Celebrating Holidays Everyday

German Food 101

2007-09-21T06:34:00.000-05:00

Here's a really easy recipe for those of us who don't know how to boil eggs. Just because you "don't know how to cook", is no excuse to not to have German food. Technically sausages would be "German". You can start with the Bratwurst. Now don't say "I don't know how to cook." because if you can eat hot dogs, you can definitely cook Bratwurst. It's the easiest way to enjoy Oktoberfest. It's made out of pork, beef and sometimes a bit of veal.

The first thing to do is to get enough Bratwurst for everyone. If you're having guests, make sure you have at least one for each person. Keep in mind they might want seconds. Have a side dish of salad. The accompaniment can be rye bread or German bread roll. You'll also need a skillet and water for cooking.

Once you're ready to cook, make small holes in the Bratwurst by pricking it with a fork. This is so that the pressure won't build up inside the sausage and burst during cooking.
Pour water about half inch into the skillet along with the Bratwurst and cook it in medium heat. Keep the skillet covered. Cook until the water is evaporated. You don't have to boil it, just let it simmer and evaporate -- some oil should come out of the Bratwurst and it'll cook itself, so don't put more oil in. It should be a bit golden brown. It'll give off a nice delicious smell.

If you like onions, you can slice them and put them in the skillet and make them brown. When the onions are translucent and a bit brownish, they'll be ready. If you want you can add a cup of white wine or beer (I recommend Pilsener or any other pale lager) and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Some people don't like the taste/smell of cooked beer smell so ask your guests first if they like that or if they're adventurous enough to try.

Have your Bratwurst with Rye bread or German roll and salad with beer of course! Now wasn't that easy? So don't tell me you can't cook German food. Have great fun this Oktoberfest.

Talk about fun, here's a little game. Enjoy!

Send this Oktoberfest ecard! | Check out more Oktoberfest Comments and ecards

Gear Up for Oktoberfest!

2007-09-18T05:46:00.000-05:00

You don't have to go to Germany or know German to drink beer but it sure helps! In the spirit of Oktoberfest, I went over the BBC site to Learn German and browsed around. One of the things I really want to do is to visit Germany and Austria during Oktoberfest and of course Christmas. I really want to experience it all. Maybe it was the 'Sound of Music' influence. Plus Yodeling seems to be fun.

Anyway, I was browsing around the BBC site and found this quiz on Oktoberfest. I did pretty well. At least now I know I can order beer in German! Why don't you try it out and see how you do. When you're done let me know how you did. Stay tuned for Oktoberfest Recipes!

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Invitations for Labor Day Party!

2007-08-31T08:50:00.000-05:00

If you're having a Labor Day BBQ or Labor Day Party don't forget to invite your friends and neighbors too! One way to send them a quick invite to use an eCard invite. Here's one that you can use right away to send them. Do it quick before they book their schedule!

Send this Labor Day eCard invite!

Check out more Labor Day invitations here.

You can check out my Labor Day posts if you're not sure what you want to feed your guests. Or you can also check the Labor Day Weekend site for party planning recipes as well as All Recipes' Labor Day Recipe Section. I love the fruit salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips recipe -- it's a great starter and you don't have to cook!

Labor Day Pictures - Building Empire State

2007-08-31T04:42:00.000-05:00

When I think of labor the pictures that come in mind are the Rosie the Riveter and Lewis Wickes Hine's photos of workers building the Empire State. I saw the photos on the New York Public Library site and I got the permission to post them on my blog. That's why I chose this picture of Icarus. It was a real feat to get those building up.

Empire State is the tallest building in New York and it's a great part of the sky line. I really like the lights at night. It's somewhat comforting that it's still standing there, especially after September 11th.

So here's to the workers that labored so that the New York sky line is one of the best skylines in America.

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Women at Work - History of Labor

2007-08-31T02:12:00.000-05:00

World War II changed the face of labor by having women work in factories. But that's not just a phenomenon in the US. A lot of our allies in Australia and in Great Britain had the same campaigns like Rosie the Riveter. The picture on the left is from the Australian campaign to get women into the labor force. The one of the right is from the British campaign. And apparently the Canadians have their "Labour Day" on the 3rd too! There's still a lot of issues to cover like equal pay for equal work but women have come a long way since those early days around the globe.

So this labor day don't forget to honor your grandmothers and mothers who have raised you and held a job at the same time.

Send this Labor Day eCard !Get more Labor Day eCards and MySpace Comments Here.

Lets Have Pork Ribs BBQ!

2007-08-30T03:15:00.000-05:00

Since I've been writing a lot of barbecue recipes for the weekend, I did a little bit of research on the history of BBQ. And there's a lot of stuff out there!

A lot of folks are concerned about their health and the safety of smoke and eating food with smoke in it. If you have concerns you should really check out BBQ Myth Busters. It's an educational read. Make sure you also check out How to BBQ section also to get some tips and pointers.

While I was reading about the history of BBQ I read about Pig Pickin'. I didn't know much about it before. But apparently Pig Pickin' is almost like a ritual down south. BBQ became popular because people used to hunt wild hogs and BBQ the whole hog and invite neighbors and friends for a big celebration. It's still really popular in the Carolinas. Check out What's Cooking America to read and get recipes on Pig Pickin'.

I didn't find a video on barbecuing the whole hog but I did find a video on Smoked Barbecue Pork Ribs -- I'm thinking small here because I don't think I can handle a whole hog.

VideoJug: How To Make Smoked Barbecue Pork Ribs
The interesting thing about this video is that it's cooking with beer. You can also check out my post on Cooking With Beer. Whatever you do, make sure you have fun this weekend. And don't forget to invite others! Here's an ecard you can send so people come to relish your great BBQs!

Send this Labor Day Invitation eCard !
Get more Labor Day Invitation ecards here.

Labor Day Icons - Rosie the Riveter

2007-08-27T08:23:00.000-05:00

When I think of Labor Day this is one of the best pictures that comes to mind besides the Lewis Wickes Hine's photos of workers building the Empire State Building. My favorite one is the one where they're eating sandwiches sitting on high beams. It just evokes great feelings of accomplishment and that 'can do!' attitude.

This poster you see is from the World War II era -- part of the "Rosie the Riverter" campaign -- when they tried to recruit women into the workforce because men were out fighting the war. Remember that's how our grandmothers started to work changing the whole of the American cultural landscape.

I thought that was just an American phenomenon until I got to college. I learned that there were other countries that went through the same phase. And not just our allies -- even the Soviets had great posters like these. So stay tuned for more!

Honor Labor Day by honoring those who have worked through all these years. Your mom, your dad, your grandparents. Here's an ecard you can send to tell them that you appreciate their efforts.

Send this Labor Day eCard !

Get more Labor Day ecards and MySpace Comments here.

Vegetarian BBQ for Labor Day

2007-08-24T07:04:00.000-05:00

Some people think that vegetarians won't be able to enjoy barbeque since it's a traditionally an all meat affair. But that's wrong because there's plenty of veggies that you can grill and they'll taste just as good. And I'm not talking just the regular veggie burgers. There's plenty of other stuff.

To get started on your vegetarian barbeque journey, the best place is to start at Veggo BBQ brought to you by our friends from down under! Check out Veg Kitchen's vegetarian barbeque section too.

Here's a great Mediterranean barbeque recipe. Something somewhat exotic for a change that you might want to try out.

VideoJug: How To Make BBQ Vegetable Antipasti

Send this Labor Day Celebration eCard !

Get more Labor Day eCards and MySpace Comments here.

Cooking with Beer for Labor Day BBQ

2007-08-23T07:47:00.000-05:00

Labor Day BBQs are known for beer and the delicious hot dogs, buffalo wings and hamburgers. So why not have your beer and eat it too???

Say what?

Yes, that's right! We're cooking with beer on Cyber Holidays today. I really didn't know about it until I read a story on NPR - Cheers to Cooking with Beer. Apparently it's a traditional way of cooking in some parts of the world, whereas I only thought of wine to cook with. So this labor day I'm taking it upon myself to educate me on how to cook with beer. (YUMMY!) Here's a recipe you can use for your hamburgers it serves four.

Ingredients:

1 lbs. ground beef (1/4 lbs. per burger)
4 tablespoons of hoisin sauce(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoisin_sauce)
3 cloves garlic - minced
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
2 teaspoons of sesame oil
2 tablespoons onion, minced
1/2 cup of Stout Beer (You can use Guinness Stout or Sam Adams Cream Stout)
1 1/2 teaspoons of cornstarch
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
4 hamburger rolls - toasted or lightly grilled
12 cucumber slices - thinly sliced
4 leaves of lettuce

Directions:
1. Prepare the grill. (If you're using a charcoal grill, light it 30 to 45 minutes before you plan to cook and wait until the charcoal has turned white. Make sure there are no more flames. If you are using a gas grill, turn to high and leave it for 20 minutes to heat up.)
2. Knead together the ground beef, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Form into 4 patties.
3. Make the sauce:

Use a small saucepan to warm sesame oil over a low heat.
Put the minced garlic and onion pieces and stir.
You'd be able to smell the aromas (should be about 2 minutes).
Put 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce, soy sauce and the beer and stir
Dissolve the cornstarch in rice wine vinegar in a small bowl. Then stir the mixture into the beer sauce.
Increase the heat to medium to bring the sauce to a simmer.
After it bubbles for about 2 minutes it should become thick. Set it aside until the burgers are ready.

4. Grill the burgers as you desire.
5. Place them on the rolls and brush with the sauce - top with cucumbers and lettuce leaves. Serve!

You can also serve the rest of the sauce on the side if you want. If you're going to a park and grilling it, I suggest you do the sauce first. Or if you're going to grill ready made patties you can just do the sauce and use it. I'm sure they'd taste better than bottled ready made BBQ sauce!

For more tips and recipes on cooking with beer you can check out National Beer Wholesalers Association's Cooking Tips with Beer, Jim Curtis's Page, and Beer Cook's Brown Ale Brined Chicken Wings -- sounds 'finger lickin' good'!

Send this Labor Day eCard !

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Labor Day Countdown Recipes!

2007-08-22T07:53:00.001-05:00

It's almost labor day and we have to plan for a barbeque party! I mean it's the last barbeque of the summer -- are you ready for it? I'm planning the menu and looking for stuff so each day I'm going bring you tips, tricks, and of course recipes that you can use for your labor day weekend party.

My friends and I are planning to get to Prospect park's BBQ section have a picnic out in the park. It's going to be a great time.

I wanted to learn how to cook with beer -- I've never done that so that should be fun. We'll also be making all sorts of vegetarian BBQs -- yes you read it right vegetarian BBQs! People don't traditionally associate veggies and the grill but there's plenty of things that you can have.

So stay tuned for the count down recipes. Oh, I'll also be posting iconic posters of WWII when the women joined the labor force. I love their designs I think you'll love them too.

Send this Labor Day BBQ eCard !

Get more Labor Day eCards and MySpace Comments here.

Celebrating 100th Post with Can Openers!

2007-08-20T08:09:00.000-05:00

Friends thank you for coming and supporing me and reading my blog. I am crossing my 100th post mark with this and am celebrating (of course!) And I read up a little bit on can openers today. I mean, Imagine life without can openers? We would be like monkeys with coconuts -- not being able to get to our favorite tuna, tomato puree or even Campbell's soup! We have everything available so readily these days that we forget how people have survived in the past.

Tin cans were developed in 1810 for the British Royal Navy but the inventor forgot about inventing a way to open it. The instructions on it read: "Cut round the top near the outer edge with a chisel and hammer."So how did people open the cans? Soldiers used bayonets and rifles to fire and open them. Not until 1870 that a design by William Lymanwas patented. You can also read How Cans Are Made if you're curious.

Anyway, happy Can Opener Day (in advance) -- with out it life would be very different.

Send this Can Opener Day eCard !

Raining Lentils!

2007-08-17T08:39:00.001-05:00

How's your weekend starting off? There's a Lentil Festival going on in Pullman, Washington this weekend. Did you know that a third of all lentils in the US is produced from Pullman, WA? Isn't that just crazy?
Here's a more crazy fact: Lentils contain 26% of protein -- that's more than soybeans. Vegetarians should make lentils a major part of their diet. And in fact, you can make veggie burgers out of lentils -- check out Napur's Kitchen for that.

I highly recommend that you also check out Cooking.com's recipe section for lentils. Their Indian creamy lentil and rice recipe looks mighty delicious so as the Egyptian koshary pasta recipe. Both are of course meatless. If you're a natural carnivore I suggest that you try the very homely recipe of lentil and sausage stew -- perfect for rainy days.

