4 Mini Holidays to Celebrate This Week, From Red Roses to Zoo Visits
From Red Rose Day to National Cupcake Lover’s Day, here are fun celebrations not to miss
What better way to add a little more joy to your week than with unique holidays? There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature’s treasures thanks to Red Rose Day and Zoo and Aquarium month.
Besides appreciating beautiful plants and animals, you’ll have plenty of chances to treat yourself too! Whip up tasty box mix cupcakes with a gourmet twist, then kick back with a bourbon cocktail that has a seasonal berry twist. Keep reading for our ideas on how you can celebrate these mini holidays.
June 12: Grow beautiful blooms for Red Rose Day
Welcome beauty to your yard with stunning climbing roses. We asked Tyler Francis, lead farmer, co-CEO and founding member of April & Ashley rose sellers (AprilAndAshley.com) for the secret to spectacular blooms. “Choose a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and make sure there’s a sturdy structure nearby—like a trellis, fence or arbor—to help the rose climb,” he advises.
Also smart: “Feed with a balanced rose fertilizer or compost every four to six weeks during the growing season.” He recommends using rose tone, cotton seed meal, alfalfa pellets or chicken pellets (available at garden centers and home-improvement stores). Add to the base of your climbing roses to watch them flourish all season long.
June 13: Celebrate National Cupcake Lover’s Day with pistachio cupcakes
Upgrade cupcakes made from a box by adding pistachio and lime—a combo that adds the perfect blend of nutty sweetness!
Pistachio Cupcakes
- In a food processor, grind 1 cup of pistachios. Chop another 1⁄2 cup of nuts; reserve.
- Line 24 muffin cups with liners.
- Prepare 1 box of white cake mix, stirring in ground nuts.
- Divide among liners. Bake as directed for cupcakes. Let cool.
- On medium, beat 2 cups of room-temp. butter until fluffy.
- On low, beat in 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar, then 4 Tbs. of milk and 1 tsp. of almond extract. Beat on medium-high, 2 minutes.
- Pipe on cupcakes. Top with chopped nuts and lime wedges. Makes 24
June 14: Mix up a berry-bourbon cocktail for National Bourbon Day
Bourbon, a popular American whiskey, gets a seasonal twist in this refreshing berry cocktail. The tart blackberries balance bourbon’s sweet, vanilla taste.
Blackberry Smash
- In a pitcher, muddle 2 cups of fresh mint leaves, 16 lime wedges and 11⁄2 cups of blackberries.
- Add 2 cups of bourbon and 3⁄4 cup of simple syrup
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Divide among 8 ice-filled glasses and top each with club soda.
- Garnish with extra mint leaves and berries, if desired. Serves 8
June 1–30: Enjoy Zoo and Aquarium Month with a fun-filled zoo visit
Take time to check out a zoo or aquarium this month! A way to enhance your visit? “Get up close with animals and learn directly from the experts during scheduled keeper chats and feedings,” says Angela Hatke of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Many zoos and aquariums have experts available to talk with guests about exhibits—from gorillas and hippos to sharks and penguins.
When to go: “Visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds and catch animals at their most active,” says Hatke.
Bonus: Donate an old phone to help soldiers
If you have a cell phone you don’t need, send it to Cell Phones for Soldiers. The nonprofit organization will recycle or repurpose it to fund programs providing communication tools to the military. Mail phones and chargers to Cell Phones for Soldiers, 11801 Stonehollow Drive, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78758.
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