March 31 is
Honor Society Awareness Month
March is Honor Society Awareness Month. Before this month dissolves into April, I wanted to talk about this wonderful organization. Students in middle school and high school, who have grades above a certain level, are inducted into the National Honor Society. More than just grades, however, they must be outstanding citizens, and must contribute to society and the school in a meaningful way. Then the kids in the Society get together for many community activities, as you'll see in the video. |
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and read about National Honor Societ and National Junior Honor Society
Today's Video
Spotlight on: BTHS National Honor Society
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I'm happy to say that when I was in school, I was a member of the Honor Society, and my older children were, too. In fact, today's picture is my oldest daughter, signing the register during the induction ceremony.
Today's website explains the requirements in detail, and in the video, you'll meet a student who's in the Honor Society, and a teacher who has taken on the role of an adviser for the students in the Society.
This is an important part of school life here in the United States, and I thought you'd enjoy learning more about it.
Happy Honor Society Awareness Month!
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Click on the picture
and read about the Hot Dog
Today's Video
How To Make Chicago Hot Dogs
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March 30 is
National Hot Dog Day
There used to be a commercial on TV about a brand of hot dogs called Armour. It went like this:
Hot dogs, Armour hot dogs,
What kind of kids like Armour hot dogs?
Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks,
Tough kids, sissy kids, even kids with chicken pox
love hot dogs, Armour Dot Dogs
The dogs kids love to bite!
You can hear the song here.
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Just last weekend, Alvin and I went to a drive-in restaurant where you eat in your car. They brought us our foot-long chili hot dogs, fries and root beer on a tray that hooks on the window of the car. When we were done, we pressed the button and they came and picked up the tray. There are very few of these restaurants left, but they're fun and nostalgic.
Today's website and video will give you several ideas on how to make hot dogs.
Happy National Hot Dog Day!
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March 29 is
National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day
Happy National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day! Wow, what a long title! But it's worth it to get a taste of this delicious cake.
Do you find it amusing that chiffon cakes were invented by a man with the last name of "Baker"? Clicking today's picture will take you to an interesting article on chiffon cakes. But today doesn't celebrate just any chiffon cake! It must be a lemon chiffon cake. Just think of spring daffodils, little yellow chicks, and you'll start to think about spring. That's what makes this such a good time to celebrate sunny yellow lemons.
Today's website will show you, step by step, how to make this delicious cake. And please don't forget to save a piece for me!
Happy Lemon Chiffon Cake Day!
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Click on the picture
and read about Chiffon cake
Today's Video
How to Make a Lemon Chiffon Cake
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Click on the picture
and read about Growing Plants From Seed
Today's Video
The Edible Garden — Starting Seeds Indoors
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March 28 is
Garden Seed Day
Happy Garden Seed Day! Do you love gardening? Many, many people do. But in today's economy, it is becoming more and more important to grow at least some of the food you will need this summer. It is also a great money-saving technique to grow your plants from seed, rather than buying them at a greenhouse. Today's video gives great tips on how to start plants from seed. The website has a host of helpful information.
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One of my favorite gardens was the one I planted a few years ago. I loved walking between the rows of plants, checking them and pulling weeds, feeling the warm soil under my bare feet, and the sun on my back and shoulders. There's something very special about the way a garden bathes your senses in pleasure—the fragrance of the soil and plants, the feel of the rich soil, the colors of the plants and their fruits, the sound of the birds chirping and singing, and the taste of the food when it's ready.
I found this cool software program, too, that will let you play "virtual gardener". Even if you can only have a small garden area, this could help you to plan that space so you get the best results.
Have a great day, dreaming about which garden seeds you're going to plant!
Happy Garden Seed Day!
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March is
National Play the Recorder Month
Have you ever played a recorder? Almost all schools in America introduce children to this instrument in 5th grade. Some love it; some hate it. I loved it when my kids came home practicing their new songs. Rebecca's class even performed with our local symphony orchestra at the end of their lessons.
When I was a kid, (a hundred years ago), I got a wooden recorder. I still have it! I even play it now and then. It has a wonderful tone, and making music is always relaxing and pleasant.
If you've never read much about recorders or played one, this is the month for it. (If you keep playing in April, I won't tell anyone.) Today's video is a fascinating look at how recorders are made, and the website has some interesting historical facts, and some beautiful classical art of people playing recorders. If you'd like to hear a great recorder ensemble piece, check out today's extra video!
Happy Tootling!
