Let There be Christmas Lights

Let There be Christmas Lights

Madrid, Spain
People walk under the Puerta del Sol Square's Christmas tree lights on Nov. 27, 2011, in Madrid, Spain. Streets of the capital are decorated with lights every year ahead of Christmas celebrations, but this season Madrid used the same lights due to the nation's economic crisis.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The lights of the world's biggest floating Christmas tree are turned on Nov. 26 at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The tree is 278 feet tall and is lit by 3.3 million light bulbs.

Salisbury, England
The interior of Salisbury Cathedral is illuminated by candles carried by choristers during the annual 'darkness to light' advent procession on Nov. 25 in Salisbury, England. The service - which begins with the medieval cathedral in total darkness and silence before the Advent Candle is lit at the West End -is one of the most popular services of the liturgical year.

New York, NY
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit Nov. 30 in New York.
Watch as our cameras capture the intricate process that transforms and illuminates a 12-ton Christmas tree in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza.

Calle, Bulgaria
A house is decorated with Christmas lights Dec. 1 in a street in the village of Calle, near the northern German town of Bremen. The sign reads: Merry Christmas.

Sofia, Bulgaria
A woman takes picture in front of a Christmas tree Dec. 1 during a lighting ceremony in downtown Sofia, Bulgaria.

Kobe, Japan
Some 70,000 people look at the "Kobe Luminarie" illumination Dec. 1 at a shopping mall in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture, western Japan. The annual light festival, which began in 1995 to boost the spirits of locals who experienced the Kobe earthquake in January 1995, or the 'Great Hanshin Earthquake' as it is known in Japan, will continue through Dec. 12.

Brea, Calif.
Brothers Beckman, 3, Preston, 6, and Westley Giang, 5, from left, are transfixed as holiday lights are switched on Nov. 27 for the first time this season at their house in Brea, Calif. Homeowners in the Eagle Hills neighborhood of Brea began decorating for the season in earnest.

Paris, France
Christmas lights in the shape of the Eiffel Tower shine near the real thing (in the background) Nov. 27 on the Rue Saint Charles in Paris.

London, England
Shoppers walk beneath Christmas lights Nov. 27 on South Moulton Street in London, England.

Prague, Czech Republic
A man blows his trumpet from the Old Town Hall Tower as a Christmas tree is illuminated Nov. 26 at the Old Town Square in Prague.

Vienna, Austria
Christmas lights illuminate Vienna's city centre Am Graben on Nov. 24.

Berlin, Germany
Vehicles drive along a festively illuminated Kurfuerstendamm on Nov. 22 in Berlin.

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Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day. Today we honor and celebrate the men and women of the United States armed forces. The Armed Forces Day celebration began when President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.The single-day celebration, stemming from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department, the Department of Defense, replaced separate Army, Navy and Air Force days.

“Armed Forces Day honors you, the Coast Guardsmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who proudly wear the uniform. Your tireless work and sacrifice, and your ability to unite to overcome complex operational challenges, whether on land, air or sea, keeps our Nation safe, strong and free. Thank you for your service, and for the sacrifice of your families. Semper Paratus,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp.

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Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day. Today we honor and celebrate the men and women of the United States armed forces. The Armed Forces Day celebration began when President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.The single-day celebration, stemming from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department, the Department of Defense, replaced separate Army, Navy and Air Force days.

“Armed Forces Day honors you, the Coast Guardsmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who proudly wear the uniform. Your tireless work and sacrifice, and your ability to unite to overcome complex operational challenges, whether on land, air or sea, keeps our Nation safe, strong and free. Thank you for your service, and for the sacrifice of your families. Semper Paratus,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp.

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Over the Top Thanksgiving Turkeys

Suntanned Turkey

With a little aluminum-foil ingenuity, Thanksgiving can be just another day at the beach. Courtesy of the blogs The Whole Enchilada and Raven's Brain, we found an easy way to surprise your Thanksgiving dinner guests: (1) Cut out aluminum foil in desired swimsuit-inspired shapes. (2) Arrange the turkey in the roasting pan and position the foil carefully. (3) Roast according to your own recipe and serve. (4) Watch your guests' faces ...

Deep-Fried Turkey

This is it — traditional turkey with all the trimmings, except Jive Turkey owner Aricka Westbrooks deep-fries her turkeys in a pressurized fryer. This method yields crispy, golden-brown skin and remarkably tender, juicy meat that's ready in just 18 to 24 minutes. But this technique is not to be attempted by amateurs (it's even illegal in some states), so it's best to order from the professionals, like Jive Turkey, who ship nationwide.

