Christmas Recipes

  Christmas is almost here! The tree is up, stockings are hung, presents are wrapped and under the tree, and baking is being done.  If your like most Americans your proably on your way to this image but still scrambling to get either the shopping or baking done.  Well here are a few great recipes to help you out with the baking part! :)

Chocolate Crinkles

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 ounces unsweetened bakers chocolate
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla (I always add extra--usually between 1/2 to 1 teaspoon extra)
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• powdered sugar

Directions:

Put chocolate squares into a bowl and melt in the microwave (make sure to stir frequently to keep chocolate from burning. I also suggest that you melt it on a low to medium power level).  Combine oil sugar and chocolate and mix well.  add in eggs, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. mix. lastly add in the flour and mix well.  Refrigerate dough for approximately two to three hours. After refrigerating the dough pour a good amount of powdered sugar onto a plate.  roll the dough into little balls and then roll them in the powder sugar, giving them  nice coating.  place on a baking sheet and bake (at 350 degrees) for approximately 9 minutes (they should look somewhat done but still seem slightly gooey in the middle.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chocolate-crinkles/941e22b3-9a48-4fb1-bdb0-27479e76d484#?st=6&term=chocolate crinkles&fv=AND(HasGridViewImage%3ATrue)&ps=9&pi=9&fv=AND(HasGridViewImage%3ATrue)

Peanut butter blossoms:

Ingredients:

• One bag of Hersheys Kisses
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 and 1/2 cups flour
• granulated sugar

Unwrap (or like me have your sister unwrap) a bag of hershey's kisses and set aside.  Cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars.  Add in the egg, vanilla, milk, salt, baking soda, and mix.  Lastly, add in the flour and mix well.   Pour some granulated sugar onto a plate.  Roll the dough into little balls approximately 1 inch in diameter and then roll them in the sugar making sure they get a nice coating. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 6 to 7 minutes.  Take the pan out of the oven and gently push a kiss into the center of each cookie.  place the tray back into the oven for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to allow the kiss to melt into the cookie.  Take the cookies out of the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the sheet.  Now, you can either enjoy a warm and gooey cookie, or you can freeze them inorder to be able to stack them for goody trays.

http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/5191/Peanut%20Butter%20Blossoms.aspx


Frosted Sugar Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (I always add extra)
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (I always add extra)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Cream the butter and powdered sugar.  Add in the egg, vanilla, almond, baking soda, cream of tartar, and mix well.  Add in the flour and mix.  refrigerate dough for approximately 2 hours.  After the dough has been refrigerated lightly flour your counter and rolling pin.  Work the dough until it becomes soft enough to roll.  Sprinkle the dough with flour and roll until it is approximately a pencil width thin.  Cut out the cookies with your favorite holiday cookie cutters.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 7 minutes.  Freeze until cold and then frost. Frosting recipe follows.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/holiday-cutouts/a1830449-487e-4c7f-882c-48ac06d83a91#?term=sugar cookies, almond extract&st=6&ads=1&ps=9&pi=9&fv=AND(HasGridViewImage%3ATrue)

Frosting!

Ingredients (I don't usually measure so measurements are approximate):

• 1 bag powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup crisco
• 2 table spoons butter
• 2 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

cream the crisco, butter, vanilla, and almond together.  Slowly add in powdered sugar and mix.  add milk as needed to thin the frosting.  Mix in your favorite food colorings and make your cookies beautiful!

Recipe: Original recipe was from my neighbor and I changed it some (added more vanilla and almond--I really like vanilla and almond :D)

Picture:
http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/frosting

Breed of the week: Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff is a gigantic dog that weighs anywhere from 140 to 170 pounds and stands about 25 to 28 inches off of the ground!  They are a very strong and sturdy dog with a broad and wrinkled head along with a broad muzzle. They have deep set, brown, almond shaped eyes and ears that hang slightly forward.  The Tibetan Mastiffs have a double coat that is extremely thick, and have what looks to be like a mane of fur around their neck.  The coat can come in the colors of brown, black, grey, tan, or a mixture of these colors.  The average life span of a Tibetan Mastiff is 15 years.

   The Tibetan Mastiff breed is thought to go back all the way to 1100 BC were they were isolated in the Himalayan mountains.  These dogs were often used as guards and some would even guard whole villages.  When men would leave the village to move their flocks to higher grounds these dogs would be left behind to guard the man's family.  in the 1800s the English Queen Victoria received one of these dogs and it was the first time that the Tibetan Mastiff came out of isolation.  Soon many more of these dogs were imported to England where they were bred and gained popularity.  In 1970s the breed came to the United States.  Although it became a very popular breed in England and the United States it became a rare sight in Tibet.  The Tibetan Mastiff was recognized by the AKC in 2006. 

    The Tibetan Mastiff is a very intelligent, independent, and confident dog.  This breed has guarding instincts and may be protective of their family.  This breed is very dominant and due to their protective instincts it is important to socialize them from a very young age.  They can do well with other animals, especially if they have grown up with them.  They can be aggressive towards an animal of the same gender, so it is recommended that if you get another pet to get one of the opposite gender.  The Tibetan Mastiff can be trained, but it does take patience because they can be stubborn.  They are easy to house train though.  As long as children are gentle with the dog, this breed does very well with them.  They do need a good amount of exercise and a fenced in yard is definitely recommended due to them not always coming when you call.  This breed becomes very close to its family, but can be a little reserved in showing affection.  These dogs have a deep bark and don't mature until 3 to 5 years of age.  This breed is a heavy shedder, but brushing can help remove some of the loose hair.  Although the Tibetan Mastiff can be a challenging dog to train, they will be protective and loyal friends.

Information from:
 http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/tibetanmastiff.htm
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/tibetan-mastiff.html

Picture from:
http://www.tibetanmastiff.net/

Day of the Three Kings

   Everyone loves Christmas and wishes that it would last forever or at least a few more days.  well, in Mexico and other Spanish countries they celebrate the holidays all the way until January 6th and even longer.  January 6th is called Three Kings day or El Dia De Reyes in Spanish. In the Bible, in the chapter of Matthew to be specific, it talks about how the three wise men followed a star to Bethlehem to bring gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh to the new born savior, Jesus.  This holiday celebrates the journey of the three kings to visit baby Jesus.

