Mardi Gras Madness
For those not living in the South, February 27 is Mardi Gras. This day marks the end of a season of parties, merriment and general celebrations before the onset of lent.
MARDI GRAS FACTS
* Where did Mardi Gras begin in the US?
Most people would answer New Orleans, but the correct answer is Mobile, Alabama where Mardi Gras is still celebrated in grand style today -- Visitors to Mobile can view dazzling Mardi-Gras costumes as well as other Fat Tuesday historical memorabilia, year round, at the Museum of Mobile located at 355 Government Street (334-208-7569).
* Where else is Mardi Gras celebrated in the US?
New Orleans, of course, but you can also find parades and festivities in most of the towns that dot the gulf coast in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, like Mobile, Alabama, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, or Biloxi, Mississippi. Families will especially find some the smaller celebrations more appealing than the wild debauchery of New Orleans.
* What’s so different about a Mardi Gras parade?
They're interactive and you get stuff. Masses of screeching parade enthusiasts, arms outstretched like beggars clamoring for a last meal, beseech Krewe members to throw barrels of trinkets -- colorful plastic beads and imprinted aluminum doubloons. CAUTION: Mardi-Gras parades can cause temporary insanity and people will do things for a worthless piece of plastic that defy reason. So, be prepared to be somewhat aggressive if you want loot! Oh, so you won't look like a tourist, the proper Mardi-Gras parade cheer is "Throw me Something Mister!"
* How does Mardi Gras differ for locals as opposed to tourists?
Mardi Gras is actually the height of the Southern Social season. It is accompanied by endless rounds of formal balls, proceeded over by elaborately costumed courts. Each ball is sponsored by a "Krewe" which also foots the bill for a parade or float in a larger parade, depending on the size and budget of the krewe. The word "krewe" was supposedly chosen to give an "Old English" feel the clubs.
* Can I go to a ball?
Sorry Cinderella, Mardi-Gras balls are private affairs and by invitation only. However, you could get lucky and meet someone in the krewe who might just invite you. Your chances are increased significantly depending upon your sex. Many balls follow the 5-1 ratio tradition. In other words, if it's a men's krewe, each male member invites five%2
Most people would answer New Orleans, but the correct answer is Mobile, Alabama where Mardi Gras is still celebrated in grand style today -- Visitors to Mobile can view dazzling Mardi-Gras costumes as well as other Fat Tuesday historical memorabilia, year round, at the Museum of Mobile located at 355 Government Street (334-208-7569).
* Where else is Mardi Gras celebrated in the US?
New Orleans, of course, but you can also find parades and festivities in most of the towns that dot the gulf coast in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, like Mobile, Alabama, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, or Biloxi, Mississippi. Families will especially find some the smaller celebrations more appealing than the wild debauchery of New Orleans.
* What’s so different about a Mardi Gras parade?
They're interactive and you get stuff. Masses of screeching parade enthusiasts, arms outstretched like beggars clamoring for a last meal, beseech Krewe members to throw barrels of trinkets -- colorful plastic beads and imprinted aluminum doubloons. CAUTION: Mardi-Gras parades can cause temporary insanity and people will do things for a worthless piece of plastic that defy reason. So, be prepared to be somewhat aggressive if you want loot! Oh, so you won't look like a tourist, the proper Mardi-Gras parade cheer is "Throw me Something Mister!"
* How does Mardi Gras differ for locals as opposed to tourists?
Mardi Gras is actually the height of the Southern Social season. It is accompanied by endless rounds of formal balls, proceeded over by elaborately costumed courts. Each ball is sponsored by a "Krewe" which also foots the bill for a parade or float in a larger parade, depending on the size and budget of the krewe. The word "krewe" was supposedly chosen to give an "Old English" feel the clubs.
* Can I go to a ball?
