January 6, 2015

How To: Self-Watering Seed Starter Pots

Came across this on FB and looked like an interesting project.

http://www.seattlesundries.com/blogs/news/11749733-how-to-self-watering-seed-starter-pots

A few weeks ago the girls and I did a project that I've been enjoying every day since. We repurposed 2 liter bottles and turned them into self-watering planters for starting our tomatoes and cucumbers indoors. They've been sitting on the window sill near my desk and I've been watching them grow every day. It's been the perfect antidote for the bummer weather we've been having here in Seattle.

I've tried starting seeds indoors several different ways over the years. So far this is my favorite method because the soil is always exactly the right moisture level and it's very easy to see with the naked eye when it's time to add water to the planter. There's no guesswork involved and the plants seem to love it.

January 6, 2015

Daily Holidays -January 6

Bean Day Why is January 6 National Bean Day? Some believe it commemorates the death of renown geneticist, Gregor Mendel, who used bean and pea plants to test his theories on inheritance. Mendel died on January 6, 1884.

Beans were an important source of protein throughout Old and New World history, and still are today.

Beans and legumes are generally a healthy source of a number of other nutrients including magnesium, fiber, potassium, and complex carbohydrates and folate. Beans are also high in iron.

Beans have significant amounts of soluble fiber. Just one cup of cooked beans provide between nine and 13 grams of fiber. http://www.examiner.com/article/january-6-is-national-bean-day

Epiphany or Twelfth Night Twelfth Night is a festival, in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany. Different traditions mark the date of Twelfth Night on either 5th January or 6th January; the Church of England, Mother Church of the Anglican Communion, celebrates Twelfth Night on the 5th and "refers to the night before Epiphany, the day when the nativity story tells us that the three wise men visited the infant Jesus".[1][2][3] In Western Church traditions the Twelfth Night concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas, although in others the Twelfth Night can precede the Twelfth Day.[4] Bruce Forbes wrote that " "In 567 the Council of Tours proclaimed that the entire period between Christmas and Epiphany should be considered part of the celebration, creating what became known as the twelve days of Christmas, or what the English called Christmastide. On the last of the twelve days, called Twelfth Night, various cultures developed a wide range of additional special festivities. The variation extends even to the issue of how to count the days. If Christmas Day is the first of the twelve days, then Twelfth Night would be on January 5, the eve of Epiphany. If December 26, the day after Christmas, is the first day, then Twelfth Night falls on January 6, the evening of Epiphany itself."[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelfth_Night_(holiday)


National Shortbread Day Scottish shortbread evolved from medieval biscuit bread, which was a twice-baked, enriched bread roll dusted with sugar and spices and hardened into a Rusk (soft, sweetened biscuit). Eventually butter was substituted for yeast, and shortbread was born. Since butter was such an important ingredient, the word "shortbread" derived from shortening. Shortbread may have been made as early as the 12th Century, however its invention is often attributed to Mary, Queen of Scots in the 16th Century. Petticoat Tails were a traditional form of shortbread said to be enjoyed by the queen. The round shortbread was flavored with caraway seeds, baked and cut into triangular wedges. The triangles resemble the shape of fabric pieces used to make petticoats during the rein of Queen Elizabeth I. Shortbread was also made in individual round biscuits called shortbread rounds and in a rectangular slab, which was cut into thin pieces known as fingers. All of these forms of shortbread are still made today.

In the beginning shortbread was expensive and reserved as a luxury for special occasions like Christmas, Hogmanay (Scottish New Year’s Eve), and weddings. Through the years it developed into an everyday favorite and is now enjoyed all around the world. Traditional shortbread consisted of three main ingredients: flour, sugar and butter. Today many varieties of shortbread exist, but most still include the traditional ingredients. The type and texture of the dry ingredients greatly influences the consistency of the shortbread. The addition of rice flour gives shortbread a grainy, crumbly texture while cornstarch (corn flour) gives it a more dense texture. http://www.englishteastore.com/shortbread-history.html

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january6.html

January 5, 2015

Daily Holidays -January 5

National Whipped Cream Day No matter what you eat on Jan. 5, make sure you put a dollop of whip cream on it. From your breakfast pancakes or waffles to your dinner dessert, you can top them off with whipped cream. Put whip cream in your beverages as well. Why? http://www.examiner.com/article/january-5-is-national-whipped-cream-day

Bird Day Join Us for 13th Annual National Bird Day, Why National Bird Day?

