November is Family Stories Month
I could not find an official site for this observance, nor could I find who had created it. Regardless, I still think it is a fantastic idea, and one that I can really get geeked about. Additionally, the holidays are the best time to try to collect family stories, as you often see them more this time of year.
I am a huge history buff and I love to hear stories about my family. My grandparents are all gone and most of their siblings as well. While I still have my parents, I want to know as much about my family as possible. Recently, I've been creating my family tree on Ancestry, but I don't really get any stories this way, mostly facts.
There are many ways to collect your family's stories, but you need to focus on the best way to get the stories from your family. Some people will find that story telling comes naturally, but others you will need to prompt. My mother always says that she doesn't have any stories, or that she can't think of any. All I need to do is simply ask her a question or two, then sit back and listen as she talks and talks. I tease her about it and say, "I thought you didn't have any stories!" She has them, she just needs a prompt or two.
Prompts can be as simple as, "What was your childhood like" or more specific, like "How old were you when you got your first job?" This site has some great questions to ask your relatives, or even to answer yourself! (November is also National Life Writing Month.)
One year, my family wrote down memories on little slips of paper. We put them in a jar, and pull them out at holidays, or when we are all at home. They don't have to be holiday specific, just funny or warm little things you don't want to forget!
Enjoy Family Stories Month, and let me know if you have any good ones! I love to hear family stories, even if they aren't about my family!
Official Site?
According to my (not scientific, nor very extensive) research, National Backyard Games Week is the week in May starting the Monday before through the Monday of Memorial Day.
As a child, I liked to ride my bike around the neighborhood. We also played catch, baseball, basketball, tag, hide and seek, hopscotch and more that I have probably forgotten. The most fun games were the ones we made up. Maybe these games weren't unique to the kids in my neighborhood, I just haven't heard of them anywhere else.
We played a game we called Statue. I forget all the rules, but this was a two-person game. One player was the statue, the other person was the statue-maker. The statue-maker would move the statue's arms, legs, head, etc. into position, usually some bizarre or hilarious pose.
Also we played a game called Ice-Cream Man. There wasn't much to it. Actually, one person would just turn their bicycle upside down so it was upright with the handle bars and the seat on the ground. That person would move the pedals with both hands in a sort of churning motion. The other players would line up and tell the ice cream "man" what flavor they wanted. The ice cream man would then mimic making an ice cream cone and handing it over.
A variation of this game was the Cookie Queen. Actually, I don't remember the rules (if there were any), just that I was always happy when I got to be the Cookie Queen.
We played a game we stole from the Baby-sitter's Club books. In those books, it was called Let's All Come In or something like that. We just called it Hotel. This wasn't so much an outdoor game, but one my siblings and I would play in the basement. This is another make-believe game; one person would run the hotel and the others were the guests. I remember my brother always wanted to be some famous wrestler.
Well, reliving these memories has put a smile on my face. What games did you play when you were young?
Today is also:
International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day)
National Maritime Day
Visit Your Relatives Day
If you can't visit your relatives today (mine are all at least 2000 miles away), you can send them an e-greeting card. I know these have passed their peak of popularity (e-greeting cards, not relatives!), but today is also Send an Electronic Greeting Card Day.
And if you can't bear to send an electronic card, you could at least call. They worry about you, you know.
Today is also:
Celebrate Your Elected Officials Day
International Museum Day
NASCAR Day
May 11-17, 2008
National Nursing Home Week
National Police Week
National Stuttering Awareness Week
National Transportation Week
National Women's Health Week
National Nursing Home Week
According to the American Health Care Association website:
Activities are designed to foster intergenerational relationships, collect and preserve patient's reminiscences, strengthen relationships with family members, celebrate quality, and recognize all staff members who demonstrate excellent care giving.
educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease, like:Today is also:
- Engaging in physical activity most days of the week
- Making healthy food choices
- Visiting a healthcare provider to receive regular check-ups and preventive screenings
- Avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt
Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! Did you know it is also Eat What You Want Day? If your rotten kids don't treat you out to eat, then go and get what you want and eat it! Health permitting, of course.
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. It is also Eat What You Want Day. So treat Mom to lunch and let her eat whatever she wants (health permitting, of course!).
May is National Salad Month. Unfortunately, I like to eat un-healthy salads. My favorite salad is something I call “Fried Chicken Salad.” I put some lettuce in a bowl. I add some cut up pieces of fried chicken (or baked, breaded chicken), shredded cheese, cut up hard boiled egg, sunflower seeds, and croutons, with a honey-mustard dressing.