Personalize and Send this Lentil Fest eCard!
PS: I've crossed my 100th post! More delicious festivals and holidays to come... stay tuned.

Host your own Seafood Festival!

2007-08-17T01:11:00.000-05:00

There's a Seafood Festival that's going to take place in Charleston, OR. It starts from 7am to 6pm. There's live music, contest for kids and adults like fish fling and crab racing. The Coast Guard is also opening their house for it! If you want to know more you can contact Mel Campbell at 541-888-4875.

If you can't go to Oregon or any other sea food festival this summer, you can have one at your own place! Have some appetizers, main course and some dessert and it'll be fun to have either a large party or a small intimate gathering of friends.

You can have King Prawns with Garlic and Brandy as your appetizer. You can also try the homemade fish fingers. And having a slow roasted salmon for your main dish would be delicious. And of course, you can always order in sushi.

Make sure you have plenty of beer, white wine or rosé -- they would go well with the home made sea food fest!

If you want some fun and adventure you can always cook craw fish (the Cajun style) and have a bunch of friends around to enjoy them with. And if you're not sure of how to eat craw fish watch this really great video:

VideoJug: How To Eat Crawfish

Celebrating the Rose Month!!

2007-05-25T07:44:00.000-05:00

Here are some quick facts about the June Flower, Rose:

• One of the earliest flowers know to man, symbolize love magic, hope, passion. The rose represents beauty and perfection.
• The name rose comes from the Latin word rose which means red.
• Nebuchadnezzar used roses to decorate his palace.
• They were grown for perfume oil in Persia.
• The Greeks associated roses with the blood of Aphrodite's beloved Adonis.

Since June is celebrated to be the Rose month, why not celebrate it over some lovely recipes made out of the flower itself. A cool drink with the rose essence might be the right way to beat the summers, isn’t it? How about trying out the Rose Petal Punch?

Rose Petal Punch

A handful of strongly scented rose petals will delicately flavor a punch for a summer evening.
2 - 3 hours before you wish to serve the punch, put a good handful of fresh, scented rose petals into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar over the roses and pour over it a large bottle of sparkling wine or apple cider along with the juice of one lemon. Chill.
When ready to serve, strain off the liquid into a punch bowl and add additional fresh rose petals and any berries in season. Serve in tall glasses.
Well, if you are thinking about some warm drink with this lovely aroma, why not try the Rosehip Tea. It’s so simple!!

Rosehip Tea

Make an infusion of rosehips with a pinch of cloves, cinnamon and a slice of lemon.
To make an infusion, add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 ounce of herb. Do not boil the herb in the water. That's how you make a decoction...
Strain herbs out and serve the "tea" to restore and stimulate your vital energy.
One more way to extend the enjoyment that fresh cut roses bring is to use the rose petals to create a batch of fragrant potpourri. This is a fun project that you might do with the person who sent you the roses, or it could be a great project at home or school for your children. You can learn all about it here.

As you enjoy and celebrate the beauty and fragrance of this wonderful flower, Let me wish all of a very Happy Rose Moth. Here are some beautiful greetings that you can send to your loved ones to spread the aroma and joy that this flower brings.

Choose The Rose...
Send a choice of red, yellow and pink roses to wish your friends and loved ones on Rose Month.
[ Interactive ]

A New Meaning To My Life !
Express your feelings for a very special friend with this beautiful ecard.
[ Flash ]

This weeks shout out goes to Wish With Flowers Blog.

Love Is In the Air

2007-05-18T08:11:00.000-05:00

Hope you all had a lovely time celebrating Mother’s Day!!

Today I in mood for some poetry. Love poems are always my favorite. I love the classic as well as the contemporary ones. I even love using some poetry quotes while writing mails to friends. So thought of giving a shout out to one of the most beautiful and comprehensive “Love Poems and Love Quotes” blogs today so that you all can share the wonderful collection of Dave. So get romantic and enjoy some of these lovely poems here. Wish you all a very happy weekend!!

Celebrate Mother's Day with Pies!

2007-05-10T00:32:00.000-05:00

Let's face it, we can't live without pies they're excellent when it comes to both a meal and a dessert. And mothers make the best pies ever. Don't you agree? So won't it be nice if you celebrated Mother's Day with a couple of pies just the way she loves them? That's why I got some really nice Pie recipes over at video jug so you can celebrate Mother's Day with really nice pies!

Beef and Mushroom Pie

VideoJug: How To Make Beef And Mushroom Pie

For All Those Moments...
On mother's Day send this cute ecard to express the love you harbor for your mom.
[ Flash ]

Just For You...
A beautiful rose to wish a wonderful mom/ sis/ wife/ dear one on Mother's Day.
[ Postcard ]

Language Of Love
Express your love & admiration towards your mom in nine different languages on mother’s day...
[ Flash ]

You Fill My Heart...
Send this beautiful card to someone special to express how special she is for you.
[ Flash ]

American Apple Pie

VideoJug: How To Make American Apple Pie

Mother's Day Is Here!
With warm hugs and sweet kisses make your mom's/ loved one's Mother's Day a wonderful one.
[ Interactive ]

Sending You A Mail...
Across the miles wrap your warm wishes and send it to your mom on Mother's Day.
[ Flash ]

Mom... I Am Turning Out To Be The Best!
Wish your mom 'The Best' Mother's Day by clicking on this sweet 'n lovely egreeting.
[ Flash ]

A Warm Hug To Say...
Say 'Love you' to your mom or someone like her with a cute virtual hug.
[ Animated ]

Shout Out Mother's Day Wishes!!

2007-05-09T01:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday when I was planning for a surprise for my dear mom on Mother’s Day, I came across this great blog with lovely gift ideas, tips and ecards. I quickly took down some tips and ideas because some of them were really unique. I instantly thought of featuring this “Mothers Day Wishes” blog by Gerry Martin in my post today as well as in my shout out box until Mother’s Day, so that you all can have a glimpse of this great blog and can use some great tips shared by the great blogger. Hope you all have a great time sending ecards, shopping gifts and planning surprises for your dear moms. See ya all tomorrow with some yummy Mother’s Day special recipes to delight, impress and treat your mothers.

Moms are forever!!

2007-05-08T05:42:00.000-05:00

Mother’s Day is a just round the corner. It’s the time to thank our lovely moms for being what they are in all our lives - a rock of support, epitome of love and sacrifice, close confidant, a staunch critic and off course our support system. I would love to take this opportunity to wish my mom and extend all my love to her through this post.

Here’s a little history on how the great celebration began. The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele. Christians celebrated this festival on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ. In England this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday.

In the United States, Mother's Day started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it "Mother's Work Day."

Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe, a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace, since she believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else.

In 1905 when Anna Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Legend has it that young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, "I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother's day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers."

Anna began to lobby prominent businessmen like John Wannamaker, and politicians including Presidents Taft and Roosevelt to support her campaign to create a special day to honor mothers. At one of the first services organized to celebrate Anna's mother in 1908, at her church in West Virginia, Anna handed out her mother's favorite flower, the white carnation. Five years later, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for officials of the federal government to wear white carnations on Mother's Day. In 1914 Anna's hard work paid off when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day as a national holiday.

At first, people observed Mother's Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually, by sending cards, presents, and flowers. With the increasing gift-giving activity associated with Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis became enraged. She believed that the day's sentiment was being sacrificed at the expense of greed and profit. In 1923 she filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother's Day festival, and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a convention selling carnations for a war mother's group. Before her death in 1948, Jarvis is said to have confessed that she regretted ever starting the mother's day tradition.

Despite Jarvis's misgivings, Mother's Day has flourished in the United States. In fact, the second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year to dine out, and telephone lines record their highest traffic, as sons and daughters everywhere take advantage of this day to honor and to express appreciation of their mothers.

So celebrate this beautiful day in your way to wish the most special woman in your life.

Send this Mother's Day eCard !

Coffee Cake Day!

2007-04-07T02:37:00.000-05:00

Well, today is simply superb! I have two of my favorite things combined in a single day - coffee and cake on Coffee Cake Day. U know, this cake is simply one of the easiest things to make and eat. So here's a quick and simple recipe for U guys for some great tasting cake -

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
6 tbs white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tbs butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbs flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 425F. In a large mixing bowl, combine larger portion of flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
Cut in shortening to pea sized pieces. In a smaller bowl, beat egg and stir in milk and vanilla.
Add egg mixture to the flour mixture.
Stir until just mixed. Pour batter into greased 9-inch cake pan.
For the topping, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and last bit of flour.
Sprinkle on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Good Friday and more...

2007-04-06T02:24:00.000-05:00

Good Friday is a solemn memorial of the sacrifice of our Savior. It is the time to be thankful to the Lord for His grace and glory on us. So make sure U wish all your friends and loved ones on Good Friday.

Speaking of celebrations we can end Good Friday on a very happy note. It's also Animated Cartoon Day and just the perfect time to watch our favorite cartoon series and have a whale of a time! I guess we are just lucky that cartoon was created for us to have a good laugh any time!

International Fun At Work Day!

2007-04-05T02:15:00.000-05:00

Work is what we do everything for and if we do not enjoy our work, then life indeed gets very boring and predictable! Wondering why I am suddenly talking about work? Well, its International Fun At Work Day and I guess that on this day something about work can definitely be said :)

Well guys, like I said it is very important for us to enjoy the work we do. Its true that we always do not get want we really want to do, but given an option people generally try to make their working place a success! So, on this day make sure that U have lots of fun working and do not forget to wish your friends and co-workers a great time also!

Send this eCard !

Chocolate Mousse Day and more...

2007-04-03T23:53:00.000-05:00

Yumm, yumm and yumm, that all how I can describe today's day as! Hey, what more can U expect for Chocolate Mousse Day. The best thing to do is to whip up some real tasty ones and have a 'choco-li-cious' time! So, what I am going to do is give U guys, a tried and true recipe that my family makes. Here it is -

INGREDIENTS -
200g of good quality dark chocolate (about 60% cocoa solids)
3 large eggs, separated
40g of caster sugar
2 tablespoons Cointreau (or other favorite liqueur)

METHOD -
* Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a heatproof bowl with 120ml of warm water. Stand the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Make sure that the bowl is not actually touching the water.

* Leave the chocolate to melt for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

* Remove the bowl from the heat and stir the chocolate really well until it is smooth and glossy. Then leave it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

* Beat the egg yolks together and then add to the cooled chocolate, along with the Cointreau. Beat again until smooth.

* In a spotlessly clean bowl, whisk the egg whites to a soft peak stage. Then whisk in the sugar one third at time. You will now have a glossy, soft meringue.

* Now fold a small amount of the meringue into the chocolate using a metal spoon and 'cutting actions'. Once the mix has loosened up, continue folding in the meringue about one third at a time. Be careful not to be too vigorous or you will knock the air out of the mousse.

* Finally divide the mix up between 6 small ramekins. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

For a final indulgent touch to this irresistible chocolate mousse recipe, finish it off with a blob of softly whipped cream and chocolate shavings !

P.S - I just remembered that I totally forgot to mention about Great Lovers Day. But I am sure that all you romantic people out there had a great time. In case, you have missed out - send your beloved, ecards to make up!

Happy April Fools' Day!

2007-04-01T23:47:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, are U still celebrating April Fools' Day or what? I had a great time pulling tricks on people, it was simply hilarious! What's the scene out there? I am sure, not many people have been spared today - specially if they have bugged you sometime or the other.

And as usual if there is some kind of celebration, then how can food be behind? Here are couple of recipes that I found here for some super cool food for playing pranks !

Cake In Ice Cream Cone
Ingredients:
* Cake cones wafer with flat bottoms
* Batter of any cake
* Ready-made vanilla or chocolate frosting
* Sprinkles
* Cake decorating bag with a star cake-decorating tip

Methods:
* Pour cake batter into the cones up to three-fourths of their capacity.
* Bake for about 15 minutes at 350°F temperature.
* Let it cool and set.
* Put frosting into decorating bag with star tip and swirl the frosting on the top like a soft-serve ice cream.
* Add sprinkles if desired.

