DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Combine a Chambord-spiked  cookie , raspberry buttercream, and white chocolate to make a sophisticated treat. Sandwich Cookie Pops ingredients 1 1/4 cups   all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon   cream of tartar 1/2 teaspoon   baking soda 1/2 teaspoon   salt 1/2 cup   butter, softened 3/4 cup   sugar 1 tablespoon   Chambord or milk 1 teaspoon   vanilla 1 Raspberry Buttercream, see below 1 1/2 pounds   white chocolate or white candy coating, chopped Red non pareils directions 1. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; set aside 2. In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until creamy and smooth. Beat in Chambord and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture. 3. If dough is too sticky, cover and chill dough for 30 minutes or until easy to handle. Divide dough into two equal portions. ...

   On December 31, 2013, people all over the world will welcome in the New Year watching the 2011 Time Ball drop in Times Square in New York City or by dropping objects like pickles and acorns to pursue prosperity in 2013. Many celebrations focus on time balls to calculate and welcome the New Year. Other towns and cities across the country drop a variety of items, according to local tradition or just plain tradition. Talbot, Maryland will feature a Crab Drop at its first night celebration, Mobile, Alabama will drop a twelve foot moon pie at its New Year's Eve celebration, and Atlanta, Georgia, will drop an 800 pound peach at its celebration to ring in 2013. The 2013 Times Square Time Ball The Times Square ball that will drop on December 31, 2011, measures 12 feet in diameter, weighs 11, 875 pounds and is covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles of varied sizes. The crystals produce millions of vibrant colors and countless patterns, and the New Ye...

   New Year traditions that all Americans are familiar with include the ball drop in Times Square, the Tournament of Roses Parade, fireworks, year-end lists, New Year resolutions, a toast and/or a kiss at midnight,  Auld Lang Syne , and predictions for the year ahead. Here are some other customs you might not be as familiar with. 1.  Años Viejos    In Ecuador, December 31st is time to ceremonially burn an effigy named  Años Viejos , or Years Old. The dummies are made of old clothes and sticks or sawdust for stuffing, and often made to look like someone who has made a negative impact during the year, such as a politician. See pictures of many different  Añ os Viejos   here .' 2.  First-Footer    Scotland marks  Hogmanay  on December 31st, although the celebration lasts several days, with customs varying by locality. One of the customs associated with the new year is that of the fir...

   The tradition of the  New Year's Resolutions  goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar.    With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.    The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.    The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one o...

   This recipe comes from  www.annies-eats.com  .   Enjoy making these extra large cookies.  But, don't forget to share!  Enjoy! Giant Double Chocolate Cookies    Now this, my friends, is a  cookie . A whopper of a deep dark chocolate cookie, and it’s chock full of chocolate chips. It’s thick, chewy, and just sinful. The glass of milk is not just a prop – it’s a necessity in this case. These cookies definitely earn the title of “giant”, considering that 4 ounces of dough is used for each one. I’m not such a fan of quarter-pounder burgers, but quarter-pounder cookies? I’m totally on board. If you don’t have a kitchen scale yet ( tsk tsk ), here is the perfect excuse. How else will you know that each cookie is exactly 4 ounces? This is important business, people. Truth be told, I actually haven’t eaten an entire cookie at once. I keep eating half at lunchtime and half after dinner. Believe me, I could...

January 1st-New Year's Day - You already knew this one. Celebrate by getting ahead start on breaking your New Year's resolutions. January 2nd-55MPH Speed Limit Day -Observe the 55 MPH holiday by driving the speed limit in your state or country. Or if you don't like it just say "I can't drive 55"! January 3rd-J.R.R. Tolkien Day -Invite a Hobbit over for dinner! YAAAA! January 4th-World Hypnotism Day - Try to hypnotise your children into doing what you want them to do. (like that's going to happen). January 5th-Bird Day - Go out and pet a parrot and keep your fingers away from the beak. January 6th-Epiphany -Go to church and ring some bells. January 7th-I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day - Got a beef with someone, go up to them and yell this catchy little phrase to them. January 8th-Bubble Bath Day - When's the last time you've seen any man take a bubble bath. Women, go ahead and have a ...

   This uniquely American event began as a promotional effort by Pasadena's distinguished Valley Hunt Club. In the winter of 1890, the club members brainstormed ways to promote the "Mediterranean of the West." They invited their former East Coast neighbors to a mid-winter holiday, where they could watch games such as chariot races, jousting, foot races, polo and tug-of-war under the warm California sun. The abundance of fresh flowers, even in the midst of winter, prompted the club to add another showcase for Pasadena's charm: a parade would precede the competition, where entrants would decorate their carriages with hundreds of blooms. The Tournament of Roses was born. 1958 U.S. Army Continental Band    "In New York, people are buried in snow," announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club meeting. "Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our para...