Monthly Archives: March 2013

Celebration – Easter Trivia

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There are so many traditions and custom celebrated during the Easter season.  The origin and history of some the most famous events are listed below: the White House Easter Egg Roll and the New York Easter Parade.  Also, check out some trivia concerning our favorite candies used to fill our Easter baskets: Peeps and Cadbury Eggs.

White House Egg Roll 2012The White House Easter Egg Roll

In the United States there is an annual event held on the White House lawn the first Monday after Easter.  In 1814, Dolley Madison, the wife of President James Madison, invited hundreds of children to bring their decorated eggs and join in games on the grounds of the United States Capitol.  In 1877, when a new lawn was planted the event was cancelled.  Subsequently, Congress passed a law making it illegal to use the grounds as a children’s playground.  In 1878, President Rutherford Hayes brought the event to the White House but during Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency the tradition was abandoned and later to be revived by during President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration.  The Egg Roll is a race where children push an egg through the grass with a long-handled spoon across the White House lawn.  The event is attended every year by a large crowd of children and their parents invited by special invitation or selected by a lottery system.  Activities include speeches, book readings, exhibits of decorated Easter eggs and appearances by the President and his family, members of Congress and even famous celebrities but the highlight is always the Easter Bunny.

SPECIAL NOTE: This famous American event was featured in a scene in the 2007 film, “National Treasures: Book of Secrets”.

The New York Easter Parade

Wearing new clothes for Easter has been a tradition since ancient times.  The Pagans celebrated the vernal equinox with a celebration to honor Ostera, the Goddess of Spring, and they believed that wearing new clothes brought them good luck.  In Christianity, during Easter many Christians were baptized and they wore white linen robes to symbolize rebirth and new life.  The Roman Emperor Constantine declared that his court wear their finest new clothes in celebration at Easter.  The tradition eventually evolved to mark the end of Lent, during a time when people would wear the same clothes for weeks, and finally would discard their old clothes for new ones.

Starting as a spontaneous, informal and unorganized event in the 1870s, the New York Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue quickly became an American cultural tradition on Easter Sunday.  The event developed when the New York City churches would decorate their sanctuaries with elaborate floral displays for Easter.  After church, the wealthy New Yorkers, dressed in their new, fashionable clothing with the women wearing their elaborate hats, would try to impress each other with their finery as they stroll down Fifth Avenue walking from one church to the other to see the impressive floral displays.

Over the years, the annual Easter Parade became an important event on the New York social calendar.  By 1900, merchants and milliners began to link their advertisements to the event in hopes of increasing their retail sales.  Not everyone was comfortable with these displays of wealth and extravagance.  Comparisons were made to bring attention to the hardships and working conditions of the sweatshop employees who produced the wealthy consumer’s Easter finery.  During the Great Depression, unemployed workers paraded in their worn clothing and carrying banners that called attention to troubles.  It was pointed out that the cost of a single elaborate gown was equal to a year of welfare for an unemployed worker and their family.

By the mid-20th century, any connection to the religious aspects of the Easter parade had faded.  The community event had changed from a parade of refinement based in a religious celebration to become a reflection of the American’s new idea that a person’s choice of clothing was only linked to their status and wealth.  The decline in attendance continued until the New York Easter Parade became associated with outlandish and tasteless costumes becoming a satirical comment on the parade’s former focus.

peepsPeeps

A traditional Easter treat, Peeps are marshmallow candies sold in the shape of chicks or bunnies.  They are produced by the Just Born candy company founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They are made from marshmallow, corn syrup, gelatin and carnauba wax.  The yellow chicks, appropriately named Peeps, were originally created individually by hand until eventually this process was replaced by mass production.   Peeps were originally sold only seasonally to use in Easter baskets but have since expanded to include other holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Christmas.  The Peeps line has also expanded to include items such as lip balms, jewelry, fashion apparel and home accessories.  In 2009 the first Peeps & Co. store opened in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with additional stores following in two other locations, Maryland and the Mall of America in Minnesota.  Their products are also available online at their website, www.peepsandcompany.com

Cabury Creme EggsCadbury Eggs

Cadbury Crème Egg is a delicious blend of a thick milk chocolate shell in the shape of an egg with a white and yellow fondant filling that is created to resemble the yolk of a real egg.  Crème Eggs are made by Cadbury UK and at the factory in Birmingham 1.5 million are made per day.  The Cadbury Brothers have been making filled eggs since 1923 but the Crème egg with its seemingly realistic egg yolk was introduced in 1963.  In the United States the Hershey Company has the marketing and distribution rights.  Over the years, Cadbury had introduced other related products such as: the Caramel Egg which is a chocolate egg with a caramel filling, the Chocolate Crème Egg with chocolate fondant filling, the Orange Crème Egg similar to the original but with an added orange flavor and the Mint Crème Egg with a green colored yolk and a mint flavored chocolate.