Sorry Cinderella, Mardi-Gras balls are private affairs and by invitation only. However, you could get lucky and meet someone in the krewe who might just invite you. Your chances are increased significantly depending upon your sex. Many balls follow the 5-1 ratio tradition. In other words, if it's a men's krewe, each male member invites five%2
Jambalaya
2 ham hocks
4 carrots, diced
3 c chopped onions, divided
3 c chopped celery, divided
2 bay leaves
1-3 lb. whole chicken (giblets removed)
3 T canola or peanut oil
1 green bell pepper
6 green onions, chopped
1 (28 oz) tomatoes, chopped, reserve liquid
4 T tomato paste
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
4-6 cloves garlic
1 t thyme leaves
2 t dried basil
1/4 t cayenne
1 T Worcestershire Sauce
1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
2 C uncooked rice
hot sauce (preferably Tabasco) to taste
Place ham hocks, carrots, 1 1/2 cups onion and 1 1/2 cups celery in a large pot and cover over with water. Cook for about 2 hours then add the chicken and 1 bay leaf. Cover and simmer for about an hour, or until chicken is tender. Allow pot to cool for a bit and remove chicken and ham hocks. Remove the skin and bone and chop meat from chicken and ham hocks. Reserve the stock, you'll need about 3-4 cups of it overall (add water if you need to).
In a large Dutch Oven, heat the oil and add remaining onion, and pepper and sauté until tender. Add remaining celery green onions and tomatoes and cook until vegetables are soft. Add the chopped ham and tomato paste and cook until the mixture just begins to brown. Add remaining ingredients, except sausage and chicken. Add 2 cups of the reserved stock. Cook for about an hour.
In a hot skillet, brown sausage slices. Add browned sausage slices to Dutch Oven and drain excess grease from pan. Return skillet to heat and add chopped chicken meat. Deglaze with 1 cup reserved stock, then add contents to skillet to Dutch Oven. Add rice, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until rice is tender, about 20-25 minutes. Watch carefully that your Jambalaya doesn't dry out. You might need to add additional stock or water in order to for the rice to finish cooking. Serves 10-12.
4 carrots, diced
3 c chopped onions, divided
3 c chopped celery, divided
2 bay leaves
1-3 lb. whole chicken (giblets removed)
3 T canola or peanut oil
1 green bell pepper
6 green onions, chopped
1 (28 oz) tomatoes, chopped, reserve liquid
4 T tomato paste
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
4-6 cloves garlic
1 t thyme leaves
2 t dried basil
1/4 t cayenne
1 T Worcestershire Sauce
1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
2 C uncooked rice
hot sauce (preferably Tabasco) to taste
Place ham hocks, carrots, 1 1/2 cups onion and 1 1/2 cups celery in a large pot and cover over with water. Cook for about 2 hours then add the chicken and 1 bay leaf. Cover and simmer for about an hour, or until chicken is tender. Allow pot to cool for a bit and remove chicken and ham hocks. Remove the skin and bone and chop meat from chicken and ham hocks. Reserve the stock, you'll need about 3-4 cups of it overall (add water if you need to).
In a large Dutch Oven, heat the oil and add remaining onion, and pepper and sauté until tender. Add remaining celery green onions and tomatoes and cook until vegetables are soft. Add the chopped ham and tomato paste and cook until the mixture just begins to brown. Add remaining ingredients, except sausage and chicken. Add 2 cups of the reserved stock. Cook for about an hour.
In a hot skillet, brown sausage slices. Add browned sausage slices to Dutch Oven and drain excess grease from pan. Return skillet to heat and add chopped chicken meat. Deglaze with 1 cup reserved stock, then add contents to skillet to Dutch Oven. Add rice, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until rice is tender, about 20-25 minutes. Watch carefully that your Jambalaya doesn't dry out. You might need to add additional stock or water in order to for the rice to finish cooking. Serves 10-12.
START A TRADITION – MARDI GRAS KING CAKES
Mardi Gras party season lasts a long time in the South. It begins soon after New Years on Twelfth Night or the Feast of the Epiphany and lasts until Mardi Gras night itself.
