April showers bring May flowers. We all know this. But do you know what else April brings? Behold:

• National Fresh Celery Month – as opposed to what? Canned celery? Stale celery? How else does celery come? And why do we have this AND National Celery Month in March?
• National Pecan Month – when I was a small child, say about 3 or 4, we lived in Baton Rouge, LA and we used to go pick pecans every year at Dad’s company picnic. I loved picking pecans – even if it did take me a while to get around to enjoying eating them. What can I say? My inner hunter/gatherer matured faster than my taste buds. Of course, now they are one of my favorites and not just because they are the central ingredient on pecan pie (with bourbon whipped cream, honey ’cause that’s how we roll down South). But because they are one of those weird foods that aren’t what you think they are. They are not, it may surprise you to hear, a nut. Now, I know this may shock you but it’s true. Pecans are not nuts, they are drupes. No, go look it up.
• National Soft Pretzel Month – I don’t get the soft pretzel thing. I want crunchy pretzels. Pretzels that make some NOISE. As far as I can tell, soft pretzels exist solely to deliver great gobs of mustard to the taste buds. Which – hey – if that’s your thing, get down with your bad self. Me, I’ll be over here – happily crunching away on my Pennsylvania Dutch Hard.
• National Soyfoods Month – Soy. I got nothing. Or rather, I choose to have nothing. Except Soy Sauce and I am fairly sure that’s just a coincidence. So, soy? I’m sure it’s all well and good but a month? No.

In addition to all of the above, April is also where we find:

• National Egg Salad Week (April 12-18 )
• National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (April 2) – which I addressed a couple of years back, as best I could since I don’t care for it myself
• National Coffee Cake Day (April 7)
• National Pecan Day (April 14) – not a surprise considering April is National Pecan Month. Not sure it needs both, to be honest.
• National Pretzel Day (April 26) – again, a natural place for it but not sure we need it.

UK Food News Peruse:

• Street Food Philanthropy: Street food vendors are leading the way with charitable initiatives that help people in Britain and abroad.
• Britain’s Forgotten Foods: the battle to bring Britain’s forgotten food back into supermarkets and homes.
• UK Government Feels the Heat on Cornish Pasty Tax: No, you read right – a pasty tax. The thing is – it’s not a new tax. It’s just closing a loophole on an existing tax.

Some of the local (oxfordshire) food-related Twitter feeds I’m following:

• @BarCornerstone is here in Didcot. Excellent baked goods and brunch! ?
• @oxfork – need a place to grab a quick coffee or snack in Oxford? Check out Oxfork
• Millets Farm – fantastic farm shop and cafe
• Food of the Ox hunts out and reveals many of the eateries I wouldn’t have found myself
• Oxfordcupcakes – CUPCAKES! What else do I need to say, really?

Here at Fabulous Foodie, we celebrate a lot of “days” throughout the year but if none of them speak to you or your food/drink related passion – consider starting your own. No, seriously. Start your own. It might just catch on. After all, World Whiskey Day has.

If you could start a World ______ Day, what would it be?

• National Caffeine Awareness Month – I’m hugely aware of it, thanks. In fact, the more I have, the more aware I am.
• National Celery Month – I see no reason celery needs an entire month. In fact, I’m not sure it requires a whole day. It’s not as if it could stand on its own very often
• National Flour Month – a basic building block is so many of my favorite things. This is just the kind of thing that deserves a whole month.
• National Frozen Food Month – OK, frozen foods aren’t ever gonna be my first choice (my first choice is having dungeekin cook dinner) but they do have their place and there are some things that actually are better and easier when frozen (peas come to mind)
• National Noodle Month – like flour, this is a basic building block of all sorts of things. Noodle salads, pasta entrees, Chinese side dishes – even desserts.

February is my favorite month. Happy birthday to me aside (no, no – I wasn’t hinting. I’ve already had an awesome birthday, thanks very much) it is a month chock full of some of my favorite food holidays. Impressive – especially in light of it being the shortest month of the year (even in leap year).

Did you know that February is National Snack Food Month? Well it is and that means you can embrace, celebrate and indulge in any of your favorite snacks. The month is also home to National Pancake Week (February 19-25) – though in my opinion, pancakes should have a whole month. Yum. But seriously, LOOK at this list. Is any month anywhere NEAR as delicious?

February 1 National Baked Alaska Day
February 3 National Carrot Cake Day
February 4 National Homemade Soup Day
February 4 National Stuffed Mushroom Day
February 7 National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
February 8 National Molasses Bar Day
February 9 National Bagels and Lox Day
February 10 National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 11 National Peppermint Patty Day
February 12 National Plum Pudding Day
February 13 National Tortellini Day
February 14 National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day
February 15 National Gumdrop Day
February 16 National Almond Day
February 17 National Indian Pudding Day
February 19 National Chocolate Mint Day
February 20 National Cherry Pie Day
February 21 National Sticky Bun Day
February 22 National Cook a Sweet Potato Day
February 22 National Margarita Day
February 23 National Banana Bread Day
February 24 National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day
February 25 National Clam Chowder Day
February 26 National Pistachio Day
February 27 National Chocolate Cake Day
February 27 National Strawberry Day
February 27 National Kahlua Day
February 28 National Chocolate Souffle Day