Thanks for reading the December 2024 issue of This Awful Awesome Life. I hope you enjoy the Cranberry Salsa recipe in “The Twelve Months of Salsa.” Previous issues are available to read on our website. Go to www.thisawfulawesomelife.com and start scrolling or you can enter specific search criteria.
Our January issue is about “New Beginnings and Upholding Standards.” It’s important to embrace what the future holds without giving up your core values and moral compass.
Did you make New Years Resolutions? How do you intend to keep them? We will be asking some of our favorite authors about their resolutions.
Orlando Bartro and I will be back with interesting articles for you.
We exceeded 2023 readership figures in the first week of November 2024, and we are on target to have one of our best years. I’ll have more data for you in the January issue.
I’m not sure if we will have a Q&A in January. I hope so, but I haven’t planned that far ahead yet.
We’ll begin another year of author birthdays, “Dare to Believe” will be back, and I’ll be featuring the Twelve Months of Fruits in 2025.
We’re moving some of our regular features around to shake things up a bit and keep you on your toes. I’m also hoping to expand our Artist Page to feature more talented creatives. Some people manage to elevate their work to the level of an artform, and we want to support their efforts.
I’ll have more streaming and reading recommendations. “What’s in a Word?” will be back but we’ll be alternating some of our content. We’ll continue the monthly quizzes to exercise our brains, and we’ll continue reviewing books.
For 2025, I’m going to try my hand at poetry each month. Wish me luck!
Stay safe. Stay well. You are important, and you are loved.
All my best,
Fran
Answers to the December 2024 “What Are We Celebrating/Commemorating Quiz?”
During this December holiday after lighting candles, singing songs, and reciting prayers you could be enjoying any of these dishes: Latkes, matzah balls, homemade applesauce, brisket, kugel, challah, rugelach, sufganiyot, roasted chicken, babka, or doughnuts. Hanukkah
This is a day to enjoy Spanish wine mixed with natural citrus fruit flavors. Sangria Day
On this day we remember and honor the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her work to promote peace and international understanding. Jane Addams Day
This day honors the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation that individuals and societies should strive to secure their universal and effective recognition and right to be treated with dignity. International Human Rights Day
On this day, people make, gift, share, and feast on sugary treats with names life snickerdoodles, Shortbread, ginger snaps, and macarons. National Cookie Day
This stew, which has its own day, originated in Marseille, France and is made with fish, seafood, onions, leeks, potatoes, celery, tomatoes, olive oil, and spices. Bouillabaisse Day
This day celebrates a drink that originated in South America. The Mayans called it Chocolhaa, and the Aztecs named it Xocoatl. Europeans added sugar, heated it up, and the rest is history. Cocoa Day
The Scottish term for New Year’s Eve featuring customs such as the first footing, Redding the house, fireworks, bell ringing, and singing. Hogmanay
This celebration begins the day after Christmas and lasts for seven days. Each day one of the candles of the kinara is lit. The days focus on specific principles in the Black community such as Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa
This special day falls on December 3rd in 2024. It’s a day for global generosity. Giving Tuesday
This day of baking, building, and decorating probably inspired by a Grimms Fairy Tale began in Germany during the 1800s and spread to America with Pennsylvania German immigrants. Gingerbread House Day
On this day, chosen by bibliophiles to be celebrated on the Winter Solstice, writers and readers like to keep it brief. Short Story Day
This is the day to make a salad named for the nectar of the gods. Ambrosia Day
Celebrate this sweet tradition and honor the trees and their diligent tappers (originally the indigenous peoples of North America) by pouring it over pancakes or French toast. Maple Syrup Day
Jolabokaflod also known as Christmas Book Day began in Iceland during WWII when paper was not rationed. Many Icelanders give books as gifts and spend Christmas Eve reading and eating chocolate or drinking hot chocolate.
Also known as Childermas, All Innocents Day commemorates the massacre of infant boys in Bethlehem by the orders of King Herod after he learned of Jesus’ birth. These children are considered saints and martyrs of God.
This day honors the daughter of a Shoshone chief who at 16 years old left her family to act as an interpreter for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Sacagawea Day
This day commemorates the day in Mexico when the Virgin Mary is supposed to have appeared to a peasant in 1531. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
On this day, people are supposed to enjoy this holiday libation. Eggnog Day
Celebrated on December 22 in India, Mathematics Day honors the birth of Srinivasa Ramanujan and his contributions to mathematics.
These hand-knit garments were cherished and appreciated more for their warmth than their style after WWII. In the 1980s they became bedazzled, highly decorated, and so extreme they earned their own special day complete with parties and prizes. Ugly Sweater Day
This day honors an international movement to improve the lives of children around the world. UNICEF Day for Change
On this day, people are encouraged to see the value of animals and their right to live free from harm. People are also encouraged to look at how they treat animals and take steps to protect the well-being of all animals. International Animal Rights Day
Celebrated between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Boxing Day was originally a time for people to box up gifts and deliver them to the less fortunate. Employers also gave their staff Christmas gifts.
The shortest day of the year is known as the Winter Solstice.
On this day, a flavorful tomato-based vegetable soup which originated in Andalucia is served and celebrated. Gazpacho Day
The entire month of December is dedicated to the most regifted dessert of all time. Fruitcake Month
Believe it or not there is a national day to celebrate this holiday treat made of layers of chocolate and peppermint with crunchy candy pieces. National Peppermint Bark Day
The day before one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christendom and Western society. Christmas Eve
This day falls on the first day of winter, the longest night of the year. It recognizes the struggles of unhoused peoples who have experienced homelessness and died on the streets. Homeless Person’s Memorial Day
Ceremonies for this day take place in Oslo, Norway on the anniversary of the death of a Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, and businessman. Nobel Prize Day
An annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas