All in Food & Beverages

Coffee, Tea or Bubble?

Coffee, Tea or Bubble?

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas, Travel & Leisure

While we were in Denver a few weeks ago, I found myself totally clueless about bubble tea. We had been looking for houses (my least favorite thing to do) and it was suggested that I reward myself by having a bubble tea. Yes, please! Due to Covid, we had to use the drive thru at the bubble tea shop named Mini Moo’s Tea Shop because the walk-in or dine-in options were not available. Looking at all the options on a billboard, while in a car, knowing that there are cars behind me, made me panic. I didn’t know what to order because I didn’t know what bubble tea was. Everyone else in my car knew exactly what to get. I ended up getting a watermelon flavored milk tea with bubbles.

Pretzel Pinches

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!

Road Trip!

Road Trip!

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Healthy Family, Travel & Leisure

So many people were going stir crazy after a couple of months of hibernating during the COVID Stay-at-Home order in 2020, that they ventured out in RVs and SUVs traveling the country. I was envious and wished that my family could also go on a Road Trip! Yes, you read that correctly. When I talk about road trips, I always add an exclamation point at the end of “road trip” (!) because for me, I always think of them as an opportunity for undivided fun.

National Floral Design Day

National Floral Design Day

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Healthy Family, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas, Travel & Leisure, Seasons

Besides flowers being considered a gesture of love and care, they represent beauty and remind us of hope. Think of all the occasions that flowers are a part of - weddings, funerals, births, dinner parties, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Spring, tea parties, Thanksgiving etc. Not to mention the scents of flowers are so naturally intoxicating. As obvious as it may seem that flowers can set the tone for any event, to me, the mystery about flowers has always been in floral designs. I know nothing about which flowers go well together and which certain positions of the flowers look pleasing to the eye. People, professional or layman, who know how to arrange flowers in a way that can make us feel certain emotions should be celebrated.

World Nutella Day

World Nutella Day

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas

Do you know what Nutella is and if so, do you like it? The hazelnut and cocoa combo is spreadable, like peanut butter. Some don’t like it but most people really love it. I first learned of Nutella when my hub and I were dating. Before I met him, he lived in Milan, Italy, where Nutella was commonly found in baked goods. He said he would have a jar or two at his apartment so that he could spread it on fresh bread when he wanted a snack. When I tasted it for the first time, I remember thinking , “Where have you been all my life?”.

Hot Chocolate Day!

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.

Nuts

Nuts

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Healthy Family, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas

In a Gwyneth Paltrow interview I learned that she laughs every time she says the word “balls”. Just like her, I giggle whenever I say the word “nuts.” There, I said it and yes, I giggled. Although they are not the same thing - to anyone with adolescent humor - they are basically the same thing. All jokes aside, National Nut Day is coming up on October 22nd and well, it’s another opportunity to be thoughtful. This national food day has been celebrated since 2016 and according to Nationaldaycalendar.com, the day was founded by Liberations Foods (Choose Liberation). It’s inspiring to learn that this company advocates fair trade nuts and they promote healthy living.

Thoughtful Wedding

Thoughtful Wedding

Barb Pellicer Paton
Healthy Family, Products & Gift Ideas, Food & Beverages

I’m pretty sure every bride can attest that they put a lot of thought into their wedding day. Some brides hire a wedding planner because there is too much to think about when planning one of the biggest events in a person’s life. I notice that whenever they mention weddings in the Bible, it sounds like even back then, many people contributed to the preparations of a wedding. It makes me wonder - if we are celebrating the union of two people, why is it the couple’s responsibility to cater to and pamper the needs of their guests? Isn’t making a commitment to spend the rest of their lives with one person enough responsibility?

Root Beer Float Your Boat

Root Beer Float Your Boat

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas

Some people don’t like root beer; it just doesn’t float their boat. Others love root beer. For example for kids, root beer is the closest thing to an adult beverage as they could get, so naturally they will like it. Especially because the word beer is in the name! In our house we don’t drink much soda but my kids drink caffeine-free root beer once in awhile. Add scoops of ice cream to this rare occasion and you’ll witness the root beer floating our boats!

1, 2, 3...Slam!

1, 2, 3...Slam!

Barb Pellicer Paton
Food & Beverages, Holidays/National Days, Products & Gift Ideas, Travel & Leisure

I just have to ask, is July the biggest drinking month of the year? There are so many national days that pertain to alcohol in the month of July: Anisette 7/2, Dive Bar 7/7, Pina Colada 7/10, Mojito 7/11, Grand Marnier 7/14, Daiquiri 7/19, Tequila 7/24, Wine & Cheese 7/25 and Scotch 7/27. If we celebrated each of those national days, it wouldn’t leave very many alcohol-free days in July.

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