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“New Year, New Me!” We’ve all heard it before, and many of us have attempted to follow through.  It can be hard to commit to a new routine and pattern, but with a little flexibility, reasonable expectations, and attainable goals?  We certainly do believe you can do it!   There’s nothing wrong with a list of reasonable resolutions, especially when they’re centered on car maintenance.   This year, why not set your goals to a small but manageable list of achievements? This will save you plenty of time and money in the long run, and certainly in the new year of 2023!  Let’s work together and keep your vehicle in tip-top shape and safe on the road with these great resolutions for car owners. Check and Change Your Oil Regularly. You should be checking your car’s oil levels monthly, and scheduling routine oil changes at your mechanic. You should change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but check the levels more frequently than that. Cease Your Penchant for Distracted Driving. Distracted Driving isn’t just about texting behind the wheel!  All sorts of things can take your attention away from the road where it belongs, and in just a moment it can change everything!  Make a goal to reduce your desires to pick up your phone, look at an app, post to social media, put on makeup or do your hair, or reach and turn behind you for something. Learn How to Change a Tire. If you don’t have a membership to AAA or your insurance doesn’t cover roadside assistance, this can be the best “trick” you’ll ever learn as a car owner. Check out this video from Bridgestone Tires for an easy lesson, or ask your local mechanic or car-enthusiast friend to show you how.  Remember to engage the parking brake for safety.  Make sure you have a spare tire, tire iron, and tire repair kit in your vehicle at all times! Learn How to Jump Start Your Vehicle. This skill is absolutely vital especially in extreme weather circumstances!  The last thing you want to deal with is being stranded due to a faulty or weak/dead battery, and attempting to learn this on the fly in the blazing heat of summer or frigid icy winter.  At the very least, remember: Red = Positive, Black = Negative.  It’s also a good idea to get a portable car battery charger in case there are not any other vehicles around, and also in case of emergency during the pandemic. Here’s an easy video lesson! Reduce Clutter and Keep Your Vehicle Clean both inside and out. We’ve all been there! You’re on the road and stop for coffee...only to realise the old one is still in your cupholder. “I’ll throw it away later” you say as you fling it into the abyss of the backseat never to be seen again.  Get on out there and tidy up that interior, right now! Throw out your old receipts from the gas station or convenience store.  Toss old or expired gift cards.  Get rid of the gunky latte cups and half-drank water bottles. Then wipe down and disinfect your car and give it a nice vacuuming!  Going into the new year, make it a resolution and a new habit to bring in a bag of trash with you each time you leave your car. Organize your vehicle’s paperwork in a safe place. Go through the glove box and center console, and make sure all of your car paperwork is in order. Request duplicate copies of your insurance and registration cards (keep one set in the car,  one in your wallet, and one in a lockbox/safe in your home.)  Make sure to log and organize your car maintenance records as well; it’s important to know the history of your car care for future reference or when selling your car to a new owner.

The holidays can be very stressful, busy, and a touch overwhelming. And for a break in all of that, we’d like to extend our heartfelt merry wishes for a glorious Festivus!  This low-pressure holiday is the perfect antidote to your woes and worries, so feel free to kick back, relax, and enjoy Festivus with the rest of us. (image from Seinfeld TV series) If you’re new to the Festivus Celebration, don’t despair!  In just 5 Easy Steps you’ll be top Festivus Host. Acquire a Festivus Pole and decorate: Look around your home and find an aluminum pole of any size or length.  It cannot be made of any other material, according to holiday founder Frank Costanza.   It’s best to keep it as non-commercial as possible, and thus upcycling is preferred.  The pole itself should remain undecorated, but you should place it in a central viewing area.  Non-commercialism is the center of this holiday, but if you don’t have any aluminum poles lying about you can get one from FestivusPoles.com Assemble and Prepare a Festivus Dinner. Now it’s time to plan the meal! The true centerpiece of any Festivus celebration is a no-nonsense Meatloaf served on a bed of iceberg lettuce.  Just before serving your big meal, remember to place a clock inside of a bag and nail it to the wall.  Place the dinner on the table and invite all of your guests to sit down.  