Category: Pop and Thistle

Marking Time: How Thanksgiving Day Became the 4th Thursday of November

Have you ever wondered why Thanksgiving Day always falls on the 4th Thursday of every year? Why was it a Thursday? Why not a Friday so we could have a three day weekend? Was it so the stores could have a Black Friday? Okay, the last one doesn’t actually matter since stores had not coined …

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Discover the Best Holiday Attractions at Universal Orlando: Christmas Delights Await

Get ready to step into a winter wonderland filled with holiday magic at Universal Orlando! As the festive season approaches, Universal extends a warm invitation to experience the very best of Christmas attractions. From enchanting lights to captivating shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season as you …

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5 Aromatherapy Scents for Relaxation and Sleep

There are few things more frustrating than not being able to get to sleep. After a long day of accomplishing whatever life has put in front of us for the day, be that working in the office, out on the slopes, or home with the children, we all need to be able to unwind then …

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A Bounty of Choices at the Farmers’ Market (with an Acorn Squash Soup Recipe)

A Bounty of Choices Still Remain at the Farmers’ Market As the leaves turn and a chill is in the air, the bounty of fall harvest is still available at your local farmers’ market. The variety is less, but there is still plenty to choose from including beans, lettuce, various squashes, pumpkins and root vegetables. …

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From Homemade Suet Cakes to Hearty Grains: Winter Treats Your Chickens Will Love

Winter can be a challenging time for backyard chicken owners. Not only do they have to contend with colder temperatures and less daylight, but they also have to make sure their feathered friends are well-fed and happy. Fortunately, there are plenty of winter treats that your chickens will love, from homemade suet cakes to hearty …

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A History of How Halloween Came to America

Halloween has most definitely been “Americanized,” in the sense that it has become all about buying large amounts of candy and discounted decorations.  It is a mindless holiday that people ritualistically practice without even thinking about it.  It is rare to hear someone talk about the history of Halloween.  However, the history of Halloween and …

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The Folklore of Pumpkin Carving

How did pumpkins become a symbol for Halloween and when did we start to carve pumpkins? The carving of pumpkins has certainly evolved from a jack o’ lantern face of two triangle eyes, triangle nose, and carved teeth, to anything from elaborate animals to the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars. Pumpkins are a symbol of …

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3 Fun Historic Halloween Celebrations

There are hundreds if not thousands of Halloween celebrations that happen sometime during the month of October across the United States and the rest of the World. In some cultures, the celebrations are called the Day of the Dead as a way of paying respect for loved ones who have gone before us. Other people …

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Halloween Gourd Friends

Fall has arrived and pumpkins have arrived with it but today, I’m not really looking at the pumpkins.  Instead, I am looking at the cute little bags of gourds that are lining the produce section of your local grocery store. Usually, these little treats are found in a bag of about 12 gourds.  They are …

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13 Classic Movies for a Spooky Halloween Night

It’s not easy to create a horror movie that doesn’t rely solely on sudden loud noises or gore to shock viewers, which is perhaps why so few films in the horror genre rise above mediocre. A movie like Carrie has some wonderful scenes, but the overall mood is ruined by shifts in tone as if it can’t …

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