A king cake is a traditional Mardi-Gras treat, brightly decorated in the colors of Rex: purple, green and gold. The cake, which is similar to a rich sweet bread or coffeecake, contains a special surprise-- a tiny baby doll contained within one of the slices. Custom dictates that the "lucky" recipient who gets the piece with the baby throws the next Mardi Gras party (or bakes or buys the next King Cake).
King Cakes have become a popular Friday afternoon routine at many Southern offices. The cake is brought out at coffee break time (undoubtedly with chicory laced coffee) and the employees all have fun discovering who is the "winner" who gets to bring the following week's cake.
This might be a unique tradition to start, even if you don’t live in the south. Everyone loves a treat and what nicer way to kick off a weekend?
*******************************
BASIC KING CAKE DOUGH
1 envelope dry yeast
1/4 c warm water
1/2 c milk
1 c (2 sticks) butter
1/2 c sugar
2 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
4 c approximately, unbleached flour
Mix the yeast with the warm water. Stir 1 teaspoon of the sugar and 1 teaspoon of the flour into the yeast and set aside. By the time you have measured the other ingredients, the yeast should be beginning to bubble and show signs of life.
Bring the milk to a boil and stir in the butter and the sugar. Pour into a large bowl; the mixture should be lukewarm. Beat in the egg yolks, whole eggs and the yeast. Beat in approx. 2 cups of flour, until the dough is fairly smooth, then gradually add enough additional flour to make a soft dough that you can form into a ball. Knead it, by hand or machine, until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a bowl, turn the dough once or twice in it to grease it lightly all over, cover with a cloth and leave to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Pat the dough down and cover the bowl with a damp towel, plastic film over that and refrigerate until the next day. This recipe makes enough dough for two king cakes. Extra dough may be frozen, or make two king cakes and freeze one. Thaw frozen cake and reheat 10 minutes in a 375-degree oven.
FILLING
1/2 recipe king cake (above)
8 oz cream cheese
1/4 c sugar
2 T flour
2 egg yolks
1 t vanilla
1 (16-oz) can cherry, apple or apricot pie filling
1 dried bean (to bake in the cake as per tradition)
Colored sugars or confectioner's sugar and food coloring
Remove dough from refrigerator and with well-floured hands, while it's firm and cold, shape it into a long sausage shape. Using a floured roller on a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 30-by-9-inch rectangle as thin as piecrust. Let dough rest. If necessary, drain extra juice from pie filling. Mix the cream cheese with the sugar, flour, egg yolks and vanilla. Spoon an inch-wide strip of fruit filling the length of the dough, about 3 inches from one edge. Spoon the cream cheese mixture alongside the fruit, about 3 inches from the other edge.
Brush both sides of dough with egg wash. Insert the bean. Fold one edge of dough over the cream cheese and fruit, then fold the other edge over. Gently place one end of the filled roll onto a greased pizza pan or large cookie sheet. Ease the rest of the roll onto the pan, joining the ends to form a circle or oval. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes. Brush again with egg wash and cut deep vents into the cake. Sprinkle with colored sugars if desired. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until cake is well risen and golden. Cool before icing with confectioner's sugar mixed with enough water to make a spreadable paste and tinted purple, green and gold. Make one cake that serves 10 to 12 people. If using a plastic baby instead of the bean, insert it into the bottom of the cake after it is cooked.
A king cake is a traditional Mardi-Gras treat, brightly decorated in the colors of Rex: purple, green and gold. The cake, which is similar to a rich sweet bread or coffeecake, contains a special surprise-- a tiny baby doll contained within one of the slices. Custom dictates that the "lucky" recipient who gets the piece with the baby throws the next Mardi Gras party (or bakes or buys the next King Cake).
King Cakes have become a popular Friday afternoon routine at many Southern offices. The cake is brought out at coffee break time (undoubtedly with chicory laced coffee) and the employees all have fun discovering who is the "winner" who gets to bring the following week's cake.
