National Mincemeat Day

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🥧 Wait… There’s a National Mincemeat Day?

Who knew National Mincemeat Day was a thing? I certainly didn’t. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what mincemeat was. Is it meat? Is it fruit? Is it some kind of culinary prank? I vaguely remember my mother making mincemeat pies around the holidays, but I never tried one. (Sorry, Mom.)

Stock photo

🤔 So What Is Mincemeat?

A quick Google search cleared up some of the mystery. Turns out, the original mincemeat recipe dates back over 500 years and was a hearty mix of diced fruit, meat, and distilled alcohol—because apparently, nothing says “festive” like boozy meat-fruit pie. It was used as a pie filling and featured spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, which are more fruitcake than steakhouse. Speaking of fruitcake… I’m not a fan. So maybe that explains my lifelong avoidance of mincemeat.

🕰️ From Preservation to Pie

Back in the day, bakers preserved meat with fruits and spices. Then, sometime around the 5th century, someone had the brilliant idea to toss it all into a pie. Voilà—mincemeat pies were born. Fast forward to the 19th century, and the meat started to disappear, replaced by raisins, apples, and candied lemon peel. By the 20th century, even meatless versions were still called mincemeat. Because why not confuse everyone?

🧪 A Quick Mincemeat Recipe (That I Will Never Make)

Once again, Google came through with a recipe. Full disclosure: I’ve never made mincemeat, and I don’t plan to. But if you’re feeling adventurous—or just want to impress your great-aunt Mildred—here’s a simple version to try. Or skip the kitchen and grab a jar from the store. If you do try it, let me know how it goes. I’ll be cheering you on from a safe, mincemeat-free distance.

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup (90g) coarsely chopped raisins (dark or golden)
  • 1/2 cup (60g) chopped candied orange peel
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) brandy, plus more if needed (for the mincemeat, not your nerves)
  • Grated zest of one orange (preferably unsprayed)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

  1. Mix everything together in a bowl, then pack into a jar. Cover.
  2. Let it sit for 1–3 days before using. If it looks dry after day one, add a splash more brandy.
  3. Add to an apple or pear-based fruit filling for a pie or crisp before baking.

🎉 Final Thoughts from a Mincemeat Skeptic

So there you have it—National Mincemeat Day in all its quirky, fruity, slightly boozy glory. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious bystander like me, it’s a fun excuse to explore a centuries-old tradition. Just don’t ask me to taste it. I’ll be over here with my apple pie, living my best life.

Yummy Apple Pie

 

 

Clicks That Count

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Clicks That Count: Supporting Causes When Money Is Tight

We all have causes that tug at our hearts. Maybe it’s eradicating homelessness, supporting our veterans, or helping children in need. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity—Jimmy Carter’s favorite charity—and Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T), which pays mortgages for fallen heroes’ families, do incredible work. Then there’s St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the ASPCA, both household names in charitable giving. These nonprofits often ask for monthly contributions, which is wonderful if you can afford it. But what if you can’t?

The Greater Good: A Click That Feeds

For me, animals are the cause that speaks loudest. I wouldn’t argue that animal charities are more important than those supporting children or veterans—that’s a tough case to make. But animals are my heart’s choice. That’s why every morning, I post a link on Facebook to The Animal Rescue Site, part of the Greater Good network. Each click on that link helps fund food for shelter animals, thanks to generous donors. It’s completely free to click, so even when money is tight, you can still make a difference.

https://theanimalrescuesite.com/

More Than Just Animals

Maybe animals aren’t your passion—and that’s perfectly okay. The beauty of the Greater Good website is its wide range of causes. When you click my link, you’ll land on a page with a “View Causes” tab. From there, you can support efforts like rainforest conservation, breast cancer research, diabetes awareness, veterans’ meals, and more. Each click helps fund real-world impact, and none of it costs you a dime.

Pick Your Passion and Share the Link

It only takes a minute to help. Whether you’re drawn to animals, environmental causes, or human health, there’s a click for you. And if you ever lose the link, don’t worry—I share it every morning. One click, one cause, one moment of kindness. Let’s make those moments count.

 

Hop to It: Kangaroo Awareness Day Is Here

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.Celebrate Australia’s National Kangaroo Awareness Day on October 24 with lore, laughs, and a leap into conservation!

🦘 A Day for the Bounding Icons of Australia

Every October 24, Australians (and marsupial fans worldwide) celebrate National Kangaroo Awareness Day—a heartfelt tribute to one of the planet’s most unique and misunderstood animals. With their powerful legs, curious gaze, and pouch-bound joeys, kangaroos are more than just a national symbol—they’re ecological keystones and cultural treasures.

This day raises awareness about the threats kangaroos face, including habitat loss and commercial hunting. It’s also a chance to spotlight their quirky behaviors, evolutionary marvels, and the joy they bring to those lucky enough to encounter them.

