DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Instead of fighting crowds at Wal-Mart, whip up your own batch of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and artificially colored Sno Balls. Then if the doors of the Hostess factory closes for good and the shelves that held Twinkies fill with dust, you can still enjoy your favorite treats without having to pay top dollar for them on eBay. Another benefit to making your own homemade Hostess treats is the ability to swap out certain ingredients to make them healthier, if you so wish. Whether you are a Twinkie fan or a Sno Ball addict, these do it yourself dessert recipes will hit the spot Hostess once held in your heart. Homemade Twinkies recipe Ingredients: For the cake: 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup milk 1/3 cup canola oil 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla For the filling: 1/3 cup shortening 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup light cream 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar Directions: ...

     Gawai Day or Gawai Dayak  is a festival celebrated in Sarawak on June 1st every year. It is both a religious and social occasion. The word Gawai means a ritual or festival whereas Dayak is a collective name for the native ethnic groups of Sarawak (and neighboring Indonesian Kalimantan): the Iban, also known as Sea Dayak and the Bidayuh people, also known as Land Dayak. Thus, Gawai Dayak literally means  "Dayak Festival".  Dayak would visit their friends and relatives on this day. Such visit is more commonly known as  "ngabang"  in the Iban language. Those too far away to visit would receive greeting cards.     It started back in 1957 in a radio forum held by Mr Ian Kingsley, a radio programme organiser. This generated a lot of interest among the Dayak community.     The mode of celebration varies from place to place. Preparation starts early.  Tuak  (rice wine) is brewed (at ...