Easter Week trips: Travelling to Cuenca!

In this special time, I was thinking about a place where spend a nice time with your family and friends. I have no dubt to suggest you to visit Cuenca in Spain (Castilla-La-Mancha)! In Cuenca you can enjoy all the emotion of the processions and also musical pieces performed by international orchestras and choirs.

Cuenca’s unique urban layout, with its hills and narrow streets, make it a very special setting to celebrate Easter week. These traditions date back to the 17th century, when the first Easter brotherhoods were founded. More than 30,000 people take part in the nine processions. The Camino del Calvario procession, which takes place in the early hours of Good Friday, is especially noteworthy. It is accompanied by the famous “turbas”: these are drums and trumpets that precede the statue of Jesus.

Cuenca Religious Music Week coincides with the Easter week celebrations. Every year it features important international orchestras and soloists. There are 22 concerts, with a broad, varied programme including new pieces, rarely performed works, old pieces recovered from history, and, of course, the great traditional works of religious music. The concert venues help to create a magical atmosphere: the Cathedral, the old Carmelitas Convent, San Miguel Church and Arcas Church are a few of them. Tickets and reduced-price passes are available in advance by telephone or at the Theatre-Auditorium box office. There are also free concerts. Invitations should be collected at the venue one hour before the function.

Easter week is one of the most spectacular and emotional celebrations. Religious devotion, religious art, colour and music to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ: the processions. Members of the different Easter brotherhoods, dressed in their characteristic robes, parade through the streets carrying religious statues (pasos) to the sound of drums and music – scenes of sober beauty.

God bless you!!

How to Decorate Easter Eggs

Easter comes but once a year, and it is the only good excuse you'll get to dye and decorate eggs for another 365 days. A timeless tradition that's fun for the whole family, Easter egg decoration can be as simple or complex as you'd like. A vibrant array of solid colored eggs can do your Easter basket no wrong, while a decorative Ukrainian Easter Egg is much more impressive (though it requires a great deal more skill).

While it's impossible to teach originality, this tips will help you get those creative juices flowing by giving you the basics of how to dye an egg, plus some fun ideas to transform your creations from standard to egg-cellent!

What You'll Need

1. Some eggs
2. Some cups
3. Some water
4. Vinegar
5. A spoon or wire to move the eggs
6. A creative attitude

The basics

Here is all you need to know to dye your eggs. It's a very simple process!

1) Boil Them

2) Prepare the Cups

You're going to need some cups to put the dye in.

1. Each dye will need its own cup, so round up one cup per color.
2. Make sure the cups are big enough—an egg should be able to be completely submerged.
   • Most standard coffee cups and anything larger are usually fine. Shot glasses might not work out so well.
3. Fill the cups with warm water, but not all the way.
   • Remember, you're going to be dropping your eggs in them, so fill them enough that the egg will be covered, but not so much that it will overflow.
4. Add 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar.
   • You could dye your eggs in only water and coloring, but vinegar will help the eggshell absorb the dye better.
5. Drop in food coloring to your liking.
   • Add drops of food coloring until the dye reaches the desired hue. The darker the dye, the darker the egg will be.
6. Stir to an even consistency.

3) Dip 'n' Dye

Now you're ready to put the egg in!

1. Gently lower the egg into the cup.
   • Dropping it in will splash dye all over, and might crack the eggshell.
   • Use a spoon or a wire if you don't want to get dye on your fingers. If you want to get one, most egg dyeing kits have wires specially made for egg dipping.
2. Let it sit.
   • The longer the egg is in the dye, the darker it will get.
   • You can use this opportunity to work on other eggs in the mean time.
3. Check on the egg every few minutes to see if it has absorbed enough color.

4) Let Them Dry

1. Carefully remove the egg from the dye using a spoon or wire.
2. Place the egg back in the carton or on a paper towel to dry.
3. Wait a few minutes or pat the egg dry with a paper towel.

