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Many people try to complain that Valentine’s Day is nothing more than a “Hallmark holiday” dreamed up by businesses seeking to profit from the desperate masses seeking love. However, nothing could be further from the Valentine’s Day traces its history back to ancient Rome, long before any such businesses started looking towards their bottom line.

St. Patrick’s Day has become a celebration of all things Irish. Most public celebrations include quite large quantities of alcohol. Many families serve corned beef, cabbage, and mint chocolate pies every year on March 17th. And some cities like Chicago turn large bodies of water green to commemorate the life of St. Patrick.

Everyone thinks their mom is the Greatest Mom in the History of the World. When I was a child, my friends always used to try to claim that their mom was the best, and a scuffle would break out. I would just stand to the side and smirk; they were, of course, all wrong. How could their mom be the best when mine obviously had the title?

Cloisonné is a unique combination of copper and porcelain working skills, traditional painting, sculpting, and etching skills. Originating in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), cloisonné is an intricate process that requires many years of training for an artisan to master.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, our travel destination of the month is to be Ireland. This idyllic isle off the coast of Britain is known for its rolling green hills, friendly faces, and rich history.

Spring has arrived, and it’s time to plan that ever-popular Spring Vacation. But where to go? Florida’s always packed to the gills, many of the Caribbean islands can be dicey politically, and Cancun is still in recovery mode after Hurricane Wilma. This year, why not branch out, head a little further south, and discover one of the world’s biggest countries – Brazil.

As spring reaches those of us in the Northern hemisphere, the world is beginning anew. The spring rains are bringing forth new growth all around us, and the temperature is finally creeping warmer virtually every day. It’s no wonder, then, that Spring is considered to be a prime time for celebration throughout the world.

November has come, and the Halloween decorations are being packed away.Now comes the big social months of the year. That’s right, it’s time to plan for the holidays already. But if you prepare now, before the holidays are right upon us, you will save yourself the last minute headache that seems to come every year.

Can't make it to Munich, Germany, to the official Oktoberfest? Why not check out one of the many other Oktoberfests celebrated around the world. The largest Oktoberfest outside Germany is held in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, around the time of Canadian Thanksgiving. Another large event is held in Cincinnati, Ohio--with over 500,000 visitors during the 2002 Oktoberfest- Zinzinnati.

When thinking of Switzerland, what first comes to mind? Okay, besides yodeling (read about the history of yodeling or listen to yodeling), the Swiss Alps, and watchmakers. Read on to learn about some of the many other fascinating festivals, history, and recipes Switzerland is known for.