Worldwide Christmas Traditions: Mexico Feliz Navidad

While we have all seen the strategically placed bright red-and-green plant around the holidays, does anyone know where it originated from? In 1828, Joel R. Poinsett, the American minister to Mexico, brought over a plant from Mexico to America. Due to its bright red-and-green coloring, it seemed only fitting that it would be perfect for the holidays. After his arrival the plant, called a poinsettias after Poinsett, started showing up in greenhouses in 1830. Soon after, in 1870, New York stores began to sell them during Christmas time and by 1900 they became the universal symbol of the holiday we all recognize today.

How to Make Gingerbread Cookies

These cookies wont just be tasty to eat, but fun to bake as well. Bring in the kids and make it a family affair. They will love decorating these fun Gingerbread people and then leaving some out for the Santa on Christmas Eve. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup margarine 
• 1/2 cup sugar  
• 1/2 cup molasses 
• 1 egg yolk  
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves  
• 1 teaspoon ginger 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

Directions:  

1. In a large bowl, mix the margarine and sugar together until smooth. Then, stir in the molasses and egg yolk until smooth. 
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg and then blend the dry mixture into the molasses mixture until smooth. 
3. Cover dough for at least an hour until chilled.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into the desired gingerbread people shapes. 
5. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes a 350 degrees F oven.
6. Once finished remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire racks. 
7. Frost or decorate once cooled.

 

The Birth of the Red Nosed Reindeer

The creation of Rudolph, unlike his legendary counterparts, didn't happen hundreds of years ago. In fact, the ninth reindeer wasn't introduced until 1939 by a copywriter at the Montgomery Ward department store named, Robert L. May. Using a similar rhyme pattern to that of "Twas a Night Before Christmas," May generated a story about a red-nosed reindeer who was teased by all the other reindeer because his red-nosed glowed. Once the story was released it sold over two million copies and was reissued in 1946. The song, that accompanies the story, was written by May's friend, Johnny Marks, and was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949. Since its inception, the story has been translated into 25 languages and in 1964 a classic animated Christmas movie.

World's Most Dangerous Roads: Mexico's Federal Highway 1

The world's most dangerous roads aren't just just located through war-torn countries or plagued with bandits, but in many cases are located in areas where the topography causes hazardous driving situation. One such road contains both harrowing elements, Mexico's Federal Highway 1.

Mexico's Federal Highway 1, is a 1,000-mile-long peninsula that takes motorists on a journey through the winding mountainous roads and cliff hugging coastlines of Mexico. Being the only connection between the Baja Peninsula and Mexico's outlying towns and villages, this two way highways is frequented by almost every vehicle in Mexico. While precautions are set up, accidents are common and guardrails are ineffective as they have been split open where previous drives have missed their turns. 

Winter Driving Tip: What to do if your front wheels skid.

In winter it is extremely important to practice safe driving and know how to control you vehicle on the icy roads. If you're most accustomed to dry, warm weather, it is especially important to know how to control your vehicle in the event that your wheels skid. If your front wheels begin to skid, follow the directions below.

1. Shift into neutral and take your foot off the gas, but don't try to steer your vehicle immediately.
2. As your vehicle's wheels begin to skid sideways, they will start to slow down the vehicle and some traction should return. As your vehicle's traction gets better, try to steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

Hopefully this should return your vehicle to normal and you can drive to your destination without any further issues.

Winter Car Care Tip: Don't Idle in the Snow

While warming up your vehicle in winter may seem like a good idea, it wastes gas and can add to air pollution. While there are extenuating circumstances for letting your vehicle get toasty, like your windshield is frozen and warming up the car is needed in order to scrape all the ice off the windows, it is generally best to follow the following warm-up routine: start the car, put on your seatbelt, and drive. 

***The main thing to remember is to drive "easy" for the first few miles allowing the engine oil and other vital fluids to circulate and lubricate their necessary components.

other vital fluids to circulate and lubricate their necessary components. - See more at: http://www.boston.com/cars/gallery/winter_car_care?pg=2#sthash.o9oLpRbe.dpuf

other vital fluids to circulate and lubricate their necessary components. - See more at: http://www.boston.com/cars/gallery/winter_car_care?pg=2#sthash.o9oLpRbe.dpuf

other vital fluids to circulate and lubricate their necessary components. - See more at: http://www.boston.com/cars/gallery/winter_car_care?pg=2#sthash.o9oLpRbe.dpuf

Five Halloween Car Costume Ideas to Trick-Out your Ride

While the age-old tradition of dressing up on Halloween remains, there appears to be a cut-off age where trick-or-treating is no longer a socially acceptable tradition. Many adults bypass this social norm by taking their children around the neighborhood to collect treats. Unfortunately, not all adults have children to live vicariously through; and for those who still want to celebrate the childish whimsy of getting dressed up on Halloween there is always the option of dressing up their vehicle. So check out these tricked-out rides for some ghoulish ideas on how to make your vehicle spook-tacular.

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