The beauty, songs, and flight of birds have long been sources of human inspiration.
Today, nearly 12 percent of the world's 9,800 bird species may face extinction within the next century, including nearly one-third of the world's 330 parrot species.
Birds are sentinel species whose plight serves as barometer of ecosystem health and alert system for detecting global environmental ills.
Many of the world's parrots and songbirds are threatened with extinction due to pressures from the illegal pet trade, disease, and habitat loss.
Public awareness and education about the physical and behavioral needs of birds can go far in improving the welfare of the millions of birds kept in captivity.
The survival and well-being of the world's birds depends upon public education and support for conservation. http://www.nationalbirdday.com

Blue Monday Blue Monday is a name given to a date in January stated, as part of a publicity campaign by Sky Travel, to be the most depressing day of the year. However, the whole concept is considered pseudoscience,[1] with its formula derided by scientists as nonsense. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Monday_(date)

National Weigh-In Day

Divorce Monday Legal firms are bracing themselves for ‘Divorce Monday’ when they typically see a surge in queries from spouses planning to break up after limping through the Christmas holidays.

Many couples wait until after Christmas and the New Year before initiating a separation, leading to a glut of inquiries on the first working Monday of January, dubbed ‘Divorce Day’.

One in five married couples are considering separating from their partners after staying together over the festive period, according a poll of 2,000 spouses by legal firm Irwin Mitchell.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) claims that 42 per cent of all marriages end in divorce. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/lawyers-prepare-for-divorce-day-as-christmas-holidays-take-their-toll-9955646.html

"Thank God It's Monday" Day

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january5.html

January 4, 2015

Daily Holidays -January 4

National Spaghetti Day Six Awesome Things About Spaghetti For National Spaghetti Day! http://blog.grubhub.com/grublife/six-awesome-things-about-spaghetti-for-national-spaghetti-day/

Dimpled Chad Day

Earth at Perihelion Tonight – that is, before dawn tomorrow from our North American longitudes – our planet Earth will reach perihelion, its closest point to the sun for the year. This annual event will take place on January 4, 2015 at 6:36 UTC (01:36 a.m. EST). The word perihelion is from Greek roots peri meaning near, and helios meaning sun.

Earth is closest to the sun every year in early January, when it’s winter for the Northern Hemisphere. We’re farthest away from the sun in early July, during our Northern Hemisphere summer.

Earth is about 5 million kilometers – or 3 million miles – closer to the sun in early January than it will be in early July. That’s not a huge change in distance. It’s not enough of a change to cause the seasons on Earth. http://earthsky.org/tonight/earth-comes-closest-to-sun-every-year-in-early-january

Pop Music Chart Day

Tom Thumb Day General Tom Thumb was the stage name of Charles Sherwood Stratton (January 4, 1838 – July 15, 1883), a dwarf who achieved great fame as a midget[1] performer under circus pioneer P.T. Barnum.[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Tom_Thumb

Trivia Day

World Braille Day World Braille Day is celebrated every year on 4th January around the world to commemorate the birthday of Louis Braille. Louis Braille is credited with inventing the Braille language which helps blind people to read as well as write.
Louis Braille was born in France. At the age of 3, he accidentally became blind. However, he had a great yearning to be able to read and write properly, despite his disability. An attentive kid at school, at the age of 15, he developed a set of symbols by making raised dots on a piece of paper. The dots could be easily felt by hand, thus enabling even the blind to feel them and hence, read and write. http://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/international/world-braille-day.php


http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january4.html

January 3, 2015

Daily Holidays -January 3

Chocolate Covered Cherry Day "Easy, delicious cherries. Just like you buy in the box! It's best to let the candies ripen for 1 to 2 weeks." http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-covered-cherries-2/


Drinking Straw Day Now that the holiday craze has come to a close and everyone has rang in the New Year, it’s time to celebrate the real main event in January: the 125th anniversary of the drinking straw patent! Thanks to Marvin Stone, the drinking straw was patented on January 3rd, 1888.

Where would we be without the drinking straw? Drinking our ice cold beverages straight from the glass like cave men?! You may not think about it often, but most people probably encounter or use a drinking straw at least once every day. Straws directly influence how we enjoy our beverages whether at a restaurant, in the movie theater, or from a crazy cup while lounging at a tropical resort.

- See more at: http://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/blog/national-drinking-straw-day-125-years/#sthash.2kCbN3zh.dpuf


Fruitcake Toss Day At last, the answer to that age-old question: How do I get rid of this *$&*@#! fruitcake?

People in Manitou Springs have found the answer. Throw it as far as you can, by any means that you can, and hope it’s never found again. You can come watch this amazing event for free (however, contestants pay a small fee or donate a can of non-perishable food to enter the events).

