It’s hard not to think about a reindeer without picturing Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, well you know the rest, no matter what time of the year it is.
But there’s so much more to reindeer than just the fictional ones!
For instance:
The Latin name for reindeer is rangifer tarandus.
In North America, reindeer are commonly known as caribou. Caribou is a French word, meaning “snow shoveler”.
They are generally native to Arctic and Subarctic regions.
Both genders grow antlers!
The antlers of an adult male fall off in December, whereas the young males lose theirs early spring. Females will lose theirs in the summer.
The antlers grow back each year under a fur called ‘velvet’.
Males lock their antlers and fight for the right to mate with females.
Reindeer can be hunted for their antlers, hides, meat and milk. Not only are they hunted, but they can be domesticated.
It is believed that domesticated reindeer have been around since the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Male bull reindeer can measure up to 7 ft, and can weigh up to 700 lbs.
Female reindeer are generally smaller, and can measure up to 6’7″, and usually weigh 121 to 308 lbs.
The Svalbard reindeer suffer from insular dwarfism. (Insular dwarfism is an evolutionary process that leads to the reduction in the size of animals over a series of generations when the species is limited to a controlled environment especially on small islands.)
Northern reindeer, such as the Peary caribou, have white fur, while the Southern types, such as Woodland caribou, have darker fur.
Their fur is made up of two coats: a woolly undercoat, while the overcoat has hollow air-filled hairs.
A reindeer’s hoof can adapt to the seasons.
It is thought that they are the only mammals able to see ultraviolet light.
Reindeer are herbivores and have four chambered stomachs.
Young or sick reindeer are often targeted by predators, such as wolves.
The meat of a reindeer can be eaten, along with almost all of the internal organs.
Father Christmas’ reindeer are: Rudolph, Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen and Donner.
Today’s offering is definitely NOT a child chef picture type of recipe…it’s my mom’s Egg Nog recipe. She takes a store bought quart of eggnog, adds her magic and makes almost 2 half gallons of a very potent (mostly nog) eggnog…lol. She stored this in glass milk bottles (remember those?) in the refrigerator in the basement. Thinking back on it now, I guess that’s why my dad and my brother spent so much time “tinkering” down in the workshop…lol
Eggnog
1 quart store bought eggnog
1 quart milk
½ gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
6 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
6 shots rum
6 shots whiskey
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl with an electric mixer until thoroughly blended. Chill. (Glass really does make it taste better Mom says.)
Built for speed, cheetahs are slender, with long thin legs and a long tail. They have coarse, short fur that is yellowish tan in color and covered in solid black spots. Black tear-shaped streaks on the face help to reflect the sun when hunting. Adults weigh around 46–158 lb.
How many spots do cheetahs have?
Cheetahs have between 2,000 and 3,000 spots, which help them to camouflage themselves.
Where do cheetahs live?
Previously, cheetahs were wide-spread across African and Asian continents, but now they are confined mostly to dry open grasslands of Sub-Saharan Africa, with the majority inhabiting natural reserves or parks.
What do cheetahs eat?
Cheetahs are carnivores, so they rely on meat for survival. Their diet is made up primarily of smaller antelopes including springbok, steenbok, Thomson’s gazelle, impalas, and duiker. Cheetahs will also feed on wildebeest calves and, occasionally, smaller animals including rabbits, hares and birds.
How often do cheetahs drink?
Cheetahs have evolved to live in an environment where water is scarce, and can survive on one drink every three to four days.
Are cheetahs solitary?
Female cheetahs are solitary, living alone or with their young. Males however, live in small family groups of 2–3 brothers, known as coalitions.
How fast can cheetahs run?
The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world, reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. They can accelerate from 0 to 68 miles per hour in just three seconds. Cheetahs are the only big cat that can turn in mid-air while sprinting.
How does the cheetahs tail help when running?
Cheetahs long muscular tails have a flat shape that is used for balance and steering. The tail essentially acts like a rudder on a boat.
When do cheetahs give birth?
Cheetahs start reproducing at a young age; males at the age of one and females at two. There is no specific breeding season and cheetahs will mate with many individuals throughout their lifetimes.
Male cheetahs do not remain with the females after mating, and do not play any role in rearing young. Female cheetahs on the other hand are caring, affectionate and dedicated mothers. Following a pregnancy of three months, female cheetahs will give birth to a litter of 2–8 cubs in a secluded spot such as a rocky outcrop or marshy area with tall grass.
Cubs are vulnerable to predators, and many do not survive the first year. Initially, mothers leave the cubs hidden while hunting, but cubs will start accompanying her at around six weeks.
How long do cubs stay with their mothers?
Female cheetahs spend a long time caring for their cubs and teaching them essential survival skills like hunting. Cubs typically stay with their mothers for one and a half to two years.
What is the biggest threat to cheetahs?
Cheetahs are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. With around 10,000–12,000 individuals left in the wild, cheetahs are Africa’s most endangered big cat.
