~★~♥~♥~★~ El Morno! ♥~★~★~♥ ~
October 6th, 2012

★~ Today’s Quote: “There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter. Which luckily I am.” ~ Alice In Wonderland

★~ Mad Hatter Day:

Celebrate Mad Hatter Day by embracing the absurdity of Lewis Caroll’s Mad Hatter in the book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Mad Hatter Day is celebrated each year on October 6 because the Mad Hatter wears a top hat labeled “In this style 10/6” in the book’s illustrations.

The real spirit of Mad Hatter Day is turnabout: The nonsense we usually have to pretend is sane can be called madness for one day in the year; the superficially crazy things that really make sense can be called sane on Mad Hatter Day. Can you think of any examples?

★~ Frugal Fun Day:

The challenge today is to have fun for as little money as possible or for free!  Some ideas: carve a pumpkin it doesn’t have to be for Halloween, attend a high school football or soccer game, head to your local membership club and have lunch on the samples!

★~ Worldwide Day Of Play:

I almost didn’t include this “Day” because it seems to be nothing more than a marketing gimmick, but in the interest of informing…Nick goes completely dark for the entire afternoon in an effort to encourage kids to turn off the TV and go PLAY! Really.

I don’t watch television and Cole didn’t watch it for the first 12 years of his life. We own one television set and I’ve been talked into way too many cable channels, as my son has moved into his teen years. In my own opinion, the world would be a much better place if iCarly” and “Spongebob” went dark permanently. I don’t have anything against Big Bird in moderation, tho. 😀

★~ National Noodle Day:

Archaeologists believe that central Asia is most likely the first area to have produced noodles thousands of years ago. The way it reached Europe is unclear, though there are many theories—some believe that nomadic Arabs are responsible for bringing early forms of pasta westward. Once it reached the Mediterranean the process was refined, and durum wheat became the ingredient of choice for pasta flour because of its high gluten content and long shelf life. When durum wheat pasta is dried, it lasts indefinitely, making it a very convenient food to store. Over time, because of pasta’s affordability, shelf life, and versatility, it became firmly rooted in Italian culture. The warm Mediterranean climate of Italy is suited to growing fresh vegetables and herbs, which meant that Italians could get creative with a delicious variety of pasta sauces. Tomato-based sauces emerged as a favorite compliment to pasta, and tomatoes remain the most popular ingredient in pasta sauce today.

Early Spanish settlers were among the first to bring pasta to America. Believe it or not, it was Thomas Jefferson that helped give pasta an initial push into popularity. During an extended stay in Paris from 1784-1789, Jefferson ate what he called macaroni… back then, the word could have referred to any shape of pasta. He enjoyed the dish so much that he returned to America with two cases in tow. When his supply ran out, he sent for reinforcements via a friend from Naples.

During the late 19th century, when a large group of immigrants relocated from Italy to America (most from Naples), pasta became a common food in the states. We have been making spaghetti in America ever since.

Start twirling your fork..and enjoy your favorite noodle dish.

★~ Today in History:

♥~ 1889 – The Moulin Rouge in Paris first opened its doors to the public. It was in the Montmartre district of Paris, a district that had been historically outside the city limits, where the local nuns made wine and Paris taxes did not apply. It evolved into a center of entertainment and drinking, the home of artists, and a popular locale for nightclubs like the Moulin Rouge. Moulin Rouge means “red windmill,” because the building itself had a giant red windmill on top.

♥~ 1863 – The first Turkish bath was opened in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Charles Shepard was the proprietor.

♥~ 1945 –  Greek tavern-owner William “Billy Goat” Sianis was ejected from Chicago’s Wrigley Field for attempting to bring a goat to the World Series. Click to read the whole story  Billy Goat Tavern.

♥~ 1956 – Dr. Albert Sabin discovered an oral polio vaccine. It was put into use in 1961 and by 1965 was widely used.

♥~ 2007 – 40-year-old British adventurer Jason Lewis completed a13-year trip around the world, powered by only his arms and legs. Lewis crossed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in a wooden pedal boat; roller bladed across North America; kayaked from Australia to Singapore; biked from Singapore to the Himalayas, etc. etc. etc.

★~ Born Today:

♥~ 1846 – George Westinghouse inventor: railway braking systems; developer: alternating current [AC] electricity; founder: Westinghouse Electric Company; died March 12, 1914

♥~ 1936 – Anna Quayle Tony Award-winning actress: Stop the World, I Want to Get Off [1963]; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mistress Pamela

♥~ 1963 – Elisabeth Shue actress: The Trigger Effect, Leaving Las Vegas, Blind Justice, Heart and Souls, Back to the Future: Part 2 and Part 3, Cocktail, Adventures in Babysitting, The Karate Kid Call to Glory

♥~ 1964 – Matthew Sweet musician: guitar, singer, songwriter: Girlfriend

★~ Did You Know: Things that might not make sense….

♥~  Round Pizza…Square Box

♥~ Pressing harder on the remote when the batteries are dead.

♥~ Moaning while stretching.

♥~ Fun sized candy, is usually one bite.  What’s fun about getting less candy?

♥~ When we recite the alphabet, why do we say L,M,N,O,P really fast?

♥~ Why do cartoon characters wear the same thing every single episode?

♥~ The Kardashians made $65 Million last year and you didn’t.

♥~ When dog food says new and improved who tested it?

♥~ Why are there locks on the doors of stores that are open 24/7 365 days a year?

♥~ Why do you have to “put your two cents in”…but it’s only a “penny foryour thoughts”?  Where’s that extra penny going to? Taxes?

♥~ Continually going back to the same place to look for a lost item.

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Hoody weather! Fire pit weather! A fabulous fall weekend! I’m not sure what the day will bring but I’m pretty sure it involves a field trip with my camera followed up with a big juicy hamburger. I’m in the mood for a hamburger. What are your plans for the day? I do hope you aren’t disappointed that ICarly (Nick)  is no longer an option this afternoon!

If it makes you smile, giggle or laugh…Do it again!

♥~