Read Across America Day is scheduled for March 2, Dr. Seuss' birthday. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

More than a decade after he passed away, people still commemorate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. If Dr. Seuss were still alive, he would turn 107 on March 2, and many that day will observe the birthday of perhaps the most celebrated author of children’s literature of all time. Seuss, born Theodore Seuss Geisel, passed away in 1991.

Read Across America Day

In addition to being Dr. Seuss‘ 107th birthday, Wednesday, March 2, will be Read Across America Day. Many people worldwide celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday somehow, especially those involved in education. Dr. Seuss is perhaps the most widely read children’s author of all time. Several generations have grown up reading “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” among other works. Fans of Dr. Seuss’ work, parents and educators who want to learn more or get teaching tools for “Read Across America Day” can check out Seussville, a website run by Random House devoted to Seuss and his novels. Educational materials are available, including games, puzzles and lesson plans for teachers.

Legend of child literature

Millions grew up reading books by Dr. Seuss and watching films based on them. He was born Theodore Seuss (pronounced “soice”) Geisel in 1904 and passed away at the age of 87 in 1991. Geisel, according to Wikipedia, started using the pen name “Seuss” while writing for the Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern, a student humor magazine. He expanded it to “Dr. Seuss” after he graduated, though he never attained a PhD. He began writing children’s books before World War II, and during the war he took a hiatus to work for the U.S. Government. His last book, “Oh The Places You’ll Go” was published one year before his death.

Best-selling author among young readers

Dr. Seuss was a prolific author and illustrator; he drew and colored most of the artwork for his books. He wrote more than 60 books, which sold more than 200 million copies in 15 languages. He is one of the most commonly read authors among children, and films based on his work, including “Horton Hears a Who,” are also highly successful.

Sources

Seussville

Wikipedia Bio of Dr. Seuss

Does the hissing cockroach look like romance to you? The Bronx Zoo hopes so. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Finding the perfect gift for your Valentine can be a very tough challenge at time. How about a Valentine’s gift of a hissing cockroach at the New York Bronx Zoo? The gift may sound a bit strange, but the hissing cockroach is romantic creature.

Valentine’s gift of a hissing cockroach from the New York Bronx Zoo

The New York Bronx Zoo is offering a limited 58,000 chances to name a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. The offer is billed as a special February-only offer that is “perfect for Valentine’s Day.” It costs only $10 to name a Madagascar hissing cockroach, and more than 1,000 people have already bought the honor. The recipient of the gift is mailed a certificate with the name. The $10 price tag goes to preserving wildlife and forests in Madagascar.

Is the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach actually romantic?

Though the name “Madagascar Hissing Cockroach” is a bit off-putting, the Madagascar hissing cockroach is one of the more romantic members of the insect family. Couples often stay together and raise children for a long period of time. The cockroaches are relatively pacifist and do not bite. In short, it may not be quite the same as a box of chocolates, but there are less romantic options in the insect world.

Unique Valentine’s gift ideas

If preserving forests and wildlife by naming a hissing cockroach doesn’t sound quite like your cup of tea, there are other ways to say “I’m thinking of you.” A good gift for Valentine’s day, if you have a significant other, is one that has meaning of some kind. Try a trinket that reminds you of your first date, an evening of undivided attention with no smartphones or televisions, or even just the traditional home-cooked dinner. If you don’t have a special someone, keep in mind that Valentine’s Day is about saying you care, so call your parents or go out for drinks with your friends.

Source

Bronx Zoo Website

Even Cupid needs help with Valentine's Day gift ideas. (Photo Credit: CC BY/SomeDriftwood/Fotopedia)

Monday, Feb. 14, is Valentine’s Day. If you’re still searching for Valentine’s Day gift ideas, look no further. With a pinch of thoughtfulness, a sprinkle of practicality and a torrent of romance, you can find great Valentine’s Day gifts for him or her, from flowers to sweets and more. If you use your imagination, you won’t need to take out payday loans to finance your romantic shopping spree.

Valentine’s Day chocolate gifts

Aside from those with allergies, everyone loves chocolate. While it’s perfectly fine to buy a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates from See’s, 1800Flowers.com does one better: Junior’s Cheesecake, a double-layered, heart-shaped triumph in chocolate mousse and ganache. The cheesecake is a great Valentine’s Day gift idea that will set you back $45, plus $8 for two-day shipping. It’s worth it for Valentine’s Day chocolate decadence at its best.

A home-cooked meal to melt the Valentine’s Day heart

A romantic gesture doesn’t have to cost a great deal of money. If you are looking to impress your significant other for less, a home-cooked meal served by candlelight is sure to please. Try some stuffed chicken, lasagna or pasta with cheese and sauce. A solid white wine goes with chicken, while red wine tends to go better with beef dishes. If you’re kitchen handicapped, certain high-end grocery stores and warehouse chains sell pre-cooked gourmet dishes. Simply fire up the microwave, gangster of love!

