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 Click on the picture and find everything about Get Married in Time Square. |
New Year's Eve New Year's Eve is a very special time, being the last day of an entire year in history, and one minute later, being the first day of a new year, with new hopes, new dreams, and new possibilities for people all over the world. For the past 100 years, the "ball dropping" in times Square in New York City has been an icon of ushering in the new year. But this year, there's a new element added to this time. A young couple, both serving in Iraq, fell in love and decided to get married. As the winners in a contest sponsored by GetMarried.com, they will be married in Times Square, in front of millions of people. The public voted on her gown, invitations, and all the other accessories, an in exchange, everything will be paid for. The wedding will be publicized at 6:00 pm on December 31. Clicking on today's picture will begin a series of videos, going backward in time, showing the details of the entire process. |
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national bicarbonate of soda day Way back in 1846, baking soda began to enjoy its status as a bestseller. More and more uses were found for this product, bicarbonate of soda. You can read the interesting timeline of the history of this product here. It is an important ingredient in millions of recipes. I can remember my grandma brushing her teeth with a combination of baking soda and salt. People put a box in their refrigerators to absorb odors. It is used in some science experiments. There are many, many more uses, which you can find if you click on today's picture. If you want to actually do some baking with your baking soda, watch today's video for a great recipe. |
 Click on the picture and find Sixty-One Uses For Baking Soda How to Make Irish Soda Bread |
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 Click on the picture and read amazing YMCA facts! YMCA Camp Thunderbird |
Anniversary of the YMCA When you read the anniversary of the YMCA (click today's picture) you'll see what their purpose is. It's a wonderful organization that has helped many, many people, children and adults. Their classes, programs, camps and shelters have provided a healthy lifestyle combined with exercise to help people become all they can be. |
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Pledge of Allegiance Day Of course, I can remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day when I was in school. My children did when I was homeschooling them, too. When you watch today's video, you'll see exactly what the pledge means. I would be interested to hear about any pledges like this in your country. Maybe we could write it in the forum. |
 Click on the picture and read about the History of the Pledge of Allegiance. Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance |
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 Click on the picture and take a Virtual Visit to the Zoo. San Diego Zoo National Park |
Visit the Zoo Day In my part of the world, it's waaay too cold to visit a zoo today. I think it might be the same for many of you. So today's website offers several webcams at the Smithsonian National Zoo, where you can actually see the animals moving around, but you don't need to wear your coat. The video of the day is a tour of the San Diego Zoo. Have fun, and Visit the Zoo right here today! |
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National Thank You Note Day What a perfect day for National Thank You Note Day! I'm sure every one of us can find at least one person to thank for something that happened to us or something that was given to us in the last week. Today's website explains how to write a thank you note, and on the video you'll find some beautiful pictures, music and quotes to get you in the "thankful" mood. Of course, as time moves ahead, less and less people are taught the value of writing thank you notes. Let's do what we can to bring back this important tradition and habit. |
 Click on the picture and have a look at some Thank You Tips. Words of Gratitude Quotes Video |
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MERRY CHRISTMAS |
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 The Night Before Christmas (1968) Pt 1 The Night Before Christmas (1968) Pt 2 |
Christmas Eve Well, tonight will be the night before Christmas. So now it's time for all of the busyness to stop, and for families to get together to enjoy each other and this special holiday. I'm sure most people are too busy to look at a special website today, but I thought that you might be interested in the story behind the famous poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I hope you enjoy today's video, and I wish you a very happy Christmas Eve celebration! |
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National Fruitcake Month Poor fruitcakes! They get such a bad rap! There are jokes, songs and gag gifts involving fruitcake. Now I have to admit, some fruitcakes are pretty awful. But Betty, my favorite video cook, is going to change that with today's video. However, I don't like to buy candied fruit, because it has so many chemicals in it. Well, today's website will solve that problem. It tells how to candy your own fruit! Now you have no excuse! Make a fruitcake, and let me know when it's done. I'll bring the coffee! |
 Click on the picture and learn how to candy your own fruit. Betty's Christmas Fruitcake -- Family Favorite! |