Pizza Candy
Ingredients:
* 1 - Unbaked pie crust
* Green dots candies
* 1 - Red fruit roll
* 1/2 cup - Shredded coconut
* Yellow food coloring
* 1 - Small jar of red jelly

Method:
* Put pie crust on a round pizza pan, folded at the edges to resemble a pizza crust.
* Bake the crust as directed.
* Cut the dots into bell pepper like pieces using butter knife.
* Cut fruit rolls into pepperoni like circles using cleaned and washed scissors.
* Mix and shake coconut shreds and food coloring thoroughly.
* Spread the jelly on crust, sprinkle it with coconut and candy pieces and decorate with fruit roll circles.
* Serve the yummy pizza candy.

Black Forest Cake Day!

2007-03-28T23:50:00.000-05:00

Hey people, sorry for the delay in postings - I was off on a short trip to the coast, you know just to kind of refresh my mind! I haven't been very regular for the past couple of months, and that is just because I am a little squeezed for time. It is all due to my classes, my guitar learning and the many other activities that I keep getting involved in!

Anyway, today I start with Black Forest Cake Day and boy, am I waiting to sink my teeth into some! Black Forest can rightly be called the 'King of Cakes'. The taste is heavenly, simply irresistible. So, before I drool anymore, here's a recipe for the cake that's made in my home -

1 box dark chocolate cake mix
1 can cherry pie filling
¼ cup water
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 carton whipped dairy cream
1 jar marshmallow cream

Bake cake according to directions on the box in a 9x13x2 inch pan. Slice in half length wise to make 2 layers. In saucepan, simmer pie filling, water and cornstarch until thick. Cool completely. Mix whipped topping and marshmallow cream together thoroughly.

To assemble: Spread bottom layer with 1/3 of whipped topping mixture, then cherry pie filling, then 1/3 more whipped topping. Set top layer on and use last 1/3 of whipped topping mixture on top. KEEP REFRIGERATED!

If desired, curls of semi-sweet chocolate or shaved chocolate can be used to garnish the top.

International Goof Up Day and more...

2007-03-22T23:44:00.001-05:00

Have U anytime made a faus pax unintentionally and then regretted it later... yes, then don't feel bad anymore 'coz we have International Goof Up Day being celebrated! We have a day specially dedicated for goof up's and that sure makes life very easy. No more of feelings of embaressment!

We also had another fun celebration... Roller Coaster Day! What a time to go 'weeeee' down! Roller coasters are actually symbols of our childhood and a ride in one never fails to bring back the memories of those warm days.

So, while I go and relive all these wonderful memories, you guys can also keep busy, counting as to how many goof ups can be made in a day :)

Smile Rejuvenation Day!

2007-03-20T23:43:00.000-05:00

Hey people, this is a great day. Its Smile Rejuvenation Day and all it requires for us to do, is to keep smiling!

Smiling is a great thing... "it increases your face value", keeps those facial muscles in great shape and definitely keeps the heart in a good beating condition! The beneficiaries of smiling is endless and it is a very well known stress buster.

So, just don't wait anymore, keep smiling and make others smile too by sending these cute ecards!

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Chocolate Caramel Day!

2007-03-19T23:40:00.000-05:00

Well, I am back... after going totally green for some time! And I have a latest craze too... the World Cup! What a performance by Ireland, it was awesome and I kinda think the spirit of Saint Paddy's Day was upon them :)

You know I was also thinking that I really haven't written on anything sweet for a very long time, and I was just lucky that today is Chocolate Caramel Day. So what I did was cajole my mom into giving me a treat and this was what she came up with - Chocolate Caramel Brownies. Take a look!

Ingredients:

1 Bag Caramel Candies
1 Pkg German Chocolate Cake Mix
3/4 Cup Melted Butter
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
2/3 Cup Evaporated Milk

Directions:

Preheat over 350F, grease and sugar.
Melt caramels with 1/3 cup evaporated milk in double boiler.
Combine cake mix, melted butter, 1/3 cup evaporated milk, walnuts.
Pat approximately 1/2 of mixture in pan. Bake for 7 minutes.
Sprinkle chocolate chips and caramels over particlly cooked dough. Crumble rest of dough over the mixture.
Bake for 15 minutes Remove from oven, refrigerate when cool.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

2007-03-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hey, guys St. Paddy's Day is here and I am going to have a big celebration with all my friends! Time for the magic of green to take over everything ! From shamrocks to four leaved clovers, to the leprechauns... the spirit and true color of St. Patrick's Day is everywhere ! So, while I go and get ready to have a shamrockin' time, here's a couple of e-invites you can send to your friends and loved ones -

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Pi Day and more...

2007-03-15T01:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I am behind schedule but I will start with yesterday's ones 'coz of the wonderful events that were celebrated! I start off with Pi Day, and guys I am not getting into the details of this because maths is not exactly my cup of tea :). I hope U all had fun with numbers!

I rather stick to NO Smoking Day. I'm rather glad that along with all those fun events we have days that celebrate important ones too. Smoking has never been something that can cause happiness. And specially when in the long run, it can cause cancer, I guess a better option is to stay away from it.

We also had Genius Day celebrated. Everbody admires intelligence and everyone aspires to be intelligent too, so this day was perfect to flaunt your IQ score or just pretend to be intelligent! Hehe, that reminds me of the 1st of April and that's almost here too.

Speaking of fun events, we have a big one comimg up - St. Paddy's Day. It's time for all of us to go green and for this, we had Irish American Day yesterday, in honor of the Irish people who have made such an important contribution to American Life! So this is all from me for today, stay tuned for more...

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Daylight Saving Time begins and more...

2007-03-11T23:47:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, hope U all had a great weekend! Mine was cool like usual 'coz I never keep any heavy plans for the week's end :). You know we had very many interesting celebrations over the couple of days. There was Telephone Day, and we really need to thank Graham Bell for that. What a useful little ditty this is. Just imagine, conversing with people thousands of miles away and that too in a couple of minutes!

Send this eCard !

Apart from this we also had Daylight Saving Time Begins and something else that really rocked - Alfred Hitchcock Day. Wow, a day dedicated to the greatest showman of murder and mystery! I simply love his movies, don't U? The feeling of suspense and a lurking of fear and uncertainty is something that is found only in his movies. From the 99 steps to the Birds, every movie is a classic in itself.

So before I go on and on, let me stop right here and give U all a chance to say something also. Be sure to keep me posted on all your weekend happenings while I go and prepare of the long week ahead.

Send this eCard !

International Women's Day !

2007-03-08T02:21:00.000-05:00

International Women’s Day has evolved into a popular worldwide celebration that has seen its genesis in a saga of struggles by women against all odds to bring about equality, peace and justice in a patriarchal society.

For times immemorial women had to make fervent effort to establish a respectable place for themselves. International Women’s Day is rooted in centuries of strife and revolt. Although inequality and injustice prevailed in society as a whole yet the discrimination in the textile and manufacturing industries was inhuman culminating into widespread discontentment among women which ultimately gave birth to a revolt.

Jobs were sex-segregated, women were paid less wages than their male counterparts and had to slog for longer hours working in such a deplorable condition that their place of work was commonly known as ‘sweat shops’. Thus ‘extraordinary courage’ of ‘ordinary women’ finally brought about a revolution that changed the whole outlook of the world towards women.

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

I Want You To Be Happy Day and more...

2007-03-04T23:49:00.000-05:00

Hello people! How is it going? It was a great weekend for me with celebrations of all things good - quite colorful in fact.

The weekend started with Employee Appreciation Day. Now, this is a very important day for the heads of all organizations. Appreciating your employee and letting them know how important they are to the company is something that many people overlook. As a result dissatisfaction happens leading to poor work performance. So words of praise every now and then increases effeciency and leads to a happier work environment.

Send this eCard !
Speaking of happiness - this is what we all seek! Whatever we do, the end result that we desire is always to be happy. So, we celebrate something called I Want You To Be Happy Day. This is a day that requires all to be simply happy and do all things that makes them happy.

Now happiness comes in all hues, I mean colors! I just learnt of a Indian festival called Holi, which is called the festival of colors. It is indeed very colorful where people smear each other with colored powder and the sheer joy of this simple and fun loving act, is reflected beautifully in the smiles that light up the many-colored faces.

Along with Holi, I also saw an unique Japanese festival also being observed - Hina Matsuri. Here, the daughters of the family are wished and blessed to lead a happy, healthy and successful life. Nice way of honoring the daughters isn't it?

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And lastly we have the classic All American celebration - Hug A GI Day, just the perfect reason to go and hug all those GI's that work hard to protect the nation and us!

Well, I guess I have never written such a long post in my life - but simply had to as there were a lot of things to say. I end here now, promise to see all U guys soon!

Send this eCard !

Pig Day and more...

2007-03-01T23:47:00.000-05:00

Oink...Oink, its Pig Day! Guys, a good reason to take a break from all the salami, pork and ham to give these little creatures their due credit. Pigs form a big part of the eco-system by doing away with all the bad things with their great foraging abilities. It is said that you can say when a pig is happy or unhappy by its tail - if the tail is tightly coiled, the little piggy is a happy soul. Else, if the tail hangs limp, the pig is unhappy. Now, that's very interesting!

And now, going away from the animal farm to something a little more refined - Peanut Butter Lover's Day. What can I say for this day. The best thing to do here is simply to slather on some and enjoy a crunchy, munchy taste. If U really want to try something different for peanut butter, then check out this video!

VideoJug: How To Make Fiendish Peanut Butter Fudge Ghosts

Polar Bear Day!

2007-02-27T23:40:00.000-05:00

Hey, its almost the end of this month. Cannot believe that another month of the new year passed away so quicky! Time is sure flying fast. Anyway guys, today's the time for another very cool celebration - Polar Bear Day!

What a cute celebration this is. Polar bears I guess, belong to the cutest club of the bears. But they sure know how to turn mean as and when required. Very happening customers indeed. So, here's the perfect reason to have fun with these really great ecards!

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Cuddle Day and more...

2007-02-25T23:46:00.000-05:00

The weekend was bit boring for me. I really didn't have anything much to do and there was nothing to look forward too! But then I remembered about Banana Bread Day, which was fine with me as banana bread ranks as one of my all time favorite foods! So, the next thing that I did was to cajole my mom into making some and here's it -

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
5 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup mashed bananas
1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 tsp. vanilla

Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter. Beat the egg slightly, and mix into the creamed mixture with the bananas.
Mix in sifted ingredients until just combined.
Stir in milk, walnuts and the vanilla.
Spread batter into one greased and floured 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F, until top is brown and cracks along the top.

P.S - There was something else that I did too - in honor of Cuddle Day, I gave my mom a big one, which I was already planning too 'coz her baking! She deserved a very big cuddle.

Send this eCard !

Teddy Bear Day!

2007-02-22T07:40:00.000-05:00

Now, this day is really special. Teddy bears are very well loved by both the young and the old, so there is nothing much to do today, other than show your old teddy bear how much it is still loved till date!

The fact is - teddy bears are like best friends. They are always there for us. I am sure many of us have shared many secrets in its furry ears and shed many a tear on its broad shoulders! So people, take a breather from your daily routine and give your bear a big cuddle on Teddy Bear Day - just like I am going too!

Mardi Gras and more...

2007-02-20T23:35:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful feeling to be a part of a colorful parade, enjoy the exotic dances and fill up the tummy with some spicy food. Things just couldn't get any better, and more so of Mardi Gras! Yes, people today is Mardi Gras and we are really in place for some exotic fun - time to get into the festive spirit with the King cakes, masked balls, parades and wild parties.

Along with this we also have Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is celebrated as a day of feasting before the period of Lent begins. A great day to enjoy a day with pancakes and other home made goodies. So while I go and stock up on some more happening celebrations, U guys let me know the result of your Mardi Gras partying!

Send this eCard !

A Weekend Celebration!!

2007-02-19T00:54:00.000-05:00

It was rather a grand weekend, with celebrations spanning across the globe! The weekend already had a good start, with the Second Honeymoon - making sure all the couples had an extra bit more of cupid time. Then we had the Mardi Gras Festival in Georgia... a great event that's full of exciting things to do and watch. This celebration is all about fun, music and food. Just the kind of things that I like:)

And to add to this, was the Chinese New Year... Gong Xi fa Cai! This time, it is really special. It's the Year of the Golden Pig, something the Chinese consider really auspicious as the year is believed to bring in loads of riches! What a great way to bring in smiles, happiness and contentment.

Over the years the Chinese New Year has evolved into a festival that is celebrated with a lot of pomp and splendor. It is an ocassion when people of Chinese origin all over the globe with strings attached to their homeland, live the spirit of the festival in full swing. Check out this great site that describes of all the famous places that has extravagant celebration of Chinese New Year !

Second Honeymoon Weekend!!