Out of the candy box ideas

If you’re looking for more out-of-the-box Valentine’s Day gift ideas, travel is always an exciting option. If money is no object, a romantic trip to Paris is très magnifique, but a weekend road trip to a cozy bed and breakfast is very nice as well.

For flowers, retailers like 1800Flowers and Proflowers have discount codes and coupons to reduce the cost of flower arrangements. RetailMeNot.com even offers codes to save $20 or more. If you want something that will last longer than roses, try potted orchids from Lowe’s or Home Depot. For about $20, your partner will have a reminder of you while you’re off earning money to spend on him or her.

Valentine’s Day love poems

Even if you aren’t a poet, sentiments of great writers can convey your feelings. Shakespeare’s sonnets, especially Sonnet 116, are a good example, but Pablo Neruda (“If You Forget Me”) and e. e. cummings (“May I Feel, Said He”) work just as well.

Sources

11 Alive Atlanta

Long Island Press

Serenity

Guys like Valentine’s Day gifts, too

Candlemas and Imbolic were days to celebrate the coming planting season. Image: Flickr / TinyTall / CC-BY-ND

Feb. 2 is a day for celebration around the world, for a wide variety of reasons. In some traditions, it is Candlemas or Imbolic – the midway point between winter solstice and vernal equinox. For others, Punxsutawney Phil’s 2011 appearance has marked an early spring on its way.

History of Candlemas

In the “wheel of the year,” the division of the year according to the seasons, Feb. 2 is a “cross-quarter” day; it’s halfway between equinox and solstice. In agrarian society, this was the day to start preparing the soil for growing grain. Much of the plowing work was often done in the dark portion of the day, requiring candles. This “candle mass” was a symbol of renewal, purification and the dawn of the year.

Candlemas around the world

In some European countries, Candlemas is also known as “Imbolic.” The word comes from “Ol-melc,” meaning ewe’s milk, because the sheep started giving milk again after winter. A goddess statue was often washed and carried through the fields in order to celebrate the coming planting and harvest. Jewish and Christian traditions also recognize the day of celebration. St. Brigid is the Christian patron saint of grain, and her day is often celebrated by planting seeds and baking bread. Candlemas / Imbolic is also the day 40 days after the day the birth of Jesus is celebrated, making it the date that the Jewish Mary would have purified herself. In short, it is a day of purification, planting and celebrating of the coming growing season.

How Candlemas became Groundhog Day

Imbolic or Candlemas was often the time of the year that humans started leaving the house and working out in the fields, and animals did the same. German settlers in the 18th century who celebrated Candlemas brought with them the tradition that if a hedgehog saw its shadow on Candlemas, there would be six more weeks of winter. Officially, the first day Punxsutawney Phil was forced out of his hole to predict the weather was Feb. 2, 1887. Punxsutawney Phil is right about 39 percent of the time. No matter what tradition you celebrate — Candlemas’s plowing, Imbolic’s purification, St. Brigid’s Day, Mary’s purification or watching Punxsutawney Phil come out of his hole — Feb. 2 is a day to appreciate the returning of light, warmth and the coming spring season.

Sources

School of the Seasons
Telegraph

On Groundhog Day 2011, Punxsutawney Phil will emerge from this simulated tree stump at Gobbler's Knob to harsh winter weather. Image: CC abbamounse/Flickr

Groundhog Day, a tradition that began in the Dark Ages, is Wednesday, Feb. 2. Punxsutawney Phil, the rodent who gives the town of Punxsutawney, Penn., its annual moment in the national spotlight, is not likely to see his shadow on Groundhog Day 2011. The forecast there is for a wintery mix, which may give the northeast false hope that its harsh winter of 2010-11 may not continue for another six weeks.

Punxsutawney Phil right 39 percent of the time

Groundhog Day is a festive celebration in Punxsutawney, Penn., a town boasting a groundhog zoo and a huge statue in the Town Square of Punxsutawney Phil. Up to 40,000 people descend on this town of 6,300 to celebrate the occasion. On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil will emerge from his burrow in the neighborhood of Gobbler’s Knob. The rodent will whisper his forecast into the ears of a group of dignitaries called the “Inner Circle,” who translate his forecast from “Groundhogese” to an anxious nation. In the past 119 Groundhog Days, Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow 99 times. But according to the Stormfax Almanac, Phil has only been right 39 percent of the time.