You may be wondering … how do they create these unique Easter treats?  The Cadbury Crème Eggs are created as two half chocolate egg shells, each is filled with white fondant and then a smaller amount of yellow fondant is added.  Both halves are joined together and as they cool the two chocolate pieces bond together to form one whole egg.  The eggs are then removed from the molds and wrapped in foil.

I hope you enjoyed this Easter trivia and maybe it will give you have some interesting facts for conversation at Easter lunch or dinner.

Happy Easter from the Enchanted Manor!

Travel – Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

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Louisville Slugger sign 1In celebration of baseball season starting at the end of March, I thought it would be a great time to let you know about a trip we took to the Louisville Slugger Museum in 2010.  There were four of us on this trip and we were excited to see the baseball bat factory tour and the baseball memorabilia exhibits, especially my husband and son.

The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory is located in Louisville, Kentucky and is one of the city’s most popular attractions.  Outside, in front the building, visitors are greeted by a huge baseball bat to announce that it is the Louisville Slugger Factory where Hillerich & Bradsby Co. manufacture their brand of baseball bats.  The building also serves as the Louisville Slugger Museum and corporate headquarters.

In the front lobby is a Signature Wall where there are thousands of famous baseball players’ signatures that were “burned” onto their Louisville Slugger bats.  There is also a special section honoring the players and managers that have contracted with Louisville Slugger and been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.  After purchasing our admission tickets at the box office, we received a timed factory tour ticket.  We had some time before our tour started, so we went to an area in the museum called Bud’s Batting Cage.  The batting cage is named in honor of Bud Hillerich, who in 1884 made the first Louisville Slugger bat.  Visitors to the batting cage can use replica bats of baseball legends, such as: Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.

Factory tour 1

Finally, it was time for our Louisville Slugger Factory tour.  The guided tour lasts approximately 30 minutes.  To start the tour, our guide gave a brief history of the Louisville Slugger company and the baseball bat production process.  Then we had the opportunity to see the bats being made in the factory.  We stopped at the different stations on the production line and the guide explained each process.  At the end of the tour, everyone receives a miniature Louisville Slugger souvenir bat.

When we exited the tour, there is an area where we walked among life-size mannequins of baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Joe Di Maggio, Ken Griffey Jr. and Derek Jeter.   Also in this area is the Grand Slam Gallery, where there are displays of the bats of some of the past and present greatest hitters of the game of baseball, including Mickey Mantle, Johnny Bench and Joe Di Maggio.  One interesting bat was Babe Ruth’s bat where he carved the notches for the 60 home runs that he hit within his record setting season in 1927. We took our time walking through the other exhibits of a variety of very interesting baseball memorabilia.

Babe Ruth's Bat     Joe DiMaggio's bet

World Series bats

Of course, after a tour and museum visit, there is always a trip to the gift shop.  In the Louisville Slugger Museum store there is an assortment of items, such as clothing and sports apparel, jewelry, key chains, home accessories and other collectibles.  This is also the place to order and pick up personalized baseball bats.  HINT: If you are planning on purchasing one of these personalized bats, place the order before taking the tour and visiting the museum.  That way the order can be processed, the item can be made and it will be available for pick-up before you leave the Louisville Slugger facility.

Big Bat Big Bat 1 Big GloveInformation on the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum

  • If you are waiting for a scheduled tour to start and have some time, go to the theater to see the 13 minute film, “The Heart of the Game”.  This inspiring film enjoyable insights and stories of hitting a baseball from some of the past and present top baseball players.
  • The Big Bat is located outside in the front and was positioned there, leaning against the building in 1995.  It is 120 feet tall, 68,000 pound exact replica of Babe Ruth’s Louisville Slugger, with the signature of Bud Hillerich who made the first Louisville Slugger bat in 1884.  The bat is made of carbon steel and hand painted to simulate wood.  It is hallow inside and if filled with water it would hold 30,000 gallons.
  • The Gove Sculpture is located near the parking lot elevator.  It is made from a piece of Kentucky limestone which is sculpted into a 34,000 pound replica of a baseball glove with a baseball inside.  It is 12 feet long by 9 feet wide and four feet high.  When it was delivered in 1998, the front doors of the building had to be removed to allow the massive sculpture to be positioned inside the building.
  • The Louisville Slugger Walk of Fame is located just outside the door on historic Main Street and continues for one mile to the Louisville Slugger Field located on East Main Street.  The bronze cast sculptures of a home plate are of baseball players selected by the Louisville Slugger management team.  The name and information of the inductee is engraved on a home plate with a bronze baseball bat leaning nearby.

