Happy National Cousins Day and luckily, I have a few to celebrate. To mark the occasion, I am including my favorite family portrait of all time. It was the summer of 1967 (I think it was the Fourth of July). It was scanned by my cousin Gigi who is helping us preserve family memories. It … Continue reading National Cousins Day
Holidays/National Days
National Hammock Day
It is perfect that National Hammock Day falls in the middle of the dog days of summer. Strung between two shade trees, there is nothing more relaxing than a (yawn) hammock. As you slowly rock back and forth and the sun gently dapples your eyes (yaaaawn) one gets so verrrrry rrrrrestful. Mmmmble. It's just perfect. … Continue reading National Hammock Day
National Caviar Day – TryThis – Taramasalata
We've all heard of the Sturgeon Roe (fish eggs) Caviar that is the classic and very expensive gourmet item we can't afford. But if you want a luxury taste for much cheaper, look for and try Taramasalata. It is a Greek dish (similar products are from the nearby Balkans and Turkey) that combine a salted … Continue reading National Caviar Day – TryThis – Taramasalata
World Emoji Day
Today is World Emoji Day and this calls for a Grumpy Old Man Rant. In ancient civilizations mankind used cave paintings, pictograms and hieroglyphics to express ourselves. About three millennia ago we created the alphabet and our ability to express ourselves soared and expanded with many different languages to choose from. However, with the growth … Continue reading World Emoji Day
National Tapioca Pudding Day
Tapioca pudding is a delicious and easy dessert option. My mom used to make it for me and my sister and brother when we were much younger. She would make a big double batch in a large bowl and keep it in the refrigerator. We all clamored for it and she allowed us to sample … Continue reading National Tapioca Pudding Day
Make travel plans to see Manhattanhenge
There are many reasons to come to Manhattan: to see a Broadway Play; to visit a world class museum; to experience maddening subway delays. Or maybe to take a picture of the sun perfectly framed in our concrete canyons. That phenomenon is known as Manhattanhenge, a name bestowed by our own Neil deGrasse Tyson (from … Continue reading Make travel plans to see Manhattanhenge
National 7-11 Day
This one is easy and a little silly. July 11 is 7-11 day. 7/11? Get it? I don't have much to say about it except that 7-11 has invaded and is beginning to colonize New York City. Just a decade ago we were quirky with little locally owned stores but are now being overrun by … Continue reading National 7-11 Day
July is National Hot Dog Month and National Grilling Month
Warning: you may wish to avoid information at the end of this post if you easily get queasy about the food you eat... You may learn something about hot dogs you already suspected but did not want details about... Summer is certainly the season to grill and hot dogs are a popular item to serve … Continue reading July is National Hot Dog Month and National Grilling Month
Wishing you a very happy American Independence Day
National Be Nice to New Jersey Week
New Jersey has a long history of cruel jokes and demeaning attitudes. For the next week, please refrain from slights about New Jersey. I live just across the river from New Jersey and often cross the busiest bridge in the world (George Washington Bridge across the Hudson River) to visit. Let's see, what can I … Continue reading National Be Nice to New Jersey Week
National Gingersnap Day
Today I will take a perfectly innocent cookie recipe and turn it carnivorous. I didn't invent this but also don't remember where I saw it. It is simply unusual and delicious. Do you save the grease created when cooking bacon? It is good to fry up other meats, and now to use in a cookie! … Continue reading National Gingersnap Day
National Strawberry Parfait Day
If Strawberries aren't the fruit of summer, some marketing firm has sure been working hard to make it so. When I went looking for recipes for todays special day I found lots with ice cream, various crumbled cookies, rich whipped cream, frozen strawberries, even canned strawberry pie filling. Yuck. You can make it much more … Continue reading National Strawberry Parfait Day
National Selfie Day
I guess it was inevitable but since 2014 June 19 has been National Selfie Day. Don't look down your nose at this day, look up, it makes a better selfie. Think of it as a natural evolution to art's time honored self portraits, and much faster and more spreadable thanks to social media. Indeed, you … Continue reading National Selfie Day
National Ice Cream Soda Day
