20 February

 NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY 

On February 20th, pet lovers everywhere observe National Love Your Pet Day. This holiday focuses on giving extra attention to our pets. The day encourages pampering our pets and focusing on the special relationship pets hold in our lives.

National Love Your Pet Day

Did you know that most households in the United States have at least one pet? While there are more cats than dogs in the United States, more households have dogs than cats, but not by much. Pets are not limited to the canine and feline categories.  There are quite a few who prefer the companionship of birds, reptiles, fish, or rats. Whoever your pet companion is, we are sure you will enjoy spending a little extra time with them on National Love Your Pet Day and reap the benefits, as well such as stress relief and lower blood pressure. So on February 20th (and every day) show your appreciation to your pets!

How to 0bserve National Love Your Pet Day

• Bring your pet a special treat.
• Take your pet for an extra-long walk.
• Give them your undivided attention.
• Family and friends will appreciate your sharing a gift card they can use at their favorite pet store! 
• Check that their vaccines are up to date.
• Watch a pet video with them full of cats, dogs, and other critters. 
• Give them a few extra strokes with the brush while grooming. 
• Practice their favorite commands - sit, shake, rollover. 
• Play their favorite game or bring out their best toy.
• Inspect their toys to make sure they're in good shape. Throw out any broken toys. 
• Wash their bedding, even if it's not their laundry day. Let them fluff it up just the way they like it.
• Whatever you decide to do, spoil and appreciate your pets! 
  

National Love Your Pet Day History

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this pet-friendly day. While we do, we don't mind if we snuggle an extra minute with our furry friends, too!

 Love Your Pets FAQ

Q. I don't have a pet. Can I celebrate the day?
A. Yes. You might not have pets, but you might be a pet lover. Visit a shelter or ask a friend if you can spend time with their pets. 

Q. My pets are stuffed animals like Teddy bears and dolphins. Is it ok if I love those pets today?
A. Yes. Show them some love. Re-organize them. Get them a new wardrobe. Have a tea party. 

Q. Do all pets like to snuggle?
A. It depends on the pet. Even as snuggly as a cat may seem, many of them do not like to snuggle. And while that boa constrictor seems awfully friendly, we wouldn't mistake his attitude as snuggle-friendly. 

Also

Cherry Pie Day

Comfy Day

Leadership Day

Muffin Day

Today's Though

Don't wait for the right opportunity; create it. ~ George Bernard Shaw

 

 

28 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

19 February

 National Chocolate Mint Day 

Recognized by the US National Confectioners Association, National Chocolate Mint Day is observed annually across the nation on February 19th. This holiday has been set aside for all the chocolate mint lovers to eat their favorite treats all day long.

National Chocolate Mint Day

The Aztecs and Mayans are given much credit for their ways with chocolate. And while chocolate was brought back to Europeans, they were not fond of the dark, bitter bean, so they used more for medicinal purposes.

As it was mostly consumed as a hot beverage, Europeans mixed mint, cinnamon and other spices to make it more palatable. Over time, they added sugar, and the combination of chocolate and mint became fashionable.

Fast forward to the mid-1800s when inventions and improvements in processes made it possible for confectioners to begin mass-producing chocolates. Even then, small candy shops served a local public. Advertisements for mint chocolates, or chocolate mints, did not start showing up in newspapers until the turn of the century.

The International Dairy Foods Association states that mint chocolate chip is the 10th most popular flavor of ice cream.

One of the earliest mass-producers of chocolate mints was Huyler's in New York. Their chain of stores spread across the country. 

Today we find mint chocolate in everything from ice cream to brownies, cookies and candies, liquors and sauces. Girl Scouts first sold Thin Mint cookies in 1953 and are still their most popular cookie. Mint chocolate is also the name of an herb with edible leaves that tastes like chocolate and mint.

How to Observe National Chocolate Mint Day

• Eat some chocolate mint.
• Make something using chocolate and mint.
• If you need a recipe, try this one:

Mint Frosting for Chocolate Cake

1 package cream cheese (8 0z), softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract
Green food coloring

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in mint extract, 2 to 3 drops of green food coloring and 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed.  Beat on medium speed until fluffy. Store frosted cake in refrigerator.