    Similar to our tradition of Santa Clause, a few days before the holiday the children write letters to the three magi asking for gifts.  The children take these letters and attach them to balloons sold during the season and send them off to the kings.  Families also travel to Alameda park in Mexico city a few days before the holiday and celebrate with stands of food, toys, and even can have their picture taken with the three kings.   

   On the eve of January 5th kids place their old shoes either under their beds or in their living rooms to be filled with goodies by the three kings. This is also the night that families add the figurines of the wise men to the nativity scene. Similar to how kids here in America leave cookies and milk for Santa and maybe even a carrot for Rudolph, children in Mexico leave milk and cookies for the wise men and often water and hay for the kings animals.   Children then go to bed and wake up the following morning to find that the three kings left them gifts.

    Families celebrate with the Merienda de Reyes, which is an evening meal that is had with family and friends.  People prepare for the meal by traveling to the market and often buy traditional holiday treats such as the rosca de reyes, a sweetbread that is oval shaped and covered with candied fruits.  Families celebrate this feast by eating the rosca bread, tamales, and drinking hot chocolate.  Each person cuts a slice of the bread and inside one of the slices a person may find a small figurine of baby Jesus, which represents how he needed to be born in a secure place away from King Herod and the knife represents the danger that he faced.  Although you would think that everyone would want to find this figurine, they actually don't want it.  The person who receives the figurine is nominated as the host for a February 2nd festival known as Candelaria and has to invite everyone that is present at the January 6th feast as well as purchase a new outfit for the baby Jesus in the nativity. The holiday season ends on February 2nd where another feast is made and the nativity is put away for the year.

Information from:
http://www.inside-mexico.com/featurereyes.htm
http://vallartaonline.com/information/SpotLight/ThreeKingsDayinMexcio/
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/08/magazine/a-world-of-celebration-mexico-city-day-of-the-three-kings.html

Picture from:
http://www.inside-mexico.com/reyesoscar.htm

Breed of the Week: The Shar Pei

    The Shar Pei is a medium sized dog that weighs about 40 to 55 pounds and stands about 16 to 20 inches off of the ground.  Shar Peis are well built muscular dogs that have very loose and wrinkly skin.  Puppies are extremely wrinkled and as these dogs aged they become less and less wrinkly.  They have large heads with small ears and small eyes that are sunken in.  Shar Peis have  blueish-black tongues and curly tails.  Shar Pei's come in three different coat types horse-coat, brush-coat, and bear-coat which is rare and is not recognized by the AKC. The Shar Pei's come in the colors of black, red, fawn, and cream.

   Although the ancestry is somewhat uncertain Shar Pei's are thought to date back to the Han dynasty as similar dogs are seen in paintings from this era. People think that the Shar Pei may have descended from either a larger Tibetan breed or southern china service dogs.  The Shar Pei was a dog used for hunting and herding and was also know as a fighting dog but not because of it being ferocious.  Because of its loose skin it could be bitten by another dog but still move around and return the attack.  This breed was recognized by the AKC in 2005.

    The shar pei is a devoted and independent dog that becomes close to its family.  They are as serious and calm breed of dog.  They will be very loyal to their owners but it is important to handle them with confidence in order to let them know who is in charge.  These dogs are very intelligent and therefore are not to difficult to train. It is important to socialize these dogs from a young age in order to get them used to people.  These dogs usually do well with children especially if the have grown up around them.  It depends on the dog, but some may not always do well with other dogs or cats in the household.  It is recommended that this dog have a fenced in yard and to be walked on a leash due to some natural hunting instincts.  A Shar Pei requires only an average amount of exercise and a walk each day should be the right amount.  Grooming a Shar Pei is also not too difficult, they just need an occasional brushing and bath as well as making sure that their wrinkles are clean.  The Shar Pei is a loyal dog that would make a great addition to many households.



Information from:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/sharpei.htm
http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/Breeds/Shar-Pei.html
http://dogbreeds.bulldoginformation.com/shar-pei.html

Picture from:
http://wallpapers.free-review.net/15__Shar_Pei_puppy.htm

Hot Chocolate! :) Yum!

    Although it hasn't snowed yet, we all know it is right around the corner.  Just think about a brisk and chilly winter morning when you wake up to find that the earth is covered in a fresh blanket of fluffy white snow.  You groggily get out of your warm bed and pull on your snow pants, boots, jacket, and mittens, grab the shovel and head out the door.  You shovel the drive way for a good half and hour, your nose turns red, your fingers feel as if they might fall off but yet you enjoy the beauty of the snow.  After the time in the chilly weather and all the hard work of hauling the snow off of the drive way you decide to head in and have a nice warm and delicious mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and whipped cream before heading back out to enjoy the snow by sledding down the big hills covered in slick snow.  But where did this delicious drink that keeps you toasty warm in the winter come from?
    It is believed that beverages containing chocolate date all the way back to the Aztecs.  Cocoa beans were very valuable to the Aztec people and were used for cooking and currency as well as being given as gifts.  These cocoa beans could be used to make a chocolatey drink, but this drink was very unlike our modern hot chocolate.  For one, it was served cold and it was flavored with wine and peppers giving it a bitter and not sweet taste.  When chocolate was discovered by Spainsh explorers in the 1500's it was introduced to Europe. There hot chocolate was changed.  It was served hot and had a sweet flavor as it was no longer flavored with spicy chili peppers.  It wasn't until the 1700's that this drink reached Britain where they started to add milk for flavoring and it became a nice and popular after dinner treat.  Finally in the 1800's cocoa powder was invented.  This powder was a lot easier to mix in with the water or milk and most likely made hot chocolate a much quicker and easier treat to make and enjoy. 
    Although it has changed a lot from its origins hot chocolate is a great treat that keeps you nice and toasty during the chilly winter months and always puts a smile on your face when you are enjoying a nice sweet mug of it.

