National Seashell Day

National Seashell Day has been observed every year since 2016 on the first day of summer (in the Northern Hemisphere). Since the date of the June solstice occurs at the exact instant of time when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer, instead of a specific calendar day, it can occur sometime between June 20 and 22.  This year, 2026, the Summer Solstice and National Seashell Day will be celebrated on June 21st. 

History of National Seashell Day

Founded by Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, Florida, National Seashell Day was started to celebrate seashells and the extraordinary shelling found in Southwest Florida. We lived in this area in the early 1960s when Sanibel Island was little known and seldom visited. I can attest to the fact that the 'shelling' found there is outstanding. 

Source: Pixabay

Today, the beaches of Sanibel Island & Captiva Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida are ranked tops in the world for shelling.  This is due to geography. Sanibel Island is shaped in a curve along the coastline among a string of other more orderly, straight-and-narrow islands. The east-west torque of Sanibel’s south end acts like a shovel scooping up all the seashells that the Gulf imports from The Caribbean and other southern seas. 

All of the Gulf-side shelling beaches in this area, from the Lighthouse to North Captiva, are excellent places to shell. With hundreds of thousands of shells, the beaches are nearly inexhaustible sources of every type of shell; and are constantly being fed from the Gulf & Caribbean. People come from all over just to gather shells, and seashells are the dominant motif in island décor and boutique gifts. 

Shell Craft Ideas

The ideas below show you some craft ideas you could do with the seashells you collect. Or you could purchase one like these featured on Etsy if you do not have access to a shelling beach and wish to have some beach home décor. 

Seashell Letters

These Stand Alone Letters are made with sea glass and sea shells collected on the beaches of Manasquan NJ and specifically selected for each letter. These letters can be created with any letter in the alphabet and the "&" sign as well! 

Sand and Seashells Centerpiece

Bring a touch of the beach to any room in your house with a sand and seashell glass centerpiece from Jack and Emmy Studio!

Each centerpiece contains beach sand and a handful of shells sealed within the glass. 

A Beachcomber's Guide

Available on Amazon

Prepare for your seaside shelling adventure by acquiring a guide to Seashells. There are somewhere between 70,000 and 120,000 species of shell dwellers around the world. But since this article has concentrated on mainly the Florida seashells, which include about 287 species, this Florida's Seashells: A Beachcomber's Guide would be perfect for your next Florida or Caribbean beach vacation. 

This book showcases the diversity of Florida's seashells and presents them in the way they come to us on beaches. The guide will help you know the names, stories and appearances of seashells for easy identification of those that are common to the southeastern United States and the Caribbean.

Source: Pixabay

National Seashell Day

Date: Yearly, on the Longest Day of the Year

Related Articles:

• How to Make a Sailors' Valentine Tutorial  (a special shell craft) by Sylvestermouse Cynthia. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

National Taffy Day

National Taffy Day, always  held on May 23, has no known origin and is considered an 'unofficial' (though tasty) holiday. 

 

Salt Water Taffy

 

Salt Water Taffy on Amazon

Salt water taffy was “invented” in Atlantic City in 1883. It has become a beach-side tradition since it first appeared, quickly becoming a favorite tourist souvenir.  Taffy has also become popular in the Midwest at county fairs and at some theme parks.  

Taffy is a variation of soft toffee*  At first, it was unflavored, then later molasses and vanilla were added as flavorings.  Today's taffy can be found in flavors from banana to chocolate and coffee, and lemon and mint to hot chile.  When the fancy flavors were added, the taffy was also colored to match the flavor.  The three most popular flavors are  peppermint, cinnamon and chocolate.

Salt water taffy is made with sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, glycerine, water, butter, salt, flavoring and food color.  Taffy actually contains NO salt water (seawater). However, it does contain both salt and water.   In modern recipes, corn syrup may be added to prevent crystallization. 

The taffy is stretched or pulled for 20 minutes or so and rolled into ropes, then, cut into pieces no longer than two inches and wrapped in wax paper to keep it soft.


*Toffee is a candy that originated in the United Kingdom and is made by caramelizing sugar or molasses)

Grandma's Taffy Recipe*

 

"A quick and easy recipe for any flavor of taffy"

Prep:  5 m ~ Cook:  15 m ~ Ready In: 20 m - Makes 40 servings (63 cal)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• tablespoon orange, or other flavored extract
• 8 drops any color food coloring 

Directions

In a large saucepan, stir together the sugar and cornstarch. Add the butter, salt, corn syrup and water; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to mix in butter. Heat to 275 degrees F (134 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped from a spoon forms hard but pliable threads.

Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla, flavored extract and food coloring. Pour into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish. When cooled enough to handle, remove candy from the pan, and pull until it loses its shine and becomes stiff. Pull into ropes, and use scissors to cut into 1 inch pieces. Wrap each piece in waxed paper.