Groundhog Day origins

Groundhog Day can be traced back to medieval Europe, where ancient Pagan, Christian and Roman customs merged to become “Hedgehog Day” in Germany. “Imbolc,” a pagan Celtic festival involving weather superstitions, is Feb. 1. On “Candlemas,” a Christian holiday on Feb. 2, clear skies became associated with a longer winter. Romans also believed that conditions the first of February would portend future weather. Farmers in Germany would watch for a hedgehog to emerge from hibernation in late winter and believed that if it saw its shadow it would go back to bed. German immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania, where the more common groundhog became the rodent of choice.

Groundhog Day 2011 weather

On Groundhog Day 2011, 21st century technology will merge with ancient superstition. Up until Feb. 2, people can sign up to receive Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction by texting “Groundhog” to 247-365. Those who do should keep in mind that they will be asked to submit an e-mail address that will be sent tourism-related promotions. Punxsutawney Phil will emerge to a 90 percent chance of snow, sleet and rain with a high of 33 degrees and a low of 11 degrees. According to the National Weather Service the seasonal outlook for the northeastern U.S. is for above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures.

Sources

National Geographic

Christian Science Monitor

Weather.com

National Weather Service

Heinz Ketchup may not scream "Steelers," but it is a Pittsburgh-native product. Image: Flickr / quirky / CC-BY

It’s Super Bowl party time again, and that means it’s time for festive food ideas for Super Bowl parties. No matter if you’re watching the game for the football or the commercials, the food for your party can be festive, easy and tasty.

Festive food ideas for the Super Bowl showdown

The Super Bowl is all about two teams facing off on a green field, but representing that with a cake or classic dip may feel a little old. Instead, you can set up a team-versus-team food showdown. Make (or have guests bring) two types of chili, dip, chips, dessert, hot wings or other classic super bowl foods. Label anonymously and have guests vote which “team” they consider the best. Team-themed food doesn’t have to be covered with team-colored frosting either — everything can be made team-themed.

Creating a Super Bowl finger food feast

When creating a Super Bowl feast for your party, opting for easy-to-prepare items will help cut down stress. Mini quiches can be made in frozen tart shells or miniature cupcake pans. Mix six eggs with a half cup of cream or milk, combine 1 to 1 1/2 cups cooked fillings, and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or until mostly solid in the center. If you want to make quiche truly festive this year, place small chunks of yellow, red and purple bell pepper in the miniature quiche shells to re-create the Steelers logo. Place yellow and green pepper or cheddar cheese to re-create the Packers logo.

Festive food ideas for Super Bowl themed products

It’s easy to name a popular Super Bowl food that is identified with the Green Bay Packers: cheese. A good cheese plate can be constructed at a local gourmet cheese shop — or you can put together your own from the grocery store cheese aisle. Pittsburgh isn’t so strongly identified with one food. However, the Clark Bar was first created in Pittsburgh, as was the open-faced Devonshire Sandwich and Heinz Ketchup. Any of these products tip their hat to Pittsburgh and are easy to acquire or make. The best part is, all of these foods can be grabbed and enjoyed quickly during the commercials or with eyes on the game.

National Hug Day and the Free Hugs Campaign celebrate the power of hugs. Image: Flickr / TinyTall / CC-BY

There are some days when all you need is a hug. National Hug Day, Jan. 21, is a day to celebrate the kindness of those who fill that need. Though National Hug Day has been around since 1986, the legal system has gotten involved more than once.

The origins of National Hug Day

In 1986 in the northern United States, National Hug Day was started as a day to celebrate hugs. The Jan. 21 date of National Hug Day and the name “National Hug Day” was registered with the U.S. Trademark office. Rev. Kevin Zaborney registered National Hug Day, Jan. 21, and also registered Dec. 26 as National Whiner’s Day. National Hug Day is now celebrated in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Germany and Poland.

The details of National Hug Day

National Hug Day is much like National Whipped Cream Day and International Beer Day — a day to celebrate simply by doing. Each year, the National Hug Day group also names the “most huggable people.” For 2011, the group named the Chilean miners. Though not officially associated, National Hug Day is also a great day to check out the Free Hugs Campaign. The Free Hugs Campaign simply suggests offering free hugs to strangers in public places, as a way to spread happiness and random acts of kindness.

Legal problems with National Hug Day

National Hug Day and the Free Hugs Campaign are, unfortunately, not without controversy. Juan Mann, a resident of Australia, started offering free hugs in June 2004. He became famous first for his Free Hugs Campaign, and then again when the where city he was offering free hugs banned him for not carrying public liability insurance. The issue was eventually resolved, but it means that simply offering free hugs on National Hug Day, Jan. 21, could get you in trouble, unless you remember that not everyone wants a hug, and you should always offer, never force. Be sure to double-check any city regulations on what you are doing as well, to make sure that your celebration doesn’t run afoul of the law.

Sources

Free Hugs Campaign
National Hugging Day

Top party dips recipes can be sweet, savory, and the perfect solution for your party. Image: Flickr / peyri / CC-BY-ND

When you’ve got a crew of people coming over, the top party dips recipes can save your day. You shouldn’t have to spend hours in the kitchen, you should be enjoying yourself. Dips can be more than appetizers — they can even take the place of dinner.