5) Getting Fancy

OK, so you know how to dye eggs, but what if you don't want a boring old solid color? Here are a few tips to make your dozen stand out from all the rest:

1. Rubber Bands: Wrapping rubber bands around the egg before you dye it will have the same effect as a stencil. Let it dry, remove the rubber band, then dip in a new color for a cool pattern!
2. Glue and Glitter: There's no limit to what you can add to your egg after it's colored; glue on glitter or draw a face and add googly eyes!
3. Crayons: Wax will repel dye, so drawing on the egg with a crayon before dying will show through, even after you've dipped it. Drawing on a warm egg right after boiling will melt the wax right onto the shell.
4. Markers and Paint: Some markers and paint can be used to draw pictures and patterns after the egg is dyed. This works especially well on light colors.
5. Stickers and Stencils: Stickers can be placed decoratively on the egg after it is dry. Stickers applied pre-dyeing can be peeled off and used as stencils.
6. Half and Half: If you have the patience, hold half of the egg in one color, then dip the other half in another color for a half-and-half egg. Or, come up with your own spin on multiple color designs.
7. Marbleize: By adding oil to your cup of dye and quickly dipping your egg in and out, you can create a cool marble effect.
8. Improvise: Try coming up with your own ideas for cool egg patterns, too, like using rubber cement or sponges to decorate.
9. Get an egg dyeing kit: There are all sorts of cool kits you can buy, with plenty of tools and supplies for decorating your eggs in fun, new ways!
10. Natural Dye: Using food items found at your local grocery store, you can make your own all-natural-dyes and have a green Easter!

God Bless you!

Why Easter Eggs?

Hi to all!

Just after the New Year it's coming soon the Easter time! On internet you can find a lot of webs and content related to this celebration, to the culture of Easter... but... have you ever ask yourself..."Why Easter Eggs"??

Of all the symbols associated with Easter the egg, the symbol of fertility and new life, is the most identifiable. The customs and traditions of using eggs have been associated with Easter for centuries.

Originally Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After they were colored and etched with various designs the eggs were exchanged by lovers and romantic admirers, much the same as valentines. In medieval time eggs were traditionally given at Easter to the servants. In Germany eggs were given to children along with other Easter gifts.

Different cultures have developed their own ways of decorating Easter eggs. Crimson eggs, to honor the blood of Christ, are exchanged in Greece. In parts of Germany and Austria green eggs are used on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday). Slavic peoples decorate their eggs in special patterns of gold and silver.

Austrian artists design patterns by fastening ferns and tiny plants around the eggs, which are then boiled. The plants are then removed revealing a striking white pattern. The Poles and Ukrainians decorate eggs with simple designs and colors. A number of eggs are made in the distinctive manner called pysanki (to design, to write).

Pysanki eggs are a masterpiece of skill and workmanship. Melted beeswax is applied to the fresh white egg. It is then dipped in successive baths of dye. After each dip wax is painted over the area where the preceding color is to remain. Eventually a complex pattern of lines and colors emerges into a work of art.

In Germany and other countries eggs used for cooking where not broken, but the contents were removed by piercing the end of each egg with a needle and blowing the contents into a bowl. The hollow eggs were dyed and hung from shrubs and trees during the Easter Week. The Armenians would decorate hollow eggs with pictures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other religious designs.

See ya soon!

God bless you!

Happy new year to all from Aurea Mundi!!

Hi to all!

Just to wish you an happy new year!!!!

God bless you!!

Tips to write the Christmas cards

As you know, Christmas cards are a great way of keeping in touch with friends and family as well as strengthening business relationships. Unfortunately, there is more to writing a card then signing your name to a preprinted one. A good Christmas card is aimed at the person it is sent to, otherwise you are just sending out impersonal form letters with little meaning.

In this post I would like to give you some suggestions in order to know how to write a Christmas card.

Step 1: Make out Your Christmas Card List

Before you do anything, you should compile a list of your Christmas card recipients. This naturally includes family and friends, but you don't want to forget neighbors, business associates and coworkers. Christmas cards can also be a great way to attract new customers while showing appreciation to current customers.