Not sure how to make a festivus worthy meatloaf? Try any of these suggested recipes below: Salted Soft Pretzels Turkey Chili, Crab Bisque, or Mulligatawny Soup Lettuce Wedge Salad with Large Cherry Tomatoes, and thick Carrot ribbons with your favourite choice dressing. Beef-a-Roni from a can, or a homemade Beefaroni Dupe Chocolate Babka and Cinnamon Babka Black and White Cookies Easy, No-Fuss Turkey Lettuce Wrapped Meatloaf Burgers Grilled Beef Lettuce Wraps Air your grievances. Before you start digging into your Miracle Meatloaf of choice, you must force all of your guests into listening to how they’ve failed and disappointed you.  This is a key ritual to the festivities, so make sure you really lay it all bare! Display and Participate in the Feats of Strength. This is the last and final Festivus tradition, and occurs immediately following the Festivus feast (although some do start during the meal as it winds down.  The head of the household chooses one Festivus guest, and challenges them to a wrestling match and test of strength.  The head of household must be pinned by other family members, the honor of which is given to someone seated at the main table.  Festivities do not end until the host is pinned, so choose wisely! A true Festivus celebration is not complete until the host has been pinned to the floor in a fair match. List all slightly non-routine events as celebrated Festivus Miracles. Now is the time to loudly proclaim all slightly-above-average events in your daily life as Festivus Miracles, such as “bringing in all grocery bags on one arm” or “walking up the stairs by only stepping on the first and last ones” etc.  These menial moments are now sacred and important. Raise your glass and toast a Festivus Cocktai l to these mind-blowing moments of humanity. Move over Martha Stewart, we’ve got some new Master Festivus Party Planners in town. Gather your friends together and relax for a stress-free evening of cheer and laughter with the Festivus board game. This silly board game requires you to generate your own Feats of Strength and Airing of Grievances for an interactive and endlessly entertaining experience.  The great thing about such a personalized option is that you’ll never play this the same way twice! Skip the overzealous decor of traditional holiday events, and opt instead for this low-key Festivus Pole. This hilarious gift set would be perfect for a “White Elephant” option.  Includes 4 audio clips from the famous Seinfeld episode for additional laughs. This Festivus ugly sweater ornament is the perfect cheeky decoration, and fit for any home whether you choose to adorn your Festivus Pole, Chanukah Bush, or Christmas Tree. Welcome guests to your Festivus Shindig with this glittery, cheerful banner! Wear Your Finest Festivus Sweater Festivus For the Rest of Us Aluminum Pole Sweater Seinfeld Aesthetic Festivus Sweater Festivus Pole and Feats of Strength Ugly Sweatshirt Festivus Ugly Sweater Sweatshirt with Frank

The winter solstice is fast approaching, and seasonal celebrations like Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah are almost upon us. Today, we’re sharing some yuletide and winter themed treats and traditions you can share with your friends and family! The Winter Solstice, also known as midwinter, happens when one of the Earth’s poles is at its furthest point of tilt from the sun.  Festivals celebrating the occurrence center around celebrating with friends and family and loved ones, enjoying feasts and banquets, lots of singing and dancing, and bonfire fun!  It marks the lengthening of days and the shortening of nights, as well.  It has many names around the globe including Midwinter, Yule, Longest Night, and Jol.  Learn more about different global solstice celebrations here. Celebrate The Winter Solstice with These Wintertime Traditions and Rituals Create a Yule Altar - A Yule Altar is created to welcome the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. To create one, you’ll need golden, silver, or yellow candles to symbolize the sun.  Gather items that represent the winter season: pinecones, evergreen branches, pieces of cedarwood.  You’ll want to burn some sage or sweetgrass to cleanse the altar with positive intentions. Burn a Yule Log in the Fireplace or a Fire Pit or queue up a digital one - Historically, Nordic tradition was to burn a whole tree across 12 days leading up to Christmas.  Since that’s not exactly sanctioned by apartment management or condo associations (and definitely not feasible for modern hearths) the Yule Log is a popular alternative.  If you don’t have a woodburning stove/fireplace in your home, you can always cue up the digital version on Netflix (in regular or birchwood options!)  Don’t have a Netflix account? You can always bake and serve a Yule Log cake instead. Take Some Time to Meditate - Since this is the longest night of the year, set aside some time to meditate and so some soul searching. Reflect on the quiet and peace that blanket the world on snowy evenings.  Think about your goals for the upcoming year, and how you can grow as a person and focus on propelling yourself forward towards your goals.  