Simple Easter Decorating Ideas
Looking for some fun, creative decorating ideas for Easter? Let us show you some simple, fun and colorful ways to celebrate this holiday known for chocolate eggs, the Easter bunny and the arrival of Springtime. Who doesn’t love a good Easter egg hunt? Hiding eggs and candy for children to discover is a great way to spend time with family. Creating Easter baskets is an art itself. Why stick to traditional jelly beans and marshmallow peeps? Bake cupcakes and decorate them with rabbits, eggs and jelly beans. Not only will they make great basket fillers, they are convenient for your child’s school parties.
While you are baking, consider creating an Easter bunny cake. Using two 9-inch round cake pans, bake your favorite cake. After cooling, center on the cakes on a cookie sheet. To create the ears, take the other cake and cut two ears, to be placed next to the first cake. Using white icing, bring all the parts together and use jelly beans for the face, as well as strings of licorice for the bunny’s whiskers.
Decorating eggs is a long held tradition. You can purchase decoration kits and adapt the design to your choosing. Kids love to draw with crayons, so even if you forgo the traditional egg dipped in dye, you can still have fun coloring with your kids on hard boiled eggs. Stickers can be added, and designs can be as intricate as can be imagined.
Or how about baking the Easter basket itself? Bake the cake in a bowel, and once cooled, scoop out the middle, line the bottom of the “bowl” with coconut and make a handle using ribbons and pipe cleaners. Fill the basket with jelly beans, chocolate eggs or any other of your favorite Easter treats.
Flowers are another way of bringing Easter to life. Tulips, hyacinth and primroses are traditional Easter flowers, as are lilies. Buy crocus or tulip bulbs planted in pots, and fill the top of the pots with Easter grass or moss. Arrangements of tulips and lilies around the house brighten up the place and remind us of the rebirth of the season. Or buy individual pots and plant the bulbs yourself. As they spring to life, remember that after Easter you can replant them in your garden, where they will become perennial fixtures.
Table settings are a great place to create ingenious Easter decorations. Place mats, napkins, table cloths and runners can be Spring prints or colors, or display Easter themes. Always use your best cutlery and china to set a cheerful table filled with reminders of the season.
Another easy table decoration is colorful pastel place cards. Use heavy card stock, and surround the card with designer jelly beans or chocolate bunny eggs. Tiny baskets like those found at hobby stores can be filled with dyed eggs and Easter grass for a fun accent.
Decorating for Easter is easy, fun and colorful. Use your imagination and enjoy the season!
Read More»Origins Of April Fool’s Day
This Is No Joke!
Who doesn’t love April Fool’s Day? What better holiday than one that gives people permission to instigate practical jokes with varying levels of complexities on family and friends? A holiday dedicated to embarrassing stunts and tricks pulled on the unsuspecting, does indeed deserve its own day. No one actually knows the real origins of April Fool’s Day. Some believe that it began when Christian culture changed from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian one.
In the Julian calendar, May 1 was designed as the first day of summer. Someone could have changed this date to April 1 when the calendars were switched.
Many believe April 1 was assigned as the first day of the year, and when King Charles of France changed this day to January 1, many continue to celebrate New Year’s on April 1.
Other theories take us back to Noah’s Arc, when Noah released the dove too early. Still others trace it back to Canterbury Tales, when a tale of two fools was featured in a story that took place in March.
In Rome a similar day was designated in the 18th century when men were encouraged to put on disguises that would change their looks in order to approach a woman to ask for her hand in marriage. At this time in history it was actually celebrated in February as a day to bring new happiness into a girl’s life.
Some great April Fool’s pranks have been perpetrated throughout history. On this day in 2008, a prankster at Brigham Young University put out a notice that all dorms would be torn down and that April 1 was the day designated for imploding the buildings. Although hundreds stood around all day waiting to see this feat, nothing took place and the prankster was never identified.
Back in 1957, the BBC aired a program called Panorama which showed pictures of Italians out in the fields harvesting spaghetti from a special strain of tree. They happily declared that they had successfully destroyed that last of the dreaded spaghetti weevil. The BBC was inundated with calls asking where to get the tree.
Taco Bell pulled a fast one when in 1996 they ran a full-page ad in The New York Times declaring that corporate headquarters had bought the Liberty Bell which was to be renamed the “Taco Liberty Bell.” Even the White House was in on the joke. When then-press secretary Mike McCurry responded to an inquiry about the sale, with a dead pan look he told the reporter it was true, and added that in following suit, the US Government had just sold the Lincoln Memorial was being renamed the Lincoln Mercury Memorial.
Following suit, in 1998 Burger King placed their ad in USA Today, proclaiming the invention of what they called the “Left-handed Whopper” especially and scientifically designed for condiments to drip off the right side. Because of this, all day that April 1, customers ordered both the left-handed and right-handed burgers.
