Author: Lisa Mungovan

Scientists found some old seeds and fruit in Siberia, buried in a squirrel’s hibernation burrow. The specimens were from the Pleistocene epoch, and had been frozen in the permafrost, for 32,000 years. Scientists weren’t able to revive the seeds, but they did grow a plant from the fruit, which successfully provided new seeds to plant.

Sometimes the ocean gets whipped into a frenzy, and waves carry sea foam to shore. Recently, Australia’s beaches were covered in foam that was so thick, a dog got lost in it! The dog was rescued, and people were advised to stay out of the frothy foam, which also held poisonous sea snakes.

You know what’s great, when you’re running late? Oatmeal muffins! It’s Oatmeal Muffin Day, so bake your breakfast into a tasty and convenient package. Add fruit, like bananas, raisins, or blueberries, if you want to make it even tastier. You could also add cinnamon, nuts, chocolate chips, or maybe even salsa!

Today is Hard Candy Day! Most hard candy is made by boiling sugar syrup, adding flavorings, then pouring it into molds to cool and harden. The first lemon and peppermint candies were prescribed for stomach ailments. It’s also Look For An Evergreen Day. Evergreen plants like pine trees, holly, and bamboo, stay green all year!

A house in California, had an adorable surprise visitor. A 6-month-old sea lion, was found on their doorstep! He had wandered across the beach, and was hungry and malnourished. Animal rescuers are taking care of him, and will teach him to fish. Once he’s healthy, they’ll return him to his ocean home.

Have you ever argued with your friends, about the best place to hide out during a zombie apocalypse? A shopping mall might be good, since you’d have lots of supplies. But a study of a fictitious zombie plague, showed that for long-term survival, your chances are better in the sparsely-populated Canadian mountains. Dress warmly.

Raise your hand, if you’re a twin. Today is especially for you and your sibling, because it’s National Twin Day. Identical twins look almost exactly alike, but fraternal twins can even be a boy and a girl. Twins are lucky, because they got to be roommates before they were born! High-five your twin!

Today is Bake Cookies Day! I’ll tell you my favorite recipe, for peanut butter cookies. Mix one cup of sugar, and one cup of peanut butter, with one egg. Press balls of dough with a fork, to make a criss-cross pattern. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, for 10 minutes! Don’t forget to save some for me!

Quick, go find your most hideous Christmas sweater. It’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Day! You can buy sweaters with a dinosaur under a disco ball, a UFO with flashing lights, dancing cats, or even Darth Vader in a Santa hat! Or decorate your own sweater by adding ornaments or cotton for snow. Be creative!

Are you looking for the perfect tree-topper, for your Christmas tree? Open your door, and maybe one will fly right in. A family in Scotland got a surprise, when a sparrow hawk flew into their home, and landed on their tree! They called the New Arc wildlife rescuers, to help the hawk out safely.