Coffee Break with Liz and Kate » Betcha didn’t know…
Betcha Didn’t Know – about “Auld Lang Syne”
Print“Auld Lang Syne” is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700′s, it was first published in 1796 after Burns’ death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, “Auld Lang Syne” literally means … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – Celebrating the New Year is the oldest of holidays
PrintThe celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – about the first Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
PrintThe first rooftop celebration atop One Times Square, complete with a fireworks display, took place in 1904. The New York Times produced this event to inaugurate its new headquarters in Times Square and celebrate the renaming of Longacre Square to Times Square. The first Ball Lowering celebration atop One Times Square was held on December 31, 1907 and is now a worldwide symbol of the turn of the New Year, … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – these surprising uses for coffee filters: Tip 3
PrintBetcha didn’t know… this surprising use for a coffee filter. Use it to line a flower pot. Place a coffee filter in the bottom of a flowerpot before adding the dirt and plant. The porous paper allows water to drain without allowing nutrient rich soil to leak out the hole. Print … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – these surprising uses for coffee filters: Tip 1
PrintBetcha Didn’t know… this surprising use for a coffee filter! Shine your mirrors. A cheaper alternative to paper towels, coffee filters clean glass surfaces without leaving lint or streaks behind. Tomorrow…Tip 2. Print … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – these surprising uses for coffee filters: Tip 2
PrintBetcha didn’t know… this surprising use for a coffee filter – as a way to protect your china. Before stacking your good plates and bowls, slide a coffee filter between each piece. The layer provides a cushion that protects porcelain from scratches and marks. Print … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – Where Santa’s Village is
PrintYes, Santa Claus really does exist — and he lives in Rovaniemi, Finland! At Santa’s Village, you can visit Santa in his workshop and watch his trusty elves building toys and decorating for the holidays. You can also stop by one of the gift shops and pick up Santa’s favorite Finnish candies or a toy from Santa’s workshop. Apparently there is even a webcam set up to keep tabs on happenings at Santa’s Village. In keeping with … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – how to feel less tired with peppermint
PrintBetcha didn’t know… how peppermint can make you feel less tired. The scent of mint increases activity in the area of the brain responsible for alertness and arousal, says Brian Raudenbush, Ph.D. In fact, research shows it can even reduce driver fatigue and car accidents. A study at the University of Cincinnati found that volunteers who did a task requiring mental acuity finished faster in a peppermint-scented room, and other studies have found peppermint can make … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – about Bananagrams
PrintBetcha didn’t know… about this season’s hottest new game, Bananagrams. “This is one of the hottest games on the market right now,” reveals Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of Time To Play Magazine. “The object is to make your own crossword as fast as you can. It comes with a banana-shaped pouch, so it’s perfect for traveling, and there are different handicap levels, so it’s great for everyone.” Here’s an article about the beginnings of the Bananagram game… “Had a … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – how to prevent your car door from freezing shut
PrintBetcha didn’t know… how to prevent your car doors from freezing shut using cooking spray. Spray cooking spray on the rubber seals around car doors and rub i in with a paper towel, “Doors freeze when snow melts into the seals during the day, and then freezes at night,” says Robert Sinclair Jr. of AAA, The oils in the cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber in the first place. * Add your comment to … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – This tip for getting your car unstuck
PrintBetcha didn’t know… this tip for getting your car unstuck from the snow. Use your floor mat! You’ve probably heard you should keep a bag of kitty litter or sand in your trunk to use for traction should you find yourself stuck in the ice or snow. Don’t panic if you forgot to buy some says Amy Marentic, Ford car expert. “Just turn off the car and stick the RUBBER side of the floor mat under … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – this trick for de-icing your frozen car lock
PrintBetcha didn’t know… this trick for de-icing your car door lock. Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key and the lock to solve the problem. Why does this work? Because hand sanitizers contain alcohol, the main ingredient in most commercial de-icers. Just make sure to use a hand sanitizer that’s 60% alcohol. Sanitizers with less alcohol than that won’t work (and guess what:They won’t sanitize you hand, either!) Print … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – where your kids can eat for free
PrintBetcha didn’t know… where kids can eat for free. Head to Applebee’s, where kids 12 and under get a free meal and drink on Mondays. And at Denny’s, kids 10 and under eat free every Tuesday night with a paying adult. At Love Star Steakhouse, kids under 12 eat free on Tuesdays, as well. For other free offers in your area, check out these websites… MyKidsEatFree.com MommySavers.com KidsEatFree.com It’s always a good idea to call the restaurant before you go … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – this fun way to relieve Holiday stress with Bubble Wrap!
PrintBetcha didn’t know… this fun way to relieve holiday stress. Received any packages full of fragile items? Don’t throw the protective bubble wrap away. Squeezing the bubbles and hearing that “pop” lowers stress hormones by giving you something to focus on other than your to-do list. No wonder it’s proven to make people feel calmer and more alert. No bubble wrap around? Get the same satisfaction online at Virtual-BubbleWrap.com. Add a comment to this, or any post, … Read entire article »
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Betcha Didn’t Know – how to get on a reality TV show
PrintBetcha didn’t know… how to get on a reality TV show. Dreaming of a head to toe make-over? Eager to compete on a cooking show? Looking for love? Reality TV shows are looking for you. Scroll through the hundreds of Casting calls at RealityTVCastingCall.com to find the show that could change your life. Add a comment to this, or any post, and be automatically entered in this week’s giveaway. Enjoy your Coffee Break! Print … Read entire article »
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