Smack dab in the middle of Chemistry Week (Oct. 18 - 24) is Mole Day, a holiday set aside not to honor the ground dwelling creature, but a measurement of mass. I take it that mole is short for molecule, because one mole is a mass (in grams) whose number is equal to the atomic mass of the molecule. This relationship was first discovered by Amadeo Avogadro (1776-1858), who received credit for the discovery after his death.

Chemist are a crazy bunch and they celebrate their holiday with a wacky spirit. Every year the Mole Day Foundation creates a theme and poster for the event. This year’s theme is “Mole of Fortune” complete with a mole Pat and Vanna. I hope someone sends them this poster!

There are creative ways to celebrate this holiday with family or in the classroom. This is a great holiday for fun and of course food. Last year I included a mole sauce recipe, this year try my favorite guaca-mole.

Ingredients
2 really ripe Haas avocados
1 clove minced garlic
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp cumin
1 T fresh cilantro
1/2 chopped tomato

Cut avocados in half and dish out the insides. Mash the avocados and then mix in other ingredients.

If you want a super quick way to do this, add about 2 T or more to your taste of a really good salsa to the avocados. Let site for about 20 minutes so the flavors combine.

One of the great things about holidays is the interesting stories behind them. While many have a world-wide scope, some of the most interesting have a very local angle. Take Rain Day in Waynesburg, Pa., where a simple bet on the weather started a tradition that has lasted 134 years. It all started when farmer Byron Daly mentioned to the owner of Daly & Spraggs Drug Store that it always rained on his birthday, July 29. Mr. Daly was a betting man and started to take wagers on the probability of rain. The bet was normally for a new hat, and because it did normally rain July 29 he amassed a lot of hats. The betting tradition was handed down through Daly’s family where it continued to attract attention, and hats. Someone suggested that the hats be sold at auction for charity and a new event and holiday was born.

Oh, those wacky math folks. We have mole day on Oct. 23, Pi Day on March 14 and now Pi Approximation Day on July 22, to celebrate the International version 22/7.

There are many ways to celebrate pie day, but let’s assume you’ll go with the time honored tradition of making a pie! I’ve stumbled across the easiest pie crust recipe yet, so here’s a great base for any fruit pie you can imagine.

2 cups flour
1 cup butter flavored Crisco
about 1/4 cup ice-cold water

Put the flour and Crisco in a food processor and mix until well blended. As the processor works, start adding the cold water until the dough forms a nice ball. You may need to add more flour to get the consistency you want. You can put this dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour and then roll out, or press into the bottom of a pie plate. I usually have enough for the bottom of a pie and strips for a crisscross top, perfect for fruit pies.

Día del Amigo, or Friend’s Day, is a holiday held in the Spanish-speaking countries of Argentina and Uruguay. The date was chosen to honor the United States Apollo 11 space mission, which successfully landed the first man on the Moon on July 20, 1969. The holiday’s founder, Argentine teacher, musician, and dentist Enrique Febbraro, said the landing on the moon was a world-wide event and the astronauts made friends out of everyone. Though not a national holiday, it has gained popularity in recent years, so much so that many restaurants are filled with friends catching up and phone lines are jammed.

On July 18, 1936 the first Weinermobile rolled off the General Motors assembly line and right in the hearts of kitzsch lovers everywhere. It was first thought up by Karl G. Mayer, nephew of the company’s founder, who had the idea of introducing a 13 foot long hot dog on wheels. Soon, it was seen driving through the streets of Chicago, promoting OSCAR MAYER® “German Style Wieners”. Today there are six Weinermobiles on the road at various times.
Celebrate with Kraft’s own Summertime Spicy Hot Dogs.
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 CLAUSSEN Kosher Dill Pickle Spears, chopped
3 Tbsp. chopped onions
4 pepperoncini peppers, sliced
2 Tbsp. GREY POUPON Spicy Brown Mustard
5 OSCAR MAYER Wieners
5 hot dog buns, partially split

DIRECTIONS:
PREHEAT grill to medium heat. Mix all ingredients except wieners and buns until well blended; set aside.
GRILL wieners 7 to 9 min. or until heated through (160°F).
PLACE wieners in buns; top each with about 2 Tbsp. of the tomato mixture.

Vive la France! July 14 is Bastille Day, honoring those who stormed the same-named prison in 1789, triggering the French Revolution. There may have only been 7 prisoners on site that day, but capturing the Bastille was a signal to Louis XVI that the people would no longer tolerate his arbitrary power. In fact, the Bastille was a strong symbol of that power, as it was a prison that normally held inmates selected because the king did not agree with their political stance.

Bastille Day was a new beginning for the French and led to the country forming a new republic. Like the United State’s Independence Day, it features pride in country above all, with flags and celebrations centering on thing that are uniquely French (of course their are fireworks!) Other countries join in the fun with Bastille celebrations world-wide. In my area, which is near Philadelphia, Bastille Day is celebrated at the Eastern State Penitentiary, with Marie Antoinette declaring “Let them eat TastyKakes!” as they throw over 2,000 Butterscotch Krimpets from the prison’ medieval towers. Of course there’s a mock execution later, though it is a real, functioning guillotine. for more information on great things to do in Philly, go to GoPhila.com.

