It's Shredded Wheat Day & National Talk in an Elevator Day

These may be difficult to celebrate today if you don't like shredded wheat and don't have access to an elevator.  Probably a good idea to avoid elevators if possible but frosted mini wheats are good.

Let's celebrate the end of July by not having ice cream.  I made an apple dump cake in the crockpot to celebrate.  Although, vanilla ice cream would be perfect to top it off, guess I'll go with whipped cream instead.

Happy end of July

Genesis 28:12  He [Jacob] had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

Celebrate International Day of Friendship & Father-in-Law Day & National Chili Dog Day

It's International Day of Friendship.  Friendship is something to celebrate especially if you have a true BFF.  Not many people do.  That kind of friendship takes time, years, to develop and strengthen into a bond can weather the storms of life with us.  A best friend is a rare and precious gift and if you have one you are truly blessed.

Read about Jonathan and David in 1 & 2 Samuel.  Their friendship weathered the storms of family turmoil and betrayal but both men proved their bond was unbreakable.

David's father-in-law (his first) was not a good example of a father-in-law.  I hope, if you have one, your relationship is one of love and respect.  Good parents want the best for their children and good in-laws do too.  My father-in-law was a wonderful man of godly character mixed with a great sense of humor.  I am blessed to be a part of his family.  Even though he has passed, his influence is still felt.  He made such an impression on his grandchildren that two of them named a child after him to show him honor - Leah Aubrey and Aubrey Nicole.

My father-in-law enjoyed sports so what better way to remember the sports fans among us than to eat a baseball tradition - hot dogs.  Dress up your hot dogs today with chili, cheese, and onions.  Yum!  When I was a child, my mom and I would sometimes take the bus into Baltimore City and go to a little place that served the BEST chili dogs.  Sadly, I was young and don't remember the name of the place but that was the start of my love of chili dogs.

If you're still looking for something to celebrate today, it's also National Cheesecake Day.

I can't talk about friendship without thinking of the I Love Lucy episode where Lucy & Ethel sing the Cole Porter song.

Celebrate National Lasagna Day

I love it when I don't have to try to think of what to fix for dinner.

Lasagna it is!  Except mine may look like manicotti this time.

Hebrews 5:14  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Watch this clip to see how one cool cat makes lasagna.

Happy National Hamburger Day & National Milk Chocolate Day

Guess it's burgers for dinner.

How about a chocolate bar for snack?

Or chocolate pudding for dessert?

How will you celebrate today?

Genesis 9:3  Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you.  Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

Last week for these month of July celebrations

This is the last week to celebrate these:

National Blueberry Month

National Hot Dog Month

National Ice Cream Month

National Picnic Month

National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

Happy Parents Day & Aunts and Uncles Day

Call your mother! and father.  Wish them happy Parents Day.  

Parenting is the hardest job that never ends.  It's constant on-the-job training and what works with one child often doesn't work with another child.  It's a job that, done right, will keep you on your knees, humble you and wear out the pages of your Bible as you search the Guidebook to Life for help.  It's also the most rewarding and fulfilling job ever.  Parenthood will take you to the highest heights and the lowest lows.  It isn't for the faint-hearted.

Call your aunts and uncles today too.  Parents don't usually raise children alone.  Thank the aunts and uncles who have loved and nurtured you.  Aunts and uncles have the opportunity to be in a place of friendship without being the disciplinarian, yet, hopefully, giving wise and sound guidance.

Grandparents (even though this isn't their day) also provide a safe place and wise counsel for parents and grandchildren alike.  

That's my picture of a godly family.

Ephesians 6:2  Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise

(Want to know what the promise is?  Read Exodus 20:12)

Happy International Red Shoe Day & National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

Everyone needs a pair of red shoes, especially girls.  They lift the spirits.  Wear yours today if you have them.

Ephesians 6:15  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

I'd like to say one more week of ice cream but I noticed it on a few days next month too.  Maybe we can pretend popsicles are ice cream.  They would be perfect for hot July and August days.

It's Cousins Day & National Drive-Thru Day & National Tell an Old Joke Day

Reach out to your cousins today to say Happy Cousins Day, Cuz.