Reminisce about the past year, and what you would like to accomplish in the new year as the world begins to thaw and usher in Spring.  Focus on being more present instead of “productivity” and how you can connect with your peers, loved ones, and yourself within your own space. Create Salt-Dough memory ornaments as a family and gift to loved ones - We love making memories together as a family, and that includes creating seasonal Salt Dough ornaments for the tree!  Whether you’re using a gluten-free salt dough recipe or the traditional kind of salt dough, it’s a lovely group activity for a cozy weekend at home. Make some holiday decorations using natural elements: Make some Orange Pomanders with your family.  Take small, firm oranges and whole cloves to create this craft.  You may use a sharp knife or citrus zester to create patterns on the orange skin (save the peel for your wassail or baking!)  Poke the cloves into the orange in pretty patterns (you can use a toothpick or chopstick to pre-make the holes for little ones! Read a Wintry Theme Book with Family and Friends -  We recommend these titles to start: “The Mitten” by Jan Brett; “The Winter Solstice” by Ellen Jackson; “The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice” by Carolyn McVickar Edwards; “The Solstice Badger” by Robin McFadden; “The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice” by Wendy Pfefer and Jesse Reisch, The Lights That Dance in the Night by Yuval Zommer; Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story by Sean Taylor and Alex Morss with Cinyee Chiu; Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper with Kenard Park

We’re very interested in cars no matter the reason, but when it comes to fun car gadgets we love gifting them for the holiday season!  Check out our fantastic collection of gift ideas from wearables to gadgets to decor.  There’s sure to be something on this list for every car enthusiast in your life no matter their age or experience. Check it out!  We’ve got wearables and useables all on today’s gift guide. Great Gearhead Gadgets Personalized Garage Signs, $40-$100 These custom made garage signs can be personalized with any names, and have a variety of colors to choose from.  Great gift for every day decor or the workshop! Bluetooth OBDII for iPhone and Android, $119.95 This tiny little tool has unlimited potential.  This scanning tool can help you understand the ins-and-outs of your car without the expensive price tag, and all the convenience of smartphone accessibilities.  Great for the fixit-friend in your gift circle. Magnetic Wrist-Sized Tool Belt, $25 This magnetic wrist sized toolbelt is great for those who don’t have a shop assistant on hand in the home garage.  Never lose your essential bits and bobs again!  Choose from a variety of color options. Portable NOCO Boost Plus Jump Starter $99 This portable battery booster is a convenient, pocket sized portable jump start kit. It’s an indispensable part of any driver’s emergency car kit. Craftsman Home Tool & Mechanic’s Tool Kit 57pcs, $45.00 This kit is a steal and its 57 pieces cost less than $1 per each, but it’s an invaluable part of any budding mechanic’s kit!  Craftsman is a name you can trust with valued industry experience.  They’re durable, convenient, accessible, and portable. Mechanic’s Scrub, $16 This all natural handmade scrub is perfect for lifting grit and grime off skin after an intense fix-it session.  Removes dirt, staining, and other nasty gunk from the skin without causing damage.  Comes in a choice of scents. Wear Your Passion For Cars on Your Sleeve Fingerless Leather Driving Gloves from The Outlierman, $226.37 Sleek. Sophisticated. Stylish. Top of the line in gift giving for someone special! Riparo Men’s Genuine Leather Full Finger Riding Gloves, $59.96-129.97 Slightly less expensive than the previously mentioned gloves, but still snazzy Heavy Duty Synthetic Mechanic’s Gloves, $14.43-$29.73 Perfect for those who love to do the work and get hands-on in the garage, and rough, tough, and messy instead of hitting the road with a set of fancy driving gloves. Eat Sleep Drive Repeat Short-Sleeve Tee, $24 Got a passionate gearhead in your midst who eats, sleeps, and breathes all things automotive?  Why not get them a shirt that proclaims their love loud and proud and in your face!  It’s a great conversation starter for casual hangouts and parties. Vin Diesel Christmas Sweater, $27 If your gearhead loves movies as much as we do, this is the perfect hybrid gift! Build It Tune It Race It Tee, $19.97 Perfect for the Tuner fanatic in  your midst.  For those who love to rally, race, repeat.  Great for wearing out with friends or in the garage fixing and tuning to perfection. Vin Disel Christmas Time Is About Family Sweatshirt, $20.00 We love this goofy Christmas Sweatshirt with a cartoonified Vin Diesel! Great for fans of Fast and the Furious and even to wear to the office holiday party! Ships fast, too.

