DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Children look forward to Spring and the arrival of the Easter bunny.  Easter signifies the warm weather is coming, is the first big holiday since Christmas and who doesn't like jelly beans and chocolate bunnies?  There are sever theories and legends around where the tradition of the Easter bunny began and how colored eggs became a part of it.    Once theory, according to Wikipedia, is that the Easter bunny  or " Osterhause " as it is called in German, first originated in Western German cultures where it had traveled from the Upper Rhineland during the Holy Roman Empire.  German children would leave their caps and bonnets out where the rabbit could find them and make a nest to leave brightly colored eggs.  This tradition crossed the seas to the American colonies, where all children picked up the custom and started to observe it.  The bright colored  " Easter grass " we see in baskets today is a throw back to this custom. ...

Coffee and Donuts Cake It seems I have made it my personal mission to create cohesive  marriages  between foods that are separate entities, but are commonly eaten together. Coffee, do you take Donuts to be your lawfully wedded wife(s)?   Of course you do.  You were made for each other! The idea for this cake first came to me when I found  this recipe , originally from Gourmet magazine. I figure 1389 reviewers can't be wrong.  If a whopping 91% would make it again, then I should at least try it once.  I'm happy to report I'll be adding my 4-fork review very soon!  The cake batter gets a good dose of brewed coffee, so I began searching for a complimentary coffee buttercream icing.  Amongst the searching I found a new baked donut recipe I was eager to try.  I decided to combine everything together in one big over-the-top cake - and what better pairing than coffee and donuts (...and chocolate cake and...

    The Feria Nacional de San Marcos  (San Marcos Fair) is a national fair held in the Mexican state of  Agualscalientes  every year for three (sometimes four) weeks.  Most of the events related to the fair, however, occur in the city of Aguascalientes, the state capital.  The exact date of the fair varies every uear but is set around April 25th, the  Feast Day of San Marcos .  Beauty Queens    Initially the fair was tied to the  vendimia  (harvesting of grapes) since wine production used to be an important activity in Aguascalientes.  Nowadays, it is an important tourist attraction that is heavily associated with bullgighting and cock fighting.  It is estimated that seven million people visit the fair every year and as a consequence, hotels are usually filled to capacity, however some locals rent out their houses to visitors and go on vacation during this time. Activities ...

   This smooth and creamy, golden-orange bread pudding gets rave reviews from our taste testers—also known as our customer service team, the friendly folks you talk to when you call our 800 number or baker's hotline. Ingredients 6 large eggs 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin or squash 2 cups (16 ounces) light cream 1 cup (8 ounces) milk 3/4 cup (5 7/8 ounces) granulated sugar 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) brown sugar 1/4 cup (2 ounces) rum, optional 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons vanilla 8 cups (about 18 ounces) bread*, cut in ¾" cubes Directions *Try using our  Holiday Pumpkin Bread . The recipe makes 2 loaves, so you can enjoy one, and save the other for this pudding. Or use any non-savory bread: brioche, a sweet bread, or plain white or whole wheat bread. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, half and half, milk, sugars, rum, salt, spices, and v...

    The Feria de Abril de Sevilla , literally  Seville April Fair , is held in the Andalusian capital of Seville, Spain.  the fair generally begins two weeks after the  Semana Santa , or  Easter Holy Week .    The fair officially begins at midnight on Monday, and runs for six days, ending on the following Sunday.  During past fairs, however, many activities have begun on the Saturday prior to the official opening.  Each day the fiesta begins with the parade of carriages and riders, at midday, carrying Seville's leading citizens which make their way to the bullring,  La Real Maestranza , where the bullfighters and breeder meet.   For the duration of the fair, the fairgrounds and a vast area on the far bank of the  Guadalquivir River  are totally covered in rows of casetas (individual decorated marquee tents which are temporarily built on the fairground).  Some of thes...

  There may not be an official registry (or even an unofficial one), but that doesn't stop towns, states and countries across the globe from declaring themselves the  "Capital of   the World"  for thing or another.    Some self-proclaimed titles are pretty well justified. Hawaii, for instance, is called the "Macadamia Nut Capital of the World." Considering the Aloha State is said to grow 90% of the world's supply, we think it's an apt description.    Other claims are not so black and white. Biloxi, Mississippi is often referred to as the "Seafood Capital of the World," but so is Calabash, North Carolina and Crisfield, Maryland. Which place deserves the nickname most? We'll leave that up to seafood lovers to hash out.    We take a look at 12 towns in the good ol' U.S.A. that have found a way to differentiate themselves by "capitalizing" on what makes them unique, and well, a little unusual. The Lost Luggage Capit...

   The Takayama Festivals  in Takayama, Japan, started in the 16th to 17th century.  The origins of the festivals are unknown; however they are believed to have been started during the rule of the  Kanamori family .  Correspondence dated 1692, place the origin to 40 years prior to that date.  One of the festivals is held on the 14th and 15th of April and the other on the 9th ad 10th of October.    The Spring Takayama Festival is centered on the  Hie Shrine .  The shrine is also known as the  Sanno Shrine , and the spring festival is also known as the  Sanno   Festival.   The Sanno Festival is held to pray for a good harvest and the Autumn Festival is for giving thanks.    The Autumn festival is centered on the  Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine  and is referred to as the  Hachiman Festival .  It is held after the crops are harvested.  The fall festival is one of the t...