There are several cousins mentioned in the Bible.  Look up cousin in biblegateway and see who you find.  Mary and Elizabeth were also cousins but the Bible only says they were relatives.  Of course, all of Israel were cousins to each other since they were descendants of brothers.

National Drive-Thru Day has been celebrated every day, especially during the time that dining rooms are closed and pick-up is still the only option many places.  Support the restaurant industry today by drive-thru or curbside pick-up.

The Summer Olympics were supposed to begin today.  This is what the Internet says:

"2020 Summer Olympics will begin on Friday, July 23, 2021 and end on Sunday, August 8, 2021"

Does that mean we will have Winter & Summer Olympics if we can have any next year?

Tell an Old Joke today.  Like this one:

It's Gorgeous Grandma Day & National Refreshment Day & National Vanilla Ice Cream Day

Gorgeous Grandma Day recognizes all women of a certain age, whether they are grandmothers or not.  Express yourself through style and grace.  Wear those bright colors and be flamboyant.

(Flamboyant:  a person who attracts attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness)

National Days Today suggests celebrating National Refreshment Day like this:

Take a break and watch TV without brooding about anything

Eat something yummy

Enjoy friends

Share laughter

Watch some nice movies

Enjoy family

Play fun games

Try something new, like a new recipe

I think the best refreshment is a glass of ice water when you're hot.

It wouldn't be July if we didn't have more ice cream days.  Plain vanilla today.  Celebrate the simplicity and refreshment of vanilla ice cream.  It can be a palate cleanser in preparation for the hot fudge sundae coming on Saturday.

Proverbs 16:31  Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

Happy Hammock Day & Summer Leisure Day & National Hot Dog Day

Relax today.  Take a dip in the pool if you have one available to you.  If you're near a lake, you might swim, fish, watch boats, or take a nap in the shade.

One website suggested celebrating Hammock Day by doing hammock yoga.  I think just trying to get into a hammock and stay there can cause yoga contortions.  Please have someone record your attempts (and successes) in hammock therapy.

Then for dinner, after you have tamed the hammock, have hot dogs and French fries.

Make it an easy day if you can.

Matthew 11:28-29  "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

It's National Junk Food Day

This day has too many ways to celebrate!  Why don't you share yours with me?

Mine won't involve ice cream!  I am easily tempted by donuts though.

Daniel 1:8  But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

It's Nap Day & National Fortune Cookie Day

Denny and I spent all day yesterday in the little town of Washington, NC.  The town has a lovely boardwalk on the Pamlico River.  We walked the boardwalk and admired the boats on the river and the gazebos along the grounds.  There's a gazebo that juts out over the water.  It's a great place to catch the breeze and watch boats and kayaks go by.  The Visitor's Center has a large back porch that overlooks the boardwalk and river and there are several rocking chairs available for tired visitors.  It was a lovely day, although very hot.

I admit, I almost took a nap in the gazebo yesterday afternoon.  It was so peaceful there.

I don't nap on purpose, it's always on accident and I totally expect an accidental nap to happen sometime this afternoon. The heat really saps your energy.

Maybe we can get Chinese take-out food for dinner tonight with fortune cookies.

Did you know:

Fortune cookies are not Chinese; they are American.  They originated in California.

(Does that mean I can't get Chinese take-out to celebrate?)

Fortunes in the cookies originally contained bible verses and other quotes of wisdom to encourage people.

Psalm 127:2  In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for He grants sleep to those He loves.

More Ice Cream

Happy National Ice Cream Day

&

National Raspberry Cake Day

Eat more sweets!  Next month needs to be diet month.

Proverbs 25:27  It is not good to eat too much honey,

nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

It's World Listening Day & Toss Away the "Could Haves" and "Should Haves" Day

The first thing that came to my mind for World Listening Day was an ear.  That was quickly followed by the lyrics to Listen People (from 1966) by Herman's Hermits.  A blast from my past.

I've heard it said that we have 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason.

James 1:19  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Listening is good if you're listening to the right voices.  Don't beat yourself up for the "could haves" and "should haves" that you regret.  We can't change the past.  Forgive yourself.  None of us are perfect; we're all in need of grace.