Top party dips recipes – layered

A classic layered party dip is easy to put together, and can be customized to your favorites. Layer equal amounts of refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, olives, and tortilla chips in a casserole dish or deep serving platter.

Top sour cream party dips recipes

A sour cream dip is a classic addition to any party event. With just a few different additions, you can make a few different dips. The classic sour cream party dip combines sour cream and ranch salad dressing. For a new twist, try mixing a pound of sour cream with a small bag of frozen chopped spinach, a can of chopped water chestnuts, and a single package of dry ranch dressing mix.

Warm artichoke dip recipe

If you want something warm that you can pop in the oven and have ready when guests come over, a warm artichoke dip is definitely a top party dips recipe. Combine 2 cups chopped artichoke hearts with 1 6 ounce package cream cheese, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves chopped garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Warm in a microwave or 250 degree oven for fifteen minutes.

Creamy fruit dip – a top party dips recipe

Sure, most top party dips recipes are savory, great for dipping bread, vegetables, or even deli meats in. What dinner or party is complete without some kind of dessert, though? A creamy fruit dip can be made in multiple flavors and give a great dip for pineapple, apples, bananas, or anything sweet. Mix 1 8 ounce jar marshmallow cream with 1 6-ounce block of cream cheese and 1/4 cup fruit jam or jelly for flavor.

Top party dips recipes – Flavored hummus

Monday, Jan. 17, will be Martin Luther King Day, in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., pictured here with Malcolm X. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

On Monday, Jan. 17, the annual observance of Martin Luther King Day will be held. The day is the celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a key figure in the struggle for civil rights for African Americans. It is a federal holiday, and most federal offices will close, as will banks.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day on third Monday of January

As is the custom, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of every January, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day for 2011 falls on Jan. 17. King was born Jan. 15, 1929, but like other holiday observances such as Columbus Day, the observance is scheduled for a day of the week instead of a calendar date. Government offices, such as the post office, will be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or MLK Day as it is referred to informally. It is referred to in some states alternately as Civil Rights Day or Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Day.

Controversial beginnings

People started calling for a day of remembrance immediately after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, as he was one of the most prominent figures in the Civil Rights struggle. It took until 1983 to make it a federal holiday. Ronald Reagan opposed creating a paid holiday, but Congress voted overwhelmingly for the bill and even if he had vetoed it, the bill would have been passed over his head anyway. The loudest opposition to the bill came from Senators Jesse Helms and John McCain. McCain’s home state of Arizona was blasted in the media for being a hotbed of intolerance and racism for opposing the bill.

Take time to reflect

Though any holiday is a good time to relax if one gets the day off from work, it can be taken for granted that a lot of really important advances have been made in this country in the last century. The right of women to vote, the end of racial segregation and many other things seem commonplace now but were once great controversies, and Martin Luther King Day should be a time for celebrating advancements in human rights.

Taxpayers will have until April 18, 2011, to file their 2010 taxes. (Photo Credit: Public Domain/U.S. Department of the Treasury/Wikipedia)

While it is true that there are few things as certain as death and taxes, the tax filing deadline this year has changed based upon a relatively new holiday. Emancipation Day, which was officially adopted as a holiday in the District of Columbia in 2005, will cause the tax filing deadline to be pushed forward from April 15, 2011, to April 18, 2011. This is because the observed date of Emancipation Day 2011 will be Friday, April 15.

Emancipation of your tax filing deadline

No longer will April 15 be known as nothing other than a tax filing deadline. Emancipation Day, which is observed in the District of Columbia on that date, is a celebration of freedom. Specifically, the legal holiday remembers President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act in 1862. This proceeded the Emancipation Proclamation by nine months, and it freed about 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia.

While Emancipation Day is only official in the District of Columbia, the IRS states that holidays observed in D.C. apply nationwide. Interestingly, D.C. and six other eastern states already had the tax filing deadline pushed forward because of another holiday, Patriots Day. While Emancipation Day was not initially planned to intersect with the national tax filing deadline, the coincidence is welcome for procrastinators across the U.S.

Itemizers, pay heed

Because of the new tax laws that have gone into effect, the IRS reports that its systems will not be ready to accept itemized 2010 tax returns until at least mid-February. Thus, those taxpayers who itemize their deductions will not be able to file until the IRS is ready. This delay could potentially cause an inconvenience for tens of millions of taxpayers who use Schedule A to claim their deductions for such things as mortgage interest, charitable donations, medical expenses, certain education expenses (via Form 8917) and local and state sales tax paid.

For more information on how the changes in tax law will affect itemizers, visit www.irs.gov.

