National Men Make Dinner Day was created for two reasons. First, it is to give the ladies a break from the cooking chores. Secondly, it seeks to encourage men who do not cook, to learn how to cook.  Begin by making a meal on this today all by yourself. Of course, even men who know how to cook should celebrate this day by making a meal. For the experienced male cook, we encourage you to make something challenging. Try a new recipe.

According to Sandy Sharkey, the creator of this holiday, she recognized that most men do in fact cook. But, her husband was not one of them. So, she proclaimed “This day is now dedicated to the men who do not know a spatula from a whisk.” Did this cause her husband to respond by cooking dinner for the first time? He sure did! For ladies with husbands attempting to cook for the first time, Sharkey advises: “Just make sure the fire extinguisher is nearby”. 

Some people call this Make Your Wife Dinner Day. But, this day is not limited to husbands. It’s for all of you guys out there in a relationship, married or not.

Okay guys, be a sport. Give the ladies in your life a break. Set them in their favorite chair in the living room, put a glass of wine in their hands, and tune the TV to their favorite “Chick Flick”. Then, grab a beer, find a recipe and make dinner all by yourself!

Make Your Own Head Day is today. Without a doubt, on this November 28 holiday, it’s definitely a day to keep your head on your shoulders. The only rule that we can think of is that the head must be your own. Now get started, so we can see how good of an artist you are!

This is a crafty day. It is very popular in grade schools, and art classes. In class, you can make your own head. Any medium will do. You can use clay, paper mache, draw or sketch your head. You can make a picture with paint, charcoal, or crayon. Be creative and add a hat to your head. While Halloween is over, making a Frankenstein head is still a good way to participate in this holiday.

Happy Make Your Own Head Day.

Are you wound up tighter than a spring? Are you feeling tense and edgy? Have the kids got you frazzled? Maybe the upcoming holidays are causing you to freak out a little bit. Okay, the holidays have you more than “a little bit” tense. The stress of the upcoming holidays is certainly enough to get anyone and everyone freaked out. All that tension, that worry, and stress are not good for anyone. Today is Loosen Up Lighten Up Day. And, this November 14 holiday has come at a good time. You can use this special day to do exactly what this day was created for….to loosen up and to lighten up.

Stress and tension can come from an amazing array of things. It can be something small that just sets you off. Or, it could be some sort of problem that you are facing or anything in between. Today is the perfect opportunity to spend some time mentally identifying the stressors that are currently in your life. Only after you have identified them, can you take steps to eliminate those nasty stressors, big and small. A big way to loosen up and lighten up is to increase your sense of happiness. Think about things that make you happy and focus on them. That includes surrounding yourself with upbeat, happy people, that will elevate your happiness and lighten up your day.

If you like round objects, then today’s holiday is for you. Look For Circles Day is today. On this November 2 holiday. go forth in search of circles. We suspect you will find them everywhere. Looking for circles is a lot like swimming in a round pool. You go round and round. There’s a lot of splashing. However, you don’t get anywhere. But, why look for them, you ask!? Basically, because you can.

Circles are an amazing shape. There is no beginning and no end. It can encircle and protect things. It can draw you in. They are used to describe the end of a process or the complete process. A circle has symbolic meaning. For example, among other things it represents balance, harmony, eternity, and unity.

Did you find lots of circles? We knew you would. And, we hope that your search has made you very happy.

Song of the Day: Would You Like to Buy an “O”? (1975) It’s a Sesame Street song sung by Lefty the Salesman to Bert and Ernie.

We hope you take a circuitous route to a happy and fun filled Look For Circles Day!

King Tut Day, a November 4 holiday, celebrates the date of the discovery of Egyptian King Tutankhamun’s Tomb. Over 3,000 years ago, King Tutankhamun became the King of Egypt at the age of 9. He died at the age of 19. He is commonly called “King Tut”. His rule over Egypt was just a short nine years, from 1333 B.C. to 1324 B.C. The cause of his death is uncertain. Murder and an innocent accident are the two main theories.

Since his death, the contents and secrets held inside remained undisturbed. While grave robbers ransacked and stole the valuable contents from the tombs of many other kings, this tomb remained undiscovered. Then, the tomb of Egypt’s “child king” was discovered on November 4, 1922. Researchers found it in Egypt’s Valley of Kings. They found amazing things in his tomb. For example, he was buried inside a nest of three coffins. The innermost coffin was made of solid gold. All kinds of jewelry, precious stones, clothing, and furniture were in the tomb. And amazingly, it included a chariot too.

