:D smile it’s Saturday!

And what a beautiful day it is, the sun is shining!! 😀

And it’s national souffle day, lol. Yeah, I can’t cook one either.

Me, the line up for the day; go through closets, do some laundry, rearrange some things in my room, watch a few Buffy eps- relax for a bit. And then…woot! Do some more writing.

Oh yeah and post a few pix with an entry later. I was finally able to pick up Hubs birthday presents! His bday was the ninth. But he loves the presents, so def was worth the wait. And I got a few little presents for being patient the other day. Meaning, I didn’t whine, and I was nice to ppl I was supposed to be nice too. And boy that was a little hard. It’s kind of difficult to be nice to ppl that aren’t nice to you, and it seems that they go out of their way to provoke you. I stayed calm and balanced. Woot!

Have a beautiful day!
xoxo

February 28, 2015 – National Chocolate Souffle Day

Flourless Chocolate Souffle with Raspberry Cream

Total Time: 1 hr 30 min
Prep: 1 hr
Cook: 30 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

2 cups frozen raspberries (IQF), thawed

2 teaspoons butter for greasing ramekins

1 tablespoon sugar for ramekins

2 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

1 -ounce unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped

1/4 cup whole milk

3 large egg whites

Pinch salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 large egg yolks

Directions:

Whip the cream in a chilled bowl until semi-stiff. Add confectioners’ sugar and whip until stiff. Refrigerate. Puree raspberries in a food processor, then pass them through a sieve; fold this into the whipped cream and reserve until later.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter 4-1/2 cup capacity ramekins and lightly dust the insides with sugar; set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine the semisweet and unsweetened chocolates with the milk. Melt over low heat, stirring constantly. The minute the chocolates are melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the melted chocolate to a small bowl and cool to room temperature.

Whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they are soft. Add the granulated sugar and whip until stiff but not dry. Whisk the yolks into the cooled melted chocolate. Fold 1/4 of the whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it, then fold the lightened chocolate mixture back int the egg whites. Spoon the mixture into the ramekins and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The souffles should remain moist in the center.

To serve, bring the souffles to the table and serve raspberry cream on the side. Each diner should break the souffle open with a spoon and add raspberry cream in the center

Recipe used by permission of Michele Urvator

Thank you, Skeen! 😀

xoxo

 

IOTD

Calendar day; February 28, 2015

Saturday, the 28th of February, 2015 is the 59th day in 2015 and in the 9th calendar week.

General Events:

World Rare Disease Day
February 28, 2015 in the World

World Rare Disease Day is an annual observance held on the last day of February (February 28th or February 29th in a Leap Year) to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatments and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families.

The 8th annual World Rare Disease Day will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015. On this day, various activities take place in the United States, Europe, Russia, Japan and elsewhere around the world.

A disease or disorder is defined as rare in Europe when it affects fewer than 1 in 2000. A disease or disorder is defined as rare in the USA when it affects fewer than 200,000 Americans at any given time.

Over 6000 rare diseases are characterised by a broad diversity of disorders and symptoms that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease.

Relatively common symptoms can hide underlying rare diseases leading to misdiagnosis and delaying treatment. Quintessentially disabling, the patients quality of life is affected by the lack or loss of autonomy due to the chronic, progressive, degenerative, and frequently life-threatening aspects of the disease. The fact that there are often no existing effective cures adds to the high level of pain and suffering endured by patients and their families.

http://www.rarediseaseday.org/

http://www.eurordis.org/news/rare-disease-day-2015-theme-and-slogan-living-rare-disease-day-day-hand-hand

Where is the event?
Worldwide

Science Day
February 28, 2015 in India

National Science Day is celebrated on February 28, 2015. National Science Day is celebrated in India each year to mark the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman on 28 February 1928.