Turducken

What would this list be without the opulent Cajun delicacy known as turducken? Part turkey, part duck, and part chicken, this bird-in-bird-in-bird masterpiece will provoke oohs and ahhs of delight. The Blue Star's version, which they ship nationwide, features deboned turkey stuffed with boneless chicken wrapped around duck breast fillet, layered with sage-butter bread stuffing and Andouille stuffing. Oooo-wee!

Lifelike Vegetarian Turkey

Forget tofurky — that vegan mainstay looks nothing like the real thing. Make way for the Vegetarian Plus brand Vegetarian Whole Turkey! This faux-meat bird is shaped like a real turkey, replete with drumsticks and a golden exterior, and is made from non-GMO soy. The whole turkey kit comes with a 4-pound turkey, a pound of Himalayan Barley Fried Rice as stuffing, and a pound of gravy.

Barbecue Whole Turkey

Described as the "prime beef" of the white-meat world, Joe's barbecue whole turkey comes in regular-, Cajun-, or jalapeño-smoked. As long as you live in the continental U.S., you and 10 of your loved ones can enjoy this slow-cooked Texas masterpiece on Thanksgiving. The bird ships cooked but frozen, so order early enough to allow 72 hours to thaw.

Thanksgiving Dinner Cake

Why stop at the main course when you're craving turkey? Delight your guests during dessert with this sweet Thanksgiving Dinner cake! The cake, which can be prepared in any flavor, is frosted with just the right shade of chocolate buttercream. Trimmings are created with colored frosting, whipped cream, cinnamon-dusted challah bread. Delish!

Beer-Can Turkey

We're not sure who invented this moist method of meat cookery, but beer and poultry make great partners. For detailed instructions on how to cook a beer-can turkey on your home grill, we turn to a post from Cooking for Engineers. Blogger Michael Chu explains it all, from the best way to brine to the optimal-size beer can and the tastiest blend of spices.

Roast Turkey with Alligator Stuffing

Unleash some wild Bayou flavor with this Cajun-style delicacy. The chefs at Hebert's stuff a whole boneless turkey with this one-of-a-kind rice stuffing that features onions, bell peppers, and alligator meat smothered in a zesty Cajun-spiced tomato sauce. Hebert's makes and ships a variety of New Orleans-style stuffed turkeys, but the alligator caught our eye.

Read more »

Over the Top Thanksgiving Turkeys

Suntanned Turkey

With a little aluminum-foil ingenuity, Thanksgiving can be just another day at the beach. Courtesy of the blogs The Whole Enchilada and Raven's Brain, we found an easy way to surprise your Thanksgiving dinner guests: (1) Cut out aluminum foil in desired swimsuit-inspired shapes. (2) Arrange the turkey in the roasting pan and position the foil carefully. (3) Roast according to your own recipe and serve. (4) Watch your guests' faces ...

Deep-Fried Turkey

This is it — traditional turkey with all the trimmings, except Jive Turkey owner Aricka Westbrooks deep-fries her turkeys in a pressurized fryer. This method yields crispy, golden-brown skin and remarkably tender, juicy meat that's ready in just 18 to 24 minutes. But this technique is not to be attempted by amateurs (it's even illegal in some states), so it's best to order from the professionals, like Jive Turkey, who ship nationwide.

Turducken

What would this list be without the opulent Cajun delicacy known as turducken? Part turkey, part duck, and part chicken, this bird-in-bird-in-bird masterpiece will provoke oohs and ahhs of delight. The Blue Star's version, which they ship nationwide, features deboned turkey stuffed with boneless chicken wrapped around duck breast fillet, layered with sage-butter bread stuffing and Andouille stuffing. Oooo-wee!

Lifelike Vegetarian Turkey

Forget tofurky — that vegan mainstay looks nothing like the real thing. Make way for the Vegetarian Plus brand Vegetarian Whole Turkey! This faux-meat bird is shaped like a real turkey, replete with drumsticks and a golden exterior, and is made from non-GMO soy. The whole turkey kit comes with a 4-pound turkey, a pound of Himalayan Barley Fried Rice as stuffing, and a pound of gravy.

Barbecue Whole Turkey

Described as the "prime beef" of the white-meat world, Joe's barbecue whole turkey comes in regular-, Cajun-, or jalapeño-smoked. As long as you live in the continental U.S., you and 10 of your loved ones can enjoy this slow-cooked Texas masterpiece on Thanksgiving. The bird ships cooked but frozen, so order early enough to allow 72 hours to thaw.

