DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

  The Carnival of Venice historically had a reputation for attracting Europe's aristocracy, but it was also a time when the poorer of society could dress up and mingle with the upper classes.  Venice still has a reputation for being a very expensive city though, if you're on a budget don't let this put you off on visiting the Carnival of Venice as you can actually visit Venice on a shoestring budget.    The Carnival of Venice starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Venetian Carnival Masks    Masks have always been a central feature of the carnival; traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of  Santo Stefan (St. Stephen's Day, December 26th)  and the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday.  They have always been around Venice.  As masks were also allowed for Ascension and from October 5th to Christm...

   Chocolate-covered peanut butter  cups , malted milk balls, or your favorite candy bar can be the star of this easy  Christmas  candy-bark recipe. If you're not big on dark chocolate, use white chocolate instead. Dark Chocolate Candy Bark ingredients 6 ounces   chocolate-flavor candy coating, chopped (1 cup) 6 ounces   dark chocolate, chopped (1 cup) 1 tablespoon   shortening 2 cups   chopped assorted chocolate candy bars, such as chocolate-coated caramel-topped nougat bars with peanuts, chocolate-covered English toffee, chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, or malted milk balls 1/2 cup   salted peanuts, chopped directions 1. Line a large baking sheet with heavy foil; grease foil. Set aside. In a large microwave-safe bowl combine candy coating, chocolate, and shortening. Microwave, uncovered, on 100 percent power (high) for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until chocolate melts, stirring ever...

   This recipe comes from  www.madincrafts.com  .  This is for all of you that miss those chocolate mochas from Starbuck's, after the holidays are over.  Enjoy! Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Knockoff (with Homemade Chocolate Mint Syrup) Do you remember how I told you I was going to share a  yummy way to use up my herb garden mint ? Time to make good on that promise. If you have ever grown mint, you know that it is an “aggressive grower” A.K.A. even Jess can’t kill it. Despite my brown thumb, my chocolate mint plant has been producing like crazy, so I needed to find a good way to put it to use. What better way than to make some yummy chocolate-chocolate mint syrup? For the recipe, you will need about 30 mint leaves. I didn’t actually count mine out, but I am pretty sure I had a good 3 dozen. Rinse them and pat them dry with a paper towel. Next, rip the leaves into sma...

     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....

   Visitors from all over the world will be playing in the snow and enjoying the winter festivities at one of the biggest winter celebrations that Canada has to offer.  Quebec, Canada has been host to the winter wonderland known to locals as  "Carnaval de   Quebec",  for more than 50 years and shows no signs of slowing down anytime in the near future as this year's carnival will see more than 400 unique activities.  It has been dubbed as the "The coolest Part in the World", and why not?  It has all of the offerings that you would expect form traditions Nordic culture, only they have went all out and included events for people of all generations, tastes, and backgrounds. \\     The Winter Carnival got its start in 1894 and has grown each consecutive year by updating events and festivities to fit every lifestyle.  Starting at the end of January and lasting up until the middle of February....

   This recipe comes from  www.clairekcreations.com  .  Two things that always go well together, cool whip and angel food cake (possibly with some strawberries)! Today I am very excited to play host to my very first guest post! I discovered  Mother Thyme  a few months ago and I love reading her fabulous recipes. She’s the woman behind the delicious tomato pasta sauce and choc-ginger biscuits. Please make her feel welcome and be sure to stop by and check out all the fabulous recipes on Mother Thyme. Hi everyone! I’m Jennifer from  Mother Thyme . I am so thrilled to be guest posting on my foodie friend Claire’s fabulous site today! Today I will be sharing with you a light and refreshing dessert that you can enjoy without the guilt, Angel Food Cupcakes. These cupcakes are light and airy and made with a few simple ingredients such as egg white, confectioners sugar, sugar, salt and vanilla. The egg whites are whipped to form stiff pea...

    The 15th day of the first lunar month each year, known as " Yuan Xiao",  it is one of the three major traditional festivals in Taiwan.  It is also the first festival celebration after the start of the Lunar New Year.  Special events include the  Taiwan Lantern Festival, Pingxi Heavenly Lanterns, Taitung Bombing of the god Handan, the Beehive Rockets of   Yanshui, the Taipei Lantern Festival , and traditional celebratory temple rituals.    Since 1990, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has organized the Taiwan Lantern Festival, and this year, the the festival enters its 22nd year.  Year of the Rabbit Lantern    The centerpiece of the event is a giant themed lantern modeled on the Chinese zodiacal animal of the year, accompanied by subsidiary lanterns and special lantern areas such as the Hope & Wishes lantern section, the Fun Filled lantern section and many others, all of which successfully...

  You wouldn't wear the same food costume every Halloween — so why trick-or-treat with the same candy? This year, try something new. If you're already well-versed in the categories of movie treats and nostalgic candies, then consider serving various candies from around the world. Need a bit of an education in global candy culture? Then test your knowledge of the world's candies and check out some of our favorites here. Bounty, United Kingdom    Mounds lovers will appreciate Bounty, a coconut-filled bar enrobed with milk chocolate. Botan Rice Candy, Japan    Even if you've never been to Japan, you may have come across Botan Rice Candy in Asian supermarkets. Botan, which means "peony," is a prominent brand in Japan and makes a sticky rice candy with a slightly citrusy flavor. ToffeeCrisp, United Kingdom    Nestlé makes a number of chocolate bars in Europe that aren't readil...

 This diy is from  www.sweetopia.net  .  Another get turtorial to add a little decorating tip for your cookies and cakes.  Sit back, relax and take it in.  OOOOMMMM!!! It’s called marbling, feathering or swirling, which is basically when one or more colors of icing are applied to a base coat of icing, and then a toothpick, cake tester, pin or skewer is dragged through the icing to create a marbled or swirly effect. Each combination of colors creates another look. Just by changing the way you set up your lines and drag the toothpick, completely different designs emerge. You can incorporate the swirled icing into your design, like these feathered cookie friends: How to Make Marbled, Swirled or Feathered Decorated Cookies If you’d like to try the marbled effect, the most important thing for your success is the  consistency of the icing . To help you with that, m...