DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   This diy comes from www.kdatydidandkid.com .  Very cool, I like this! Nevermore Halloween Wreath {Tutorial} One of my favorite holidays is just around the corner--Halloween! I love everything about it, from the chill in the air, to crackly, curled up leaves on the sidewalks, to costumes and spooky decor. In the spirit of the holiday, I decided to craft a goth-like wreath for the front door, using stuff I found at the local dollar store. It cost all of 3 bucks to make, but I think the finished result looks quite elegant, almost like a feather boa. Here's the wreath hung on the back door I purchased a foam wreath, a fake raven, and a roll of black crepe paper (it also came with an orange roll, but I need to figure out something to make with that). I also used scissors and Glue Dots that I had on hand to use for adhesive, but you could certainly use hot glue, a stapler, or other binding agent (within reason). I'm a big fan of black birds, crows, rav

Mardi Gras King Cake    This frosted yeast bread is the highlight of any Mardi Gras party. If you want to hide a token inside, do so by cutting a small slit in the bottom of the baked cake...and remember to warn your guests! This frosted yeast bread is the highlight of many annual Mardi Gras parties. If you want to hide a token inside, do so by cutting a small slit in the bottom of the baked cake…and remember to warn your guests! Prep: 40 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling Yield: 24 Servings Ingredients 40 20 60        I 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°) 1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°) 1/3 cup shortening 1/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 egg 4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cans (12-1/2 ounces each ) almond cake and pastry filling GLAZE: 3 cups confectioners' sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 to 4 tablespoons water Purple, green

    The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to Medieval Europe, though we have no written record of how that really transformed into the current Mardi Gras of today. But the origins of the Mardi Gras we celebrate today....with Kings, Mardi Gras colors, and brass bands....are traced to New Orleans.     Although we can trace its history to the Romans, a French-Canadian expolorer, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville , landed on a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans in 1699 and called it " Pointe due Mardi Gras". He also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated the very first Mardi Gras.     In 1704, Mobile established a secret society (Masque de la Mobile)....similar to those who form our current Mardi Gras Krewes. It lasted until 1709. In 1710, the " Boef Graf Society" was formed and paraded from 1711 through 18