A Breif History of the Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat

J. Frederick Hillerich emigrated from Germany first to Baltimore, Maryland in 1842 and then a move to Louisville, Kentucky in 1856.  In Louisville, he started a woodwork shop and produced everything from balusters to bedposts.  His eldest son, John Andrew “Bud” was born in 1866 who later became an amateur baseball player with a local team.

Bud began making baseball bats for himself and his team.  The legend is told that he made the first professional baseball player bat for Pete Browning in 1884.  Browning was a star player for the Louisville professional American Association team.  After Bud witnessed Browning breaking his favorite bat, Bud made an offer to make one for his hero.  After Bud made the bat, Browning used it to make three hits in the next game.  An interesting note:  Browning was as a powerful hitter with the nickname of Louisville Slugger.  Years later, as the Hillerich family began to successfully make a business of producing quality bats; they trademarked the name for their bats in 1894.

Initially, Bud’s father wanted nothing to do with making bats.  But Bud continued producing his bats for a growing number of players and he continued to make improvements on the manufacturing process.  Finally, when the bat production showed profits and increasing orders, Bud’s father made him a partner in 1897.  The name was changed to J.F. Hillerich and Son.

In 1905 Honus Wagner, nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman”, was a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He became the first big league baseball player to sign a contract to endorse the Louisville Slugger bats.  His autograph burned into the bat was to become a long tradition with the company.  The success of the Louisville Slugger bat was due to the fact that amateur baseball players were able to purchase a bat made exactly like their favorite big league player.

In 1911, Frank Bradsby, a successful salesman for the Louisville Slugger bats joined the company as a full partner and the company was renamed the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. and is the name that is still used today.  J. Frederick Hillerich died in 1924. Then, in 1937 a disastrous flood of the Ohio River significantly damaged one of the factories and some of the offices.  This event and the massive efforts to rebuild is said to have hastened the death of Bradsby later the same year.  Bud Hillerich died in 1946 and his son Ward took over as president of the company, but his term was short and he died in 1949.  Bud’s second son John Hillerich Jr then took over as president until his death in 1969. His son, John Hillerich III became president of the company at the age of 29 years old.

Craft – Spring Garden Gift Basket

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IMG_9660Springtime brings Easter and the weather starts to turn a little warmer and our thoughts turn to the outdoors and planning our gardens.  A Spring Garden Gift Basket is a wonderful craft idea with everything inside the basket that a person would need for inspiration. Consider bring one to an Easter celebration as a gift for the host/hostess.  The basket would also make an excellent birthday gift for your family/friends or perhaps for a new neighbor as a thoughtful welcome gift.  The Spring Garden Gift Basket can be as simple or elaborate as you wish but the amount of the items used is determined by the size of the basket you choose.  Here are a few suggestions:

IMG_9632

Spring Garden Basket  – supplies

  • One basket
  • A package of moss, used to fill the bottom of the basket
  • 3 – 4 small pots
  • Potting soil, enough to fill the pots
  • 1 large zip-loc plastic bag for the potting soil
  • 3- 4 seed packets
  • Garden tools
  • A pair of garden gloves
  • Several artificial flowers for basket decoration
  • A small garden-themed accessory (I am using a “pot-hanger” frog)
  • Raffia for a bow and a gift tag

Spring Garden Basket – instructions

  1. In a large zip-loc plastic bag add enough soil to fill the pots.  Be sure to seal the bag securely.  Stuff newspaper in the bottom of the basket; place the bag of soil on top.  Cover completely with some moss.
  2. Arrange the pots, seed packet and garden supplies in the basket.  Insert some artificial flowers for addition basket decoration.
  3. Tie a raffia bow onto the basket, attach the small garden accessory.  Be sure to include a gift tag to the basket.

IMG_9634

Additional ideas and suggestions

  • Using a tiny water can as an accessory, fill it will some moss and insert a gift card to the local garden shop.
  • Depending on the size of the basket used, consider adding a gardening book.
  • Instead of using artificial flowers for the basket decorations, consider adding an African violet or miniature rose plant.

 

 

Decor – Easter Table Decorations

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Easter tableOur Easter dinner is usually a very small gathering, most of our family live in other states, so there a just a few of us at the table.  This year I decide on using soft pastel colors and nature inspired decorations.

