Sunday, January 31, 2016

Unique Holidays: December-Janurary

Instagram
 
  I've always found silly holidays entertaining, but lately I've actually been trying to celebrate!  I've been keeping up with them in my planner and calendar and recently came across a website that lists basically all of them. There are some buzz are things lists, but I narrowed down the list to things that I appreciate. My goal is to celebrate as many of them as I can!  I think it will be a really fun activity to get me out of my same old habits and into exploring new things and letting others know about it, too.

**The links that are with some days are the ones provided by the website I used.


December 1


All kinds of pies!  Pizza, key lime, pumpkin, sweet potato...these are the savory ones. 

o    National Day of Giving – #GivingTuesday – Usually Follows Cyber Monday
We should be willing to give anytime, but it never hurts to have a holiday to encourage it!  This was a post for my Friendsgiving that raised a lite money for hungry kids with the help of No Kid Hungry. 

December 2

I have several Mutts comics saved, but this one is appropriate since it's Christmas time. 

There's just something about these little kids that pulls at my heart!  Ever since I got the privilege of going to the special ed (grades K-2) class at Alpha for a couple hours a day in fourth grade, I have found other chances to spend times with these kids!  They just really make me smile when they show you how to have a good time.
This was my little friend I made at VBS last summer. 

December 3

I am so thankful to have a warm house during these cold months!  I'm also thankful to have a dad who loves to put up the Christmas lights. 

One of my favorite things I got to do this Christmas. Party with River!  River is a fitting name, as rivers of joy poured out of her and into me that night. 

December 4

I like several other kinds of cookies, but these are just a couple that I ate during this time!  
Bart & Judy's sweet potato cranberry
Lenny & Larry's complete cookie, chocolate chip

December 5
Bringing back crazy memories from junior year cross country camp...Chantal, Chérie, Katlyn; y'all giggling yet?
December 6
I don't know what I would do without a microwave. Must. Have. Hot. Food. 
This was the coolest microwave I've seen. At the sub Deb Christmas party at Abby's, she showed me hers that comes in and out of a drawer at the push of a button!

Never had it, don't think I'd like it cold, but I would be gung-ho for gazpacho hot. (Maybe nuke it in that microwave and combine holidays)

December 8

Sadly, we didn't have brownies near this time, but got some a couple weeks later!  Brownies and ice cream are really my dad's staple dessert, though.
December 9

We have a new donut shop right down the road from my house!  It's called King Donuts. One Sunday afternoon, I met a few friends for a fun run and snacks!  They have some fancy looking donuts, some breakfast-like sandwiches, pigs in a blanket, smoothies, teas, terrific coffee, and other refrigerated drinks. They're new, local, and super friendly, so you should definitely pay them a visit!

December 11

o    UNICEF Birthday
Yeah, this was from October, but you can give anytime!

My favorite mountains. Colorado. This was just under four years ago, but also just a few months ahead!

December 12

Not going to offend anyone here...


Memories from a gingerbread house party I had in 8th grade!
The town of houses we made last year at Chantal and Chérie's
The house I made two years ago in computer applications which inspired this next one I made that night at home!
Now this one, I ate. Graham crackers, honey, peanut butter, pumpkin, cool whip, pistachios, resee's pieces!
Close up of the one I made last year at the twins'

December 13

Delicious and nutritious!  Drink it or eat it. 
December 14
o    Monkey Day

December 15


Sophie got spoiled over break and snow days.
 

December 16


December 17


o    National Re-Gifting Day – Thursday before Christmas

December 18


My mom has a sense of humor at work, so I've been told.  She actually did this because I told her about the holiday!
 
o    National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day – Third Friday in December

December 19



December 21 


o    Humbug Day
In my family, we DO NOT go places that are bah-humbug.  Mom literally walked in a restaurant and turned right around saying, "They don't have a Christmas tree; we're not eating here."
 
December 22


December 23

o    Festivus
For the restivus!
 