Where is the event?
Nationwide India

Floral Design Day
February 28, 2015 in the World

Floral Design Day takes place on February 28, 2015. You could celebrate that day by creating floral arrangements, viewing floral designs oder drawing pictures of floral designs. Floral design is the art of using plant materials and flowers to create a pleasing and balanced composition. Professionally designed floral designs, arrangements or artwork incorporate the elements of floral design: Line, Form, Space, Texture and Color and the Principles of Floral Design: Balance, Proportion, Rhythm, Contrast, Harmony and Unity.

There are many styles of floral design. Eastern, Western and European styles have all influenced the commercial floral industry as it is today. Ikebana is a Japanese or eastern style of floral design and incorporates the three main line placements of heaven, man and earth. In contrast, European style emphasizes color and variety of botanical materials not limited to just blooming flowers, in mass gatherings of multiple flowers. Western design historically is characterized by symmetrical, asymmetrical, horizontal and vertical style of arrangements.

Where is the event?
Worldwide

Public Sleeping Day
February 28, 2015 in the World

Public Sleeping Day is observed on February 28, 2015. Too tired to have something to celebrate today? Then get out and go to sleep first a round in the public … Inspire yourself by the following tips: Sleep in class or an office meeting, go to a bench in the park and lie down for a while or get on any public transportation and get some sleep.

Some people may opt to sleep on the job.  They do so at their own risk. Have you ever caught twenty winks on a bus or subway traveling to or from work? Sure, we all have.

The purposes and mechanisms of sleep are only partially clear and are the subject of substantial research. Sleep is often thought to help conserve energy, but decreases metabolism only about 5–10%. Hibernating animals need to sleep despite the hypometabolism seen in hibernation, and must return from hypothermia to euthermia in order to sleep, making sleeping “energetically expensive.”

Where is the event?
Worldwide

National Chocolate Souffle Day
February 28, 2015 in the USA

 delightfully delicious dessert is celebrated each year on February 28th as it is National Chocolate Souffle Day.

The word souffle is the past participle of the French verb souffler, which means “to blow up” or more loosely “puff up”, which describes a souffle perfectly.   A souffle is a lightly baked cake made with egg yolks and the beaten eggs whites that are combined with various other ingredients.   Souffle can be found served as a savory main dish or sweetened as a dessert.

There are two basic components that make up every souffle.

1.  a French creme patisserie base/flavored cream sauce or puree
2.  egg whites beaten to a  soft peak meringue

The flavor is provided by the base and the “lift” is provided by the beaten egg whites.  There are certain foods that are commonly used for the base in a souffle which include cheese, jam, fruits, berries, chocolate, banana  and lemon.   Many souffle bakers like to puncture the top of the souffle, after it is removed from the oven, and pour various types of liquid sauces onto it, such as chocolate or vanilla.

Where is the event?
Nationwide USA

Historical Events on 28th February:

202 BC – Coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place, initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty’s rule over China

1646 – Roger Scott was tried in Mass for sleeping in church

1700 – Today is followed by March 1 in Sweden, thus creating the Swedish calendar.

1784 – John Wesley charters Methodist Church

1826 – M Biela, an Austrian officer, discovers Biela’s Comet

1854 – Republican Party formally organized at Ripon, Wisc

1870 – The Bulgarian Exarchate is established by decree of Sultan Abd-ul-Aziz of the Ottoman Empire.

1896 – France dismisses Queen Ranavalona of Madagascar

1915 – WWI: After the French try to drive the Germans forces back into the Champagne region, they gain a few hundred yards – at the cost of 50,000 casualties

1924 – US begins intervention in Honduras

1939 – Great Britain recognizes Franco regime in Spain

1939 – The erroneous word “Dord” is discovered in the Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition, prompting an investigation

1947 – 228 Incident: In Taiwan, civil disorder is put down with the loss of 30,000 civilian lives

1956 – Forrester issued a patent for computer core memory

1970 – Bicycles permitted to cross Golden Gate Bridge

1976 – Spain withdraws from Western Sahara

1982 – FALN (PR Nationalist Group) bombs Wall Street

2004 – Over 1 million Taiwanese participating in the 228 Hand-in-Hand Rally form a 500-kilometre (300-mile) long human chain to commemorate the 228 Incident in 1947

 

IOTD

Calendar day; February 27, 2015

Friday, the 27th of February, 2015 is the 58th day in 2015 and in the 9th calendar week.

