I’m of the opinion we don’t celebrate enough. What do you think? Do you? I know I don’t, and I hear the same observation from many of my friends and neighbors. So why don’t we do something about this, for pete’s sake! Research says besides being lots of fun, celebrating is good for us:
Serotonin is released in the brain; feelings of well-being are increased
The heart is strengthened and lightened
All the smiling is good for the face
The body is rejuvenated and energized
Friendships are nurtured as camaraderie is experienced
Morale is improved as people feel needed and appreciated
Finally, who really NEEDS a reason to party?
Now if you aren’t naturally inclined to celebrate for any old reason, February is the month to turn over a new leaf—it offers a boatload of reasons to kick up our heels and make merry:
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
American Heart Month
Bake for Family Fun Month
Grapefruit Month
International Boost Self Esteem Month
National Time Management Month
Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
Feb 7-13: Jello Week
Feb 10-16: Celebration of Love Week
Feb 14-20: National Pancake Week. To start your Pancake Celebratory Events, here’s an all-time favorite pancake recipe you’ll want to be sure to try out on those you love the most:
TO-DIE-FOR SUNDAY PANCAKES
(serves 4, unless I’m at your table, and then this serves 2! Makes 8 four-inch pancakes)
Adapted from The Perfect Recipe by Pam Anderson.
1 cup all-purpose bleached flour (softer than unbleached flour)
2 tsps. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
2 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Vegetable oil for brushing the griddle
Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over low heat while preparing ingredients. Mix flour, sugar, salt (if using salted butter, reduce salt to 1/4 tsp.), baking powder and baking soda in a medium bowl.
Microwave buttermilk and milk in a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup to room temperature, 20 to 30 seconds. Whisk in egg, butter and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and whisk until just mixed.
Return batter to measuring cup, stirring in a teaspoon or so of water, if necessary, to make a thick but pourable batter. Increase heat to medium and generously brush skillet or griddle with oil. When oil starts to spider, but before it starts to smoke, pour batter, about 1/4 cup at a time. Work in batches, if necessary, to avoid overcrowding. When pancake bottoms are golden brown and tops start to bubble, 2 to 3 minutes, flip pancakes; cook until golden brown on remaining side. Repeat, brushing skillet or griddle with oil. Serve hot.
Variations:
Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes: Follow pancake recipe, whisking 1 tsp. of finely grated lemon zest and 1 tsp. of poppy seeds into the dry ingredients.
Orange Cardamom Pancakes: Follow pancake recipe, whisking 1 tsp. of finely grated orange zest and 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom into the dry ingredients.
Download this recipe.
Feb 13: Madly in Love with ME Day
Feb 14: Library Lovers Day
Feb 19: Chocolate Mint Day. And to kick off this celebration, how about making Kathy’s amazing mint cookies? Visit this
Amazing Mint Cookies link to watch her demonstrate, and here’s the recipe:
ANDES Mint Cookies
1 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
65 andies mints
Mix butter and sugars until well blended. Add eggs, vanilla, flour, salt, and baking powder. Refrigerate for 2 hours (it will be easier to work with). Take 1 T. cookie dough and shape around mints. Put 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375.
Place cookies on waxed paper, melt remaining mints, and drizzle over the top.
Download this recipe.
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