DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

 Combine two loves--coffee cake and pound cake--for a memorable dessert that'd delicious any time of day. Bake the cake for your next brunch gathering and secure your spot in history as the World's Best Hostess. Ingredients PECAN STREUSEL 1/2 cup  firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup  all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon  ground cinnamon 1/4 cup  butter 3/4 cup  chopped pecans POUND CAKE BATTER 1 cup  finely chopped pecans 1 cup  butter, softened 2 1/2 cups  granulated sugar 6  large eggs 3 cups  all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon  baking soda 1  (8-oz.) container sour cream 2 teaspoons  vanilla extract 1/4 cup  firmly packed brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons  ground cinnamon Preparation 1. Prepare Pecan Streusel: Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles small peas. Stir in 3/4 cup pecans. 2. Prepare Pound Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 1 cup pecans in a single layer in a shallow

The Canine Collection    Transport your pet to another time with a "hilariously tongue-in-cheek" oil painting. For $950 and up,  Dutch Touch Art  uses a digital photo of your cat or dog to incorporate his or her regal visage into a hand-painted Old World–style portrait, using a stock background image or your suggestion. Should you wish, the image of your pet can include "personal effects, such as favorite toys." Feel The Turf Between Your Toes    You can get the feeling of walking barefoot in a grassy field wherever you go with  Kusa flip-flops  ($32), Australian-made knockabouts lined with high-quality synthetic turf that has "the look and feel" of the real thing. Their designer says that sporting the shoes is a way to rebel against "imposed conformity." But feel free to wear them just to start conversations when you're out strolling on a city street, along a beach, "or — if you're into irony — on an actu

   The  Carnival of Binche  is an event that takes place each year in the Belgian town of Binche, during the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday.  The carnival is best known of all the others that take place in Belgium,  at the same time and has been proclaimed as a  Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity .  Its history dates back to approximately the 14th century.    Events related to the carnival begin up to 7 weeks prior to the primary celebrations.  Street performances and public displays traditionally occur on the Sundays approaching Ash Wednesday, consisting of prescribed musical acts, dancing  and marching.  Large numbers of Binche's inhabitants spend the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday in costume.    The centerpiece of the carnival,  are clown like performers,  known as  Gilles.   Appearing, for the most part, on  "Shrove" Tuesday, the  Giles  are characterised by their vibrant dres