2007-02-16T00:49:00.000-05:00

Hey, I hope U guys had a great Valentine's Day! And I am also kinda sure that there are some of U out there, still reliving the magic all over again. So, what does casey do... she comes up with a celebration that keeps the romance lingering!

Yes, it's Second Honeymoon Weekend starting from tomorrow, and I guess you couldn't ask for a better reason to fall in love all over again! So ladies and gentlemen, here's to a romantic weekend that could last all the year around.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2007-02-14T02:11:00.000-05:00

Hey people... I know all U guys are real busy with your own planning for Valentine's Day, so here's me too - wishing You all, a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Valentine's Day - Love Bites!!

2007-02-13T05:24:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, its here! Valentine's Day is here and love has taken over us by storm! I know all of U are busy making plans, so I am being really nice and sticking to just what I need to do. And my agenda is a complete V-Day menu (that i found on the net) for all those of you, who believe that the way to anyone's heart is via the stomach!

Come on, what's any kind of celebration without something to eat! Love really calls for a special kind of celebration - so here's few easy and simple ones that's leave lots of room for romance!

Shrimp Scampi

1 cup butter
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/8 tsp. white pepper
2 lbs. medium raw shrimp, shelled, devined

PREPARATION:

Thaw shrimp if frozen. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Combine the butter, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until melted and blended. Remove from heat.
Arrange shrimp in a single layer in a large shallow baking dish. Pour the butter mixture over the shrimp and gently stir the shrimp to make sure all are coated.
Bake in 450 degrees F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the shrimp are pink, curled, and opaque. Serve immediately.

Wild Rice Pilaf

1-1/2 cups uncooked wild rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
14 oz. can ready to serve chicken broth
2 cups water
4 oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves

PREPARATION:

Spray a 4-6 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Rinse rice and drain well. Combine in crockpot together with green onion, salt, chicken broth and water and mix well.
Cover crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Add mushrooms and thyme and stir gently.
Cover and cook on low for 30-60 minutes longer, until wild rice pops and is tender.

Grilled Steak With Herb Butter

1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 Tbsp. butter, softened
Salt and pepper to taste
6 steaks

PREPARATION:

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients except steaks. Process till blended.
Cover the blended butter and chill this mixture and then form it into a roll 1" in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper and chill until firm.
Prepare grill. Grill steaks 4-6" above medium coals, turning once with tongs, until steak is cooked to desired doneness.
Or place on broiler pan and broil 4-6" from heat source for 10-15 minutes, turning once with tongs, until steak is cooked to desired doneness.
Let the meat sit for about 5 minutes before serving, then slice the chilled butter and place on top of the hot steak, letting it melt into the meat.

Now, this is the best part... a mouthful of sweetness is the sure fire way to warm up the flames of desire. You can choose either of the recipes for your sweetheart.

Dream Cake

1 box cake mix, any flavor
1 envelope Dream Whip dry whipped topping mix
1 cup cold water
4 eggs

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13" pan or two 9" pans with nonstick cooking spray containing flour; set aside.
In large bowl, combine cake mix, whipped topping mix, water, and eggs and beat until blended.
Then beat for 4 minutes at medium speed, until batter increases in volume.
Pour into prepared cake pan(s).
Bake the 9" pans for 25-30 minutes, and the 9x13" pan for 30-40 minutes or until cake pulls away from edges of pan and is dark golden brown.
Cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove the 9" cakes from pans. Keep the 9x13" cake in its pan. Frost as desired.

Molten Chocolate Cakes

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter
3 eggs
3 egg yolks
5 oz. fudgy brownie mix(packaged will do)
Tbsp. coffee liqueur OR hot water OR brewed coffee

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 nonstick muffin cups and set aside.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and butter. Microwave on high power for 45 to 60 seconds, stirring twice during cooking, or until chocolate and butter are melted and mixture is smooth.
In a large bowl, combine eggs and egg yolks and beat with a mixer at high speed for 4 to 6 minutes until foamy and doubled in size.
Set aside the chocolate syrup packet from brownie mix.
Gradually add dry brownie mix to the beaten egg mixture, stirring until well blended. Fold in melted chocolate chip mixture and liqueur or coffee.
Carefully pour batter into prepared muffin cups.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 14 minutes or just until edges are set.
The centers of the little cakes will still be soft. Cool on wire rack for 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, drizzle chocolate syrup from packet onto each serving plate.
Run knife around edge of each cake to loosen, then invert warm cake over chocolate syrup on each plate.

Valentine Candy Hearts !

2007-02-12T08:22:00.000-05:00

A sweet little something to get U guys in the Valentine mood! Have fun and see U tomorrow for some love-li-cious recipes to usher in Love Day!

P.S - 'george' as in George Clooney - do not get ideas guys.

The Candy Heart You Should Give Is:

To: george
From: casey

What Candy Heart Should You Give?

Valentine's Day Weekend!!

2007-02-10T01:10:00.000-05:00

Guys, I am finally seeing the light of my screen! LOL! U know, it was terrible... just lying in bed all day was not exactly I like doing! But I had no choice, the cold really put me down.

Anyway enough of my whinings, let me remind U that the weekend is here! And this is going to be a very special weekend 'coz its the Valentine's Day Weekend! A great time to just laze and cuddle up with your beloved and whisper sweet nothings.

Speaking of which, another important thing that plays a very important part is food! What's anything without good food... even Love is bland without some food to get the love-adrenaline rushing! Chocolates! yes, the number one in love food is always chocolates. They are easy to get, absolutely yummy in taste and they make great gifts. Come on, we all know that we can never go wrong with chocolates and Chocolate Festival.

So here's to love and chocolates - have a great weekend while I see U again soon!

A Quick Note!!

2007-02-08T07:57:00.000-05:00

Hello people, just a quick note to say - I will be back in action in a day ot two! Really down with a terrible cold (like I said earlier). I feel dizzy when I stare at the screen, so decided to give my brain and eyes a deserved break! See you guys around soon!

Super Bowl!!

2007-02-05T06:49:00.000-05:00

There is absolutely no need to say anything... there is enough in Super Bowl to say and watch! I am just completing my mission... of some great and fast Super Bowl recipes!

Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe

Ingredients
4 to 5 pounds chicken wings
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt (if desired)
4 cups vegetable oil
4 Tbsp butter or margarine (1/2 stick)
5 Tbsp Louisiana-brand hot sauce or Tabasco sauce
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar

PREPARATION

Chop off the tip of each chicken wing, and discard it.
Chop the wing in half (cutting at the joint) to make 2 pieces. Grind on fresh black pepper and sprinkle with salt if desired.
Heat the oil over high heat in a deep skillet, Dutch oven, or deep-fat fryer until it starts to pop and sizzle to around 400 degrees F.
Add half the chicken wings and cook until they're golden and crisp, stirring or shaking occasionally. When done, remove them to drain on paper towels and cook the remaining wings.
Melt the butter or margarine over medium heat in a heavy saucepan, add the hot sauce and the 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
Stir well and remove from the flame immediately.
Place the chicken on a warm serving platter, pour the sauce on top, and serve.

Banana Choco-Chip Mini-muffins

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature (1-1/2 sticks)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup very ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chocolate chips (about)

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line mini-muffin tins with papers.
Cream butter and eggs until light and fluffy. Add eggs, honey, sour cream, bananas, and vanilla extract.
Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Beat into wet ingredients until light and fluffy.
Fill muffin papers 3/4 full. Lightly press 3 chocolate chips into the center of each muffin. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until tops are lightly browned.

As for me, well since I got a readymade companion for the last few days with me (my cold!!), I think I will stick to mom's Homemade Soups!

Chocolate Festivals!!

2007-02-03T04:35:00.000-05:00

Hello people, I am very sorry to be irregular... but I have a good reason! I have caught a nasty cold and it's driving me nuts. I am tired of sniffling around and feeling miserable.

Anyway enough of me and my wheezy state. U know, I have been good, like I said before - I have been away from food... trying to control my weakness for all things yummy! But due to my weakened state, I think mom had pity on me... and she came up with a great Chocolate Tart treat for dessert last night (just the right thing in celebration of Chocolate Festival)! I did not have the energy to ask her the recipe, so I opted the easy way out - the net!

So, check out this cool video that gives a treat for the eyes as well as the mouth!

VideoJug: How To Make Chocolate Tart

Shout Out Time !!

2007-01-31T07:58:00.000-05:00

'Some men see things as they are and say why... I dream of things that never were and say why not'-G.B.Shaw

I guess you all are wondering why I ve suddenly gone all philosophical. The reason-my latest 'Shout Out'- 8 Wishes !! Paul Sanchez is out on a mission to fulfil his 8Wishes-the most important wish being the collection of 1 million dollars, for children with learning disabilities and dyslexia. For learning more about the rest of his wishes click here.. and join me in helping him out to achieve his noble wishes. A big thumbs up to paul for 8wishes !!
Here's the starting link of 8 Wishes-

The Hole - video powered by Metacafe

Puzzle Day!!

2007-01-30T10:46:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, I'm up early today! Just didn't feel like snuggling in anymore (which I usually do!). I'm keeping my promise on going low for sometime on food, so this morning it's just going to be coffee and two slices of bread for me!

Speaking of coffee, I was reading up on puzzles, today being Puzzle Day and I found a great quiz that actually merged my crave for coffee and a puzzle (yeah yeah, I know a quiz is not the same as a puzzle, but I'm not a choosy person!). So, take a look at this - What kind Of A Coffee Are You? - while I go and get my simple breakfast!

You are a Black Coffee

At your best, you are: low maintenance, friendly, and adaptable

At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty

You drink coffee when: you can get your hands on it

Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Chocolate Cake And More...

2007-01-29T01:01:00.000-05:00

It was a foodie weekend - a gastronomical delight that was savored in the past couple of days! Where do I start from - I do not know. There was too much of everything and now, I seriously think that I need a break!

It all started with chocolate, as in Chocolate Cake. Well, now there's no holding back people when a slice of chocolate cake is around and it calls for nerves of steel to be able to resist it - well, I never professed to have steely nerves! So, I don't think anything else is required to be said. Then saturday morning started with Blueberry Pancakes. I'm not to be blamed for this! My mom just decided to surprise me with some (she had no idea that I had been high on choco cake).

If this was not enough, our next door neighbor invited us for dinner and came up with something that was absolutely delicious - Oyster Cocktail. It was perfect... just added the right touch to the Oyster Festival in South Carolina, which I had been reading about in the morning. Needless to say, I got hold of the recipe, and here it is for all U people, while I go and take a breather from food!

Oyster Cocktail:

Select fine oysters of uniform size.
Have them thoroughly chilled, having first taken care that they are free from bits of shell.
Pour over them a dressing made of 1 tablespoon each tomato catsup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and grated horseradish or horseradish vinegar.
Add a few drops of Tobasco sauce, a little salt, a dash of cayenne (if desired).
Let the oysters stand in this mixture until very cold and serve as you please.

Butter Me Up!!

2007-01-25T10:57:00.000-05:00

Complimenting a near one, a friend, your colleague or just the salesperson in the supermarket, is a great way to begin a day! I use the phrase to 'begin a day' 'coz a little compliment goes a long way in making people feel good, and that good and happiness is always reflected back in our lives! And guys, casey loves being happy - right? So make use of Compliment Day today, and keep smiling at all the compliments that U receive too!

My happiness is always there in celebrating life in its everyday forms - via food or just simple things that add a touch of color and joy. So what, if it is just plain old peanut butter? Yeah, U guessed it, today also belongs to Peanut Butter Day. A slice of bread and some buttery peanuts is all but required to keep faces contended.

So people, while I go and get myself a slice of contentment, U too can get going for some nutty and buttery fun!

'Pie'-ld Up Fun!!

2007-01-24T00:17:00.000-05:00

Hey people, its Pie Time! What a nice way to celebrate pies... by keeping an entire day for it - Pie Day. So without going around much, the best thing that I can personally think of doing is simply to have some pies. And to do that we have make some, right people? So, here's a few easy pie-li-cious recipes to celebrate Pie Day in style -

Chocolate Chip Pie:

1 cup each of granulated white sugar, packed brown sugar and all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup melted unsalted butter
1/2 cup each of coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts and chocolate chips
1 unbaked pie crust

Mix white sugar, brown sugar and flour.
Stir in eggs and butter, combining well.
Fold in pecans and chocolate chips.
Spread mixture in crust, and bake at 325°F. for 60 to 70 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

5 Minute Pie:

8 ounces of softened cream cheese
14 and 1/2 ounces of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup lime juice
1 graham cracker pie crust, 9 inch

Beat cream cheese in small mixer bowl until smooth.
Gradually add sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Beat until smooth
Add lime juice. Blend slowly until thickened, about 1 minute.
Pour into pie shell. Chill 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until firm.

