When you think about basic office necessities, a desk, chair telephone, and computer appear at the top of the list. Then, there’s pens, pencils, and paper. But, don’t forget about the humble, yet functional and inexpensive paperclip. This simple and nearly indestructible device holds together all those important paper documents you prepared to impress the boss.  So, today on National Paperclip Day, we honor and celebrate a device that we can’t imagine living without. 

It’s amazing what you can do with a thin, flexible bent wire. Paperclips are important at home and school, too. And, for the same reason…. it securely binds together important documents. At home, the versatile paperclip can have many other uses. 

Paperclips are made of steel, other metals, and plastic.  They come in many sizes and shapes. Plastic paper clips can come in any color in the rainbow. Metal clips are sometimes gold-toned.

It’s a hungry world. Hunger and starvation is a worldwide problem. And sadly, it’s nothing new. Humans have suffered and died from malnutrition and starvation since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. Over eons of time, people have made efforts to alleviate hunger in the world. World Hunger Day recognizes the needs of millions of people around the world who currently face hunger and food insecurity. On this May 28 holiday, those in need have a voice. And, it is up to each and every one of us to hear their voices and to play a role to help them.

When you delve into the details and issues of hunger around the world, the situation appears dismal. In truth, it is. It has been a problem throughout history. You might think after all of this time, we could rally the resources of the world to end hunger. While we must never give up on the goal to have no one ever go hungry, reaching this goal is a long way off. So, it is imperative for every one of us to do everything within our power to help feed those in need.

There are several goals for this holiday. First, it raises awareness of the urgent need of people who are malnourished and starving. It brings recognition to the fact that the situation around the world is not getting better. Rather, it is getting worse, much worse. World Hunger Day implores us to do what we can to make a difference, Also, this day seeks to find tangible solutions to the food crisis. 

Today, we celebrate the creation of an invisible and versatile product that we can’t live without. Simply put Cellophane tape brings things together and makes them stick. With the invention of cellophane tape, our world would never be the same. So, today we celebrate National Cellophane Tape Day. It is sometimes called National Scotch Tape Day. How many uses can you identify for Scotch Tape? There are way too many uses to even begin to count. On this May 27 holiday, we recognize the importance of Scotch Tape in our daily lives. We use it at work. Children have the tape on their art desks at school. And, practically everyone has a roll or two of cellophane tape at home.

The invention of this versatile product changed our lives in many ways. For example, before the invention of Scotch Tape, we wrapped gifts, packages, and other items by wrapping them together with a piece of string. To attach papers or cardboard together, messy glues were used. With the invention of cellophane tape, projects became easier to put together and stay together. Did you tear a page of your book!? No problem. Just reach for the Scotch tape. And, the clear invisible tape gives any project a much neater appearance.

Rich and creamy cheesecake is a popular dessert around the world. And Blueberry Cheesecake is among the most popular flavors. If this is one of your favorite desserts, then it is your lucky day. Today is Blueberry Cheesecake Day. They say, “Those that indulge, bulge”. But on this May 26 holiday, indulge yourself with a slice or two of rich and creamy blueberry cheesecake. And, for this one day don’t worry about the bulge”.

We’ve been making and enjoying cheesecake for thousands of years. We have the ancient Greeks to thank for inventing it. Over thousands of years, different cultural groups have altered and modified the basic cheesecake formula. Hundreds of recipes are the result. Perhaps the biggest thing that makes a cheesecake unique is the topping. Among all the seemingly endless varieties of toppings, blueberry is among the most popular.  

A blueberry cheesecake is easy to make. There are “bake” and “no-bake” recipes.  It begins with a graham cracker, cookie, or pastry bottom crust. Next comes the cheese filling. It is simple to make the cheesecake filling from scratch. Or, you can buy a cheesecake mix. After the cheesecake is finished, generously pour blueberry pie filling on top and you’re ready to serve it to all of your hungry family and friends.

Candy lovers rejoice! Today we celebrate and enjoy one of your favorite confections. Today is National Taffy Day. On this May 23 holiday get your jaws chewing on this candy treat. Eating taffy brings back fond memories of summers at the beach, amusement parks and fairs, and just plain summer fun. You can almost feel the warm, salty breezes and sand between your toes. As you read our taffy trivia, bite into a piece or two of taffy as you learn some great factoids to share with your friends. Then, make plans to hit the beach, as school will soon be out, and summer vacation is near.

The primary ingredients of saltwater taffy are butter and sugar. Different flavorings are added, too. The ingredients are boiled, and the mixture is stretched to make it light and chewy. Then, it is rolled and cut into bite-sized pieces and individually wrapped. If you’ve never been to a candy store that makes taffy on-site, what are you waiting for!? 

Here’s a little interesting taffy trivia: On April 15, 2016, the Annabelle Candy Company from Hayward, CA decided to celebrate sixty-five years in business in a very big way. They set the Guinness World Record for the largest piece of taffy candy. Two years of planning paid off when they produced a 524-pound piece of taffy.