Read More»Top 2010 Summer Concerts
2010 Concert Guide
The summer is traditionally a favorite time for concert goers and 2010 promises to be a summer not soon to be forgotten – at least musically speaking. From arenas to outside venues, some of the hottest names in music are touring this summer. Whether your musical taste runs towards country or pop or if you are into classic rock, there is a concert for you. Below is a list of the hottest acts that are set to perform during the summer of 2010.
• Black Eyed Peas: WillIAm and Fergie, along with the rest of the group, are back together again this summer. This is a must see for any true Black Eyed Peas fan.
• U2: A perennial favorite for concertgoers, U2 is set to return to the United States during the summer of 2010 to finish up their 360 Degrees tour.
• Peter Gabriel: Peter Gabriel will be back in select US Cities to promote his new album of orchestral covers. Concertgoers can expect to hear old favorites as well.
• Bon Jovi: Continuing their recent comeback, Bon Jovi and the band will be touring throughout the US this summer.
• Carrie Underwood: Country music fans as well as American Idol lovers shouldn’t miss Carrie Underwood as she tours America in 2010.
• Alicia Keys: Alicia Keys is planning a tour in celebration of her latest hit. She recently hit the charts along with Jay-Z with the smash hit “Empire State of Mind.”
• Jimmy Buffett: Often considered one of the best concerts to attend, Jimmy Buffett will be back this year with another hit tour.
• Depeche Mode: Depeche Mode has recently released their 12th album, entitled Sounds of the Universe and will be touring throughout 2010 to support it.
If these big hits aren’t enough to whet your appetite for concerts during 2010′s summer, there are a few interesting rumors. Although these concerts have not yet been announced, industry sources believe they are already in the works. Fans of Paul McCartney may have one last chance to see this giant live. It is looking like he is planning one last tour to celebrate his amazing career. The Who, recently seen during the Super Bowl half-time show, is also rumored to have a concert planned.
Also not to be missed are the many music festivals planned for the summer. Several different festivals are likely to be visiting an outdoors venue near you. From country music to heavy metal, every genre of music will be represented. Another great summer concert option is local live shows. These feature lesser-known acts but can be a wonderful source of music and entertainment.
No matter what your musical tastes, the summer of 2010 is sure to include a least one concert you simply must see. Keep an eye on your favorite venue as more and more acts are announced every week. No summer vacation is complete without at least one really good concert!
For more interesting articles on celebrity news and much more please visit the Entertainment section on GKLife.
Read More»5 Ways To Feel Alive
Thrill Seeking Adventures
It happens to us all at some point, the daily grind, where nothing ever changes and you just need to feel that rush to prove to yourself that you are still, in fact, alive. This is not always easy, but there are 5 risky things people should do to feel alive when life is starting to get them down. These daring activities will help get the blood rushing, and give you that adrenaline high which turns so many people into danger junkies.
Bungee Jumping is probably the safest thing you can do to get an instant adrenaline rush, there is nothing quite like the few moments in which you drop towards the ground, with nothing to save you but a bit of elasticized rope. Bungee jumping has to be experienced at its best, so you will need to travel to some prime locations, I guarantee it is well worth it though. The ‘crane’ bungee jumps are just not the same as launching yourself off a bridge 300 feet above the ground!
Land Surfing is like wind surfing with a critical difference. Boards vary in size, but are generally surfboards with wheels, which can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour. Land surfing can be a highly dangerous sport, since there is zero protection between you and the ground if you have to bail. To compensate for this most people learn to land surf on sandy terrains, where there is a slight softness to the ground in case you do end up going face first in to the dirt.
Sky Diving is similar to bungee jumping, but lasts for much longer. Sky diving can be a fairly expensive option. However, sky diving has been known as one of the only real ways to feel truly free in today’s world There is little that can duplicate the rush of adrenaline you experience as you drop through the air at terminal velocity. If you ever feel that you have never done anything meaningful with your life, jumping out of a plane may just put things in to perspective for you.
Mountaineering is often a risky choice, but is definitely something that people should try if they’re nature lovers with a need for thrill. There is little that matches the feeling of accomplishment that you get when you climb your way to the top of a challenging mountain, finding your way to somewhere that few people have ever been before. Climbing a mountain is also a pretty cheap option, although you will undoubtedly need to take a few weeks off work for some of the more challenging climbs.
Base Jumping is probably the most dangerous of all sports. Whether it is jumping off a tall building with nothing but a small parachute to save you in the split seconds of free fall, or jumping off a cliff in to the sea, base jumping is easily one of the riskiest sports. Of course, the adrenaline rush it gives is nearly unbeatable, and will definitely make you feel alive!
Read More»How To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
The Irish-American Way To Celebrate
One of the greatest things about St. Patrick’s Day is that it is one day when everyone is “Irish.” St. Patty’s Day is one of the most popular holidays in the United States and people everywhere look forward to celebrating the day with everything green and Irish. Throughout the United States, Americans participate in long held traditions to honor the day Saint Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day comes complete with a traditional meal. In America, the day isn’t complete without corned beef and cabbage. Restaurants everywhere offer the meal throughout the day and grocery stores have special areas set up with all the fixings. Potatoes, cabbage, carrots and the requisite corned beef make for the perfect Saint Patrick’s Day dinner.