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Click on the picture
and read about The Recorder
Today's Video
How a Recorder Is Made
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Click on the picture
and Learn Yo-Yo Tricks
Today's Video
How To Do Basic Yo-Yo Tricks : How To Hold & Throw A Yo-Yo
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March 24 is in
Yo-yo and Skill Toys Week
Happy Yo-yo and Skill Toys Week! Just think, a whole week to play with yo-yos, boomerangs, paddleballs, hoops, juggling toys, batons, and other skill toys.
Do you agree with me that these toys were better for developing eye-hand coordination than video games? Or is it just because I'm a hundred years old and don't understand life?
I remember visiting the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry when I was a kid, and my mom let me buy a gyroscope. It is one of the few toys I remember having back then. I thought, (and still think), it was one of the coolest things I had ever played with. It kept me busy for hours, and I learned to do several tricks with it.
Today's website teaches you to do many tricks with a yo-yo, and the website shows these tricks one by one. Give it a try! It's fun!
Happy Yo-yo and Skill Toys Week!
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March 23 is
National Chip and Dip Day
National Chip and Dip Day is today! Mmm, there are some wonderful recipes on today's website for some different, healthy dips and chips. It used to be that everyone just had French onion dip and potato chips, but now there are many alternatives.
Have you been wondering why we choose Betty's Kitchen so often for the video? First of all, she speaks very clearly, and gives very clear directions when demonstrating how to make something. Secondly, she has a little bit of an accent, so it's an opportunity to listen to a different person talking. And this time, it's because Baked Artichoke-Spinach Dip is healthy and delicious!
Now, I would love to stay here and write a little more about chips and dips, but this made me very hungry, so I'm going to have a quick snack. See you tomorrow!
Happy National Chip and Dip Day!
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Click on the picture
and read about National Chip And Dip Day
Today's Video
Baked Artichoke-Spinach Dip with Crisp Pita Chips Recipe
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Click on the picture
and read about the history of Badminton
Today's Video
How to Play Badminton
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March 22 is
National Badminton Day
Is it warm enough in your neighborhood yet to play badminton? In my neighborhood, just a few more days of snow and ice and it will be just right! But actually, today is National Badminton Day.
I can remember my parents setting up the badminton net in our yard many times when I was a kid. It was strange, though, how whenever my brother lost, it was because it was too windy, and it blew the "birdie" out of control. I could never understand why that same wind didn't apply when I lost.
Actually, playing badminton was really fun. I wonder if it's a popular game in your country. If so, maybe you'd like to write about it in the forum. I'd love to read your stories!
Happy Badminton Day!
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March 21 is
National Flower Day
Today is National Flower Day. Now this doesn't mean in America or Spain or Japan. This means a celebration of the national flower of each nation. So it's an international festival of sorts.
Selecting the flower that will typify a nation is probably a daunting task. Every country has so many beautiful specimens growing on its hillsides, in its meadows, in the citizens' gardens, and along the roadways. How could there be just one single flower that most shows what a country stands for?
Some have been selected because of religious significance, some because of a historical event, and for many other reasons. Today's website and video portray the flowers of many countries.
Celebrate your national flower today!
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Click on the picture
and find beautiful National Flowers
Today's Video
Know Your National Flower
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Click on the picture
and Sing, Dance and Be Merry:
How Singing With Your Child Sets
The Stage For Language Development
Today's Video
Music Together's " 'Ridin' in the Car' Around the World" Music
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March is
Sing with your child month
I didn't really like the long car rides my parents took us on when we were kids. But that was before the days of seat belts, so I could like along the floor and sleep while hearing the lull of the pavement against the tires. Or I could look out the window and see things I could use to make up stories in my mind. But what I loved most of all (I guess I did like these rides) was when we would all start to sing together. My mom and dad were both professional singers, performing often before large audiences, so they both had great voices. We kids learned to harmonize at a pretty early age just by listening to them. We would sing lots of folk tunes, hymns, and sometimes silly songs. It is still one of my favorite memories.
Even if you're not a professional singer, your kids don't care. I sang with kids very often, and they've all lived through it! Just try it! It's more important than you think. Just read today's website and you'll see.
Happy Sing With Your Child Month
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March 19 is
Corn Dog Day
National Corn Dog Day? What's a corn dog? It's a hot dog on a stick, dipped in cornbread batter and fried. Sometimes they're baked, but the original corn dog is deep-fried. They may not be the healthiest snack around, but once in a while, they're really delicious!
This is a "young" holiday, started only in 1992, by two highschool students. In 2008, there were nearly 5000 parties on five continents, including one in Antarctica!
Today's website will show you a fancy recipe for corn dogs, and the video shows a simpler version. No matter which one you try, you might find out that this is your new favorite snack!
