JULY 2009 DAYS-OF-NOTE

1st ~ CANADA celebrates Dominion Day!

2nd ~ Halfway Point of 2009 - How ya doin on those resolutions?

3rd ~ Dog Days of Summer begin

Saturday, July 4th ~ It's Independence Day in the USA! Proudly display the US Flag today!

6th-14th ~ YEOW! Running of the Bulls annual-testosterone-fest is the happening event in SPAIN this week.

7th ~ Full "Buck" Moon. No. This has nothing to do with buck-nakedness.

7th Day of the 7th Month ~ JAPAN celebrates Tanabata (Star Festival)

7th ~ Buddhists celebration of lent, Asalaha Bucha

9th ~ It's Youth Day in MOROCCO today.

12th ~ Orangemen's Day in the UK.

14th ~ FRANCE celebrates Bastille Day!

Sunday the 19th ~ National Ice Cream Day! Need I say more - you know what to do!

20th ~ Today is National Lollipop Day. Who knew?

20th ~ Marine Day in JAPAN

21st-22nd ~ Total Eclipse of the Sun for the southern hemisphere folks!

23rd ~ Leo the Lion begins

29th ~ Tisha B'Av begins at sundown

JULY IS:

National Blueberries Month ~ Find recipes, freshness tips & more here!

National Grilling Month

National Horseradish Month Check out this great site!

National Hot Dog Month Test Your Hot Dog IQ!

National Ice Cream Month

See How This Urban Girl Celebrates July with Home-made Vanilla Ice Cream with Ginger-Kissed Blueberry Sauce - Yum!

Celebrate JULY BIRTHDAYS with Rubies & Larkspur!

Win a McCormick Flavor Forecast Inspiration Kit!

"So. Just what is this McCormick® Flavor Forecast Inspiration Kit?" you ask?

Well. It just happens to be a collection of herbs and spices that McCormick & Company along with their team of foodie experts agree are 2009's emerging flavor trends. Such flavor fusions as Toasted Sesame & Root Beer, Rosemary & Fruit Preserves and my personal fave, Cayenne & Tart Cherry, are just a few pairings you are sure to see on menus this year!


"Okay. So. What's in this McCormick® Flavor Forecast Inspiration Kit?" you ask with piqued curiosity. Well. These aren't just itsy-bitsy sample packs of herbs and spices. No sireee! McCormick has packed this kit with 10 full size jars, one of each: Sesame seeds, Cayenne, Tarragon, Peppercorn Melange, Chinese Five Spice, Dill, Rosemary, Garam Masala, Mint and Smoked Paprika. Plus, there are a few surprises that I won't spoil for you!

It's easy to WIN your very own McCormick® Flavor Forecast Inspiration Kit! Just make sure you're subscribed by July 31st to enter. If you've received this by email - you're subscribed!

Whet Your Appetite Here!



Click Here for Giveaway Official Rules

Cliche. Schmliche. It's Five O'Clock Somewhere:-)

An Urban Girl New. Fabulous. Fave.

McCormick® Gourmet Collection™ Smoked Paprika is just 1-of-the-10 herbs and spices you can win in our McCormick® Flavor Forecast Inspiration Kit Giveaway*!

Besides the obvious standby - a nice dusting atop deviled eggs - just what to do with Smoked Paprika? Here's an idea just waiting to happen...

Smoky Margarita

Innovative bartenders are shaking up classic cocktails with modern twists. This margarita gets its sweetness from agave nectar, a natural sweetener, and a distinct smokiness from Spanish smoked paprika.

3 tablespoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection™ Sicilian Sea Salt
1 tablespoon plus 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection™ Smoked Paprika, divided
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
6 tablespoons agave nectar
2 ounces tequila

1. Mix sea salt and 1 tablespoon of the smoked paprika on a small plate. Wet outside rims of 2 margarita or other beverage glasses with lime wedge. Dip glasses into sea salt mixture to coat.

2. Fill cocktail shaker with 2 cups of ice. Add lime juice, agave nectar, tequila and remaining 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; shake until well mixed and chilled. Immediately pour into two prepared glasses.

Sake Green Tea Martini with Crushed Peppercorns

Sake, the traditional Japanese rice wine, meets the classic American martini in this
trendy cocktail. Peppercorn Mélange provides an eye-catching garnish.

McCormick® Gourmet Collection™ Peppercorn Mélange
1 1/2 ounces dry sake
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce green tea liqueur
1 small cucumber (optional)

1. Place peppercorns in large resealable plastic bag. Close tightly. Pound with a rolling pin, mallet or heavy skillet until coarsely cracked. Pour out onto a small plate. Wet outside rims of martini glasses with water. Dip glasses in cracked peppercorns to lightly coat.

2. Fill cocktail shaker two-thirds full with ice. Add sake, vodka and green tea liqueur; shake until well mixed and chilled. Strain into 2 martini glasses.

3. If desired, scoop out small cucumber balls from peeled cucumber using a melon baller. Slice thin strips of cucumber peel and float in the martinis.

If you are currently receive Urban Girl's Almanac by email - you're automatically entered to win. Just stay-tuned for more inspirations to come!

Perhaps you've wondered upon us as an accidental searcher, wondered through by sheer curiosity, or a maybe a little Tweet told you... and you're not getting the Almanac delivered directly to you by email. Well. Go. Go to the top of our home page now!

Recipes and photo images courtesy of McCormick®. Click Here for Giveaway Official Rules.