DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

    The owl has attracted the fascination and awe of many cults and cultures, down through the ages and many different and contradictory beliefs have survived to the present day. Many associations link the owl with witchcraft, medicine, the weather, birth and even death; thus, many superstitions and fears about the owl remain. In the past it was thought to have been wise yet foolish, feared but venerated and despised whilst being admired.     The owl is a nocturnal, predatory bird distinguished by a large flat face, eyes surrounded by stiff, feathered disks, a short, hooked beak, feathered legs with sharp talons, and soft plumage which facilitates soundless flight. Its large eyes are encased in a capsule of bone called the "sclerotic ring" which directs the eyes forward allowing restricted movement. To enable a sideways look, the owl must turn its entire head. Its neck, being relatively long and flexible, allows the head to rotate through 270 degrees. As few owls h

This recipe was found at  www.culinarycory.com  .   A little something to start off the fall season. Baked Pumpkin Donuts I can’t help it. There are days when I’m just drawn to it. Those four big letters glistening in the yellow glow and sparkle of retail extravaganza. I don’t care if I have to wade through the text messaging hoards of 12 year olds just to find it. I see it there, hidden in the back corner of the store covered with red tags and crossed out retail pricing. Oh, glorious SALE. While partaking in some retail therapy, I couldn’t resist exploring a kitchen store for yet another gadget to purchase. I thumbed through shelves of “miracle devices” guaranteed to perfectly cook anything in the microwave. I even glanced through the mountains of magic spices Paula Deen decided to slap her face on this week. Finally, I came across a set of mini donut pans for a cool 5 bucks in the clearance section. A crisp Lincoln was tossed at the cashier as I h

   Around Halloween every year a fair number of Christians express disgust at the idea of celebrating a "satanic holiday." To some Christians the very idea of Halloween is repulsive. Halloween and everything involved in it seems to strike a chord deep in the hearts of the most adamant Christian believers. It appears to be contrary to everything a Christian believes is good and holy with all of the evil ghosts, devils and witches floating about. But is Halloween really the evil satanic holiday that some Christians think it is?     The best place to begin is... at the beginning. There is a lot of literature available on the history of Halloween, including web sites and books. Some of it is even accurate! Most of it boils down to a few simple facts. Halloween appears to have started with the Celtic people. I say it "appears" to have started with them because they didn't write much down. They had a strong oral tradition much like American Indians. What we

  San Miguel de Allende was founded in 1542 by Fray Juan de San Miguel when he built a mission to serve the many Indian groups in the area. It became known as San Miguel el Grande. The main church in town is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. Naturally the town takes great pride in celebrating the Feast Day of San Miguel, the patron saint. San Miguel de Allende can put on some great Fiestas and for this one they go all out. The feast day of San Miguel is September 29 but the actual celebration can last a week or more. The modern custom is to have the major part of the Fiesta on the weekend following Sept. 29 but the actual day is also celebrated.    San Miguel, or Saint Michael the Archangel as he is known to the English speaking world, is noted for his warrior role. When Lucifer revolted against the rule of God it was San Miguel Archangel who was sent to do battle with Lucifer and banish him to Hades. San Miguel is often invoked as a protector for troops goi

A group of vampires has variously been call a clutch, brood, coven, pack or clan. (a clan if their Scottish!) The Muppet vampire, Count von Count from Sesame Street, is based on actual vampire myth. One way to supposedly deter a vampire is to throw seeds ( usually mustard) outside a door or place fishing net outside a window. Vampires are compelled to count the seeds on the holes in the net, delaying them until the sun comes up. A rare disease called  porphyria  vampire like symptoms, such as an extreme sensitivity to sunlight and sometimes hairiness. In extreme cases, teeth might be stained reddish brown, and eventually the patient may go mad. One of the most famous "true vampires" was Countess Elizabeth Bathory (1560-1614) who was accused of biting the flesh of girls while torturing them and bathing in their blood to retain her youthful beauty. She was by all accounts a very attractive woman. Vampire legends may have been based on Vlad of Walachia, also know

Ingredients for the base: 250 grams of biscuits gingernut 80 g of unsalted butter 1 tsp mixed spice Process biscuits until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Add butter and mixed spice, process until just combined.  Line the bottom of the 23 cm tin with baking paper.  Press crumb mixture evenly over the base and side of 23 cm baking tin.  Refrigerate 30 minutes or until companies. Wrap the tin with aluminum foil twice. Ingredients for the cheesecake mixture: 750 g curd cheese, minced  250 g mascarpone cheese 3 eggs 3 egg yolks 2 Tbs lemon juice 3 Tbs potato flour (cornstarch) 1 Tbs plain flour 190 g caster sugar 425 g pumpkin puree 2 tsp mixed spice Should be all ingredients at room temperature. Put all ingredients in a large bowl with electric mixer and beat until smooth. Set oven to 170 º C.  Pour cheesecake mixture into tin.  Place the roasting tin in a trey and pour hot water wrapped around the tin to come about halfway up the sid

