DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Mayonnaise replaces the oil that's typically used in chocolate cakes. It gives this cake—which would make the ideal birthday cake—an incredibly moist and tender texture. Serve with glasses of ice-cold milk. Ingredients cake 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 3/4 cups boiling water 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup sugar 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar 1 1/3 cups mayonnaise (do not use reduced-fat or fat-free) 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract frosting 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 3 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract special equipment Three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides Preparation cake Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high s...

   Keeping with Easter coming up this Sunday, I thought about the most elegant eggs people can make themselves.  Not many people can own or even get near Faberge eggs.  This are the next best, with their  intricate patterns on such a small canvas. I hope you enjoy this post. by Jennifer Sartell Once a month I head a women's group of Farm Girls. It's a group of brilliant women, kindred spirits and pioneering ladies who are trying to revisit the joys of living a simple life. We've canned together, made cheeses, knitted, spun, and wove baskets to name just a few activities. Recently, I've met a like soul in Kathy McMinn, owner and operator of The Basket Sampler , where I get my weaving supplies. Kathy mentioned that among her many talents, she could teach our group how to create Ukrainian Eggs. I thought this would be a fantastic April theme with Easter coming. The traditional Ukrainian Egg is actually called a Pysanka . It is a highly...

    Queen's Day in Amsterdam is a unique night and day carnival like event on the 30th of April each year and during the night before...so called Queen's Night . What is special about the Queen's Day? How about having elements of a huge party across the whole city, it is combined with the market in the streets in the whole entire city.     Queen's Day in Amsterdam attracts 700,000 visitors, which makes the city crowded beyond any acceptable norm. Despite overcrowding, the atmosphere on Queen's Day is traditionally relax and joyful. The usually mild weather makes the Queen's Day the day to be in Amsterdam. The Tradition of Queen's Day     Queen's Day is celebrated in the whole country of the Netherlands for more than 50 years. Amsterdam celebrations are the most raucous. Over the years, the popularity of the event grows bigger and bigger, as crowds of people from all over Europe come to attend. Free Market ( Vri...