Searching online, I was unable to find an official, definitive list of the 100 ways, but here is a cookbook from 1892. It lists 100 ways to cook eggs, along with 100 ways to cook fish and also 100 desserts.
Since May is the month when most of the
To me, barbecue (or barbeque, or bar-b-q....) is synonymous with grilling. I’m sure there are barbecue purists out there who will be happy to disagree. Personally, I don’t like barbecue sauce, although I love grilled food. There is nothing better than a slightly charred hot dog, bratwurst or polish sausage. Mmm…crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. May is also National Hamburger Month. So throw a burger on that grill while you’re at it!
May 6 - International No Diet Day
Official Site (not updated since 2002?)
Wikipedia entry
I will be celebrating today by not being on a diet. That doesn't mean I won't be eating more fruits and veggies, though!
There is a family wedding coming up. This means pictures being taken plus family I rarely see equals I GOTTA LOSE WEIGHT! In the last two weeks, I've lost over ten pounds! But I am NOT on a diet.
I wholeheartedly support the Weight Watchers campaign which states that "Diets are mean." (I don't necessarily support WW as a whole, however) But diets are mean. And diets don't work. Not for me, anyway; I psych myself out when I say I'm on a diet. Now, if I say that I am trying to eat healthier, somehow it works.
I recently lost this weight by "trying to eat healthier" and adding exercise to my week. TADA! I can't wait to hit the dance floor - "We Are Family," here I come!
Today is also:
Joseph Brackett Day
National Teacher Day
Pecan Pie Recipe, from Karo Syrup
Are you missing the holiday food we were sharing just a few months ago? If so, you can celebrate Pecan Day by making a Pecan Pie. I always thought I had my Grandmother's secret recipe for pecan pie. Then, this year I looked at the recipe on the Karo Syrup label, and was disappointed to find it was exactly the same. Oh well, it's still super delicious! Enjoy with some whipped cream - fresh is best, of course.
March 22 - Int'l Goof-Off Day
More Info
I was going to clean my apartment today, then I remembered that today is Goof-Off Day. So I flopped on the couch to watch crappy movies for awhile, talked on the phone for about an hour, then the mail came. My mom sent me a package of Easter goodies. I was inspired to have a Peeps Duel. They made it into the microwave but then they chickened out. (Ha! I am so funny.) So I ate them.
I was going to boil some eggs so we could die them later, but that means I would have to go buy eggs, then boil them, then dye them, then clean up afterwards. Not to mention I would have to clean my kitchen in order to make room for this project. I don't feel like doing all of that. Maybe tomorrow. Today I plan on goofing off some more.
Have fun goofing off today!
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
I was going to post earlier in the day but I got caught up in making dinner, then eating it, then recovering from it. I made a traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage with boiled potatoes and Irish Soda Bread. Ok, so it may or may not be authentic, but it is traditional in my (Polish) family.
Take a piece of corned beef. Mine was about 4 lbs. Rinse off all the crap that is packaged with it. Place it in a pot and cover it with water (you are gonna need a big pot). Add 2 bay leaves and 20 black peppercorns. If you're like me, you don't have any peppercorns, so just toss a palm-ful of ground black pepper in. Bring the water to a boil, reduce to a simmer, then cover it and let it simmer until a fork goes easily into the middle of the meat. This may take about 3 hours (mine did). About half an hour before you expect the meat to be done, grab a head of cabbage and cut into wedges. Put that in with the meat.
Like I said, I served with boiled potatoes. Hopefully I don't have to tell you how to cook those. I tossed mine with butter and fresh parsley.
As far as Irish Soda Bread goes, everyone has a different idea of what consistency it should be and how it should taste. I prefer a soft, dense bread with raisins. I used this recipe, but I added 1 cup of raisins. Caraway seeds or anise seeds would also be a good addition.
I'll leave you with tasty thoughts and some St Paddy's videos...
March 12 - Girl Scout Day
Girl Scouts of America official website
Find Girl Scout Cookies near you
Holiday Insights
On this day in 1912, Juliette Gordon Low assembled the first Girl Scout meeting in Savannah, Georgia. Eighteen girls attended. Approximately 73 years later, a cute little blonde girl joined her local Daisy Girl Scout group. OK that little girl was me. And I was kind of cute. Except for the 80s hair.
