National Waffle Day on August 24th commemorates the anniversary of the first waffle iron patent issued. Celebrate by savoring your favorite kind of waffle!
On August 24, 1869, Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York received his patent for the waffle iron. While waffles existed long before then, the invention made waffles more readily available.
Eaten throughout the world, a waffle is a leavened batter or dough. When cooked between two patterned plates, the dough bakes in the waffle’s characteristic uniform impressed surface. Waffles also come in many forms. Depending on the type of batter or iron used, the resulting waffle varies by consistency, size, shape, and flavor.
Waffle irons and waffles originated around the 14th century. An anonymous husband penned the first known waffle recipe as a set of instructions for his wife. According to the manuscript, Le Ménagier de Paris, each of the four recipes began:
Beat some eggs in a bowl, season with salt and add wine. Toss in some flour, and mix. Then fill, little by little, two irons at a time with as much of the paste as a slice of cheese is large. Then close the iron and cook both sides. If the dough does not detach easily from the iron, coat it first with a piece of cloth that has been soaked in oil or grease.
Enjoy your favorite waffle recipes. Or visit a local restaurant for some fresh served waffles. Restaurants across the country specialize in waffles, crafting delicious combinations for every meal of the day. No matter your preference, there’s a waffle for you!
Invite friends over for a waffle making party. Set up a buffet with fresh fruit, syrups, and nuts. Ask them to bring their best ingredients and get tasting! You never know what you’ll discover. Make it breakfast, brunch, snack or dessert, waffles are very versitile.
The origin of this tasty snack is credited to the entrepreneur Alec Barnum. However, the first recorded version of the recipe can be found in the 1927 publication of Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. Even though the Girl Scouts were not the first ones to make s’mores, Girl Scout groups describe them in their reports as early as 1925. Earlier recipes used the name “Some Mores.” It is unclear when the word “S’mores” became the more common name.
Today, many variations on the original s’more find their way around a campfire.
Try spreading peanut butter on the graham crackers before adding the other ingredients.
Substitute peanut butter cups in place of the chocolate bar.
Replace the graham crackers with fudge-dipped cookies.
Add banana slices.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSmoresDay
Try this S’more Bar recipe at home. Enjoy and share with your friends and family. However, if you think s’mores are too messy for you but enjoy the flavor, add the s’more ingredients to delicious desserts. Cakes, pies, dips, trifles also offer a terrific way to enjoy the taste of a s’more. Make it a delicious part of Family Fun Month this August too!
Curating a movie list is like opening a treasure chest filled with cinematic gems tailored to match the mood and occasion. Whether you’re in the mood for a spooky thrill with Halloween classics or seeking the warmth of love in a romance film, these lists are designed to enhance your viewing experience. From family-friendly adventures that bring everyone together to the timeless allure of musicals and mysteries that keep you guessing, each list captures the essence of its genre or theme, ensuring there’s something for every type of movie lover.
Celebrations and special occasions also get their own spotlight with themed lists for Valentine’s Day, holidays, and patriotic events, among others. Whether you’re a fan of iconic franchises like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or James Bond, or you’re gearing up for a dedicated movie night, these lists offer a curated selection that pays homage to the best of cinema. Dive into the cinematic universe of Marvel heroes, enjoy the epic scores on National Filmscore Day, or explore global cinema for a taste of stories from around the world—these movie lists are your guide to unforgettable movie nights and beyond.
National Book Lovers Day on August 9th harnesses all the excitement bibliophiles feel about books into one celebration.
A day for all those who love to read, National Book Lovers Day encourages you to find your favorite reading place, a good book (whether it be fiction or non-fiction) and read the day away.
As we are celebrating Romance Awareness in August, try a romance novel. I know, once upon a time I made that face too. I’m not talking about your grandmother’s books. There are a great many romance authors out there. With so many genres available picking just one might become a challenge. I listed some of my favorites below. This is in no way a complete list of what’s out there.
Steven King John Grisham Dean Koontz J D Robb Michael Connelly Agatha Christie Tolkien George R. R. Martin Harper Lee
Bibliophile – a person who has a great appreciation for or collects books.
Step back in time
The very first books used parchment or vellum (calf-skin) for the book pages.
The book covers were made of wood and often covered with leather.
Clasps or straps kept the books closed.
Public libraries appeared in the Middle Ages.
Public libraries often chained the books to a shelf or a desk to prevent theft.
Moving forward
Along with several recent developments, book manufacturers use digital printing. Book pages are printed using toner rather than ink. As a result of digital printing, print-on-demand opens up a whole new realm of publishing. In this case, distributors don’t print the books until the customer places the order.
More and more, people read E-books. E-book (electronic book) refers to a book-length publication in digital form. They are usually available through the internet. However, they can also be found on CD-ROM and other systems. Read an E-book on a computer or via a portable book display device known as an e-book reader, such as a Kindle.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBookLoversDay
Sit back, relax and READ! Don’t forget to share the joy of reading with young people in your life. Inspire them with your favorite novel or find out about the last book they took off the shelf. Read to the littlest of the up and coming readers, too. And share what your reading with us, too! Need more ways to celebrate? We’ve got them!
Shop for a new title to read or explore the shelves for one you would like to give.
Explore the shelves of used book stores. You might find an out of print tome that might become the highlight of your collection.
Discover the world of online book stores. Their stock includes a variety of subjects and collectible items, too.
Record a video of you reading a story for a child in your life.
Randomly give a book to someone.
Use #NationalBookLoversDay to post on social media and spread the word.
National Coloring Book Day on August 2nd recognizes the joy children and adults alike derive from coloring in pages of designs.
Coloring and coloring books have always been popular with children, but over the years, adults have gotten more and more involved with coloring. Obviously, adult coloring is now a huge trend. Many find that it is not only fun but also a great way to reduce stress.
With so many colors and designs to choose from, coloring offers enjoyment in so many settings. They’re portable and come in a variety of sizes. Take coloring books on vacation with you for rainy days or to document a fun memory.
For the technology enthusiasts out there you can even download an app on your phone. At the doctor’s office, or wherever you may be this digital version keeps the pages and colors at your fingertips.
Coloring books also make great gifts all year long. When someone visits, be sure to leave a coloring book and colors in the guest room for downtime. At the office, keep a variety of books in the breakroom for co-workers to fill up.
NATIONAL COLORING BOOK DAY HISTORY
Dover Publications created National Coloring Book Day in May 2015. Founded in 1941, Dover Publications leads the way. Dover released their first coloring book for adults, Antique Automobiles Coloring Book, in 1970. Dover now publishes Creative Haven®, a popular line of coloring books specially designed for adult colorists.
Share your ideas for coloring books and post your pictures on social media using #NationalColoringBookDay to encourage others to find enjoyment in coloring.