First, I set the table by starting with a lovely pale green tablecloth.  Then to bring in some texture and dimension to the table I add a pale green silken fabric that I bought at my local craft store for under $3/yd.  I arrange the fabric into soft gathers and place it in the center of the table; this will keep the table from appearing too “flat”.

Next, at each place setting I use a white rimmed dinner and salad plates, silver utensils and silver rimmed beverage glasses. I then place a rolled pale green napkin that match the tablecloth into a white porcelain napkin ring.  To add a nature element, I tucked a small blue butterfly on a wire into the napkin ring and it seems to fly over the place setting for a charming effect.  Finally, to add a touch of Easter to the table, at each place setting I set out a white porcelain egg cup with a white wooden egg.  These eggs will be used for our guests to make Jeweled Easter Eggs decorated with sparkling letters to personalize and crystal or pearl stickers for elegant party favors to take home.  Please check out the Craft post earlier this month for a complete list of supplies and simple instructions.  This is a fun activity to do before dinner!  Another idea is to create some additional ones, store them away with the other Easter decorations and next year display them in a silver bowl with a little bit of Spanish moss in the bottom.

Easter table centerpeice

For the table centerpiece, I placed a lovely white pitcher with a simple design of bunnies in the center of the table on top of the pale green silken fabric.  It is filled with pastel tulips in three different colors of tulips – white, pale pink and a very light green.  I think it makes a lovely spring centerpiece.  For this Easter table, I placed white bunnies on either side of the centerpiece to add a festive touch and tucked them into the pale green silken fabric.

Easter table butterflies

To complete the Easter table decorations, I tied fishing line to the dining room chandelier and hot-glued white and blue butterflies.  This final nature element gives the table an effect that the butterflies appear to be flying over the table.  Our weather outside might still have cool temperatures but it seems like it is spring has finally come into our dining room!

For a description of the additional decorations in our dining room, please check out the Décor post,  Easter Home Decorations.

 

 

 

Celebration – First Day of Spring

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The first day of Spring this year will be March 20, 2013.

The four seasons are generally defined as: spring, summer, autumn (also known as fall) and winter.  Each season lasts three months.  The three warmest months are summer and the three coldest months are winter with the months between each of those seasons having the greatest varying of transitional temperatures.

At the time of the vernal equinox, the axis of the Earth is increasing a tilt toward the Sun and the length of daylight increases.  In our case, the Northern hemisphere begins to experience warmer temperatures.  If snow/frost are a normal part of your winter, the temperatures start to warm, the snow begins to melt and the rivers and streams begin to flow with increasing amounts of water. The flower bulbs start to break through the soil sometimes with snow still on the ground.  The crocus is a perennial that traditionally starts to bloom in late winter or early spring which is a good indication that warmer weather is coming soon.  Plants and trees also start to bloom, such as: magnolias and cherry trees.  Forsythia branches can be brought indoors and with the interior warmth of our home the flowers will magically bloom and it is a perfect way of bringing a little bit of spring indoors.  With the temperatures starting to warm, many of us start to pull out those garden catalogs that have been arriving all winter and start to plan our spring/summer gardens.

Before spring, try getting an early start to your garden planting.  Find a good spot will a sunny window, perhaps the kitchen counter, laundry room or even down in the basement with artificial lights.  Sow the seeds in potting soil in several peat pots on a tray to catch the draining water.  Under these indoor growing conditions, smaller plants seem work much better, such as a variety of herbs. As we get closer to outdoor planting time and the danger of frost is gone, we can start to sow the seeds for our garden vegetables.  (This is a great family project with small children because they can learn about the plant growth process and experience the excitement to see the plants begin to sprout!!)

Spring legends

Folklore has it that the vernal equinox is the only day of the year when an egg can be stood on its end, this is not true.  In fact, eggs are nature’s perfect symbol for life, new beginnings and the joys of springtime.

The phoenix earned its legendary immortality by refusing to eat from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Every 500 years, the bird creates a nest of herbs and spices, sits upon it and then sets itself on fire. After the fire dies down, an egg laid by the phoenix is found among the ashes. The egg hatches, and the phoenix emerges, resurrected.

Spring Cleaning

After the long winter months, we begin to emerge from our hibernation indoors.  Spring brings us renewed energy and usually that energy is turned into spring cleaning.  Below are a list rooms and some basic cleaning tips.

