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Posts tagged ‘Seasonal’

Understanding Groundhog Day: History and Traditions

Groundhog Day comes from a tradition brought to America by people from Germany and Great Britain. They believed it was a time to predict the weather for the next six weeks. According to legend, the groundhog, or woodchuck, wakes from its long winter sleep on February 2 and pokes its head out of its burrow. If the sun is shining and it sees its shadow, it gets scared and retreats underground, meaning six more weeks of winter. But if it’s cloudy and there’s no shadow, it stays outside, signaling that spring is on its way. Science, however, hasn’t confirmed this belief.

In the United States as Ground-hog Day is more whimsical. On this day, everyone listens for reports of Punxsutawney Phil, the nation’s “official” groundhog.

Source: World Book Encyclopedia 1990

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February, Seasonal, winter

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Events in February: Fun Days and Historical Remembrances

This page gives a list of some Holidays and other events that occur in February. Some of the events are fun days. Others are for remembering only. Information is attached to many of the events. Have fun reading, learning, and/ or celebrating.

February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, which is used almost everywhere today, and it’s also the shortest. Legend says the first Roman calendar had only 10 months, until ruler Numa Pompilius added January and February around 700 B.C., making February the last month of their year. Its name comes from the Latin word *februare*, meaning “to purify,” as Romans would cleanse themselves in preparation for festivals marking the new year. Eventually, the start of the year was moved from March to January, placing February second.

In Numa’s calendar, a regular year had 355 days, with February lasting 28 days. Every other year, an extra month was inserted between February 23 and 24 to keep the months in sync with the solar year. Then, in 46 B.C., Rome switched to a 365-day calendar, giving February 28 days in normal years and 29 days every fourth year. Today, we call that longer year a leap year.

National Freedom Day: is an observance in the United States that honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment of the nation’s constitution on February 1, 1865.
Candlemas: is a Christian holiday celebrated annually on February 2. It celebrates three occasions according to Christian belief: the presentation of the child Jesus; Jesus’ first entry into the temple; and it celebrates the Virgin Mary’s purification (mainly in Catholic churches).
World Cancer Day: is a global observance that helps raise people’s awareness of cancer and how to prevent, detect, or treat it. This event is held on February 4 each year.
World Radio Day: February 13 is World Radio Day, which celebrates the radio as a way of educating people, providing information, and promoting freedom of expression across cultures.
Presidents’ Day: The federal holiday on the third Monday of February is called Washington’s Birthday, while several US states celebrate it as “Presidents’ Day”. The holiday creates a long weekend.
Ash Wednesday: Many Christian Americans mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent.
Feb. 1st is the First Day of Black History Month: Black History Month is an annual celebration in February that honors the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history.
World Wetlands Day: is annually held on February 2 to celebrate how wetlands, which are lands saturated by water, help maintain biodiversity on Earth.
Rosa Parks Day: Rosa Parks Day is an American observance to honor civil rights activist Rosa Parks, who was known for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. California, Missouri, and New York observance it on February 4th.
Valentine’s Day: is observed on February 14 as a time to acknowledge love and affection in many forms. The observance is widely celebrated with cards, gifts, and other thoughtful gestures.
Mardi Gras: Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras is the last day before the fasting period of Lent (for Western Christians), 47 days before Easter Sunday. Shrove Tuesday is also called Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Pancake Day.
World Day of Social Justice: The United Nations’ (UN) World Day of Social Justice is annually observed on February 20 to encourage people to look at how social justice affects poverty eradication. It also focuses on the goal of achieving full employment and support for social integration.
Groundhog Day: falls on February 2 in the United States. It is a part of popular culture among many Americans, and it centers on the idea of the groundhog coming out of its home to “predict” the weather.
Tu Bishvat: marks the “birthday of the fruit trees” under Jewish law and is often celebrated by a symbolic meal and tree planting activities. This Jewish holiday occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations (UN) campaign held on February 6 to stop genital mutilation to girls and women.
Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday: Celebrated on February 15, Susan B Anthony Day marks the birthday of one of the United States’ most prominent female civil rights leaders.
Lunar New Year: Many people in countries such as the United States celebrate Lunar New Year. It marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar. Why Is the Date Always Changing?  Read a news article on this very topic.
International Mother Language Day: The United Nations’ (UN) International Mother Language Day annually celebrates language diversity and variety worldwide on February 21. It also remembers events such as the killing of four students on February 21, 1952, because they campaigned to officially use their mother language, Bengali, in Bangladesh.

