Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month? If you even remotely like salmon, you MUST try this Salmon recipe. It's my most popular blog post and people check it out from all over the world.
May is also National Bike Month! The League of American Bicyclists sponsored the National Bike Month starting in 1956 to promote bicycling for transportation, fun and fitness. There are more than 50 suggestions on their website how to celebrate National Bike Month to include planning a cycling vacation to hosting a bike rodeo. It's also the month to celebrate Bike to Work Week/Bike to Work Day!
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month with the mission of encouraging more movement, healthier lives and the value of sports was initiated by the United States Government.
National Get Caught Reading Month - The Association of American Publishers sponsors this event as a way of encouraging young people to pick up books and get lost in stories.
National Teacher Appreciation Week - My kids' schools traditionally have parents prepare a "themed" lunch during this recognition week. This year, we are all asked to bring International items and I was assigned Taco Soup.
National Photo Month - There are some great sites on the web that challenge readers to take a photo a day for 30 days that are not only fun (and challenging) but will propel you out of your "comfort zone" of photography. I love being encouraged to take photos of everyday items or things that are within easy reach, that I normally never would consider shooting pictures of but afterwards I am grateful to have the memories. The Daily Post's Photo Challenge includes photographing "Forces of Nature", "Intricate", "Early Bird", "Afloat" for examples of photo themes.
Star Wars Day - okay, all you fans of Han Solo, Chewbaca and R2D2 - it's time to break out the original Star Wars and revel in this iconic movie. Supposedly, there are many organized Star Wars events across the country ranging from costume contests to museum exhibits. "May the Force Be With You!" (May the 4th be with you!)
I know we are passed the 5th of May but Cinco de Mayo is celebrated all month in our house with recipe testing of many different Mexican dishes. I am desperately trying to figure out how to make steak street tacos that taste as wonderful as our local taco truck and I also am searching for a fajita recipe that rivals a nearby restaurant. Despite all the testing of recipes, I always default to our favorite homemade tortilla recipe. It's really hard for me to buy tortillas at the grocery store except the kind you now can find in the refrigerated section that you "grill" yourself. Still not as good as homemade tortillas, but will work in a pinch!
No Homework Day! Wow, I sure hope my kids' teachers celebrate this day as Connor has his District Golf Tournament that day and Bella has a track meet over an hour away, so our family could use the relief of an evening without homework. However, I am pretty certain, a certain 16-year old has a powerpoint presentation for a history class that next day, so I'm thinking that doesn't matter for him.
National Iris Day - We are lucky to live in an area with Iris fields nearby. One year, the farms surrounding us grew Iris bulbs instead of grass seed and waking up to the glorious colors each day was incredible. Although these gorgeous flowers don't smell good nor do they last when picked, if you are fortunate to live in an area in which they will grow, be sure to plant the bulbs in the fall so you can enjoy May blooms.
May 9th - Lost Sock Memorial Day - This is a great day to search through the sock drawer/piles and to pair up all those socks needing a mate. For all those "others" - perhaps it's time for the sock graveyard - the land of repurpose, reuse. Or you can be like Miss Bella, and wear unmatched socks. The Little Miss Matched company started a "fad" several years ago, and actually sold sets of three mismatched socks. My girls were huge fans and it sure made getting out the door in the morning way easier!
Second Sunday in May: Mother's Day - take the time to thank the women in your life who have loved you or cared for you as a mom. This Dreamy Mother's Day Brunch Menu can inspire hosting your own favorite ladies to a "comfort food"-inspired meal. Did you know that the original creation of Mother's Day by Congressional legislation was in a response to Anna Jarvis' letter-writing campaign. I tell my kids that my favorite gift is a letter or sentiments in a homemade card, and this remains true. Little did I know that this holiday originated with a letter-writing campaign. Perfect!
May 10th: Up All Night Night. I have learned that this 40-something body cannot deal well with All-Nighters, unlike the college days, when it was easy to rebound from a night of all-night studying or paper writing.
May 11th - Eat What You Want Day! Okay, if you could anything you want with no worries of gaining any weight, or breaking any dietary restriction, what would you indulge in today? I think I would whip up a meal of desserts starting with this Unbelievable Fresh Strawberry Pie and then top it off with this Decadent, Rich Flourless Chocolate Cake which is more like a very dense, rich brownie with no flour.
What about you? What would you eat if the sky was the limit?
May 16th: National Pizza Party Day - Who needs an excuse for pizza? Not me. What is your favorite flavor for pizza toppings? Personally, I love everything except pepperoni, which is of course, my kids' favorites. Miss Mara recently introduced us to a Spinach Artichoke Alfredo Pizza that was absolutely out-of-this-world. It came with garlic butter dipping sauce. Should I say more?
I am always on the lookout for the "best pizza crust". My family have complimented many recipes but each time, I still seek that "perfect" crust that I still have not mastered nor found.
Does anyone out there have that "perfect crust" recipe that I must try?
May 18 - International Museum Day - With so many cultural and historical institutions around the world, I hope you find yourself with the opportunity to check one out for this annual celebration.
Memorial Day - I am so grateful for all those who have served our country. Spend some time today, reflecting on the great service men and women who have risked and dedicated their lives to our freedom. It's a great day to raise your flags or to attend a parade or event honoring our current service men and women and our veteran's and all those who gave their lives on our behalf.
May 19th - 26th: National Backyard Games Week! - You don't need to twist this family's arms to break out the horseshoes, badmitton, trackball, tetherball, croquet mallets or bocce! Weather permitting in our neck of the woods, we love to get outside for a little healthy family competition.
Mid May - Children's Book Week sponsored by The Children's Book Council to encourage children to "discover the complexity of the world beyond their own experience through books." Here's my favorite list of the 50 Must-Read Books you should read before you turn 13.
National Geography Bee - sponsored by the National Geographic Society, thousands of American students in grades 4 through 8th grade compete to answer really, really hard geography questions. Connor excelled in geography and was a finalist several years for his school Geography Bee.
National Trail Day is coming up in June. Help prepare a nearby trail for the upcoming hiking season. The Hubs and the Pooch helped with a recent trail-building event on a day I was busy and ended up loving providing the service to one of the many trails we enjoy trekking. We are spoiled by numerous recreational trails in our area. For hiking destinations near you check out The American Hiking Society for inspiration.