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 Click on the picture and read about how to Write a Haiku Poem. autumn haiku |
National Haiku Poetry Day haiku poetry wings the heart close to the sky soaks into a cloud Maybe you wrote these tiny poems when you were in school. Maybe you still write them. Today's website has many wonderful tips to help you get started, or to hone your craft. If you just want to enjoy haiku, watch today's video. It's lovely. happy haiku day letting words become the dance it will make you smile |
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Humbug Day Did you know that there is a holiday called Humbug Day? This is a day for people to be grumpy about Christmas, and all of its commercialism, and the fuss people make over decorating, cooking special foods, getting together with family, and the other activities of Christmas. Their attitude, however, is usually tied to some painful memory. Today's website has several ideas for those who feel like humbugs, and the video is a full-length movie about how a humbug's perspective can change. |
 Click on the picture "Got the Holiday Blues? Bah Humbug". Scrooge (1935) - Full Movie |
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 Click on the picture and read all about the Read-a-New-Book-Month. A Love For Reading |
Read A New Book Month This is a perfect month for this holiday! Books make great Christmas presents. Sometimes books aren't seen as the favorite gift when first opened, especially next to the Amazing Supersonic Whatchamacallit, but once those toys break, or the batteries go dead, books are still there. I heard this neat idea from another parent last week: Wrap some new books, and let the kids take turns choosing one each day. Then read that book aloud to the kids just before bed. Chances they'll want to read and reread them, especially if you read like some of the celebrities in the website suggestion for today. |
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National Hard Candy Day Today is National Hard Candy Day! Do you like to have a lemon drop now and then, or a cherry candy, or a lovely red-and-white swirled peppermint? Clicking on today's picture will bring you to a recipe for Christmas Candy that looks like stained glass. We made this one year to use for Christmas ornaments. They looked so beautiful with the lights on the tree glimmering behind the translucent candy. In the middle of the night, we heard a loud crash! We all ran downstairs to see what had happened. We found that the dog loved the candies so much, that he knocked over the decorated tree while trying to pull off the candy. Several of our favorite ornaments were broken. We never tried to use this again as Christmas ornaments. But the dog was right, the candy is delicious! |
 Click on the picture and read all about CHRISTMAS HARD CANDY. Hard Candy |
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 Click on the picture and make some of these DLTK's Custom Bingo Cards. Animaniacs-Bingo |
Play Bingo Day Bingo is a game that most people learn to play when they're young, because it's a popular teacher's learning tool. But as people get older, some get pretty serious about the game. There are Bingo halls, where hundreds of people gather to play, and they use 5 to 10 cards simultaneously. I don't know how they can keep track of so many, but they do! Bingo is also a popular fund-raising activity. Thousands of dollars have been raised for people medical bills, rebuilding of a neighbors house which has burned down, and other causes. You can easily read about the history of Bingo on Wikipedia, and if you want to make your own Bingo cards for teaching or learning, click on our picture for today to see a delightful website that will help you do that. Today's video will give you a new look at the game! |
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Happy Wright Brothers Day Do you have a dream? Do people look at you strangely when you tell them about your dream? What if the Wright brothers had given in to peer pressure? Would it be possible for people to travel from one continent to another in a matter of hours instead of weeks? Don't worry if people tell you you're strange or crazy. If you have done your research, and if you have enough passion and determination, you should continue to work to make your dream a reality. The Wright brothers did! |
 Click on the picture and read about the Wright Brothers Day in United States. Inventing the Airplane: The Wright Brothers |
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 Click on the picture and read about how the Boston Tea Party changed US history . Part 1: Liberty`s Kids: #01 "The Boston Tea Party" (1/2) Part 2: Liberty`s Kids: #01 "The Boston Tea Party" (2/2) |
Boston Tea Party Day One of the things about America that I value most is the right to be different, to be an individual, a free-thinker. One of the most famous events in America, which is partly responsible for the freedom we have today, is the Boston Tea Party. Today's website, and especially the video, teach a lot about this event in American history. |
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National Lemon Cupcake Day Would you ever have guessed that Lemon Cupcakes would have their very own day? It seems that people who love the tangy taste of lemons are very loyal to this golden fruit. I remember a time that my cousin and I were invited to my great aunt's house to learn to make her specialty, Lemon Meringue Pie. We had a great time working together in her kitchen. That day is one of my most vivid childhood memories. Can I make that delicious pie today? No! I wonder if I only thought about tasting it while she was explaining the process to us. I'm afraid I didn't learn her secret. Maybe I'll have better luck with Lemon Cupcakes. The website and the video for today certainly look like it's easy to make these delicious treats. I'm sure I can do this! (I hope.) |