Sources

MSNBC

Today

What is Emancipation Day?

The lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne" are credited to Robert Burns, though he cribbed from various sources. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

One of the traditions of New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve is singing the song “Auld Lang Syne.” The song is Scottish, and the most popular version is associated with legendary Scot poet Robert Burns. It’s one of the most popular songs in the world.

Should auld acquaintance forget who wrote ‘Auld Lang Syne’

The phrase “auld lang syne” or “old lang syne” translates best as “for old times’ sake.” The “Auld Lang Syne” lyrics were written in 1788 by Robert Burns, considered the finest poet Scotland has ever produced. Burns got the lyrics from various sources, many coming from a poem by James Watson called “Old Lang Syne.” It became a wildly popular song over the last century to sing on New Years‘ Eve when the clock strikes midnight. The original lyrics are in Scottish, which is a different language from Scots Gaelic. Scottish is a Germanic language not far removed from English, whereas Scots Gaelic is a Celtic language.

Auld Lang Syne lyrics

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne?

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

(Sing chorus after every verse)

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!

And surely I’ll buy mine!

And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes,

and picked the daisies fine;

But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,

since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!

And give us a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne.

Differing opinions

Some people prefer a version that uses the original Burns lyrics in Scottish, which certainly has its own good qualities, though it can be a bit difficult to understand.  There is a particularly haunting version by Mairi Campbell that is well worth a listen, though it uses a slightly different melody.

The traditional version sung by Susan Boyle

Source

Auld Lang Syne on Wikipedia

The 2011 holidays list includes all the standards -- and a few fun ones. Image: Flickr / tanakawho / CC-BY

The official 2011 holidays list – of both observed and unofficial holidays – means a lot. The 2011 bank holidays are the same as the 2011 holidays observed by the federal government. The 2011 holidays list has many surprises above and beyond the 10 “official” government holidays.

2011 holidays observed – bank, stock market and federal holidays

The official list of 2011 holidays observed answers many questions. Whether banks are open, post offices open and most businesses’ days off are guided by the list of 2011 holidays observed. These are the days most banks, federal services such as the postal service, and schools shut down for the day.

Federal Holidays 2011

• New Year’s Day – Observed Friday, Dec. 31, 2010
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, Jan. 17
• President’s Day – Monday, Feb. 21
• Memorial Day – Monday, May 30
• Independence Day – Monday, July 4
• Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 5
• Columbus Day – Monday, Oct. 10
• Veteran’s Day – Friday, Nov. 11
• Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, Nov. 24
• Christmas Day – Observed Monday, Dec. 26

Stock Market Holidays 2011

The list of stock market holidays for 2011 differs slightly from the 2011 official federal holidays. These are the days the United States stock market are shut down.

• New Year’s Day – Jan. 1
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Jan. 17
• President’s Day – Feb. 21
• Good Friday – April 22
• Memorial Day – May 30
• Independence Day – July 4
• Labor Day – Sept. 5
• Thanksgiving Day – Nov. 24
• Christmas Day – Observed Dec. 26

2011 holidays list – the fun stuff

Just about every month of 2011, you’ll be able to find a reason to celebrate. Here are some of the fun 2011 holidays that could be worth celebrating.

• Trivia Day – Jan. 4
• Thesaurus Day – Jan. 18
• Chinese New Year – Feb. 3
• Fat Tuesday/Beginning of Mardi Gras – Feb. 8
• Spring Equinox – Feb. 20
• Daylight Saving Time begins – March 13
• Earth Day – April 22
• Mother’s Day – May 8
• Father’s Day – June 19
• Summer Solstice – June 21
• Bastille Day – July 14
• Ramadan begins – Aug. 1
• International Beer Day – Aug. 5
• Autumn Equinox – Sept. 23
• National Boss Day – Oct. 16
• Halloween – Oct. 31
• Daylight Saving Time ends – Nov. 6
• Human Rights Day – Dec. 10
• Winter Solstice – Dec. 21

The East Coast Blizzard of 2010 left many shoppers and commuters stranded. (Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/Mariordo/Wikipedia)

The massive East Coast blizzard that has crippled the northeastern U.S. of late has made life difficult for many people, retailers included. According to CNN Money, retailers that were hoping for lots of shopper traffic to take advantage of after-Christmas sales and boost retail sales received a rude awakening. Because the blizzard kept shoppers at home, it has been projected that retailers lost approximately $1 billion in after-Christmas sales.

Retail sales buried by blizzard

According to ShopperTrak, a company that records retail sales and shopper traffic at more than 70,000 stores and malls, the Dec. 26 walk up shopper traffic was 11.2 percent lower than had been predicted, and the East Coast blizzard is considered the culprit. Overall, shopping traffic in the Northeast was down 6.1 percent the day after Christmas, while the following day was even worse, as thousands were completely snowbound and couldn’t  commute or travel.

