National Coffee Day!

National Coffee Day!

It's gonna be a great day!

Hi y'all.

I really love doing these "Fun National Holiday" posts. It's just fun to celebrate and learn something new.

You know this will probably be one of my favorites.

National Coffee Day began on September 29, 1983, in Japan as a way to promote fair trade and to raise awareness for the plight of coffee growers. 

The beginnings of coffee:

It is believed that in Ethiopia, Kaldi, a goat herder, noticed his herd having an energetic manner and being unable to sleep after eating berries from a certain tree.

It is said that Kaldi shared his finding with an abbot, who proceeded to make a drink from the berries, and discovered he could stay awake longer hours during prayers.

Coffee moves east:

After word spread of this energizing drink, "coffee" spread to the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, Egypt, Turkey, and, Syria in the 15th century. This is around the time that coffee houses, known as qahveh khaneh which were used as entertaining and meeting houses.

By the 17th century it had been brought to Europe, quickly became popular and spread across the continent.

Some were feared or were suspicious of the beverage and referred to it as "bitter invention of Satan".

Coffee quickly replaced the breakfast beverage of beer or wine, and people became more alert and able to focus on their work.

By the mid 1600s there are reported to have been over 300 coffeehouses in London alone!

Modern day coffee:

Coffee was brought to what is now New York, by the British around the mid 1600s, although it didn't gain popularity as quickly here.

It wasn't until 1773, when the colonists revolted against a heavy tax on tea imposed by King George III. The revolt, known as the Boston Tea Party, would forever change the American drinking preference to coffee. 

By the 1800s coffee was produced and shipped all over the world.

The first coffee maker, made in 1818 was the percolator. Invented by a Persian metalsmith. His percolator design is still used today.

Here's my favorite part!

In 1886, Joel Cheek, began making Maxwell house. He named the brand after the famous hotel.

The first espresso machine was made in 1901 by Luigi Bezzera.

In 1971 the first Starbucks opened in Seattle, Washington.

In 2020 studies showed that Folgers Coffee was named the most popular brand among Americans.

We know that today we can choose from a wide variety of coffee drinks. You can get it hot or cold. Regular or decaf. Breakfast, mild, medium, Columbian blends.

There are frappés, lattes, iced coffee, espressos, cappuccinos. There are even coffee flavored energy drinks, but I'm still unsure why. Coffee is already a caffeine.

Oh, and the creamers, sweeteners, and more! There are a ton of ways to enjoy your coffee.

On a regular day, I'm a Maxwell House, bold blend, with half-and-half.

If it's from a coffeehouse, usually I'll go for basic iced coffee, one shot sweetener, and cream.

I do occasionally get one of the seasonal or fancier choices, usually something mocha or white chocolate, but I have to be careful. I mean, I am the #coffeewastedmomma

So, I have to limit myself...

I do.

This is the coffee maker that I own, and we love it. My daughter and I love the single brew/Kerig for our "fancy coffees", and I love the programmable 12 cup side. My husband leaves at 5am, so having his coffee already to go when he is, works great!

Plus, he only takes about 8 or 9 of the cups, so when I get up at 6am, the other 3/4 cups are still hot and ready for me. It has a two-hour time after brewing, and then the burner shuts off automatically.

Hamilton Beach Flexbrew Coffeemaker

My daughter has really been wanting one of the iced coffee makers, but we've not found an affordable one. Also, I'm not sure if we would use it enough to make it worth it, or we'll use it way too much!

Either way, I'm holding out on that purchase for now.

What is your favorite coffee maker?

I love going to Pinterest to find new, easy recipes for coffee drinks. Especially now, with the holidays coming around, and all the warm flavors being more available.

How do you like your coffee?

Do you have a favorite drink recipe you'd like to share?

Does anyone buy coffee beans and grind them at home?

I would LOVE to do this more. I do own an antique coffee grinder, but it is a more decorative piece than functional.

Any recommendations on a new one?

Here is a bit of my coffee obsession. I love collecting coffee mugs. The wackier, the better.

Hope everyone enjoys their day!

Celebrate National Coffee day!

Make sure to comment your favorite or choice of coffee for today!

The Wonderful Days of Fall, and All It's Warm Aromas

 It's officially Fall Y'all

That's right. It's here!

Were you ready for it? I am always going back and forth with this one. I feel like Summers get shorter and shorter.

I've always said Spring is my favorite season, for many reasons. My birthday is in Spring. Easter, which is my favorite holiday. I love when all things are blooming, sprouting, and peeping back out. It's a time to start fresh and get out there. 

There was also a designated vacation(Spring Break)!

I still consider Spring my favorite, but Fall is definitely growing on me as I get older.

Who doesn't want a natural clock telling them it's time to slow down, let things settle, and take a break! Amen!

Let me tell you, we need it!

We need that time to relax, rest, and reflect.

There are so many wonderful things going on that really bring the season to life, for me.

One of my favorite things about Fall is all the amazing scents that come with it!

1. First, for me, is sweet harvested hay! Oh, the nostalgia!

If you grew up on a farm, have driven down a country road, or ridden on a hayride, you'll understand.

If you know, you know. 

2. The smell of a bit ole pot of chili.

As I've gotten older, chili has definitely become one of my Fall favorites.