We love a good goofy holiday tradition around here, and Ugly Sweater Day is no exception!  Today we’re sharing some super silly and festive sweaters to help make your holiday season merry and bright.  Whether you’re a kiddo or just a kid at heart, we’ve got something to delight everyone on your gifting list. And of course, we wouldn’t forget our best road trip companions and faithful navigators, so you’ll also find a great selection of comfy pet sweaters. It’s fun for the whole family on today’s blog! Ugly Pet Sweaters First up are these adorable dog sweaters from Bobibi on Amazon, a great gift under $20 for the pet parents on your list. Tis the season to be wheezin with laughter! This hilarious little Walking Snowman Dog and Cat Costume is sure to be a hit at your holiday get-togethers. Just $12 on sale at Chewy. Channel the nostalgia factor with this tacky granny sweater for Dogs and Cats in a patchwork pattern, now on sale at Chewy for just $10! Snag a Hanukkah dog sweater for your pup with this custom order sherpa dog coat by SantaPawzBoutique on Etsy for just $15+ Got a little roly-poly fur baby to dress up this holiday season? We’ve got just the thing with this Mommy’s Little Matzo Ball sweater by KalisClosetCo on Etsy! Pamper your pooch with this adorable “Spoiled for 8 Days” hoodie by NeverlandGiftsStudio on Etsy for under $20 on sale! Deck your little buddy out for Kwanzaa with these festive African Print bows and collars by DesignsByCristal on Etsy for less than $10+ This adorable African Print Dog Bandana is a gorgeous addition to your furry friend’s holiday attire for Kwanzaa, and it’s a real bargain! Festive Sweaters and Gear for Humans We love this beautiful sweater We are obsessed with this Ugly Sweater that is customizable with your pet’s face!! Choose from 1 to 3 pets per shirt, and from sizes inclusive up to a 5XL.  It makes an incredible gift for the pet parents in your life! Want to level up your game entirely?  What about this one-of-a-kind sweater from TackyUglyChristmas featuring the Abominable Snow Monster Yeti from the classic Christmas claymation movies! Need something a little more extra than the average sweater so you can take top prize at the office holiday party? Look no further than this Partridge in a Pear Tree made to order tacky sweater by TackyUglyChristmas on Etsy. We love this Racing themed ugly christmas knit sweater with race checkered flag details on Amazon, now on sale for just $50! Head home for the holidays in style with this “Driving Home for Christmas” comfy sweatshirt with ugly sweater print design on a tough, meant to last Carhartt midweight sweatshirt,

Welcome to Winter!  We can’t wait to spend our holiday break with friends and loved ones and exploring all of the adventures the season has to offer. There’s nothing as exhilarating as the crunch of fresh powder underfoot, and the brisk fresh air of the ski slopes or snowy trails. And, as always, please feel free to let us know your picks for winter getaways!  Your suggestions may make it into a future blog post! Whether you’re into the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing or snowboarding, wilderness trail hikes with snowshoes or cross-country skiing, or just a good ol’ fashioned sledding hill, we think you’re going to love the ideas we’ve got on our Winter Break Vacation destinations list. Local Preserves & Trails for Snowshoeing, Sledding, Cross Country Skiing in Illinois and Wisconsin Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan, IL Captain Daniels Wright Woods in Mettawa IL Adler Park in Libertyville, IL INdependence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL Lakewood Winter Sports Area in Wauconda, IL Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry, IL Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, IL Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest, IL Captain DAniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa, IL Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake, IL Edward L Ryerson Conservation Area in Deerfield, IL Chiwaukee Prairie in Pleasant Prairie, WI Kenosha Silver Lake County Park in Salem, WI Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kansasville, WI Parkside Cross-Country Ski Trail System in Kenosha, WI The daredevils among us will love these destinations geared up for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing!  These resorts are also one-stop-shopping on entertainment, dining, and plenty of other outdoor adventure fun beyond the expected. Check out our picks for best Ski and Snowsports Areas & Resorts worth the road trip! Best Downhill Skiing and Winter Sports Destinations in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois! Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort in Wilmot, WI Alpine Valley Resort in Elkhorn, WI Little Switzerland in Slinger, WI Fox Hill Ski Area in West Bend, WI The Mountain Top Ski and Adventure Center at Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI Sunburst Ski Area in Kewaskum, WI Nutt Hill in Plymouth, WI Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, IA Pines Family Ski Area in Valparaiso, IN Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports in Lisle, IL Snowstar in Andalusia, IL Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, IL Villa Olivia in Bartlett, IL Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL Gander Mountain in Antioch, IL Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont, IL Looking to spend the break with quiet respite instead of being constantly on the move?  You’ll find all the rest and repose you’re craving on our Midwest Winter Getaways list.  We’ve found everything from charming cottages to log cabin retreats, so no matter your flavor or passion, you’ll have a blissful stay. Peaceful Wintry Weekend Getaways in Wisconsin and Illinois Dragonfly Bed and Breakfast in Antioch Christmas House Bed and Breakfast in Racine, WI Manor on the Mile in Franksville, WI Lilac Cottage in Bowen Park Augustus Chetlain Home and Log Cabin Guest Houses in Galena Lombard Log Cabin in Four Seasons Park Kishauwau Cabins in Tonica Goldmoor Inn in Galena Copperstone Inn at Orchard Ridge Farms Starved Rock Cabins in Oglesby White Pines Inn at Mount Morris Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort Galena Cellars in Galena Chicago Athletic Association Hotel in Chicago Heartland Lodge in Nebo Big Sky Cabins in Alto Pass Nauvoo Log Cabins in Nauvoo Haagen Haus in Alton Timber Ridge Outpost in Karbers Ridge Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton Peace of Earth Lodge in Rushville If you prefer the staycation route, there’s also lots of fun things to do right here in Waukegan! Check out our many local restaurants, cafes, and small businesses.  And let us know if you have a recommendation for a nearby activity, recommended accommodations for cozy winter getaways, and we may just feature it in an upcoming post!

If you drive a manual transmission vehicle, we’re here to help shine a light on the ins-and-outs of maintenance and repair.  You’ll know it’s time to bring your car in for a clutch replacement or service when you notice the following: difficulty in shifting gears, a high-pitched squeaking or a growling noise, you can rev your engine but it’s difficult to actually accelerate, you notice that pressing the pedal feels spongy, sticky, or it vibrates or feels loose, or your transmission may make noise even while the car is in neutral. If your clutch is slipping, you’ll notice that feeling as you release the pedal, because the engine will rev higher but your vehicle will move slowly by comparison. If the clutch pedal remains depressed to the floor after engaging, you may have issues with linkage or release bearings, the clutch cable could be broken, among other things. If you hear grinding, it means that the clutch disc is still engaged, and the transmission input shaft is still spinning even when you’ve depressed the clutch  pedal. This becomes an issue because the gears will grind and eventually damage your transmission. If you notice any of these things happening with your vehicle, give our automotive service center a call today!  We’ll get you all squared away and back on the road in no time. Here are some important terms to know when you bring your car in for a service on its clutch: Clutch bushing & linkage The parts of the mechanical connection between the clutch and clutch pedal in a non-hydraulic clutch system. Clutch fluid The liquid used in a hydraulic clutch system that helps disengage the clutch from the flywheel. Clutch fork ball stud The pivot point for the clutch fork in the clutch housing of a manual transmission. Clutch lines & hoses In a hydraulically actuated clutch, the tubes that carry fluid between the clutch master cylinder and the slave cylinder. Clutch master cylinder In a manual-transmission vehicle with a hydraulically actuated clutch, a small-bore hydraulic cylinder mechanically connected to the clutch pedal that actuates a slave cylinder, which in turn actuates the clutch fork that disengages the clutch when the clutch pedal is depressed. Clutch pedal A pedal located on the floor of the vehicle to the left of the brake pedal that, when depressed, disengages the clutch from the flywheel. (Definitions from Edmunds)