To be fair, separate prizes are given to numerous special tossing divisions. That is, athletes choosing to toss their fruitcakes by hand are not competing directly with those who use a catapult, giant slingshot, or spud gun (or is that a fruitcake gun?). The audience needs to be ever-vigilant for those fruitcakes that end up being tossed straight up in the air by contestants whose timing on the catapult isn’t quite perfect. You know you’re having a bad day when you get hit in the head with a frozen fruitcake falling from hundreds of feet above you. http://www.colorado-for-free.com/FreeThingsToDoColorado/FruitcakeToss.htm

J.R.R. Tolkien Day John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE (/ˈtɒlkiːn/ tol-keen;[a] 3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high-fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january3.html

January 2, 2015

Daily Holidays -January 2

National Cream Puff Day As if we haven’t had enough to celebrate, today is National Cream Puff Day. This delicious pastry is actually pâte à choux (pronounced path-ah-shoo, like a sneeze), and it lends itself to many presentations, both sweet and savory. In this country, when we think of cream puffs we are usually referring to a rich dessert that made its debut here in the 1880s. But pâte à choux, as it is known in Europe, dates back to the 1540s, when Catherine de Medici’s pastry chef created the baked puffed shells for her husband, Henry II of France.
Also known as profiteroles, or choux à la crème, these are usually filled with whipped cream, pastry cream, or ice cream. They can be left plain or dusted with powdered sugar. Should you want a little more decadence, consider topping the dessert with chocolate sauce, caramel, or a ginger-butterscotch sauce.
The basic recipe is an easy one to remember: 1-1-1-1-1. One cup water, one stick butter, one cup flour, one cup eggs (four large), and one pinch of salt (or sugar, depending on how you plan to use the puffs). In researching this column, I found that substituting sweet rice flour for the all-purpose flour gives you a gluten-free pâte à choux that is just as good (some may say even better) than the usual version.
Sweet rice flour can be found in the supermarket in the Asian section; it is also known as “glutinous” rice flour, even though it is gluten-free. The technique for making the puffs is the same, whichever flour you choose to use. Pâte à choux is considered by some to be labor intensive, but should you want to use your stand mixer, or even your food processor, you can adapt the recipes accordingly. In fact, Jacques Pepin’s instructions for gougères might even change your way of thinking about this wonderful pastry. http://www.capenews.net/columns/gourmets-and-good-eaters-celebrating-national-cream-puff-day/article_e4eb0156-9228-11e4-9ed9-83994aa9467b.html

55-MPH Speed Limit Day On this day in 1974, President Richard M. Nixon signs the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, setting a new national maximum speed limit.

Prior to 1974, individual states set speed limits within their boundaries and highway speed limits across the country ranged from 40 mph to 80 mph. The U.S. and other industrialized nations enjoyed easy access to cheap Middle Eastern oil from 1950 to 1972, but the Arab-Israeli conflict changed that dramatically in 1973. Arab members of the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) protested the West's support of Israel in the Yom Kippur War by stopping oil shipments to the United States, Japan and Western Europe. OPEC also flexed its new-found economic muscle by quadrupling oil prices, placing a choke-hold on America's oil-hungry consumers and industries. The embargo had a global impact, sending the U.S. and European economies into recession. As part of his response to the embargo, President Nixon signed a federal law lowering all national highway speed limits to 55 mph. The act was intended to force Americans to drive at speeds deemed more fuel-efficient, thereby curbing the U.S. appetite for foreign oil. With it, Nixon ushered in a policy of fuel conservation and rationing not seen since World War II. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-signs-national-speed-limit-into-law

Happy Mew Year for Cats Day

National Buffet Day T raditionally, the “Day to Feast” before the great diet begins
Five Food Finds about Buffets

There are many variations of buffet, including a “cold buffet” and a “finger buffet”.
The buffet table originates from the 16th century Brännvinsbord—Swedish schnapps table.
The actual word “buffet” originally referred to the French sideboard where the food was served.
The “all-you-can-eat” buffet has been ascribed to Herb Macdonald, a hotel manager in Minneapolis, Minnesota who introduced the idea in 1946.
In Japan, a buffet is known as a viking (バイキング – baking). http://foodimentary.com/2014/01/02/january-2-is-national-buffet-day/


National Motivation and Inspiration Day H. Res. 308


In the House of Representatives, U.S.,


December 18, 2001.

Whereas motivation and inspiration have played important roles in the greatest achievements of civilized society and are characteristics common to all great leaders;

Whereas both children and adults need motivation and inspiration in order to achieve success and happiness in their lives;

Whereas the inspiration to define goals at school, home, and work and the motivation to achieve those goals is critical to achieving success and happiness;

Whereas all children and young adults need mentors to inspire them to achieve their goals and to motivate them to direct their energies toward positive and constructive activities and goals;

Whereas adults who mentor children and young adults become inspired and motivated themselves;

Whereas a renewed focus on motivation and inspiration is particularly important in the wake of the tragedies of September 11, 2001;

Whereas the beginning of the year is often a time of reflection, planning, and goal setting;

Whereas the establishment of a National Motivation and Inspiration Day would provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to focus on the importance of maintaining motivation and inspiration in their lives; and

Whereas prominent citizens of Long Island, New York, are attempting to establish January 2 as National Motivation and Inspiration Day: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals of a National Motivation and Inspiration Day.

Attest:

Clerk.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/107/hres308/text

National Personal Trainer Awareness Day

National Science Fiction Day National Science Fiction Day is unofficially celebrated by many science fiction fans in the United States on January 2, a date that was chosen[when?][by whom?] to correspond with the official birthdate of famed science fiction writer Isaac Asimov.[1]

While not an official holiday of any sort (in the sense that it is not recognized or declared by any government), National Science Fiction Day is given some degree of credence by its recognition by organizations such as the Hallmark Channel[2] and by the Scholastic Corporation.[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Science_Fiction_Day

Pet Travel and Safety Day

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january2.html

January 1, 2015

Daily Holidays -January 1

Bloody Mary Day Not only is January 1st the beginning of a New Year, it’s also National Bloody Mary Day. Yeah, that’s a thing. I’m not sure if Hallmark has caught onto the holiday yet, but if any single drink is worthy of a nation-wide day of honor, it’s the Bloody Mary. Part drink, part breakfast, all hangover cure—there’s no better way to kick off 2014 than with a kickin’ Bloody Mary.

Fernand Petiot claimed to be the father of the Bloody Mary, mixing tomato juice with vodka in Harry’s New York Bar in Paris during the ‘20s. Later, the same bartender added some pizazz by throwing in lemon, pepper, and hot sauce to the mix. The beauty of the Bloody Mary, though, is that it gets reinvented every time you make it. Unlike classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned, there is no right or wrong way to make a Bloody Mary. Spicy or mild? Celery or pickled okra? I have a friend who makes his with gin, not vodka, and it doesn’t bother me one bit. What goes into your Bloody Mary is entirely up to you, which is probably why you see so many “make your own” Bloody Mary bars these days. http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/01/happy-national-bloody-mary-day.html

Apple Gifting Day Apple Gifting Day recognizes that nature's most well-known fruit also makes a great gift not only for teachers, but everyone else as well. They are healthy and there are so many tasty apple varieties and dishes that you'll be sure to find one that appeals to most anyone.

Copyright Law Day

Commitment Day Commitment Day is a national event to kick off a shared healthy way of life movement. On January 1, the Commitment Day 5k will mark the start of the first day to renew our lives. In 35 cities around the United States, thousands of participants will run, walk and roll as a proactive stand against poor health, inadequate nutrition, controllable disease and spiraling healthcare costs.

Commitment Day supports and celebrates individual human achievements and the passionate pursuit of greatness — one milestone at a time. After all, living healthier is easy. All it takes is commitment. Commitment Day. It is not a resolution. It’s a revolution of you. https://www.facebook.com/CommitmentDay/info

Ellis Island Day

Euro Day

First Foot Day

Global Family Day One Day of Peace and Sharing, is celebrated every January 1 in the United States as a global day of peace and sharing. Global Family Day grew out of the United Nations Millennium celebration, "One Day In Peace". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Family_Day

Mummer’s Parade The Mummers Parade is held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It is believed to be the oldest folk festival in the United States.[1]

Local clubs (usually called "New Years Associations&quot compete in one of four categories (comics, fancies, string bands, and fancy brigades). They prepare elaborate costumes and moveable scenery, which take months to complete. This is done in clubhouses – many of which are on or near 2nd Street (called "Two Street" by some local residents)[2] in the Pennsport neighborhood of the city's South Philadelphia section – which also serve as social gathering places for members.

The parade has been broadcast since 1993 on WPHL-TV,[3] which has live streamed the event on its website since 2011. After a national campaign to get the parade nationally televised,[4] an edited two-hour broadcast of the parade was picked up by WGN America and WGN-TV; the broadcast debuted January 3, 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummers_Parade

New Years Day

New Year's Dishonor List Day Lake Superior State University's 40th Annual List of Banished Words

The tradition created by the late W. T. Rabe, former public relations director at Lake Superior State University, begins its fifth decade with this year's annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.

Rabe and fellow LSSU faculty and staff came up with the first list of words and phrases that people love to hate at a New Year's Eve party in 1975, publishing it on Jan. 1, 1976. Though he and his friends created the first list from their own pet peeves about language, Rabe said he knew from the volume of mail he received in the following weeks that the group would have no shortage of words and phrases from which to choose for 1977. Since then, the list has consisted entirely of nominations received from around the world throughout the year. http://www.lssu.edu/banished/

Polar Bear Plunge or Swim Day A polar bear plunge is an event held during the winter where participants enter a body of water despite the low temperature. In the United States and Canada polar bear plunges are usually held to raise money for a charitable organization. However, some Canadians have been known to make the plunge in celebration of a new year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bear_plunge

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january1.html