Рождество в Европе

Rihanna "Russian Roulette"Ppt

ПОЗДРАВЛЯЕМ НАДИРАДЗЕ ТАИСИЮ, 10 Б класс, занявшую II место в ОКРУЖНОЙ ОЛИМПИАДЕ по АНГЛИЙСКОМУ ЯЗЫКУ!

Thanksgiving Day

Happy Christmas!

Презентация HALLOWEEN

тема Helloween

Guy Fawkes" Day - День Гая Фокса (5 ноября)

5 ноября 1605 года кучка заговорщиков пыталась взорвать здание парламента вместе с правительством, королем Джеймсом I, королевой и их сыном. Гай Фокс и его приятели были недовольны отношением короля к католикам и надеялись, что английские католики смогут захватить власть в стране, если они убьют членов правительства и королевской семьи.

Columbus Day History

Каждый год во второй понедельник октября в США отмечают день открытия Колумбом Америки.

Origins of Columbus Day

A U.S. national holiday since 1937, Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. The Italian-born explorer had set sail two months earlier, backed by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He intended to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia; instead, he landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland during the 10th century.

Halloween

 The three days between 31st October and 2nd November see pagan and Christian celebrations intertwined in a fascinating way and is a perfect example of superstition struggling with religious belief.

Traditional Halloween celebrations and customs in England and the rest of Great Britain.On October 31st, we celebrate Halloween,thought to be the one night of the year when ghosts, witches, and fairies are especially active.

Why do we celebrate halloween?

The easy answer to this question is that no one really knows the origins of Halloween.

What we do know for sure is that Halloween is on the eve of a major Catholic festival, All Saints (1st November) and the eve of the pagan Celtic festival known as Samhain.

Currently, it is widely thought that Halloween originated as a pagan Celtic festival of the dead related to the Irish and Scottish Samhain, but there is no evidence that it was connected with the dead in pre-Christian times.

No Smoking Day is an annual health awareness day in the United Kingdom that is intended to help smokers who want to quit smoking. The first No Smoking Day was on Ash Wednesday in 1984, and it now takes place on the second Wednesday in March.

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Tuesday, Pancake Day, Mardi Gras, and Fat Tuesday) is the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is observed mainly in English speaking countries, especially Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States but is also observed in the Philippines and Germany. Shrove Tuesday is linked to Easter, so its date changes on an annual basis.
In most traditions the day is known for the eating of pancakes before the start of Lent. Pancakes are eaten as they are made out of the main foods available, sugar, fat, flour and eggs, the consumption of which was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

Every minute is different from another,
every day is stranger than yesterday
 and every week past is history. 
There is hope only in the future. 
Let's look forward.

Mardi Gras [Feb 21] What's the synonym of fun, happiness and frolic? Mardi Gras! Yes, that's what it is. The scene was set for the good people of the world to groove to the rhythms of pulsating tracks. Steve was there with his fake tattoos and eye masks. He wore a shiny blazer and burned the floor with moves that would make legends of the yore shy. What's with Steve and the dance floor, I wonder. He loves it to the hilt. Maybe this he is this geek who lives in a world where he and his computer are the two people around. He converses less as he doesn't find what he seeks in humans. All his emotions that are packed and accumulated goes for a free wild run when he hits the floor because dance doesn't need language nor a conversation. It is all about emotions and waking up an animal within that goes wild with license. It's time you let that animal out to graze. Go out and have fun this Mardi Gras!

Cuddle Day [Feb 25] I think this day was invented by a desperate lover. Who else would need one more excuse to cuddle with his or her partner but not a lover?! Whoever that was, Sir/Madam, please take a bow! I used this fantastic excuse of a day to cuddle with my sweetheart Aaliyah. She liked the fact that at last I remembered some day and actually had the foresight to celebrate it. She can't remember for the life of her the days I have not remembered inclusive of her birthday, love anniversaries, etc. Whatever be the reason or logic, I loved that alone time with my girl. It is a beautiful lazy day and I loved being close to Aaliyah and found that to be strangely relaxing. Go cuddle lovers of the world!

Anniversary Talking about love anniversaries, ours is near. We met and fell in love a good while back, and that is a beautiful memory! Thinking of those butterflies in the stomach days, I go all dreamy eyed. Then, Aaliyah was the forbidden fruit and today she is my soul mate. The most important thing that happened in my life and the biggest of all blessings I was given by God. I wouldn't forget that anniversary day for anything, but even if I do, it doesn't matter. She is here and she is true. This is reality and nostalgia is for those who go back and find happiness. I have happiness here and now. And happiness has a name. The name is Aaliyah.

Birthday       Who said birthdays are only fun? Mine isn't. I dread birthdays. I feel like I am growing too old. I have too many things to day and not many days left. That's the way I see it. I am an eternal optimist, but birthdays bring out the pessimist in me. Well, thankfully, I have my good family and great friends around who give me amazing gifts that kind of cuts away on the gloominess and gives some hope that even if my years are going to be less I will still have lot more gifts to procure from the near and dear on my birthday. Enjoy the week and take a snack on Banana Bread Day!