Well, we don’t know about you, but one of our favourite things to enjoy when there’s even a little nip in the air is indulging in a cup of luscious hot chocolate!  There’s just something about this rich and velvety hot drink that warms a person straight to the soul.  Whether you make yours with steamed milk or boiled water or a few shots of espresso, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this sweet wintry drink.  But how much do you know about this seasonal beverage? Celebrating National Cocoa Day with These Cool Facts: Cocoa was one of the first crops cultivated in South America for the Mayans and the Aztecs. The word “cocoa” comes from the South American “cacao” which is derived from the Nahuatl word “Cacahuatl.” In Mayan culture, the cocoa/cacao tree was a sacred plant and cocoa fixture in both engagement and marriage ceremonies as well as a form of currency between communities. In Latin, the word cocoa means “Food of the Gods.” When the Spanish discovered cacao/cocoa and began to import the beans back home, they initially cornered the market.  But as chocolate began to grow in popularity, this versatile treat made its way to France and other areas. Did you know that today we consume upwards of three million tons of cocoa beans? Wild! Best Recipes for Hot Chocolate: World’s Greatest Camping Hot Chocolate Adult Hot Chocolate from Spruce Eats Homemade Hot Chocolate from Celebrating Sweets Homemade White Hot Chocolate from Celebrating Sweets Mexican Hot Chocolate from Bon Appetit TikTok Hot Chocolate Bombs Xocolatl (Traditional Aztec Chocolate Drink) Authentic Mayan Hot Chocolate Mayan Chili Cocoa Elixir Vegan Mayan Drinking Chocolate Easy Hot Cocoa for Kids Recommended Cocoa and Hot Chocolate Mixes: Spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate Mix Godiva Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix Moon Juice Adaptogenic Cosmic Cocoa Mix Jack Torres Hot Chocolate Classic Mix Taza Chocolate Oaxacan Sampler Nestle Abuelita Hot Chocolate Bars Mexican Hot Chocolate Kit Looking for a great travel mug to take your hot cocoa on the roads? Check out this list of recommended to-go mugs!

Here at Classic, we love to celebrate the holidays by visiting friends and family over winter break.  Keep those kiddos busy and occupied over the holiday break with exciting activities, coloring pages, and keepsake crafting ideas for the holiday and winter season.  Some of the crafts here would even be great gifts from your little ones made special for relatives or grandparents!  And what could be a better way to share your love and affection for the special folks in your life than a handmade holiday gift?  We’re sharing some great hands-on crafts for kids and a delightful ornament tutorial on today’s blog! DIY Your Own Water Snow Globe What You Will Need: Recycled or new glass jars with matching tight fitting lids or snowglobe containers Optional: decoupage and paper, spray paint, or felt for Jar Lid Hot Glue or E6000 Epoxy Glue or Super Glue (both to be used by adults) Glitter and/or small sequins A small container of glycerin Miniature toy cars or miniature figures that fit on jar lids Distilled water How to Make It: Paint or decoupage your lid if desired. Arrange your decorations on the jar lid, and secure them with the glue.  Allow to dry fully (check glue container, tube, or glue sticks package for dry time.) Once your decorations are glued and dry.  Add your glitter or sequins to the clean, empty jar, add ½ teaspoon or so of glycerin to the jar, and pour distilled water into the jar until it’s just about full, leaving room for your decorated lid to fit inside. Add glue to the edge of your jar lid, secure it tightly to the top of the jar and allow the glue to fully set and dry (yes, your decorations will be upside down until the glue is fully dry and sealed!)  Add glue around the edges of the seal once the lid is applied. Once the glue is all dried and fully sealed, flip your jar over, and voila!! It’s a snow globe you’ve made all on your own! Crafts for Kiddos Who Love Cars: DIY Car Magnets Footprint Racecar Valentines Build a Cardboard Box Car Easy Jingle Cars Ornaments Car in a Snowglobe Jar DIY Christmas Wreath with Cars DIY Wreath for the Car to decorate your vehicle General Crafting Fun for the Whole Family: 1 5 Crafts You Can Make While Traveling Melted Snowman DIY by Darice made from felt and foam Gorgeous Sparkling Icicles for hanging on the tree or from your window Snow Slime in a Jar f or hands-on sparkling, squishy sensory play Any of these Ice and Snow experiments when the weather gets chilly DIY Twinkling Snow Puffy Paint for making snowmen or painting winter landscapes Oil Pastels and Watercolour Resist artwork for painting snowflakes and more Frosted Sparkling Winter Pinecone decorations or ornaments Sand Art Menorah for Hanukkah (or swap up the colours for Kwanzaa!) Mixed Media Flower artwork and designs Pom Pom Hot Cocoa mugs with marshmallows for kiddos Peace Sign Pom Pom wreath for the home or gift giving Foam Cup Snow Owl craft for the wizard world or bookish kiddos Arctic Animal Snow Globes with wildlife figures for the nature lovers Observational Drawing exercises for children Monoprinting with Kids to practice fine art technique Melted Bead Suncatchers craft for parents and children together Making Rainsticks for sensory play and music time