Bill Martin, the founder of ShopperTrak, pointed out that the East Coast blizzard “halted nearly all retail visits and spending” at the worst possible time for retailers.

Walk-up shopper traffic much lower than last year

According to ShopperTrak figures, Dec. 27 retail shopping traffic was down a whopping 42.9 percent when compared with last year. The projected loss of $1 billion in sales will not bode well for retailers who are struggling to maintain the bottom line. While Martin and others hold out hope that the weather will clear and retailers will see more of the numbers they were expecting, there exists a great deal of uncertainty.

Will online retail sales be enough to counter the blizzard effect?

Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst with the NPD Group, told CNN that “the loss of post-Christmas weekend is brutal” for retailers. He is unsure as to whether retailers will be able to pick up the blizzard slack in stores, although online retail sales more than likely experienced a welcome bump, thanks to snowbound shoppers.

The two-year retail sales slump brought on by the recession had lessened somewhat this year, in large part due to big Black Friday numbers. The East Coast blizzard effect is an unwelcome slowdown. Cohen predicts it will take retailers two to three weeks to regain sales momentum.

Sources

CNN Money

The retail chill

Black eyed peas recipes mean good luck in the new year. Image: Flickr / giffconstable / CC-BY-ND

Black eyed peas and Hoppin’ John are considered a very traditional good luck food for New Year’s. In the Southern U.S., these peas are the legume of choice, and legumes represent pennies or coins. This black eyed peas recipe is a great way to kick off the new year.

The basics of a black eyed peas recipe

Black eyed peas are a legume and a member of the cow pea family. The beans are usually best purchased dried and need to be rehydrated while cooking. This makes braising — cooking long and at low  heat in a liquid — the perfect method for re-hydrating and cooking black eyed peas recipes. This means a black eyed peas recipe like Hoppin’ John is also perfect for a holiday like New Year’s because it can be left to cook while you party.

Basic black eyed peas recipe as New Year’s good luck food

A traditional New Year’s Eve good luck food combines a black eyed peas recipe with cooked greens, such as kale, to symbolize money — making it a perfect side dish. If cooking vegetarian or vegan, leave out the pork and replace it with olive oil or butter.

1. In a large saucepan, cook 2 to 4 slices of bacon until crisp. Remove from pan, reserving fat; or melt 1 Tbsp butter or heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in large pan.
2. Saute 1 small chopped white or yellow onion in the reserved bacon drippings or butter/olive oil
3. Add 16 ounces dried black-eyed peas, 12 ounces of diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon pepper and 3 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth.
4. Simmer mixture, covered, over medium heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Alternately, cook the mixture in a crockpot on high for 2 to 4 hours.
5. Top black eyed peas recipe with crumbled bacon and serve warm.

Hoppin’ John recipe for black eyed peas

Hoppin’ John is a New Year’s good luck recipe that combines legumes and rice — a complete protein that is incredibly filling and healthy. Simply add 1 to 2 cups dry rice and 2 to 4 cups additional water or broth in with a basic black eyed peas recipe like the one above. If you want to try something new, try black Forbidden Rice or a brown rice. No matter what, a good Hoppin’ John recipe means leftovers (and good luck) into the new year.

Lemon-lime soda with strawberries is a great New Year's Eve party idea for kids. Image: Flickr / juniorvelo / CC-BY-SA

For most adults, a New Year’s Eve party seems pretty easy to plan. But if you’ve got a pack of young ones, then New Year’s Eve party ideas for kids may be in order. Depending on how many kids you have and their ages, a kids New Year’s Eve party can be a snap.

Targeting New Year’s Eve party ideas for kids

The biggest challenge of New Year’s Eve party ideas for kids is targeting age groups. Letting kids younger than 10 stay up until midnight could be very difficult, for example. The best kids New Year’s Eve parties help the kids feel like they’re celebrating a big change, and they’re just a bit more “grown up.” If you’ve got a mixed-age group of kids, try to have different activities for the kids that stay up later.

New Year’s Eve party ideas for kids – the food

For kids parties, loading the kids up on sugar may be the first instinct. Some sugar should definitely be on the menu for your kids New Year’s Eve party, but it should be tempered with something more nutritious, such as raisins or mixed nuts. Try mixing cranberry or apple juice with lemon-lime soda to serve in plastic champagne flutes. Breakfast for dinner is also a great option for New Year’s Eve parties, and leftovers make the next morning that much easier.

New Year’s Eve party ideas for kids – the activities

If you’ve got kids that won’t be staying up until midnight, that doesn’t mean they can’t watch the ball drop. Look for a major city in a time zone three or four hours ahead of your party, and watch the ball drop there. New York is great for West Coast, and Paris is great for East Coast parties. Use film cans or chip cans to help kids create time capsules. Washable paint can be used to put hand prints on butcher paper as New Year’s growth charts to be continued each year. An award ceremony at the end of the night or beginning of the morning can also start out the new year on the right foot.

