Have you ever Googled "[fill in the month] calendar events"? You should. You really, really should. It's fascinating how many different holidays, observances, and national whatchamacallit days we recognize. From the serious to the silly, there's something (probably lots of things) for everyone.
September is just around the corner, and our 9th month is no exception.
We'll start with the serious. A big one.
9/11, now known as PATRIOT DAY & NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE.
Do you remember what you were doing when the towers fell? As a nation, we were shocked, horrified, and left feeling vulnerable. We wept for those lost and for those left behind. But we also did something amazing. We came together. United we stand. E Pluribus Unum.
What can you do to remember? Serve, of course. It is also a National Day of Service. It doesn't take much. Just a plate of cookies to a neighbor, or an offer to pick something up from the store for an aging parent. Like a flood, millions of tiny drops accumulate until the entire world is inundated with love.
Here's an idea, because September 1st is WORLD LETTER WRITING DAY: Write a letter to someone. Anyone! Need an idea for who? Here's one: September 18th is AIR FORCE DAY and NATIONAL POW/MIA REMEMBRANCE DAY. Write a letter to a serviceman in the Air Force. Here's how:
8 Websites Where You Can Write to Soldiers
September is also CHOCK full of food celebrations, from NATIONAL BLUEBERRY POPSICLE DAY on the 1st to NATIONAL CHEWING GUM DAY on the 30th. And don't forget NATIONAL BAKER DAY on the 23rd or NATIONAL KIDS TAKE OVER THE KITCHEN DAY on the 13th.
I guarantee, there's something for every foody on SOME day in September!
And why not let Artistic Chaos Ink help you celebrate with our FUN FOOD coloring tablecloth or our SWEET TREATS coloring poster?
If animals are your thing, September has you covered. September 4th is NATIONAL WILDLIFE DAY. September 22nd, NATIONAL ELEPHANT DAY and NATIONAL RHINO DAY.
And do we have posters for animal lover? YES WE DO!
Here's a link to our entire collection of ANIMAL POSTERS!
Some of my favorite September Celebrations:
9/12 NATIONAL VIDEO GAMES DAY
9/16 COLLECT ROCKS DAY
9/19 TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY (Arrrrrrr, matey!)
9/22 HOBBIT DAY
And don't forget! OKTOBERFEST starts on September 22nd (which is also the Autumnal Equinox). It's true! You can get into the spirit throughout September by making up a batch of Wiener Schnitzel on NATIONAL WIENER SCHNITZEL DAY on the 9th (see my recipe at the end of the post), or downing a brew on NATIONAL DRINK A BEER DAY on the 28th.
For more September Celebrations, try this list:
READER'S DIGEST SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS AND OBSERVANCES
Happy September!
GERMAN SCHNITZEL (4 servings)
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb lean meat (Boneless skinless chicken breast, pork loin, sirloin steak or sirloin tip roast)
2 C Corn flakes
2 C Rice crisp cereal
1 C All-purpose Flour
2 Large Eggs
Salt and Pepper
Frying oil (Canola, corn, or sunflower)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut meat into pieces about 1/2" thick and about 3" square. Using a meat mallet, pound meat until it's about 1/8" thick and spread out. The final piece of meat will be about 6" square.
Using a blender or food processor, grind the corn flakes and rice cereal until finely ground. Should be about the consistency of corn meal.
You'll need three shallow dishes. Pie pans work well.
In the first dish, place all-purpose flour. Add 1/2 t salt and some pepper. Mix.
In the second dish, beat the 2 large eggs.
In the third dish, place the ground cereals.
Dredge meat pieces in flour, being sure the entire surface is well-coated. Shake off excess. Next, dredge in beaten eggs. Lastly, dredge in cereal, ensuring that the surface is well-coated, pressing the cereal onto the meat until the egg is completely absorbed.
Heat oil in a large, high-sided skillet to 350F. Ensure oil is to temperature before frying.
Gently place schnitzel pieces in hot oil. Fry two at a time if there's enough room in the skillet. There should be at least 1/2" or space between pieces. Fry until bottom is golden and crispy--about 3-5 minutes. Carefully turn over and fry the other side another 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Lay out on paper towels to drain.
For an authentic German meal, serve with spaetzle and gravy, rotkohl, and a simple salad of tomato and cucumber slices topped with a vinaigrette dressing.