Kitchen –

  1. Clear the contents from both the refrigerator and freezer.  Discard any expired or spoiled items.  Thoroughly clean the interior of both the refrigerator and freezer.
  2. Don’t forget to clean the refrigerator coils, this helps with energy efficiency and will save money, too!
  3. Prepare the oven and stove by removing the burner/covers and knobs.  Thoroughly clean the interiors.  If possible, pull the oven and stove from the wall, sweep and mop the area behind.
  4. Clean the small appliances, such as: microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, blender, etc.
  5. Clear the contents from the kitchen cabinets.  Discard any expired food products or broken/chips plates, dishes and glassware.  Clean the cabinets, both interior and exterior.  Replace shelf liners if necessary.
  6. Thoroughly clean the kitchen sink, be sure the faucet and drains are running properly.  It is a good time to schedule any plumbing repairs.
  7. Clean the windows, both interior and exterior, with a streak-free cleaning solution.
  8. Finally, sweep and mop the floor.  Consider floor wax for the wooden floors.

Bathroom –

  1. Remove items from the medicine cabinet.  Discard any expired prescriptions or medicines.  Clean both the interior and exterior.  Take an inventory of supplies and replenish needed items.
  2. Clear the contents of the bathroom cabinets.  Now is a great time to replace worn towels and purchase new ones.  (Consider donating the old towels to the local animal shelter)  Think about adding new bath soaps/oils and new candles to create a spa-like environment.
  3. Thoroughly clean the tub, shower and toilet.  Please sure to check that all faucets, shower heads, toilets and sink drains are functioning properly.  Schedule any repairs if needed.  Replace the shower curtain and liner; these inexpensive items can help to give the bathroom a fresh look!
  4.  Clean the mirrors and windows with a streak-free cleaning solution.

Bedroom –

  1. Remove all the bed linens, including comforter, fitted and regular sheets, pillow case/protective covers, mattress pads and bed skirts.  (Always check the product labels for the correct cleaning instructions) Most of these items can be cleaned in the washing machine and dried in the dryer, just be cautious NOT overload the machines.    Now is also a great time to replace any worn linens and buy new ones.
  2. Most pillows can be cleaned in the washing machine, be sure to check the label for instructions.  I recommend a maximum of two pillows in the machines at a time and also to completely dry the pillows to avoid dampness that could create mold later.  If a couple of clean tennis balls are added to the dryer, the pillows will return to their normal fluffy shape.
  3. With the bed stripped of the bed linens, it is a good time to flip the bare mattress.  This will create even wear and extend the life of the mattress.
  4. Clear the contents of the dresser and nightstands, use a vacuum to clean the drawers.  Clean both the interior and exterior surfaces.
  5. Remove and clean window coverings.  (Always check the product labels for the proper cleaning instructions, some curtains can only be dry-cleaned)  Consider switching out heavy curtains with a lighter fabric. If the window covering has blinds, carefully clean the dust build-up using a vacuum with special attachment.
  6. Wash windows, both interior and exterior with a streak-free cleaning solution.
  7. Clear the clothes from the bedroom closet.  Now is a great time to determine items to keep, repair, donate or toss.  Make a list of clothing and other items need.  Store the winter clothing in containers and be sure to label the contents.  Dust the shelves before returning the clothing and other items to the closet.
  8. Clean the floors, vacuum the carpet or sweep/mop.

Living room –

  1. Vacuum the floors, now is a great time to consider purchasing or renting a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional company for the entire house.  Also while the furniture is removed for the deep-cleaning, consider rearranging the floor plan.
  2. Cleaning units can also be used for large furniture, such as: sofa and chairs.  If sofa covers are used, remove and clean them.  Afterwards, take the opportunity to add more spring inspired pillows.
  3. Remove everything from the display shelves, dust the surfaces and each item before replacing them back on the shelves.  Take the opportunity to change photos and decorative items, replace with more spring/summer accessories.
  4. Be careful when cleaning the TV screen, it does make a difference and the picture will clearer and sharper.
  5. Dust the lamps; don’t forget the lampshade interior and exterior.
  6. Remove and clean window coverings.  (Always check the product labels for the proper cleaning instructions, some curtains can only be dry-cleaned)  Consider switching out heavy curtains with a lighter fabric. If the window covering has blinds, carefully clean the dust build-up using a vacuum with special attachment.
  7. Clean the windows, both interior and exterior, with a streak-free cleaning solution.

General tips –

  1. Clean the air conditioning filter.
  2. Polish the wood or metal hardware, such as doorknobs, etc.
  3. Dust large wall art and any display photographs.
  4. Wipe down light switches.
  5. Replace batteries in smoke detectors.
  6. Take this opportunity to change the light bulbs to more energy efficient ones.