December 24


o    Christmas Eve

December 25

 
I stocked up on the pumpkin pie yogurts while they were still available!  Pumpkin pie ice cream from the Creek Creamery in Jefferson City here, too!
The Christmas Eve pies made by my mamaw

o    Christmas

December 26



December 28


Fun night with friends!  I'm not a game person, but there are a few that I enjoy!  This card was perfect for me...

December 29

o    Tick Tock Day
Time to get things done...time is ticking away!

December 30

o    Bacon Day
Mom and dad got a gag gift of an entire recipe book of just bacon stuff.

December 31


o    New Years Eve

o    No Interruptions Day – Last Work Day of the Year


 
Monthly Events, Holidays
Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month
 
I love my squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, and carrots..etc

Spiritual Literacy Month
Nothing can make your day better than some of God's word!

Tomato and Winter Squash Month
More favorite veggies!

 

January 1

o    New Years Day

January 2





At my parties, especially with the team, and at anything FBC students, meals are buffets.
 

o    January 4

o    National Spaghetti Day
My dad makes the best spaghetti out there.  Just ask the girls.


o    National Thank God It’s Monday Day – First Monday in January

January 5

 

Bird day was also a Tuesday.  Not even planned, I double-dosed getting a chicken taco salad for Taco Tuesday and National bird day! 
Woodstock is also the coolest bird.
 

January 6

I.  Love.  Beans. 
and my team.  They're beans, too.
 
January 8

One of my favorite sweet treats!






If you can't see, I am basically a walking joygerm.

January 10

Dark chocolate is the best chocolate.


o    National Sunday Supper Day* – Second Sunday in January

January 11




o    National Clean Off Your Desk Day – Second Monday in January

January 12



Didn't know what this was, but it's kinda like some candy bar fillings.  Look it up!  I crunched up some almonds and cereal to put together with honey, basically like the real thing just with what I had on hand.

January 13

Time for the Life is Good one to go.


Also didn't know what this one was, but it is so simple!  Just ice cream, peaches, and raspberry sauce!

January 14

Caught her! 
 
January 15


Homemade it!

January 16

Homemade this one, too!

January 17


January 18

Because Pooh loves honey
I also love that ornament.


January 19

On my wish list
 

 
Ate all three for the holiday!

January 20

Made this delish snack with dark chocolate, chopped nuts, and peanut butter powder

Mom is a cheese lover.  This was part of her Christmas gift I got her from Hickory Farms!

January 21

Mom was the recipient of my National Hugging Day celebration!

o    National Granola Bar Day
Well, this is just too much for an athlete like me.  THERE ARE SO MANY.


o    Get to Know Your Customers Day  – Third Thursday of Each Quarter

January  22

I came across all these yummy new bars on this day, and one of them was actually blondie flavored!

Praise the Lord for this life He gives!

January 23

o    National Pie Day – Click to find FREE and DISCOUNTED PIE Offers

How did this get on there twice??  That's okay.  I love pie.

NOT my handwriting.  But I know some really talented girls!

January 24


 

Some delicious peanut butter ice creams, one from the store, one homemade from the Creek!
The peanut butter balls the twins and I made for this day!

January 25


January 26



January 27


January 28


January 29



January 30


o    National Seed Swap Day – Last Saturday in January
Using this picture again because it has pumpkin seeds and the flax mix has pumpkin and sesame seeds!
 

January 31



 

National Breakfast Week:  Last Week of January
breakfast sandwich to go with dinner

 

Monthly Observations

National Bath Safety Month
National Hobby Month


National Hot Tea Month
National Mentoring Month
National Oatmeal Month

 This could go with the root vegetables from last month, too.  Sweet potato with oatmeal!  (And yogurt and cookies)
 A new flavor I've really started to like is cappuccinoats!
This new creamy coconut oatmeal is one of the best I've ever had!
I have SO many flavors of oatmeal in my house right now...

National Slow Cooking Month


National Soup Month
 Between Cataloochee and home cooking, soup month was a total success.
 
That's how I celebrated some of the holidays that came around for December and January!  It was really fun, so I'm going to try to keep it up!