Today is a holiday to celebrate your true love. C’mon admit it. You’re in love with chocolate. As a result, you and all of the other chocoholics of the world are going to love National Devil’s Food Cake Day. On this May 19 holiday, leave your halo and the angel food cake on the kitchen counter. Rather, indulge your taste buds in the intense flavor of this dark and velvety cake. If you’ve never tried this cake before, today is the perfect opportunity for you to join millions of other chocolate lovers as they indulge in a culinary thrill. Without a doubt, you’ll be reaching for a second slice of this sweet cake. We won’t tell anyone if you go off of your diet for just one day to make your sweet tooth happy. And if you get caught, just tell people “The devil made me do it!”

Devil’s Food Cake is distinctly different from other chocolate cakes. Most notably, it is made with cocoa, instead of chocolate squares used in making regular chocolate cake. This gives it a more intense flavor. Additionally, a few other different ingredients, and a slightly altered way of making it, result in a velvety cake that is moister, darker, richer, and airier than other chocolate cakes.

Favorite Movies: The Devil Wears Prada (2006), The Devil and Miss Jones (1941, 1973)

Certainly, this is a nutty day in every way. It’s National Walnut Day. This May 17 holiday celebrates a healthy and good-tasting tree nut. Are you a health nut? Like other tree nuts, walnuts contain healthy antioxidants and Omega-3 oil, Delicious and nutritious are two great traits for any food. So, those of us who are not allergic to tree nuts should strive to increase our intake of walnuts. Luckily, that’s an easy task. They are an ingredient in countless recipes. So, you can enjoy them at every meal and for dessert. And they are a very popular snack item, too. 

Sure, walnuts may be only the third most popular nut behind peanuts (actually a Legume), and almonds. However, it truly deserves its own day of recognition. In addition to its popularity in the kitchen and as a snack food, walnut trees have a big application that most other types of nuts don’t. Walnut trees are a popular wood for furniture and cabinetry. The wood is beautiful and high-quality. It is one of the most popular timbers for many woodworking projects.

The only knock against walnuts is that they are a hard nut to crack. It is difficult to crack a walnut open without the nut inside breaking into many pieces or even getting crushed. If you want to break them open without smashing them into a million pieces, do not use a nutcracker. Rather, experts advise the use of a butter knife or even a screwdriver. Insert the tool into the crack of a walnut shell. Then, pry it open. Use a knife or a tool called a “Nut Pick” to scrape out the nut inside.

How to approach this holiday: Don’t go ape. Go nuts!

Are you looking for a flavorful and versatile biscuit? Buttermilk biscuits are one of America’s favorite rolls. Today, we celebrate them on National Buttermilk Biscuit Day. Also called “Quick Bread”, you don’t want to miss this May 14 holiday. Like other food holidays, it is a culinary treat. We encourage you to take up the challenge and celebrate this food holiday by enjoying a buttermilk biscuit at every meal. 

 Fluffy buttermilk biscuits are a classic Southern comfort food that’s easy to make. Just about anything goes well on or in this dense biscuit. So, enjoy buttermilk biscuits for any meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And, let’s not forget dessert and snack time, too. Use them to make strawberry shortcakes. Put any type of fruit on them, top it with whipped cream, and you have a great dessert.   

Three things set them apart from other types of bread and rolls.  First, they use baking soda and baking powder instead of yeast as a rising agent. Second, you can have it at any meal and snack time, too. And third, it is dense and readily absorbs liquids without immediately turning to mush like many other rolls and breads.

Buttermilk biscuits have few ingredients. Although you can add many other ingredients, basic buttermilk biscuit ingredients consist of flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, butter or margarine, and buttermilk. The average biscuit contains 23- 27 grams of carbs, 170 – 210 calories, and 8 grams of fat. While most recipes call for up to a teaspoon of salt, those of us on a low-salt diet can all but eliminate it from the ingredients. 

Did you ever wonder just what would happen if you ignored the notice on the mattress tag that threatened a federal prison cell for you if the tag is torn off? Will you serve time and come out of jail as a felon? Well, today is Tear the Tags Off the Mattress Day. So, we’re going to tell you all about these tags that are found on mattresses and pillows. Also called Mattress Tag Day, this May 9 holiday encourages us to throw caution to the wind, and rip those tags off. Then, we will see you again in 7 to 10 years. Or, maybe less with time off for good behavior!

Officially, the tag reads “Under penalty of law, this tag is not to be removed….”. By law, the tag contains important information about the mattress, including the materials used, care instructions, and fire safety information. Manufacturers and retailers are not allowed to remove these tags.

In this often-divided country, there is one thing we all can agree on. Mattress tags are ugly and irritating. The objective of this holiday is to celebrate and exercise consumer freedom. After all, you own the tag. So, you can do anything you want to it.

Did You Know? If you live to be 75 years old, you will have spent 25 years in bed.