General Events:

International STAND UP to Bullying Day
February 27, 2015 in the World

International STAND UP to Bullying Day takes place on February 27, 2015. International STAND UP to Bullying Day is a special semi-annual event in which participants sign and wear a pink “pledge shirt” to take a visible, public stance against bullying. The event takes place in schools, workplaces, and organizations in 25 countries across the globe on the third Friday of November to coincide with Anti-bullying week, and then again on the last Friday of February.

Where is the event?
Worldwide

International Polar Bear Day
February 27, 2015 in the World

International Polar Bear Day is a holiday celebrated every February 27 to raise awareness about the conservation status of the polar bear. International Polar Bear Day is organized by Polar Bears International to raise awareness about the impact of global warming and reduced sea ice on polar bear populations. The holiday encourages people to find ways to reduce their carbon output.

The polar bear is classified as a vulnerable species, with eight of the nineteen polar bear subpopulations in decline. For decades, large scale hunting raised international concern for the future of the species but populations rebounded after controls and quotas began to take effect.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the polar bear is important as an indicator of arctic ecosystem health. Polar bears are studied to gain understanding of what is happening throughout the Arctic, because at-risk polar bears are often a sign of something wrong with the arctic marine ecosystem.

http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/

Where is the event?
Worldwide

No Brainer Day
February 27, 2015 in the World

No Brainer Day is celebrated on February 27, 2015. It’s easy to celebrate it: just be happy about its existance! No-brainer is a term used to denote a problem that allegedly has a very easy solution obvious to all. The term originated in engineering jargon, but grew in popularity during the 1990s and 2000s, and is now common in business environments. The claim that a problem is a “no-brainer” may be a way to shut down dissent.

No Brainer Day is observed with the purpose to free your brain from tired and complex assignments. This is a break day for easy to solve and simple problems. Though it’s not allowed to be lazy for working, a small amount of time spent on idling is very beneficial for health as well as working status.

On No Brainer Day, you are allowed to postpone things in a positive way. Thanks to this, you are able to have more time to think things thoroughly and clearly. Sometimes, fast decisions can lead to bad consequences that make us regret. Unlike other events, there is neither party nor festival on No Brainer Day. With the aim of relaxing, this event encourages you to go to bed early and enjoy a healthy night with enough sleep. It will help you improve your memory, refresh your brain. You have rights to treat yourself well in this event.

Where is the event?
Worldwide

National Kahlua Day
February 27, 2015 in the USA

Kahlua is a rich, creamy alcoholic liqueur from Mexico. People enjoy it straight up, on the rocks, and mixed in coffee or cocktails (like the White Russian). Kahlua is also used to flavor desserts such as ice cream, cakes, and cheesecakes.

The word “kahlua” means “house of the Acolhua people” in the Nahuatl language. A company named Domecq has produced the drink since 1936 and named it for the native people of Veracruz. Kahlua is made with rum, Mexican coffee, sugar, and vanilla.

To celebrate National Kahlua Day, mix up your favorite Kahlua cocktail or bake a divine Kahlua-flavored cake to share with friends!

Where is the event?
Nationwide USA

Historical Events on 27th February:

837 – 15th recorded perihelion passage of Halley’s Comet

1626 – Yuan Chonghuan is appointed Governor of Liaodong, after he led the Chinese into a great victory against the Manchurians under Nurhaci

1700 – Pacific Island of New Britain discovered

1803 – Great fire in Bombay, India

1827 – 1st Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans

1844 – Dominican Republic gains independence from Haiti (National Day)

1879 – Constantine Fahlberg discovers saccharin (artificial sweetener)

1900 – In London, the Trades Union Congress and the Independent Labour Party (formed in 1893) meet, resulting in a Labour Representative Committee and eventually the modern Labour Party in 1906

