The Day Some People Would Like to Forget!

Pranks. We are all guilty of either being the prankster or becoming the victim. Practical jokes and mischievousness come about naturally definitely going hand-in-hand. It's fun. It brings on smiles and laughter...some of the time! There are people who absolutely HATE any type of practical joke. They had just as soon forget this day, lock all doors and stay inside until every minute of the day has passed. Um-m-m-m? What about the spouses and kids? They must be locked out of the house perhaps! LOL:)
April 1 ...

On this day in 1700, English pranksters begin popularizing the annual tradition of April Fools' Day by playing practical jokes on each other. Although the day, also called All Fools' Day, has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, its exact origins remain a mystery. [Source: This Day in History]

Some historical April Fool's jokes...

• In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed footage of people harvesting noodles from trees; numerous viewers were fooled. 
• In 1985, Sports Illustrated tricked many of its readers when it ran a made-up article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour. 
• In 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain, duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and intended to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. 
• In 1998, after Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper,” scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich.

Of course, some people go to extreme lengths on April Fools' Day, so beware...it just might be your turn to become a mark in history! Some pranks are mean and messy so know who you are pranking and the best place to prank! 

 

All Abuzz About April

The month of April is abuzz in anticipation of new buds that will fully blossom in the month of May. Along with the excitement come the rainy days, shower after shower often becoming down-pouring rain. But, April is by no means all wet! It is an amazing month, beautiful and abuzz with excitement. Don't be too quick to wish away the rainy days because there is a lot to celebrate during the month, by the week and daily, rain or no rain. First, let's take a look at the monthly celebrations. These are the ones that remain on the calendar all month long, instead of only one designated day. Scroll all the way down so you don't miss April's monthly foodie fun!

April is...

National Poetry Month

Let's begin with a very well known rhyme...

More than likely you have heard and said this rhyme over and over again multiple times throughout your life. Did you know April Showers Bring May Flowers is actually one line of a 20-line poem?

The title and beginning line probably are familiar because you grew up hearing it or were taught it by your parents or teachers. It IS springtime, the time for renewal and life bursting forth in splendid color. Without the rain, the flowers would not be in such abundance. So, there is science behind the rhyme and good reason for showers being in the forefront of the month of April. But, what about April being National Poetry Month? Is the rhyme the reason or the reason the rhyme? Some other reason perhaps?

In coordination with poets, booksellers, librarians, and teachers, the Academy of American Poets chose a month when poetry could be celebrated with the highest level of participation. Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women's History Month (March), and on the advice of teachers and librarians, April seemed the best time within the year to turn attention toward the art of poetry—in an ultimate effort to encourage poetry readership year-round.
Source: Poets.org

What else is being celebrated all month?

National Humor Month

National Humor Month was founded in 1976 by best-selling humorist Larry Wilde, Director of The Carmel Institute of Humor. It is designed to heighten public awareness on how the joy and therapeutic value of laughter can improve health, boost morale, increase communication skills and enrich the quality of one's life. 

Using humor to relieve stress is simple -- the benefits are simply wonderful. There is nothing more beautiful than a smile nor anything more heart warming than laughter! So,

APRIL IS NATIONAL HUMOR MONTH, SO “UP YOUR LAUGHTER QUOTIENT.” 

And, that is not all...definitely not last and not at all least, it's time to...

Keep America Beautiful is a U.S. based nonprofit organization founded in 1953. It is the largest community improvement organization in the United States, with approximately 589 affiliate organizations (similar to local chapters) and more than 1,000 community organizations that participate in their programs.

Keep America Beautiful focuses on three key issues: litter prevention, waste reduction/recycling and community greening & beautification. This is accomplished through a combination of community organizing, public education and the fostering of public/private partnerships.
Source: Keep America Beautiful

Of course, there is lots and lots of foodie fun to be enjoyed any day or everyday throughout the month of April. Find one you really like and enjoy every single day of the month if you so desire!