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Seasonal, winter, February

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Events in January: Fun Days and Historical Remembrances

This page gives a list of some Holidays and other events that occur in January. Some of the events are fun days. Others are for remembering only. Information is attached to many of the events. Have fun reading, learning, and/ or celebrating.

New Year’s Day: celebrated on January 1, marks the beginning of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It follows the festivities of New Year’s Eve and offers a moment for reflection and new beginnings.

World Braille Day: World Braille Day is annually celebrated on January 4, the birthday of Braille inventor, Louis Braille. The day recognizes the contributions of Louis Braille in helping blind and visually impaired people to read and write.

Epiphany: commonly known as Three Kings’ Day in the United States, is on January 6. It celebrates the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus and also remembers his baptism, according to the Christian Bible’s events.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: The Baptism of Jesus is celebrated annually on the Sunday after January 6 (the Feast of the Epiphany). This celebration is recognized in various Christian denominations, including the Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches.

Battle of New Orleans: January 8th is celebrated as Battle of New Orleans day in the state of Louisiana.

Benjamin Franklin Day: January 17 is celebrated worldwide as Benjamin Franklin Day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader.

Robert E. Lee’s Birthday: also known as Robert E. Lee Day, is a state holiday in some parts of the United States. In some states it is an annual shared state holiday with Martin Luther King’s birthday on the third Monday of January.

Civil Rights Day: is a state holiday in Arizona and New Hampshire, in the United States, on the third Monday of January. It honors civil rights activists and is combined with Martin Luther King Day.

World Leprosy Day: World Leprosy Day is annually observed around the world on the last Sunday of January. The day was initiated in 1954 by French philanthropist and writer Raoul Follereau, as a way to raise global awareness of this deadly ancient disease and call attention to the fact that it can be prevented, treated, and cured.

World Holocaust Victims Remembrance Day: On January 27 each year, the United Nations (UN) remembers the Holocaust that affected many people of Jewish origin during World War II. This day is called the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. It also commemorates when the Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland on January 27, 1945.

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Seasonal, winter

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Different Types of Breads

Sweet breads

Easy Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread
How to Make Conchas: Easy Mexican Sweet Bread
Delicious Banana Nut Bread Recipe
Delicious Homemade Donuts Recipe
Easy Homemade Donuts
Monkey Bread
Homemade Banana Muffins: Delicious & Simple Recipe

Rolls

Easy Dinner rolls for the Holidays
Easy Quick Yeast Rolls Recipe

Breads

Easy Home Style Corn Bread Recipe
Easy Basic Biscuit Recipe for All Occasions
Easy Baked Hush Puppies Recipe
Easy Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe
Hush Puppies
Easy Irish Soda Bread Raisin Bread Recipe for Beginners

Category:

baking, bread, Holiday Recipes, Recipes, Seasonal

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Various Ways of Cooking Turkey

Turkey thanksgiving dinner

For the leftover Turkey from Thanksgiving,

Turkeys Sandwich

Turkey Burritos

Pasta Dishes

Category:

Lunch/ Dinner, Recipes, Seasonal, turkey Recipes

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Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Pie Recipe

Ingredients
CRUST

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cake flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup ice water
  • 1 cup butter-flavored Crisco, frozen and cut into small pieces
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

    FILLING
  • 1 cup baked sweet potato (peeled), packed
  • 3 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled

Direction

  1. For the crust:
    • In food processor, combine the flours and salt.
    • Add the shortening pieces and pulse until dough resembles coarse crumbs.
    • Set aside. In a small bowl, beat together the egg, vinegar, and water.
    • Add egg mixture to the flour mixture and combine with a fork, just until the dough comes together
    • Do not over mix. Form dough into 2 discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least one hour overnight.
    • Roll out one piece of pie crust into a 12-inch circle.
    • Fit into a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan and flute edges.
    • Reserve 2nd piece of dough for another time by freezing it.
  2. For the filling:
    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Mash sweet potatoes.
    • Add all the other ingredients to sweet potatoes and mix with mixer until smooth.
    • Pour into pie shell.
    • Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until set.
    • Remove from oven.
    • Cool completely.
    • Garnish with whipped cream.