Celebration Of Life!!

2007-01-23T00:28:00.000-05:00

Today's my day... wanna take a guess why? Hey, its Celebration Of Life Day...

Fun, Food & Friends, that's the spirit of my life. We all are passionate about different things in life. But life can get so monotonous at times, that we forget to live and cherish each passing day. So join me in celebrating our very existence on this beautiful earth;

Have Fun today, as if there were no tomorrow..
Eat and Drink, to satisfy your ultimate cravings..
And finally, do it all with your closest and dearest Friends..

So, while I celebrate life today with Yanni's soulful songs of the album 'In Celebration of Life', you can chill out with friends or anxiously await for tomorrow's Pie Day celebrations at Celebrating Holidays Everyday!!

Say Cheese !!

2007-01-21T23:41:00.000-05:00

Cheese, cheese and more of cheese! What a yummy day... a good time to go bonkers on cheese! But hey, mind the fat content too.Cheese is good but in small doses. Like I plan to have a good, cheesy pizza and then stay contended for a week. So its a good idea for U guys to binge and then concentrate on some serious workout!

Speaking of workouts, a good exercise is hugging yes, I'm serious 'coz a good hug makes U feel good and contended. And anything that makes people happy, effects that mind and the body... so, there's a lot of good things released in your blood stream that helps in losing weight! So, guys just get going and send lot's of hugs to all your loved ones. U would be feeling good and making others feel good too!

Whisper I Love You...

2007-01-19T07:47:00.000-05:00

Hey people, what a great build up to Valentines Day. It's Whisper I Love You Day today. So, just don't waste time and get going to whisper sweet nothings in your sweetheart's ears!

P. S - To add a bit of extra sweetness, take a quick look at this recipe -

Champagne or sparkling wine
A little cane sugar syrup
A splash of cognac
Strawberrys

Method-

Place a few strawberries into the bottom of each champagne flute.
Pour in the cane syrup and cognac.
Fill up the glass with champagne.

Don't forget to make up a little platter with more strawberries, syrup and cognac - or just a nice dish of strawberries - so that you can continue the pairing until the bottle is empty!

Remember, too, to have an ice-filled champagne bucket on hand. There may be a lull between glasses and you want the champagne to stay cold!

A Royal Ditch!!

2007-01-17T23:58:00.000-05:00

Hey guys... just took a very short break! Completed my paper in time and now I'm relieved and ready to do some serious celebrating. Do U people know that todays's Ditch Your New Year's Resolution Day? No... well it is!

The whole idea is fun! Can U think of it... like we invest in so much time and effort in deciding our New Year's resolutions, and on top that maintaining them, and we actually have a day where people just let go like that. Cool! So, what are U all waiting for... just get going, break some resolutions and have fun like me... (I say this 'coz I never stuck to my resolution of eating less!)

Ciao.

An 'Iced' Time!!

2007-01-16T00:49:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, just a quick post today - I got a paper tomorrow! U know talking about seafood sure made me hungry for it all again, and I kind of begged my mom for some. She made a great dish - Marinated Grilled Shrimp... my absolute favorite and topped it up with homemade Strawberry Icecream.

So, here's me with two recipes for all to enjoy - Yumm, yumm!

Homemade Strawberry Icecream:
2 pints strawberries (enough to make 2 cups purée)
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tray ice cubes
1/2 cup cold water

Put the strawberries in a metal strainer and dip them into very hot water for 3 seconds, remove immediately.
Hull the berries and purée in a food processor. Add sugar to purée and stir until the sugar
dissolves.
Put the cream into a chilled bowl and set it into a larger bowl of the ice and water. Beat with a whisk until it just begins to thicken and cling to the whisk.
Fold the cream thoroughly into the purée.
Pour the mixture into the container of an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Serve immediately or pack into a chilled mold or freezer container.

Marinated Grilled Shrimp:
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
skewers

In a large bowl, stir together the garlic, olive oil, tomato sauce, and red wine vinegar. Season with basil, salt, and cayenne pepper.
Add shrimp to the bowl, and stir until evenly coated. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring once or twice.
Preheat grill for medium heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade.
Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp on preheated grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque.

A Weekend Full Of Fun!!

2007-01-15T00:07:00.000-05:00

Yipee, I had a great time folks! It was a good weekend for me - 'coz I was roller skating to my heart's content. It was also Roller Skating Day on friday, and that was a very good excuse to put my skates on. Actually skating is a very good exercise too... so it was fun coupled with some energy burning too!

Speaking of skating, I indulged in some great food. Seafood. Now I very firmly believe that any food if cooked in the proper way never makes U afraid of the weighing scale! Though seafood is considered to be a little on the fatty side at times - a serving now and then keeps U contended for a long time. So I just shut my eyes, and had a great time with prawns and lobsters (Ooo, I'm drooling!)

Well guys, I'm kind of well fed and contended now - feeling drowsy too. And this is very soon going to reflect in my posting too, but before I leave, there was something that really kept me entertained from the morning... and that was Dress Up Your Pet Day! U can kind of imagine the sight of cute little pets in various costumes that hit the streets - Oh boy, they were fantastic!

'Tattoed' Up!!

2007-01-12T00:07:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, I'm really excited! Today's a really fun day... Tattoo Pride Day. What a cool celebration - tattoing away! It's interesting 'coz sporting a tattoo is considered to be 'THE' in thing now, and the trendier is your tattoo, the 'cooler' U get in town! So people, get going... how 'bout a tattoo today?

Another thing that struck my mind - this is something I came across in this ecard site, Thank You Day! This is really good, I mean how many of us really get time to say thanks to all those people, who brighten our days. It's never a bad idea to show a little bit of appreciation, when we hanker for the same ourselves! I know... I'm not getting into those, but it's just a thought!

And lastly, if U have really nothing else to do, then just Step In A Puddle And Splash Your Friend! Yes, don't be surprised, something of this kind is also celebrated!

Twist And Shake!!

2007-01-10T11:01:00.000-05:00

Life is also about fun, isn't it? Like I say, with food, you have to be friends and this also includes having fun! Now Fun is something that sometimes has to be sought out - so if this is the case, then Dancing is something that might top the list of fun things to do! It does mine, and I'm sure a lot of U people out there would agree with me.

So, if a little step here and a little step there can make your heart soar - then you are born to dance! And this is what I'm doing right now (o.k, it's also to lose the weight I put on in the Holiday Season), which is also another good reason to celebrate Dance Day! One more thing before I go - today's also celebrated as Make Your Dreams Come True Day! Now, I don't think I actually need to say anything more on this... all You guys have to do is make your fondest dream come true. So here's a wish of good luck from me!

P.S. - This week's first 'Shout Out' at Cyber-holidays goes to Trinigourmet.com. Check out our iFrame. This my way of appreciating and spreading the word about Sarina's unique work. Keep up the good work. Three Cheers for Trinigourment.com! Hip Hip Hurray!!

A Cuddle And A Soak!!

2007-01-09T03:44:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, I'm back! I kind of took a short holiday from the net with my template going a bit crazy... things are fine now! Speaking of holidays, I spent mine, all cuddled up in honor of celebrating Cuddle Up Day. I like the concept of cuddles, it feels good when any of your loved ones can cuddle up with U!

And I did something that I wanted to do for a long time - soak up. I went for a long soak in my bath tub and it coincided with Bubble Bath Day. No matter what, bubble baths are something that are always welcome. A long soak is just the thing that is needed after a tiring day.

So, now that I have kind of completed my updates, I'm going in search for something to eat before I hit my bed! And I'm going raw... in lieu of Eat Something Raw Day!

A Note From Me!!

2007-01-06T02:00:00.000-05:00

Hello people, this is just a little departure from my normal posts - actually I was kind of thinking of making Cyber Holidays a little more interactive and interesting! That would actually get casey's philosophy of Food, Friends and Fun on the flow. So on that note, let me add that casey is from now on always open for suggestions from her fellow bloggers - from recipe requests, to food trivia to videos, fun facts - just about all things that would spice up the blogosphere!

And lastly, There's a new add on at Cyber-Holidays called 'Shout Out' in the iFrame, wherein I shall feature two of my favorite blogs every week. This is my way of carrying forward my friend Antman's'Shout Out', at the same time appreciating sincere bloggers and their unique work. If U have that extra edge, let me know and I'll be happy to spread the word. Cheers!

So, this week's 'Shout Out' goes to- My View Of It, Widgets Lab

P.S - I've been kind of trying out new things on the template, and for this reason, it's been going bit crazy at times. Do bear along for a day or two!

'Oodles Of Fun'!!

2007-01-04T00:33:00.000-05:00

Life's beautiful and 'cherry-licious'! This is what I think after a few chocolate covered cherries made their way in my stomach - and my heart! And I'm just getting ready for more, more 'oodles of fun' with Spaghetti Day!

Guys, spaghetti is simply the best thing to happen. It's easy, fast to make and super easy to eat. So while, I go in search for some... Check out this yummy recipe!

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti, cooked 1/2 cup milk 1 egg 1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped, 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced, 1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

Combine hot drained spaghetti, milk and egg and mix well.
Pour spaghetti mixture into a buttered casserole dish.
Brown ground beef with onion, bell pepper and garlic in a large skillet and then drain.
Return drained meat back into the skillet and add seasonings. Cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in tomato sauce and cook for 2 more minutes.
Spread meat mixture over spaghetti.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake at 425°F for 10 minutes or until cheese melts and is bubbly.
Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes.

A 'Cherry(ful)' Snooze!!

2007-01-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

Greetings people - it's already the third day of the New Year and I hope that U guys have started with your New Year's resolutions! Now lemme confess, I keep kinda asking about this 'coz I wanted to check if there's anyone out there who has been procastinating their resolutions like me. Time's flying by and I'm still unable to make up mind.

Anyway, let's come out of me and move ahead - Yesterday was Science Fiction Day, and I had a cool time watching movies and doing something else too. Sleeping! Yes, 'coz today's also Festival of Sleep and I just kind of started celebrating it a bit early! Another celebration that's on the cards for the day is Chocolate Covered Cherry Day ! It's a tad early to eat now, so I guess some time later in the day will do for my lil' binge. So, before I sign out to head for my classes, take a peek into this yummy thing I found!

* 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
* 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1 Tablespoon milk
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
* 2 jars maraschino cherries with stems
* 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
* 2 Tablespoons shortening

In mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter, milk, and almond extract.
Mix well. Knead into large ball. Roll into 1 inch balls and flatten each into 2 inch circle.
Wrap around cherries and lightly roll in hands. Place with stem up on waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
Cover loosely and refrigerate 4 hours or over night. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl.
Holding onto stem, dip cherries into chocolate and set on waxed paper to harden.
Store in a covered container. Refrigerate 1-2 weeks before serving. The longer the candies sit the juicier the center will be.

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!!

2007-01-01T23:55:00.000-05:00

It's still there... My New Year hangover refuses to just go away!! It's not the bottle, but the mind. The mind is still filled with endless delights, of things unknown and territories unexplored! Oops, I think I'm just getting a wee bit philosophical... is this going to be my mood for the coming year - don't know but will definitely keep U guys posted about it! :)

Now before it's too late, let me wish my japanese friends with some new year wishes, 'coz today's also Japanese New Year! Shogatsu is the celebration of the New Year and is the most important holiday in Japan. Entrances are decorated with a Shimekezari. A Shimekazari is a twisted straw rope with fern leaves, an orange and other items of good omen. Family gather to their hometown and spend the time together. People celebrate the New Year with sweet sake called Toso, a soup called Zoni and Osechi-ryori during the holiday.

And last but not the least, there's something cool that I found out - ecards on a Bad Hangover! Check them out, they fit in with the New Year celebration scheme of too much partying!

Changing Web - '06 to '07!!

2007-01-01T06:54:00.000-05:00

New year greetings & felicitations to all my fellow bloggers and readers. Hope U all had tons of fun partying throughout the night. I, however, enjoyed a more homely New Years dinner with some cheerful friends and family.

