When I was little, there was one way that my family dyed eggs: with a kit from the grocery store. It was lots of fun, but depended on chemicals and unnatural coloring. But we certainly didn’t mind as we fished Technicolor eggs out of vinegar baths.

The kits I used are still around, and some friends recommended using Kool-Aid or food coloring. Great ideas, but I wanted a more natural way to do it. Maybe it’s lame, but hot pink eggs just seem… wrong. So I looked for alternative methods, and I found two that sound promising. Continue reading Naturally dye your Easter Eggs

Early Life

St. Patrick was born to wealthy British parents near the end of the fourth century. At the age of 16 he was abducted by Irish raiders that were attacking his family’s estate. He was brought to Ireland where he lived in captivity for six years. Continue reading Behind the Holiday – St. Patrick

In Chinese culture a red envelope or red packet is a monetary gift given during holidays or special occasions, and is most commonly seen during the Chinese New Year. Unlike the hallmark cards of the West, red envelopes given during the New Year are relatively unadorned, containing, if anything, simple Chinese characters such as happiness and wealth; they’re also left unsigned and free of any kind of message. For birthdays and weddings, however, a short expression appropriate for the occasion is optional. Some less-traditional red envelope cards from stores or companies may contain a gift certificate inside rather than money.

Continue reading Why a Red Envelope for Chinese New Year?

As far as strange customs are concerned, it doesn’t get much stranger than Groundhog Day. Most of us are familiar with the superstition: if a groundhog appears from his burrow on the day of February 2nd, and that day happens to be cloudy, spring will come early; if it’s sunny, the groundhog will see his shadow, book it back to his burrow and winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

Continue reading Groundhog Day