January 23rd National Pie Day

I love pie. Nothing against cakes or cookies or any other type of dessert you may choose, they are good too, but pie is normally so flavorful! Most of the time pie is made with fresh fruit, it’s juicy and tasty and satisfies so many senses. The day was created by the American Pie Council, I didn’t even know that existed! Who do they council? Either you like pie or you don’t! Anyway, I am sure they are important, at least they created the day which gives us all a reason to celebrate something! Cherry pie is my favorite, apple pie is apparently the most popular, but pie can be made out of any fruit or even chocolate, lemon (Lemon is a fruit, right?) Key Lime. You name it, it can be made into a pie. Home made, store bought… they are both good.

How to celebrate – Have a pie party! Taste test several pies to see which you like best. List as many pies as you can think of.

January 22nd National Polka Dot Day

January 22^nd National Polka Dot Day.

I could not find any real history of when the polka-dot came into being. It was probably right after some painter dribbled their paint on their smock! The polka-dot became very popular after Minnie Mouse appeared on the scene in 1928.

Today you find them everywhere! It’s not like you can really miss them! Flamenco dancers did wear polka-dots in 1867, and in 1962 DC made a hero named Polka-dot Man (he never stood a chance).

How to celebrate – Wear something with polka dots. Paint your house in polka dots. Wear them to Disney so no one can see you there.

January 21st National Hugging Day

Who doesn’t want a hug? Okay, maybe not if you just came inside from a mud battle with the kids but how often does that happen? Hugs aren’t just a human thing either. Dogs, cats, elephants, practically every creature in the world hugs. It reassures someone, provides comfort and equalizes us. After all, whether you are wealthy or homeless, the idea of a hug means the same thing. For years men were shunned for hugging, that’s changed. Now a hug shows that you mean something more to someone than just a handshake or nod. Today was created by Rev. Kevin Zaborney in 1986 and we thank him. For today we can hug without being thought of asout of place or out of step.

How to celebrate – Hug someone. Hug your pets. Receive a hug without judgement.

January 20th National Cheese Lovers Day

January 20^th National Cheese Lovers Day

Well count me in, I love cheese! Then we get into the facts of how cheese probably came into being in the first place and your love for it may decline somewhat. So, I won’t get into those details because today is Cheese Lovers Day not, I Am Grossed Out By How Cheese Was Discovered Day. It is believed cheese was first discovered around 5,500 BCE in Poland. Shortly there-after someone first cut the cheese. There are over 1,400 varieties of cheese today with many of the flavors being created by adding bacteria, enzymes and fungi to alter the flavors. Yummy!

How to celebrate – Have some cheese. Throw a cheese tasting party. Make a list of your favorite cheeses.

January 19th National Tin Can Day

Tin cans have been around, at least in concept, since the early 1800’s. Philippe Henri DeGirard, a Frenchman, came up with the idea though the original concept was presented by Nicholas Appertin in 1809. Peter Durand got the first English patent in 1810 while Ezra Daggett and Thomas Kensett received the first US patent in 1825. Wow, who knew it took so many people to create a tin can! Oddly, the tin can opener was not created until 1858. So, they canned their goods and they remained canned for nearly 30 years!?! In which case, check those dates on your cans before consuming!

How to celebrate – Read about the world of canning. Start collecting tin cans. Throw a Tin Man party.

January 18th Winnie The Pooh Day

Winnie the Pooh is a classic enjoyed by both the old and the young and all those between. Written by A.A. Milne we all, at one time or the other, have come to know Winnie, Christopher Robin, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and Roo. They have become our friends and surely would gather today to throw Allan Alexander Milne the greatest birthday party he ever had. Born on January 18th, 1882, Milne would go on to create some of the most cherished stories we have ever read or seen acted out. I wonder if he knew what he was creating would last so long.

How to celebrate – Have a Winnie the Pooh birthday party in honor of Milne. Dress up like one of your favorite Pooh characters. Don;t forget the honey!

January 17th Ditch New Years Resolutions Day

Most of us make some sort of resolution on New Years Day. We seek to find some way to improve ourselves, eat less, visit others more, give up a bad habit. At the time we make the resolution we really mean to comply with what we resolve, but normally a day or two later, or maybe even an hour or two later, we give it up. Well today is 17 days into the New Year and the semi-official day to give our resolutions up and not feel bad about it! Okay, so maybe you’ll still feel bad about it but since the day says we can give them up, it’s okay. There’s always next year and new resolution to break. So pat yourself on the back, at least you tried.

How to celebrate – Find that list of resolutions and destroy it. Make up a new list that you can give up next year. If you didn’t make a resolution, make one now so you can give it up.