April 27th, 2008
Few holidays are complete without food. Virtually all cultures include a dinner with friends and family in their holiday traditions. In this spirit of sharing recipes for your holidays, large and small, we’re starting a new weekend feature, highlighting posts from other food bloggers. Enjoy!
“What’s in Season Now” from Busy Family Meals
“May 3 is Free Cookie Day” from Brownie Points
“Spring Radishes with Shallots and Vinegar” from the Kitchn
“Recipes for Quilters to Share” from Quilting and Patchwork
(photo © istockphoto)
Tags: food bloggers roundup
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 0 comments
April 27th, 2008
We have a winner in the Mother’s Pampering Package Giveaway Contest. Shannon at Palmersf.blogspot.com will be getting the package in the mail. (I’ll contact you privately for your mailing address.) Congratulations to Shannon and thanks to all who entered.
(winning comment was picked using random.org)
(photo © 2008 K. Ellis)
Tags: bloggy giveaway
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 0 comments
April 26th, 2008
The month of May brings the beginning of summer, Mother’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo…as well as all of those flowers. Here are a few of the holidays we’ll be discussing in May:
Is there a favorite May holiday that I’ve forgotten. Be sure to leave a comment and we’ll add it to the list.
(clip art © nova development)
Tags: cinco de mayo, may holidays, memorial day, Mother's Day, victoria day
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 0 comments
April 25th, 2008
Image details: HATS! The Musical Guinness Stunt served by picapp.com
Ten years ago, on April 25, Sue Ellen Cooper (above right) gave a friend a festive red hat to celebrate the friend’s 50th birthday. It was an act that would change the way women feel about aging.
The Red Hat Society, in just one decade, has evolved from a group of friends wearing red hats and purple outfits, into a powerhouse organization that boasts close to 40,000 chapters in more than 25 countries. “When I turned 50, I felt there was still such a vibrant life ahead of me,” says Cooper.
The Red Hat Society is more than just a social organization. Since 2004, the group has sponsored “Go Red for Women,” which seeks to increase awareness of heart disease in women.
Any woman over 50 can become a member of the Red Hat Society. Just visit their Web site or call 1 866-FUN-AT50.
Tags: april holidays, red hat day, red hat society
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 1 comment
April 24th, 2008
Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), the Mexican holiday the celebrates that country’s victory in the Battle of Puebla–a turning point in the war for Mexican Independence–is one of my favorite holidays. It comes at a time when the Midwest is just emerging from winter and the vibrant colors, flavors, and music of Mexico seem to represent the joy of spring.
I came across this dip recipe this morning and can’t wait to serve it. It’s part decoration, part food, and all fun. (thanks to the people at Wholly Guacamole for sharing the recipe with All Holiday Cafe readers.)
Mexican Flag Dip
One 14 oz package Wholly Guacamole (or make your own recipe)
Fat-free sour cream
Your favorite salsa
Fresh rosemary sprigs
Black beans and olives
Tortilla chips
1. Divide a rectangular pan into thirds. Spread guacamole and salsa on
outer bands, putting sour cream in the center.
2. Top center with an “eagle” of olives beans and sprigs of greens.
(photo courtesy of PR Newswire Photo Service)
Tags: cinco de mayo, guacamole, Mexican Holidays, Recipes
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 4 comments
April 23rd, 2008
April is National Pecan Month, a celebration America’s only native nut tree. A relative of the Hickory tree, pecan trees are prevalent throughout the Southeastern United States, but can be found as far west as Texas and as far north as Indiana and Illinois. Some other pecan facts:
- Pecans contain 19 vitamins and minerals
- The pecan trees at Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s estate in Alexandria, Virginia were planted more than 200 years ago and still thrive.
- Pecans are grown commercially in 11 states
- The US pecan crop is worth more than $300 million per year.
(photo © istockphoto)
Tags: april holidays, george washington, national pecan month
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 2 comments
April 23rd, 2008
What a fun week we have on tap here at b5media! Especially in the Lifestyles Channel! Many of our bloggers have worked on putting together some awesome prizes just waiting on you to win them!
I hope that you’ve already left a comment to enter to win All Holiday Cafe’s Mother’s Day Pampering Package. Here are some of the other giveaways going on right now!