National Chocolate Mint Day History

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this minty celebration. While we do, we'll be sure to leave a chocolate mint on our pillow in the morning to inspire our search. 

Chocolate Mint FAQ

Q. What kind of mint is used in chocolate?
A. Spearmint is the most commonly used mint in chocolate recipes. However, peppermint is also used.

Q. What are other uses for mint?
A. Like chocolate, mint can also be made into a beverage. In this case, mint is steeped into a tea. It is known for its calming effect on upset stomachs. Mint can also be added to lotions or topical creams providing a cooling effect on the skin. It can be added to savory sauces.

Q. What other plants are in the mint family?
A. Mint is a part of the Lamiaceae family. Some plants included in the family are:

• rosemary
• lavender
• hyssop
• basil
• thyme
• catnip

Also

Arabian Horse Day

Lash Day

Vet Girls Rise Day

 Today's Thought

It's not about HAVING time.  It's about MAKING time. 

 

 

29 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

18 February

NATIONAL DRINK WINE DAY 

While February 18th is observed annually as National Drink Wine Day, it would be a shame to celebrate only one day a year. Perhaps this day is just a reminder to drink wine.

National Drink Wine Day

Wine does have its benefits after all. Moderate drinkers of wine have lower risks of liver disease, type II diabetes, certain kinds of cancers, heart attack, and stroke.  It also can reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase the good (HDL).

Drinking wine includes other benefits as well. When paired with the right meal, it enhances the flavors of spices, fruits, and sauces. A glass of wine helps relax us. Learning about wine keeps our minds sharp, too. Since the fruits, regions, and the making of wine have such a complex story, those who delve into find themselves traveling to learn more.

How to Observe National Drink Wine Day

• Since February 18th is also National Crab-Stuffed Flounder Day, so we suggest a fresh, fruity white wine pairing the celebrations together.
• Attend or host a wine tasting.
• Try a new wine.
• Give a bottle of wine to a friend.
• Visit a vineyard.
• Raise a toast to your favorite wine and let us know which one it is. 

 

National Drink Wine Day History

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this celebratory day. However, we've sipped a few wines and suspect either a winemaker or connoisseur created this day. 

Drink Wine FAQ

Should I drink red or white wine for National Drink Wine Day? Drink whichever wine you prefer. You can even drink both!

Also

Battery Day

Crab Stuffed Flounder Day

 

Today's Thought

You don't make progress by standing on the the sidelines, whimpering and complaining.  You make progress by implementing ideas.  ~ Shirley Chisholm

 

 

30 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

 

17 February

NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY  (I like cabbage any way it's prepared.) 

National Cabbage Day on February 17th recognizes a delightful garden staple that provides some of the best recipes for the Celtic holidays coming up next month. It's an excellent day to test your corned beef and cabbage skills alongside other delicious seasonal dishes. 

National Cabbage Day

From the French caboche, meaning head, cabbage comes in a variety of forms. The cabbage family is quite varied  and includes Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, kohlrabi and kale. Cabbage is an ancient food with origins in Asia Minor (Turkey today) and the eastern Mediterranean.

French explorer Jacques Cartier was the first to bring cabbage to the Americas.

When selecting a cabbage, the head should be firm and dense. The fibrous leaves of a healthy cabbage should be shiny and crisp with no browning or bruising.

Cabbage is versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed or sautéd.  A popular ingredient in Asian, German, Irish and Latin recipes, it's a culturally diverse food. Having low calories (6 per leaf) makes cabbage a popular diet food as well.  It has no fat or cholesterol, is low in sodium and carbs, and is a good source of Vitamin C.

How to Observe National Cabbage Day

• Bring out your favorite cabbage recipes.
• Wrap up pigs in a blanket or eat cabbage fresh.
• Make some delicious soup or vegetable wraps.
• In some areas of the country, you may be able to start planning your garden. Will you be planting cabbage this year? It's time to decide on the variety you want to plant. Imagine all the goodness you can then make in your kitchen!
• No matter how you celebrate, be sure to invite someone to join you. Share your delicious creations with friends and family. If you don't have a recipe to share, we've found several tasty ones to try.

National Cabbage Day History

National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this vegetable holiday. We have yet to find the creator of the day under any cabbage leaf, newspaper article or proclamation. 

