DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   These adorable, rich cakes, from Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Le Croquembouche in Montreal, are brightened with fresh fruit. Ingredients pears 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter 6 Anjou pears (3 1/2 to 3 3/4 pounds), peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar 2 tablespoons honey cakes Nonstick vegetable oil spray 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for coating cups 1 cup sugar 4 large eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt glaze 1/2 cup apricot jam 1 tablespoon water Powdered sugar Sliced fresh pear Preparation pears Melt 1 tablespoon butter in each of 2 heavy large skillets over medium-high heat. Add half of pears to each skillet. Sauté until tender and beginning to brown, 10 to 11 minutes. Add half of brown sugar and half of honey to each skillet. Stir until pears are coated and sugar melts, about 1 minute. DO A...

      Children's Day Festival (English: International April 23rd, Children's Day Festival; Turkish" Uluslarasi 23 Nisan Cocuk Senligi ) is a festival which is celebrated on April 23rd each year in Turkey. This festival is gathering the children from a ll over the world under the motto of "Love, Friendship and Peace". The festival is organized by Turkish Radio and Television Corporation. History     The April 23rd Children's Festival , a children's festival which was gifted to Turkish children by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , founder of the Republic of Turkey, to mark the opening of the Assembly. The festival has been celebrated internationally since 1979. The Children's Festival was first celebrated in Turkey on April 23rd, 1920, when the Turkish Grand National Assembly was opened. The festival intend to contribute creation of a world where children can live peacefully by developing sentiments of fraternity, love and friendship. ...

   We’ve all had a rotten mood. For many people, eating food (such as junk food) can make their health worse; which only worsens their mood.    But what if there was food that was healthy, and could also act as a natural anti-depressant? There are foods that meet those qualifications! Here are the 10 best foods, that will make you happy, and keep you healthy: 10. Swiss Chard    This little-used vegetable contains a lot of magnesium. Magnesium is a nutrient that is a vital part of the biochemical reactions that increase energy levels in the human body. A study in 2009 in the “Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry” discovered that lower magnesium levels were associated with higher depression scores. 9. Blue Potatoes    Blue Potatoes aren’t exactly a commonplace produce to find in a grocery store. However, they have powerful antioxidants known as anthocyanins; anthocyanins provide neuro-protective qualities, like...

   Mayonnaise replaces the oil that's typically used in chocolate cakes. It gives this cake—which would make the ideal birthday cake—an incredibly moist and tender texture. Serve with glasses of ice-cold milk. Ingredients cake 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 3/4 cups boiling water 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup sugar 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar 1 1/3 cups mayonnaise (do not use reduced-fat or fat-free) 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract frosting 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 3 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract special equipment Three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides Preparation cake Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high s...

   Keeping with Easter coming up this Sunday, I thought about the most elegant eggs people can make themselves.  Not many people can own or even get near Faberge eggs.  This are the next best, with their  intricate patterns on such a small canvas. I hope you enjoy this post. by Jennifer Sartell Once a month I head a women's group of Farm Girls. It's a group of brilliant women, kindred spirits and pioneering ladies who are trying to revisit the joys of living a simple life. We've canned together, made cheeses, knitted, spun, and wove baskets to name just a few activities. Recently, I've met a like soul in Kathy McMinn, owner and operator of The Basket Sampler , where I get my weaving supplies. Kathy mentioned that among her many talents, she could teach our group how to create Ukrainian Eggs. I thought this would be a fantastic April theme with Easter coming. The traditional Ukrainian Egg is actually called a Pysanka . It is a highly...

    Queen's Day in Amsterdam is a unique night and day carnival like event on the 30th of April each year and during the night before...so called Queen's Night . What is special about the Queen's Day? How about having elements of a huge party across the whole city, it is combined with the market in the streets in the whole entire city.     Queen's Day in Amsterdam attracts 700,000 visitors, which makes the city crowded beyond any acceptable norm. Despite overcrowding, the atmosphere on Queen's Day is traditionally relax and joyful. The usually mild weather makes the Queen's Day the day to be in Amsterdam. The Tradition of Queen's Day     Queen's Day is celebrated in the whole country of the Netherlands for more than 50 years. Amsterdam celebrations are the most raucous. Over the years, the popularity of the event grows bigger and bigger, as crowds of people from all over Europe come to attend. Free Market ( Vri...

    Easter Seals has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for nearly 90 years. From child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training for people with disabilities. Easter Seals offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life's challenges and achieve person goals. Tragedy Leads to Inspiration     In 1907, Ohio businessman Edgar Allen lost his son in a streetcar accident. The lack of adequate medical service available to save his son prompted Allen to sell his business and begin a fund raising campaign to build a hospital in his hometown of Elyria, Ohio. Through this new hospital, Allen was surprised to learn that children with disabilities were often hidden from public view. Inspired by this discovery, in 1919, Allen founded what became known as the National Society for Crippled Children , the first organization of its kind. ...