1922 – Supreme Court unanimously upheld 19th amend woman’s right to vote

1933 – The Reichstag, German parliament building, destroyed by fire; it was set by the Nazis, who blamed it on Communists

1938 – Britain & France recognize Franco government in Spain

1939 – Borley Rectory, “the most haunted house in England”, destroyed in a fire

1942 – J S Hey discovers radio emissions from Sun

1949 – Chaim Weizmann becomes 1st President of Israel

1950 – General Chiang Kai-shek elected president of Nationalist China

1957 – Mao’s famous speech to the Supreme State Conference “On Correct Handling of Contradictions Among People” expounding Maoist ideals

1964 – The government of Italy asks for help to keep the Leaning Tower of Pisa from toppling over.

1967 – Dominica gains independence from England

1970 – NY Times (falsely) reports US army has ended domestic surveillance

1980 – Israel & Egypt exchange ambassadors

1991 – Gulf War ends after Iraqi troops retreat and Kuwait is re-taken by the US

1998 – Britain’s House of Lords agree’s to end 1,000 years of male preference by giving a monarch’s first-born daughter the same claim to the throne as any first born son

IOTD

Calendar day; February 26, 2015

Thursday, the 26th of February, 2015 is the 57th day in 2015 and in the 9th calendar week.

General Events:

Tell a Fairy Tale Day
February 26, 2015 in the World

Tell a Fairy Tale Day takes place on February 26, 2015. You could read your kids fairy tales today or read them alone. A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features folkloric fantasy characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants, mermaids, or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. Fairy tales may be distinguished from other folk narratives such as legends and explicitly moral tales, including beast fables.

The older fairy tales were intended for an audience of adults, as well as children, but they were associated with children as early as the writings of the précieuses; the Brothers Grimm titled their collection Children’s and Household Tales, and the link with children has only grown stronger with time.

In cultures where demons and witches are perceived as real, fairy tales may merge into legends, where the narrative is perceived both by teller and hearers as being grounded in historical truth. However, unlike legends and epics, they usually do not contain more than superficial references to religion and actual places, people, and events; they take place once upon a time rather than in actual times.

Where is the event?
Worldwide

World Pistachio Day
February 26, 2015 in the World

February 26th is World Pistachio Day, so why not take a moment to reflect on the amazing history and modern day health benefits of this wonderful nut?

Pistachios contain only 3-4 calories per nut, and offer more than 30 different vitamins, minerals and beneficial phytonutrients making them a great guilt free snack.

Originating from the Middle East, pistachios are one of the oldest flowering nut trees with evidence suggesting that humans were enjoying them as early as 7,000 B.C. Pistachios were first planted in California in the 1930s. From this point it took nearly 10 years of careful research and breeding before the California pistachio – also known as the Kerman variety – was finally perfected. Today, California produces more than 400 million pounds of pistachios each year, making it a leading producer of pistachios worldwide.

In China, the pistachio is known as the “happy nut” because it looks like it’s smiling. Often given as a gift during the Chinese New Year, pistachios are a symbol of health, happiness and good fortune. While China leads the world in total pistachio consumption at 120 million pounds per year; Israel, with 7 million snackers consuming 9 million pounds, is the leader per capita for pistachio consumption.

In India, pistachios are a major part of the population’s diet and are used in the popular saffron pistachio drink, Shree Guruji Kesar Pista Sharbat. Pistachios are considered a “hot food” and are believed to help keep the body warm and are typically enjoyed during the cold winter months. Conversely, in Russia pistachios are enjoyed as a popular snack to accompany beer during the warm summer months.

In France, where “snack” is not part of the vocabulary, pistachios are served as part of the occasion known as aperitif, a light beverage and snack served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

Pistachios are enjoyed around the world so celebrate with your fellow nut lovers in many different languages: die Pistazie in German, pistaches in French, pista in Hindi and pistache in Spanish.

