Tag: Traditions & Holidays

Happy Birthday, Canada!

A decorative cake celebrating Canada Day, featuring a Canadian flag design and the text 'July 1st .... Canada's Birthday .... Happy Canada Day!!' in bold lettering.

 

It was originally called Dominion Day, but over the years, Canadians have embraced the holiday, which falls on July 1 and celebrates the country’s history and achievements.

The festivities go on all day and range from fireworks, parades, barbecues, citizenship ceremonies and other events. 
 

History of the flag

In 1965, Canada instituted a new flag to distinguish itself from Britain and reflect its self-governance.  The new red-and-white flag design, the one Canada uses today, features a bright maple tree leaf because the maple tree is common throughout Canada. No national symbol is as ubiquitous as Canada’s maple leaf.
 

A Canada Day message from Donald Trump

The U.S. Embassy in Canada also shared a message delivered from Trump himself to Canadian Governor General the Right Honorable Julie Payette, with the U.S. leader offering his “warm congratulations” on the 152nd anniversary of the Constitution Act of 1867.

“Since its founding, Canada has represented a powerful, positive force in the world,” Trump wrote to Payette, a former member of the Canadian Astronaut Corps, who completed two spaceflights during her tenure.

“Our people share many strong bonds, including a common history, close cultural, economic, and familial ties, and a deep sense of duty to promote peace and prosperity in the world,” he continued. “The United States views its bilateral relationship with Canada as one of the most important, and places tremendous value on maintaining it.”

“I wish you and all Canadians a very happy Canada Day and express my best wishes for your nation’s bright future,” the president said.

From Newsweek and CNN

 

June-Huge Month for Weddings and Anniversaries

Hugest month for………Anniversaries, of course. That means anniversary gifts.   Hallmark has prepared a list of what they claim to be appropriate anniversary gifts, based on the number of years.

 

For each year, Hallmark gives you not only the themes, but also gift suggestions you can really use. We even have some cute anniversary date ideas if you need some inspiration. Since budgets and gift-giving traditions vary, we’ve suggested both inexpensive gestures and over-the-top ideas. Some of these ideas could work for more than one anniversary year, so if you need extra inspiration, read through the whole list. We hope you enjoy it, and we wish you lots of days’ worth celebrating, all through the year.”

 

Anniversary Gifts by Year  

  • 1st Anniversary: Paper
  • 2nd Anniversary: Cotton
  • 3rd Anniversary: Leather
  • 4th Anniversary: Fruit or Flowers
  • 5th Anniversary: Wood
  • 6th Anniversary: Candy or Iron
  • 7th Anniversary: Wool or Copper
  • 8th Anniversary: Pottery or Bronze
  • 9th Anniversary: Willow or Pottery
  • 10th Anniversary: Tin or Aluminum
  • 11th Anniversary: Steel
  • 12th Anniversary: Silk or Linen
  • 13th Anniversary: Lace
  • 14th Anniversary: Gold Jewelry
  • 15th Anniversary: Crystal
  • 16th Anniversary: Coffee or Tea
  • 17th Anniversary: Wine or Spirits
  • 18th Anniversary: Appliances
  • 19th Anniversary: Jade
  • 20th Anniversary: China
  • 21st Anniversary: Fire (theme)
  • 22nd Anniversary: Water (theme)
  • 23rd Anniversary: Air (theme)
  • 24th Anniversary: Stone (theme)
  • 25th Anniversary: Silver
  • 26th Anniversary: Art
  • 27th Anniversary: Music
  • 28th Anniversary: Linens
  • 29th Anniversary: Tools
  • 30th Anniversary: Pearls
  • 31st Anniversary: Travel
  • 32nd Anniversary: Bronze
  • 33rd Anniversary: Iron
  • 34th Anniversary: Food
  • 35th Anniversary: Coral
  • 36th Anniversary: Antiques
  • 37th Anniversary: Books
  • 38th Anniversary: Luck (theme)
  • 39th Anniversary: Laughter (theme)
  • 40th Anniversary: Ruby
  • 41st Anniversary: Office or Desk Decor
  • 42nd Anniversary: Clocks or Watches
  • 43rd Anniversary: Entertainment (theme)
  • 44rd Anniversary: Electronics (theme)
  • 45th Anniversary: Sapphire
  • 46th Anniversary: Games
  • 47th Anniversary: Garden or Plants
  • 48th Anniversary: Home Improvement (theme)
  • 49th Anniversary: Copper
  • 50th Anniversary: Gold
  • 51st Anniversary: Photos or Cameras
  • 52nd Anniversary: Bath or Spa (theme)
  • 53rd Anniversary: Plastic
  • 54th Anniversary: Glass
  • 55th Anniversary: Emerald
  • 56th Anniversary: Day (theme)
  • 57th Anniversary: Night (theme)
  • 58th Anniversary: Faith and Hope (theme)
  • 59th Anniversary: Charity (theme)
  • 60th Anniversary: Diamond

I really like some of these suggestions, but they are from Hallmark.  Oh, and don’t forget the anniversary card.

