Apr 12

Apr 12 National Orchid Day

Holidays/National Days, Healthy Family, Products & Gift Ideas, Seasons

I was on the website NationalDayCalendar.com looking over some of the national days for this upcoming week and although there were many days that sounded interesting, I choose to write posts about the national days that I truly resonate with. Since I love giving and receiving orchids, I decided to learn more about National Orchid Day. Wow, I did not expect to be pulled at my heartstrings but this national day just tugged away. You can click on the links above to read the full story but be prepared for some tears. Or you can just get the watered down version below:

Jun 22

Jun 22 National Coconut Day

Barb Pellicer Paton

Food & Beverages, Healthy Family, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas, Travel & Leisure

Thank you coconuts for being so versatile that it seems like there is really nothing a coconut can’t be used for. I’m actually surprised that we can’t use coconut oil instead of motor oil in our cars. And even though coconut is officially listed as a tree nut (but it’s drupaceous fruit), it is rare for people to be allergic to any derivative of a coconut. Which supports my theory that we can use the coconut for so many things, it’s like the “thneed” in the Dr. Seuss book.

Jun 8

Jun 8 National Herbs + Spices Day

Barb Pellicer Paton

Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas, Food & Beverages

Alright, don’t judge me on the organization of my spice cabinet. Sure, I have to lift up each spice jar in order to see what it contains. Jars are always falling over when I am looking for the garlic salt. Obviously, that is an efficient way to spend all the free time that I have - especially when I am cooking. And of course I have spice jars from when I moved from CA to Chicago in 1997.

Apr 20

Apr 20 Pretzel Pinches

Barb Pellicer Paton

Food & Beverages, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas, Politics & Religion

When I recently learned that there was such a day as National Pretzel Day, I searched my file of gift ideas to look for a certain pretzel company to help with this special occasion. My cousin Jay-Jay had sent us a “You Lucked Out” gift pack of pretzels this year for St. Patrick’s Day and it was such a bit hit. For National Pretzel Day, I am using the same company, Eastern Standard Provisions Company. A few days ago, I ordered some thoughtful pinches and I’m hoping that the pretzel gift packs arrive in time to celebrate!

Jan 26

Jan 26 Hot Chocolate Day!

Barb Pellicer Paton

Holidays/National Days, Food & Beverages, Products & Gift Ideas

I miss hot chocolate. It’s not really the chocolate that I miss, although chocolate is a big part. I miss the feeling that I get from drinking it. I miss the snuggly, sweet feeling of having a beverage that warms my body and calms my mind. I am a tea drinker but there is something different about a cup of hot chocolate versus a nice cup of tea. I am tempted, especially during these uncertain times, to throw the “no chocolate” (a.k.a. caffeine) restriction out the window and just drink a cup of hot chocolate. This would mean risking a night of no sleep but it may be worth it.

Aug 7

Aug 7 How Does Your Garden Grow?

Barb Pellicer Paton

Healthy Family, Products & Gift Ideas, Seasons

For a couple of summers, my children and I tried to have a garden in a shared plot of land at our church. We were successful in planting the garden but horrible at maintaining it because as the saying goes, "out-of-sight-out-of-mind." This summer was the very first summer that we have had fresh herbs at the ready and I owe it all to my mother-in-law, Carole.