Information from:
http://coffeetea.about.com/cs/chocolate/a/chochistory.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chocolate#History

Picture from:
http://www.sogoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/hot-chocolate.jpg

Ruldolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

    You know Dasher and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Of course you do! :) Everyone knows Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.  I personally look forward to watching this Christmas special every year and would definitely say that it is one of my favorites.  Earlier today I was trying to think of a Christmas idea to blog about and after a little while I thought of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and wondered where the story of this fun little reindeer who saves Christmas came from.

   Rudolph was created in 1939 by Robert Mays, a copywriter for Montgomery Ward in Chicago. The company wanted to come up with a Christmas pamphlet to hand out to the customers around Christmas time in order to increase the number of people coming to the store and of course to make money.  The store was known to hand out coloring books around this time of year but the pamphlet idea was a way to save money.  Robert Mays had experience with writing children's stories and poems, so this made him the right man for the job!

  Robert Mays decided to write a story about a reindeer that was different from the others and picked on because of his red nose. Before deciding to name the reindeer Rudolph he had considered the names of Rollo and Reginald.  The story was written in couplets and had a poetic feel.  Mays would read the story as he was working on it to his young daughter to make sure that it would appeal to children. The story was really coming together but May's boss was a little worried about Ruldolph having a red nose due to a red nose being associated with drinking.  Mays responded by having a friend draw up a picture of this thought up character.  No one could resist this Christmas character and the story was approved by Mays boss.  2.4 million copies of this story were sold just by the end of 1939 alone!

   The song "Rudolph-the-Red-nosed-Reindeer" was created in 1949 by Robert Mays brother in law, Johnny Marks and was recorded by Gene Autry.  The song sold 2 million copies in the fist year alone.

   The tv show that we all know and love first aired in 1964. Somthing that I was suprised to learn was that the characters Yukon Cornelius (silver and gold guy), Clarice (the girl reindeer with the bow who likes ruldolph), and Hermey (the elf who would like to become a dentist) were all new characters added to the special that were not in the book.  The scenes about the Island of misfit toys as well as the scene where Rudolph rescues his parents and friend from the abominable were also new to this special.

    Although the story may have started out just being a store way of attracting customers, Rudolph is still one of the most popular Christmas specials today that is loved and watched by both kids and adults alike.

Info from:

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/rudolph.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer
http://www.the-north-pole.com/carols/rudolph.html

Picture from:

http://www.hark.com/collections/znwtgyhccd-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer

Dog of the Week: Saluki

    The Saluki is a very graceful medium to large sized dog that weighs around 31 to 60 pounds.  They stand anywhere from 21 to 28 inches off of the ground and have a life expectancy of about 10 to 12 years.  The Saluki is a very long and slim dog.  They have a long and slim face, a long neck, a long and slim body, as well as a long and slim tail.  Saluki's have ears that hang down by the side of their face and large oval shaped eyes. These dogs are pretty similar to grey hounds.  They can come in two coat varieties, either a short coat with long, feathering hair around the ears, legs and tails or a short coat that has no feathering.  They can be a variety of colors including white, fawn, red, black, white, cream, tan, gold or a mixture of colors.
    The saluki is a very old breed of dog that is thought to be related to the Afghan hound and is native to the Turkey area.  In Egypt the Saluki was known as a royal breed and is one of the oldest domesticated breeds known.  The name of the dog derived from an ancient Middle Eastern city that no longer exists.  Salukis were recognized by the AKC in 1927.
    The Saluki is a very active dog and would need an owner willing to put in a fair amount of time training it and who lives an active lifestyle that the dog could be a part of.  These dogs need a large fenced in yard to run around in.  These dogs can run up to 35 miles per hour so it is important to either have them inside the fence or on a leash because they tend to run after things due to hunting instinct and can be hard to catch.  It is also important to make sure the fence is high enough because these dogs are very good at jumping as well and could probably hop over a 5 foot fence.  These dogs can be hard to train but if you have patience and put the time that is necessary in you can have a well trained dog.  These dogs are very gentle and will have a great and loving relationship with their owners.  Being a very active and intelligent dog, the Saluki can do very well at sports like flyball, agility, racing, and tracking. After running around all day the Saluki will love to sleep in their owners bed and are very fond of curling up in the pillows and blankets. Salukis can do well with children and some cats, but are not recommended to be with small rodents again due to their hunting instinct.  These dogs are average shedders and just need the occasional brushing, bath, and ear cleaning.  The Saluki is a very active and sweet dog a nd would make a great addition to an active family.

Info from:
http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/Breeds/saluki.html
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/saluki.htm
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/saluki.html

Picture From:
http://www.greatdogsite.com/photos/gallery/Saluki/?index=7

Animal Crackers

   Everyone probably remembers being a little kids and having our parents hand us a little bright red box of animal crackers to snack on.  The box alone was fun, decorated with bright colored circus animals.  After admiring the animals it would be time to rip the box open (no longer worried about the box, but anticipating what delicious little animal crackers were inside).  You then would reach in and see what animals you had.  Ripping one out you would proudly declare to others around that you had a bear or a camel.  It was now time to bite off the head of the cracker and giggle like all little kids do because they find it funny that they now have a headless animal cracker.  Many memories are made while eating animal crackers. 

 I was curious about how these yummy snacks came to be and I did a little research.  Here is what I found....
  
  Shaping baked goods into little animal shapes was thought to be a popular Christmas tradition in medieval Germany.  These treats would often be used as Christmas decorations and were highly thought of. By the nineteenth century animal shaped cookies started to be produced in factories and were very popular in England. 
    It was also during this time that animal crackers were shipped over to America from England where they were a huge hit and were soon being produced by American bakeries.  The National Biscuit company (known as Nabisco today) was one company that produced these popular treats.  In 1902 animal crackers became known as Barnum's Animal's and then started to take on the circus theme (from the Barnum and Bailey Circus).  It was also during this year that the festive little red boxes were developed, before this they were only sold in the big containers and tins.  These boxes however, were developed to be Christmas ornaments which is why they had a string attached to the top. These small snack size boxes were very popular and as you can tell caught on as they are still sold today, although back then each box was only 5 cents.
   Animal crackers have been a huge hit for many years.  They have featured 54 different animals including the tiger, camel, lion, rhinoceros, giraffe, and most recently the koala.  Over 40 million packages of animal crackers are sold yearly in the United States and 17 other countries.  No one can resist the yummy taste and fun time of eating a box of animal crackers. And who knows maybe they are even still used in some houses as  fun Christmas tree decorations.

