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Mrs. Claus shares tips for fun holiday activities
(BPT) - If you think you’re busy this time of year, imagine how busy the first lady of holiday cheer can be. Not only does she help the big guy get ready for Christmas, but she makes sure everyone in the North Pole has a memorable holiday season. From hosting parties to keeping the elves happy and healthy, this joyful t...
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Saving money during the holiday season can be easier than you think
(BPT) - If you are like most Americans, you will likely spend an average of $764 on gifts alone this holiday season, according to a Gallup survey. When totaling up the cost of gifts with extra trips to the grocery store, dinners out to toast the season and travel costs to visit loved ones, you’re looking at quite a holi...
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No muss, no fuss - just the perfect meal every time
(BPT) - While holiday meals often take on a special significance because of the season, every meal is an opportunity to show those you care for what they mean to you. Instead of stressing about each meal throughout the holiday season (and all year long), why not create a few “go-to” meals that are not only special for t...
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Creating a dog-friendly meal experience
(BPT) - Mealtime is going...well, to the dogs - literally. Dumping kibble into a bowl and walking away has become less and less the norm. Feeding the family dog has evolved into new territory. For example, have you ever warmed your dog’s food in the microwave before serving it to him? You wouldn’t be alone if you have. ...
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A guest-friendly home is easier than you think
(BPT) - One of the many exciting and sometimes stressful parts of the holiday season is entertaining at home with friends and family. To prepare for their arrival you may be tempted to just clean the kitchen counters, toss a few extra towels in the guest bathroom and ignore the rest of the house. Instead, your visitors ...
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Master of the bar: Easy tips to create the ultimate bar at home
(BPT) - Between the endless string of events and the chill in the air this time of year, it doesn’t take much to convince your friends and family to have a night in. No matter if you’re planning the party of the year or just inviting a few friends over, a great home bar is essential to make it a night to remember. Havi...
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National Peanut Butter Lover's Month [Infographic]
November is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month. In addition to enjoying the creamy and crunchy treat, it’s also a good time to learn some interesting facts from the National Peanut Board about peanut butter.
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Sweeten your holiday desserts with gourmet candies
Sweeten your holiday desserts with gourmet candies Desserts often get center stage during the holiday season, so it’s a good time to make your dessert production big. Cheer up your holiday desserts with creative recipes using some of the treats found in Christmas gift baskets from Hickory Farms. You can easily mix and match specialty foods into tasty and unique desserts that you and your family will enjoy for all your holiday celebrations. Don’t let down your holiday guests after the ma...
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Family bonding in the kitchen
As children become older and schedules get busier, finding time for quality bonding with your family becomes harder. This new year, make a resolution to reconnect with your family in the kitchen. Exploring the ins and outs of cooking and baking is a great way to get your whole family together while getting to know each other on a new level.
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Delight friends with unique eats this holiday
(BPT) - The holidays are a magical time to celebrate with family and friends. Whether it’s the first snowfall or a gift from a loved one, the season inspires us to celebrate and be merry. It’s also a time when holiday hosts and hostesses are eager for entertaining inspiration. Entertaining isn’t effortless, but there a...
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How to make dining out during the holidays a healthy experience
(BPT) - The holiday season is here and if you’re like most Americans, restaurants will play a key role in your holiday plans and celebrations, as well as shopping and traveling experiences.  Each year, tens of millions of Americans visit restaurants for their holiday meals or use restaurants to supplement meals at home...
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Food and drink recipes inspired by the hottest trends of the season will make your holiday gatherings sizzle
(BPT) - The holidays will be here before you know it, and if you’re not sure how you’re going to wow your friends and family this year, Betty Crocker offers up these ideas – inspired by the hottest food trends of the season.  “Our team of food lovers at the Betty Crocker Kitchens selected what we think will be the se...
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national news
Tornado insured losses estimated at $2 billion-$5 billion

Jason Owen digs through debris as he helps his mother to salvage items from her uncle's home after it was almost destroyed by a tornado in Moore, Oklahoma(Reuters) - Tornadoes that struck the United States from May 18 to May 20 caused between $2 billion to $5 billion of insured losses, disaster modeling company Eqecat said late Thursday. At the high end of the range, the tornado outbreak may rank as the second-worst ever in terms of insured losses, behind the late-April 2011 twisters that devastated Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and other communities. Eqecat said most of the losses were attributed to the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday. ...


Fri May 24 07:55:01 UTC 2013
Truck crash may have caused Washington state bridge collapse

I-5 Bridge Collapses On Skagit River In WashingtonBy Jonathan Kaminsky OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) - A truck crashed into a four-lane freeway bridge in Washington state Thursday evening and may have caused it to collapse, sending vehicles and drivers tumbling into a frigid river, officials said. A U.S. National Transportation Safety Board investigation into what led part of the Interstate 5 bridge to fall into the Skagit River 55 miles north of Seattle was expected to continue on Friday. Three people were rescued from the river and no one died, officials said. Two of those rescued were hospitalized with hypothermia. ...


Fri May 24 08:11:25 UTC 2013
Magnitude 5.7 quake strikes Northern California
(Reuters) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Northern California on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the quake was 6 miles northwest of the town of Greenville, and near the smaller community of Canyondam, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Allen Shephard, a hunting and fishing guide at Quail Lodge at Lake Almanor in Canyondam, said the quake knocked him "right off the couch and onto the floor." The floor of the lodge was littered with broken dishware, and cabinets were in disarray, said Shephard, 62. ...
Fri May 24 01:53:09 UTC 2013
Police in Australia issue warning on 3-D printed gun
The DIY 3-D gun may not be quite ready for prime time. According to Techworld, the police commissioner in Australia’s New South Wales, Andrew Scipione, has issued a warning after his officers tested one of the firearms—dubbed the "Liberator"—and experienced a “catastrophic misfire” (no one was seriously injured). According to the website, the NSW police [...]
Fri May 24 10:48:51 UTC 2013