Anyway, I don't remember much about being a Daisy Girl Scout. I remember that we met at my friend Jackie's house (her mom was the troop leader). I couldn't say what we did during those meetings, but I do remember that Jackie had a bunny rabbit.
After kindergarten, Daisies become Brownie Girl Scouts. I was always jealous of the girls that got the full GS uniform. My parents could only afford to buy me the sash. The sash that I never filled up with badges.
We seemed to do a lot of crafts. We went camping once or twice, nothing too rugged though. Of course, I remember selling the cookies, and going door-to-door with my Dad.
One time, we had to cook a meal at home for our family. My parents took pictures of me as I did this. I think I may still have those pictures somewhere. I remember that we used them on a poster board to show what I cooked for my family.
March 8 - Genealogy Day
Yay! A day dedicated to one of my favorite hobbies (ok, they're all my favorite).
I could tell you the importance of genealogy but either you already agree with me or I won't be able to change your mind. Plus I don't feel like it.
Instead, I'd like to supply you with my personal list of genealogy links. This is heavy on Polish, Illinois, and Chicago links, because that is where my family is from. But I have many generally useful sites as well.
Don't forget to check for genealogy groups on your favorite social networking site (MySpace, Facebook, et al). The people in those groups are usually very friendly and willing to help point you in the right direction.
GENERAL SITES
Cyndi's List
A far more comprehensive pile of links than you will find in my humble blog.
1 Step Searches
Help in searching some common genealogy databases.
Free Cemetery Records
I haven't found any information on my family here, but others have had better luck.
Genealogy at About.com
I love About.com. I can always find help (or a point in the right direction) here. Not just for genealogy, but just about any topic.
WorldGenWeb Project
Lots of international help here.
USGenWeb Search Engine
1-click search of all the USGenWeb indices.
RootsWeb Surname List
If you can't find your ancestors, you may be able to find someone else who is researching the same last name. I came in contact with a lady who may or may not be related to me, but she was very friendly and helped me find more info on my family.
FamilySearch International Genealogical Index
This is part of the LDS FamilySearch site.
Social Security Death Index
This is the best SS death index I've found.
Obituary Search
COMING TO AMERICA
Ellis Island
If you are trying to determine when an ancestor arrived in America, start here.
Castle Garden
If you can't find your ancestor at the Ellis Island site, try this one.
Immigrant Ships Passenger Lists
(More) Immigrant Ship Passenger Lists
Guide to Immigration Records and Ships' Passenger Lists
POLISH LINKS (mmm...sausage)
Polish Genealogical Society of America
Click on Directory for lots of help, useful databases, and links.
Genealogy of Halychyna/Eastern Galicia
Polish Genealogy at About.com
I love About.com. I can always find help (or a point in the right direction) here. Not just for genealogy, but just about any topic. (Yes, I know I'm repeating myself.)
Common Polish First Names
This isn't exactly a genealogy site, but I enjoy learning about my family's Polish names.
Poznan Project
A Polish marriage database.
ILLINOIS (the "S" is silent)
Illinois Marriage Index, 1763-1900
Obviously you are restricted to pre-1900 marriages here.
Ordering Birth Records from Illinois
Illinois State Genealogical Society
CHICAGO/COOK COUNTY
St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, Niles, Illinois
I have a lot of family members here. Also see this link.
Cook County USGenWeb site
Cook County Clerk's Office - Vital Records
Chicago Genealogical Society
Their list of links is very useful.
Polk's Directory for 1928-1929
This is very interesting. It is like a phone book, but without the phone numbers. It lists all the addresses in Chicago, and all the residents at those addresses. (It also lists businesses.) This is not useful if you have a name, and are looking for an address, but I obtained an address for a relative and was able to locate them in this directory. This is a very large PDF file, be patient while it loads.
CALIFORNIA
Polish Genealogical Society of California
Los Angeles Regional Family History Center (LDS)
I am looking forward to visiting this place sometime this year. I can't wait to see all the great info available there.
March 5 - Learn What Your Name Means Day
Aly (short for Alyson, variant of Alice): truth, noble, or noble type
I found my name on Wikipedia, but there are many baby name websites that have the meaning and origin of first names.
As for last names, those may be trickier to define. Try some genealogy websites; I found mine on about.com. My last name is Polish, and translates as "little evening."
According to the website, my surname "may have been intended as a nickname for someone who was active or worked in the late afternoon or evening, or one who often held little parties in the evening."
What do your names mean?
