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 ...

   Here are ten combinations of foods that seem to be a match made in heaven.   These food combinations are not in any order, they can all be easily interchanged. Feel free to add your own favorites to the comments. 10. Eggs and Bacon    Nothing starts the day off better than a couple of eggs and fatty bacon. The protein of the eggs and the grease of the bacon form a great mixture that powers you through the day. It should also be mentioned that bacon generally is great combined with all kinds of other foods as well. 9. Butter and Popcorn    Popcorn was originally discovered by the Native Americans. Popcorn became increasingly popular during the Great Depression because it was relatively cheap, it’s use was especially popular in movie theaters. Now when you go to the movies the spell of popcorn almost seems irresistible, despite its now horrendously expensive price. Butter and popcorn was bound to be a match made in hea...

    While Semana Santa is a national tradition throughout Spain, the "Andalucians" arguably "feel" the week more than other regions of Spain. Throughout 7 days, Andalucia is surrounded by a spiritual halo. Semana Santa is a tradition which is repeated year after year, a time when the devout and curious joint together to participated in the procession and converge on the streets and squares which take on the ambiance and mystique of an open air temple.     The skill and expertise behind the parades rest with the religious fraternities and brotherhoods. They have the responsibility of maintaining the statues as well as coordinating the penitents and musicians. Sometimes up to two thousand members of a brotherhood take part, some carry candles, rods or banners depending on their level of seniority. The most senior is the president who carries a golden rod.     The "costaleros" who carry the weight on the floats and the...

   Put on a pot of coffee and gather the girls for a morning getaway. Mocha latté fans will love the rich and creamy flavor of these make ahead bars. Ingredients   Chocolate Crust 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup sugar 6 large eggs 1/3 cup whipping cream 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 9 (1-oz.) semisweet chocolate baking squares 1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp. vanilla extract Garnishes: powdered sugar, chocolate-covered coffee beans, thawed whipped topping Preparation 1. Prepare Chocolate Crust as directed. Increase oven temperature to 375°. 2. Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer 2 to 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. 3. Microwave whipping cream in a 1-cup microwave-safe measuring cup at HIGH 30 seconds or until very hot. Stir in coffee...

    Want a better way to enjoy those fast food favorites of yours?   Cook or bake some of your favorite takeout treats on your own, without having to go out and get them!  Think of how much money you will save. So, here they are, some of  the top 10 secret recipes of all time! 1. McDonald’s Big Mac Ingredients Sauce 1/4 cup Miracle Whip 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons french salad dressing 1/2 tablespoon sweet relish 2 teaspooons dill pickle relish 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon dried, minced onion 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon ketchup 1/8 teaspoon salt The Rest 1 regular sized sesame seed bun 1 regular sized plain bun 2 beef patties (2 ounces each flattened to bun size) 2 tablespoons Big Mac sauce 2 teaspoons reconstituted onions 1 slice real American cheese 2 hamburger pickle slices 1/4 cup shredded lettuce Directions To make the sauce, mix together all the ingredients about one hour before using. ...

History of the Iditarod     The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race first ran to Nome in 1973, after two short races on part of the Iditarod Trail in 1967 and 1969. The idea of having a race over the Iditarod Trail was conceived by the late Dorothy Page . In 1964, Page was chairwoman of the Wasilla-Knik Centennial and was working on projects to celebrate Alaska's Centennial Year n 1967.     She was intrigued that dog teams could travel over land that was not accessible by autos. In the early 1920's, settlers had come to Alaska following a gold strike. They traveled by boat to the coastal towns of Seward and Knik and from there, by land into the gold fields. The trail they used is today known as The Iditarod Trail, one of the National Historic Trails as so designated b the U.S. Congress. In the winter, their only means of travel was by dog team.     The Iditarod Trail soon became the major thoroughfare through Alaska. Mail wa...

   This diy comes from www.thenewnew.blogspot.com .  I very ingenious idea if you love to mess around with clay and sculpt your own holiday figurines and other misc. items.  It's also alot cheaper that buying fimo clay (they are the ones that make most of the polymer clay you find at arts and crafts stores)  at the craft store. Have fun and make something today! Homemade Polymer Clay At different points over the last few years I've played around with different kinds of homemade "clay." My favorite is a polymer clay also known as cold porcelain. Its main ingredients are cornstarch and white PVA or Elmer's glue. I like it because it's smooth and a little bit elastic to work with and dries extremely hard. It's also relatively non-porous so it takes paint really well. And it doesn't degrade over time like baker's clay or salt clay does. I've used it to cover blown-out chicken eggs for Christmas ornaments, as well as to make various and...