It's Wrong Way Corrigan Day & National Peach Ice Cream Day & World Emoji Day

Directions don't mean much to me.  I don't respond well to words like right and left or east and west.  It's not unusual for me to get lost.  Douglas Corrigan was an aviator who flew from New York to California by way of Ireland.  Whoops, it could happen to anyone.  I think we must be kindred spirits because I frequently go the opposite direction of my destination.  Let's take a pleasure trip today and get lost on purpose.

The Lord told Jonah to go to Nineveh but he didn't want to go so he went the opposite direction.  Read the book of Jonah to see how the story unfolds.  It's a short book and a really good story.

Maybe your trip will lead you to peach ice cream.  I like peaches minus the fuzz, which are really nectarines, but I don't remember ever having peach ice cream.  Is it vanilla ice cream with bits of peaches in it or is the ice cream actually peach flavored?

Are you going to imitate Wrong Way Corrigan today?  👈  👉  👆  👇  🙈  😕

Or will you eat peach ice cream?  🍑  🍦  🍑  🍨  😋

Whatever you do, don't trip over all the emojis people throw at you.  ⚽  🏈  🏀  🛹

It's National Fresh Spinach Day

Salad with fresh spinach is popular nowadays.

Personally, I prefer my spinach cooked and my salad with lettuce.

It;s a good day to enjoy veggies, cooked or raw.

Proverbs 15:17  Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

It's National Give Something Away Day

Some of us may have already been clearing things out since we've been home for a few months but if you haven't, it isn't too late.

What can you give away today?  Be creative.

I Give Myself Away (William McDowell)  

Luke 6:38  Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Celebrate Cow Appreciation Day & National Mac and Cheese Day

One of son Daniel's favorite celebrations - Cow Appreciation Day.

Take a drive in the country and look for cows.

Play cows and graveyards like Denny's family used to do on car rides.  You (passengers, not driver) count cows you see on your side of the car but if you pass a graveyard on your side, you lose all your cows and have to start at 0 again.  I guess whoever had the most cows when you stop wins.

I think Cow Appreciation Day should be celebrated with dairy products not beef.

I've been wanting Tuna Casserole; that can be mac and cheese with tuna mixed in.

Or make the more sophisticated Tuna Noodles Romanoff using the recipe on Food.  I mix cheese in my casserole as well sprinkle it on top.  It's egg noodles, not macaroni, but that's close enough.

Katherine will appreciate another opportunity to use her cone shaped ice cream bowls for dessert.

Proverbs 27:23-24a  Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever,

Happy Go West Day & National French Fries Day and Beans 'n Franks Day

Dinner made easy - beans and hot dogs and French fries.  Done!

All things West:

Take a road trip headed West.  Ride West into the sunset.

Listen to Michael West sing Hello, My Name Is.  (It's one of my favorite songs).

Watch a Western or North by Northwest or The Wild Wild West or the Shakiest Gun in the West.

Read The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (good book!).

Sing about West Virginia (Country Roads) with John Denver.

Look at pictures of Key West or the West Indies and wish you were there.

And remember

Psalm 103:12  as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

It's Barn Day & Simplicity Day & National Pecan Pie Day

Take a drive in the country and look for barns to celebrate Barn Day. 

Watch Charlotte's Web.

Read The Enchanted Barn by Grace Livingston Hill.

Or leave the door open to the outside and say you were born in a barn.  Did your mom ever ask you that when you were a kid?

Simplicity.  What does that word mean to you?  I think of peace and uncomplicated and able to take a deep breath.  Has your life become simplified during the trials of this year or have circumstances complicated it more?  Do you want some simplicity in your life or are you looking forward to getting back into the swing of your previous lifestyle?  I enjoy the slower pace of my current lifestyle.  When we are able to pick up our lives again, do it mindfully.   

James 5:12  Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear - not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.  All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No."  Otherwise you will be condemned.

I don't consider pecan pie simplistic unless I just buy one.  However, Cookies & Cups has an Easy Pecan Pie Recipe that really does sound pretty easy if you want to make one.

