WELCOME APRIL

Showers and all!

April, the fourth month of the year, gets its name from the Latin word “aperire,” meaning “to open,” referencing the blossoming of nature in spring. It’s a month with a rich history and various events and is associated with the zodiac signs Aries and Taurus, along with the diamond birthstone. It is the first full month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, a time of renewal and rebirth in nature. With longer days and warmer weather to signal the end of winter and the promise of new growth. And the blooming of flowers and the return of wildlife are all signs of the beauty and vibrancy of spring.

Special Events and Celebrations:

April Fools’ Day (April 1st): A lighthearted occasion where people engage in pranks and jokes. 

Earth Day (April 22nd): A day dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices. 

World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd): A day to raise awareness about autism and promote understanding and acceptance. 

World Health Day (April 7th): A day to focus on global health issues and promote health awareness. 

National Tartan Day (April 6th): A day to celebrate Scottish culture and heritage. 

National Sibling Day (April 10th): A day to celebrate the special bond between siblings. 

National Pet Day (April 11th): A day to celebrate the joy that pets bring into our lives. 

Arbor Day (April 28th): A day to raise awareness about the importance of trees and to encourage planting them. 

This April will also see the celebrations of Passover, Palm Sunday and Easter.

So, again, a very busy month. Bring it on April

and, too, your Showers because we want May flowers!

SOMETHING ABOUT APRIL FOOL’S DAY!

April 1st is celebrated by pranksters in many countries as April Fool’s Day and even Italy has its own version of April Fools known as Pesce d’Aprile. In other words, instead of April Fools, Italy has April Fish.

Jokes and pranks are common in Italy but one in particular is classic and explains why the holiday is called April Fish:

You draw a small fish on a piece of paper, cut it out, and tape it on your friend’s back without them noticing. It’s all done a bit in the way you might try to stick a small “kick me” sign where your friend can’t see or reach it. The poor friend becomes the April Fool, walking around with a Pesce – fish – taped to his or her back. 

Ever wonder where April Fools’ Day came from? Well, surprise!  

Nobody seems to know it’s true origins. Historians do have some clues, though. For one thing, we do know that April Fools’ Day customs date back to at least Renaissance Europe, but it’s likely the tradition originated long before then. Some historians have linked April Fools’ Day to the ancient Roman festival of “Hilaria,” where at the end of March, people would come together to commemorate the resurrection of the god Attis. It was a celebration of renewal in which revelers would dress up in disguises and imitate others.

It’s also possible that the medieval celebration of the Feast of Fools, where a mock bishop or pope was elected and church customs were parodied, could have inspired the day.

For Italians, the first of April marks the celebration of “Pesce d’Aprile” (April Fish), and antics are very similar to those we know for April Fools’ Day. Practical jokes and hoaxes are common across the country on 1 April, but why is there a fish in the name of the Italian day?

According to rumor apparently the traditional prank for Pesce d’Aprile involved the taping of a cutout of a small fish (pesciolino) to someone’s back. Then the exchange would go:

L’hai visto? (Have you seen him?)
Chi? (Who?)
Il Pesce d’Aprile! (The April fish/fool!)

Obviously, the person with the pesciolino taped to his back was the fool. Poverino!

Whatever its origins, the day is still widely celebrated across the world in surprisingly similar ways. 

ORA LO SAI! 

(and now you know)

IMPOSSIBLE LEMON PIE

I love recipes like this that are quick, easy and delicious.

Great to have handy when a quick dessert is needed.

2 C. Milk – whole milk or half and half
1/2 C. Bisquick
4 Eggs
1/4 C. Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed
3/4 C. Sugar
Cinnamon for sprinkling, optional
1/4 C. Butter – melted and cooled
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla or Almond Extract
Whipped Cream for topping – optional

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350º

GREASE A 10-INCH PIE PAN

Combine milk, sugar, baking mix, cooled butter, eggs, flavoring of your choice in a blender.  Cover and blend on highest speed for 15-20 seconds, until smooth.

Pour the filling into the pie plate and place on a baking sheet and place in preheated oven. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until set in the middle and a knife will come out clean when inserted in the center.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before serving. Leftover pie can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container.

NOTE: This pie can be served warm or chilled. Optionally you can top it with some whipped cream or a light sprinkling of cinnamon.

BUON MANGIATA!