With the return of warmer weather, I spent this past week prepping my front porch for another season of use. I swept off the winter dust and dirt, washed a window or two, and even cleaned off the porch posts with some soapy water to rid the area of its winter grime and wear. Then it was off to the shed to retrieve the furniture and cushions, getting them placed just so, followed by the return of my house plants…
As an adult, I’m a big kitchen person. I love to cook. I find it relaxing. I like trying new recipes, tweaking ingredients, and all of the prep that goes with cooking (I also clean as I go, which my wife is a big fan of). If there would be a camera on me while I work in the kitchen, you’d see that it’s almost like watching a TV show on the Food Network. I carefully prep all of my…
The holiday season brings many, many traditions that are observed by family and friends. Some of these have been passed down from generation to generation, some are created from the blending of families through marriage or commitment, and some are newly created on the spot in a single year that turn into an annual occurrence. When I was growing up, the big night for our family was Christmas Eve. Following an evening church service (where my brother and I were…
Ever since German immigrant Gustav Brunn created the Old Bay Seasoning blend back in 1939[1], it has become synonymous with the identity and culture of my home state of Maryland. The familiar yellow and red can is found in almost every Maryland kitchen, and for those of you who haven’t tried it, you really should. Not only is it great on seafood (its original purpose), but its versatility adds a “Maryland flavor” to chicken, beef, or even scrambled eggs. Some…
Yes, today is Valentine’s Day (don’t worry, Dollar General probably still has a card and some cheap flowers if you forgot), and while you and your sweetheart (if you have one) are reading cards, going out to dinner, or pounding chocolate squares filled with mysterious ingredients by the fist-full, you may be thinking – “where did all of these traditions come from”? Holiday Origins As with most holidays, the origins of the holiday are a mixed bag. There were many…
Hard to believe, but another year-end is fast approaching. 2021 is almost in the history books, and 2022 will soon be upon us. That means it’s time to make that annual list of resolutions that we’ll all attempt (and mostly fail) for the new year. Between crowded gyms (that will be ghost towns by mid-March), a fridge full of fresh vegetables (that you’ll end up throwing away by January 15th), and a pile of books from the library (that will…
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. A time to take a moment – however brief – and remember those who served in the armed forces and gave their lives as the ultimate sacrifice for their country. For me, Memorial Day is also a day of remembrance, but in a slightly different vein. My family (on my mother’s side) has deep roots in Western Maryland, Eastern West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania. Many of my ancestors lived in the area around…
The dog days of summer are here, my friends. Yes, it’s hot out, but there are still some days where a cool morning or evening breeze makes me close my eyes, take a deep breath, and be thankful to be a resident on this big, blue planet we call home. I have several summertime traditions, built over a lifetime of experiences. These are “highlights” that I like to enjoy each year, and the list is ever-changing and growing. To me,…
With just less than three weeks to go until Thanksgiving, you might very well wonder where all of the traditions and trappings we follow here in the United States came from. Well fear not, turkey fans, for I am here to provide you with all of the useless knowledge that will make you the conversation specialist at this year’s holiday table. Thanksgiving – the Date Thanksgiving was actually celebrated on different dates in different states in the early 1800’s. …