This might be a unique tradition to start, even if you don’t live in the south. Everyone loves a treat and what nicer way to kick off a weekend?
*******************************
BASIC KING CAKE DOUGH
1 envelope dry yeast
1/4 c warm water
1/2 c milk
1 c (2 sticks) butter
1/2 c sugar
2 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
4 c approximately, unbleached flour
Mix the yeast with the warm water. Stir 1 teaspoon of the sugar and 1 teaspoon of the flour into the yeast and set aside. By the time you have measured the other ingredients, the yeast should be beginning to bubble and show signs of life.
Bring the milk to a boil and stir in the butter and the sugar. Pour into a large bowl; the mixture should be lukewarm. Beat in the egg yolks, whole eggs and the yeast. Beat in approx. 2 cups of flour, until the dough is fairly smooth, then gradually add enough additional flour to make a soft dough that you can form into a ball. Knead it, by hand or machine, until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a bowl, turn the dough once or twice in it to grease it lightly all over, cover with a cloth and leave to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Pat the dough down and cover the bowl with a damp towel, plastic film over that and refrigerate until the next day. This recipe makes enough dough for two king cakes. Extra dough may be frozen, or make two king cakes and freeze one. Thaw frozen cake and reheat 10 minutes in a 375-degree oven.
FILLING
1/2 recipe king cake (above)
8 oz cream cheese
1/4 c sugar
2 T flour
2 egg yolks
1 t vanilla
1 (16-oz) can cherry, apple or apricot pie filling
1 dried bean (to bake in the cake as per tradition)
Colored sugars or confectioner's sugar and food coloring
Remove dough from refrigerator and with well-floured hands, while it's firm and cold, shape it into a long sausage shape. Using a floured roller on a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 30-by-9-inch rectangle as thin as piecrust. Let dough rest. If necessary, drain extra juice from pie filling. Mix the cream cheese with the sugar, flour, egg yolks and vanilla. Spoon an inch-wide strip of fruit filling the length of the dough, about 3 inches from one edge. Spoon the cream cheese mixture alongside the fruit, about 3 inches from the other edge.
Brush both sides of dough with egg wash. Insert the bean. Fold one edge of dough over the cream cheese and fruit, then fold the other edge over. Gently place one end of the filled roll onto a greased pizza pan or large cookie sheet. Ease the rest of the roll onto the pan, joining the ends to form a circle or oval. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes. Brush again with egg wash and cut deep vents into the cake. Sprinkle with colored sugars if desired. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until cake is well risen and golden. Cool before icing with confectioner's sugar mixed with enough water to make a spreadable paste and tinted purple, green and gold. Make one cake that serves 10 to 12 people. If using a plastic baby instead of the bean, insert it into the bottom of the cake after it is cooked.
Mardi-Gras Punch
Note: This festive punch combines the traditional Mardi-Gras colors of green, representing faith, gold symbolizing power, and purple denoting justice. It's equally delicious with or without the alcohol, just add more grape.
1 ice ring
1 40 oz. bottle grape juice (more if making ice ring)
2 oranges
1 48 oz can pineapple juice (more if making ice ring)
2 limes
2 liter bottle of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
1 fifth Vodka (optional)
Ice Ring Note: Freezing an ice ring out of pineapple and/or grape juice, instead of water, keeps the punch from getting diluted as the evening wears on. Make a couple of rings in advance of the party, so you can freshen up the punch if needed.
Slice oranges and limes in thin round slices. Set aside. Place ice ring in bottom of punch bowl, add juices, then soda and (if desired) vodka. Float orange and limes slices on top and serve. Makes 8-9 quarts
1 ice ring
1 40 oz. bottle grape juice (more if making ice ring)
2 oranges
1 48 oz can pineapple juice (more if making ice ring)
2 limes
2 liter bottle of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
1 fifth Vodka (optional)
Ice Ring Note: Freezing an ice ring out of pineapple and/or grape juice, instead of water, keeps the punch from getting diluted as the evening wears on. Make a couple of rings in advance of the party, so you can freshen up the punch if needed.