Info from:
http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcookies.html#animal
http://www.foodreference.com/html/artanimalcrack.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_cracker#History

Picture from
http://starhilldesignstudio.com/starhillblog/?p=53

Egg Nog

    When a lot of people think of the holidays they may think about the famous drink, egg nog.  A mixture of eggs, sugar, cream, milk, and if chosen an alcoholic beverage that either makes you long for it or wrinkle up your nose in disgust.  I personally am not a fan of egg nog, but I was curious to how it came to be because it is such a unique beverage.  After doing some research here is what I found.....
    It is thought that egg nog originated in Europe and during the 1600's was used to toast to one's good health.  Egg nog was a drink that only high-ranked citizens had the priviege of having because both eggs and milk were very scarce at the time.
  As the drink spread to places all over the world, people from different countries started to make their own variations.  In America, colonists added rum to the drink because it was easily purchased from the Carribean in the triangular trade. American colonists had plenty of eggs and milk and therefore people from all social classes could enjoy it.
  The drink continued to spread across the globe an was modified with different alcohols and even coconut milk in Puerto Rico.  As egg nog spread it became a holiday tradition for many people.
  Now that we know more of the history of egg nog, where did it get its unique name?  In Old English the word "nog" refers to a strong beer.  Colonists in America would also refer to thick drinks as "grog".  Although it is not exactly clear where the name came from these words may of contributed to the name egg nog.
    Egg nog has been around for many years and it continues even today to be a popular holiday drink that still continues to be modified with different flavors and ingredients.

Information from:
http://cocktails.about.com/od/history/p/egng_hstry.htm
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggnog.htm

Picture from:
http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1274

Christmas Cards

    It's that wonderful time of year again.  The time where we all throw on our best Christmas sweaters, the red ones, green ones, snowflake ones, and maybe even ones with reindeers and blinking lights. :) We then all pose in front of the big and beautiful Christmas tree to take a picture that will soon be sent to everyone that we know.  When did people start to send Christmas cards? And why did they send them?  Well, lets find out!
    Christmas cards are over 100 years old and started in England.  A Man named Richard Armour commented to his friend Sir Henry Cole that although he tries to send greetingsto everyone there are so many people to make contact with that it can be hard to talk to everyone, but he felt it was important to tell others to help those in need. Sir Henry Cole agreed and had another man named John Calcott Horsley paint a scene of a happy family and the needs of the poor being met. The cards all said "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You", the first Christmas card was complete. Henry Cole then sent these cards out, and although it is said that he did not send any cards the following year this idea caught on and became popular.
    American's had to import their Christmas cards, which were now becoming more and more designed with Christmas shapes and pop-up figures until 1875.  A German immigrant by the name of Louis Prang opened a lithographic shop and published the first Christmas cards in America. Although his first cards didn't feature a lot of traditional Christmas images, by 1881 he was producing over 5 million Christmas cards a year and they began to be a lot more "Christmasy".
    Even 150 years ago people felt rushed and like they didn't have time to get everything done and tell everyone one things they want to say and so they developed a card to help get this done.  Today, a time that has become even busier these cards still help us to stay in contact with friends and family all over the country.

Info from:
http://www.emotionscards.com/museum/xmas.html

Picture from:
http://www.zazzle.com/christmas_card_merry_christmas-137780764831090480

Breed of the Week: The Chinese Crested

    The Chinese Crested is a toy breed of dog that is usually less than 13 pounds and only stands about 9-13 inches of the ground. The Chinese Crested has a life expectancy of about 15-16 years. These dogs are very slim and find boned with a thin and curved tail.  The Chinese crested can come in two coat varieties.  They can be either hairless, and only have tufts of hair on their heads, tail, and feet, or the can come in the powder puff variety and be fully covered with fur.  The fur of this breed is soft and can grow to long lengths. They can come in a variety of colors and patterns including: white, tan, brown, black, silver, spotted, and many more varieties.
    The Chinese crested is thought to have descended from African-wild dogs. Through trading between merchants and sailors these dogs made their way to cities all around the world.  Chinese sailor's preferred small breeds of dogs and would often sail with the Chinese Crested aboard in hope that these dogs would help to get rid of the rats on the ship. In the 19th century the Chinese Crested started to show up in European art and in the late 1800's they were entered in Dog shows in America.  The Chinese Crested was acknowledged by the AKC in 1991as a toy breed.
    The Chinese Crested is a very playful and curious dog.  They are a pretty active dog that loves to play with toys.  These dogs become attached to their families and love to spend a lot of time with them.  They are very friendly and do well in a family that has children as long as the kids are gentle.  The Chinese Crested is very affectionate and will show a lot of love to its family including a lot of puppy kisses.  These dogs can live in almost any environment from apartment to mansion because of their small size.  They will also do well with a wide age of owners including elderly owners because due to their small size they can burn off most of their energy playing inside.  Being that these dogs are pretty active they do need exercise in the way of playing, walks, or running around inside or outside.  When these dogs are taken outside they need a coat in the winter to keep them warm and a t-shirt in the summer to protect their skin from sunburn.
    Unless you are planning on entering your dog into dog competitions, this breed requires minimal grooming.  It is a light shedder and requires a regular bath (maybe every 1 to 2 weeks) and brushing.  The hairless type may require some lotion and sunblock to keep their skin moisturized and to protect their skin from the sun.  It is important to keep their teeth healthy as well due to the Hairless Crested being born with missing teeth.
    The Chinese Crested is a wonderful companion that will become an important member of your family.