*Grandma's Taffy Recipe can be found on AllRecipes.com 

Laffy Taffy

 

Source: Amazon

In the 1970s,  a brand of taffy called Laffy Taffy was manufactured.  Made by Nestlé, it's sold under the Willy Wonka Candy Company brand.

Laffy Taffy is a type of taffy that comes in many fruit flavors. Laffy Taffy also comes with jokes, sent in by kids, written on the wrapper.

National Taffy Day

So, on May 23, come celebrate this day with a Taffy Treat. And for a list of more 'candy days' throughout the year, visit June is National Candy Month.




(c) Article by Wednesday Elf







Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Hugs to Australians ... It's Their Day!

April 26th is 'Hug an Australian Day'

 

Source: Pixabay

I just discovered that April 26th is "Hug an Australian Day". Since we almost immigrated to Australia in the 1970s and had some Australian friends who were helping us prepare, 'Hug an Australian Day' is the perfect time for me to say thank you to them and all the Australians we've met over the years.

Origin of "Hug An Australian Day"

 

Map Of Australia Postcard by teyes143

 
An Annual Holiday for our Aussie Friends

'Hug an Australian Day' is an annual holiday created by Thomas & Ruth Roy, under the name of Wellcat Holidays & Herbs. Their origin stems from a desire to 'show our great appreciation for all the love and support the Aussies have given us over the years.' It's a great opportunity for us to do our part in improving international relations. And hugs benefit the receiver as well as the giver.

So, on April 26th (or anytime the opportunity presents itself) HUG an Australian!

Definition of 'HUG'

Hug means to clasp tightly in the arms, especially with affection; embrace. On April 26th, let's all 'embrace' our Australian friends!

Australia Travel Guide

Lonely Planet Discover Australia

While traveling around Australia looking for Australians to 'hug', you will find this full color country travel guide very handy. An easy way to keep all the essentials to get to the heart of Australia right at your fingertips ... the places to eat, sights, cultural information, maps, transport tips (and at least a few Aussies to hug) all together.

Australian Animals

Kangaroo

Kangaroo & Joey Poster Print

The kangaroo, native to Australia, has become the (unofficial) national symbol of Australia. It's likeness is used on the Australian Coat of Arms and on some of their coins. It also represents Qantas Airlines and the Royal Australian Air Force.

The kangaroo has become Australia's national image and is the one we all associate with this country.

 

The Koala

Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Queensland . Postcard by prophoto

This cute & cuddly looking Australian animal has been called a koala bear, but it is not a bear; it is a marsupial. It lives in the coastal regions of Australia and their main diet is leaves from the Eucalyptus tree.

Koalas sleep about 20 hours a day, due mainly to receiving very little energy from their diet. Their life span is between 13 and 18 years and they have very few predators.

The koala is very popular at Australian zoos and wildlife parks as it is at the top of the list of 'animals to see' when visiting Australia. It is also popular as souvenirs. It's appeal seems to come from its childlike body and teddy bear-like face and makes one wish to 'hug' this animal.

Australian Gifts

• The Koala and Kangaroo Gift Guide

Australian animals, the Koala and the Kangaroo, are very popular as gifts in many forms. 

 

My Crocheted Interpretation... of the Little Blue Fairy Penguin

 

Little Blue Fairy Penguin on Etsy

An extra-special hug to my online Aussie friend, Samantha Seegreen, for giving me such a great idea for an addition to my Etsy line of crocheted penguins with her story about the Little Blue Fairy Penguin. 

My crocheted interpretation of the Blue Penguin (native to Australia) can be found in my Etsy Shop "Coastal Crochet Crafts".

The Platypus

 

Duck Billed Platypus on Amazon

The platypus, found only in Eastern Australia and in Tasmania, is the animal emblem of New South Wales. The platypus is a very strange-looking animal with a bill like a duck, a tail like a beaver and feet like the otter. It is sometimes called a duck-billed platypus.

 

 

Happy 'Australia Day'

 

Source: Pixabay

January 26 is Australia Day, the official National Day of Australia celebrating the first settlement established in 1788. It's Australia's public holiday, filled with a multitude of activities. 

Australia Day is also another perfect time to 'hug' your favorite Australian and wish them well.

April 26 - Hug an Australian Day

 
Australia has so much to offer - from endless beaches to sophisticated cities to Outback adventures, along with the wonderful people in this fantastic country! No wonder they have a "Hug an Australian Day".

Available on Amazon

Images of Australia...

Hugs to Photographer Jeff Drewitz of New South Wales. Jeff is an established landscape and wildlife photographer who presents Australia's natural beauty in all its stunning diversity in this collection of color images.

© 2012 Wednesday-Elf.  Updated 4/26/2021




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”