Cabbage FAQ

Q. Can cabbage be eaten raw?
A. Yes. Cabbage can be eaten raw. The leaves are much denser than lettuce giving it a nice crunch. It has a peppery flavor that is also satisfying.

Q. Do lettuce and cabbage go well together in a salad?
A. Yes. You can combine a variety of lettuces with cabbage to make a salad.

Q. Can I freeze cabbage?
A. Yes. The best process is to blanch the leaves first. Once cooled, seal in an air-tight container. Frozen cabbage is best in cooked meals such as soups and casseroles.

Q. How many calories are in cabbage?
A. One cabbage leaf contains about 6 calories.

If you love cabbage, you'll love celebrating National Corned Beef & Cabbage Day in March.

 Also

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Presidents' Day

 

Today's Thought

Find people who will make you better. ~ Michelle Obama

 

 

31 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

 

 

 

16 February

(The weather is enough to make the happiest person a grouchy and crabby!)

NATIONAL DO A GROUCH A FAVOR DAY 

National Do A Grouch A Favor Day is a call to kindness on February 16th. Everyone knows a grouch, and some of us may even be guilty of being one. On February 16th, maybe you can be the one to find the sweeter side of a grouch.

Do A Grouch A Favor Day

For some, it's in their nature to be grouches all of the time; while others may just be having a rough day or two. On National Do a Grouch a Favor Day, we have an opportunity to turn the grouches frown upside down!

A grouch can be called by a number of names, some of which won't be described here. However, a few that might come in handy are curmudgeon, crank, grump, sourpuss, bellyacher, grouse, crosspatch, malcontent, crab, and grumbler. If you manage to turn their mood around they might become known as the neighborhood idealist. 

The grouch that you know might be a friend, relative, co-worker, boss, neighbor or someone who lives in your house. The favor you do on National Do a Grouch a Favor Day can be simple or elaborate.  Either way, doing them a favor is going to feel right for you!!

A grouch is a habitually irritable or complaining person, a grumbler. ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Maybe February 16th would be a fun day to watch the movies Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men.

Let’s make it a better day for your favorite grouch!

How to Observe Do A Grouch A Favor Day

• Find out their favorite baked good and surprise your favorite grouch with it.
• Listen to their grumblings and grumble along with them, just for the day. You might find out some of the reasons why they're such a grump.
• Just visit with them.
• Offer to help with a difficult project. 

Do A Grouch A Favor Day History

National Day Calendar, while using the sweetest of honey, has yet to find the origins of this fun holiday. No grouches have been harmed in our search and few may have been cheered in the process.

Grouch FAQ

Q. I'm not a grouch. Can I celebrate this day?
A. Yes! Please do. Give a shout-out to your favorite grouch or try one of the suggestions above.

Q. Are grouches always grouchy?
A. No. Even the grouchiest grouch has their non-grouchy moments. Pay attention. You might discover what brings a smile to their faces.

Q. Is there a positive word for "grouch"?
A. Not really. Grouch embodies a negative connotation. However, if you pair grouch-like words with a positive word, it can soften the descriptions of the grouch in question. For example:

• Sweetest sourpuss
• Friendly fusser
• Capable curmudgeon
• Gentle grouser
• Quaint quibbler
• Pleasant party pooper

Also

Almond Day

No One Eats Alone Day

 

Today's Thought 

What am I grateful for in my life?

 

 

32 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

 

 

 

15 February

NATIONAL GUMDROP DAY 

Observed on February 15th, National Gumdrop Day recognizes a favorite candy of many; the gumdrop! There's no question as to what to do.  Eat gumdrops and eat as many as you want!

National Gumdrop Day

Gumdrops are a tasty, colorful, chewy candy that is made with gelatin and then coated with sugar.  They come in a variety of flavors and can either be fruity or spicy.  These little candy treats make terrific embellishments for decorating gingerbread houses and other baked goods.

The classic board game, Candy Land, features both a Gumdrop Pass and a Gumdrop Mountain. 

Besides enjoying them by the handful, there are many other ways to use gumdrops:

• In cookies
• Decorate cakes or cupcakes
• In popcorn cake
• For crafts
• For gifts

You can also make gumdrops yourself.  According to many recipes, you would need vegetable oil, sugar, corn syrup, fruit juice, powdered fruit pectin, baking soda, and food coloring.

