Today is National Public Gardens Day (who knew there was such a thing)? As a gardener, a landscape photographer, and one who enjoys gardens in all sizes and styles – it sounds good to me! This seems like a great weekend to visit (and linger) in a public garden near you…

I just read that May 6-14 is National Pet Week. Actually, that’s more than a week but I guess nobody’s counting. 🙂 Our cat will tell you that, in this house, EVERY week is National Pet Week. More accurately, every week is celebrate Pickles week, because – well, she’s a cat, after all! She adopted … Continued

If you ever have the opportunity to be in my hometown of Chicago for St. Patrick’s Day, you must witness the dying of the Chicago River (don’t worry – it does not harm the water). The beautiful emerald green only lasts a few hours, so be sure to get there early! Interestingly, this tradition dates … Continued

This is such a great quote. Perhaps because I’m a fan of flight, and it conjures up wonderful imagery – or perhaps simply because it is true!! It might seem counterintuitive, but headwinds give aircraft a boost and enable lift to be more easily achieved. Taking off and landing into the wind requires less runway … Continued

Though celebrated in many places and many ways, in the United States, it’s New Orleans which is synonymous with this day. The first celebration in the general vicinity of the present-day Crescent City supposedly dates back to 1699; the first recorded Mardi Gras parade there took place in 1837, and that tradition has continued each … Continued

Today marks the anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service….now entering its second century at 101 years old! I’m lucky enough to live very near two beautiful parks: Grand Teton (pictured above) and Yellowstone. In addition to the 59 national parks, the park system includes national monuments, historic sites, battlefields, seashores, lakeshores, and … Continued

I’m always surprised and/or amused when I look at the list of obscure “holidays” for a given month to see what I find. Who knew that there is such a thing as National Lighthouse Day? Congress signed it into law in 1989, and August 7th is when it’s observed. Having lived for so many years in … Continued

I was born and raised in the Chicago area. In the city of Chicago, St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal. The Chicago River is dyed green each year, which is quite something to see. Since tradition has it that everybody is Irish on March 17th, I thought it might be fun to share some fun … Continued

Who knew there are weird “holidays” associated with many dates throughout the year? I found a list for 2017 the other day and perused it for fun. National Chip and Dip Day sounds like a winner! Then there’s Submarine Day….Talk Like Shakespeare Day (appropriately, it falls on the Bard’s birthday)….Be Late for Something Day. Someone apparently … Continued

It’s fun to peruse lists of obscure “holidays” to see what wacky things are included. Take today, for example. Who knew that May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day? All I can say is……….yum! They’re up there at the top of the list of my favorite cookies. Here’s my tried and true recipe: 1 … Continued

At The Christian Gift we use only premium quality, archival materials to create our wall art. The inks, art paper and matboard are all designed to deliver an exceptional end product – one that will look great not just today, but for many years to come. Why do we do it? We think you deserve … Continued

Today marks the 400th anniversary of the first publishing of the King James Bible. Who was King James, anyway? King James VI of Scotland (crowned 1567) went on also to become King James I of England and Ireland (crowned 1603). He assumed the throne in Scotland at the tender age of 13 months after the … Continued