Customs, Traditions and Symbols : The Cornucopia

In the USA, since 1863, we have celebrated Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November.

Here is a little bit of background information about this national holiday:

POTUS George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation – Thursday, Nov 26, 1789 proclaimed a day of “public thanksgiving and prayer”. (* Source: The Heritage Foundation)


POTUS Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens”, to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November, even though, at the time, the country was engaged in the Civil War. (** Source: National Archives)


Now to get the highlight of this post. The cornucopia. I love the cornucopia.

A cornucopia, also called “horn of plenty”, is a symbol of a harvest – usually pictured as a goat’s horn overflowing with various fruits like apples, grapes, oranges, etc.; corn on the cob; pumpkin; and some even have flowers.

In America, the cornucopia is a symbol included in our celebration of Thanksgiving Day. People don’t usually like to break with familiar customs and traditions that have been accepted and practiced for years. But if I could, I would champion a change to the traditional filling of the cornucopia. My horn of plenty would reflect a harvest that included exotic or tropical fruits. Pomegranates, mangoes, kiwis, and pineapples are at the top of my list.


As for vegetables? Haven’t really given them much thought. Maybe some zucchini and a bunch of collard greens, kale or Swiss chard! 

What about you? Ever give any thought to refilling a cornucopia? What fruits and/or veggies and/or flowers would go into your horn of plenty? Don’t you think it makes an excellent gift? A customized cornucopia for a friend or family member. A horn of plenty loaded with fresh fruits and veggies that they like!


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◊ If your country does not celebrate a Thanksgiving Day, I’m sure there is a similar holiday where you take time to give thanks and show appreciation for the life you live. If you don’t use the cornucopia, do you have a symbol that represents the harvest of bountiful blessings of planet earth?

Link of Interest:
Cornucopia – American Thanksgiving


Waving flag image credit: glitter-graphics.com

* * Content first published at Literacy Base on April 9, 2017.



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How Bread Dipping Oil Can Save Your Next Impromptu Gathering (Guest Post)

No one would argue with you if you claimed to have never thought about bread dipping oil outside of certain Italian restaurants. Then again, why would you? We’ve come to know this little tasty treat as something to help tide us over while we wait for our main course, and in some cases, the dipping oil was much more satisfying. The thing is that bread dipping oil is starting to make a name for itself in home entertainment as a way of jazzing up the snack game. No longer are big bowls of chips and dip acceptable as snacks for guests (actually, who are we kidding — they are). Even if you have surprise guests, the expectation of having a nice snack on-hand is enough to start making bread dipping oil very chic nowadays.

The fact is we are also a very social species that hates to disappoint. If you have family or friends come by your place without prior notice, it can be a little unnerving, but you still want to be a good host. Then again, maybe it’s more than just someone dropping by. Maybe you’re out with the gang and someone calls your place for the after-party. Everyone is stoked, and even though you’re “high-fiving” everyone, deep down, you’re terrified because you may not have enough Vienna sausages for a group.

So, how big a deal is bread dipping oil? Here are a few ways it can really save the day:

Simplicity to the Core — Good extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. That’s it. Have some nice bread available, and you’ve got all you need.

Keep Ingredients in the Pantry — Seasonings like salt and pepper are always a part of any kitchen, and along with these staples, you may already cook with olive oil. With such a perfect combination ready to go, it makes you wonder why you have some much other stuff in your pantry.

Save Money — There’s no need to order food or pilfer your fridge and freezer for snacks. And chances are that once you buy the ingredients you’d need for your dip, you probably won’t have to buy them again for a bit.

Can Set the Scene — Impromptu gatherings can sometimes come at the worst time because you’re just not up for it. Still, these are also the type of get-togethers that really turn into some happening parties. Your dip can play to each possibility.

Though the biggest selling point about bread dipping oil is its simplicity, you can really amp up the flavor in very unique ways. You can get a little crazy with the type of salt and pepper you use. Probably the biggest flavor bomb you can drop on your guests is using locally-sourced quality olive oil for the dip. Find the right bottle, and you can literally forget adding a single thing to the oil.

Texas Hill Country Olive Company in Dripping Springs, Texas has bread dipping oil that will make your next get-together the stuff of legends.

* * Article Writer: ALFRED MEARS

Image credit: Tuscan Herbs,Garlic, Basil, Truffle Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 8.5-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 4) by Grand'aroma