WISHING YOU A BLESSED EASTER!

Symbols Associated with Easter

Many Easter customs come from the Old World. The white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, is the special Easter flower.
Rabbits and colored eggs have come from pagan antiquity as symbols of new life. The Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored Easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. Easter Monday egg rolling, a custom of European origin, has become a tradition on the lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. During the Octave of Easter in early Christian times, the newly baptized wore white garments, white being the liturgical color of Easter and signifying light, purity, and joy.

Chocolate Bunny Bread

Yield: 1 bunny
Dough
3 1/4 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 packages (1/2 ounce or 4 1/2 tsp) FLEISCHMANN'S RapidRise Yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, cut up
1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 tablespoon SPICE ISLANDS Pure Vanilla Extract
1/3 cup milk chocolate or peanut butter morsels
Decorations (optional)
Jelly beans
Decorating icing
Carrot
In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, cocoa powder, undissolved yeast and salt. Heat milk, butter and water until very warm (120 to 130 F). Gradually add to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add egg, vanilla and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes
Divide dough in half. For body, knead chocolate morsels into 1 half; form into ball. Place on bottom end of greased large baking sheet; flatten to make 5-inch round. For head, remove 1/3 of remaining half; form into ball. Place on pan above body; flatten slightly, pinching to attach. For nose, pinch off 1/2-inch ball from remaining dough; place on center of head. Divide remaining dough into 4 equal pieces; roll each to form 6-inch rope. For arms, arrange 2 ropes across body; attach by tucking one end of each under body. Shape remaining ropes into ears; arrange above head. Attach by tucking one end of each under head. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.
Bake at 350 F for 45 to 50 minutes or until done, covering with aluminum foil after 20 minutes to prevent excess browning. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack. Decorate as desired.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information per serving (1/14 of recipe): Calories 222; total fat 6g; saturated fat 3g; cholesterol 26mg; sodium 174mg; total carbohydrate 38g; dietary fiber 2g; protein 5g.

Easter Cookies

Get ready for Easter and make these wonderful Cookies your family will love.

Yield 1 1/2 dozen

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
sugar sprinkles, pastel colors

Preheat oven to 325 F.

In a medium bowl, beat butter or margarine and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Beat in lemon zest, lemon extract, and vanilla. Add flour and salt to the butter and blend well.

With a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies using a Easter Cookie Cutters. Place 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheets. Re-roll scraps and cut more cookies.

Sprinkle pastel sugar crystals on each cookie.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until cookies are pale golden, not brown. Let stand 2 minutes. Remove to a rack and let cool completely.

M&M's Bird's Nest Cookies

Combine the taste of toasted coconut with colorful "M&M's"® Chocolate Candies for Easter and get Yellow's favorite springtime dessert.
Yield: 3 dozen cookies
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
2 sticks butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups "M&M's"® Plain, Peanut, Almond or Crispy Chocolate Candies for Easter
What to do:
Preheat oven to 300 F. Spread coconut on non-greased cookie sheet. Toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until it turns light golden, about 25 minutes. Remove coconut from cookie sheet and set aside.
Increase oven temperature to 350°F.
In large bowl, add butter and sugar and whip until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. In medium bowl, combine flour and salt. Blend into creamed mixture.
Form dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll heavily into toasted coconut. Place coconut cookies 2 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make indentation with thumb in center of each cookie.
Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove cookies and cool completely. Fill indentations with "M&M's"® Chocolate Candies for Easter.

CARROT CAKE

Ingredients :
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups corn oil
1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple in natural syrup
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
3 cups grated carrots (about 4 carrots)
Preparation :
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13-by-9-by-2-inch pan. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil and brown sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, sift the baking soda, cinnamon, salt and flour, then gradually add it to the egg mixture; do not over mix. Add the pineapple and syrup, coconut, walnuts and carrots, and beat well.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack and cool completely. Serves 12 to 14.

 BUNNY CAKE

Ingredients :
cake mix; baked to form two circular cakes
frosting
Licorice for whiskers; M&M's for decoration
Preparation :
You have two circular cakes, as though each would normally be one layer of a birthday cake. One is the head. The other is used the make ears and a bow tie. Cut the two ears out of either side of the circular cake, and then the center becomes a bow tie. Assemble the pieces, put frosting on it, and decorate it, making a face on it, etc. Use white frosting for most of it, and pink frosting for the center of the ears. Use licorice for whiskers, and put M&Ms all over the bow tie.

EASTER

As with almost all "Christian" holidays, Easter has a secular side as well. The dichotomous nature of Easter and its symbols, however, is not necessarily a modern fabrication.

Easter has always had its non-religious side.

Valentine's Day in Britain

St Valentine's Day is celebrated with gaiety, enthusiasm and charm in Britain. Just as in many other countries, people in Britain express love for their beloved on this day by presenting them flowers, cards, chocolates and other special gifts. Different regions of the country have their specific traditions to celebrate Valentine's Day but one uniform custom is the singing of special songs by children. These children are rewarded with gifts of candy, fruit or money. In some regions delectable Valentine buns are baked with caraway seeds, plums or raisins.