Slice oranges and limes in thin round slices. Set aside. Place ice ring in bottom of punch bowl, add juices, then soda and (if desired) vodka. Float orange and limes slices on top and serve. Makes 8-9 quarts
Lent A 40 Day Season of Sacrificial Love
Lent is a 40-day period before Easter set aside as a season of soul-searching and repentance. The Forty Days of Lent (six weeks before Easter, not counting Sundays) reflect Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for his own time of spiritual reflection. Sundays, because they commemorate the Resurrection, are traditionally not counted. Early Christians first celebrated Lent for 40 hours to commemorate Christ's time in the tomb. About 800 A.D., the Lenten season was expanded to 40 days.
The number 40 is meaningful:
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, and Christ was
tempted in the desert by the devil for 40 days when He began His ministry.
Forty days is close to a tenth of the year, a tithe of our year to the
Lord to meditate on His deep love and sacrifice for us.
Early Christians were baptized on Easter Sunday and used the 40 days of
Lent as a time of preparation and study.
Like the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land, we too are
sojourners on our way to heaven. Lent offers us a special time to sincerely repent of our sin, humble ourselves before God and ask Him to transform us more into the likeness of His Son. We are preparing ourselves for the joyous celebration of Easter, Jesus' Resurrection from the dead. We want to walk with Christ on His way to the cross, and learn about sacrificial love from Him.
In the early church, Lent was a special time when new converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism on Easter. Churches, which follow a liturgical calendar -- annually reliving the major events in Jesus' life -- place great emphasis on Lent. Whether your church makes much or little of these forty days, your family will benefit from preparing in advance to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.
The number 40 is meaningful:
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, and Christ was
tempted in the desert by the devil for 40 days when He began His ministry.
Forty days is close to a tenth of the year, a tithe of our year to the
Lord to meditate on His deep love and sacrifice for us.
Early Christians were baptized on Easter Sunday and used the 40 days of
Lent as a time of preparation and study.
Like the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land, we too are
sojourners on our way to heaven. Lent offers us a special time to sincerely repent of our sin, humble ourselves before God and ask Him to transform us more into the likeness of His Son. We are preparing ourselves for the joyous celebration of Easter, Jesus' Resurrection from the dead. We want to walk with Christ on His way to the cross, and learn about sacrificial love from Him.
In the early church, Lent was a special time when new converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism on Easter. Churches, which follow a liturgical calendar -- annually reliving the major events in Jesus' life -- place great emphasis on Lent. Whether your church makes much or little of these forty days, your family will benefit from preparing in advance to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.
Fastnacht Day
Fastnacht Day is a special Pennsylvania Dutch tradition that falls on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday). The tradition is to eat the very best before the Lenten fast. Therefore, Fastnachts. The lard called for may be replaced with vegetable oil. The "proper" PA. Dutch way to eat a fastnacht is to slice through center (as you would a bagel) and spread with molasses (King Syrup) or "Turkey Brand" syrup. Some prefer to also spread with butter first.
FASTNACHTS: MAKES 2-1/2 DOZEN
2 c milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm
3/4 c sugar
1/3 c lard (or vegetable oil)
1 t salt
1 pkg. dry yeast, dissolved in 1/2 cup lukewarm water
2 eggs, beaten
All-purpose unbleached flour to stiffen, about 3 pounds
1 pinch nutmeg
Mix together all ingredients except flour. Gradually add flour, stirring well, using spoon until too thick. Then use hands and start kneading, gradually adding more flour until no longer sticky. Cover with wet cloth and let rise in warm place for about 4 hours. Roll dough on floured board to 1/2 to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut into rectangles about 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches. Make hole in center. Place on floured board and let rise about 1 hour. Deep fry in lard or vegetable oil at 360° until golden brown. Flip to other side and brown. Drain on paper towels. (Recipe can easily be doubled). Mix powered sugar with a bit of nutmeg. Dust with powdered sugar while still warm.