Happy Cheer Up the Lonely Day & National Blueberry Muffin Day & Free Slurpee Day

We've been practicing cheering each other up most of this year.  We need to continue to do that even more now.

Hopefully you aren't tired of blueberries yet this month.  I hope you enjoy a blueberry muffin and maybe share one with someone.

If you live near a 7-11, go by and get your free Slurpee today.

Philippians 2:19a,c  I hope...that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

July Month-Long Celebrations

Find some time this month to celebrate these things.

National Picnic Month

        Picnic indoors or outdoors

        Mini-picnics or all-out with potato salad and veggies, etc.

National Blueberry Month

        Blueberry muffins

        Blueberry pancakes

        Blueberry smoothies

        Blueberries all by themselves

National Hot Dog Month

        Hot dogs in the air fryer

        Hot dogs on the grill

        Corndogs

National Ice Cream Month

        Any flavor ice cream

        Milkshakes

        Ice cream cake

National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

        Say good-bye before you end your call

Psalm 145:7  They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

This photo is from 2010

It's Call of the Horizon Day & National Sugar Cookie Day & National No Bra Day

Call of the Horizon Day is about dreaming.  It's about adventure and doing.  Where will your dreams take you today?  What's just over the horizon?

Nehemiah 1:9  but if you return to Me and obey My commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.

Hurray for National No Bra Day.  And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Wherever you go in whatever you are or are not wearing, eat a sugar cookie on the way.  I like soft sugar cookies.  How about you?  Soft or crispy?

Happy National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day & National Ice Cream Sundae Day

If you don't like sweets, maybe National Cell Phone Courtesy Month is more your style to celebrate.

This week is sugar-heavy so be wise and choose what days to celebrate.  If you count kissing as sweet, there's something sweet on the calendar every day this week!  You can make an ice cream sundae topped with chocolate sauce and almond slivers and celebrate everything at once.  I love these combo celebrations.  Or you can separate the celebrations and have a Hershey's bar with almonds during the day and an ice cream sundae in the evening.

I read a series, Dekker Cozy Mystery Series, by Steve Demaree.  The main character keeps a Hershey bar with almonds on him and carefully cuts off one almond with some chocolate to munch while he contemplates the clues.  I really liked the series, in case you also like cozy mysteries.  They bogged down for 2 or 3 books towards the middle of the series but they got over that hump.  The series is worth reading.

Almonds have been around for a long time.  By themselves, they are healthy; it's when we pair them up with chocolate that we have to be careful.  

Numbers 17:8  The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.

Happy National Macaroni Day & National Strawberry Sundae Day & Chocolate Day

I enjoy pasta, especially macaroni.  I also like cheesy foods.  Mac and cheese and ground beef is one of my comfort foods.  Goulash is also good.  That's just a mish-mash of whatever leftovers you have (within reason) mixed with tomato sauce and macaroni.  Macaroni salad is also an option, to stay in the spirit of Summer.

It's National Ice Cream Month as well as National Strawberry Sundae Day.  Need I say more?  Bring on the ice cream!  If you top your ice cream with chocolate, you can celebrate 2 days at once.

How will you celebrate today?  What's on your menu?

1 Corinthians 10:31  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Happy National Fried Chicken Day and International Kissing Day

It's also National Hot Dog Month.  Did you have hot dogs this week already?  With onions and chili?

Here are some offers to help you celebrate National Fried Chicken Day.

Burger King - get 2 Original Chicken Sandwiches and 2 small fries for $4.99

KFC - get an extra large serving of popcorn chicken for $10

I know it's International Kissing Day but don't kiss strangers and random people.  Remember social distancing and masks.  Blow air kisses and wave like you're the queen or king of the parade.  Or just speak honestly.

Proverbs 24:26  An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

It's National Graham Cracker Day

Today is the birthday of the man who created the original graham cracker - Reverend Sylvester Graham.  The history of this tasty snack is interesting.  Check it out on Checkiday.  They have a brief telling of the creation and evolution of the graham cracker.  Why were they originally made?

Grahams can be found in cereal, bear snacks, pie crust, and maybe mini-houses at Christmastime.

