Jun 19 2024
Every June 19, communities across the United States gather for festivals, family reunions, parades, music, prayer services, historical programs, cookouts, and other celebrations of Juneteenth. The holiday is sometimes described simply as the day slavery ended in America, but its history is more complicated—and more revealing—than that shorthand suggests. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when …
Jun 14 2024
With Father’s Day only being a few days away, I thought I should post one more craft to give you a few more to choose from. This craft is great for children of any age and you can actually tailor it to suit the Dad. What you will need: A box that can be opened …
May 12 2024
Mother’s Day often inspires us to look for words that feel more meaningful than a greeting card. Poetry can do that beautifully. A few lines can capture gratitude, childhood memories, grief, admiration, tenderness, and the complicated bond between mothers and children in ways ordinary conversation sometimes cannot. Poets have been writing about mothers for centuries, …
Apr 09 2024
Sweet jaggery, sour tamarind, tart raw mango, bitter neem flowers, pungent black pepper, and salt come together in Ugadi Pachadi, one of the most meaningful foods associated with Telugu New Year celebrations. Unlike a chutney meant simply to accompany a meal, Ugadi Pachadi is built around six distinct tastes. Together, they symbolize the varied experiences …
Mar 29 2024
Every year I have boiled those wonderful eggs so that I could spend a few hours coating myself in food dye just for the simple enjoyment of the experience. For all children, egg dying is a wonderful experience and my children look forward to it every year. My biggest problem with dying eggs was that I …
Mar 25 2024
Holi is one of the best-known Hindu festivals, celebrated with color, music, food, gatherings, and traditions that welcome the arrival of spring. It is observed across India and in Hindu communities around the world, but the way Holi is celebrated can vary considerably from one region to another. For many people, Holi is associated with …
Mar 17 2024
St. Patrick is one of the most recognizable religious figures associated with Ireland, yet much of what people think they know about him comes from stories written long after his lifetime. He did not begin life in Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain, was kidnapped as a teenager and taken to Ireland as a …
Mar 17 2024
St. Patrick’s Day is full of familiar symbols—shamrocks, green clothing, music, parades, and plenty of cheerful toasts—but one of its most enduring traditions is the Irish blessing. Some blessings have deep roots in Irish and Gaelic-speaking culture. Others are later English-language sayings inspired by Irish themes. And many lines shared online as “traditional Irish blessings” …
Feb 10 2024
Flowers have been used to express affection, grief, celebration, remembrance, hope, and devotion for centuries. A bouquet can say “I love you,” honor someone who has died, celebrate a new beginning, or simply let someone know they are being thought of. Many of the meanings we associate with flowers today come from a mixture of …
Feb 09 2024
Handmade Valentine’s Day gifts can feel much more personal than something picked up at the store. A card with a handwritten note, a small scrapbook filled with favorite memories, a heart-shaped wreath, or a jar of candy decorated with ribbon can all become thoughtful gifts without requiring complicated techniques or expensive supplies. The projects below …