Info from:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/chinese_crested/
http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/Breeds/chinese-crested.html
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/chinese-crested.html
http://www.fetchdog.com/learn-connect/dog-breed-center/c/chinese-crested-dog-hairless/Chinese-Crested-Dog-hairless/D/lcbreedfactcenter/P/1:5:51:503:5271/I/BR00005271?#famous
http://www.jayasdesignercresteds.com/chinesecrested.html

Picture from:
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/chinesecresteds.html

The Story of the Candy Cane

   I love everything about the Christmas season.  I love putting up the tree, baking and frosting cookies, making gingerbread houses, putting up the lights, and yes even the Christmas snow.  I also enjoy the vibrant colors of red and green that you see wherever you go and the symbols of Christmas that you see everywhere that can include: the gingerbread man, the snowman, the manger, the star, pine trees, candy canes, and much much more.  The other day though, I started thinking, "When did these Christmas traditions start?" Well, I decided to find out.  Let's start with the candy cane, a red and white striped candy that can be licked for hours or used to decorate a tree. How did this candy originate and what does it mean? Keep reading to find out.
    The original candy canes started to appear in the seventeenth century around the same time that it became popular to decorate Christmas trees in Europe.  Back then, people often made their own decorations and they often consisted of things like cookies and candies.  These candy canes looked a little different though, as they were straight and solid white.
    It wasn't until 1670 that the candy cane got its hook like shape.  A choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral bent the candies into the shape of a hook to represent the shepherd's staff.  He then passed them out to the Children to keep them from fidgeting during the Living Nativity ceremonies.  After this it became popular to hand these staff shaped candy canes out during church ceremonies.
  In the 1800's using candy canes as Christmas tree decorations became popular in America and it wasn't until the 1920's that the red stripes appeared.
   The candy cane has also become a symbol for the Christian faith.  The hardness of the candy represents God's church being founded on a rock.  The shape of the candy can either represent a "J" for Jesus or a shepherd's staff, showing how Jesus watches over his children, or flock.  The red stripes represent Jesus' blood, and the three small stripes represent either the Holy Trinity or they can represent our small sacrifices in comparison with Jesus' one big sacrifice represented by the big stripe.
  Candy Canes are a great way to celebrate the holiday season.  They taste good, can be used for decoration, and even remind us what Christmas is all about, the birth of our Savior, Jesus.

Info from:
http://www.candycanefacts.com/candy-cane-history/
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2004/cane.html

Picture from:
http://idesigniphone.com/candy-canes

Cat of the week: The Munchkin

    The Munchkin cat was named after the characters in The Wizard of Oz due to having similar characteristics to those characters.  These cats are medium sized, weighing between eight and ten pounds.  They are round with well developed muscles, but are not bulky.  They have thick tails that they proudly hold up while walking and big, wide spaced, round eyes.  Their heads are triangular in shape with rounded features. What these cats are most notable for and named for though are there legs.  A munchkin has very short legs and are often compared to a dashund.  This was caused by a spontaneous mutation in a dominant gene.  These cats also have strong and round paws. There average life span is 9+ years.  The Munchkin can have either short or long hair and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns including black, white, gray, and orange.

    The munchkin was only recently discovered, but sightings of a short legged cat have gone back all the way before World War 2. in 1983 this breed was discovered in Louisiana by a woman named Sandra Hochenedel who was looking for a family pet.
    The munchkin would make a great family pet.  They are playful and cuddly and often keep a "kitten-like" personality.  They do great with kids and other pets.  They are friendly and adventurous and are fun to have around.  They are very gentle and affectionate and love to be their owners friend.  These cats love to play and some even learn to play fetch!  Others can even be trained to walk on a leash.  Although they have short legs, this trait sure doesn't hold them back.  They can run at high speeds, climb, and some can even jump onto counters, although some can't jump as high.  These cats do not require a lot of grooming, just the occasional brushing to keep their fur from forming mats and to get out loose hair.  The Munchkin has a very easygoing personality and would be a great addition to any household.

Info from:
http://www.catsinfo.com/munchkin.html
http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/munchkin-cat.html
http://www.marshu.com/marsh-munchkin-hemingway-cat-breed.php

Picture from:
http://animaldiscovery-chanel.blogspot.com/2011/03/munchkin-cat-beutiful-cats-and-breeds.html

Breed of the Week: The Basenji

    The Basenji is a smaller dog that weighs about 20 to 26 pounds and stands about 15 to 17 inches off of the ground.  They are usually square in shape and have an elegant, athletic look to them.  They have ears that stick straight up in the air and a tail that tightly curls.  Some other characteristics of the basenji are their almond shaped eyes and their wrinkled foreheads.  This dog is often compared to a deer and has a sort of "gallop" for a run.  These dog have a short and silky fur that comes in a variety of different colors and patterns including: red black, brindle, white or a mixture of these colors.

    The Basenji is one of the oldest breeds of dogs and originated in central Africa. Dogs similar to the Basenji, sharing the characteristics of pointed ears and curly tails, have been seen as statues in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and date back thousands of years.  These dogs were originally used to hunt for small game.  They would chase the animal into a net for their masters.  it wasn't until the 1930's that this breed was brought to first Europe and then to America due to disease preventing them from coming over at earlier times. The basenji was first recognized by the AKC in 1943.

    The Basenji is a wonderful breed of dog.  They are a proud and playful dog. They are also very intelligent and may try to outsmart you while playing.  This would be a good breed of dog if you have a good amount of time for them because they like to have their owners attention. They tend to be more independent than a lot of other breeds though.  These dogs can be stubborn but can also be trained with a little patience.  The Basenji is known to have a lot of energy so it is very important to exercise them daily by playing with them and taking them for walks.  These dogs are very athletic and would do well in a family with an active lifestyle.  Being that they are athletic they do well in things like agility courses and tracking.  They do need to be either on a leash or in a fenced in area when outside because they do have the instinct to chase.  The Basenji tends to be a quieter breed, but they can be loud when they want to be. They are also an affectionate breed and love their families and can be protective of them.  They can be wary of strangers though, so it is important to socialize them at a young age.  Most Basenji's do well with children as long as they are gentle with them.  They also do well with most other pets and would probably enjoy a companion. This breed sheds and average amount and an occasional brushing can help to cut down on loose hair.  Basenji's can be a little tricky to train, but overall they are great companions and would make a great friend!
   
Info from:
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/basenji.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basenji#History
http://www.trainpetdog.com/Basenji/about-basenji.html

Picture from:
http://dog.blog.abc101.com/dog-breeds/a-basenji/e

Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!