Are you as excited as I am to find out what's been Hot & Happening on the virtual Webosphere (my latest turn on)? Just found out that the Top Yahoo Searches of 2006 were all celebrity orientated, while the mighty giant Google listed social networking sites like Bebo & MySpace as its Top 2006 searches. Perhaps the only lucky person wisely cashing on both these opposing webgiants was Paris Hilton! Way to go Paris..So that's why they say opposites attract :)

And for those wondering what's in for 2007, let's peep into a more popular NextGen weblog called Read/WriteWeb. According to its recent poll of Web Technology Predictions for 2007;

Online Video/Internet TV (Venice) will grow popular (Nodoubts about this one ,now that Google owns Youtube)
Web on Mobiles will be a hit but not quite yet. What say U?
There's also a debate whether MySpace & Bebo will still rule? Google finds such sites quite popular on its charts whereas, blog writers like Liz Strauss forecast such socialisation to be a passing trend. I'm just happy that companies predictably will practice more personalisation especially through 'Blogs'. Long live the Blogosphere!!

A Happy New Year!!

2006-12-29T23:58:00.000-05:00

Hey people... there's just a day left more for New Year's! It's almost New Year's Eve, and I guess the resolution lists are ready... No, not done... never mind! You can just take it easy like me and make resolutions as and when required!

So, without much time to waste, let me wish all U guys a 'VERY VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR'!! Have fun, keep enjoying, party hard and do not forget to dig into great food! 'coz like I always say, life's totally incomplete without Food, Friends and Fun!

P.S - Guys, here goes a loud 'Shout Out' to one of my friends Antman, who recently featured me in his blog- Cre8buzz.typepad.com. Antman's someone quite unique as he talks about the unique and unknown blogs of this diverse Blogosphere and gives them a cheerful boost. In true spirits he, is like his title goes, Cre8's a Buzz... Let's here it for Antman and Celebrating Holidays Everyday!

A Chocolate Crave!!

2006-12-28T23:54:00.000-05:00

U know, these holidays are really going to make me put on a whole lot of weight! Last night, I had this sudden craving for chocolate brownies - this satisfied my need for Chocolate too! And on top of that today's Chocolate Day. Things are just getting bad for my nerves!

Anyway, I kind of resisted my craving but found out this cool video on chocolate brownie making. The best part is they give the recipe too! Check it out and here's hoping that watching this video makes all U guys drool... like I did!

VideoJug: How to Make Chocolate Brownies

Some 'Fruity' Fun!!

2006-12-28T00:18:00.000-05:00

Well, well, well... It's time for resolutions now! Christmas is over, Santa's gone back and all the presents have been opened - it's party time again but with a different flavor! New Year! So guys, what do u think about resolutions? For me, they are fine as long as I can keep them - and they really get very difficult to keep once half of the year has passed by!

The New Year does bring in a lot more than resolutions. It rings in new year wishes, new year traditions, new year celebrations and more food! Just think, another year filled with food, fun and friends! Speaking of food, we do have another food celebration today - Fruitcake Day. I guess fruitcake is something which is kind of topsy turvy - in the sense that U either like it or simply hate it! So, keeping this 'caked' thought in mind, here's me wishing all the fruitcake lovers, a yummy time and also check out this simple recipe for fruitcake - A sweet treat to usher in the New Year Holidays!

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp.salt
1/2 tsp.baking powder
1 1/2 cup butter, softened
1 Tbs.vanilla extract
1 Tbs.lemon extract
5 eggs
7 1/2 (more or less) cups dried fruits and nuts

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease well and lightly flour either 2 eight inch cake pans or one jelly roll pan.
Cream butter and sugar briefly. Add flour, salt, baking powder and extracts.
Add eggs one at a time. Then add all of dried glace fruits and nuts. Mix all together and place in pan(s).
Bake until done 30-60 minutes on two eight inch pans, 20 minutes on the jellyroll pan.
Check if done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Happy Kwanzaa!!

2006-12-26T23:53:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, what's the news there? Still on Santa and Christmas cake? Gosh, I'm so sleepy. Can't keep my eyes open much longer so thought of updating U people soon - today's Kwanzaa. It's a Pan-African festival that primarily honors the African-American heritage! It's celebrated with candle lighting, gift giving and feasts. It's good to know about other cultural celebrations... they give us such a lot of insight into them.

And who can forget good ol' Boxing Day? Though it's celebrated on the other side of the Atlantic, it's still a cool holiday celebration 'coz it's just after Christmas! There are a lot of theories regarding the origin of this holiday but, that's for some other time! And if U have an English friend, then ask him or her! They can say the best.

Btw, here's something to end the day with - Check out this delicious Kwanzaa recipe that I found!

1/2 cup white vinegar
zest and juice of 4 limes
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 scallions, trimmed and coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 Scotch bonnet peppers, seeded and chopped
1 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons ground allspice
2 tablespoons ground thyme
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 pounds chicken thighs

In a food processor or blender, combine the vinegar, lime zest, lime juice, vegetable oil, scallions, garlic, Scotch bonnet peppers, ginger, allspice, thyme, cinnamon, sugar, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Purée until smooth.
Place chicken pieces in a medium bowl. Pour marinade over chicken, and turn the pieces to coat. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight if possible.Heat the oven to 350°F.
Place the chicken pieces on a foil-lined baking sheet and cook until the juices run clear when pierced with a two-pronged fork, 30 to 45 minutes.

Merry Christmas!!

2006-12-22T05:52:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas ! It's come and I'm doing this post a bit early 'coz I know we all are going to be very busy. It's Christmas and also Christmas Around The World, there is joy and cheer, family and holiday traditions, singing carols, meeting and dining with loved ones and not to forget, it's about great food too! Cakes, Cookies, Eggnog, Roasts... this is just getting crazier!

So, before I start rambling again, here's to U, Me and Celebrating Holidays Everyday! See U guys all after Christmas, with new ideas and new treats for the New Year! Take care... & enjoy the christmas lights Ciao!

Wizards Of Winter - video powered by Metacafe

Christmas Tree Lights!!

2006-12-21T23:58:00.000-05:00

Just about 3 days to go - and then 'Merry Christmas'! We have something cool to celebrate today... Christmas Tree Light Day! This is the best part of the holiday season, there is so much color around. Decorations and mistletoe and twinkling lights - it just get's better whenever U think of It!

There is also a couple of other celebrations like Yule and Yalda! Yule was the winter solstice celebration of the Scandinavian Norse mythology and Germanic pagans. It is also considered to be akin to Christmas by many. Yalda is celebrated on the eve of the first day of the winter and celebrates the birth of the Sun God! Wow, there's so much to know everyday about things related with tradition! Right?

Speaking of tradition and decorations guys, what's Ur plan with the Mistletoe! This is so very important for the 'single, ready to mingle' and for others already in love! Come on, the Holiday season thrives on love and romance! There is so much to make your heart beat a lil' faster...
Check out this wonderful song - One of my favorites!

Brighter Side Of Life!!

2006-12-20T23:58:00.000-05:00

Celebrating holidays in the holiday season, just reminds U of the brighter side of life - I think U guys will agree with me here! The expectation of joy and merriment in the company of loved ones makes the entire aspect of the holidays so much more fun.

Hey, I just was getting a wee bit nostalgic here, but I can sort of - 'coz it's The Holiday Season! And as usual for a food lover like me, it also brings a whole of baking with cakes, cookies and what not! This reminds me, I had something very unusual last night - Chocolate Pizza! I have been asked to try out this before too, but never attempted 'coz somehow the concept of pizza with chocolate put me off! But at the insistence of my cousin (who baked one), I tried a slice and now I'm completely hooked!

INGREDIENTS :
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
2 tablespoons water

DIRECTIONS :

Melt 1 cup chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup shortening in a double boiler and cool.
Next stir in flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder with fork. Spread crust evenly onto a well greased pizza pan.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Cool.
Combine the next lot of 3/4 cup chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons shortening, and water. Melt in a doubler boiler. Stir until smooth.
Spread glaze evenly over cooled chocolate crust. Decorate as desired with
candies.

A 'Spacial' Santa!!

2006-12-19T23:56:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, what's the progress on the Carols? I'm done, just brushed them up a little bit! You know, apart from the regular Christmas stuff, I came across something very interesting - Greetings from Space! Now, don't think we are having an alien attack before the Holidays, it's just something that I found out on the net! Would'nt it be just cool, if we could kind of see Santa in a space suit, and the reindeers could be jet-propelled deers... Hehe, I don't think 'Rudolph' would appreciate this change much, what say?

Neway, before I start saying too much on this space theme (it kinda stuck to my brain)... here's a cool link that has some 'spacial' greetings to check out!

Snow Fun!!

2006-12-18T23:54:00.000-05:00

Snow, Carols and Snowmen! It just couldn't get any better! And of course, if U could throw in a couple of cupcakes and a mug of cocoa... well! I have also decided to be a lot more proactive and get things moving 'coz today morning I realized that there's just mere week left for the D-day - Christmas...

So people, get your carols ready like me, whip up some fancy cakes and cookies and just do not forget to build a snowman! I love snowmen. Though they have a short life, I like seeing their 'berry' eyes twinkling at me! And if U do not get enough snow, well check out these cool ecards on Build A Snowman Day, and for added joy, here's an easy snowman cookie recipe!

Here are the things you need:
* Vanilla Wafers
* White Frosting
* Misc. Items to decorate (See Below)

This is the way to prepare:
Use 3 vanilla wafers per snowman. Lay the wafers in a row with edges touching; one will be the head and the other two will be the body. Spread white frosting on the vanilla wafers.
Now you are ready to decorate your snowmen!

Some tips on decorations:
* Raisins (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
* Red Hots (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
* m&m's (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
* Chocolate Chips (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
* Shoe String Licorice (mouth)
* Pretzel Sticks (arms)

So, just remember to get creative and have fun!

A 'Cookie-ed' Weekend!!

2006-12-18T00:09:00.000-05:00

Hey people, hope U guys had a great weekend so far. I'm was lazing around as usual (the second best that I do, apart from eating!!). We had a host of celebratory stuff over this weekend. I saw few people celebrating Hanukkah, a Jewish event and if U wanna have the Christmas spirit infused in it... go for Chrismahunukwanzakah! That's cool isn't it?

There was also Misa de Gallo and Las Posadas, in Philippines. I found about all these on the net. It feels great to have an Asian touch to a holiday tradition! And last, but not the least was Cookie Cutter Day, and I'm sure U can kind of guess what I did... eat cookies! Come on, what's the use of celebrating cookie cutter day if U can't get to eat cookies! They make great gifts too - check out this simple recipe that can be eaten was well as gifted !

3/4 cup Golden Crisco or Butter-flavored Crisco (shortening)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Coloured decorations or icing

Cream Crisco, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixer bowl at medium speed until light and creamy.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until well blended.
Cover dough and chill 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375°F.
Roll half of dough at a time. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a cookie cutter, cut in desired shapes.
Place on ungreased baking sheets. Roll leftover pieces.
Sprinkle with coloured decorations or leave plain to decorate when cool. Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are light brown.
Cool slightly, then remove to cooling rack.

A 'Tree-mendous' Time!!

2006-12-15T00:07:00.000-05:00

Hey, are all your trees bought? It's Buy A Tree Day people, and here's just a friendly reminder to get your tree looking 'tree-mendous'! Getting your trees also point towards decking your halls. There's actually not much time left and even I'm lagging behind in the decorating stuff! I just wished some cousins of mine residing in greece, a happy tree decorating day, with these ecards. They are quite cool!

Speaking of which, my mom baked some yummy cupcakes for me... they were just plain 'n simple chocolate cupcakes, but that was enough to send me into a swoon! She did another thing and that really added flavor to them, she used 'perfectly chocolate' chocolate frosting and I guess, that made the cupcakes even richer and intense!

Here's the recipe, to try out:

3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1-1/2 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Beat butter until softened. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Next add eggs, one at a time, beating 30 seconds after each addition.
Then measure the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and espresso powder into a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine. Do the same with the milk and vanilla into a measuring thing.
Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk/vanilla and beat to combine.
Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry.
Scoop batter into cupcake cups about 3/4’s full. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes or until done.

* PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING: Melt (1/2 cup) butter or margarine and stir in 2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa. Add 3 cups powdered sugar alternately with 1/3 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract beating to spreading consistency. Makes about 2 cups frosting.

Color Me Red!!

