Did you know that today was Tu BiShvat? I had never heard of this holiday before and greatly enjoyed reading… Read more Did You Know? Tu BiShvat
Category: Origins
Kwanzaa Questions Answered
I’ve often seen Kwanzaa on calendars, but I’ve never spoken to anyone who celebrates it. Today I’m going to answer… Read more Kwanzaa Questions Answered
Two Christmas Carols Transformed Over Time
Many “traditional” Christmas carols appeared rather recently, by which I mean the last couple of centuries. Often the story of… Read more Two Christmas Carols Transformed Over Time
Historic Treatments for the Common Cold
You probably don’t want to come over to my house this week. Several of my kids have runny noses and… Read more Historic Treatments for the Common Cold
Cranberries: From Pemmican to Canned Sauce
Since it’s American Thanksgiving this week, here is a post about the history of cranberries. And since I’m not American,… Read more Cranberries: From Pemmican to Canned Sauce
Porridge Around the World (Part 2)
Last week I wrote about oatmeal, grits, and congee. Today we’re looking at polenta, followed by two porridges that were… Read more Porridge Around the World (Part 2)
Porridge Around the World (Part 1)
It’s that time of year again — time to make hot cereal for breakfast. To be honest, we eat oatmeal… Read more Porridge Around the World (Part 1)
Where Did Hummingbird Cake Originate?
I just finished this sweet middle grade novel and it got me thinking about cake. Have you ever had hummingbird… Read more Where Did Hummingbird Cake Originate?
10 Things to Know About Agnes Macphail
It’s been 100 years since Agnes Macphail was elected to the Canadian House of Commons. During her political career she… Read more 10 Things to Know About Agnes Macphail
Video: Surprising Images in Medieval Art
It’s our last week of summer holidays and my sister and her family are visiting from Virginia (yay!), so for… Read more Video: Surprising Images in Medieval Art
100th Anniversary of a Life-Saving Discovery
When looking for pretty stamps at the post office this spring I picked up some celebrating the centenary of the… Read more 100th Anniversary of a Life-Saving Discovery
Butterfly Collecting Trivia
You know you’re desperate when you ask what you should blog about, your eight-year-old says “butterflies,” and you start Googling!… Read more Butterfly Collecting Trivia
Puffing Billy to Roomba: A Vacuum Cleaner Timeline
The Earliest Vacuum Cleaners The first patent for what we could call a vacuum cleaner was submitted by American inventor… Read more Puffing Billy to Roomba: A Vacuum Cleaner Timeline