolate Coconut Almonds ,  Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joe's (these are RIDICULOUS they are so good),  Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels ,  Milk Chocolate Covered Potato Chips ,  Dark Chocolate Covered Cranberries ,  Milk Chocolate PB Pretzels ,   Dark Chocolate Covered Coconut Mango Bites  and more! Feel like making your own chocolate covered treats?   Try some of these recipes . Wright Brothers Day The Official Website Before the airplane the Wright Brothers

Bill of Rights Day Click on the link and you'll see what our rights, in America, are. These are unique because not many other countries in this world have the freedoms we do.  America has its major problems, to be sure, but we are still one of the few countries in the world that offer the freedoms we do to its citizens. National Lemon Cupcake Day I'm a wee bit obsessed with all things lemon. I love it! And I love that in the middle of December lemon makes an appearance to brighten our taste buds! Here are a couple of recipes to try out. Why not just make both? I don't think you can ever have too much lemon!  :) Click here for one and here for another. If you are an adult you could always drink a lemon cupcake as well! *wink*  Cupcake Lemon Drop Martini Recipe Cat Herders Day Well, it's not literal - this day. I mean, if you want to try and herd cats go for it! Today is actually about trying to manage what seems unmanageable.  What's going on in your

Monkey Day Why not start the day with some Monkey Bread ?   All you ever wanted to know about Monkeys, and maybe more! National Bouillabaisse Day Anyone else find it slightly ironic that it is a "national" day for this yet it is French? What exactly IS bouillabaisse? I've only ever heard of this dish in the same sentence as the name Julia Childs. She made it appealing and perhaps accessible to the average home cook.   Here's the show in which she made it. Julia Child's Bouillabaisse Recipe 

International Children's Day There are many days set aside for children it seems. I say that's okay! Children should be recognized and celebrated, they are after all the upcoming generation of 'movers and shakers.'  According to the link, this particular day is specifically a partnership between UNICEF and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences . Children's Rights Promoting the Human Rights of Children A list of children's rights organizations around the world Ice Cream Day We've talked about ice cream a few times already this year. I say bring it on!  I love ice cream! Our family is a big ice cream family. My Dad has a bowl almost every night. On any given day there is a minimum of 4 different kinds in his freezer.  :)  And when we do road trips it is an "Ashley Family Requirement" that we stop at Dairy Queen...at least once if not more! This time of year my absolute favorite ice cream is Peppermint. I'l

National Poinsettia Day The Poinsettia Pages : History, Legends, Facts, and more about the Poinsettia Why is the Poinsettia linked to Christmas?  Buy one for someone else or yourself today! Gingerbread House Day The History and Lore of the Gingerbread House The baking of gingerbread houses has long been a Christmas tradition, and some are truly architectural wonders.   Here's a more traditional, simple one . And then some people do things like this with them ! (Downton Abbey fans will love this) Largest Gingerbread house in the world sets record These are INCREDIBLE ! I've seen a few Food Network Specials on the Gingerbread House Competition held in North Carolina each year, it's fascinating! Want to make your own?  You can either buy a kit or attempt it from scratch ! National Ding-A-Ling Day What a weird day!  Kinda crazy but isn't that half the fun of these unique and strange holidays we've been celebrating?! Well, here's this son

International Mountain Day Apparently mountains are actually important to our environment, not just pretty to look at or an obstacle to summit! Mountains: globally important ecosystems Quick Facts about Mountains 11 Greatest Mountains of the World This is "my" mountain, I feel really fortunate to live near a beautiful mountain that serves as inspiration for me pretty much every day. I try to take notice of this mountain that sits outside my 'front door' daily. It never fails to make me think of this psalm , "I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?" The answer?  My help comes from the One who made this and all other mountains!  Selah! (pause and think on that) Ugly Christmas Sweater Day The Ugly Christmas Sweater has made a comeback! 15 Ugly Christmas Sweaters You’d Never Wear 27 Cheap and Easy Ugly Christmas Sweater DIYs Throw an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! And if you really want to go all out you can always

Human Rights Day Affirming the dignity and worth of the human person. ALL human persons.  Every day is human rights day. Human Rights Education What is my role and how can I help?