(Photo Credit: CC BY/Abi Paramaguru/Cyber Law Centre)

Christmas is here, and whether you’re basking in the warm, fuzzy feelings of friends, family and spiked egg nog or spending it alone in the dark because Santa stole your girl and you’re waiting for the round mound to slip down the chimney and come within range of your electric cattle prod, it’s time for reflection. Here are some Christmas quotes to warm your heart or give you reason to go back to the drawing board on your five-year plan.

Christmas quotes for the rest of us

“A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world” — Charles Dickens. Dickens loved to tell stories, and his experiences as a young boy taught him to appreciate moments of joy, no matter how fleeting they are. Sure, his entire family lived in debtors’ prison, and young Charles spent his boyhood working as a bootblack, but that doesn’t mean you should give up hope, does it?

Try a little naughtiness

“Let’s be naughty and save Santa the trip” — Gary Allan. This is for those who don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. You know that if something is worth doing in the first place, you should do it today, rather than waiting. As far as Santa and Christmas, many of the people with the money in this world have done some of the meanest things imaginable en route to obtaining that money. Don’t be mean. But if you’re a consenting adult, being “naughty” can have very entertaining connotations. Keep it legal, keep it private. Be naughty today, because you can’t take it with you. Santa would approve. Remember, he’s a jolly old elf.

Be plenteous

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas” — Calvin Coolidge. What do you know, a former U.S. president who didn’t cave to special interest groups – at least not when it came to Dec. 25. Making people happy through simple gestures can feel good. Embrace family, friends and be loving. That’s something even “Silent Cal” couldn’t keep quiet.

Whether you’re merry, naughty or simply a lover of peace, here’s hoping you can enjoy the sentiment behind a very simple phrase: Merry Christmas!

Sources

Thinkexist.com

You can make mock individual Beef Wellington as an easy Christmas Eve dinner. Image: Flickr / roebot / CC-BY-SA

Though traditional Thanksgiving foods are pretty standard, Christmas Eve dinner ideas tend to run the gamut. Each family has its own tradition, but an easy Christmas Eve dinner is simpler than you think. Christmas Eve dinner should be about warm, comforting food — not about stress.

Easy Christmas Eve dinner ideas – The meat

A big ham or turkey are usually considered “traditional” Christmas Eve dinner options. If you’re looking to make these two standards easier to handle, you can make an easy Christmas Eve dinner by cooking the meal in a crockpot or plug-in roaster oven. Just set the roaster to medium-high and let the meat cook for four to five hours. There is also no problem with getting a pre-roasted chicken from the grocery store. If you’re cooking for a Christmas Eve dinner for two, roasting an individual turkey breast is also a great option.

Easy Christmas Eve dinner – a stew

Christmas Eve dinner can be easy if you let go of a bit of tradition and give a stew or soup a try. Stew beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, garlic and broth all in a crockpot for three or four hours on high, and you’ll end up with a hearty, special stew that can be paired with croissants for a great, easy Christmas Eve dinner. For vegetarians, chopped potatoes blended with garlic, onions, vegetable broth and Parmesan cheese make an amazing potato soup that can warm your heart on Christmas Eve.

Easy Christmas Eve dinner – wrapped beef

If you want to spend a little extra time with your easy Christmas Eve Dinner, you can make it extra special. Pastry-wrapped beef can be prepared in 20 minutes and on the table in 45. Sear two beef tenderloin or mock tenderloin steaks over high heat for a few minutes with a half pound of mushrooms and two tablespoons butter. Use thawed, pre-purchased puff pastry sheets cut into quarters to wrap the beef with the mushrooms. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Much simpler than a traditional Beef Wellington, but still tasty and just as filling for Christmas Eve dinner.

A good pierogi recipe combines the classics of comfort food - tasty, rich fillings with a simple-to-prepare dough. Image: Wikimedia commons

Just about every culture has a classic dumpling or filled pasta of some kind. The Polish pierogi recipe is surprisingly easy to make. Like most traditional foods, it can also be an inexpensive way to feed a crowd or dressed up to create a fancy pierogi recipe worthy of a celebration.

Pierogi recipe basics

A pierogi recipe requires just two basic elements. A dough without leavening and a filling. A pierogi is “built” much like a ravioli, but the dough doesn’t have to be rolled out nearly as thinly or treated as gingerly. The classic pierogi recipe uses mashed potatoes and cheese as a filling. You can fill a pierogi with just about anything, though — chicken, bacon, onions, garlic, anything that sounds tasty.

