Bake Cookies Day! ~~ Dec 18

Hey people! Once more I’m coming to you from frosty, snowy Canada to bring you another day of celebrations!

Yes, I’m having snow again. At least it’s not so bone chilling cold, so I’m grateful for that. Now if we could get rid of the wind for a while, I’d be happy, happy, happy.

Only a week left before the big day! Is everyone ready? No? That’s ok, you still have this weekend to finish that shopping. Um, guys, yeah you men, I’m talking to you! hahaha! Oh oh, sorry guys, that would be me too almost every year. Sorry! This year is different though, my husband and I have agreed not to give gifts this year. We be poor folks! Well, that and we get enough during the year, so we thought we would put that money we would normally spend on each other in the house. So we bought a door to put in between the mud room and the kitchen/living room. Makes a big difference in how warm the main house stays!

So let’s get to the celebrations!

 

Bake Cookies Day ~~ (for my British friends, biscuits are cookies) Now what better time to bake those Christmas cookies than today? A week before Christmas and maybe you might have some left for the big day. So go whip up some cookies (my favorite is Snickerdoodles, hint hint). Make the whole house smell good and treat yourself and your family. Not a baker? No problem! They have all sorts of pre-made dough in the grocery stores. Easy, peasy! Get the kids to help decorate them, make it a fun family affair!

(Via Wikipedia) Cookies appear to have their origins in 7th century AD Persia, shortly after the use of sugar became relatively common in the region. They spread to Europe through the Muslim conquest of Spain. By the 14th century, they were common in all levels of society throughout Europe, from royal cuisine to street vendors. With global travel becoming widespread at that time, cookies made a natural travel companion, a modernized equivalent of the travel cakes used throughout history. One of the most popular early cookies, which traveled especially well and became known on every continent by similar names, was the jumble, a relatively hard cookie made largely from nuts, sweetener, and water. Cookies came to America in the early English settlement (the 17th century), although the name “koekje” arrived with the Dutch. This became Anglicized to “cookie” or cooky. Among the popular early American cookies were the macaroon, gingerbread cookies, and of course jumbles of various types. The most common modern cookie, given its style by the creaming of butter and sugar, was not common until the 18th century.

International Migrants Day ~~ (from the UN website) On 4 December 2000, the UN General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December as International Migrants Day. On 18 December 1990, the General Assembly had adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Many organizations and communities celebrate the day through various activities to alert the general public on the facts about migrants, problems with human trafficking, the lives of migrant workers’ children, the plight of refugees and ways in combating racism. Websites, such as www.britkid.org, give people the opportunity to have a virtual experience of what it is like to come from a migrant background. Lobby groups may also use this day as an opportunity to pressure local public officials to look at issues concerning legalization, immigrant enforcement and migrants’ human rights. Special films and documentaries about migrants are also screened or broadcast on this day.

National Roast Suckling Pig Day ~~ Thought to be a delicacy, roast suckling pig dates back to ancient Rome and China.  Young pig meat is said to be extremely tender and sweet compared to older pigs. It’s typically roasted, whole, with the head on.  It is difficult to imagine that anyone would actually have the time to roast a pig. It typically takes two days to fully prepare the pig and then roast it. Nevertheless, roast suckling pigs are an iconic holiday dish, often depicted as the centerpiece of a massive feast. Personally I have never had suckling pig. Suckling pigs are young piglets that are not weaned from their mother yet.   Today, pig roasts are a popular tradition in cultures all around the world.

Have you ever had roast suckling pig? Ever made it? Let me know!

International Answer the Phone like Buddy the Elf Day ~~ Now you know I have to add the odd ones in too. So here it is! Who is Buddy the Elf? Buddy is an over-zealous character played by Will Ferrell in the 2003 Christmas comedy film called Elf; Buddy is a human raised by Santa’s elves. The movie takes a humorous journey with Buddy on his quest to find his birth father. Hm, I have to admit I have never seen the movie. If you have then you know how Buddy the Elf would answer the phone. For those of us who don’t know I guess we need to rent the movie, huh? I did however find a few quotes that might help you answer your phone like Buddy.

Buddy the Elf! What’s your favorite color?

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear… it’s just like talking, except longer and louder, and you move your voice up and down.

Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day ~~ Yeah, right. Okay, I wasn’t able to find the source of this um, holiday. Maybe it was started by a bunch of partying plumbers? I have no idea! Just remember, if you plan on playing along, use a new plunger and not that one out of your bathroom. Yikes!

Flake Appreciation Day ~~ No I don’t mean that flaky person in your office. Ha-ha! I’m talking about the white stuff. No! Not dandruff either, geesh. Snow, people! Snow flakes! Today is the day we are supposed to appreciate those beautiful and all different snow flakes. The kind that is falling outside my window right now. Big, fluffy stuff. They are actually quite amazing. If you live somewhere like I do with lots of snow, try catching the flakes on your tongue, have a snowball fight, build a snowman or snow fort. If you live somewhere without snow make paper snowflakes, or go to this website I found and make virtual cut out snowflakes. Go here and have fun!