Historically, cheetahs have been hunted for their fur, but today some of the biggest threats to their survival are loss of habitat, and competition for resources. Cheetahs require large areas of land for survival, so increased human settlements and road construction in their habitat puts them at risk.
Preheat oven to 200°F. Mix applesauce and cinnamon in small bowl until a smooth ball of dough is formed. (You may need use your hands to incorporate all of the cinnamon.) Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap. Peel off top sheet of plastic wrap. Cut dough into desired shapes with 2- to 3-inch cookie cutters. Make a hole at top of ornament with drinking straw or skewer. Place ornaments on baking sheet.
Bake 2 1/2 hours. Cool ornaments on wire rack. (Or, to dry ornaments at room temperature, carefully place them on wire rack. Let stand 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally.)
Insert ribbon through holes and tie to hang. Decorate with opaque paint markers, found in arts and crafts stores, if desired.
I don’t know if the above dogs are pedigreed, but I doubt it really matters. Dogs are lovable no matter what their papers say. But today, December 2, is National MUTT Day, so we celebrate the mutt…with pictures of dogs…all kinds!!
Here’s to the silly ones!
Here’s to the stylish ones!
And most importantly…Here’s to all the lovable ones!!!
There’s no question that maintaining a nutritious diet can help keep your body healthy. But when it comes to which foods can specifically benefit which body parts, science remains surprisingly sketchy. But nature gives us a big clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
From the website Healthy Habits, here are foods that mirror the body parts they provide nutrients for—for example, brain-boosting walnuts actually look like a brain. Coincidence? Maybe. Though these healthy foods are beneficial to the whole body, the list below is a fun reminder of what to eat to target specific areas. Remember, most of these foods are more beneficial when eaten raw. (As with most items found on the internet, please take this one with a grain of salt…these guys misspelled scrotum…lol)
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. According to science, eating carrots greatly enhances blood flow to the eyes. Carrot gets their orange color from a plant chemical called beta-carotene, which reduces the risk of developing cataracts. The chemical also protects against macular degeneration an age-related sight problem that affects one in four individuals over the age of 65. If one tries to pop a pill of beta-carotene it doesn’t have the same effect, says scientists at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red in color– the heart is also red and has four chambers. Research has confirmed that tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and it is indeed pure heart and blood food.
Grapes resembles the alveoli of the lungs. The lungs are made of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny branches of tissue called alveoli. These structures allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. A diet high in fresh grapes has shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which is thought to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy. One reason that premature babies struggle to survive is that, these alveoli do not begin to form until the 23rd to 24th week of pregnancy.
A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are similar to those of the neo-cortex. Scientists claim that walnuts help in developing over three dozen neuron-transmitters within the brain enhancing the signaling and encouraging new messaging link between the brain cells. Walnuts help ward off dementia. They also extract and break down the protein based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s diseases, according to a study by Dr. James Joseph of Tuft University in Boston.
Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and are shaped exactly like the human kidneys (hence their name). Kidney beans provide a variety of minerals and vitamins, and are generally beneficial for your health. If your kidneys are healthy, kidney beans can — when consumed as part of a balanced diet — contribute to your kidney health. If your kidneys are diseased, you might need to moderate your intake of kidney beans.
Celery, Rhubarb, Bok-choy and more look just like bones’ structure. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are made up of 23% sodium and these foods have sodium in them. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocados and Pears are good for the health and functioning of the womb and cervix of the female and look just like these organs. Modern research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances the birth hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and can even prevent cervical cancer. It even takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit, just like a human baby! There are said to be over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods.
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Studies have shown that Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the sperm count as well as overcoming male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes resemble the pancreas and can actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics. The oblong sweet potato bears a strong resemblance to the pancreas, and also promotes healthy function in the organ. Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which is a potent antioxidant that protects all tissues of the body, including the pancreas, from damage associated with cancer or aging.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries. An Italian study found that women whose diets included a lot of olive oil had a 30% lower risk of ovarian cancer. The reasons are unclear, but the healthy fats in the oil may help suppress genes predisposed to causing cancer.
Grapefruits, Oranges, and other citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. The similarity between round citrus fruits––like lemons and grapefruit––and breasts may be more than coincidental. “Grapefruit contains substances called limonoids, which have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in lab animals and in human breast cells,” says Dr. Moulavi.
Eating a Banana will cheer you up and put a smile on your face. This popular fruit contains a protein called tryptophan, when digested it gets converted into a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which is a mood regulating chemical in the brain. Bananas can be termed as an antidepressant drug, since it adjusts the level of serotonin production in the brain.
Onions look like the body’s cells. Research shows onions clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.
Ginger looks like the stomach and it also aids in digestion. Indians and Chinese have been using it for over 5000 years to calm the stomach, cure nausea, and motion sickness. It also slows down the growth rate of bowel tumors.
A Mushroom when sliced in half resembles the shape of the human ear. Mushrooms improve hearing abilities, since they contain Vitamin D, which is healthy for bones, especially the 3 tiny bones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.
