As I noted recently, I am riding my Can-Am Spyder down to Florida to celebrate my mother's birthday (which is actually today) - a very special one - but I will not mention the exact multiple decade number. She is celebrating this weekend by preparing a pig roast. Can't wait. One characteristic of my mother … Continue reading Happy Birthday to my Mom!
Holidays/National Days
National Toasted Marshmallow Day
Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. I suppose it is fitting as we come to the end of the summer camping season. Some people prefer to use Toasted Marshmallows as only a component in something else like S'mores. Me? I'm a purist and love Toasted Marshmallows for their own sake. Their own perfectly melty, crusty, … Continue reading National Toasted Marshmallow Day
National Bowtie Day – Fashion Accessory from Tuxedos to Poodle Skirts
I am thrilled to announce my new gig! A major national fashion magazine has hired me to write about men's fashion trends in my blog! I guess that is because I am such a fashionable guy! They have provided me their first topic and I will today address National Bowtie Day. Historically bowties evolved from … Continue reading National Bowtie Day – Fashion Accessory from Tuxedos to Poodle Skirts
National Peach Pie Day
There are so many delicious harvests at the end of summer and one of the sweetest is fresh peaches. Put them in a pie and you have a wonderful National Peach Pie Day. I'm ready to give it a try this season, how about you? Considering the flavor of political and social discourse today, here … Continue reading National Peach Pie Day
National Filet Mignon Day
Today is National Filet Mignon Day. When I was younger I disdained this cut of meat as devoid of taste and delicious fat. I was known to polish off an entire porterhouse steak all by my lonesome. I have come to appreciate this beef cut and learned to understand quality over quantity. If you are … Continue reading National Filet Mignon Day
National Watermelon Day
Today is National Watermelon Day and it is quite fitting that it occurs in the height of the summer heat. Ready to go and so refreshing. I am not that partial to watermelon, preferring stone fruits in general, but it is a favorite for Pamela. She just discovered that Graeter's has a Watermelon Sorbet flavor … Continue reading National Watermelon Day
National Cheesecake Day
Today is National Cheesecake Day and lips are being licked all around the nation. While standardly based on cream cheese and graham cracker crust, any number of variations have been invented. Pamela has changed her loyalty from Juniors to Gallaghers here in New York City (as you saw in yesterday's NYC Restaurant Week Review, I … Continue reading National Cheesecake Day
Korean War Armistice Remembrance
Sixty five years ago this morning at 10 AM the Korean War Armistice went into effect. Technically we are still at war with North Korea and I am certain much will be made of that anniversary attendant with the recent theatrics surrounding the conflict. Maybe something will actually be accomplished. It is called America's Forgotten … Continue reading Korean War Armistice Remembrance
National Chili Dog Day – or as I know it – Pass Me Another Cheese Coney
Today is National Chili Dog Day, or if you are from Cincinnati - National Cheese Coney Day. Take a humble hot dog on a bun, add mustard, Cincinnati Chili, onions (optional) and mound it high with finely shredded mild cheddar cheese. Recently at the One Mile House Bar on Delancey Street here in New York … Continue reading National Chili Dog Day – or as I know it – Pass Me Another Cheese Coney
National Caviar Day
Today is National Caviar Day - a very tasty and very expensive national day. You can find many kinds and cheaper versions of fish roe all over the place. But I am here to assure you that real stuff, the real expensive stuff is much better. Years ago I was given a gift certificate to … Continue reading National Caviar Day
National Pecan Day
Today is the national day for one of our most versatile nuts - the pecan. I love them in pies, in waffles, frosted with coatings both savory and sweet. Soft, with a laid back tang I will take them in any form I can find them. The only controversy is how these tasty treats are … Continue reading National Pecan Day
The return of sunset Manhattanhenge
About 4.6 billion years ago (give or take) our sun was formed as the center of our solar system. Shortly after (about 4.5 billion years ago) the earth was formed. Earth's axis of rotation tilts in respect to its orbital plane. While it defines the seasons change for the Northern and Southern hemispheres no one … Continue reading The return of sunset Manhattanhenge
National Sugar Cookie Day