1. Creating your list first will help you know how many Christmas cards you need. However, you should always order or purchase a few extra cards.
2. Make sure you have the correct address for everyone on your list. If necessary, contact the person directly to update it.
3. When sending cards to business associates, mail the cards to their office and not their home.
4. Double check to make sure everyone's name on your list is correctly spelled.
5. Don't forget our soldiers! There are a number of methods you can send cards and care packages to U.S. soldiers overseas or that have been wounded.

Step 2: Find the Right Christmas Card

Choosing the right Christmas card can be difficult, especially with so many out on the market. For that reason, you may want to choose two cards to send: a formal one that can be sent to co-workers, vendors, clients, employers, or other business associates and a more personal one that you can send to friends and family members.

Business cards should be high quality and tasteful. Remember, these cards are a reflection of your business. Save the humorous cards for your personal use. Handmade cards should be reserved for personal use unless you are an artist.

One thing to remember when choosing a card is that your Christmas card should be as much about the other person as it is about you, so it may not be a great idea to send an overly-religious card to someone who does not share your views. While some have viewed replacing "Merry Christmas" with "Seasons Greetings" as an attack on Christmas, it is simply ensuring that you are respecting the other person's beliefs.

Step 3: Gather Your Materials

Once you have your cards and your list, you are almost ready to get started. Find a place where you can spread everything out and won't be disturbed. Do not feel you have to accomplish everything at one time. For example, you could spend one day addressing envelopes and another day writing the cards. But before you do, you will want to gather a few other materials including:

1. Your Christmas cards and envelopes
2. Your Christmas card list
3. Return address labels
4. Several pens of the same type and color (preferably blue or black)
5. Holiday photos (if including)
6. Holiday stamps

Step 4: Write and Sign the Card

You should always write a brief message and sign your Christmas cards, even if your name is already printed on the card.

1. The tone of your message should be appropriate for the recipient.
1. Write a more formal message for business associates than for friends and family.
2. The message needs to be secular or match the person's denomination.
2. While it can be tempting to just write "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas," it is better to personalize the message.
3. Keep your signature informal (no titles).
4. Don't sign your last name on cards to close friends and relatives.
5. If the card is from more than one person, write your name last.

What to Write

One of the hardest things is to decide what to write. Here are a few examples of what you can use. Remember, you can always replace "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings."

If you are looking for ideas on what to write, check out the following links:
1. TechniX: Christmas Cards Verses (December 12, 2007)
2. Card Poems: Christmas Quotes
3. IPV - Christmas Cards: Christmas Verse
4. The Phrase Finder: Christmas Card Saying and Phrases

Step 5: Address the Envelope

The most important thing to remember when addressing the envelope is that it must be clearly written.

1. If you are sending a card to a business associate, send it to their office unless you know them socially.
2. If you are sending a card to a co-worker, send it to their home address. Avoid passing cards out at the office.
3. Handwrite the address. Avoid using computer generated labels.
4. Use the person's title when addressing the envelope. It should be Mr. Santa Claus, not Santa Claus.

5. Don't forget to include your return address.

6. If you have the opportunity, send the card with a little religious present.

Soon I will post new suggestions for organizing the best Christmas celebration!

God Bless!

Tips and suggestions to add the Christmas Spirit to your home

At this time of year, I bet that you want to do something to make your home look festive and special and create the wonderful Christmas holiday atmosphere.

If you're like most people, you don't have much time left at the end of a busy day to do anything extra. So I am going to give you some ideas for quick and simple ways to add a festive look to your home without spending a lot of time or money. And you'll have time left over to really enjoy Christmas!

Most of my suggestions are very easy, many are free, and none takes more than a minimum of time and effort.