Tradition of Durga Puja     Today's most authentic form of the Durga is that of a ten handed goddess modeled out of clay astride a lion. Each of those hands carry a separate weapon in them except two, which holds the spear which has been struck into the chest of the demon, Mahishasura. The four children of the Goddess had also been added to the iconography - Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, Kartik, the God of beauty as well as warfare and Ganesha, the 'Siddhidata' or the starter of everything in good sense.     The drum-beats are an integral part of the Durga Puja. This special variety of the drum, known as 'Dhak,' enthralls the hearts of the Calcutta with its majestic rhythm right from the day of 'Sasthi.' This drum is held on the shoulder with the beating side in the bottom and is beaten with two sticks, one thick and another thin.     The Durga Puja spans over a period of ten days in case of traditional and

   This was found at  www.countryliving.com  .  I really like this idea.  Even having the eyes glowing or blinking on and off. Paranormal Portraits You'll never look at loved ones the same way after transforming their images into a ghostly display. STEP 1:  Make a black-and-white copy of a portrait on printer paper and cut out. STEP 2:  To "age" the picture, lightly brush it with a sponge dipped in a solution of a few drops of black craft paint mixed with water. Let the paper dry. STEP 3:  Cut a piece of card stock the same size as the photo, glue to the photo's back, and let dry. With an X-Acto knife, cut out the eyes of the picture's subject(s), piercing through the card stock and creating holes about 1/4 inch in diameter. STEP 4:  Open the frame's back, remove the glass, then fit the photo inside. STEP 5:  Insert red mini LED Christmas lights (try Superior Holiday Lighting's flattop version, $11.26 for a 25-foot string;  10

Candy apples Today will be about how to do it right, how marvelous to see and how to 'bite' ;-) After inviting recipe ..  after the match ;-) -------------------------------------------------- - Candy apples - lovely red autumn associated with Christmas and Halloween.  Their history dates back to the early twentieth century in the United States.  'Invented' it  William W. Kolb, who worked on the holiday recipe for red cinnamon candies, dipped in the caramel apples and put on display at his shop ..  Apples in a crispy coating of sugar and cinnamon became popular very quickly.  Not wondered how they could eat?  They are hard, but more crispy - hard-wearing than I break-teeth - hard ;-).  Careful, they can be cut into pieces with a knife.  Ingredients for 4 candy apples: 4 green apples such as Granny Smith 4 wooden sticks 250 g of sugar 50 ml of water 1 tablespoon (20 grams) of honey or golden syrupu half a teaspoon of vanilla extrac

    When the moon is full it is said that the canine shape shifters prowl the night seeking new prey! Gypsies around the world tell folktales that warn about the anthropomorphic wolf-men cursed to endure a life of transmutation when the moon is full, becoming a predatory killer until the sun rises.     Are these half-human, half-wolf "monsters" real, or are they a figment of our imagination, that people ages ago created to explain shadows in the night? Could these shape shifters actually exist? Perhaps Hollywood has instilled a false memory and predisposition for beings of the night, like vampires, zombies and werewolves. Maybe latent fear of the unknown drives the human mind to justify their fear of the dark by creating and believing in strange and bizarre creatures.      Then it may also be true-werewolves may be more than mythical creatures in stories told by many people with roots that run deep in the old country of their origin. The gypsies may tell tales embel

   This great idea was found at  www.shelterness.com  .  Has that old retro look to it.  Very cool! Those of us who love room plants probably already has plenty of different pots with them. Halloween is coming and it’s probably a good idea to decorate one of them or a new one in the manner that shows how you do like this holiday. Happy Pumpkin Pot is the project that you can done by yourself and it would make you happy every time you see it. Here are materials you’ll need: Acrylic paints of different colors #1 liner brush ½” flat brush #4 round brush 1¼” foam spouncer 2 25mm wiggly eyes Glue Clay pot of your choice The process of painting is quite easy, but if you need instructions, go to  Plaid  for them.

Witches Fingers Scary?  For me, his face always elicit a smile ;).  Halloween is fast approaching, and - although we do not celebrate, our children first go to the Halloween party.  This ciasteczkowa trial before ;).  Cookies produced quickly, because part in this whole family is and was a lot of laughter, remember - the scarier and scarier the better!  Crackers are crunchy, buttery, delicious.  Ingredients: 225 g butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 and 2/3 cup flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup peeled almonds All the ingredients (except almonds) mix and knead.  Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.  Remove the dough, forming fingers (it should be a little thinner than your fingers - the oven will grow), at the end of pressing almonds (can be cut in half, to nails were thinner) in p