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Today is National Leon Day, which surprisingly is not in honor of the lovable hit man from The Professional played by Jean Reno, but is instead the halfway mark between last Christmas and this year's December holiday.  Leon is Noel spelled backwards, and National Leon Day gives you the chance to rekindle the Christmas spirit, to finally wrap those late gifts that you owe people from last Christmas, or to start getting ready for the upcoming holidays in six months.  Roast chestnuts on the barbecue or drink eggnog on ice, whatever makes you happy and merry.  And don't forget Christmas in July, but that's next month when it'll be even hotter outside.  

This Cup of Cheer mug is bright and red and makes every day feel like Christmas or the holiday season, because we always need more cheer, more joy, and generally more coffee.

father's day is almost here

Are you ready for Father's Day?  Is your dad a tea-drinking Ben Franklin fan, a retro TV watcher, or a devotee of the Beat Generation?  If so, here are three gifts to consider...first, to celebrate Mr. Franklin's experiments with kites and lightning, an Electrici-Tea Mug; second, the complete Season 3 DVD set of Highway Patrol, a 1950s classic all about law, order, California, and big shiny cars; and third, Call Me Burroughs, an extensive biography of William Burroughs, one of the Beat Generation's founding members and author of Naked Lunch.  And just a cheerful reminder that June 20th is less than two weeks away!

 

curtis curtis

Today was the birthday of actor Tony Curtis (b. 1925) and musician Curtis Mayfield (b. 1942).   Tony C. of course starred in classics like Spartacus, Some Like It Hot, Sweet Smell of Success, and The Defiant Ones -- while Curtis M. composed and/or sang the film soundtracks from Super Fly and Claudine, along with creating a wide range of other musical works.

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Whether you're tuning into the FRIENDS reunion special tomorrow night or you're just happy to stick with the original reruns, we'll be there for you with this spirited Central Perk mug (and you can use it for spirits or coffee/tea, whichever you prefer).    

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Summer's coming and so is the need to mix up some iced tea or lemonade in this lovely vintage-style blue glass pitcher from Gibson.

vintage spring

 Just some old school pretties for your table:  Small Glass Cake Stand and Vintage S&P Shakers.

happy may day!

 Lilacs in a Window  -- Mary Cassatt (1883)

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April 7th is National Beer Day!  For some this holiday may be a more frequent occurrence, but whatever the case (or 6 pack), add more fun to your hops and barley libation with this deck of Bicycle Craft Beer Playing Cards.  Each card features an American craft beer brewery, which should make your next game of poker or Concentration quite interesting.  

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Baseball is back and tomorrow's the opener for the Boston Red Sox, the absolute favorite team of Jimmy Fallon's character in the 2005 rom-com Fever Pitch.  Then he falls in love with Drew Barrymore in the movie and things get complicated...but eventually happier ever after.  Celebrate the return of baseball and springtime with this Fever Pitch DVD, and let's hope the BoSox have a wicked good season.  

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This little guy can hold a flameless tealight or just look pretty on your table, and while he might not be as clever and quick as the Twitter bird, he also won't get you in trouble for something you tweet and then regret later.  Chirp chirp.

happy st. patty's!

Green is on the scene because it's St. Patrick's Day!  So have some soda bread and tea, Baileys in your coffee, or a pint of Guinness and a plate of corned beef and cabbage...and keep the luck of the Irish going all year long with this cheery little shamrock plate, and/or the melodies of the Chieftans. 

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March is here and spring is on the way, but it's still a little too cold and dreary in many places.  This Hula Girl thermometer could be the answer, bringing thoughts of warmer weather and beautiful sunsets as those temperatures gradually rise.  And why not fix yourself a Blue Hawaiian Cocktail and/or a poke bowl, just to keep the Big Island vibes going.  Just remember, Hula Girl is really an indoor thermometer and doesn't like (or work well with) the frigid outdoors.  

national tartar sauce day

Well, we missed the real National Tartar Sauce Day on February 19th (it's officially always on the first Friday of Lent), so let's just say this is all about tardy tartar sauce.  Lent is still with us, however, and it's Friday, so here's a recipe from the wonderful and classic 1963 edition of McCall's Cookbook for some fish fun:

Sour Cream Tartar Sauce

1 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, drained

1/2 tsp salt

Dash of hot sauce

1 tsp grated onion

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Combine ingredients in a small bowl, refrigerate thoroughly then serve.