Cities and towns across the country honor the day with parades. From small town gatherings to the big cities that go all out, St. Patty’s Day parades are tradition. Chicago may take things the furthest, or perhaps the greenest, by turning the entire Chicago River green. A special mixture of vegetable dye is added to the water turning it the perfect shade of shamrock green.
Even beverages get special treatment for the day. McDonalds famous Shamrock Shake, a green and minty treat, is a favorite, especially with the kids. Adults enjoy a more ‘grown-up version’ – almost every bar across the country dyes their beer and lagers green for the day. Other favorite Saint Patrick’s Day drinks include Irish Whiskey and Irish coffee.
The clothes we wear on St. Patty’s day are special too. Bright, shamrock green is the color that rules the day. Irish sayings, leprechauns, shamrocks and other designs festoon t-shirts and almost everyone wears something green. Some younger people even dye their hair green for the day!
Another favorite tradition is kissing the Blarney Stone. While you are unlikely to get a chance to kiss the real stone, which is located within the walls of a castle in Ireland, bars and Irish-American clubs across the country create one just for St. Patrick’s Day. Legend has it that anyone that kisses the blue-green stone will be gifted with eloquence and good luck.
Almost all Americans are Irish on this day and everyone enjoys celebrating by singing traditional Irish songs. The most popular is, of course, Danny Boy, but other traditional Irish songs and toasts are heard throughout the day.
While St. Patrick’s Day was originally established as a religious holiday, today it is primarily seen as a secular holiday. Instead of celebrating the religious significance of the day, today it is a chance for Americans to unwind, celebrate and parade, often drunkenly, throughout the streets. One unfortunate side effect of this is an increase in accidents and DUI arrests, so many are choosing to implement a new tradition for the day, the St. Patrick’s Day Designated Driver!
However you choose to celebrate the day is sure to have fun and let your Irish out, if only for a little while!
Read More»What Cartoon Character are you most like?
Cartoons are a lot more than just jokes. Sure, the best ones are hilarious, but often it’s the main characters that truly make an impression or make the show memorable.
Cartoon characters tend to be easy to relate to, in spite of the fact that most people will never actually know what it’s like to be a rabbit or allergic to kryptonite. These so-called caricatures can prove more realistic than characters actually portrayed by serious actors.
As like most TV shows you feel connected to or can relate to at least one character. Read on to find out which cartoon character you are most like.
Papa Smurf
The head honcho of the ‘Smurfs’, Papa Smurf possesses all the qualities of a good leader. He’s very agreeable and diplomatic. He’s able to communicate equally well with both his fellow Smurfs and any outsiders they may encounter. His reasoning skills and good judgment have gotten the Smurfs out of many-a-blunders. Although it’s a heavy responsibility, he manages to always keep the Smurfs safe and in harmony. Essentially, he is primarily concerned with others happiness. A real life Papa Smurf would be altruistic and capable of solving conflict between co-workers and/or friends.
Wile E. Coyote
A member of the Looney Tunes bunch, The Coyote is extremely conscientious in his goal to catch the Road Runner. He knows what he wants and is constantly going after it. Though never the protagonist, per se, he deserves acclaim for his tremendous drive. He’s perennially hungry, not just for that pesky Road Runner, but also success. He is frequently coming up with new, clever ways to attain both. A bit egotistical perhaps, but such pride and arrogance might just be a contributing factor to his ambition. You might have some of The Coyote in you if you’re always planning and aiming for success.
Hank Venture
One of the two titular characters on the Adult Swim program The Venture Bros., Hank is the more outgoing brother. He bonds easily with most people- scientists, bodyguards, and mad villains alike- and has no trouble making friends. Additionally, he’s always eager to get out and have new adventures and meet new people. Sometimes however, his whimsical nature gets the best of him. Even in the aftermath of such situations, he remains cool, decisive, and ready for more. You’re a lot like Hank if you’re always at ease in social situations and prone to crazy ideas.
Calvin
The star of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, Calvin is a rambunctious youngster who frequently appears to be smarter than most adults. He demonstrates openness to new experiences and ideas. He’s frequently embarking on adventures with his sidekick and best friend, a stuffed tiger named Hobbes. The philosophically inclined Calvin has a large supply of imagination, creativity, and energy. He tends to speak rashly without regards to what is and isn’t appropriate. Consider yourself Calvinist if you’re voracious in creating, thinking, and trying new things such as restaurants, books, and art galleries.
Charlie Brown
Said to have made neuroticism cool, Brown is both hopeful and insecure. Though he’ll sometimes let his “permanent case of bad luck” get him down, he usually remains determined. He has no real enemies and is a good friend to all. He’s awkward, but always lovable. Keen and observant, he’ll often come up with some sarcastic or quick remark. If you tend to worry, keep a pleasant demeanor, and are witty, you and Charlie Brown have a fair amount in common.
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