It's a good day for S'mores.

I remember going to my Great Aunt Mamie's house and eating graham crackers when I was a child.  So often food is linked to memories.

Mark 14:22-24  While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take it; this is My body."  Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," He said to them.

Happy Independence Day & National Barbecue Day & National Caesar Salad Day & Alice in Wonderland Day

Happy Independence Day (aka 4th of July)!  That's a great movie even though there is some bad language in it.  I think fireworks in my area are canceled but I'm sure you can find fireworks to watch on YouTube. Celebrate the meaning of the holiday - it's so much more than fireworks.  Read or listen to The Star Spangled Banner.

Celebrate National Barbecue Day by, well, you know.  Although, I always think of barbecue as a type of meat not grilling out.  I don't recall hearing barbecue used to refer to the act of cooking until I moved to the South.  It's an American tradition to cook out on the 4th of July.

Throw in some Caesar Salad (not on the grill) with your barbecued meal and you can celebrate 3 in one!

Meanwhile in England, "each year, on July 4, Oxford turns into Wonderland for a day to mark the anniversary of the day Lewis Carroll first told his story of Alice on a boat ride on the Thames in 1862."  Checkiday has a nice synopsis of the meaning of the day that's very interesting.  Find some time to read or watch Alice in Wonderland soon.  It's a classic must read/see.

The Lord told the Israelites to celebrate their independence (deliverance) from Egypt every year too.

Numbers 9:2  Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time.

Celebrate National Eat Beans Day & National Chocolate Wafer Day & Compliment Your Mirror Day

Beans have been a staple in our diet for a very long time and still are for many of us.  We like black beans, refried beans, pork and beans, jelly beans, and green beans.  I can't think of anymore but you get the point.  There are lots of different beans to eat.  Ohhh, we particularly like coffee beans, or rather the product of coffee beans.  How about you?  What kind of beans do you like.  I need to also mention peas, which are a bean, since that's the picture.

Chocolate comes from beans too.  Chocolate wafers can refer to a few different treats.  There are the sugar wafers that come in vanilla, chocolate and pink.  Does pink taste like anything besides sugar?  Some wafers have peanut butter filling.  Twix falls into this chocolate wafer category too.

Beans and chocolate wafers may not appeal to you but everyone can celebrate Compliment Your Mirror Day.  Be nice to yourself and while you're at it, be nice to others too.  Remember, what is mirrored back to you from someone else may not be who you really are so find the good in you and embrace it.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies.

It's Made in the USA Day & I Forgot Day

My family spent some time in Williamsburg, VA a day early seeing things made in the USA and how they used to be made.

I don't know why I chose to include I Forgot Day on my calendar (guess I forgot 😏)  I do forget things more often now that I'm older.  That's why I started this post yesterday with the answers to the jokes, otherwise I would have forgotten.

Revelation 3:3  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.  But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Did you already know the answers to yesterday's jokes?  Here they are if you didn't.

Fish with no eyes answer:  Fsh

Break a leg answer:  because every play has a cast

Seagulls answer:  because if they flew over a bay, they would be bagels.

😆

Happy International Television Heritage Day & National Joke Day & American Zoo Day

Share a joke for International Joke Day.  Stay tuned, the answers will be in tomorrow's post.

What do you call a fish with no eyes?

Why do people say "break a leg" when you go on stage?

Why do seagulls fly over the sea?

To celebrate National Television Heritage Day, watch an old TV show or learn more about the beginnings of the box that took over the country.  To really appreciate how far television has come, the show should be in black and white.  Back in the early 60's of my childhood, television reception was frequently fuzzy and the horizontal line liked to roll making TV watching a constant work of adjustment.  We used to put aluminum foil on the "rabbit ears" (antenna) to improve reception and twist them around hoping to improve the picture.  Oh, how far technology has come!

Don't spend all day watching TV.  I think zoos are open again so we can celebrate American Zoo Day.  If there's no zoo near you, take a walk and imagine you're there or create your own zoo.  If all else falls, eat some animal crackers.

Isaiah 11:6-7  The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.  The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.