DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   A childhood favorite gets a  makeover  by infusing the candy with bold flavors and cutting them into sleek squares. Coconut and Grapefruit Gumdrops ingredients Nonstick cooking spray 1 cup   sugar 1 cup   light-colored corn syrup 1/2 cup   unsweetened coconut milk 1/4 cup   water 1 1 3/4   ounce   package   powdered fruit pectin 1/2 teaspoon   baking soda 1 Coconut Sugar, recipe below directions 1. Line a 8x4x2-inch loaf pan with foil, extending foil over edges of the pan. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. 2. In a 1-1/2-quart heavy saucepan combine the 1 cup sugar and the corn syrup. Cook over medium-high heat to boiling, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for 3 minutes to dissolve sugar. Avoid splashing mixture on sides of pan (see How to Avoid Gritty Candy, below). Carefully clip candy thermometer to side of pan. 3. Cook over me...

    The annual  Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival  has been held since 1963. It had been interrupted for a number of years during the Cultural Revolution, until it was resumed in 1985.     Harbin, the capital of Heilonjiang province of China, it is one of the main sources of ice and snow culture in the world. Geographically, it is located in Northeast China under the direct influence of the cold winter wind from Siberia. The average temperature in summer is 21.2 degrees Celsius, -16.8 degrees Celsius in the winter. It can be as cold as -38.1 degrees Celsius in the winter. Niagra falls sculpture     The festival lasts the whole month. However the exhibits often open earlier and stay longer, weather permitting. Ice sculpture decoration technology ranges from the modern (using lasers) to traditional (with ice lanterns). There are ice lantern park touring activities held in many parks throughout...

   This recipe comes from  www.madincrafts.com  .  This is for all of you that miss those chocolate mochas from Starbuck's, after the holidays are over.  Enjoy! Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Knockoff (with Homemade Chocolate Mint Syrup) Do you remember how I told you I was going to share a  yummy way to use up my herb garden mint ? Time to make good on that promise. If you have ever grown mint, you know that it is an “aggressive grower” A.K.A. even Jess can’t kill it. Despite my brown thumb, my chocolate mint plant has been producing like crazy, so I needed to find a good way to put it to use. What better way than to make some yummy chocolate-chocolate mint syrup? For the recipe, you will need about 30 mint leaves. I didn’t actually count mine out, but I am pretty sure I had a good 3 dozen. Rinse them and pat them dry with a paper towel. Next, rip the leaves into small pieces. Rip, don’t cut. You want...

   Chocolate-covered peanut butter  cups , malted milk balls, or your favorite candy bar can be the star of this easy  Christmas  candy-bark recipe. If you're not big on dark chocolate, use white chocolate instead. Dark Chocolate Candy Bark ingredients 6 ounces   chocolate-flavor candy coating, chopped (1 cup) 6 ounces   dark chocolate, chopped (1 cup) 1 tablespoon   shortening 2 cups   chopped assorted chocolate candy bars, such as chocolate-coated caramel-topped nougat bars with peanuts, chocolate-covered English toffee, chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, or malted milk balls 1/2 cup   salted peanuts, chopped directions 1. Line a large baking sheet with heavy foil; grease foil. Set aside. In a large microwave-safe bowl combine candy coating, chocolate, and shortening. Microwave, uncovered, on 100 percent power (high) for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until chocolate melts, stirring every...

    The Sapporo Snow Festival  is a famous festival held annually in Sapporo, Japan, over 7 days in February.  Currently, Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome are the main sites of the festival.  The 2011 Yuki-matsuri dates are February 7th to the 13th.    The festival is one of Japan's largest and most distinctive winter events.  In 2007, about 2 million people visited Sapporo to see the hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures at the Odori Park and Suskino sites, in central Sapporo, and the Satoland site.  The festival is thought to be an opportunity for promoting international relations. The International Snow Sculpture Contest has been held at the Odori Park sit since 1974, and teams from various regions of the world participate.    The subject of the statues varies and often features as event, famous building or person from the previous yer.  For example, in 2004, there were st...

      This recipe was found at www.simplyrealmoms.com .  Whenever you have friends or family over for a party there is usually fruit.  So why not have something that complements that luscious, sweet little bits of fruit. I love me some fruit, but what I love more is dipping fruit into this dip! Thanks to my sisters-in-law, who made it for my wedding reception, I now have the recipe to hands-down the best fruit dip in the world. No Lie. It’s very simple to make, and only takes three ingredients! Creamy Fruit Dip Recipe Ingredients 1 8oz pkg Cream Cheese, softened 1 7oz jar Marshmallow Cream 1 cup Powdered Sugar Instructions Mix all ingredients until combined. It’s not just great on fruit, either! This recipe makes enough for you to put on graham crackers, cookies, or top a bowl of strawberries with this instead of whipped cream! Enjoy!