Classic Polish pierogi recipe

A classic Polish pierogi recipe uses a basic unleavened dough. Ingredients include 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, an egg, 1/4 cup butter and 1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt. Combine the flour and salt, then use forks or a food processor to cut in the butter. Mix in the eggs and sour cream to create a soft, slightly shaggy dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and allow it to rest for at least an hour. Once the dough is rested, roll it out to 1/8 inch or so thick. Cut out circles with a glass or cookie cutter. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling on the dough, and fold over the pierogi. Seal with a fork and boil until the pierogi floats.

Pierogi recipe for fillings

A classic pierogi uses a potato-and-cheese filling. For one classic recipe, combine 2 cups mashed potatoes with one bunch of sliced green onions and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or jack cheese. If you want to get fancy, mix in bacon bits, shredded chicken, green pepper, onion or even shredded pork. For an extra-fancy touch to your pierogi recipe, fry the boiled pierogis in butter and top with paprika and sour cream. No matter what your filling, a classic Polish pierogi is a great remix of an Italian ravioli or Asian dumpling – dough with fillings is simply the ultimate comfort food.

Green vegetables, such as kale, are usually eaten as a good luck New Year food because they resemble money. Image: Wikimedia Commons

The New Year is a time to invite good luck to start out the year well. Good luck foods for New Year celebrations are a tradition around the world. Foods to eat for good luck may have social, historical, or religious significance — but blending traditions for your good luck feast could make for a tasty new year.

1 – Good Luck Food New Year – Noodles

In many Asian cultures, noodles are considered a New Year good luck food because they symbolize a long life. Try rice noodles for a traditional taste; or combine 4 large eggs with about 3 1/2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt for fresh pasta.

2 – Cabbage and greens as good luck food for New Year’s

Everywhere from the southern U.S. to Germany and Ireland, green vegetables are a good luck food. Try blending 1/2 pound chopped kale with 1/2 cup olive oil, and 3 cloves garlic for a kale pesto – a new twist on New Years good luck greens.

3- Legumes and lentils for good luck

In the southern U.S., it’s black-eyed peas, in Italy, it’s green lentils, in Germany, it’s split pea soup. In just about every culture, legumes are considered a new year good luck food because they store well, are incredibly healthy, and resemble coins that swell when cooked — symbolizing an increase of wealth.

4- Seafood for New Year good luck

It could be long-stored cod, pickled herring, or red roe — but seafood is considered a good luck food for New Years, because it has historically been a cheap source of protein.

5- Pomegranates for good luck

They grow in large bunches and are red, the color of good luck, so pomegranates are often eaten as a New Year good luck food.

6- Pork for New Year good luck

Eating pork as a good luck food on the New Year has a long history in many European and Spanish countries. Pork is considered New Year’s good luck food because it is very rich, and symbolizes prosperity.

7 – Dessert as a New Year good luck food

One thing that is standard across almost every culture, religion, and historical record is that sweets are great for celebration and for good luck. Be it a pastry cream filled king cake or deep fried and sugar-dusted dough, sweetness and sugar help symbolize a sweet new year.

An Orange County mall Santa helped make one marriage proposal very memorable. Image: Flickr / fredosan / CC-BY-ND

While working malls and tree fantasies around the country, Santa is often called on to offer a special helping hand. Jonathan Nguyen and his girlfriend, Jenny Hoang, have been dating since 2001, so he wanted to make his proposal special. To do this, Jonathan enlisted the help of a Santa for his Orange County marriage proposal.

Santa enlisted for Orange County marriage proposal

After a few-days-long breakup this fall, Johnathan decided that he wanted to propose to Jenny. He wanted to make a big splash with the proposal, and a hot-air balloon and beach-side proposal both didn’t quite feel right. When visiting the mall, however, he saw Santa and decided that the jolly old elf would be the perfect way to ask his girlfriend for her hand in marriage. He talked with Santa and his elves, and the plot was hatched.

Santa and the elves help with Orange County proposal

On Sunday afternoon, Jenny took a couple of her friend’s kids to the Orange County mall to get a picture with Santa. Santa and the elves and Jonathan were all expecting her, and after the kids got their picture with Santa, he called her back. The elves signaled to Jonathan, who was hiding in a nearby store. When Jenny returned to talk to Santa, Johnathan sneaked out and dropped to one knee. With a ring in his hands, Johnathan professed his love and proposed. Jenny, who also fell to her knees, accepted with teary eyes.

Santa’s Orange County marriage proposal isn’t the only hijink

The holidays are always an incredibly busy season for Santa — but not every story is as happy as a marriage proposal. On the same Sunday that Johnathan proposed to Jenny, a “Santa bandit” robbed a Rhode Island yacht club. 2010 has been a rough year for Santas, as the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas, an organization of freelance Santas, reports that bookings are down by nearly a quarter.

Sources:

PopFi.com
MSNBC.com