Today is National Sugar Cookie Day. Many people long for chocolate chip or complicated crazy complicated cookies. I long for simple perfection like a Snickerdoodle or delicious Sugar Cookie. It should be pillowy on the inside, slightly crunchy on the outside and redolent of butter and plain sugar. If perfectly balanced it is delightful. Too … Continue reading National Sugar Cookie Day
National Fried Chicken Day
I do like fried chicken. If you travel to New York you should try DIRTY BIRD on 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. They have some of the best chicken in these parts. But now I have finally made some at home to rival it. I have never made fried chicken that was perfect … Continue reading National Fried Chicken Day
Independence Day
For a very long time the colonies were content to work as subjects of the King. When he tried to extract money to pay for the cost of defending them from the French and various native groups a growing number of colonists fought back to either have full representation in their governing bodies or, failing … Continue reading Independence Day
National Waffle Iron Day
Today is National Waffle Iron Day. Waffle Irons date back to the 14th Century and the Belgians are happy about that. Still, those early models were held over the open fire so I was happy in 1918 when electric waffle irons were introduced. It was a great relief to my tired arms. Today, I generally … Continue reading National Waffle Iron Day
Welcome Summer Solstice
While Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, today is official, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. In New York City we have had a gentle, cool end of spring. But we are now experiencing a hot spell like much of the rest of the country. Still, happy to be here for a nice … Continue reading Welcome Summer Solstice
National Martini Day
Let's be very clear. Martinis should be made from gin only. I agree with Winston Churchill when he said that the closest he wants Vermouth to his Martini is to look at it longingly across the room. Also it should also be served with olives, preferably stuffed with anchovies to give it that salty pungency. … Continue reading National Martini Day
National Corn on the Cob Day
Today is National Corn on the Cob Day, the way God intended you to eat it, not creamed or mixed in succotash. One of my favorite memories is our family visits to the Ohio State Fair when I was young. Demolition Derby is a really cool concept when your age is in single digits. I … Continue reading National Corn on the Cob Day
National Cognac Day
Ok, I admit it. I like a number of different alcohol beverages. But my very favorite is cognac. The perfect post meal sip, cradled by my hand in a snifter, I get a special warm feeling as I close my eyes, the fire in the hearth crackling, resting from reading a book of French poetry, … Continue reading National Cognac Day
Two decades in the Big Apple
On June 1, 1998 I started a new job in Manhattan and have stuck around ever since. I loved this city from my first visit in 1975 (during the bad old rough and glorious days of this place) but always held out hope to be invited here. That happened 20 years ago and I have … Continue reading Two decades in the Big Apple
National Macaroon Day
Today is National Macaroon Day. You may think of the coconut cookie but I think of the French confections made of egg whites and delicious magic. It was a terrible burden but we decided to taste test several versions from Chelsea shops here in Manhattan to decide which was best. You're welcome. There was a … Continue reading National Macaroon Day
Happy Memorial Day
Happy Memorial Day. Today is many things, the artificial start of summer, a long three day weekend, a traditional grilling out holiday, and a day to celebrate troops serving our country. Being an old hippie pacifist I still respect those who choose to protect our nation in uniform and under arms. But we are all … Continue reading Happy Memorial Day
Manhattanhenge, Manhattan Henge or Henge o’ Manhattan is back!
In January I alerted you to a sunrise Manhattanhenge and gave you advance notice of the next occurrence of the sunset version. The orientation of Manhattan is generally north-south and the Commissioners Plan of 1811 created a grid system of streets north of 14th Street. As the earth tilts to create our seasons, the sun … Continue reading Manhattanhenge, Manhattan Henge or Henge o’ Manhattan is back!
National Escargot Day
I love all kinds of cuisines, including French. One of their signature dishes is escargot and is one of my favorites. Some people can't get around the base of the dish, delicious snails. But they now send positively tame compared to some of the adventurist food programs on cable TV. Essentially escargot is a delivery … Continue reading National Escargot Day
Walter Thinnes 
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