15 Delicious Ways to Celebrate 

National BLT Sandwich Month

 Recipes are endless for

National Florida Tomato Month

Health Benefits of

National Garlic Month

The Perfect Grilled Cheese for

National Grilled Cheese Month

Facts about Pretzels + Homemade Recipe

National Soft Pretzel Month

 How much soy should you eat?

National Soy Foods Month

♫King of the Movie Soundtrack♫

Numerous kings and queens have stolen our hearts through the decades in the entertainment industry, music, movies, even sports! Such titles are sometimes simply a matter of opinion while many titles are painstakingly earned. Some make us laugh. Others make us cry. Then, there are those that make us laugh and cry at the same time.

Welcome into the Spotlight...

Connect with Kenny on Twitter...

Kenny Loggins  Not just a great singer, he's an inspiration, an icon and a successful business man.

At 68, Kenny Loggins is still at the top of his game. Though he's got 12 platinum albums, a pair of Grammys, and hits on almost all the Billboard charts under his belt, Loggins is far from done. With more Blue Sky Riders tunes and a children's book in the works, he's still looking forward to what's next. "I feel very lucky that this is the way I make my living, and not a lot of people can say that," Loggins says. "I've been lucky that I love what I do and I get to keep doing it."

 1984 Kenny Loggins started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Footloose', the theme from the film with the same name, a No.6 hit in the UK.

 In the 1980s, Loggins also earned a new title: king of the movie soundtrack. Film producer Jon Peters called him in to see a rough cut of Caddyshack, and Loggins provided the cult classic's smash "I'm Alright." When a pal asked Loggins to write a few songs for an as-yet-unmade picture called Footloose, he whipped up a No. 1 blockbuster: "I had a little up-tempo thing I'd been messing with that I probably wouldn't have written if it hadn't have been for the movie," Loggins says. He scored a track on Tom Cruise's Top Gun ("Playing With the Boys") and performed that movie's indelible hit "Danger Zone." [Source: Biography All About Kenny]

2016 Ready for pre-order is even a Footloose for children...

 Have a rockin' time introducing children to Footloose, rewritten for children by the one and only Kenny Loggins himself.

 

How many kings and queens of music/movie past can you recall? Before clicking each link, grab a pencil and paper. Jot down the name each king and queen you remember.

King of the Blues

 

King of Cool

 

King of Soul

 

The Godfather of Soul

"The King" - NO! Not Elvis!

King of Motown

 

The King vs. The Father of Rock 'n' Roll 

 

Thanks for the memories! (Mr. Entertainment)

  

Queen of Gospel

  

Queen of Disco

Queen of Rock 'n' Roll

Queen of Pop

Queen of Psychedelic Soul

1958 Chuck Berry's rock 'n' roll classic 'Johnny B. Goode' single was released. It entered the US charts six weeks later and peaked at No.8 on the chart. The song's original lyrics referred to Johnny as a "colored boy", but Berry later acknowledged that he changed it to "country boy" to ensure radio play.

1962 The Beatles played their first gig in the South of England when they appeared at The Subscription Rooms, Stroud, on the same bill as The Rebel Rousers, tickets cost 5 shillings, ($0.70).

Do you know who was billed as the nation's only atomic powered singer? 

HINT: The year: 1957 

He (yep! a male) played two shows (2pm and 6pm), at the Olympia in Detroit, Michigan in front of 24,000 fans.

Things you may not know about...

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times... 

 

Tater, Tater, Tater...Day!

The versatile potato not only goes with just about anything as an accompaniment but also varies widely in recipes around the world. Celebrations for "spuds" have appeared widely throughout Awakenings. Click Tattie, Tater, or Tate to check out some that have already been celebrated, as well as more to come.

March 31 is...

National Tater Day

While the intent of this holiday is to celebrate the much-beloved lumpy root vegetable (mmmmm, the potato(e)), there is another important Tater  at The Comic Kingdoms Blog. With that aspect already taken care of, let's venture forth into some foodie fun for this day's celebration.