Happy Corn Dog Day!
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Click on the picture
and read Celebrating National Corndog Day
Today's Video
How to Make Corn Dogs
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Click on the picture
and read Fun Chocolate Facts
Today's Video
Betty's Triple Chocolate Frozen Ice Cream Pie Recipe
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March 18 is in
American Chocolate Week
Chocolate makes you happy
Chocolate keeps you well
Chocolate boosts your iron
And keeps you out of trouble
Chocolate helps your heart
And chocolate wards off cancer
Chocolate melts right in your mouth
And makes you feel like dancing.
I only know one person who doesn't like chocolate, and I can't remember her name. But for her, maybe you could just inhale the aroma of some hot chocolate and get some of the same happy effects.
A whole week to enjoy chocolate? Yet only one? And only in America?
Wait! I have an idea! Let's start our own holiday... International Chocolate Year! Yes, that's much better!
Happy Chocolate!
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March 17 is in
Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
Do have an absolutely incredible kid? If not, I'll bet you know at least one absolutely incredible kid. Today is a day to let kids know how much they're valued and appreciated. Many kids hear, day after day, what their faults are, what they need to work on or improve. But how often do they receive words of appreciation, let alone receive those words in writing?
There's a story of a classroom where each child's name was written at the top of a piece of paper. Then the papers were passed around the room, and each student wrote what they liked about that person. Years later, those papers were found in the wallets and purses of those students, who were now in the middle of adulthood, because it meant so much to them.
Write a letter to at least one Absolutely Incredible Kid today!
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Click on the picture
and read about Absolutely Incredible Kids Day by Lissa Coffey
Today's Video
Letter Writing Campaign
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Click on the picture
and read All About Wildlife
Today's Video
Elk Rut in Estes Park, CRAZY & WILD
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March 16 is in
Wildlife Week
"Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms." ~Wikipedia
I can't imagine a world without wildlife. Plants and animals are not just a source of food. Think about all the pleasures of gardening, bird-watching, nature hikes, zoos, botanical gardens... the list could go on and on. This week is Wildlife Week. We have chosen a website teaching about many parts of wildlife. The video is a close-up of elk behavior in the autumn.
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Alvin has taught all of us a lot about how to appreciate wildlife. When our first two children were about 6 and 8 years old, we camped in the middle of a National Forest. There were no other campers around for miles. Each morning, we would get up early, gather some snacks, and drive through the forest, spotting elk and other wildlife. In the spring of 2009, two of our daughters visited Estes Park in Colorado with us, where today's video was shot. The beauty of the plants, animals and mountains is beyond description.
Look for every opportunity to enjoy wildlife in your area this week!
Happy Wildlife Week!
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March is
National Noodle Month
Whenever I think of noodles, I think of my husband's aunt. She can make the best noodles I've ever eaten. She makes the dough from scratch, then rolls it out and cuts the noodles, strip by strip. One day we entered her kitchen just as she had hung them over the backs of her kitchen chairs, on dishtowels, to dry. Once they were cooked and ready to eat, I was amazed at the difference from the store-bought noodles I had eaten!
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Click on the picture
and read aboutNoodles
Today's Video
Betty's Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
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Ramen noodles are available here for much less than a dollar a package. They are full of sodium and preservatives, but because they are so inexpensive, many young people eat far too many of them. I think it would be better if they would make a big batch of Betty's Chicken Noodle Soup and have a little each day.
Whatever kind of noodle you like, this is the month to eat noodles!
National Noodle Month!
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Click on the picture
and read Fun Butterfly Facts
Today's Video
Butterflies!
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March 14 is
Learn About Butterflies Day
Today is Learn About Butterflies Day! What a great time you'll have learning about these fluttering jewels. Their bright colors adorn brightly-colored flowers, creating a delicate beauty unmatched in nature. Many children collect Monarch caterpillars and care for them until they build their chrysalis and then emerge as beautiful butterflies. After a few hours, they can be released outside.
Meijer Gardens, an art park near our home, features a butterfly garden each spring. During the months of March and April, as many as 6,000 butterflies will be released into the tropical greenhouse garden. You will also see beautiful butterflies on today's video, and learn a lot of butterflies facts from today's website. Enjoy the learning!
Happy Learn About Butterflies Day!
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March is
National Peanut Month
Do you have a favorite scientist? My favorite scientist is George Washington Carver. He overcame his unfortunate childhood, loved gardening, and had a real thirst for learning. He found ways to succeed, overcoming very difficult obstacles.