  When you think of America you get the visuals of apple pie, hot dogs, and hamburgers; but what about the peanut butter and jelly sandwich?  Every American has shared the experience of this yummy treat that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just a snack.  It's delicious nutritious, and quick, making it great for the busy family.  They've bitten into that gooey mix of bread, peanut butter, and either grape or strawberry jelly.  They have all experienced the jelly squirting out the other side of that first delicious bite, and they have all had the experience of a glob of gooey and delicious peanut butter sticking to the roof of their mouth.  These sandwiches are staple for people of all ages, but how did this treat become so popular?   

    Let's start with peanut butter.  The history of crushing peanuts goes far back, but in 1880 a physician by the name of Dr. Ambrose W. Staub crushed peanuts into a paste for his geriatric patients that had poor teeth and could not chew on tough meat. 

In 1893 Dr. Staub brought his new creation to the Chicago World fair, where it started to gain some popularity.  In 1903 Dr. Staub received a patent for a mill to crush peanuts and he urged a food company by the name of Bayle Food Products in St. Louis, Missouri to process this paste, and he claimed it would be a healthy protein alternative for people who could not eat meat due to bad teeth.  Bayle Food Products took Dr. Staub up on his idea and purchased the rights to his product.  This was the first vendor of what we now call peanut butter.  After the company took peanut butter to the Saint Louis world fair in 1904 it became a huge success, made a lot of money and grocers everywhere began to sell this product.  By the 1920's commercial peanut butter brands were starting to be seen as peanut butter became more and more popular.

    The next step for this delicious treat came during World War 2.  Peanut butter and jelly were both on the ration list during the war.  Peanut butter was a great alternative for protein for the soldiers and they would add jelly to make it more tasty.  This became very popular and the profit from both peanut butter and jelly increased greatly when the soldiers returned home. This was what became the peanut butter and jelly sandwich  Also, during this time peanut butter was cheap for families to buy and was not rationed, making it a popular staple among families.    

Info from:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Sandwiches/PeanutButterJellySandwich.htmm:

Picture from:
http://theobservedblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/frozen-peanut-butter-and-jelly.html

Cat of the Week: The Manx

http://www.catencylopedia.com/MANXCAT.htm

    Now, if you were to ask most cats, this is of course if cats could actually talk, what one of their biggest pet peeves is they would probably answer that they hate it when little kids or dogs yank on their tail.  I mean the tail of a cat isn't a lever, it has feeling and it probably isn't very comfortable to have it tugged at.  Most cats cannot control there tail not being pulled on very easily but there is one breed that can because it is tailless.
    The Manx is a stocky and rounded cat that weighes about 8 to 12 pounds. These cats have a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years. The Manx has a rounded head as well as rounded cheeks, paws, and eyes that can be the colors of blue, green, or copper.  These cats can have either long or shorthair and come in various colors including red, blue(a grayish tone), cream, brown, black, and white.  They can be either solid in color or can portray a variety of patterns including a calico pattern.  Probably the most noticeable feature of this cat would be its lack of a tail.  This trait is caused by a dominant gene.  There are some Manx's though that have a stump for a tail, or even a full tail.
    The Manx originated in the Isle of Man, which is located off of the coast of Great Britain.  They descended from the British Shorthair .  The lack of a tail was due to a mutation that caused the cat not to develop the bottom vertebrae that creates the tail.  Due to no outside breeding for many years and it being a dominate trait this characteristic became common among these cats.  Because of this "funny" trait there are many myths out there about the origin of this cat including one that says that the cat's tail was cut off when Noah closed the door to the Arc.
    These cats are very mellow and friendly and will love to cuddle.  They are often compared to dogs because of their love to follow their owners around and because of other dog-like characteristics like fetching and burying toys.  They even can be trained to go outside on leashes sometimes. If you are thinking of adopting a Manx be sure this is the cat you want because they develop a bond with their owners and do not always do well if they are given up and put in another home.  These cats can be very playful and love to jump around.  The Manx is a curious cat and will like to investigate and see what you are doing.  These cats do great with children because of their good temperament, but some older Manxes may prefer to have a quieter house.  These cats are very smart and purr a lot.  They don't need an excessive amount of grooming, but may occasionally need a brushing to remove loose fur and to cut down on shedding.   If you want a friendly, playful, and curious cat this may just be the breed for you!

Info from:
http://www.catsplay.com/thedailycat/2003-06-09/facts_briefs/brief_manx/brief_manx.html
http://www.catfacts.org/manx-cat-facts.htm
http://www.petmd.com/cat/pet_lover/MM_5_funfacts_manx_cat
http://fanciers.com/breed-faqs/manx-faq.html#temperament
http://catfactsparadise.blogspot.com/2008/08/manx-cat-breed.html

Trick or Treat!

   When you hear the phrase Trick or treat you probably think of things like: "Wow it's almost Halloween, the year went fast." Or "I can't wait to put on my costume and eat lots of candy!" or maybe even, "Darn it! I forgot to buy candy!"  What ever comes to mind when you hear that phrase, we all know that it is Halloween time.  A time when young, and probably even not so young kids dress up in scary, funny, or cute costumes of animals, ghosts, and the latest movie characters and go door to door ringing the doorbells and repeating for the hundredth time that famous phrase of, "trick or treat!" in exchange for delicious sweets that will later be feasted upon resulting in a sugar rush, stomach ache and a hard crash.  We all, young and old, have enjoyed this day of the year.  But have you ever thought of when or where trick or treating started, and maybe even why it started? Well, lets explore the tradition a little and find out!

    Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated by numerous countries all around the world. The world Halloween actually translates to "all hallows day", meaning "all saints day" which is what I guess you could call a type of "Halloween" observed in countries like Mexico.  It is a catholic tradition that honors saints on the 1st of November.  October 31st came into play because the Celtic, Ireland summer officially ended on that date and marked the Celtic New Year. 

    There are many thoughts to the actual origin of trick or treating but one thought is that it dates back to a ninth century tradition in Europe referred to as "souling." Christian beggars would travel door to door and beg for soul cakes, pieces of bread made with currants, and in exchange for the bread would say prayers for the givers dead relatives. In that time it was thought that those prayers may help a family member obtain passage to Heaven.
    Another theory is that during Samhain (Celtic New Year) druids feared that the dead would play tricks on people, so the citizens of the town would give food to the druids in order to please the dead and avoid the terrible tricks.
    Over time idea of trick or treating has evolved and in the 1930's it was introduced to the United States.  It was not super popular among adults at first, but being that its been around for over 70 years now, the ideas seems to have caught on.

