The History of Christmas Cards

In the late 1830s and Englishman named Joshn Calcott Horsley helped to popularize the holiday tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards. Horsley would produce small cars featuring festive scenes of the season with a pre-written holiday greeting on them that he would then send out. Due to the recent efficiency of the newly established post offices in the United States and England, they cards because popular overnight. While Horsley was the first to come up with the idea to send Christmas cads, an American card maker, R.H. Pease began following suit in New York shortly after.

How to Make Delicious Eggnog

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten  
• 1/3 cup white sugar 
• salt to taste  
• 2 1/2 cups milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
• 1 cup heavy cream 
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar  
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 2 drops yellow food coloring (optional) 
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg 

Directions: 

1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine eggs, white sugar, and salt while gradually stirring in milk. Be sure to consistently stir the ingredients while the eggnog cooks for about 10-15 minutes. 
2. When the mixture can thickly coat a metal spoon, remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. 
3. Place saucepan over ice water until custard cools, and then refrigerate until chilled.
4. Now, in a chilled bowl, combine heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat together until stiff peaks form. 
5. Stir in yellow food coloring and fold in whipped cream mixture into the cooled custard. Pour into serving bowl, and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve immediately.

Recipe Courtesy of Allrecipes.com
 

Christmas Treats: What's Your Favorite to Eat?

Long before the first snow of the season begins to fall, sugary confections decorated and cut into the shapes of your favorite Christmas figures start making their rounds. From gingerbread men to brightly decorated sugar cookies, these holiday treats are just as beloved by children as presents.  These iced treats, usually made from sugar cookie dough, can come in the shapes of stockings, reindeer, snowman, candy canes, Santa's, Christmas trees. While all different types of sweet delights are consumed on Christmas including Candy Canes, Hot Chocolate, and gingerbread, every person has their own personal favorite. So tell us fans, what's your favorite Christmas time treat?

What's your favorite Christmas time treat?
	Candy Canes
	Sugar Cookies
	Ginger Bread House
	Hot Chocolate
	Chocolate
pollcode.com free polls

The Birth of Mistletoe

Mistletoe didn't get it's start as the "kissing" plant we all know it to be today. Back in the olden times, the Celtic and Teutonic Peoples considered mistletoe to have magical powers that could heal wounds and increase fertility. The Celts would also hang the mistletoe in their homes to ward off evil spirits and ring themselves good luck. In England, during the holidays, they would hang up sprigs of mistletoe from their doorways and ceilings and if someone was found standing under it they would have to be kissed by someone else in the room.

America's Most Deadly Roads: California's Highway 138

California's Highway 138 isn't quite as dangerous as Bolivia's "Death Road" yet it has been given the nickname, "California's death-way" and "Blood Alley" due to the amounts of fatalities reported. In 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that there were 56 fatalities and 875 injuries on the road over the past five years due to its steep and twisty two-lane road. While improvements have reduced the death toll, it's still not wise to travel "Blood Alley" at night.

Winter Car Care Tip: Getting Unstuck

With winter right around the corner, it's important to have a few winter car care tips handy in case of any weather related mishaps. Many unexpected things can happen to a vehicle while it is out on the road, including getting stuck in the snow, ice, mud, or sand. Since getting stuck makes many people panic, and feel like they are in a sticky situation, we thought we'd share a few tips on how to unstuck your vehicle from the elements.

Patience: Most peoples first reaction to getting their vehicle stuck is panic. Instead of worrying and having your mind race a-mile-a-minute, take a deep breath and try to analyze the situation.

Take your Time: You may  not be in as big of a bind as you think. If your vehicle's wheels aren't buried to the hubs, you may be able to drive out. Turn off your radio and open a window on side to listen for any form of wheel spin. With the engine idling gently apply a little power and see if you can hear the tires move.

• If it Moves: If you hear your tires spin, don't add any more power. Let the car continue as far as possible, using the throttle to avoid any wheel spin. Once your vehicles wheels are out of the hole, slowly bring your car to solid ground before speeding away.
• If it Doesn't Move: If you hear the wheels spin, try using the throttle to "rock" the car. Slowly push the throttle to the point of wheel spin and then let up on the gas the instant they spin. As your vehicle begins to roll back into the holes, press on the gas to coincide with the change in direction. Hopefully your vehicle will rock back and forth enough to regain traction. If you vehicle is automotive you will need to shift between forward and reverse, using the brakes to keep from slipped backwards.

Winter Car Care Tips: Use Winter Grade Oil

As the nights become longer and the days become shorter, it is important to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the changes in weather. To make sure your vehicle is up to snuff once the temperature drops be sure to follow the maintenance schedule in your vehicles owner manual. One item that may not be on that list is the importance of using winter grade oil instead of synthetic.


Winter grade oil has a different viscosity grade then regular synthetic oil. As the temperature drops, the colder the oil in your vehicle gets the thicker it will become. Using a thinner winter oil will circulate better at star-up and cause less potential for problems.