Did You Know?
Did You Know Your Family’s Christmas “Traditions” May Just Be Customs?
Christmas is only days away. Are you ready? Customs vs Traditions There are many ways people celebrate Christmas. Some things they do consistently year after year, like decorating a Christmas tree and exchanging Christmas presents, reading the Bible’s account...
Did You Know Roasted Chestnuts Are More Than Lyrics In A Christmas Song?
Today is National Roasted Chestnuts Day. So, cue the music and let’s sing. Wait. Before we get to the singing, let’s talk chestnuts. The Plant Chestnuts have been around for over 4,000 years. And, as you might guess from the song lyrics, they are edible nuts....
Did You Know To “Carol ” Originally Meant To Dance In A Circle?
One of my favorite Christmas memories is going caroling as a youth. Unfortunately, it appears few continue that practice today. The Beginning Carols were sung and danced in Europe thousands of years ago. However, prior to the birth of Jesus and the celebration...
Did You Know This Classic Southern Beverage Does Double Duty As Both A Christmas Drink and “Chicken Soup?”
I’m sure most of you have heard of eggnog. But how many of you have heard of boiled custard? For me, nothing says Christmas like a glass of that creamy goodness. Boiled Custard Every year at Christmas, my paternal grandmother made boiled custard. I made it a...
Did You Know This Food Bridges The Past And The Present?
You know how memories can be triggered by certain songs or smells? Certain foods can do that, too. For me, one of those trigger foods is Ambrosia. Ancient History Ambrosia. What is it? According to ancient Greek myths, it was food for the gods. It made them...
Did You Know This Seasoning Repels Insects, Lightens Hair, and Freshens Breath?
Cinnamon was once an extremely expensive commodity. Today, this spice is a staple found in most kitchens around the world. The Food Connection Cinnamon has a long and delicious history. It’s one of the world's oldest spices. In the U.S.—and much of the Western...
Did You Know Why “Kilroy Was Here?”
Depending on your age, you may or may not have heard the phrase, Kilroy Was Here. With Veterans Day just two days away, I thought this might be a good time to share the fascinating story of the mysterious Mr. Kilroy. The Man Most people born between 1913 and...
Did You Know This Spice Was Once More Valuable Than Gold?
Frankincense, Myrrh, and Saffron are all good guesses. But they’re not correct. Try good old Cinnamon. It was one of the rarest spices in the ancient world. What is it? Cinnamon originated in the ancient country of Ceylon—now known as Sri Lanka—an island...
Did You Know This Rooster Did More Than Just Crow?
Recently I saw an article about “Rooster” Andrews and decided to share my Rooster story. “Rooster” William Edward Andrews, Jr., was born in Dallas, Texas, on March 1, 1923. The most popular boy in his high school, he would have attended Texas A&M...
Did You Know Her Life Was Straight Out Of A Movie?
When we go to the movies, we want to be entertained. We don’t care if the plot is over the top and not believable. But in the case of Ella Sheppard, over the top is the way her life really was. Fisk University As mentioned in Did You Know In 1873 This Black A...