Info From:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/trick-or-treat.html
http://vygotsky.ced.appstate.edu/all_about_me/Halloween/History%20of%20Trick%20Or%20Treating.htm
http://www.halloweenishere.com/history.html

Picture From:
http://www.savingwithshellie.com/2011/10/07/halloween-candy-coupons/

Breed of the Week: The Great Dane



http://novathedane.blogspot.com/p/great-dane-info.html

    When you hear the name Great Dane I'm guessing that two particular dogs comes to mind, Marmaduke; the big and funny dog in the comic strip drawn by Brad Anderson and Scooby Doo; the Great Dane who loves Scooby snacks from the popular mystery show that was created by the Hanna-Barbara production studios in 1969.  We all love that classic comic and show, so let's take a deeper look at the Great Dane.
    Just like Marmaduke and Scooby Doo, the Great Dane is gigantic. They can be anywhere from 100 to 120 pounds and stand about 28 to 32 inches off of the ground.   The Great Dane has an average life span of about 8 to 10 years.  They have a short, thick, and glossy coat that can come in a wide variety of colors and patterns including black, fawn, blue, brindle, and harlequin, which is white fur with black splotches.  Great Danes have long bodies, and long faces with rectangular muzzles. They also have high set, medium sized ears that hang forward unless cropped.
    Dogs resembling the Great Dane have been thought to date back all the way to B.C. times.  They are a mix of the Bull Mastiff, the Greyhound, and the Wolfhound breeds.  They were known for their strength, as well as for their hunting and guarding abilities. The Great Dane breed was first recognized in 1887.
    Great Danes are giant teddy bears. They are a gentle breed of dog and would make wonderful companions.  Great Danes are very friendly and do very well with children. Although, it is important to watch them around young children, not because of their temperament, but because of the huge size difference between the child and the dog.  Great Danes want to please their owners and love being their friends.  The Great Dane can be playful, but surprisingly will do well in almost any home; including apartments.  The important part is just to make sure to give them their daily exercise like a walk.
Great Danes are not huge barkers and are pretty easy to housetrain.  They are average shedders and a brushing every once in a while may help to take out the loose hair.  The only challenging part of grooming a Great Dane is giving them their baths due to their size.  Overall, the Great Dane is an extremely friendly and gentle dog that would make a great pet and companion.

Info from:
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/great-dane.html
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatdane.htm
http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/1100130/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanna-Barbera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo

Cat of the Week: The Scottish Fold



  The Scottish fold is medium sized cat that is rather round.  They can be anywhere from 6 to 13 pounds and generally live 12 to 14 years.  They have large and round wide spaced eyes that can be blue, green, or gold.  Scottish Folds can have either long or short hair and can come in the colors of white, lavender, chocolate, or a mixture of these colors.  The most notable characteristic of this type of cat is its ears.  They are small and folded over flat against its head. The folded ears are caused by an incomplete dominant gene and it must be present in one of the parent cats to pass on to its offspring.  Kittens are actually born with straight ears and a couple weeks after birth the ears either fold or they stay straight.

    The Scottish Fold was discovered in 1961 by a shepherd named William Ross in the Tayside region of Scotland.  The breed was first called a lops because they resembled the lop-eared rabbit, but the name was changed in 1966 to Scottish Fold after the place of their origin.  These cats were first brought to the United States in the early 1970's and were registered by the Cat fanciers association.

    The Scottish Fold makes a wonderful pet.  They adjust well to other pets and do great with children.  They are very sweet and love to be around their families.  Scottish Folds have a tiny little meow and are not known to be extremely vocal.  They are a calm cat that would do well in almost any household.  The Scottish Fold does shed some, but like most breeds an occasional brushing can help remove some of the loose hair.  If you are looking for a friendly cat that would do well in a house full of animals or children then the Scottish Fold is definitely the cat for you.

Info from:
http://www.catsplay.com/thedailycat/2003-03-10/facts_briefs/brief_scotfold/brief_scotfold.html
http://www.kinrossfolds.com/cattery/sffacts.html
http://www.pluspets.com/cats/cat-breeds/scottish-fold.aspx
Picture From:
http://beautiful-catpictures.blogspot.com/2010/01/scottish-fold-cat-breed-photos.html

Crazy for Chocoate Chip Cookies!





 When you want a cookie, there are so many types to choose from. You could have a sugar cookie, a peanut butter, a m+m cookie, or...so many more different types of cookies that you can't even name them all. Out of all of the cookies in the world I feel that you just can't go wrong with a good old homemade chocolate chip cookie.  I would have to say that personally these are my favorite types of cookies, especially when they are warm and fresh out of the oven.  They are ooey and gooey and melt in your, with warm, soft chocolate chips that melt in your mouth. It is like taking a small bite of heaven and it is impossible to only eat one. Have you ever wondered though how these delicious cookies came to be? Who made them and how did they think of the idea? Well, I went on the internet and did a little research to find out.

  It all started with a woman named Ruth Graves Wakefield.  She graduated from college in 1924 and became a dietician.  Some time later She and her husband purchased and ran a tourist lodge that was called the Toll House Inn.  Ruth became known for the delicious desserts she made and one of her favorite ones to make were Butter Drop Do cookies.  One day when Ruth was baking a batch of Butter Drop Do cookies and she realized that she was missing baker's chocolate and it was needed for the recipe.  She decided to substitute the ingredient with a semi sweet chocolate bar that she broke up into little pieces. The chocolate bar happened to be made by another famous person in the food industry, Andrew Nestle who owned the Nestle Chocolate company.  When Ruth went to bake the cookies she found that the chocolate pieces did not melt into the cookie, but only became softened and warm.  These cookies became a hit at the inn though and eventually led to Andrew Nestle and Ruth Wakefield making a deal. Mr. Nestle would print the recipe on the back of the chocolate packaging and in return Ruth was given a lifetime supply of chocolate.  this is how the nestle Toll house cookie that we still love and eat today came to be.  One of the best cookies in the world was a total accident, but probably one of the most delicious accidents to ever happen.