3/4 c sugar
1/3 c lard (or vegetable oil)
1 t salt
1 pkg. dry yeast, dissolved in 1/2 cup lukewarm water
2 eggs, beaten
All-purpose unbleached flour to stiffen, about 3 pounds
1 pinch nutmeg
Mix together all ingredients except flour. Gradually add flour, stirring well, using spoon until too thick. Then use hands and start kneading, gradually adding more flour until no longer sticky. Cover with wet cloth and let rise in warm place for about 4 hours. Roll dough on floured board to 1/2 to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut into rectangles about 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches. Make hole in center. Place on floured board and let rise about 1 hour. Deep fry in lard or vegetable oil at 360° until golden brown. Flip to other side and brown. Drain on paper towels. (Recipe can easily be doubled). Mix powered sugar with a bit of nutmeg. Dust with powdered sugar while still warm.
Presidents Day Pies
For Apple (Abe Lincoln) or Cherry pie (George Washington), use 2 to 3 cups canned cherries or apples between double crusts.
For an ultra cherry pie, add 1 cup cherry cola with 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca. Warm cherries, cola and tapioca until it begins to thicken, then fill pie shell. Lattice top pie crust to allow steam to escape. Bake in 450-degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350-degrees and bake about 45 minutes or until golden brown.
For an ultra apple pie, add 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons sour cream, and if desired, one-half cup raisins. Mix together by hand and spread evenly in pie shell. Cover with top pie shell, and cut two 1-inch squares of pie shell out to allow for steam to escape. Bake same as above for ultra cherry pie.
Little Logs
Bake a white cake mix in paper baking cups as directed on package. Remove papers. Prepare a chocolate fudge frosting mix as directed package.
Put two cupcakes together end to end with frosting to form logs. Frost sides, leaving ends of logs (tops of cupcakes) unfrosted. With tines of fork, make lines in frosting to resemble bark. Decorate each log with a hatchet cut from construction paper.
Put two cupcakes together end to end with frosting to form logs. Frost sides, leaving ends of logs (tops of cupcakes) unfrosted. With tines of fork, make lines in frosting to resemble bark. Decorate each log with a hatchet cut from construction paper.
Washington Apple Pizza
1/2 c light cream cheese
2 T minced onion
1/2 t dried dill weed
16-oz. pre-cooked pizza crust
2 c Golden Delicious apples, cored and thinly sliced
1 c thinly sliced sweet red pepper
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Combine cream cheese, onion and dill; mix well. Spread on pizza crust. Layer apples, and peppers on cheese mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 450 F about 7 minutes or until mozzarella cheese is thoroughly heated. Serves 6 to 8.
2 T minced onion
1/2 t dried dill weed
16-oz. pre-cooked pizza crust
2 c Golden Delicious apples, cored and thinly sliced
1 c thinly sliced sweet red pepper
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Combine cream cheese, onion and dill; mix well. Spread on pizza crust. Layer apples, and peppers on cheese mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 450 F about 7 minutes or until mozzarella cheese is thoroughly heated. Serves 6 to 8.
Lincoln Log
1 8-oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1-4 oz. c cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 c diced red onion
1T Worcestershire sauce
1 t celery seed
1/2 c chopped walnuts
2-3 fresh rosemary or parsley sprigs
Assorted crackers
In a mixing bowl, combine first 5 ingredients; beat until fluffy. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Shape into a 7-in. x 1-1/2-in. log; roll in walnuts. Insert rosemary or parsley sprigs for branches. Serve with crackers. Yield 2 cups. Makes a great appetizer
1-4 oz. c cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 c diced red onion
1T Worcestershire sauce
1 t celery seed
1/2 c chopped walnuts
2-3 fresh rosemary or parsley sprigs
Assorted crackers
In a mixing bowl, combine first 5 ingredients; beat until fluffy. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Shape into a 7-in. x 1-1/2-in. log; roll in walnuts. Insert rosemary or parsley sprigs for branches. Serve with crackers. Yield 2 cups. Makes a great appetizer
It’s almost time to ring in the New Year…Again!
