Happy International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

Mersey Pirate Muster
Originally uploaded by Timba Limber

International Talk Like A Pirate Day is celebrated annually on September 19th.

Today's the day we get to dress up and have fun talking like a pirate. Yesterday I blogged about hosting a pirate party and today I wanted to share my thoughts on pirate clothes.

Dressing up like a pirate is fun for all ages, men and women alike. I should know because I've dressed like a pirate a few times in my life and I have to tell you it's so much fun. I've always loved pirate history so being a pirate is right up my alley.... or should I say "right up my ships sail."

Because of this fantastic holiday...
my interests were drawl to pirate clothes. As I do ever morning around 5:00am I surfed the web with my morning coffee in hand and enjoy reading about the clothes the pirates wore during the Golden Age of Pirates. What I found out was... much of the pirate clothing was developed through necessity and befitted the lifestyle of a pirate seaman. I'll list a few of my favorite facts below.

The ever so popular monmouth cap was one of them.
This wollen cap dates back to the 1500's. "In 1571 the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws were passed which ordered everyone over the age of six to wear a woollen cap on Sundays and holidays in order to help England's wool trade! (Motley was a multi-colored woollen fabric woven of mixed threads) The Upper Classes were excused from obeying this law!" So now you know why many pirate costumes include a snug black hat on ones head. Just like the man is wearing the photo above.

The Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws
And did you know the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws dictated what color of clothing and the materials and fabrics which could be used for each social level. Successful and wealthy pirates took great delight in flouting the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws. Fine velvets and silks were popular. The colors of pirate clothing included crimson, violet, purple and deep blue. These were typical colors which were previously banned for anyone other than the Upper Classes! History tells us that Black Bart himself was a flamboyant dresser and wore a waistcoat and breeches made of velvet in a rich crimson color.

The Gold Hoop Earring
I always wondered about this one. In my reading the gold hoop earring was a sign of wealth for a pirate but the best part is..... "It was worn to apply pressure to the ear lobe because it was believed to relieve sea sickness. Wow, what about that!

Pirate Food

Resources & Outside Links
www.dresslikeapirate.com/
www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/pirate-clothing.htm
www.bonaventure.org.uk/ed/clothing.htm
Shop Pirate Apparel & Acessories

Pirate Party

"Ahoy, matey!" It's Pirate Party Time. Everyone loves the Golden Age of Piracy that's why everyone loves to host pirate parties. So in honor of pirate theme parties, pirate birthdays, Halloween & International Talk like a pirate day (celebrated on September 19)...Grrrr... we're about to "Party Like A Pirate!"

Hoist your colors.


Let's start with the table. Go with all natural wood for the rustic feel or go with a tablecloth. If you go with a tablecloth; the most common color are all black (since black is associated with pirates) or all blue which makes you think of sailing the ocean blue. Party stores have lot's of matching sets of napkins, paper plates and pirate banners.  Choose decorations like treasure chests, candles, pirate flags, chains, cannon balls. (all plastic props that can be found especially during Halloween) Add signs to each dish with pirate names to help your guests get in the spirit of pirates.

Avast!.... Ye needs ah bountiful table. 

Arrr... you must have a bounty of pirate food on the table. I'm not saying you have to have loads of food (although Pirates were known to pig out while on land) but go with foods that theme the look and flavors of a pirate. Choose theme cakes or cupcakes for dessert.

"Shiver me bones" a knife stabbing party table. 


On land pirates were meat eaters for sure. And for outdoor pirate parties it's common to see roasted pig. Yep, pig pickins are the choice for adult parties and platters of large leg bones (like turkey legs) are all the rage for narlyyy pirates to chew on. Pirate theme parties and children's birthday parties tend to leave out the pig carcass (Euh!) and stick to chicken wings and pulled pork sandwiches.


Arrr... Pirate Cakes
The most popular cakes are treasure chest cakes that's surrounded with chocolate money, candy jewelry and chocolate sea shells. Pirate ship cakes can be decorated with malted milk balls (candy) that's just right for cannon balls.



Pirate Cupcakes
Cupcakes are great for easy serving and can be made in a variety of ways. The most popular being skull-n-bones which are chocolate icing with the shape of a white skull piped on top. (see example) Pirate head cupcakes are easily made by using junior mints for the eye patch, fruit roll-ups for the bandannas and chocolate sprinkles are perfect for a scruffy pirate face. (see example) I call the style of cupcake to the right; a dead mans cupcake.


Pirate Pan Pizza
You can't go wrong by serving a pirate face pizza especially at children's parties. Everyone love's pizza no matter the age so pirate that pizza up and serve it at your next pirate party. If it's a small group of people the personalized mini pizzas are perfect. If it's a large group of people; a large pizza works great too.

In Closing
Well I hope I rounded up a few ideas that will help on your next pirate party. Remember to mark your calendars(for International Talk like a pirate day . It's celebrated every year on September 19th and public pirate parties will be hosted everywhere too!

• Shop All Things Pirate

Apple Dumpling Day

Apple Dumpling
Originally uploaded by ebi debi

Every September 17th we celebrate National Apple Dumpling Day. This apple baked in dough then topped with vanilla ice cream is to die for! A touch of cinnamon is tapped on top too. This dessert is right at the top of my favorites list. "Eat It While It's Hot."

Here's A Cheaters Recipe for now but I'll post a old fashion recipe a bit later.

Ingredients
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
2 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Mountain Dew

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Cut each apple into 8 wedges and set aside. Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles. Roll each apple wedge in crescent roll dough starting at the smallest end. Pinch to seal and place in the baking dish.
Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Pour over the apple dumplings. Pour Mountain Dew™ over the dumplings.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Outside Links

• I found another great recipe on flickr by DigiDi but she doesn't allow her dumpling photo shared. Here's the link

Learn about National Apple Dumpling Day; the holiday: at Gone-ta-pott.com

It's Creme de menthe Day!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Originally uploaded by Betty Crocker Recipes

Since it's National Cream de menthe day I was surfing the web looking for something to make in honor of the day and this is what I found. Look at that picture! Don't it just make your mouth water? My cookie monster of a husband is going to love these! If you try this recipe let me know how they turn out.


Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
6 to 8 drops green food color
1 egg
1 cup creme de menthe baking chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, extract, food color and egg until soft dough forms. Stir in creme de menthe baking chips and chocolate chunks.

2. Using small cookie scoop or teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Serve warm or cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

This is a great recipe for St. Patrick's Day too don't you think-

• National Creme de menthe day

Positive Thinking

Today is positive thinking day so I thought it would be fun to try and think positive all day long. I found it harder than I thought. In order to think positive you also have to be positive. (no complaining, no grumbling and no negativity) All I can say is wow!


I thought I was a pretty positive person but I was shocked at how much negativity plays a part in our daily lives and sneaks right in your mind then out your mouth. Here's what I caught myself saying.
" I sure hope that mailman is not late again today"
"Gosh that dog just keeps barking and barking"
"Is that a dang red sock in my washing of white clothes?"


Instead I should of been thinking positive.... 
"That mailman will be right on time today"
"That dog has a lovely sound"
"My clothes are white as snow"  LOL- giggle~

 So for fun...while it's still "Positive Thinking Day."
Try to think positive the rest of the day and let me know if it was as hard for you as it was for me.

• Think Positive Greetings

• September Observances