National Chili Week

 Another Food Holiday

A Bowl of Chili: photo by Cliff Hutson

National Chili Week is observed during the first full week of October. The intent is to  encourage people to cook their favorite version of the historic red stew. Chili is made with spices and meat. Beans or other ingredients can be added according to the cook’s predilection.

My relatives in Texas say that the addition of beans is a nonstarter. I can go either way depending on how I feel when I decide to cook it. I always serve it with cheese and onion; and, most often, saltine crackers.

By the way, if you are really into the dish, the month of October is National Chili Month.

Kitchen Wisdom

 Egg Dish

Egg Dish: photo by Cliff Hutson

You always have a meal when there are eggs and leftovers.

National Eat a Hoagie Day

National Eat a Hoagie Day 

Shrimp Po' Boy: photo by Cliff Hutson

My calendar says that September 14 is National Eat a Hoagie Day; and that grinders, subs, hero sandwiches, and po' boys are included.

#NationalHoagieDay

National Waffle Day

 Happy National Waffle Day!

National Waffle Day is celebrated in the United States on August 24 to commemorate the issuing of a patent for a waffle iron in 1869. 

It should not be confused with International Waffle Day which is observed in March.

But, when you get right down to it, any day is a good day for a waffle.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Eat a Peach

 History repeating itself:

Mini with Peaches: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am kind of behind the eight ball this weekend; so I am just going to refer you to last year's post.

Note to self:

One way to keep promises is not to make very many.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Two Days (in One)

World Rainforest Day 

Rainforest Leaf: photo by Cliff Hutson

Some say that “luck” is when preparation meets opportunity. So, luck or not I always appreciate it when a Monday rolls around, it is a notable day, and I have a photo in my archive to go with it. It makes that week’s blog post easy-peasy. This week I am going with a twofer. 

June 22 is World Rainforest Day. A rainforest is not my favorite environment - too humid, too buggy. But, I do recognize their importance; they support more than half of all known plant and animal species and play a crucial role in regulating the world’s climate; and was once in a place where I took a photograph that is a personal favorite. It just captures that day for me.

National Chocolate Eclair Day

Eclair: photo by Cliff Hutson

On the other hand, I love eclairs, and thought that I would have several images from which to choose. But, when I ran my search of the archives the one photo that came up as not the one I had in mind. I guess it is on a drive to which I no longer have access to or otherwise has become lost in the mists of time. This one will do nicely though.

National Chocolate Eclair Day is also observed on June 22 every year in the United States to celebrate this delicious dessert.

British Sandwich Week (18–24 May 2026)

 Seven Days, Seven Sandwiches

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

National Eat What You Want Day

A Day of Indulgence

Observed annually on May 11th, in the USA, National Eat What You Want Day is a day of indulgence. It is all about setting aside dietary restraint to enjoy the foods you crave. Though, for many of us it is a day much like any other day. I try to  make wise choices, but I don't always succeed. 

Poking around the Internet I found out that it was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy who have invented at least 80 American "holiday" observances. 

I also came across a list, created by a Vancouver marketing agency, of the foods Americans would mostly eat everyday if they were not worried about the consequences. The list of these foods accompanied by photographs I took - because of course I would have at least one of each - is as follows:

#1: Pizza (13%)

#2: Pasta (12%)

#3: Burgers (11%)

#4: Ice cream (11%)

#5: Tacos or burritos (9%)

#6: Chocolate (9%)

#7: French fries (9%)

#8: Donuts (7%)

#9: Cake (6%)

#10: Chips (5%)

#11: Cheese (4%)

#12: Cookies (4%)

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Save the date!

National Toast Day is celebrated on the last Thursday in February:

You can check it out here.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

National Pizza Day

 National Pizza Day is held every February 9:

There seems to be no actual recorded history for the birth of National Pizza Day. But, apparently it has been a thing since about the year 2000.

Pizza, itself,  originated in Naples, Italy, some time in the 1700s. It seems to have arrived America in the late 1800s. It, obviously, became very popular;

I can't recall eating one until I was in high school in the early 1960s. While I may have missed out in my preteens I have made up for that lack in the ensuing years.

My favorite pizza is mushroom and green pepper. What is yours?

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

National Irish Soda Bread Day

National Irish Soda Bread Day

Some say that January 26th is National Irish Soda Bread Day. But, it seems that most have never heard of it. However, in any event, the bread has an interesting history.  

I really like it. But, I only have it once a year as a part of my small celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day.

By the way, Martha Stewart recommends that it be eaten with butter. I happen to agree.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

 

National Chicken and Waffles Day

 Off Topic

October 20th is  National Chicken and Waffles Day. I usually mark these occasions by posting photographs I have taken of the subject in question. However, it seems that over the many years that I have been cooking and taking photos I have never done this combination.  But, as I have nothing better to offer, I am posting some snaps of waffles and other foods.

So, this week it came down to this lame effort or nothing at all and I did not want to break my streak.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Close Enough

Eschew Perfectionism

Close Enough: photo by Cliff Hutson

Perfect is the enemy of good.

National Meal Prep Day

 Yet, another obscure day:

Ensalada de Camarones: photo by Cliff Hutson

It is said that every year on this day, some people across the United States celebrate  National Meal Prep Day. 

This is the first that I have heard of it. But, I will mark the observance by sharing photographs of some of the meals that I have prepped over the past few weeks.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.