Techno Day Coming out of Detroit, Michigan here's the history of Techno Music When you listen to techno you gotta throw your hands up in the air! (or so I'm told, ha!) The Top 100 Techno Artists Christmas Card Day If you do Christmas cards and haven't sent them out yet then today could be your day to get it done! How did this tradition begin? 7 Tips for Proper Etiquette When Sending Christmas Cards 5 Great Reasons to Send out Christmas Cards The do's and don'ts of sending holiday cards Do you send holiday cards? I used to send ones in December from our family but a few years ago I switched to sending out a 'new year's' one. National Pastry Day What is a pastry? How many kinds of pastries are there anyway?! Bring on the pastries! I love them. My mouth waters just thinking of them. When I go to Epcot I like to eat my way through the countries and in France I insist on getting a pastry.  YUM! If you have time, try making your own past

National Brownie Day The Origin of the Brownie The Classic Brownie Recipe Spicy Caramel Brownie Recipe Samoa Brownie Recipe Irish Coffee Brownie Recipe   Liquid brownies for adults only:  Chocolate Brownie Martini ,  Belgian Brownie Drink Think outside the box: The Folklore Brownie Take it in the Ear Day Click on the link and you'll see that this day is kind of an unknown as to what it means! So I might as well take the opportunity and do some ear education. :) The Ear: Function, etc Ear Disorders The Anatomy of Hearing and Balance What You Need To Know About Ear Wax My hub works for Westone , a company that is dedicated to amplifying hearing and protecting it at the same time. So in our home we have some awesome ear/hearing protection. Protecting your hearing is super important, here are some tips . Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day The concept of time travel Is time travel possible? The 40 Best Time Travel Movies & Series 7 Time Travel Books that A

Pearl Harbor Day The Attack on Pearl Harbor Watch the movie Pearl Harbor (although I don't know how historically accurate it is!) Five myths about Pearl Harbor Letter Writing Day A website dedicated to handwritten letters and all the emotions they instil Not confident of your own handwriting but want to send handwritten letters?   Check out this service! Handwritten Notes Are a Rare Commodity. They’re Also More Important Than Ever. This Gift Lasts Forever and You Can Afford It  Last year I handwrote 40 letters/notes to people in my life. I had to split it up over the course of several days because my hand isn't used to writing that much anymore!  But I believe that my note meant more for precisely that reason - it was handwritten. National Cotton Candy Day How Cotton Candy Works (it's kind of gross!) How a Dentist Popularized Cotton Candy  (yes, a dentist !) 15 Little Known Facts About Cotton Candy Cotton candy has different names in different count

St. Nicholas Day Who is St. Nicholas? Known for living out Isaiah 1:17   the best way to celebrate this day is to donate your time, resources, and/or finances to local community centers that assist the "least of these." And in the spirit of stockings why not donate adult and children socks to shelters in the area as well? Mitten Tree Day Read  The Mitten Tree  and The Mitten This is the perfect day to hold a mitten (and gloves, hats, scarves) drive to donate to your local rescue mission and/or shelters. Give the gift of warmth this year! Put on Your Own Shoes Day Since the reason for this day is a mystery I'm going to make a suggestion. :)   Many people in third world, underdeveloped countries don't have a pair of shoes to call their own. So why not donate to an organization today that provides shoes for the "least of these?" Shoes for Orphan Souls Soles4Souls Goodie Two Shoes Foundation The Shoe Bank Heart and Sole: The MSUCOM Shoe P

Bathtub Party Day Histories of bathtubs and bathing Ways to Celebrate National Bathtub Party Day Repeal Day What is repeal day? So how to celebrate this day? Why drink, of course!  *wink* World Soil Day It seems soil may be more than dirt. Why is soil important? The Dirt on Dirt Restoring Soil Nutrients: Twelve critical soil nutrients your plants need for healthy growth and how to supply them. Sachertorte Day History of the Sachertorte Try making your own with either this recipe  or this recipe Salesperson Day Thank any salesperson you interact with today, especially this time of year! What kind of act of kindness could you pass out to them?  Maybe foot cream since most of them are on their feet so much? Or maybe a gift card for a snack/drink? International Ninja Day Are ninjas real?  10 Amazing Legends Of Ninjas From History The American Ninja Workout - this is as close to ninja as *you* are going to get. Our family loves this show.