2006-12-12T23:56:00.000-05:00

I'm in the mood for Christmas totally... and my heart just gladdened when walking back home today, I saw a bunch of Poinsettias! They are a mystery plant all rite... There's so many myths and legends associated with the plant. Poinsettias are actually native of Southern Mexico, Central America and Africa. They also grow in the wild in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

There's a Mexican legend that explains how it got associated with Christmas. A child (some sites say a girl, some a boy) couldn't afford a gift for Christ on Christmas Eve. So she picked some weeds from the side of the road. The child understood that the gift didn't need to be great. It just had to be given with love and would be acceptable in God's eyes. When she brought the weeds into the church, it blossomed into red and green flowers!

The Mayan Indians believed that poinsettias are powerful creatures from another world while the Aztecs saw the poinsettia as a symbol of purity. Today, we know the poinsettia to be Christmas flowers. And the best part is... that the red really goes well with the Christmas decor!

P.S - Before I forget, just like other flowers, poinsettias are good for gifting! But, if your loved ones are far, make use of this ecard site to wish them a pre-christmas gift with a bunch of love!

Happy Birthday UNICEF!!

2006-12-11T23:53:00.000-05:00

Hey people, today is a gr8 day.. Today's the Birthday of UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund. It was founded today back in 1946. Do U know where the 'E' came from in the acronym? Well, until the 1953, it was United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund – and we still use the same acronym. Besides, it's easier to pronounce it right? Visit the UNICEF Voice of Youth pages to play some interactive games and learn more. "The State of the World's Children" is the title UNICEF has for 2007 on the official UNICEF site.

You know something that we use maybe almost everyday. We're thankful it exists especially when we're stuck in traffic. What is it? It's Radio. And today is Radio Day. It is believed that Guglielmo Marconi sent the first transatlantic wireless message (from England to Canada) this very day in 1901. That makes over 105 years ago!

Over The Weekend!!

2006-12-11T00:02:00.000-05:00

Hellooo... It's sunday nite and that means a new week's starting and that also means more classes and exams... sigh! But, something really gladdened my heart on friday, and that was celebrating Brownie Day with lotsa brownies! Yummm, it was simply yumm. This holiday season is really not doing me any good with all these goodies on display. It's was almost a crime to have even Pastry Day lurking on saturday, but hey, I resisted myself to one wee little pastry only!

Another thing that also crossed my mind was, Christmas Cards! With Christmas cards, you really have to hurry up... come on, you can't send a card after the holidays are over. So, I made few and I hope you guys did the same too. If not, get going soon with them. It's really easy 'coz all U need is to get your creative ideas flowing! Time for me to sigh off too... I gotta go and hunt for few brownie recipes and promise to post them soon too!

Wreathed In Joy!!

2006-12-08T00:12:00.000-05:00

Hey, have U people made your Christmas wreaths yet? If not, get going 'coz today's Make A Wreath Day... and there's not much time left to Ho Ho! I like the concept of wreaths. Don't you? A simple wreath adds so much color and makes a simple door way so festive to look at... it can also be a very innovative and sweet gift if U add something special and really personalize it! Celebrating the holidays, especially Christmas is just doubled with all these simple old time traditions.

Speaking of which, today is also a day to celebrate something out of our childhood... Cotton Candy! Ahh, the sticky feel of cotton candy on the faces just take U back to the playground and the fairs. A ride on the carousel and a cotton candy stick on one hand, was the idea of ultimate joy! If U like invention and being adventurous, then here's a cotton candy making that I found... take a look!

Cotton candy is nothing but pure sugar. To make the sugar 'cottony', you need:

Heat to melt the sugar and turn it into a liquid.
A set of very small holes that the liquid sugar can flow through to form threads of sugar.
A spinning head that slings the liquid sugar outward so it is forced through the holes.
A bowl to catch the threads.

The head contains the heater to melt the sugar and make it liquid. Then, by spinning the head, the cotton candy machine forces the liquid sugar out through tiny holes in the head. The instant the thin threads of sugar hit the air, they cool and re-solidify, so in the bowl of the machine a web of sugar threads develops. The web is easily collected on a paper cone. If you mix water with cotton candy it instantly dissolves, and you can see that it's nothing but a tablespoon or two of sugar filling the entire bag. It's amazing how much you can charge for sugar, air and a little coloring!

St. Nick's Here!!

2006-12-06T23:52:00.000-05:00

St. Nicholas... another name for Santa or Santa himself? Whatever guys, he is as lovable and popular as Santa himself. And with St. Nicholas Day today, we can safely say that Christmas is truely here!

Speaking of Christmas, have U people made your gifts, 'coz here's another chance to do them on Make A Secret Gift Day. It's cool, making gifts hush-hush and then waiting for that look of surprise on the receiver's face. And if U kind of feel lazy doing such stuff, just happy up your friends and loved ones by sending them these cool ecards on Make A Gift Day.

Color Me Blue!!

2006-12-06T00:06:00.000-05:00

You know, my days are going to be filled with Wrangler, Levis and Gap! It's Blue Jeans Day people, and time to celebrate the 'most' important piece of clothing that was ever discovered! Let's face it... our pair of blue jeans occupies the most coveted position in our wardrobe and we would probably be totally lost without it. So 'jean' up and get on the move!

Well, to end on a sweet note... it's also Sacher Torte Day. Sacher Torte is actually an Austrian dessert... a chocolate cake that was first made by Klemens Wenzel von Metternich (that's a mouthful!) and registered by the Hotel Sacher. The cake consists of two layers of dense, not overly sweet chocolate dough with a thin layer of apricot jam in the middle and dark chocolate icing with shreds of chocolate on the top and sides. This is traditionally eaten with whipped cream... (Oh boy, I'm drooling!). Here's a recipe of the Sacher Torte that I found on the net... You guys can try it out!

Ingredients:
225 g dark chocolate
1.5 dl almonds
225 g butter
3 dl sugar
6 egg yolks
1.5 dl white flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
6 egg whites

Icing and filling:
200 g dark chocolate
1/2 Tbs cooking oil
Apricot jam

Set oven to 175C and melt the chocolate.
Next blanch, peel and grind almonds and mix with the flour and baking powder.
Blend sugar and butter until white and fluffy, adding the egg yolks, one at a time, to butter-sugar mixture.
Stir in melted chocolate and the almond mixture.
Then Whip egg whites to hard foam and fold in. Pour batter into baking pan lined with baking paper.
Bake for 30-45 minutes.Cool and spilt in two to spread the apricot jam in between.
Finally melt the chocolate, spread over the cake and allow it to cool again.
Serve cold with whipped cream.

Which List Did You Make To?

2006-12-05T00:19:00.000-05:00

Let me get straight to the point... what have U been this year? Naughty or Nice? And be honest, 'coz Santa watches U throughout the year! It's Santa List Day guys, and time for all to know which list they have made it too! Be sure to keep me posted about your list, ok?

There also a sweet ending to all this list stuff... cookies! Yumm, yumm. A cookie is any time welcome with a glass of milk or with a steaming cuppa! This something so wonderful that no wonder, that many people refer to their sweetheart as a 'cookie'! Here's a simple cookie recipe that my mom makes, to happy me up - I call them 'Happy Chocos'.
You will need -

3 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
9 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. In large mixer bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Next gradually beat in half of the sugar. Then add alternately the sugar and cocoa powder with vanilla, beating until stiff peaks form.
Coarsely chop 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and fold into meringue. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
Drop meringues by tablespoons onto sheets. Smoothen tops and bake at 200 degrees F for 1-1/2 hours.
Turn off oven and let stand for 30 minutes. Then cool completely on a wire rack.
Melt the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips in microwave until smooth and drizzle over the cooled cookies and let it stand until set.

The Week's End!!

2006-12-03T23:50:00.000-05:00

Hey, the weekend is almost over... just a few more hours to go. I spent mine pouring over few travel plans (which I'm going to share with U guys very soon). I also saw few parades re-runs on the telly... like the Christmas parades, that are celebrated locally. Today's also Advent, which means Christmas is officially here. See, this cool link that I found to wish people on Advent, if U have not done so.

Btw, guys, are your gifts ready? Like are they all packed and stuff? If not, U can opt for homemade gifts, on Make A Gift Day 'coz gifts made from the heart always strike a chord in the right place too! Here's a few more links, that U can check out for ideas.

Family Fun
Mormon Chic
About On Home Parents
Home School Zone

Pie-rrific!!

2006-12-01T23:40:00.000-05:00

I'm in a good mood... this week is going good! With a good paper, some french toast and now Pies. It's simply Wow! But it's good isn't it? With Christmas coming, we are just going to have a whole month simply dedicated on food... and pies and cakes are so much 'christmasy'! So, here's a quick pie recipe to enjoy... which I call Holiday Pie, while I go on an important misson... to find some travelling tips on the holidays 'coz I simply don't know to stay in or go out! Any suggestions anyone?

1 baked pie shell (this can be ready made)
3 cups strawberry ice cream, slightly softened
3 cups chocolate ice cream, slightly softened
3 large egg whites
1 cup marshmallow creme
Chocolate or caramel sauce, raspberry or strawberry puree

Spread strawberry ice cream in bottom of baked pie shell. Freeze 1 hour.
Then spread chocolate ice cream on top of strawberry ice cream and again freeze 1 hour.
Meanwhile heat oven to 425°F. Beat egg whites in small mixer bowl at high speed, until stiff peaks form for around 2 to 3 minutes
Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in marshmallow creme until smooth. Spread carefully onto frozen pie, sealing to edges of crust.
Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Freeze at least 6 hours or until firm. Serve with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or raspberry puree.

This is really very simple and it takes time just to freeze this. You guys can really try this out with your favorite combos of ice cream too.

Which Chocolate Bar Are You?

2006-11-30T00:04:00.000-05:00

Hey you guys, just a quick post now -- I just finished off a paper and need some rest. Since the big holidays are around the corner, I think I'll be looking for more chocolate recipes (hey any excuse for chocolate!) So here's a fun quiz I did, before I head off to hunting down chocolate on cyber space.

Which Chocolate Bar are you?????
Bounty Your quite sensitive, and can be quite quiet. But on the other hand, you can also be quite lively, and bouncy, but still have a bit of sensitivity lurking around :-D
Take The Quiz Now!	Quizzes by myYearbook.com

A French Twist!!

2006-11-28T01:02:00.000-05:00

Yawn, I'm tired! The weekend was too hectic and I have a tough paper on wednesday... so playing hookey from classes tomorrow. I'm planning an early night so that I can keep my grey cells working tomorrow. Just thought of keeping U guys updated on certain things, before I hit the sack! There was something cool that was going on yesterday... Pie In The Face Day! It's fun 'coz all U do is throw pies on anybody's face. A good way to take revenge on someone you don't like, Eh? Gives me ideas too!

Tuesday's also French Toast Day, and I have already told mom to make me some for breakfast. It will be a sweet morning for me and also get me going for the day. I gotta cram up, remember! So, while I get some shut-eye, here's my mom's recipe for Banana French Toast - She usually makes this the night before and refrigerates till baking time.

2 ripe medium bananas, sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
12 slices French bread, untrimmed
2 beaten eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon granulated sugar

In a bowl gently toss bananas with lemon juice. Arrange half the bread slices in the bottom of a greased square baking dish. Top the bread with a layer of bananas and remaining bread slices.
In a medium bowl combine eggs, milk, honey, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Pour slowly over bread to coat evenly. Cover and chill for 6 to 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Uncover the baking dish. Sprinkle sugar over the bread and bake for 5 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F, then bake 20 to 25 minutes more or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean and top of French toast is lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes, and enjoy.

Thanksgiving Weekend!!

2006-11-27T00:02:00.000-05:00

Ohh, it's over. Thanksgiving weekend is almost over and with it is my family's craze with turkey and football!! We all went 'gobble-gobble' and gung-ho with all that fun. I'm still under the effects of party time and it's a good thing that Espresso Day was there, and I could rejuvenate myself with a large cuppa!

And guess what, the countdown to Christmas has started already and now I'm gonna be busy again! With cool celebrations like Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day on the weekend to remind U of the jolly season, who's sitting at home! Like Santa, my list is already made... and I'm just waiting for some cash to come in... Sigh! My mom made my sunday even sweeter 'coz knowing my love for cakes, baked a great pumpkin cake. It was yummy and I guess, U guys can try it out too.

It needs - 1 cup vegetable oil, 3 eggs 1 can pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups sugar, 2 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon of baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon,cloves(all ground) 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease one 10 inch cake pan.
Cream together oil, beaten eggs, pumpkin and vanilla.
Next sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and salt together and add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and mix until just combined. You can add the chopped nuts here.
Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for a 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes, turn out onto a plate and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Turkey On!!

