Halloween and National Knock Knock Jokes Day

from http://www.funnyworm.com

October 31 is Halloween and National Knock Knock Jokes Day. Celebrate by telling a Knock Knock Halloween joke. To help you get started I’ve listed a few. (1) Knock Knock. Who’s there? Boo. Boo who? Don’t cry. It’s Trick or Treat time! (2) Knock Knock. Who’s there? Wanda. Wanda who? Wanda go for a ride on my broomstick? (3) Knock Knock. Who’s there? Voo Doo. Voo Doo who? Voo Doo you think you are! (4) Knock Knock. Who’s there? Alva. Alva who? Alva a heart and give me a treat! (5) Knock Knock. Who’s there? Gladys. Gladys who? Gladys Halloween!

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

~N

National Candy Corn Day

 Candy corn has been around for over 100 years, and it continues to grow in popularity. We’ll be seeing a lot of it in the next few days.Over 35 million pounds of the yellow, white and orange candy will be produced this year. It’s also not just for Halloween. Look for “Indian corn” (with a brown end instead of yellow) for Thanksgiving, “Reindeer corn” (red and green) for Christmas, “Cupid corn” (red and pink) for Valentine’s Day, “Bunny corn” (white and various bright colors) for Easter and “Freedom corn” (red, white and blue) for July 4. Enjoy candy corn any time of year, but especially today.

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. Colossians 2:16

~C

National Oatmeal Day

October 29 is National Oatmeal Day. Oatmeal is a food that never goes out of favor with the nutrition experts. It is a heart-healthy food and helps ward off diabetes. If you like oatmeal, you have several choices including microwavable, quick-cooking, rolled, steel-cut, and old-fashioned. There are also many choices in toppings. My favorites are raw sugar, nuts, and dried fruit.

One of the oldest and most famous mascots in the advertising industry is the Quaker Oats Man. The Quaker Man was registered as a trademark in 1877. Today the company says that the mascot doesn’t represent an actual person, but the “values of honesty, integrity, purity and strength.” In the past, however, William Penn was thought to be the inspiration.

Celebrate the day by eating oatmeal. Start your day with a steamy bowl of oatmeal, or eat oatmeal cookies, fruit crisp, or oatmeal pie.

Genesis 1:29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

~N

National Chocolate Day

There seems to be some disagreement as to what day we celebrate National Chocolate Day—October 28? July 7? Why not both! Chocolate is a delicious and lovely treat, and there are rumors that it is good for us. Chocolate is reported to have all kinds of benefits, from helping with long-term memory, reducing the risks of heart disease, preventing strokes, boosting our mood, and more. The list is long, giving us more reason to enjoy chocolate. Here’s a great recipe for Chocolate Fudge Sauce—so easy and so good on ice cream! You can find it in A Louisiana Christmas, p. 174–or right here:

Chocolate Fudge Sauce

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

Dash of salt

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup evaporated milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Melt chocolate in small pan over low heat or in double boiler. Add cream of tartar and salt. Stir in milk and sugar alternately. Continue stirring and heating over low to medium heat until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Store in refrigerator, and use as a sauce on hot or cold desserts.

Finally…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

~C

Navy Day

My father, mother, and older brother, 1942

October 27 is Navy Day. I like the idea of celebrating the US Navy. My dad was in the Navy in WWII, and I was born in Portsmouth Naval Hospital when he was stationed at Norfolk. Since the United States Navy was formed in 1775, it has participated in several major wars and fought countless battles to protect our country and keep us safe. Celebrate today with a salute the United States Navy and the many men and women who have served or are serving in the Navy.

Prayer for the members of the armed forces:

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Please place a hedge of protection around each and every one. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen –ppfinc.org

~N

National Mule Day

It’s good to honor animals that provide so much for us. The mule is a hybrid between a donkey and a horse. They have a long history of helping America build and prosper. Mules have helped us create roads, canals, bridges, dams, the Panama Canal, and the Rose Bowl. More often today, we may see a mule pulling a buggy for tourists and wearing a silly hat. Kudos to the mule for putting up with all this. Celebrate a mule today by appreciating the work they do.

The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the desert while he was grazing the donkeys of his father Zibeon. Genesis 36:24
~C

International Artists Day

October 25 is International Artists Day. Our earliest records were made by artists. Today we can see cave paintings, pottery, and rock art that are many thousands of years old. A figurine from Germany is 40,000 years old. Cave paintings in Europe date to 36,000 – 30,000 years ago. The Aboriginal rock art in Australia began 30,000 years ago and represents the oldest continually practiced art. Celebrate today with your own beautiful piece – or pieces – of art.

Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

~N

National Food Day

National Food Day has been celebrated on October 24 since 2011. It was started by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to promote healthy eating and sustainable foods. In the U.S. over 300,000 deaths per year are caused by poor nutrition and a lack of physical activity. Advocates in the food world use this day to promote programs that make healthy foods more affordable and available and promote farming methods that are good for the environment. Events across the nation include conferences, school activities, nutritional grocery tours, and festivals. Take some time today to learn more about healthy eating. Try the recipe for Caprese Salad Skewers (pictured above) on p. 34 of “A Louisiana Christmas.” Combine a colorful variety of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and marinated black and green olives on short skewers. Drizzle with vinaigrette. It’s an easy and healthy snack or salad. For more information on National Food Day, visit www.foodday.org

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. Genesis 1:29

~C

Women March for Voting Rights 1915

Over a hundred years ago on October 23, 1915, 25,000 – 40,000 women marched in New York City demanding the right to vote. Among the arguments against women’s voting rights were all-male voting was designed by the founding fathers and women shouldn’t be dragged into dirty politics. The women’s march was the largest parade New York City had seen at that point in time. Finally, on June 4, 1919, Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment. It was ratified August 18, 1920. I like the idea of remembering this date. It shows some of the difficulty women faced in the early stages of the Women’s Rights Movement.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

~N

National Color Day

October 22 is National Color Day. The reasoning behind this day is to educate people on how colors affect our mood, productivity, and behavior. Choose your colors wisely. According to color psychology, the colors we wear  and choose to decorate our homes have their own language. Here’s a rundown on a few basic colors and what they mean. Find more information at http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html

Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.

Yellow is the color of sunshine. It’s associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy.

Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.

Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility.

Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.

Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.

He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen… Exodus 36:35

~C