 Click on the picture and try to make these Simply adorable lemon cupcakes. Cupcake Show #3: Grandma's Glazed Lemon Cupcakes |
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 Click on the picture and read about December, the Safe Toys and Gifts Month . Giving Safe Toys |
Safe toy and Gift Month Of course, this is a good holiday to declare at Christmas time - Safe Toy and Gift Month. When I think back to the kinds of toys children received when I was a child, I remember two things. First, there were many toys which would not be considered safe today. Also, the toys were not so brightly colored, there were more wooden toys than plastic, and more of the toys encouraged children to use their imaginations than today's toys. I remember in particular the year that my cousins got a small theater, with tiny characters to dress in various costumes, and several tiny props, such as chairs, tables, beds, and other things. We made up many stories and put on performances for our parents for several days. We really enjoyed that time. I hope your children, grandchildren, or other little ones in your life will be encouraged to develop their imaginations with the toys they receive, and that you'll find ideas in today's website and video for choosing safe toys and gifts. |
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National Cocoa Day I remember when I was about 7, I visited my grandparents almost every weekend for an overnight. My grandma had a deep blue glass pitcher, which held just about 12 oz. or so. She showed me how to mix cocoa powder, sugar and powdered milk in the pitcher until it was thoroughly blended, then she'd pour boiling water from her kettle into the pitcher. It was my job to stir until everything was completely dissolved. By the time that happened, it was cooled enough to pour into my special teacup and enjoy. I hope you can create your own cocoa traditions. Today would be a great day to begin! |
 Click on the picture and have a look at these Hot Cocoa | Hot Chocolate Recipes . Raw Chocolate Cacao Mousse with Avocado |
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 Click on the picture and have some gingerbread house fun. Make a Gingerbread House! |
Gingerbread House Day Baking Christmas cookies, decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping the Christmas presents, building a gingerbread house,these are the things that make Christmas a magical time. I was so glad to see today's video, because when I tried building a gingerbread house, it just fell down. Now I see what I've been doing wrong. And today's website is a great place for ideas on decorating your gingerbread house to make it really unique. |
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National Knitters Day Today is National Knitters Day! Do you love to knit? I've had such a great time making afghans, sweaters, vests, toys, and hats in my life. There's something really special about being able to take those two straight needles and a ball of yarn and create something for someone with a lot of love mixed in. Today's video is a complete guide for a beginner, so even if you've never picked up a knitting needle in your life, you'll be able to knit with the help of this video. Then, the website for today shows you how to make several tiny Christmas projects, so they're completely doable by Christmas Day! Give it a try! |
 Click on the picture and Knit Up Some Holiday Cheer. How to Knit - The Basics |
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 Click on the picture and find 10 Steps to Becoming Fluent in a Language in 6 Months or Less. Why Teaching Your Child a Foreign Language is Important |
Learn A Foreign Language Month You all know the value of learning a language already. But Learn a Foreign Language Month is a great time to renew your commitment to developing even greater fluency. After studying your new language for a long time, it's easy to think that you have learned all you need to, or that you've learned all you can. But the human brain is a fantastic "machine", and languages is one of its specialties. So make this the month you add a new way of learning, or make a commitment to learning new vocabulary, or speaking more often, or whatever you feel needs more work. Don't forget to have fun while you learn! |
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National Pastry Day National Pastry Day is a perfect time to begin to gain weight over the holidays. Oh, wait, that's not supposed to be our goal. It is the outcome, however. And watching today's video or checking out the website will make you crave these pastries more than ever! I remember a few years ago, when our daughter was in college, she took a cooking class as part of her hospitality training. She learned things like how to set a perfect table, from which side of a person to serve their food, how to serve wine, and how to make pastries. Our Christmas present from her that year was a delicious dinner, showing us what she had learned. She made the cream that this video is teaching you to make, and it was a taste I still haven't forgotten. So by combining the pre-made puff pastry shells, or some pie crust dough, with this cream, and a little imagination, I'm sure you can create something wonderful and delicious! |