We are always busy, and winding down the day with a meal that you didn't have to stand and cook for over an hour is a win. Crock pot, slow cooker, whatever you call it, it's my best friend.

This is the Crock-Pot I've had for years. Simple 8 quart from Walmart. Not fancy, but it is well-used.

Plus, you really can't mess it up. Add whatever you want, beans, veggies, meat, spices.

3. While I'm talking about cooking, well go to baking.

I am admittedly the worst baker. I burn the pre-cut, break and bakes. No lie.

Daughter #2 and the hubs are the bakers. I love all the Fall pies. Apple or pumpkin, Yum! I'll take both.

4. I'm in Ohio, so if you have a fireplace, you use it! I cannot remember a Fall where you didn't smell firewood. It's just one of those staple smells. Even if it isn't a fireplace inside, someone is having a "bon fire" somewhere near. It's that distinct, sweet, burning smell.

5. Leaves are another distinct smell. Specifically wet leaves, if you're in Ohio. We seem to get more rain at the end of Summer, and into Fall, than we do in the Spring(most years).

PSA: my husband wants to personally thank the person who invented the leaf-blower!

I can only describe the scent as crisp, sweet, and humid.

6. Candles! I actually say Yum!, even though you don't eat them. If I could, I probably would!

Seriously, just the names of these sound sooo good! Apple cider, berries, pumpkin spice, cinnamon roll, hazelnut mocha, chai, fireside, toasted marshmallow, pumpkin banana scone. The list could go on and on!

Just go! Go check out these Yum Candles!

Yankee Candles

7. Lastly, and maybe my second favorite, is hot drinks!

Whether it be a pot of coffee(year-round for me), hot apple cider, a good ole chai latte, pumpkin spice frappé, or homemade hot cocoa, I'll take any of them!

What is your favorite "Fall" beverage?

Do you have a recipe? 

I am going to embrace this Fall. It has been one crazy busy year, and I'm ready for shorter days, and more indoor activities.

I plan to spend as much time as I can curled up in my fuzzy pants with my Chai latte and a good book!

What are some of your favorite Fall activities?

If you love Fall decor and are looking for some new things, check out Shein (10% off your first order), or Society6 

Both of these sites have some of the best Fall and even Halloween decor items. Everything from pillow covers, wall art, throws, coffee mugs, to door mats and outdoor flags.

Such cute stuff!

Be sure to let me know how you feel about Fall/Autumn.

I love to hear from you!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Be blessed.

Constitution Day 2021

 The History of Constitution Day

We The People...

 Origins and fun facts

There is quite a history and a lot of changes to what is today's Constitution Day.

Originally called I am an American Day, which began being celebrated every third Sunday in May 1940.

This was started by the suggestion of a NY news tycoon, William Randolph Hearst and was presented by President Harry Truman, setting aside this date to honor the American people, with those just immigrating into the United States.

With Hearst's popularity and efforts through the United States Immigration and Naturalization, in 1944 he sponsored a 16-minute film titled, I am an American. It became a hit.

In the next 5 years, the governors of the existing forty-eight states had issued state proclamations in agreement with the national holiday.

In 1952, Olga T. Weber petitioned to have the date changed to September 17th, in honor of the date the constitution was signed. She went all the way up to the United States Congress, and in 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it. Changing the name to Citizenship Day and moving it to September 17.

Louisville, Ohio was the first city in the United States to celebrate Citizenship Day on September 17, 1952.

Louise Leigh studied the Constitution in her courses and was inspired to spread her knowledge and love of the Constitution. In 1997 she founded a nonprofit organization called Constitution day, Inc. to spread recognition of this important national holiday. Through her efforts, Constitution Day became an official holiday alongside Citizenship Day in 2004. 

The Constitution of the United States of America

We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

It is the supreme law of the United States of America. This founding document originally comprising seven articles, delineates  the national frame of government.

The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention-now known as the Constitution Convention.

The purpose of it was to create a government that had enough power to act on a national level, but not so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk.

The signing took place on September 17, 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

There were 39 delegates, representing 12 states, at the signing.

When the Constitution was signed, the United States population was 4 million.

The oldest person to sign was Benjamin Franklin(aged 81 @signing)

The youngest was Jonathan Dayton(26) of New Jersey

Patrick Henry was elected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, but declined.

The word "democracy" does not appear in the Constitution

Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, was called the "Expounder of the Constitution"

Thomas Jefferson nor John Adams signed the Constitution, as they were both serving out of the country.

George Washington and James Madison are the only two presidents to sign the Constitution.

It took 100 days to actually "frame" the Constitution

Pennsylvania is misspelled in the Constitution. (Pensylvania)

Those are a few of the fun facts I learned today. You can go through them all here:

Constitution Fun Facts

I'm always fascinated by history. No matter our feelings or beliefs, on any matter, I feel knowledge is still our best asset.

Today, we celebrate Constitution Day.

I choose to be proud of the dedication, work, and thoughtfulness of the Founding Fathers.

Although, I may not agree 100% with all the Constitution, it is one of the greatest documents.

It may have been just the beginning. We don't know how they felt about the timeline or changes to be made. For them, it was a starting point. It was a document to give order and peace to The United States of America.

Our country has come a long way in 234 years.

Enjoy your day!

Blessings.