To celebrate with your family, try this extremely easy and very French Poulet Nicoise.

INGREDIENTS:
1 - 3 to 4 pound chicken, cut into serving pieces
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp. thyme
Salt
Black pepper
5 Tbl. olive oil
1/2 lb. chopped lean salt pork
2 onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled, minced
5 tomatoes, quartered
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup Nicoise olives
1/2 cup chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS:
Rinse and dry the chicken pieces. Sprinkle with lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salt pork and sauté for 5 minutes. Push the salt pork to the side and add the chicken pieces. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove all meat with a slotted spoon. Add the onions and reduce the heat. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, and wine. Stir, and cook for 10 minutes, uncovered. Return the meat to the pan and cook for 40 minutes, basting frequently with pan juice.

Just before serving, remove the bay leaves and add the olives. Sprinkle with parsley.

Known as Mardi Gras in party circles, Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, and is exactly 47 days before Easter. Mardi Gras has roots in European celebrations and was brought to the Western Hemisphere by those that settled the New World. In New Orleans, the French began the tradition of the colorful street parties in the 1700s. Brazil hosts latin-infused Carnaval beginning on Epiphany (Jan. 6) and ending on Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras literally means Fat Tuesday and is celebrated with much over-indulgence, a nod to the fasting that will begin for Christians the next day. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a season for giving up a cherished food, drink or activity to show deference to God.

Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in much of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. The day is also known as Pancake Day, because many homes would dispose of sweet, rich ingredients like eggs and cream before Lent began. Shrove means to ask for forgiveness by doing penance, and not eating the rich goodness of pancakes could be considered penance. Besides eating pancakes, traditions include pancake races and pancake football. Charity events are also held to raise money for various organizations.

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes are thin and flavorful, very sweet. They are traditionally sprinkled with sugar, rolled and splashed with a little lemon. Don’t skimp on the fat, this is the last of it for 6 weeks!

4 large eggs
1 cup milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
1 tablespoon butter — melted
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla — extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup all purpose flour
Additional melted butter
Powdered sugar
Fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Blend first 6 ingredients in blender. Gradually add flour; blend until smooth. Let stand 15 minutes.

Heat medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush with butter. Add 2 generous tablespoons batter, tilting pan to coat bottom. Cook until golden on bottom, about 45 seconds.

Turn pancake over. Cook until bottom is speckled with brown, about 30 seconds. Turn out onto paper towel. Cover with another paper towel. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing skillet with butter as needed.

Butter ovenproof dish. Sift powdered sugar over speckled side of each pancake, then sprinkle lightly with lemon juice; fold pancakes into quarters. Overlap pancakes in prepared dish. Cover; bake until heated through, about 10 minutes.

Serve with more powdered sugar and lemon juice.

The tradition of this holiday dates back to 1841, the popularity to a 1993 movie starring Bill Murray. However you know it, Groundhog Day is a fun mid-winter exercise in weather predicting. As the folklore goes, if the groundhog sees his shadow on Feb. 2 we will have 6 more weeks of winter. If the sun shines bright and no shadow, it will be an early spring.   The tradition finds its roots in Candlemas, a Christian holiday celebrating the presenting of baby Jesus to the Temple. According to a Scottish poem

If Candlemas be fair and bright 

Winter will have another flight

If Candlemas be cloud and snow

Winter will be gone and not come again

Join can join the fun and the club (for $10) by signing up for the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.  Home of the famous Punxsutawney Phil groundhog, the club is the invention of the Chamber of Commerce of the Pennsylvania town that put groundhogs on the map. 

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping.
Edgar Allan Poe
The Raven

Edgar Allan Poe was one of America’s most imaginative writers, bringing to life both the dark and the lighter sides of life and love. Though his writing did not bring him wealth during his lifetime (he was paid less than $20 for “The Raven”), his works continue to entertain and inspire his readers.

One modern admirer has managed to make himself almost as famous as his beloved Poe. Known as the “Poe Toaster”, a cloak figured (presumed to be a man, but who knows) visits the poet’s grave on the anniversary of his birth, Jan 19, 1809. Since 1949 this stranger has entered the Westminster Burying Ground in Baltimore during the wee hour of the morning and raised a glass of cognac at Poe’s grave. He leaves behind three roses - one for Poe, one for Poe’s wife Virginia and one for her mother Maria Clemm - all buried at the site. He also leaves behind a half-filled bottle of cognac, as a tribute to a Poe family tradition. Several of the bottles are on display in the Baltimore Poe House and Museum.

Zamenhof Day is the birthday of the creator of the international language Esperanto. It was created by Dr. Ludwig L. Zamenhof, a Polish physician, who published it in 1887. This is a unique language not of any country or ethnic group.  it is a neutral, and is supposedly very easy to learn. Visit lernu.com to try your hand at mastering a few words.