So why am I talking about George Washington Carver today? Because he made more than 300 products out of peanuts, and March is National Peanut Month! Today's website will tell you many interesting facts about peanuts, and the video will show how they're grown and prepared for sale. Try to find out how many ways you can enjoy peanuts this month!
Happy Peanut Month!
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Click on the picture
and read about Peanut & Peanut Butter Fun Facts
Today's Video
From the Farm to the Factory
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Click on the picture
and read about Genealogy
Today's Video
Who Do You Think You Are?
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March 12 is
Genealogy Day
Happy Genealogy Day! It's always interesting to find out how we ended up living where we live, and who came before us! Have you ever searched your ancestral records? My uncle took up this task, and we can trace our family back to the 1600s. In my close family members, my father's mother and my mother's father both came to the U.S. from the Netherlands when they were about 15 years old. Once they were established here, the rest of the family joined them. They both settled in Grand Rapids.
Today's website and video give you more insight into this fascinating hobby. Hope you enjoy them!
Happy Genealogy Day!
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March 11 is
Worship of Tools Day
Today is Worship of Tools Day. I'm not sure everyone that owns hand tools worships them, but the invention of these tools has made work much easier.
I'm guessing that all of us learned about levers, inclined planes, pulleys, gears, and other "simple machines", as they're called. These scientific concepts helped people invent hand tools to make construction easier and more precise.
Many women like tools, too, not just men. One of my friends receive a power tool for her birthday, because she loves to work in her house, remodeling and building.
The website for today lists the 10 most common, necessary tools for a worker/hobbyist/husband/wife to have. The video is a very old Disney production, but it's very educational!
Use your tools today, or buy a new tool for someone you know! Celebrate! ;)
Happy Worship of Tools Day
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Click on the picture
and find the Top 10 Hand Tools
Every Woodworker Need
Today's Video
ABC of Hand Tools 1
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Click on the picture
and read about Fun Science Facts for Kids
Today's Video
Top 10 quirky science tricks for parties
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March is
International Science Month
March is International Science Month. As you probably know, science is all around us, even when we're not thinking about it. When I was in school, science and math were my two favorite subjects. Learning about the gigantic puzzle of the world, and how all the pieces, patterns and shapes fit together, is something that can fascinate me for hours.
Speaking about being fascinated for hours, today's website will definitely give you plenty to read and learn. The video will show you some science tricks that make the properties of science seem like magic!
Take a little time to explore science this month! You'll be glad you did!
Happy International Science Month!
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March 8 is
Aunt's Day
Growing up, I had three "real" aunts. But I also had several "adopted" aunties. My parents were close friends with several couples who had children about our age. I guess they thought it would be cumbersome to call them Mrs. This and Mr. That, so we called them Auntie and Uncle. Even now, if I saw them face to face, (which I don't very often), I would still call them Auntie.
Before I had my own children, I enjoyed an aunt-type relationship with some very special kids. There always seemed to be a close family with children that I could spoil and spend time with. It was a great outlet for my "mothering instinct" before actually having children of my own.
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Click on the picture
and read lots of Aunt Quotes
Today's Video
The Wizard Of Oz - There's No Place Like Home
Today's website is some quotes about some famous aunts, and the video is from the Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy realizes that she's only been dreaming, but she really feels that "there's no place like home". Her Auntie Em is one of the most famous aunts in movie history.
Tell your aunt how much you appreciate her today, or be an "aunt" to some nice kids near you.
Happy Aunt Day!
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Click on the picture
and read History & Fun Facts
about Monopoly
Today's Video
Monopoly Streets Debut Trailer [HD]
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March 7 is
Monopoly Game Birthday
Happy Birthday, Monopoly! Over 200 million games have been sold worldwide since this popular game was invented. I loved playing this game when my cousins would come over. They usually stayed for a few days, and we would loan money to each other and do whatever we could to make the game last for their entire visit. One of my cousins and I kept a game going for several days, and we were still disappointed when he had to go back home.
Today's website gives you the history and some trivia regarding Monopoly. The video is a new look at Monopoly. I think you'll be surprised!
So today, be sure to collect your $200 as you pass GO!
Happy Monopoly Game Day!
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March 6 is
National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
Whoever decided that March 6 should be National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day must have known that's my mom's birthday. You'd never know it to look at her, but my mom loves desserts, and I can just hear her saying, "Mmmm" about these recipes!
Cheesecake has been around even long than I have! The history of cheesecake can be traced back to the ancient Greeks. Of course, it has gone through several changes and modifications, and one of them was to add white chocolate to this dessert, making it even harder to resist!