Info from:
http://inventors.about.com/od/wstartinventors/a/Chocolate_Chip.htm
Picture From:
http://kitchen-goddess.yumsugar.com/Original-NESTL-TOLL-HOUSE-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-2691185

Breed of the Week: The Saint Bernard



http://www.pluspets.net/saint-bernard-wonderful-pet/

     Everyone has probably heard of the big dog named Beethoven. He is the large, cute, clumsy, and lovable dog on the big screen; but, it may surprise you that this dog was not bred to be a movie star.  According to http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/Breeds/st-bernard.html, the Saint Bernard is originally descended from ancient Roman Molassion war dogs and guided the soldiers on their invasion of the Alps.  Over time these dogs were crossed with the Swiss dog and walla! The Saint Bernard was created.  But, still not to be a movie star.  These dogs were used to haul heavy carts, herd and guard. One of the most important jobs of the Saint Bernard was to rescue people on the dangerous pass connecting Switzerland to Italy.  It even gets its name from the refuge on the mountain called the Hospice of the Great Saint Bernard Pass.  Saint Bernards have a wonderful sense of smell and could smell people stuck under many feet of snow.  These dogs are very talented and have saved many lives.  In the 19th century these dogs were shipped to countries in Europe and to the United States and that is when it became a family dog and eventually a movie star.
   These dogs are gigantic and can weigh anywhere from 110 to 200 pounds! They are very muscular, making them a very strong dog.  They have large heads with shorter and wider muzzles.  They usually have a big black nose and dark brown eyes. They have droopy ears, big paws, and a large thick tail.  They can have either a long or short coat that comes in variety of colors including white with, tan, red, mahogany, brindle, black or a mixture of these colors.
    The Saint Bernard makes a great family dog.  They are wonderful with children and are very gentle.  They do well with other pets and usually just ignore cats.  These dogs can be harder to train due to them being more independent so it is important to start training early because you don't want such a big dog forming bad habits.  Although they can be hard to train, housetraining usually is fast and easy which definitely is a plus.  These dogs are very loyal and will become protective of their families. They love being part of the family and will want to be included in all of the activities and to be close to you. These dogs do need both physical and mental exercise to keep them healthy and from getting bored, although they don't always want to exercise.  In order to make it fun for them it is important to include yourself in their exercise by either walking them or playing with them.  These dogs do shed a lot and do drool but you can minimize some of the shedding by brushing them often. The Saint Bernard is also sensitive to the heat, but do okay in the cold so it is important to be careful when they are out in the hot sun to make sure they don't get overheated.  Saint Bernards are fun, lovable, and even movie stars and will make a great addition to any family that will love a gigantic dog with a gigantic heart.

Info from:
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/saint-bernard.html
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/saintbernard.htm
http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/Breeds/st-bernard.html

Cat of the Week:



http://www.cat-rescue.org/siamese-cat-photos/



    The Siamese cat is one of the oldest breeds of cat.  They are famous for their roles in Disney movies like That Darn Cat and in Lady and the Tramp singing we are Siamese.  The Siamese cat is a medium sized cat with a long, sleek body and matching long tail. They have short hair, angular faces, and typically have blue eyes.  They have light colored fur that darkens on the ears, face, paws, and tail.  They have an average lifespan of fifteen or more years.

   The Siamese cat originated in Siam (present day Thailand) and were thought to be very sacred.  Siamese kittens would be given as gifts and that was considered to be a great honor.  The Siamese cat was first exported towards the end of the nineteenth century.

    The Siamese cat is known to be a very noisy cat and will definitely state their opinion.  These cats love to be around people and will become very close to their owners.  It is important that if you want a Siamese cat that you make sure to have enough time to give them. If you work quite a bit maybe consider getting two cats so that they have a companion to play with during the day.  The Siamese cat is a very smart cat and also needs to be kept mentally occupied with toys so that it doesn't get bored.  These cats are very social and will love laying your lap and cuddling with you.  They don't shed very much and they require little to no grooming. Although it is not a necessity Siamese cats may still enjoy a good brushing every once in a while.  So if your looking for a cat that is playful and compassionate then I think that the Siamese might just be the cat for you.

Info from:
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Facts_About_Siamese_Cats
http://meow-cats.com/siamese-cat/
http://www.catsinfo.com/siamese.html
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/Siamese.htm

Why You Should Play Tennis!

   Tennis is one of my favorite sports and I play it a lot.  It is a fun sport and can benefit you in many ways.  Before I get to why I think you should play tennis though let's first define the game of tennis.  Tennis is a racquet sport that uses a light weight ball. The players stand on either side of the net and the goal of the game is to hit the ball back and forth and to score a point against the other player or players.  The scoring is pretty easy it goes love-15-30-40-game.  If the score gets tied 40-40 you play a point called a deuce.  Either the player who scores the next point wins or you can play advantages and then the player has to win by two points.  There are three main types of hits in tennis. The forehand, the backhand, and the serve.  All of them take practice but the serve is probably what takes the most work.  The player who is serving serves the whole game and then the other player serves the next game. Usually you play a set of games like first to five for instance. Tennis can be played in singles and doubles.  The rules are pretty much the same for both types of play except the boundaries change slightly.
   Okay so now that we are on the same page about the game I will tell you why I think you should play it.  First of all it is a really fun sport to play, especially if you play with your family and friends.  Most of the time you will end up laughing through the majority of the game. It is also a great way to stay fit and healthy. Tennis is a sport that you can play for the majority of your life.  It's not a contact sport so it is not as hard on your bones and joints.  Another reason that I think you should take up tennis is because you always can improve.  You can learn new hits, become more accurate in your hits, speed up your hits, and improve your hits and strokes.  You feel really good when you accomplish a goal and improve.  One more reason that tennis is a great sport is that when playing doubles you play with another player on your side and you can make a lot of new friends.
Tennis is a lot of fun and I definitely think that you should give it a try!

Picture from: http://melindahinsonneely.com/blog/fitness/for-the-love-of-tennis-make-exercise-social/