How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

 

These delicious little cookies will have all your holiday party guests impressed. Not only do they look like little tarts, but they are the perfect bite size dessert for after Christmas dinner. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 1/2 cups (325 grams) all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (160 grams) light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. First, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Next, spray non-stick vegetable spray over 48 miniature muffin tins.
3. In a medium bow, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Next, using a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and then add in the white and brown sugars and mix until light and fluffy.
5. Once mixed, add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 
6. Next beat in the vanilla extract and add the flour mixture. Beat together all ingredients until evenly mixed. 
7. Fill each miniature muffin cup with a tablespoon of batter.
8. Bake cookies for about 8 minutes or until lightly browned. 
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and then gently press on miniature peanut butter cup, unwrapped, into the center of each cookie. 
10. Return the cookies to the oven and cook for another 3 minutes. 

***Recipe courtesy of Allrecipes.com 

The History behind 'Twas a Night Before Christmas!

"'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring now even a mouse." These words have been uttered millions of times over the years since the poems inception in 1822. While we have probably all heard the classic Christmas story, many people probably don't know where it came from. The poem was originally created by an Episcopal minister in 1822, named Clement Clark Moore, for this three daughters. While the poems title was changed from the original, "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," it's context and syntax have remained the same. The poem, which describes Santa Clause as a "right jolly old elf" with rosy cheeks, a portly figure, and magical powers, gave the world its first description of Santa Clause. Moore's description of St. Nicholas, helped to popularize the current image of Santa Claus we see today. Due to the poems popularity, Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist, drew a picture of the image Moore's poem created in in 1881 thus forming the modern image of Santa Claus we have today. While Moore's poem did depict St. Nicholas's powers and appearance, it was Nast who gave him his bright red suit with white fur trim, a workshop in the North Pole, elves, and Mrs. Claus. 

Christmas Greeting Cards: How they Got There Start

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.

The World's Most Dangerous Highways: Pakistan's Karakoram Highway

Pakistan's Karakoram Highway runs over the 15,400-foot Khunjerab Pass and links the middle eastern country to China. Also known as the international "Friendship Highway," the road travels along the route of the old Silk Road winding through gorges. While the road links two countries, it remains unpaved on the Pakistani side and unstable most of the time. Prone to landslides and flash flooding, Karakoram Highway claimed the lives of almost 900 workers during its construction.

Winter Car Care Tips: Replace Car Mats

Winter time, means it's time for rain, slush, mud, dirt and snow. While there isn't much advice we can give for eliminating grime once it's attached to your vehicles carpet, replacing your vehicles carpeted floor mats with rubbers one's can greatly reduce any muss or fuss that may have occurred. Replacing carpeted mats with rubber ones doesn't just prevent stains but also helps trap water inside. 

 and brake pedals to become trapped, no matter what kind of car you're driving

Give back to Nature with Your Leftover Jack-o'-Lantern

While many people just throw away their jack-o'-lantern come November 1st, why not re-purpose the pumpkin for other uses. If you live close to nature and some wildlife, old pumpkin always makes a tasty snack for a furry neighbor. Cut up good ol' Jack and leave pieces strewn outside, away from your yard. If you're feeling exceptionally generous, you can always decide to share some pumpkin seeds with the birds. Place any unwanted pumpkin seeds in a container and let the birds have a tasty snack. If you're in the mood for some gardening, then use your old jack-o'-lantern as a planter for some fresh flowers or bulbs. Simply fill the hollowed out pumpkin with dirt and place your bulb of choice inside. With a little love and water, you will have flowers blooming in no time. The great thing about using the pumpkin as a planter, when it rots it will just decompose into the soil and become fertilizer. 

How to Make Peanut Butter Pumpkins

 

 

Have your own pumpkin patch right in your kitchen with these delicious peanut butter pumpkins!

These Halloween recipe is so easy and delicious, it's scary! Not only will this spooky dessert have your taste buds tingling, it will have you screaming with delight.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar, sifted
• red food coloring
• yellow food coloring
• green decorators icing

 

 

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a large bowl and add a few drops of yellow and red food coloring, until mixture has a nice orange color.
2. Add the peanut butter and confectioners sugar and mix together until a dough-like consistency is reached. (This means that when the dough is nice and stiff and it gets hard to add any more sugar, to let it go at that).
3. Shape dough into small balls shaped like pumpkins; make ridges on the pumpkins with a toothpick.
4. Add a small amount of green decorators icing to the top of each pumpkin for a stem.
5. Refrigerate, if desired, to allow pumpkins to firm.
6. Serve on a plate lined with toasted coconut and Halloween decorated cookies, if desired; these also look good on top of cupcakes.