 Click on the picture and tell us which of the 100 Pastry Recipes you're going to make first. Pastry Cream Recipe |
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 Click on the picture and read some Gardening tips: flowers that grow in the winter. Snowdrops |
Winter Flowers Day Just hearing the names of winter flowers this time of year can add a little cheer to the gray, dreary days. Snowdrops, Lenten rose, honeysuckle, sweetbox, wintersweet... Don't these sound like some lovely things to see in the middle of winter? I think this was an excellent time to plan Winter Flowers Day! In the south side of my house, against a warm wall, is planted Lenten rose plants. I do see their purple bell-shaped flowers through the snow now and again during the winter. If you have a spot like this, where your plants can find a little shelter, give them a try! |
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National Cotton Candy Day Cotton candy is a favorite at baseball games, circuses, and many other public venues. I've even heard that it's popular at some weddings and birthday parties. Although it seems indulgent to have that much sugar, a full-size cone of cotton candy is only about 100 calories, and sugar is the only ingredient. Just think, no preservatives, no artificial sweeteners, no hidden dangerous additives. Maybe you'd even like to buy your own machine and use cotton candy as a fund raiser, or maybe your teenager could sell it as a summer job. In any case, have a sweet Cotton Candy Day! |
 Click on the picture and read about Cool Cotton Candy Facts. Cotton Candy : Collecting Cotton Candy |
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 Click on the picture and read more about Gazpacho Day. How to make Gazpacho |
National Gazpacho Day There are many ways to get the suggested number of servings of vegetables each day. Gazpacho is one of the most delicious ways. There are several recipes to choose from on our website today. The video seems to be very authentic, showing the way to make gazpacho from a method handed down from generation to generation. It says to use bread which has been soaked in water. This is the thickening agent. The soup looks delicious! Why not try it? |
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National Communicate with Your Baby Day Babies have used signs for a long time to tell us what they want. Now, some professionals are helping babies to use common recognizable signs so they can communicate with their parents and caregivers before they're actually able to speak. Many babies are easily understood by their parents, however, caregivers who aren't around the children all the time don't know what their signs mean. Using this method, everyone can understand what baby wants until they can speak fluently. Just think how great it would be if your baby could tell you she has a tummy ache instead of just continuing to cry! Please take the time to look at today's website and watch the video. Then tell us what you think, on Facebook, Twitter, or in the forum. |
 Click on the picture and read more about Baby Signs. Signing Time with Molly |
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 Click on the picture and read about dice Collection. Dice Mosaic |
National Dice Day Die, the singular of dice. You can buy dice in traditional black and white, or green, red, yellow, blue, and other colors. Most have 6 faces, but some have more. When my children were little, we used dice to practice math. We had different colors, and at first, they just had to roll the dice and tell me which number was biggest/smallest. Then we moved to adding the numbers they rolled. We began with just two dice, but eventually used 4, 5 or 6 and practiced adding all the numbers together as quickly as possible. Later came subtraction, multiplication and division. It was easy to take them along to places which I knew would require some waiting time. However you choose to use your dice, have fun today! Maybe you can learn to create dice mosaics like the guy on today's video! |
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National Fritters Day I have to admit that before today, I only knew about apple fritters and corn fritters. But when looking at the selection of websites and videos for this holiday, I learned a lot more about the possibilities for fritters. It also seems that many cultures have a variation of this dish, and it has several origins, depending on who you ask. But no matter where they came from, as long as they end up on your plate, I think you'll be happy. Try some of today's recipes, and let me know which one you like best! |
 Click on the picture and read more about National Fritter Day. RWOP Cream Cheese Fritters |
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 Click on the picture and read more facts on Red Apples. Betty's Apple, Grape and Peanut Salad Recipe |
Eat a Red Apple Day My new favorite red apple is a Honeycrisp apple. They are slightly sweet, but with a mild honey-like taste. And the crispness is just right, without being as hard as a Red Delicious. Of course, you may have another favorite, but as long as it's a red apple, it qualifies for today. Apples have several qualities that make the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Today's website give you a lot more details on the great reasons to eat red apples. And we have another video from Betty's Kitchen, in case you want to get fancier with your red apples. |
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