DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

  This diy comes from   www.melskitchencafe.com  .  These are perfect for a childs birthday cake or cupcakes. Tie-Dye Frosting for Cupcakes {a How-To} by  MEL *Ok, sad as it may be, I realized after posting this morning that I already messed up, showing the wrong pictures for the frosted cupcake on the tutorial. Anyway, long story short, I’ve added a few things to the how-to tutorial below as well as uploading a short video on how to frost the cupcakes (both designs). Love ya!* Let it be known that in my house, these last couple months have been referred to as  “The Summer of the Tie-Dye.”  I’m not sure how it happened but we’ve decided to act like we live in the 80′s and it’s tie-dye crazy around here. Here’s official evidence… A few notes about the picture below: 1) My boys coordinate to wear their beloved, homemade tie-dyed shirts the same day (we’re talking five days out of the week) and there are major tears when one of thei...

     Epiphany   (from the Greek word meaning "appearance" or "to appear") is a Christian festival celebrated January 6th, 12 days after Christmas.  Epiphany , often called   Little Christmas , commemorates the appearance of Jesus to the Wisemen of the East.     We often use the word "epiphany" to refer to a revelation or recognition of importance in our lives. Epiphany, in the liturgical sense, is a feast day celebrated mostly in the Catholic and Orthodox faiths. Epiphany is the day Christians remember the visit of the Magi to the stable in Bethlehem. In the eastern or Orthodox rites of the Church, Epiphany is also he day which we remember the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan river. When John baptized Jesus, he also proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. He said, " Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world "     There are some who suggest Epiphany was origin...

   This may be a time for chocolates and romantic steak dinners, bu this month is also filled with several national food holidays. Check out all of the great food holidays to be enjoyed during the month of February, plus great suggestions on how to celebrate them. National Baked Alaska Day, February 1st - Who doesn't love cake and ice cream? But, you can make it even better by adding a thick layer of meringue and popping the whole thing in the oven. Be creative and choose gourmet flavors of ice cream and cake. Heavenly Hash Day, February 2nd -Heavenly hash is a wonderful combination of chocolate ice cream and almonds. Be creative and make some heavenly hash ice cream sandwiches using double chocolate cookies. National Carrot Cake Day, February 3rd -Take a break from cooking and baking and just grab some carrot cake cupcakes made at a local bakery. National Stuffed Mushroom Day, February 4th -A great way to celebrate this national food holiday...

   February's not just about Super Bowl Sunday, Valentines Day and Mardi Gras. Nope, this month has some pretty interesting days to celebrate to say the least. Serpent Day, February 1st- Go out and pet a snake or if you don't like them. Pet some snake skinned cowboy boots. Purification Day, February 2nd -Go out and wash real well today! Cordova Ice Worm Day, February 3rd -This day is for worms found in icebergs. Alaska actually has an annual Ice Worm Festival that takes place on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Create a Vacuum Day, February 4th -Go out and clean all of that pet hair and dirt out of your carpets. Disaster Day, February 5th -Might be a good day to stay inside and play scrabble. Lame Duck Day, February 6th- Charles Dickens Day Day, February 7th -One of the best early authors of his time, he wrote  "A Christmas Carol",  and has had many of his books turned into movies. Man Day, February 7th- Fly a ...

   This harvest festival is celebrated thrice a year. Impressive and very own dance forms and magical tunes of folk music create a soothing and charming environment for the natives and tourists. It’s an occasion when everyone congregates and dances with the tunes of Bihugeet. There are no religion barriers. HISTORY OF BIHU    The state of Assam celebrates the most important festival, Bihu, with a lot of delight and joviality. The  carnival  which is celebrated with passion and vehemence marks the change of season. The  history of  the significant and noteworthy celebration  dates  back to 3500 B.C. At that point, it was one month long celebration. However, today it is celebrated thrice a year and each time for a week. The first Bihu is celebrated in April.     It overlaps with the  festivals  like Chait, Baisakhi and Sankranti.    People of Assam propitiate and thanks the Almighty...

   This recipe and tutorial was found at www.bakerella.com/  .  These look great!  Since Valentines Day is right around the corner, they would be perfect instead of buying a box of chocolates.  Nothings better than homemade. Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles So truffles are like really easy. And as it turns out completely beautiful without even one single colorful confetti sprinkle or jumbo red candy heart attached.  I had to resist the urge you know. Last week when I made some ganache for those yummy butterscotch brownies, I realized it has been forever since I made chocolate truffles. Like since I was in college forever. And the best I can remember it was only that one time. So I wanted to make some more ganache and truffle it all up. But … ugh … I had no heavy whipping cream on hand and no desire to drive to the store. So I made these with cream cheese instead. Easy. Easy. Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Melt. Mix with Cr...

    The Kaapse Klopse  is a minstrel festival that takes place annually on January 2nd, in Cape Town, South Africa.  Up to 13,000 minstrels, many in blackface, take to the streets garbed in bright colors, either carrying colorful umbrellas or playing an array of musical instruments.  The minstrels are grouped in  klopse  ("clubs" in Cape Dutch, but more accurately translated as troupes in English).  Participants are typically from Afrikaans-speaking working class  "colored"  families who have preserved the custom since the mid 19th century.    Although it is called the  Coon Carnival  by Capetonians, local authorities have renamed the festival the  Cape Town Minstrel Carnival  as foreign tourist find the term  "coon"  derogatory. History    One story goes that the carnival was inspired by a group of African-American minstrels who docked in Cape Town in the late 180...