1. Decorate Everything With Bows

a) Tie generous ribbons to chair backs, candlesticks, picks in plants, wreaths, garlands, basket handles, drapery tie-backs, stair railings, and doorknobs.

b) Bows look festive and the ribbons you choose should tie together with the rest of your decorating. Choose ribbons in colors and patterns that coordinate with your decorating scheme.

c) You don't have to stick with red and green. Choose plaids or florals that tie in. If you can't find anything that looks quite right, then choose metallic silver, gold, green, or red.

d) Choose a ribbon that you can untie and re-tie each year. This will save money in the long run, and you'll end up with a good collection.

e) When the holidays are over, untie the ribbons and press them lightly. The bows won't get crushed and the ribbons will be ready when you want to take them out the next year.

2. Use holiday tableware for every meal in December.

a) Look through your cupboards and get out any dishes that look festive.

b) Discount stores often carry seconds of name brand china, as well as fun designs that are not so common.

c) Start a set of holiday dishes with dinner plates that coordinate with your everyday dishes.

d) Add new pieces each year, like salad plates and mugs. Note: Be sure the pattern you select will be continued from year to year.

e) Buy 1 or 2 place settings each year. Before long, you'll be able to serve a feast.

f) If you're adventuresome, choose a different pattern and one place setting each year. Arrange the different dishes around the table and get lots of comments and rekindle memories. When they're not in use, the dishes can be displayed around the room.

3. Turn off the lights.

a) Arrange lots of candles on the dining table and dine by candlelight, even if you're just having leftovers. Every meal will feel special.

b) Burn a fire in the fireplace each evening and encourage family members to gather around and read, do homework, write Christmas cards, or snooze.

c) Arrange pillar candles in your bathroom, on the sink or around the tub. Take time to soak and enjoy! If you have little children in your home, you should be very careful with candles around the house. Always have an adult in the room.

4. Hang holiday wreaths.

a) Put a wreath or swag on every door you have. Of course, start with the front door to welcome guests.

b) Go on to the back door, inside and out. Remember over the mantle, and in all your front windows. Don't forget bedroom doors, inside and out.

c) Use real pine, holly, or grapevine, decorated with bows, berries, fruit, pinecones, raffia, ornaments, birds, photos, or candy.

d) To keep wreaths year after year, buy artificial wreaths that will last. Remember, you'll need room to store them!

God Bless!

How to arrange a Christmas party for childrens

Christmas is a season for parties and social events. Typically, a Christmas party is organized by a school, a company, an organization, a church, or a family. Traditionally, such parties include songs, dances, competitions, and games.

Obviously, there is a great difference between a Christmas party for children and grown-ups, but here in the site, we offer you some ideas for both types of holiday parties.

Children love to dress up, thus, during Christmas; it is a good idea to come up with a Christmas theme when children are invited for a party. Try a Christmas Candy land theme where all children are dressed up as candy, or what about a Christmas light theme where the whole house is decorated with colored electric lights before the children arrive. You can also make a Tower of Gifts where you put candy in small boxes, tie them together in several tall towers, and use them as table decorations. That is a guaranteed success with the children.

Games and small christmas party competitions are also great ideas to keep children busy:

1. Gift wrap game
Wrap 5-10 gifts in several layers of gift paper and seat the children around a table. Play Christmas music, and pass the gift around among the children. The children may only take the paper off the individual gift while the music plays and it is your job to turn off the music with short intervals. When the music stops, the gift is passed on to the next. The child who pulls off the last piece of gift paper while the music is playing wins the gift.

2. Find the Christmas star
Ask each of the children to fold a Christmas star. When the stars are complete, you lead the children to another room and hide the stars in the living room. It is now the children’s task to find the stars.

3. Where is your sleigh?
Have children sit in a large circle and blindfold one child. Another child will be given the sleigh and must say: Santa Santa, where is your sleigh. Someone has come and taken it away
Guess who? Guess who? The blindfolded child gets three guesses. The child who has the sleigh is next to be blindfolded.

Stay tuned. Soon I am going to post new tips!

God Bless!