So, you did the elaborate turkey dinner thing and you deserve a break from cooking, but leftovers are all gone? Today’s offering is here to the rescue (and no, I don’t mean Ron to the rescue…LOL) It’s crock pot beef stew. It’s great for a Sunday watching football kind of day. Add a loaf of Rhodes fresh baked bread and this meal is awesome!!
Crock Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
6 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch lengths
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon browning sauce, optional
Minced fresh thyme
Directions
Layer the potatoes, carrots, onion and celery in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Place flour in a large shallow dish. Add stew meat; turn to coat evenly. In a large skillet, brown meat in oil in batches. Place over vegetables.
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, broth, mustard, salt, pepper, thyme and, if desired, browning sauce. Pour over beef. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the meat and vegetables are tender. If desired, sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving.
There’s a war that has been raging for over 30 years that you’ve probably never heard of. It’s been happening right here in this country—right here in Pennsylvania as a matter of fact. Although I’m equally sure skirmishes have broken out all over the country—perhaps all over the world! It’s called The Great Peeve War.
The participants are well trained operatives. I myself began training when I was just a child. I observed my fellow combatants in their natural habitats, took note of their strengths—and more importantly—their weaknesses, waiting, watching for a chance to exploit them.
Typical warfare consisting of repeating everything your opponent said, and the patented “I’m rubber, you’re glue” tactic. And the more advanced “I’m not touching you” maneuver which required close proximity to your opponents. You also learned to identify your own weaknesses and develop hardened immunity to them. Constant practice ensured greater success on the battlefield and naturally, as we grew, so did our skills.
During my dating years, I perfected the “do you think she’s pretty?” and the “do I look fat in this outfit?” interrogation techniques. And my “What do YOU think?” look was deadly. And in those dating years, I also honed my defensive talents. Phrases like “my buddies want me to…” and “would you be mad if…” triggered my bullshit radar. I learned to counter, bob and weave and land a few well timed tears followed by a devastating look of betrayal. I was at the top of my game then.
But nothing could prepare me for The Great Peeve War! It’s a whole other animal. It’s subtle, it’s never ending, and it goes something like this. My husband and I disagree on something—could be major—or it could be minor—or it could be almost nothing at all. We walk away from each other (translation: we retreat to regroup). We avoid making any overt contact to allow each other to calm down, forget.
At this point I will notice my silverware drawer is messed up—spoons in the fork slot, knife handles in all directions! (SHOTS FIRED) Shrugging off the initial volley, I will go into the bathroom and drip water all over the sink and shower faucets leaving water spots. (RETURN FIRE) For good measure, I turn the toilet paper roll so it feeds from (gasp) THE BOTTOM. (LANDMINE ACTIVATED) Then I quietly leave the bathroom and prepare to hunker down.
Remaining ever vigilant, head on a swivel, I survey the Great Room—I sense it before I see it. Something is off and…there it is! The wine glass is on the coffee table sitting NEXT to the coaster–not on it! (DIRECT HIT) My eyes narrow, my breath hitches in my throat, but I compose myself. I pick up the glass, take it to my husband standing next to the sink and quietly ask, “Are you finished with this?” I smile sweetly and before he can answer, pour the remaining wine quickly down the drain. (BOOM) “Not the wine,” I hear him groan, “it was just an innocent bystander.”
He takes me by the hand and leads me to the sofa. “I’m sorry for everything,” he says. “Let’s just forget it all and snuggle on the sofa and watch some tv.” I spy the romantic comedy dvd box on the coffee table now and smiling, settle in against his shoulder. (CEASEFIRE)
He picks up the remote and on comes…FOOTBALL…(HOSTILITIES RESUME)
Did you know that Koalas, or Koala Bears, are not actually bears as many people believe?! They’re actually more closely related to kangaroos and wombats! Check out these 18 fun and interesting facts about koalas & learn something new!
Koalas are only 25 to 35 inches long, and weigh just 30 pounds or less!
A baby koala which has been just born is usually less than 1 inch long.
A new-born koala usually stays inside the mother’s pouch for about six months.
The word koala means “An animal which does not drink”.
A koala mostly eats eucalyptus leaves and hardly drinks any water.
Like the kangaroo, they also have the ability to carry their babies in their pouch.
They actually do not belong to the bear family in any way.
A koala sleeps for around 20 hours a day.
They are not very social animals and usually stay alone.
Every male koala has a scent gland on the chest which they rub on the trees to mark their territories.
Only one baby koala is born per year to a female.
They communicate with each other by making a snore like sound which is followed by a belch.
A fully grown koala can eat approximately 2.2 pounds of leaves in a night.
A new-born cub has no fur on its body and the eyes and ears are also closed. Koalas are mostly found in Australia.
They have different fur type in different areas.
Gumtrees act as both food and place for living for koalas.
A koala gets fully grown in the fourth year of their life.
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Sew Colorful 