Thanksgiving Dinner Cake

Why stop at the main course when you're craving turkey? Delight your guests during dessert with this sweet Thanksgiving Dinner cake! The cake, which can be prepared in any flavor, is frosted with just the right shade of chocolate buttercream. Trimmings are created with colored frosting, whipped cream, cinnamon-dusted challah bread. Delish!

Beer-Can Turkey

We're not sure who invented this moist method of meat cookery, but beer and poultry make great partners. For detailed instructions on how to cook a beer-can turkey on your home grill, we turn to a post from Cooking for Engineers. Blogger Michael Chu explains it all, from the best way to brine to the optimal-size beer can and the tastiest blend of spices.

Roast Turkey with Alligator Stuffing

Unleash some wild Bayou flavor with this Cajun-style delicacy. The chefs at Hebert's stuff a whole boneless turkey with this one-of-a-kind rice stuffing that features onions, bell peppers, and alligator meat smothered in a zesty Cajun-spiced tomato sauce. Hebert's makes and ships a variety of New Orleans-style stuffed turkeys, but the alligator caught our eye.

Read more »

American Wars & Combat

Today, we honor the men and women who have fought under America's flag. Veterans Day marks a historic armistice and salutes all U.S. veterans, many of whom served during our country's wars and conflicts. Herewith, a primer.

World War I

The assassination of a prominent Austrian sparked the Great War, though historians still debate the conflict's underlying reasons. In 1914, Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia, and other nations quickly chose sides. The United States entered in 1917.

World War II

After World War I, Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany. He rearmed the country and in 1939 invaded this neighboring country. In response, Britain and France declared war. The United States entered in 1941, sparked by an attack on Hawaii.

Korean War

Following World War II, the Korean peninsula was divided: The United States occupied the south; this country occupied the north. Tensions grew when the north became communist and, in 1950, invaded South Korea. American troops responded.

Vietnam War

The communist leader of Vietnam sought to claim control of South Vietnam, a move the United States fought to prevent. The war was met with much protest in the States.

Persian Gulf War

Lead by a U.S. nemesis, Iraq invaded neighbor Kuwait in August 1990. In response, the United States built a coalition of allies and ordered Iraq to withdraw. Iraq did not, and the U.S.-led coalition forcefully restored Kuwaiti sovereignty.

Invasion of Afghanistan

Often referred to by its military name, the invasion of Afghanistan was initiated in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Iraq War

The stated impetus for invading Iraq was the country's alleged possession of these. In seven years, American-led forces deposed leader Saddam Hussein and oversaw democratic elections.

Read more »

American Wars & Combat

Today, we honor the men and women who have fought under America's flag. Veterans Day marks a historic armistice and salutes all U.S. veterans, many of whom served during our country's wars and conflicts. Herewith, a primer.

World War I

The assassination of a prominent Austrian sparked the Great War, though historians still debate the conflict's underlying reasons. In 1914, Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia, and other nations quickly chose sides. The United States entered in 1917.

World War II

After World War I, Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany. He rearmed the country and in 1939 invaded this neighboring country. In response, Britain and France declared war. The United States entered in 1941, sparked by an attack on Hawaii.

Korean War

Following World War II, the Korean peninsula was divided: The United States occupied the south; this country occupied the north. Tensions grew when the north became communist and, in 1950, invaded South Korea. American troops responded.

Vietnam War

The communist leader of Vietnam sought to claim control of South Vietnam, a move the United States fought to prevent. The war was met with much protest in the States.

Persian Gulf War

Lead by a U.S. nemesis, Iraq invaded neighbor Kuwait in August 1990. In response, the United States built a coalition of allies and ordered Iraq to withdraw. Iraq did not, and the U.S.-led coalition forcefully restored Kuwaiti sovereignty.

Invasion of Afghanistan

Often referred to by its military name, the invasion of Afghanistan was initiated in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Iraq War

The stated impetus for invading Iraq was the country's alleged possession of these. In seven years, American-led forces deposed leader Saddam Hussein and oversaw democratic elections.

Read more »

Amazing Canned Food Sculptures

Annual International 'Canstruction' Food Drive Returns

The annual international charity competition known as ‘Canstruction’ has returned and it is bigger and better than ever. The Canstruction food drive aims to raise hunger awareness during Thanksgiving. Founded in the U.S. in 1992, the Canstruction food drive has spread to over 170 cities around the world and boasts 30,000 volunteers and millions of pounds of donated food.
These awe-inspiring structures must be built with only full and labeled cans, without the use of glue and with only a team of five people building at one time.

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