Thread:61Storm/@comment-29709319-20181110010804/@comment-29709319-20190202021342

February 2: National Groundhog Day, National Heavenly Hash Day, and National Tater Tot Day.

🐿Groundhog Day is observed each year in the United States and Canada. On this day the groundhog awakens from his nap and goes outside to see if he can see his shadow. It is believed by many that if the groundhog sees his shadow that there will then be six more weeks of winter. If this is so, he then retreats back into his den and goes back to sleep. If he is not able to see his shadow, the groundhog remains outside to play and people celebrate believing that spring is just around the corner. The tradition of predicting the length of the remaining winter is intertwined with the Christian holiday, Candlemas. Clergy would bless candles symbolizing the ‘light of the world’ to give to their congregations. Another tradition associated with this day is eating crepes. Germans practiced the art of predicting the winter with a hedgehog until their arrival in the United States when they settled in the hills of Pennsylvania, and the groundhog became the official predictor. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has been chosen as the site for the annual Groundhog day event. Thousands of people come to the town of Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day for this day of celebration. Although already a well known day, Groundhog Day received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film 'Groundhog Day', which was set in Punxsutawney and portrayed Roger Rininger as the groundhog. An early American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry, by storekeeper James Morris, dated February 4th, 1841, of Berks County, Pennsylvania.

🍦National Heavenly Hash Day! When it comes to defining Heavenly Hash, the only ingredient that seems for certain is a variety of marshmallows, marshmallow creme or whip. Nearly every brand of ice cream has their version of Heavenly Hash and recipes range from fruity salads to chocolate bars with nuts.

🥔National Tater Tot Day. These bite-sized nuggets of golden potato goodness created from the left over bits from making French fries that used to feed cattle. How do the cast-offs from making French fries become the bite-sized nuggets of golden potato goodness we love to devour today? Through persistence and ingenuity. Two brothers, Nephi and Golden Grigg, along with their brother-in-law started dabbling in frozen food when they rented a plant on the Oregon and Idaho borders in 1934. By 1952, they purchased the plant, forming the Oregon Frozen Foods Company that would later become Ore-Ida. Seasoned with spices or baked into a casserole, tater tots make a meal, side dish or snack. We dip them, pop them, or just savor them. John-Bryan Hopkins created National Tater Tot Day in 2009.

I'm afraid that groundhog is going to see his shadow today. Grrrrrr!!! I'll pass on the heavenly hash. I only like my marshmallows roasted over an open fire. Yum! I love my tater tots. My hubby bought me a bag the other day to try to cook in my new air fryer.

We had 40 degree weather today(Friday) with sunshine. What a change! Now if I can just get thawed out.

Sorry about not giving a heads up on HUGE Texas state day. But as they say, everything is big in Texas. Definitely a place to put on the road trip planner.

I was introduced to baked Alaska in high school in one of my cooking classes. It's good.

MD, I hope your better before your birthday!

Sending warm hugs!🐶🐶💕❄️☃️💕