2006-11-24T00:20:00.000-05:00

Hey, you guys, hope U had a great Thanksgiving! I'm stuffed and I had a blast and I still have to party more. My cousins are over, and they are looking for me! I just sneaked in to drop a line to U all. Have to sigh off now.... Ciao, will be back 'morrow with all updates!

Hey, one more thing... do keep me posted about all your 'turkey-fic' time too!

And remember, I wrote about sandwiches and turkey leftovers? Well, the time has come for that. Just gear up for some right now...'coz that's what U will be getting next on the menu!

Food, Fun, Friends!!

2006-11-23T00:44:00.000-05:00

Hey, Hey, Hey... it's here! Thanksgiving is here! I'm busy and happy and I have decided not to write much today. Let's all take a breather from writing and enjoy with our friends, family and loved ones. And guys, do keep me posted on 'what happened and what was meant to
happen' on Thnaksgiving without fail.

Just a small reminder, that we have another reason to celebrate 'coz it's also What Do You Love About America Day! Let's not think too much about this o.k... 'coz we all know how much we love America. So, here's just a fun little quiz to jazz up the day!

Let me know what flavor of Ice cream You are, I am ...

Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core.
You often find yourself on the outside looking in.
Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works.

You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

It's Almost Here!!

2006-11-22T01:00:00.000-05:00

I'm excited, very excited! It's Thanksgiving time and I just got back from party planning with my mom. The turkey, the stuffing and the pie, gifts and what not... Oooo, can't wait to have some 'turkey-fic'fun! I have made plans to decorate my home and the backyard with a pumpkin theme, and maybe throw in a big cornucopia for the front door? What say? Head's brimming with ideas and I'm just ready to get started. A few last minute invites are still left, so I'm planning to use this ecard site for inviting and wishing others, who are miles away.

Oops, I guess I'm rambling a bit too much. Lemme not bore u guys more. Check out these few cool stuff that I found, while I go and get my things done! Ciao...

A Great Thanksgiving Blog - This is good, very informative and makes for cool reading!
Hey, It's Xanga - A cool blog again, different and informative!!
Last Minute Invites And Wishes - I found this with ecards. Good stuff.

P.s - Today's World Hello Day too. Just don't forget to greet everyone with a big hello, like me 'coz this is also a big reason to spread some holiday cheer! I'm right, ain't I?

Fudge Up!!

2006-11-21T00:54:00.000-05:00

Peanuts and butter make a cool combo... but just turn that creamy mixture into a fudge, and you've got heaven! Peanut butter fudge sure manages to make the most heaviest of hearts lighten up and is suprisingly a very traditional feature too. A lot of homes have traditional recipes of peanut butter fudge for the holidays... So, what would be your choice of a fudge - chunky or creamy? Here's a recipe that's followed in my family -

Ingredients
2 cups peanut butter chips
2 1/4 cup sugar
1- 7 ounce jar of Marshmallow fluff or creme
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Place the peanut butter chips in a medium bowl.
Next in a heavy sauce pan, combine sugar, marshmallow fluff, evaporated milk and butter.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture boils.
Boil and stir for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Then mix it in the peanut butter chips and stir until the chips are completely melted.
Finally pour into a foil covered pan and cool and refrigerate until firm.
Cut into pieces of desired length and size and enjoy!

Mmmm, can't wait to get hold of a few pieces right away. And if U want to more, U get more... just check out these yummy recipes here:

It's Raining Fudge - A very good collection of recipes for U to indulge!
More Of Fudge - Yumm, yumm, yumm!

Weekend Again!!

2006-11-20T00:21:00.000-05:00

Hello people, the weekend is almost through... And I'm happy I got some work done. I planned out my Thanksgiving party and invitations! It's almost knocking loud on the door. Lotsa things to be done more... the turkey, the decorations, the decor. I need help and
fast!!

There was something very interesting on saturday too... Teddy Bear Day. Hey, teddy bears are my all time favorite friends and for other people too. It's just not kids, there are lot of adults who are quite possesive about their teddy bears! I spent some of my time giving
them a brush-up and then made a special dinner for my mom and dad. Guess why... for Moms and Dads Day. My folks are very cool and they deserve the best of everything. I topped the dinner with moms favorite dill pickle, in celebration of International Pickle Festival. Ooo, it just added that zing to our dinner, but I have to admit that dad was not too pleased with our weird eating!!

So, that was me and my weekend. Got to hit my bed now, for I got an early class and a whole week! Signing off... Ciao!

Food For Thought!!

2006-11-17T00:21:00.000-05:00

If it's fast and if it's food... then life couldn't get any better. It's Fast Food Day people, and I'm planning to go on a binge straight away! Those cheesy pizzas, grilled hot dogs and huge burgers are enough to tempt the most strongest of nerves. But some food for thought though... too much is bad, so indulge moderately! It's also Homemade Bread Day... ahh, there is nothing like the aroma of freshly baked bread, wafting through the air. It's fresh, healthy and wholesome, and U can make it even healthier by adding multigrains and other healthy stuff to your bread batter. Here's a simple recipe, perfected in my home -

You will need...
5-6 cups of flour, 3 tbsp.of sugar, 2 tsp.of salt, 2 pkg. dry yeast, 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Blend well. In a small saucepan, heat water and oil until very lukewarm (120 to 130 degrees). Add the warm liquid to the flour mixture.
Blend until moistened, then beat with beater 3 minutes. Stir in 2 1/2 to 3 cups flour until dough pulls cleanly away from side of bowl.
Next knead for 10 minutes, adding a little flour at a time, if the dough feels sticky. Grease the lump of dough and put in a bowl to rise.
Cover with a towel. Let it rise until double, then punch down. Divide dough into 2 parts and shape into balls. Let rise it rise again on the counter covered with inverted bowl for 15 minutes.
Shape into loaves and place in 2 greased pans. Let rise in warm place about 1 hour or until it has risen about 1 inch above pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow.
Remove from pans and brush top with butter. Makes 2 loaves.

While I try out this recipe again, you all can check out these links for more recipes -

It's Raining Breads - Few tips and recipes!
Bread Recipes - More and more.
Revival Of Bread And Baking - Mmmmm...

A Japanese Touch!!

2006-11-16T00:02:00.000-05:00

'Nihongo'... that's 'Hello' in Japanese for all you guys. Wondering what made me go Japanese today... it's just that I read up an interesting event called 'Shichi-Go-San', celebrated in Japan yesterday. It's a beautiful festival, where little kids aged three, little girls aged seven and little boys aged five are taken to the Shinto temple and prayers are observed for their healthy growth!

Some more on Shichi-Go-San -

The festival is said to have started in the Heian period (794-1185) where the nobles celebrated the growth of their children on a lucky day in November.
November 15 is Shichi-go-san, a day of prayer for the healthy growth of young children.
Most girls wear kimonos when making their Shichi-go-san visit, while boys don haori jackets and hakama trousers.
Odd numbers are considered lucky numbers. Long candies in bags that are decorated with turtles and cranes are given to the children.
The candy, the crane, and the turtle, all symbolize longlivity.

While I go and brush my Japanese, you folks can check out these links for some more details -
Shichi-Go-San - Read up more on these cuties.
Japanese Guide - Some interesting details.
Wikipedia - Nothing better than this to enhance a bit of knowledge!
Japanese Lifestyles - Interesting Reads.

Pickle Me Up!!

2006-11-15T00:41:00.000-05:00

Life needs a little bit of a zing every now and then! And specially if that zing come in our food, via Pickles... then God Bless The Pickle! Pickles are something that you just cannot miss. A little bit is enough to get your adrenaline going annd your brain rocking...

Check out these 'pickled' facts -

Many cultures have historically fermented foods by burying them underground, producing a rotted, yet edible delicacy.
Pickling is the ancient culinary craft of preserving foods in salt brine or vinegar.
Pickles played an important role in Colombus’s discovery of America in 1492.
Many people consider pickle brine a useful commodity, with its complex flavor of spices, salt, vinegar, and pickled vegetables.
Today, a common figurative sense for the word pickle is "troublesome situation"—as in "you’ve gotten us into a pretty pickle."

Ooo... I want some pickes right now! While I'm off to turn the kitchen upside down for them, you can read up more on pickles and their fascinating recipes from these links -

Science Of Pickles - Some pickling fun!
Family Favorites - Recipe time... from the Pickle hot-spot, India.
Science Of Cooking Pickles - Enjoy!!
Pickled Particulars - More pickled stuff.

It Was The Weekend!!

2006-11-14T00:08:00.000-05:00

Hey people, hope U all had a great weekend! Mine was completely lazy, didn't do anything but lazed around and read up few interesting things. Oh yes, I did have a great big sundae on saturday... celebrated Sundae Day of course. It was spectacular and completely stuffed me up (I don't want to go near the weighing scale for a week now!).

I also came across One's Day. It's a cute concept... celebrating the 11th of November... 1111... and making sure that U appreciate the 'Numero Uno' in your life. There was a big treat in store for the pizza lovers too... (my name comes here also!). Pizza With No Anchovies Day was on sunday. But, anchovies or no anchovies, hardly makes a difference when you have a piping, hot pizza in front of you and the cheese goes... drip... drip!

Signing off on this 'cheese-ful' note... See you all soon!

Here Comes The Cupcake!!

2006-11-10T07:37:00.000-05:00

It's Cupcake time with today being Vanilla Cupcake Day! This is a treat...'coz I love cupcakes and vanilla is my favorite flavor anytime. Just imagine, small, individual cakes with your desired icing... ummm, I'm already into a swoon! Check out some trivia that I found about cupcakes, while I go and cajole my mom for baking a few for me!

The fact that these little cakes were baked in cup-shaped muffin baking containers gave double-meaning to the term 'cup cake', and was probably the main factor for becoming the U.S. standard term.
Cupcakes contain a batter that can be thoroughly beaten and is usually not sensitive to over-mixing.
Cupcakes are considered a form of dessert and are usually not meant to be served for breakfast.
Few not-so traditional cupcakes - hot fudge cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, peanut butter cupcakes with hot fudge glaze, pumpkin spice cupcakes with creamy icing, hi-hat cupcakes.
Cupcakes are a favorite in all children birthday parties and are also a very fashionable trend in weddings too.

See, more of these yummy things, pintsized here...

The Famous Of Them All - Drool along!!
Martha Stewart - Need I say more?
Cuppycakes Recipes - Let me know how they turn out... I might drop in!

Razzle n Dazzle!!

2006-11-09T07:47:00.000-05:00

It's bright and glowing and believe me... even someone as blind as a bat couldn't miss it for anything! I'm talking about Neon signs! Around your favorite deli or the shopping mall, neons are just about everywhere, ready to dazzle the lights off you!

Did you these things about the Neon Sign?

The concept behind neon signs was first conceived in 1675.
Before there were neon signs in America, there were commercial sign tubes that used a carbon dioxide fill.
The idea behind a neon light is simple. Inside the glass tube there is a gas like neon, argon or krypton at low pressure. At both ends of the tube there are metal electrodes. When you apply a high voltage to the electrodes, the neon gas ionizes, and electrons flow through the gas. These electrons excite the neon atoms and cause them to emit light
Neon emits red light when energized in this way.
There is a big difference between neons and fluorescent lights, in case you dont know!

Here's a few more things that I found out, have a look -

History of Neon Signs - Know more!!
Difference Between Neon And Fluorescent Lights - So what did you learn?
Finding The Neon Light - Glowing Bright!!
Celebrate Neon Sign Day - Cool Stuff!!

Hola!!

2006-11-08T07:32:00.000-05:00

I hate to cook... as in I Hate To Cook Day, which is incidentally today. But, I guess, I'm going to make an exception for mexican food! You know, I really envy those people in California... they are going to have a great time with Mariachi Night! A night of mexican food, dance amd music is enough to make everyone go 'Hola'!

I found these cool facts about mariachi... check them out !

Mariachi is a type of musical group, originally from Mexico, consisting of at least two violins, two trumpets, one Spanish guitar, one vihuela and one guitarrón.
The word mariachi was long considered to be derived from marriage, the French word for marriage.
Mariachi music as we know it today originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
It acquired a wide fan following with the hit movie... Desperado.
Mariachi provides a great insight into the mexican culture.

A few more links to brush up on Mariachi -

The Fun Never Stops - A good guide on transportation during mariachi.
Mexican Heritage Plaza - Event details.
Stay In Touch - Great mariachi ecards to send to family, friends and loved ones.