Lights are on in the cafe, the kittehs got up early to make donuts in honor of this special day! I couldn't sleep, as my head is pounding so I thought I would join them to make donuts and set up the cafe. There are decorations and streamers for the occasion all about the cafe. In the north, the fireplace is roaring, only 22F here. In the south side of the cafe, fans are gently blowing the breeze around. In honor of the day, kittehs are putting table clothes with donut patterns on the tables and some fresh flowers. The kittehs are dressed as "dough boys" today. Your servers are Savannah Browns. There are Russian Blues minding the coffee/drink bar today. Today's menu includes what else? DONUTS!!! Any flavor you could want! There are cereals, fruits and yogurts if you are not a donut fan. Here are a few facts about today:
*The two most common types are the toroidal ring doughnut and the filled doughnut, a flattened sphere injected with jam (or jelly), cream, custard, or other sweet fillings. A small spherical piece of dough may be cooked as a doughnut hole. Baked doughnuts are a variation cooked in an oven instead of being deep fried. Doughnut varieties are also divided into cake and risen type doughnuts.
Various doughnut incarnations are popular around the globe. Shapes include rings, balls, and flattened spheres, as well as ear shapes, twists and other forms. Not all doughnuts are sweet: in Southern India for instance, savory doughnuts called vadai are served.
*National Doughnut Day honors the Salvation Army "Lassies" of WWI. It is also used as a fund raiser for needy causes of the Salvation Army.
The original Salvation Army Doughnut was first served by Salvation Army in 1917. During WWI, Salvation Army "lassies" were sent to the front lines of Europe. These brave volunteers made home cooked foods, and provided a morale boost to the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the of the metal helmet of an American soldier. The American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. Salvation Army lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance is considered the Salvation Army's "first doughnut girl".
On National Doughnut Day, look to see if your local doughnut shop, or other organizations, are offering free donuts to solicit donations for the Salvation Army or for another needy cause. If you find them, please be generous.
Note: The word "Doughnut" is often shortened to "Donut. So, if you see the term National Donut Day, its the same day.
ENJOY THE "HOLIDAY" and support your local bakery! Happy Friday Littermates!