While many eat pistachios purely for their delicious taste and satisfying crunch, the pistachio is also stacked full of nutritional goodness. New research continues to come to light showing the positive benefits of pistachios:
•Lung Cancer: Recently it was revealed that a diet that incorporates a daily dose of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, held Dec. 6-9, 2009.
•A Smart Snack for Diabetics: Researchers from the University of Toronto found that when a handful of pistachios were eaten with a high glycemic index food like white bread, the pistachios helped blunt the rise in blood sugar and reduced hunger-stimulating hormones. That helps control appetite, and is good news for diabetics.
•Pistachios, “The Skinny Nut”: Overweight and obesity are risk factors for type II diabetes and heart disease. Nutrition experts call pistachios the “Skinny Nut” because they are one of the lowest calorie, lowest fat and highest fiber nuts offering the most nuts per serving.
•Pistachios are “Heart Healthy”: Most of the fat in pistachios is the “good” fat that helps lower the risk of heart disease. Penn State researchers found that eating one to two handfuls of pistachios a day resulted in a nine to 12 percent reduction in “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.

http://www.pistachiohealthinstitute.org/

Where is the event?
Worldwide

For Pete’s Sake Day
February 26, 2015 in the World

Oh, for Pete’s sake! Not another pointless holiday?

For Pete’s Sake Day celebrates one example of a ‘minced oath’, where an offensive word or phrase is substituted by something more acceptable in society. Other examples include ‘For crying out loud!’, and ‘Sugar!’. Such euphemisms have been used for centuries whenever people hit thumbs with hammers, burn hands on hot plates, or sit on sharp things while in polite company. Why has Pete been singled out for special attention?

In the case of this particular minced oath, Pete is likely to refer to St Peter. However, if there’s a Pete in your life, why not do something for his sake? It doesn’t have to be much – making him a cup of tea or a nice sandwich would be good!

If you are Pete-less, perhaps you can celebrate by saying ‘For Pete’s Sake’ whenever you get an opportunity.

Where is the event?
Worldwide

National Chili Day
February 26, 2015 in the USA

Whether you prefer it Texas-style, Mexican-style, or vegetarian, chili served with a side of cornbread is a fabulous comfort food for the winter season.

Despite popular belief, chili does not come from Mexico. The recipe has certainly been influenced by Mexican culture, but it also incorporates elements from Native American and Spanish culinary traditions. Many historians believe chili originated in Texas where all three of these cultures intersected.

According to legend, Spanish priests called the first chili “the soup of the Devil” because they believed that chili peppers were an aphrodisiac. To celebrate National Chili Day, indulge in a delicious bowl of this historical spicy stew!

Where is the event?
Nationwide USA

Historical Events on 26th February:

747 BC – Epoch (origin) of Ptolemy’s Nabonassar Era

1616 – Spanish Inquisition delivers injunction to Galileo

1794 – Christiansborg Castle, Copenhagen burns down.

1815 – Napoleon & 1,200 leave Elba to start 100-day re-conquest of France

1870 – 1st NYC subway line opens (pneumatic powered)

1885 – Congress of Berlin; gives Congo to Belgium & Nigeria to Great Britain

1907 – Royal Oil & Shell merge to form British Petroleum (BP)

1910 – Gandhi supports the African People’s Organisations resolution to declare the day of arrival of the Prince of Wales in South Africa as a day of mourning in protest against the South Africa Acts disenfranchisement of Indians, Coloureds and Africans in the upcoming Union of South Africa

1917 – [NS Mar 11] Russian February Revolution: Tsar Nicolas II orders army to quell civil unrest in Petrograd – army mutinies

1935 – RADAR-Radio Detection & Ranging 1st demonstrated (Robert Watson-Watt)

1936 – Military coup in Japan

1971 – Secretary-General U Thant signs United Nations proclamation of the vernal equinox as Earth Day

1980 – Egypt & Israel exchange ambassadors for 1st time

1986 – People Power Revolution in the Philippines

1993 – 2nd tallest building in world, NYC World Trade Center bombed, 7 die

2001 – The Taliban destroy two giant Buddha statues in Bamyan, Afghanistan

oooh it’s Wonder Wednesday too!

IOTD