How to Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro

How to Carve a Pumpkin 

1. Choose the right pumpkin: Choosing the right pumpkin is key to any great pumpkin carving. Depending on the type of face you want to carve, you will either choose a wider pumpkin or a taller pumpkin. For a face a taller pumpking would probably be best, but for an animal or object a wider one will do the trick nicely.



2. Let the Surgery Begin: Decapitating the pumpkin can be the hardest part for many, who aren't sure what type of incision to make. To avoid any pumpkin carving mishaps, use a strong blade and cut the stem in a cone-shape so that it comes out easily and fits back in nicely.


3. Scoop the innards: Using an ice cream scoop usually works the best but you can always just scoop the goop with your hands. Be sure that you don't just remove all the pumpkin seeds but you scrape around the sides as well, starting from the hold opening to the bottom. 


5. Draw the face: It's probably best to us a dry erase marker because if you don't like your drawing, you can erase it.

6. Carving Time: While a kit can be less stressful and harmful, power-tools get the job done neatly and quickly. A jigsaw is perfect for removing chunks (like eyes and the mouth) and a rotary tool can help carve away the skin. For big areas, try using an angle grinder to shape the pumpkin or remove skin.


8. Preserving Your Pumpkin: Everyone knows that pumpkins rot. To avoid the inevitable a little bit longer, try spraying your pumpkin with bathroom cleaner. Not only will it prevent early decay but it helps to keep the bugs, mold, and animals away.
 
Enjoy your pumpkins! 

Halloween Pet Safety 101

With Halloween fast approaching, we wanted share some tips to keeping your pet safe this Halloween. While we all know dressing up or fur babies can be one of the funnest parts of any holiday, this Halloween make sure your animal is safe by following this simple tips.

1. By no means should your animal be allowed to consume candy in any form. While some of the non-chocolate candies may seem harmless, they could cause stomach aches or worse if not caught. Also, NEVER let your pet consume chocolate as it can be very dangerous and toxic. If your furry friend consume any candy please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2.While decorating for Halloween is common for all generations of pet lovers, it is important to remember that your animal could potentially decide to make your decorations his/her new chew toy. Try to keep wires and cords away from your pet, if chewed they can cause cuts or burns, or possibly a life-threatening shock to your fur baby.

3. Dressing-up your fur baby can be fun for some pets, but please be sure your animal actually likes wearing a costume. Many animals prefer their "birthday suits" and can get stressed and annoyed while wearing a costume. If you do decide to dress up your pet, be sure the costume isn't unsafe or annoying by constricting the animal's movements or hearing.

4. Make sure all animals are kept away from the front door while trick-or-treaters come calling. Too many strangers and costumes can cause your dog or cat to become stressed and scared leading to aggravated behavior. If your animal doesn't like people, then it's a safe bet they shouldn't be allowed near the front door. Also, be sure all your animals are equipped with proper identification in case they dart out when you open the door.


By following these simple tips your animal should have fun, safe and relaxing Halloween just like you.

Delicious Delicacies from the West Covina Farmers Market

This Saturday from 8:00am-1:00 PM come out to Glendora Ave and enjoy fresh fruit, vegetables, food, and more at the West Covina Farmers Market. With plenty of handmade items to peruse and fresh roasted peanuts and kettlecorn, you'll leave with a full stomach and plenty of goodies to create delectable dishes with. If you're not interested in making purchase you can always just enjoy the scenery and music.

Event: Farmers Market
Date: Saturday, September 28th
Time: 8:00am-1:00pm
Location: 195 Glendora Ave.

West Covina Toyota- Lets Go Places

Fans, can you guess what these phrases all have in common?

Actives Now

Natives Cow

Wants Voice

Caves In Two

Cant View So

Cats View On

Cast Wove In

Swat Vice On

What about these?

Oat Toy
Ay Toot
Ya Toot
A To Toy
A Tot Yo
At To Yo

No? They are all ANAGRAMS for West Covina and Toyota! So, stop into West Covina Toyota today for an amazing deal on a new or pre-owned Toyota! 

Toyota to Sell 2014 Crown in Electric Fuchsia in Japan

While there has been some debate over the last couple years on Toyota's styling methods, its recently bold move to sell its fourteenth-generation Crown in hot pink definitely puts the kibosh on its conservative styling reputation. Not only is this this vehicle Electric Fuchsia, but it pulls styling ideas from luxury vehicles that make it edgier and more daring- in the best kind of way. We love the new Toyota Crown and think it would be just what the doctor ordered to help Toyota loose its conservative reputation .

Great All-American Drives: Vermont Route 100

Running from Massachusetts all the way to the Canadian border, Vermont Route 100 provides road-trippers with a rural escape. The north-to-south two-lane road runs 217-miles long and depicts a medley of Vermont's greatest hits, including quaint dairy farms and charming little towns. While there are plenty of ski resorts to stop by during the winter months, the scenery and foliage is beautiful all year round.