December - National Tie Month
So it's National Tie Month. I wonder if that is why so many dads get ties for holiday gifts. Or maybe it's National Tie Month because dads get so many ties.
Check out some tie-related videos:
The Rad History of Ties
A Pub Owner Who Collects Ties
December 12 - Gingerbread House Day
This year I wanted to build a gingerbread house with my boyfriend. He agreed, but with one stipulation: that he be allowed to eat it as soon as we finished making it. Really.
So instead of going to all the trouble of constructing this thing only to have it immediately demolished, I made gingerbread cookies in the shape of a house, and we decorated those. Not only was he allowed to eat them right away, I made them softer, since usual "construction" gingerbread is, by necessity, very hard and not exactly toothsome. (Yes, I just said toothsome. It's a real word, look it up if you don't believe me.)
I've decided to post my holiday recipe greetings here on my blog, as well as MySpace. Enjoy!
Hi everyone! How is your week so far? Well, I hope. Here's another recipe for Recipe Greetings for the Holidays Week. These cookies are a must in my family at Christmas. They are somewhat laborious, but fun to make with kids, if you don't mind a mess!
Love ya,
Alyson
Candy Cane Cookies
White Dough
1 c powdered sugar
1/2 c butter or margarine, softened
1/2 c shortening
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
Red Dough
1 c powdered sugar
1/2 c butter or margarine, softened
1/2 c shortening
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red food coloring
1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Begin by preparing the white dough: cream the butter, shortening and sugar. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Gradually stir in the flour and salt. Divide the dough in half and wrap each piece in wax paper, then store in refrigerator. Prepare the red dough as you did the white, but add the food coloring and peppermint extract after adding the flour. Again, divide the dough in two as before and refrigerate. Chill dough at least half an hour.
When you are ready to make cookies, preheat oven to 375F. Take one half of red dough, and one half of white out of the fridge. Leave remaining dough in fridge until ready to use.
For each candy cane, shape 1 tsp red and 1 tsp white dough into 4" ropes. For smooth, even strips, roll back and forth on a lightly floured board. Place 1 red and 1 white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist. Complete cookies one at a time. Place cookie on ungreased cookie sheet. Curve top to form handle of cane. Bake until set and very light brown, around 9 minutes. Remove (carefully!) from cookie sheet to wire rack.
Hanukkah began tonight at sundown. Greetings to all who celebrate this holiday!
I didn't know any Jewish people while I was growing up, but I was always curious about the dreidel. (We learned the dreidel song in elementary school.) So today I looked up on wikipedia.org (the first place I go when learning something new) how to play.
It sounds like a very simple chance game. You spin the dreidel, and what you land on determines your fate. Each player begins with 10 or so coins (or other markers; some use the gold-foil-wrapped chocolate coins) and each places one coin in the pot/kitty. If the dreidel lands on "Nun" no coins change hands and the next player spins. When the dreidel lands on "Gimel" the player takes the whole pot. When landing on "Hey," the player takes half of the pot. The player puts one coin in the pot if they land on "Shin." Play continues until one player has all the coins (or the other players give up).
I would have to use real coins, or some non-edible marker, because I would eat any chocolate coins I had.
I hope that I related the game to you accurately. I welcome any corrections.
December 1-8 - Recipe Greetings for the Holidays Week
I couldn't find where or how this week-long celebration originated. In that case, you get to hear how I'll be participating this week.
I'm on MySpace, so each day this week (Monday through Friday), I'll be posting a bulletin for all my friends/contacts to see. This bulletin will include a short greeting and a recipe (or a link to a recipe) that I use every year at Christmas.
If you are not on MySpace, or don't like my idea, you could send e-greeting cards with recipes, e-mails, or actual cards or letters to your friends and family. If you don't have any friends or family, you can send me a recipe greeting. I'd be happy to hear from you.
Oh, here is the greeting my friends will see today on MySpace:
"Happy Monday! I hope you are all well and happy. Here is a recipe I make every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Just wanted to share with you all!
Original Chex Mix"
November 29 - Electronic Greetings Day
Talk about a Hallmark-created holiday. Catch up with old friends via e-mail or e-greeting cards today. Want to send someone a Christmas card, but you've lost their address? Send an e-greeting.
If you are on MySpace or another social networking site, say hi through a bulletin to hit all your pals at once. Does that feel a bit cold and remote? Phones are technically electronic, so give 'em a call.
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Happy Holidaze by Alyson Wieczorek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