On a hot summer day there is nothing more refreshing than an Ice Cream Soda. Simple treat, just pour some soda (or pop or Coke or whatever your region of the US calls it) over a scoop or two of ice cream in a glass. The soda blends slightly with the ice cream and bubbles … Continue reading National Ice Cream Soda Day
Happy Father’s Day
A very happy Father's Day to you. I hope you have a great day with your dad. My father passed in 1993, far too early and long ago. Below is a picture of the two of us in my backyard when I lived in Florida. Happy Father's Day to all. As always you can find … Continue reading Happy Father’s Day
National Strawberry Shortcake Day
I am always a fan of dessert and Strawberry Shortcake is one of the best exemplars of a summer treat. A delicious sweet biscuit, fresh cold whipped cream and slathered with sexy soaked strawberries, yum. As I prepared this post, I came across a recipe for Vegan Strawberry Shortcake. I had never considered that a … Continue reading National Strawberry Shortcake Day
National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie Today is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, but I am fond of a slight variation - the Peanut Blossom. Hey, it has a chocolate center. I have your attention now. Start by heating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place one 9 oz package of chocolate candy kisses (unwrapped) in the … Continue reading National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
National Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie Day
While I love just straight rhubarb, not everyone can take the puckering power without the kiss of sweet strawberry. So here is a simple pie recipe to match the day. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. In a bowl combine 1 1/2 pounds rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1/2" pieces, 2 pints strawberries, hulled and … Continue reading National Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie Day
National Donut Day and where to find FREE DONUTS!
Many National Days I feature in this blog are simply an excuse to try a recipe or riff on favorite foods. But today (Friday, June 7, 2019) you can get free goodies at the following shops: My favorite donut shop by far is KRISPY KREME and they offer the best deal of all. You can … Continue reading National Donut Day and where to find FREE DONUTS!
National Rotisserie Chicken Day
There are few better treats than a freshly cooked, crispy skin, moist and juicy rotisserie cooked chicken. Many people pick them up for a quick meal from a shop and indeed this National Day was created by the Boston Market chain. (There is a terrific shop named Malecon here in Northern Manhattan that is worth … Continue reading National Rotisserie Chicken Day
National Hamburger Day
Today's National Day celebrates a ubiquitous American standard - the hamburger. From the humble slider to the fast food staple to the fancy shmancy deluxe versions, they exist in so many forms. Credit is claimed by many to have been the first, but many foundation myths start with cooked ground beef stuck between two pieces … Continue reading National Hamburger Day
National Solitaire Day
Guess who established National Solitaire Day? Microsoft. Once they included it in Windows 3.0 (back in 1990 kids) it was used to train people how to use that new-fangled mouse on your desk. At least that was the excuse used. Now-a-days kids are coding at 5 years old which leaves us older folks in the … Continue reading National Solitaire Day
National Quiche Lorraine Day
Today's National Food Day celebrates a delicious French tradition of an egg custard pie with delightful flavors. This version originated in the rural Lorraine region and traditionally includes bacon and cheese. Why not be creative and make use of items you might very well have in your refrigerator right now? Preheat your oven to 375 … Continue reading National Quiche Lorraine Day
National “I Love Reese’s” Day
Harry Burnett Reese was born in 1879 to a Pennsylvania farming family. He married in 1900 and eventually had sixteen children. He took many jobs to support his family and in 1917 secured a job on the dairy farm of Milton S. Hershey. Yep, that Hershey. He later moved on to work in the chocolate … Continue reading National “I Love Reese’s” Day
National Apple Pie Day
Today is National Apple Pie Day and later today I plan to bake one just to honor this special day. I'll start with a Pillsbury Pie Crust unrolled and pressed into a glass pie baking dish. Before you get all persnickety about pre-made pie crusts, you can check out exactly why I do so with … Continue reading National Apple Pie Day
Walter Thinnes 
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