Time to take down the Yule tree, throw away the holiday greeting cards and get over the New Year’s Eve hangover. Now what?
Some may think Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only other observance in January, but holiday mavens like myself know better. There are actually holidays celebrated this month almost every day. I know, faithful readers are sitting back saying to themselves, “Hey Rus! What the…?” There are, I swear I am not making this up.
So simmer down and let’s travel down the highway of holidays this month.
First, January 2 was National Buffet Day. This may be a perfect time to throw out a recipe being this is a food column. Sorry, the only buffet recipe I can offer you is to cook a bunch of stuff and throw it in some warmers and serve them. Duh…buffet?
But the holidays don’t stop there. Here’s a cool trivia question. What is celebrated January4? Why it’s National Trivia Day of course.
Bird activists have established January 5 as National Bird Day. It is designed to recognize the plight of captive birds including their exploitation and the conditions of being held in captivity. I’ve got a ton of recipes for cooking birds, but I think that may be a tad counterproductive to the spirit of National Bird Day. In keeping with National Bird Day, Bald Eagle Appreciation Day is also celebrated in the month of January.
January 8 is Show and Tell at Work Day, January 10 is Peculiar People Day, January 11 is Milk Day and January 13 is National Rubber Ducky Day. Honoring the rubber duck seriously alters my schedule for taking a bath. I guess taking one more bath during the month won’t kill me.
There is a Kid Inventors Day, National Popcorn Day and a National Hugging Day. Opposite Day is celebrated on January 25 and National Puzzle Day is January 29.
But there are two lesser holidays celebrated this month that are near and dear to my heart.
January 24 is Beer Can Appreciation Day. I make contributions to this observance on a regular basis. Beer Can Appreciation Day is a big day for me, so when you celebrate this important holiday remember…Please drink responsibly.
Finally, January 27 is National Chocolate Cake Day, and as you know, chocolate, bacon, hot peppers and beer are just a few of my favorite things.
To celebrate this festive occasion I offer up a can’t miss National Chocolate Cake Day recipe.
Black Bottom Cupcakes
8 Oz. Cream Cheese, Room Temp
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Egg
1 Cup Semisweet Chips
1 ½ Cup Flour
1 Cup Sugar
¼ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
Pinch of Salt
1 Cup Water
1/3 Cup Veg Oil
1 Tbs. Vinegar
1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 Tbs. Cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat the cheese, sugar and egg until mixed. Stir in the chips.
In a separate bowl whisk flour, sugar cocoa, baking soda and salt. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir together. Pour batter into cupcake tins and bake 20-25 minutes or until done.
Happy January everybody.
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