There will be more giveaways going on throughout the week, so you may wish to sign up for our channel feed.
Tree Hugging Family is conducting multiple giveaways Mothering Magazine Subscriptions - Big Green Purse
Mother Earth’s Garden - Let it Rot! The Gardener’s Guide to Composting - Leapin Lemur and Penguin Puffs
Simply Thrifty - Coupon Organizer
Offbeat Homes - Building With Awareness Guidebook on DVD
Hankering for Yarn - Butterfly Earrings
Junk Creations - EcoHangers
Stamping Mad - Stamping Hobbyists Gift Set
Jewelry and Beading - Artful Blogging Magazine
Layers Upon Layers - Art Doll Quarterly
Quilting and Patchwork - The Magic of Patchwork Book
Babylune - Hanes Gift Certificates
Tool Belt Tips - 2 Cases Thompson’s Water Seal
Tangled Thread - Tags and Tie Dyes Contest
Busy Family Meals - Asian Cooking Starter Kit
Blog Fabulous - Boogie Dance Giveaway
Thrifty Mommy - Honey Thyme Herb Farm, Recycled Bags, Cooking Light Cookbook - Towel Spa
Weary Parent - You’re a Good Mom Gift Set, Blume Girl Boutique Giveaway, Blog Design
Supernanny Rules - Skincare by Amino Genesis
Kettle and Cup - The Tea Table Book
Baking Delights - Hello Cupcake Book
Behind the Vine - Wine lovers will love Vacu Vin
Solo Mother - Sexy Dancing
Keeping the Castle - Hypoallergenic Pillow from Lands’ End
Career and Kids and GenBetween - 5 SanDisk Gator Cruzer 4GB Flash Drives - contest 1 - contest 2
Play Library - Melissa and Doug Birthday Party Cake Toy
A Child Chosen - Crystal and Pearl Earrings
One Book Two Book - Tessy and Tab Reading Starter Kit
Have fun and best of luck!
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 0 comments
April 22nd, 2008
April 22 is Earth Day. This holiday, founded in 1970, celebrates the planet’s natural wonders and promotes education on ecology and ways to improve and preserve the environment. But don’t take my word for it. The bloggers at b5media have been talking about Earth Day and green topics for weeks. Here’s a little of what they’ve had to say:
- From “My Organized Biz,” Six Ways to Save Cash and Gas
- From the “List Maven,” 35 accessories from recycled materials
- From “Tree-Hugging Family,” Movies to Rent for Earth Day
- From “Weary Parent,” Earth Day Fun for Teens and Tweens
- From “Green Posse,” Marriott Golf Courses Go Green
- From “Mother Earth’s Garden,” Digging for Earth Day
(public domain photo)
Tags: april holidays, b5media, earth day
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 2 comments
April 22nd, 2008
Just in time for Mother’s Day, “All Holiday Cafe” is giving away a Mother’s Day pampering package. All you have to do is leave a comment below, telling us in one or two sentences about your favorite Mother’s Day. The deadline is 11:59pm EDT on April 26.
The package includes:
- Booty Parlor Bubble Bath
- Sweet Cream Foot Scrub
- Solerra Sunless Tanning System
- Two Urban Apothecary Eye Shadows (Limestone/Jade)
- Isadora Mineral Foundation Powder
- Bobby Brown Lipstick (Bronzed Pink)
- JoeyNY CinnaMEN lip gloss
- Shampowder Hair Powder
- Dr. Scholl’s Heel Liners
- Dr. Scholl’s Addvance Foot Repair Cream
The winner will be chosen at random from those leaving comments. You must be a US or Canadian resident to win. Only one entry per person, please.
(Thanks to Kori Ellis of b5’s ShoeBlitz for her help with this giveaway.)
(photo © K. Ellis)
Tags: bloggy giveaways, giveaway, Mother's Day
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 192 comments
April 19th, 2008
April 19 is Primrose Day in the UK. This day marks the anniversary of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli’s death in 1881. This occasion is commemorated by placing primrose flowers, Disraeli’s favorite, on Parliament Square in London.
The perrenial primrose is one of spring’s first flowers and a common addition to English gardens. It gets it’s name from the Roman “primula,” meaning “first little one.”
(photo © paul74/cc license)
Tags: april holidays, english holidays, primrose day
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 0 comments
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