Yi preview

The Yi's are back with more bloodcurdling secrets and extremely funny faces! Don't miss the book Yi Guys on a Train. It will be coming out July 23, 2015.

Car of the Week - Alfa Romeo

The company that became Alfa Romeo was founded as Società Anonima Italiana Darracq (SAID) in 1906 by the French automobile firm of Alexandre Darracq, with some Italian investors. One of them, Cavaliere Ugo Stella, an aristocrat from Milan, became chairman of the SAID in 1909.The firm's initial location was in Naples, but even before the construction of the planned factory had started, Darracq decided late in 1906 that Milan would be more suitable and accordingly a tract of land was acquired in the Milan suburb of Portello, where a new factory of 6,700 square metres (8,000 sq yd) was erected. Late 1909, the Italian Darracq cars were selling slowly and Stella, with the other Italian co-investors, founded a new company named A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili), initially still in partnership with Darracq. The first non-Darracq car produced by the company was the 1910 24 HP, designed by Giuseppe Merosi, hired in 1909 for designing new cars more suited to the Italian market. Merosi would go on to design a series of new A.L.F.A. cars, with more powerful engines (40-60 HP). A.L.F.A. ventured into motor racing, with drivers Franchini and Ronzoni competing in the 1911 Targa Florio with two 24 HP models. In 1914, an advanced Grand Prix car was designed and built, the GP1914, with a four-cylinder engine, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and twin ignition. However, the onset of the First World War halted automobile production at A.L.F.A. for three years.

Car of the Week

Abarth

Abarth & C. S.p.A. is a racing car and road car maker founded by Carlo Abarth in 1949. Its logo is a shield with a stylized scorpion on a red and yellow background. Abarth & C. S.p.a. is a fully owned subsidiary of FCA Italy  S.p.A  (formerly Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.), the subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (formerly of Fiat S.p.A) controlling its European automotive production activities.

Fact of the Day

Did you know that the term "astronaut" comes from Greek words star sailor?

Fact of the Day

4/27 -

  GECKO FEET HAVE MILLIONS OF TINY HAIRS THAT STICK TO SURFACES WITH A SPECIAL CHEMICAL BOND AND LET THEM CLIMB WALLS AND HANG ON BY JUST ONE TOE?

Allerheiligenstriezel

Allerheiligenstriezel or simply Strietzel(regional names include Allerseelenzopf,Seelenspitze, Seelenbrot, orAllerseelenbreze) is a braided yeast pastry. Its name means "All Saints' braid" in English and it consists of flour, eggs,yeast, shortening or butter, raisins, milk,salt, and decorating sugar or poppy seeds. Some regional variations also include rum or lemon juice.

The word Strietzel is derived from Middle High German strutzel, strützel, in turn fromOld High German struzzil. Its further origin is unclear.^[1]

Fact of the Day

4/26-5. A CAT'S TAIL CONTAINS NEARLY 10 PERCENT OF ALL THE BONES IN ITS BODY.

Fact of the Day

4/25 - Did you know that although the bobcat is rarely seen, it is the most common wildcat in North America?

Allahabadi cake

Allahabadi cake (Hindustani: الہ آبادی کیک(Nastaleeq), इलाहाबादी केक (Devanagari)) is a traditional Indian rum fruit cake originating and lending its name from the north Indian city of Allahabad. It is a popularChristmas cake with maida, eggs, clarified butter, sugar, petha, marmalade, nuts, ginger and fennel as its main ingredients. Allahabadi cake is prepared for consumption during Christmastide by the Christian population of Hindustan.

Fact of the Day

4/24 - Did you know it's considered rude to write in red ink in Portugal?

See these regulations below.

It is worth paying attention to the following points at business meetings in Portugal: 

• As a general rule business behavior in Portugal is similar to that in the rest of Europe, a handshake at the beginning and end of the meeting is an accepted custom. Care should be taken to shake hands with everyone present at the meeting.
• Immediately after a handshake at the start of the meeting, it is customary to exchange business cards. Make sure that you take sufficient business cards with you.
• In addressing people, mainly people with an academic degree or members of a profession, it is customary first to address him/her by the degree or title and afterwards with the surname, An example of an address to a man, Senhor Dr. Luis.
• The accepted dress for business meetings is a business suit for both men and women.
• Most business people in Portugal have good command of English, However a few words in Portuguese will easily break the ice and create a friendly atmosphere.
• Acceptable gifts for business meetings are items for the office, quality pens (including pens with your company logo) as well as specially selected wines.
• Despite the ban on smoking in most public places you will often find areas where smoking is permitted.
• A fairly long time is needed to set up a business meeting. Take into account that you will need 3 or 4 weeks to plan a business meeting.
• Use of red ink on official documents is an unwelcome habit in Portugal.
• You are recommended to avoid business meetings in the months of July and August or around the times of national holidays.

New series

The owner of this blog is coming out with a list of desserts and their descriptions!
The  first issue comes out on April 24, 2015!

Check it out!

Fact of the Day

Eel Ice Cream (Unagi Aisu) 

Eel is a summer delicacy in Japan, which probably explains why Futaba decided to use it to flavour an ice cream. Surprisingly, the smooth taste is quite palatable, even if the thought of what's being eaten is not quite as tasty.

4/23 - Did you know you can buy eel-flavored ice cream in Japan?

Fact of the Day

4/22- Did you know that in 1889, the queen of Italy, Margherita Savoy, ordered the first pizza delivery?

If you want to learn more about this queen, check out the video above.