Potatoes! my favorite thing

Summer, Fall, Winter or Spring

We'll start with tasty treats - a few new, unique, and classic recipes that reflect the potato's GREATness! 

All-time favorite 'taters' are the Tater Tots but they are not limited to just being 'tater munchies'!

Tater Tots® Casserole Recipes

Chili Cheese Pizza Recipe 

Like nachos? Try Totchos! Recipe

Of course, 'tater' ideas are endless way beyond just the tot...

 Check out these 8 Potato Entrée Recipes 

If you missed the link in the beginning of the post, visit Tattie, Tater, or Tate for MORE MORE MORE recipes!

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

Take Your Pick

Where do people come up with all the celebrations? What makes one day any more special than another? Why include so many on the same day? Questions! Questions! Questions! most of the which without Answers! Answers! Answers! Origins lost or perhaps never identified but yet keep being passed along from one year to the next. Without further ado, get ready and simply take your pick!

March 30 is...the first ever

NATIONAL LITTLE RED WAGON DAY 

Talk about memories...the little red wagon holds a full load and there is absolutely no age limit. From the youngest to the oldest, creativity and imagination abound. Try THESE IDEAS on for size!

For nearly 100 years, Radio Flyer has been bringing smiles to kids of all ages and creating warm memories that last a lifetime. As a brand, Radio Flyer has always supported unstructured outdoor play and its positive impact on children. With their 100th anniversary on the horizon, Radio Flyer would like to establish a day that not only celebrates kids’ imaginations but the vehicles that help them explore it – their wagons. The last Wednesday in March has been declared National Little Red Wagon Day.

Also on the March 30 calendar...

NATIONAL I AM IN CONTROL DAY 

  A day to get things under control in your life on a day to day basis.

 NATIONAL DOCTORS DAY

 

A day to say "Thank You, Doc" for your contributions to the medical field and dedication to promoting healthy lifestyles!

 NATIONAL PENCIL DAY

That little gem of a writing tool...where would we be without the pencil?

 Check out The Pencil Maker @catnipoflife...you won't be disappointed!

 “Just the tapping of a pencil is taken for granted until you see what can be done with the TIP!” 

 ~Author Unknown

 

 NATIONAL TAKE A WALK IN THE PARK DAY

 

Ready for a walk? Why not enjoy the beauty of a nice park?

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." ~John Muir

MANATEE APPRECIATION DAY

18 Facts to Help You Appreciate Manatees

For foodie fun...

NATIONAL TURKEY NECK SOUP DAY

 

Not enough meat on the turkey neck? 

Make chunky turkey soup and toss in the turkey neck!

 Pick one or two or three or MORE...

Click each image or find out the scoop on each one HERE...

Light & simply de-e-e-e-e-licious!

Almost missed this one but it's never too late to celebrate! This one can simply be dessert for tonight. Make it quick and easy from a box mix, a simple cake with your own signature added touch or completely homemade - tube pan, bundt or layered, maybe even cupcakes. Either way the finished product will be simply de-e-e-e-e-licious!

March 29 is...

National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day

The Finished Product

Lemon Chiffon Cake Recipe

Lemon Chiffon Cake is refreshing and very light making it a perfect Spring dessert. An added plus is chiffon cakes tend to be lower in saturated fats than cakes made with butter. The potential here is a healthier cake than their butter-heavy counterparts. Um-m-m-m-m? Sounds like another potential is not thinking about it but actually having that second slice of cake! Yum!

Ready for more recipes? Possibilities are endless but here are a few...

Recipe time...

From a box mix...

Mock Lemon Chiffon Recipe

Make it simple...

Simple Lemon Chiffon Cake Recipe

Just bundt it...

Lemon Chiffon Cake with Lemon Glaze Recipe

Triple the pleasure...

Triple Lemon Chiffon Cake Recipe

Ah-h-h-h! Those li'l minis...

Mini Lemon Chiffon Cakes with Lemon Crystal Glaze Recipe

Your own personal delight...

Lemon Chiffon Cupcakes Recipe

Get to work and get it made!

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!