December 24

Egg Nog Recipe

Ingredients

12 eggs
3 pints heavy cream

1 cup granulated sugar
nutmeg
1 cup Bacardi Rum
1 cup Courvoisier Cognac
1/2 tsp salt

DirectionsSeparate egg yolks and whites.  Beat yolks until light in color.  Slowly add bourbon, and cognac, while beating at slow speed.  Chill for 3 hrs.  In second bowl add egg whites, then salt and beat till whites form peaks.  In third bowl whip cream until stiff.  Next fold whipped cream into chilled yolk mixture, then fold in the beaten egg whites.  Chill for one hour.  Serve in a punch bowl or large pitcher.  Sprinkle nutmeg on top of each glass served.

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December 21

The first dry cell battery was invented in 1896. Unlike it's predesessors, it used a paste electrolyte instead of a liquid and thus became the first battery suitable for portable electrical devices, as it did not spill or break easily and worked in any orientation.  The American Electrical Novelty and Manf. Company obtained a U.S. Patent on January 10, 1899 from David Misell, the English inventor. This "electric device" designed by Misell was powered by "D" batteries laid front to back in a paper tube with the light bulb and a rough brass reflector at the end.

The Companies first flashlights used energy-inefficient carbon-filament bulbs
they ran on zinc-carbon batteries which could not provide a steady electric current and required periodic 'rest' to continue functioning.  The "resting" cycles occurred at frequent intervals due to the bulb type used.  These issues gave way to the name "Flashlight", because they could be used only in brief flashes.   The company donated some of these devices to the New York City police, who responded favorably to them. 

Nowadays, flashlights are available powered by a multitude of energy sources: hand cranks that charge capacitors, solar, and shaken varieties that contain magnets, as well the standard battery version to name a few.  Plus they are available to strap mount on your head or bike, hang from your keyring or stand on a tripod, some are even waterproof.  Dad would be amazed.   

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December 13

The scientific name Theobroma means "food of the Gods". The word cacao itself derives from the Nahuatl (Aztec language) word cacahuatl.  The tree is today found growing wild in the low foothills of the Andes at elevations of around 650–1300 ft in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. It requires a humid climate with regular rainfall and good soil.

     Cocoa seeds are the source of commercial cocoa, the four intermediate cocoa products are: liquor, butter, cake, powder, and chocolate.  The largest consumers of cocoa in todays market is chocolate manufacturers, in terms of bean equivalent. Intermediate products such as cocoa powder and cocoa butter are used in several areas.  Cocoa powder is most often used as flavor in biscuits, ice cream, dairy drinks, and cakes as well as in the manufacture of coatings for confectioners or frozen desserts.  Cocoa powder is also consumed by the beverage industry for example for the preparation of chocolate milk. 
     Besides the traditional uses in chocolate manufacture and confectionery, cocoa butter is also used in the manufacture of tobacco, soap, and cosmetics (makeup and skin lotions).  Oddly enough, it is also a folk remedy for burns, cough, dry lips, fever, malaria, rheumatism, snakebite and wounds.  It is reported to be antiseptic and diuretic.

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December 17

Underdog, Shoeshine Boy’s heroic alter-ego, appeared whenever love interest Sweet Polly Purebred was being victimized by such villains as Simon Bar Sinister or Riff Raff.
Underdog always speaks in rhymes, such as, “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!” His voice was supplied by Wally Cox.

Underdog is an American animated television series that debuted October 3, 1964, on the NBC network under the primary sponsorship of General Mills for 9 years.

A cartoon that showed us that even a shoeshine boy could be the biggest hero on the planet.

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