“Happy New Year” or “Gung Hay Fat Choy,” as the Chinese would say. The longest and most important holiday in the Chinese calendar, also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is a time for families to gather, reminisce about the past year and welcome the arrival of the new one. This year, the Chinese New Year begins Feb. 18 and is a special time for pork lovers everywhere. This year is the Year of the Pig, which only comes around once every 12 years!
A Chinese New Year’s party is a great excuse to get friends and family together for good food and fun. Adorn the house with traditional Asian-inspired décor to get your guests in the spirit!
Consider sending out fun, pork-themed invitations in honor of the Year of the Pig.
Use the image of the Chinese symbol for “pig” to create your own invite. See symbol above.
Incorporate shades of red into your motif. In the Chinese culture, red symbolizes fire which drives away bad luck.
Set out blooming plants to help bring bright colors to the room, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
Jazz up the party with Asian-inspired plates and table settings. Chopsticks are a must-have, but be sure that forks are nearby for those who aren’t comfortable without them.
Day after Chinese New Year
In China, the second day of the New Year is considered the birthday of all dogs and it's tradition to treat pooches extra special.
Last Minute Sites for Ideas
Gear up for Valentine’s Day At Family Corner.com http://www.familycorner.com/dir/Family/Holidays/Valentines_Day/
Sweetheart Parfait
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cooking/sweetheart-parfait.shtml
Valentine's Day Chocolate Cherry Torte
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cooking/chocolate-cherry-torte.shtml
How to Set a Valentine's Table on a Dime!
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/holidays/valentines-day-table.shtml
25 Inexpensive and Romantic Ideas for Valentine's Day
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/inexpensive-valentines-day-ideas.shtml
Valentine's Day Treats for School and Work
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/holidays/valentines-day-treats.shtml
Make Valentine's With Your Kids
http://www.crafty-moms.com/make-valentines.shtml
3 Great Valentine Crafts for Kids
http://www.crafty-moms.com/kids-valentines-day-crafts.shtml
Sew for Your Valentine http://www.bellaonline.com:80/articles/art26827.asp/zzz
Cross Stitch Patterns: Hearts http://crossstitch.about.com/od/hearts/Free_Cross_Stitch_Patterns_Hearts.htm?nl=1
Valentine’s Day Projects http://www.craftbits.com:80/viewCategory.do?categoryID=VAL
Sweetheart Parfait
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cooking/sweetheart-parfait.shtml
Valentine's Day Chocolate Cherry Torte
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cooking/chocolate-cherry-torte.shtml
How to Set a Valentine's Table on a Dime!
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/holidays/valentines-day-table.shtml
25 Inexpensive and Romantic Ideas for Valentine's Day
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/inexpensive-valentines-day-ideas.shtml
Valentine's Day Treats for School and Work
http://www.creativehomemaking.com/holidays/valentines-day-treats.shtml
Make Valentine's With Your Kids
http://www.crafty-moms.com/make-valentines.shtml
3 Great Valentine Crafts for Kids
http://www.crafty-moms.com/kids-valentines-day-crafts.shtml
Sew for Your Valentine http://www.bellaonline.com:80/articles/art26827.asp/zzz
Cross Stitch Patterns: Hearts http://crossstitch.about.com/od/hearts/Free_Cross_Stitch_Patterns_Hearts.htm?nl=1
Valentine’s Day Projects http://www.craftbits.com:80/viewCategory.do?categoryID=VAL
February is National Heart Health Month
If you could cut your risk for heart disease by almost 25 percent simply by adding a banana at breakfast, an apple at lunch and a salad at dinner, would you do it? Of course you would. A recent study found that each fruit or vegetable serving you add to your day may cut your risk of heart disease by as much as 7 percent
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