NATIONAL SCRABBLE DAY

Each year on National Scrabble Day April 13th recognizes a game played around the world. Originally named Lexiko and then Criss-Cross Words, Alfred Mosher Butts eventually settled on the name Scrabble. The amateur artist and unemployed architect developed the word game in the midst of the depression. Still, it wasn’t until 1948, a final name change and a trademark that Butts finally began to produce the game.  

Scrabble is played with two to four players who score points by forming words from individual lettered tiles on a game board marked with a 15 x 15 grid.

In the United States, the name Scrabble is a trademark of Hasbro, Inc. Scrabble is sold in 121 countries with 29 different language versions. Worldwide, over One hundred and fifty million sets have been sold with sets being found in nearly one-third of American homes.

  • 1984 – Scrabble became a daytime game show on NBC
  • 2004 – Scrabble was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame
  • Some cities sponsor Scrabble tournaments on the weekend closest to National Scrabble Day
  • The word “scrabble” means to “grope frantically.”

NATIONAL SCRABBLE DAY HISTORY

National Scrabble Day commemorates the birth of Alfred Mosher Butts, born on April 13, 1899. However, our research had not identified the founder of the day. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalScrabbleDay

Call your friends and play a game or two of Scrabble! Mix it up, too. There are several ways to play the game if you want to change things up a bit. For example, if you’re spending time alone, Scrabble solitaire challenges you at your own game of words. Another version allows players to only play nouns but they earn bonus points for playing nouns that are both a proper noun and an approved Scrabble word. 

Once you’ve played a game, take the final board and create a crossword puzzle using this template. Develop hints to the words and see if others can solve the puzzle. 

Do you have fun alternative ways of playing the game? Use #NationalScrabbleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PLAY MONOPOLY DAY

National Play Monopoly Day on November 19th recognizes the iconic board game that lands us on Park Place, Boardwalk or even in jail.

Known as one of the most popular board games in the world, Monopoly was originally based on a board game designed by Elizabeth Magie in 1902. Since then, the game has been played by an estimated 500 million people since 1935. 

The object of the game is to collect as many properties as you can to create a monopoly. When players land on your property, you get to collect rent. The more properties you own, the more money you make, too. But watch out, there are taxes and other fees involved. To win the game, you need to bankrupt your opponents and be the last landowner standing. Many families have house rules that make the game more interesting, too. 

Monopoly also comes in numerous versions. Do you enjoy a particular book or movie franchise or hobby? The game likely comes in themes focusing on famous characters and likely scenarios. How about sports teams or pop culture? Monopoly money goes there, too!

Monopoly was  published by Parker Brothers, an American toy and game manufacturer since 1883.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PlayMonopolyDay

Put your banker cap on. Gather your family and friends together and play Monopoly. See if you can come out the winner. What are your house rules? How long do games last in your house or do they end up in turmoil? Use #PlayMonopolyDay to post on social media.

Be sure to check out other games too. Start a family game night. Not only is it fun and competitive, it teaches skills that will be used later in life like managing money. Be sure to try Scrabble day too.

Perfect Prime Rib Roast

Christmas this year will be different. While there may be less people around the table this year. We decided after pandemics, hurricanes, unemployment and various other challenges we needed a treat.

So our big Christmas splurge was to make a Prime Rib Roast for Christmas dinner. We’ve had it at nice restaurants and love the flavor. I have to admit it was a little intimating, after some research it turns out it’s not that difficult to do.

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Ingredients

  • 6 – 12 lb Prime Rib Roast
  • 3 tsp Minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp driedRosemary
  • 1 Tbsp dried Thyme
  • 3 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp Salt
  • 1 Tbsp Black Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic powder
  • Time (nope not spelled wrong)

Directions

  1. Time. I listed in the ingredients because it turns out this is one of the biggest secrets to this delicacy.
  2. We bought it early as local markets were quickly selling out. I chose a boneless one to make it easier for us beginners
  3. Remove from freezer if applicable to refridge to defrost. We allowed a full 2 days ahead of cooking.
  4. Remove from refrigerator 4 hours before cooking. You want it to acclimate with room temperature before going in the oven.
  5. We allowed 30 minutes of prep time while the oven got to temperature.
  6. Calculate cooking time. 5 minutes a pound. For our 6 lb roast that meant 30 minutes at 500°F.
  7. If you have a digital wireless thermometer this is handy. We used the time method. Ours is not wireless and you’re not to open the oven door.
  8. While oven heats cut several 1/2 inch slits in top of roast and push minced garlic inside
  9. Mix Onion and Garlic powders with Thyme, Rosemary, salt and pepper. Set aside.
  10. Rub Tbsp Olive oil over entire roast. Coat it well. This along with the rub will form the char on the outside while flavoring the inside. Spread evenly over roast then let it rest while oven continues to heat.
  11. Place in roasting pan on 2nd from bottom shelf in oven.
  12. Cook initial time. Do not open oven door.
  13. At end initial cooking time turn oven off. Again do not open door.
  14. Let sit in oven for 2 hours. Center will continue to cook. This time will make it about medium rare. Leave about 30 minutes longer for medium.
  15. Remove from oven and transfer to carving board.
  16. Let rest while using drippings in pan to craft Aus Jus.
  17. Slice perfectly tender slices and cover in Aus Jus if desired.

I served with Butter Bacon Brussel Sprouts, Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, and Bacon, Blue Stuffed Mushrooms.

Leftovers were perfect the day after Christmas too.

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