Song of the Day: King Tut. On May 22, 1978, comedian Steve Martin first sang this song on an SNL skit. All of a sudden, it became an instant hit.

UNESCO International Tolerance Day is an annual event, celebrated around the world. The United Nations and UNESCO created and sponsor this November 16 holiday. The United Nations is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. This is especially needed in these times of war, terrorism, and disregard for human life. Countries around the world celebrate this day, by holding conferences, fairs, and other events to teach the meaning and importance of tolerance, and encourage individuals and groups to practice tolerance, respect, and dignity. Practicing tolerance toward others will help lead to peace. 

According to UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon: “The United Nations promotes tolerance as a matter of its fundamental identity. When tolerance is upheld, we encourage the world to emulate those fine examples. When tolerance is threatened, we must speak out.” — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

If you are in a position to do so, create an event for your company, organization, or group, to promote and teach tolerance. As an individual look for events on this day, where you can participate.

Ladies and Gentlemen, raise your glasses in a toast to International Merlot Day, a November 7 holiday. Your wine glass is filled with Merlot wine, isn’t it!? We hope so. Just so you know, you are drinking one of the world’s most popular dry red wines.

As wine lovers know, this is a favorite among dry red wines. Merlot is considered a noble grape. The word Merlot comes from the French word “Merlau” or “Merle”. It means “Blackbird”.  Merlot grapes are prominently grown in many parts of the world. But, nowhere is it more popular than in the Bordeaux region of France. We all know the French know a good wine when they taste it. As a result, Merlot grapes are the most popular grape in French vineyards, comprising over 60% of the vines in all of the vineyards in the country.

Without a doubt, you know what to do on International Merlot Day.  Open up a bottle of Merlot and enjoy it with a friend or two. Oh, and don’t forget the cheese and crackers.

Did You Know? There is a White Merlot. Any rosé wine that is made from red Merlot grapes is called White Merlot. If you’ve never tried it, what are you waiting for?

National Indian Pudding Day is today. This November 13 holiday is a day to enjoy puddings created by native American Indians. Surprisingly, many Americans have never had it. You won’t find it in restaurants or grocery stores, Instead, you need to grab a recipe online and make it at home.

It seems appropriate to hold this day in mid-November, as we approach Thanksgiving. Native American Indians were very much a part of the first Thanksgiving feast. It is quite likely that these puddings were served, and enjoyed, on that first Thanksgiving.

American Indian puddings are defined as a number of recipes of native American Indian origin. Generally, they include molasses and cornmeal. Apples were often an ingredient. They were usually baked.

Thought for the Day: The best things in life are not things.

Housewife Day recognizes the importance of stay-at-home wives and moms. This November 3 holiday is also referred to as “Retro” Housewife Day. These wonderful, caring creatures, build and enrich strong family environments. They help to instill family values and good character. Today, we celebrate and thank all of the ladies who choose to stay home and tend to the house and family! 

Housewife is an old term. It hails back to the days when one income could support the family in a manner of comfort. It was also a time when women did not have equal rights. While these days are long gone, women’s views of working or staying at home, fall on both sides of the fence. The decision to be a “housewife”, or stay-at-home mom, is still preferred by many. Unfortunately, income needs often necessitate going to work.

Bakers of the world, rise up and bake some bread, for today is Homemade Bread Day. On this November 17 holiday, you will enjoy the pleasant aroma of fresh homemade bread wafting through the house. Then, you get the pleasure of consuming warm bread, fresh out of the oven. I can almost smell it now!

Bread has been made for thousands of years. Estimates date its origin back to 5000-10,000 B.C. Modern-day lifestyles have relegated homemade bread to the world of specialty baking and holiday baking. People just don’t have time to bake homemade bread. We turn to a quick “run” to bakeries and grocery stores, for our bread needs. The arrival of automatic bread makers has created a small resurgence of homemade breads, especially specialty breads.

The purpose of this day is easy to make homemade bread, and to encourage you and me to make tasty and nutritious bread. So, take a little time out of your busy day, and bake some bread. Your nose, your taste buds, and your whole family will be glad you did.

Happy Homemade Bread Day!

Thought for the Day: Bread is a lot like the Sun. It rises in the Yeast and sets in the Waist.