Kangaroo Lore: From Tree-Dwellers to Desert Sprinters

Did you know kangaroos evolved from possum-like ancestors that once lived in trees? Around 30 million years ago, these creatures descended to the forest floor and began adapting to Australia’s shifting landscapes. As grasslands spread, kangaroos developed their iconic hop—a locomotion style seen mostly in small animals but perfected by these big-footed “macropods”.

Why hop? Scientists theorize it’s a mix of speed, energy efficiency, and the need to keep their arms free for foraging. Plus, hopping helps them escape predators—rodents that hop are twice as likely to survive as those that run!

How to Celebrate with Heart (and Humor)

  • 🐾 Adopt a Kangaroo Buddy: Support wildlife sanctuaries by symbolically adopting a kangaroo. You’ll get updates on your furry friend’s adventures!
  • 🎬 Kangaroo Movie Night: Watch classics like Skippy the Bush Kangaroo or documentaries that showcase kangaroo life.
  • 🎨 Craft & Color: Make kangaroo masks, paint hopping scenes, or dive into coloring books with your kids—or your inner child.
  • 📸 Social Media Shout-Out: Share kangaroo facts, photos, or your own artwork using hashtags like #KangarooAwarenessDay.
  • 🍪 Bake Kangaroo Cookies: Whip up a batch of kangaroo-shaped treats using themed cookie cutters.  Perfect for parties, classrooms, or cozy afternoons.

🛒 Affiliate Note: Some of the kangaroo cookie cutters I mention may be affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that add a dash of joy and creativity to your celebration.

  • 🦘 Visit a Zoo: If you’re in Massachusetts, you don’t have to hop far to meet a kangaroo in person! Both Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon feature kangaroo exhibits where you can observe these marsupials up close. It’s a great way to connect with wildlife, snap a few photos, and support conservation efforts

Lulu the Brave: A Kangaroo Heroine

In 2003, a hand-reared kangaroo named Lulu saved her human family by alerting them to a fallen farmer. Her bravery earned her the RSPCA Australia National Animal Valor Award—a reminder that kangaroos aren’t just cute, they’re courageous.

Whether you’re crafting kangaroo cookies or sharing marsupial memes, October 24 is a chance to leap into action for these magnificent creatures. Let’s celebrate with joy, creativity, and a pouch full of purpose.

 

🎃 The Tale of the Turnip Lantern: Halloween’s Forgotten Glow

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Halloween carved turnips, at Aughnanure Castle near Galway

From Pumpkins to Turnips: A Twisted Root of Tradition

Before pumpkins took center stage on American porches, Halloween lanterns had a much humbler—and eerier—origin. In Ireland and Scotland, folks carved grotesque faces into turnips to ward off evil spirits. These pale, knobby vegetables weren’t just spooky—they were downright creepy, with flickering candles casting shadows through their gnarled flesh.

The tradition stems from the legend of Stingy Jack, a trickster who outwitted the Devil but was doomed to wander the earth with only a carved turnip and a coal ember to light his way. When Irish immigrants brought the tale to America, they found pumpkins—larger, softer, and far easier to carve—and the jack-o’-lantern as we know it was born.

Carving tools available here

Why Turnips Deserve a Comeback

Turnips may not be as photogenic as pumpkins, but they pack a punch of old-world charm. Their ghostly pallor and twisted shapes lend themselves to truly haunting designs. Plus, they’re a nod to Halloween’s folkloric roots—perfect for anyone craving a deeper connection to the holiday’s mystical past.


Want to try it yourself? Choose a large turnip, scoop it out (brace yourself—it’s tougher than a pumpkin!), and carve a face that’s more eerie than cute. Add a tea light, and you’ve got a lantern that looks like it crawled out of a Celtic ghost story.

🛠️ Affiliate Note: Some of the turnip carving tools I mention may be affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I genuinely find useful or delightfully quirky for your Halloween crafting adventures.

 

A Rooted Ritual for the Curious Soul

Whether you’re hosting a harvest party or crafting content for your nature-loving audience, the turnip lantern offers a quirky twist on tradition. It’s a tactile, earthy experience—one that invites you to dig into folklore, embrace imperfection, and celebrate Halloween with a wink to the weird.

 

Last Call for Halloween Decor and T-Shirts

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🎃 Things Are Getting Batty at Welcoming Haven!

We’re wrapping up our ghosts and skeletons, but there’s still time to grab your favorite Halloween decor and T-shirts before the season slips away.
Even as Christmas starts to crowd in, candy corn is still on the shelves—and so are a few spooky tees and festive touches to haunt your home in style:

 

Before the Christmas crowd fully elbows its way in, here’s your last call to grab the spooky, silly, and sensational:

  • 👻 Ghostly Night Lights — perfect for chasing away the shadows (and maybe a mischievous cat or two).

  • 🎃 Faux Pumpkins — bright, bold, and blissfully rot-proof. They won’t wrinkle or attract raccoons—your porch is safe and stylish!

 

And don’t forget your furry sidekick! Amazon’s got the best pet costumes for your little goblin, whether they’re channeling a lion, a taco, or a tiny Dracula.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means Welcoming Haven may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. We only share products we truly love and think you will too!