Credit for the modern gumdrop goes to chemist and candy manufacturer Percy S. Truesdell. According to articles written after his death in 1948, Truesdell took the once hard, poorly flavored glob of sugar and turned it into the smooth, chewy delight we enjoy today. While at the University of Ohio, the chemist altered the consistency of the candy by experimenting with the amount of starch used. He later worked for the Snyder-Chafee Company until 1915.  In 1916, Truesdell founded and incorporated the P.S. Truesdell Candy Manufacturing Company.  At his death, he became known as the Gumdrop King.  

How to Observe National Gumdrop Day

• Enjoy some gumdrops.
• Play a game of Candy Land
• Listen to The Crew Cuts sing their son "Gum Drop".
• Make some homemade gumdrops. 

National Gumdrop Day History

While National Day Calendar has not uncovered the origin of National Gum Drop Day, it has been observed since at least 2004. 

Gumdrop FAQ

Q. How many calories are in a gumdrop?
A. One gumdrop contains 17 calories.

Q. What flavors are in spicy gumdrops?
A. Spice gumdrops typically come in flavors such as cloves, licorice, cinnamon, mint, and sassafras.

Q. Can you cook with gumdrops?
A. Yes. Gumdrops can be added to a variety of baked goods including cookies, breads, and cakes.

 

Also

Singles Awareness Day

Wisconsin Day

Red Sock Day

 

Today's Thought

Winners never quit and quitters never win. ~ Vince Lombardi

 

 

33 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 

 

 

 

14 February

VALENTINE'S DAY  

Valentine’s Day began as St. Valentine’s Day, a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. February 14th first became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages as the tradition of courtly love was then flourishing. During 18th century England, this day evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending Valentine cards. 

Ancient History

Mixed opinions prevail regarding who or what was celebrated in mid-February. Some point to martyred saints by the name of Valentine or Valentinus. The most popular story tells of the saint who defied a decree by Emperor Claudius II who outlawed marriage for young men because he believed single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine, preferring young lovers to be wed than have them sneaking around (or believing in the power of love), would marry them in secret. However, it may have been another Valentine who performed the marriages. Either way, at least two of them were beheaded for their actions.

Another possible origin for Valentine's Day takes us back to a pagan festival called Lupercalia. As a way to discourage participation in the fertility festival, the Christian church placed St. Valentine's Day in the middle of February.

Modern Celebrations

Since the Renaissance, we've been exchanging Valentine's cards. These handmade missives of romance grew into a more commercial venture by the Victorian era. Today, school children exchange Valentine's greetings, too. They prepare for the day by making unique boxes to receive their many hearts, cupids, and pun-filled rhymes. 

Chocolates and candy have also become a part of the celebration. While couples tend to be the focus of the day, singles celebrate being single, too. Friends take each other out or reject the overall notion of Valentine's Day. Dinner and a movie, candlelight, and flowers also fit the bill for couples. It's one of the busiest days of the year for florists. 

How to Observe Valentine's Day

• You can surprise your special someone with flowers, chocolate or a card.
  
• Bring a smile to their face with an original poem or homemade meal.

Valentine's Day History

Credit is traditionally given to Pope Gelasius for declaring February 14th as Saint Valentine's Day around the year 496 to separate the church from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, an ancient pagan fertility festival that occurred on February 15th.  

Valentine's FAQ

Q. Do you have to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine's Day?
A. No. Anyone can celebrate Valentine's Day. Shower yourself with love and attention by pampering yourself if you are single. You can also spend the day with friends and celebrate your friendship.

Q. Is Valentine's Day banned in some countries?
A. Yes. In some countries, Valentine's Day is deemed to be pagan or not a part of the country's cultural identity.

Q. Do I need to spend a lot of money on Valentine's Day?
A. No. For many, it's the thought that goes into the celebration that says, "I love you." Some inexpensive, but thoughtful gifts, include:

• Poem or hand-made card
• Scavenger hunt
• Breakfast in bed
• A picnic
• Movie night
• Scenic drive
• Dancing in the living room

Also

Cream-Filled Chocolates Day

Ferris Wheel Day

Organ Donor Day

 

Today's Thought

Love is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction. ~  Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 

 

34 Days Until Spring

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain