Garfield It's Your Day!

Remember that big orange cat...He loved naps and food and, of course, LASAGNA!  Well, today is the day for him - and many of you - to be happy about....It's National Lasagna Day!

You can even choose to celebrate twice. As Bravo's is offering half off their Lasagna tomorrow.  So, if you love lasagna, today and tomorrow are special treats for you.  So do as Garfield would and dig in! (Silverware is optional.)

WooHoo! It's National Tequila Day!

It's a day to celebrate.  Do you like shots, margaritas, a different cocktail?  All delicious and to be enjoyed on this day.  Tequila connoisseurs and amateurs alike will enjoy themselves today.  There are many brands, varieties, and types of tequila - pace yourself - don't try them all but savor whichever you choose.  

Ready for some fun facts:
Connoisseurs consider it to be true "tequila" only if it is 100% agave.  Otherwise, it is said to be a mixto.  There are more than 136 species of agave, and you really are looking for 100% blue agave.

The Mexican government does hold the rights to the name "tequila."

Ever gone tequila shopping and wondered what a blanco was or why an anejo costs more?  Well, it has to do with the ageing.  
Blanco is the silver tequila and isn't aged in wood.  
Reposado is aged for a time period between 2 and 11 months.
Anejo is aged in oak barrels for over a year.

Salt.  Shot.  Lemon/Lime.  Does that mean something to you?  Yes, it's the way to do a tequila shot.  Originally, they were taken with sugar and orange wedges.

Tequilas, like many spirits, have a wide range of prices.  The most expensive are thought to be the Hacienda La Capilla with its diamond-encrusted bottle and the Ultra Premium tequila Ley .925 Pasion Azteca.  They both have bottles with asking prices in the millions.

Tequila is on the rise in the U.S.  In 2012, it had 8% of total spirit sales in bars and restaurants, and the margarita is said to be the favorite cocktail.

There's even a drink called a Tequila Sunrise, and it's very pretty.  Maybe it's what your having this morning with your breakfast....if you have the day off, of course.  :)

Tomorrow is National Hot Dog Day! Get ready....

Yes, July 23 2013 is the day for a hot dog.  Grilled, boiled, baked, cold, with relish or mustard or ketchup...However you take your dog today's the day to enjoy them.  

Some fast hot dog facts:

• Their roots can be traced back to Germany.
• Popularity in the US grew when the first Coney Island hot dog stand opened in 1871.
• It is thought that the term "hot dog" was coined by a cartoonist who thought they looked like "red hot dachshund dogs."  He couldn't spell dachshund so he just wrote "hot dogs."
• Yes, there is a government definition of hot dogs, and it is even stated that they can't be more than 10% water or 30% fat.
• Last year, U.S. grocery stores sold more than $1.7 billion in hot dogs.
• Throughout the U.S., there are many varieties.  From New York to Chicago to Seattle, everyone has their own way to eat a hot dog.  There is even a Kansas City dog.
• While extremely popular at baseball games (it's believed that the 2013 baseball season will sell 26 million hot dogs), you really can find hot dogs most everywhere - even the Vatican and White House. Hey, even Mickey Mouse wanted a hot dog.  His first words were "Hot dogs!"

I Scream...You Scream....

It's National Ice Cream Day!!!

July is Ice Cream month, but today is the official ice cream day.  What flavor do you like?  Cone?  Cup?  Sundae?  Fudge bar?  Malt?  So many delicious ways to enjoy this cool treat.  Last year, the International Ice Cream Association did a survey on favorite flavors.  While vanilla ranked number one by a landslide, cookies and cream and mint chocolate chip were right up there.  Yes, the most popular may be the simple and original flavors, but people are branching out.  We have pickle, garlic, and jalapeno not to mention bacon pieces for topping.  Baskin Robbins has even put together a study on what your favorite flavor says about you.  

However you take it...enjoy a big scoop today....or maybe two...or three!

A Day for My Mom!

It's July 19th!  Do you know what that means?  No, I'm not talking about school supply sales or a very hot day....

It's National Daiquiri Day!

Grab a refreshing daiquiri and drink up.  Lounge by the pool with a frozen fruity daiquiri and pretend you are on the beach somewhere tropical.  Whatever flavor or size you like, enjoy it and have a drink to my amazing mother, too!

Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela and let's Go to Comic-Con!

Yes, it's Comic- Con time!  San Diego is probably filled now with people dressed in costumes, carrying comics, and getting signatures.  Hope they are having fun with it.  I will celebrate by watching Big Bang Theory tonight.

Are you Ready for Some Hostess!!!

Tomorrow is a day many have been thinking about and hoping for since Hostess went away taking with it cupcakes, Ho-Hos, and Twinkies.  The return is near; Hostess says tomorrow is the day.  So get ready and gear up for some yummy, cakey, deliciousness.  July 15th is near!  Can you taste it?

Be a Cow and a Geek the Next Two Days!

So many fun holidays out there.  It's great when companies get involved for some fun promotions.  Chick-fil-A has declared today, July 12, Dress like a Cow Day.  If you come into their restaurants dressed fully as a cow, you'll get some free chicken.  Yum!  It's also Pecan Pie Day so save room for dessert.

Tomorrow is Embrace your Geekness Day!  Don't be afraid to be a "Geek."  Play video games, watch Star Trek, and spend hours on the computer.  Top your night off with hours of Big Bang Theory and some French Fries to celebrate National French Fries Day.

The Day after Chocolate Day

How do you celebrate the day after chocolate day?

Do you try to eat healthy?  Exercise? Or.....

Celebrate July 8th with National Chocolate with Almonds Day!

Almonds have many healthy attributes.  You could go the healthier route with dark chocolate covered almonds or cocoa infused roasted almonds.  You could just have fun with the holiday with Almond Joys or brownies with almonds.  You could even have one of my mom's favorites  Chocolate Almond Ice Cream. 

Celebrate the First Weekend of July

Enjoyed the Fourth so much you want to keep partying?

Firecrackers still going off all around you?  You want to endulge in more delicious food?

Forget that today is Work-a-holics Day and take time to revel in Roswell UFO Weekend and the beginning of chicken wing week.  Or forget those and skip right to the good stuff - The yumminess and sprinkles are here for you this weekend with Sunday bringing Chocolate Day and National Strawberry Sundae Day.  I say put them together and throw some sprinkles on top! :)  Enjoy!

Today - Another Fourth???

July Fourth is the date the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was approved, but it wasn't the day it was written or the day John Adams thought would be celebrated. He actually wrote to his wife saying the second would be "the great anniversary Festival."

Our Independence and freedoms are so important why don't we celebrate both days. Smile today at fellow Americans, wave to children playing in the sun, and send a prayer of thanks and peace to God for our soldiers and ancestors. There are many reasons to celebrate - and hey, there's always a reason for more home made ice cream, strawberry shortcake, apple pie, or whatever dish you want! :)

Happy Second of July!