Category:

baking, Holiday Recipes, Pies, Recipes, Seasonal

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Delicious Holiday Lollipops Recipe

Makes 6 lollipops.

Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups white chocolate melts, from 2 (12 oz.) pkgs.
  • 6 tsp. oil
  • 1/4 cup red candy melts
  • 1/4 cup green candy melts

Other things needed.

  • Round Cookie Treat Pan (Cookie pans with 6 (3 1/2″-diameter, 1/4″-deep) round molds)
  • Coarse red and or green decorating sugars
  • 6 (6″ long) lollipop sticks

Directions

MELT CANDY:

  1. In microwave-safe bowl, microwave 3 cups white chocolate melts with oil on Medium 1 minute; stir.
  2. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted and smooth. In separate bowls, microwave red, green candy melts and remaining white chocolate melts on Medium in 30-second intervals until melted and smooth; transfer to separate plastic food storage bags. Snip 1 corner of each bag.

MAKE LOLLIPOPS:

  1. Sprinkle decorating sugar around inside edge of some molds.
  2. Pipe dots of assorted candy colors into molds to cover. Swirl with toothpick. Carefully cover halfway with candy-oil mixture.
  3. Place sticks in molds; cover with additional candy-oil mixture. In other molds, cover bottoms completely with decorating sugars.
  4. Carefully cover halfway with melted white mixture. Place sticks in molds; cover with candy-oil mixture.
  5. Let stand until set, about 2 hours. Remove from molds.
  6. Enjoy and happy holidays.

Category:

Candies, Party Food, Recipes, Seasonal

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Holiday Red Raspberry Chocolate Bars

Recipe by Karen Brickhouse

Makes 36 bars

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter or margarine
  • 1 jar (12 oz.) seedless red raspberry jam
  • 1 2/3 cups Hershey’s milk chocolate chips, Hershey’s raspberry chips, or Hershey’s mini kisses, brand milk chocolates

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13*9* 2-inch baking pan.
  2. Stir together flour, sugar, pecans, and egg in  a  large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; set aside 11/2 cups crumb mixture.
  3. Press remaining crumb mixture o the  bottom of the prepared pan. Stir jam to soften; carefully spread over the crumb mixture.
  4. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Crumble remaining crumb mixture evenly over top.
  5. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on wire rack; cut into bars.


Category:

baking, Cakes /Bar, other, Party Food, Recipes, Seasonal

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Easy Dinner rolls for the Holidays

Prep: 30 min. and rising time / Bake:15 min. /Makes: 1 dozen

Ingredient

  • 3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp. Sugar
  • 1 pkg. (1/4 oz.) active dry yest
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1cup water
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Melted butter

Steps

  1. In a bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. In a saucepan, heat water and butter to 1200- 130°.
  2. Add to dry ingredients; beat until blended. Add egg; beat on low speed 30 seconds, then on high for 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining flour (batter will be stiff). Do not knead. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  3. Stir the dough down. Fill 12 greased muffin cups half full. Cover and let the dough rise until doubled, about 15 minutes.
  4. Bake at 350° until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Cool 1 minute before removing from pan to a wire rack. Brush tops with melted butter.

Category:

baking, bread, Lunch/ Dinner, Recipes, Seasonal

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Easy Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe


Prep: 25 min. Cook: 3 hours Makes: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless skinless turkey breast halves (2 to 3 lbs. each)
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • 3 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 envelope onion soup mix
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup water

Directions

  1. Place turkey in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  2. Add thyme and dot with butter. Combine cranberry sauce, cider, chicken stock, onion soup mix, maple syrup and Worcestershire; pour over turkey.
  3. Cook, covered, on low 3-4 hours or until a thermometer inserted in turkey reads at least 165°. Remove turkey and keep warm.
  4. Transfer cooking juices to a large saucepan; discard thyme sprigs. Combine the flour and water until smooth. Bring cooking juices to a boil; gradually stir in the flour mixture until smooth.
  5. Cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Slice the turkey; serve with gravy.

Category:

Lunch/ Dinner, Recipes, Seasonal, turkey Recipes

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