Source:  ideas.hallmark.com

 

Here Comes the Bride!

Traditionally, the month of June has always been the most popular month for couples to get married, which was the reason why the term “June bride” was coined. The month of June was named after Juno, the Roman goddess of Marriage. During ancient times, it was thought that couples who married in June would be blessed with prosperity and happiness.

In addition, there were also many logistical reasons for brides to consider June weddings. Brides married in June were likely to give birth to a first child in spring (which was also thought to bring good luck), and then recover in time for the fall harvest. Furthermore, during medieval times when bathing once a year was the norm (seriously!), a person’s annual bath usually fell in May or June. As expected, right after their annual bath, many couples decided to tie the knot since each person was probably at their most presentable (and the bridal flowers would cover the smell of the wedding guests).  Yuch !

So, in keeping with American tradition, I’m going to post pictures of typical June weddings, although the weddings will not all be American.  More interesting that way.

Here we go with the first of June’s wedding pictures.

Bride1

Bride2

Bride3

Bride4

Bride5

Bride6

Bride7

All pictures and their credits are on my Pinterest board

By Frederick Alain Docdocil

ESL Easter Lesson

Easter is celebrated on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. On Easter, people color eggs, have an Easter egg hunt, wear new clothes, watch parades, and eat dinner with their family and friends. Some people go to church.

Baby Chicken Hatching from an Egg What day of the week is Easter on?

    • It is on a Sunday.
  • We say “Happy Easter!”
Coloring Easter Eggs in Plastic Cups with Dye What is the child in this picture doing?

    • He is coloring hard boiled eggs for Easter.
    • The dye is in plastic cups.
  • Pink, yellow, blue, orange, and green are popular Easte
Two Easter Baskets with Colored Eggs What are these?

    • They are Easter baskets.
  • The Easter baskets are filled with colored eggs.
Girl Holding an Easter Basket Filled with Pink and Purple Eggs Why is the girl smiling?

  • She is smiling because she has a beautiful Easter basket.
Children Running at an Easter Egg Hunt What are these children doing?

    • They are collecting plastic Easter eggs.
    • They will put the eggs in their baskets.
  • There is candy inside the eggs.
Chocolate Easter Bunnies What are these rabbits made of?

    • They are made of chocolate.
  • These chocolate rabbits are cute, and they taste delicious.
Rabbit with Long Ears What kind of animal is this?

    • It is a rabbit.
    • Children call baby rabbits bunnies, but they are really kits or kittens.
    • Rabbits have long ears and short tails.
  • Rabbits hop because their back legs are longer than their front legs.
Woman wearing an Easter Bonnet with Flowers for the Holiday What is this woman wearing on her head?

    • She is wearing an Easter bonnet.
    • An Easter bonnet is a fancy hat.
  • This bonnet is pink, and it has flowers on it.

 

elcivics.com/easter©

Symbols of Ireland & St Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is rich with symbols like the shamrock, leprechauns, and the color green, each holding deep cultural and historical significance in Irish heritage.

©hobbylobby.com

More Key Symbols of St. Patrick’s Day


Shamrock: The shamrock is perhaps the most recognized symbol of St. Patrick’s Day. According to legend, St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the Irish people. Beyond its religious significance, the shamrock has come to symbolize Irish identity, resilience, and pride, especially during times of oppression.

Leprechauns: These mythical creatures are often depicted as small, bearded men wearing green coats and buckled shoes. Leprechauns are associated with Irish folklore and are believed to be mischievous fairies who hide their pots of gold at the end of rainbows. They symbolize the magical and whimsical aspects of Irish culture.

The Color Green: Green is synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day, representing Ireland’s lush landscapes and the shamrock. Wearing green on this day is a tradition that signifies national pride and celebration. Interestingly, the original color associated with St. Patrick was blue, but green became prominent due to its association with Irish nationalism.

Celtic Knotwork: This intricate design symbolizes the interconnectedness of life and eternity in Celtic culture. It reflects the deep spiritual connection of the Irish people to their heritage and is often seen in art, jewelry, and tattoos.

Claddagh Ring: Originating from the fishing village of Claddagh in Galway, this ring symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship. It features two hands holding a heart, topped with a crown, and is often given as a token of affection.