Today's video and website will give you several ideas on how to create a White Chocolate Cheesecake for your family (if there's any left when they get home).
Happy eating!
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Click on the picture
and read the National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day History
Today's Video
Divas Can Cook
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Click on the picture
and read about The Benefits of Optimism
Today's Video
Adventures Of An Incurable Optimist- Michael J Fox
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March is
National Optimism Month
March is National Optimism Month. So we have almost a whole month to practice this! They say it takes 30 days to make something a habit. It would be great to make optimism into a habit. You'll read in the website about the health benefits of being optimistic. The video shows Michael Fox and his findings on optimism.
You might be saying, "Oh, I've tried that before and it didn't work. It's just being unrealistic." There you go, being pessimistic again! It's easier to be pessimistic than optimistic, but it's not better.
Each day this month, try to consciously do or think one thing from an optimist's point of view. Even if it doesn't seem natural at first, eventually it might begin to "take hold", and before April arrives, you'll be feeling a little more like an optimist.
Have a HAPPY National Optimism Month!
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March 4 is
National Dance the Waltz Day
1, 2, 3 - 1, 2, 3... When is the last time you danced the waltz? Or, when is the last time you danced? Some people were raised with dancing lessons being a normal part of growing up. Others have never really been comfortable with this type of self-expressions.
Even if you aren't a dancer, you'll enjoy today's videos. There are links to two videos today. One is a beautiful, classic waltz. The other is also beautiful, but probably not what you're expecting. You'll read about the history of this dance style, once considered vulgar! Imagine the waltz being called vulgar. I'm so glad that people learned to accept the waltz.
Here's an idea: start one of the videos, invite your husband, wife, sister, brother, or your kitchen broom to enjoy dancing the waltz with you today. Nobody's watching, so just enjoy yourself and have fun!
happy Dance the Waltz Day!
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Click on the picture
and read about the Waltz
Today's Videos
Christine and Matthew - Strictly Come Dancing 2008 Round 9 - BBC One
Wheelchair Dance Waltz
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Click on the picture
and read about Maple Sugar
Today's Video
Making Maple Sugar Candy
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March is
Maple Sugar Month
This is the season for "tapping" the maple trees to collect the sap. It drips pretty slowly, and it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup. No wonder it's so expensive!
But maple sugar is a little different. It is sort of like crystallized maple syrup. And if you like the flavor of maple, then maple sugar is heavenly! It sort of melts in your mouth, and it leaves you with that delicious taste to remember until you have the next piece.
Today's website and video will explain more about it. I hope you have the chance to taste Maple Sugar Candy, or at least sprinkle a little maple sugar on some vanilla ice cream. Mmm....
happy Maple Sugar Month!
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March 2 is
Pyramid Day
Recently, our daughter has been studying Ancient Egypt, the pyramids and the pharaohs. She came across this interesting information about the Great Pyramid:
* It’s considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
* It’s thirty times larger than the Empire State Building.
* A highway lane eight feet wide and four inches thick could be built from San Francisco to New York and put inside the Great Pyramid.
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Click on the picture
and find all about Pyramids
Today's Video
The Pyramids in Egypt - National Geographic
* The oldest structure in existence, having been started 4,617 years ago, it is the sole remnant of the Seven Wonders of the World.
* It is built to face true North.
* The Pyramid is located at the exact center of the Earth's land mass. That is, its East-West axis corresponds to the longest land parallel across the Earth, passing through Africa, Asia, and America. Similarly, the longest land meridian on Earth, through Asia, Africa, Europa, and Antarctica, also passes right through the Pyramid. Since the Earth has enough land area to provide 3 billion possible building sites for the Pyramid, the odds of it's having been built where it is are 1 in 3
Knowing these facts should ensure your having a Happy Pyramid Day!
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Click on the picture
and find many Quotations about Smiles
Today's Video
Share a Smile Every Day
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March 1 is
Share a Smile Day
Today is Share a Smile Day! You know how to smile, don't you? Just turn your frown upside down!
There are many songs about smiling. Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella says that a smile will help to keep the rain away. When You're Smiling... the whole world smiles with you. Have you found that smiles are contagious? Then there's the famous Smile written by Charlie Chaplin, and sung so many times by Michael Jackson... light up your face with gladness... you'll see the sun come shining through, if you just smile.
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I know some days it's hard to smile. Some days smiling is a lot of work. But for those days, you need to keep a happy thought in your pocket, so you can pull it out at just the moment you need it most. If you don't have one, I mean a happy thought, find one as soon as possible, so that you can share a smile with someone else who may need one!
Remember to Share a Smile today!
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