Go Caroling Day

I love Christmas caroling. When I was growing up caroling was a favorite activity for all ages. From scout troops, to youth groups, to families, to choirs to adults, carolers go out to bring holiday cheer to busy shoppers, residents of nursing homes and others in need of a little holiday cheer.

My favorite caroling memories involve going to nursing homes and houses of “shut ins” with several different church choirs. We then gathered at a members home to warm up with hot cocoa and snacks. If you have ever sung in a choir you know that people who sing together develop a special bond with each other.

Since we moved to Oklahoma nine years ago I have wanted to go caroling in our little retirement community. So far I haven’t done it. But I think about it every year. I laugh when I tell Bob if we got a very large group together there wouldn’t be anyone left at home to hear us. I laugh even harder when I think of me walking up and down the hill by myself with a flash light singing, trying to get people to hear me. Of course I’m the lady who walks around wearing reindeer antlers in December, so I don’t think anything I do would shock anyone.

I hope you will find a way to go caroling this year. Go out and spread a little joy around!

National Oatmeal Muffin Day

I do enjoy a good oatmeal muffin, but had no idea they had their own day. Don’t let this day go by without celebrating.

So whether you make a batch of your own, buy them from a bakery or grocery store, host a party or give away a plate of oatmeal muffins, give it a try. And don’t forget that oatmeal muffins are healthy, easy to make and easy to customize by adding raisins, other dried fruit or even chocolate chips.

Happy Oatmeal Muffin Day! Please share your oatmeal muffin stories, recipes or photos. If you need a recipe check out Quaker’s Best Oatmeal Muffins.

For more information on National Oatmeal Muffin Day please read https://www.holidaycalendar.io/holiday/national-oatmeal-muffin-day

Bake Cookies Day

Another of my favorite days. For many years I have baked cookies (lots and lots of cookies) as well as fruitcakes for the holidays. I usually do it a little earlier than this, on Thanksgiving weekend. But any day is a good day to bake holiday cookies.

This is a perfect family activities. Get the children involved, even if only for the decorating.

There are many things you can do with holiday cookies. I like to make up plates of holiday cookies to give as gifts.

A fun activity is to host a cookie exchange. Read this past post on holiday cookies for more information and ideas.

Whatever you do to celebrate don’t forget to play a little and have fun. After al we are talking about cookies.

Clean Air Day

This day commemorates the day in 1963 the Clean Air Act 1963, one of the first major pieces of environmental legislation in the United States became law. This law gives federal and state agenies power to reseach and regulate air pollution. This was a major expansion of government efforts to fght the damage being done to the planet.

The importance of Clean Air Day is to remember keeping our air clean and free of harmful pollutants is an ongoing work. Air quality has improved since 1963 but we still have a long way to go. It is important that the work being done since the passage of this law continue and that we not become complacent forgetiing there is not still work to do.

For more information https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/clean-air-act-becomes-law

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

I think just about everything is better covered in chocolate. Well… maybe not everything, but I do love chocolate dipped pretzels and almond clusters and of course my favortie, chocolate covered cherries. And not just any chocolate cherries but Queen Annes.

My Aunt Geraldine is to blame for this. She gave me a box every year. When she died I started buying them for myself in her memory. Now Bob buys them for me.

What is you favorite food covered in chocolate?

For more infomation on this day check out https://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/december/chocolatecovered.htm

Cat Herders Day

If you are a cat person you know they can be stong willed and difficult to manage, especially if you have more than one. Cats often want to do their own thing, especially if others are doing somethig else.

But this isn’t really about cats. Herding cats is used to describe working to organize or control something that is uncontolable. And we have all experienced this at one time or another.

So how to celebrate? You could actually try herding felines, but you won’t get very far. You might extend sympathy to those with jobs that often seem uncontrolable. And if you are in a situation where you feel like a cat herder you might want to find a way to make your life easier, perhaps by giving away a few of those “cats.”

For more information:

https://www.checkiday.com/06d7071a5fc6bd311a345771a47471b7/cat-herders-day

Monkey Day

Yes I did find this, but it’s origins are uncertanian. It is speculated to have been a joke or created to draw awareness to monkeys and other primate species as well as their natural habitat.

Monkeys are revered and worshiped as gods in some parts of the world. In the Chinese Calendar the monkey represents the 9th year of 12 year cycle.

These are just a few ways you can celebrate if you choose.

Visit your local zoo and say hello to the primates, including the monkeys.

Take the time to learn more about monkeys.

Donate to an organizaton such as the Born Free Foundation or Pimarily Primates.

Watch one or more of the Planet of the Apes movies.

Make monkey cupcakes.

It is always important to remember that the wild areas of the planet and their inhanitants still need our protection. As habtat continues to be destroyed animal species will continue to be lost.

National Hot Cocoa Day

Today is National Hot Cocoa Day. Not being a coffee drinker I do enjoy a hot steamy cup of cocoa, especially on a cold evening. There are many ways to enjoy hot cocoa. You can buy a hot cup from a restaurant or coffee shop. You can also add a packet of mix to hot water.

But my favorite is homemade. Here is my recipe.

Genie’s Dairy Free Hot Cocoa

This recipe makes 2 servings. You may double it to serve 4.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (I prefer dark)

3 Tablespoons Stevia

1/4 cup water

2 cups almond milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

  1. Mix together cocoa, sugar and water in saucepan.
  2. Stir and cook until mixture starts to bubble.
  3. Slowly add milk and vanilla, stirring to blend.
  4. Heat continuing to stir until the cocoa is drinking temperature.
  5. Pour into cups or mugs and serve.

Note: If you use vanilla almond milk the extra vanilla may not be needed. You may also use any type of non-dairy milk that you prefer. My go-to is almond.

For more information on hot cocoa day visit

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hot-cocoa-day/

Gingerbread House Day

Yes, it is gingerbread house day! Don’t you love gingerbread houses? I gained a new appreciation when we started going the annual display at the Mormon Trail Center when we lived in Omaha. There were some real masterpieces there.

I have never had the courage to attempt one myself. I’ve never been real skilled with a pastry bag and would be holding my breath as I tried to raise he walls and “glue” them together with royal icing.

But this could be a great family activity. You could start by helping the kids make their own small versions from graham crackers.

Do we have any Gingerbread artists out there? Please share your stories and/or photos.

International Mountain Day

If you were not aware of this day, neither was I. According to https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-mountain-day/ “Established in December of 2003, the United Nations General Assembly created this day to help bring awareness to all of the things we rely on mountains for. Whether it’s all of the glories mentioned above, or how necessary they are for the health and well-being of the flora and fauna that call them their home, International Mountain Day promotes them all.”

If you live in or close to mountains I hope you can find some time to get out and enjoy their beauty. Bob and I have lived in the foothills of the Rockies and now we live on the edge of the Ozarks. It is wonderful to live in the mountains and enjoy their natural beauty, however continued growth and development of mountainous regions destroys the natural beauty as well as natural flora and fauna.

Whenever I am in the mountains I have a sense of awe and wonder. In Scripture mountains are usually considered sacred or holy places. Mountains are not ours to destroy or use their natural resources until they are depleted. When we are in the mountains may we remember we are on holy ground.