Today is National Brownie Day!  Perhaps you’re not a fan of the holiday cookie platter, and instead rather indulge in these delectable, fudgey, ooey-gooey confections.  We’re right there with ya. Whether you prefer the center squares or only want the crisp and chewy edges, brownies are a timeless treat no matter how you slice it! The first incarnation of brownies appeared in the late 1800s, and rumor has it that its roots come from the Palmer House Hotel in the form of a portable chocolate cake with apricot glaze.  And the first official recipe appeared in 1899, known as “Brownie’s Food” with the most modern incarnation that we know today appearing in 1907. Whether you’re looking to flex your baking muscles or keep it simple and classic, we’ve got a brownie recipe to fit your needs: Let’s start with these fabulous Racecar Brownies! Perfectly fudgy frosted brownies Delectable crackly topped gooey chocolate brownies Velvety and magnificent gluten free, dairy free cocoa brownies Paleo and Keto friendly super fudge brownies Spectacular 4-ingredient breakfast brownies (Yes, you heard right!) Nanny’s Fudge Brownie Bundt Cake A batch of brownie batter waffles Crinkle topped brownie bites in a muffin tin Some sweet and nutty British Brownies Ooey-gooey Salted Caramel center brownies Quick and easy One-bowl brownies Spice up Friday Pizza night with a Brownie Dessert Pizza The very first “Palmer House Brownie” recipe with apricot glaze Super chocolatey Black Bean brownies 5-ingredient Flourless Chocolate brownies Chocolate chickpea brownies Deep Dish chocolate brownies Not sure how to pick the best brownie recipe for your persnickety palette?  Here’s how the ingredients you use help chance the brownie’s taste, physical makeup and texture: For gooey, soft brownies you’ll want a recipe with a higher concentration sugar, butter, and eggs. For cakier style brownies, you’ll want to use cocoa powder and more flour than the rest of the ingredients (butter, sugar, egg) If you’re mixing your batter and the ingredients start to separate due to the melted butter and oil, you can add a little bit of milk into the mix to help it all meld together Your choice of brand in cocoa and melting chocolate does matter; you need to select higher quality ingredients for each to produce that prime fudgy texture and richer flavor Pull your pan out a little “underdone” and softer in the center as they will set while cooling in the tin Try some of these great kitchen tools to perfect your brownie baking skills: Car Cake Tin for baking Car Cupcake liners Lightning McQueen Wafflemaker Wilton Spatula with Car design NASCAR Baking Race Car driving All Edges brownie pan Car themed Nordicware Bundt Baking Tin Fondant rubber racecar tire mold Brooklyn Brownie Baking Tray Charming Baking Molds with Car Shapes! These amazon silicone car molds for baking would be perfect for XL brownies and fudge cake recipes. Yum! This great two pack of mini silicone chocolate car molds for cake, jello, candy and more!  Would also be a great way to make brownie bites or chocolate minis for cake decorating. For a little variety in your baking, try these clever little truck and car themed bakeware trays!  And buy an extra set for multipurpose use for crafting in addition to the ones used for baking.

National Illinois day is celebrated annually to commemorate the Land of Abraham Lincoln, and commemorates the same week that it was officially declared the 21st state (December 3rd, 1818.) In celebration of this exciting day, here’s some fun facts about our state that you may not know about! Illinois has 102 counties and most of them are named in honor of early US leaders. Illinois was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the constitution, which abolished slavery on February 1st in 1865. The first modern day skyscraper, The Home Insurance Building, was built in Chicago in 1885 Walt Disney was born in Chicago on December 5th in 1901 Illinois is the third largest producer of popcorn, with 330+ farms and more than 45,000 acres dedicated to the crop Iconic fast food franchises of McDonalds and Dairy Queen both opened their first stores in Illinois Illinois is known as “The Land of Presidents” since it’s the birthplace of eight different US presidents Route 66 was first opened to traffic in Springfield, and has been considered one of the most iconic American Road Trips.  The roadway used to run from Chicago to Los Angeles, and is now considered a scenic byway, with about 432 miles of this roadway still running through Illinois! Metropolis, Illinois has been dubbed the official hometown of DC Superhero Superman as of 1972, and is home to the Super Museum full of Superman Memorabilia, a statue of Superman along the banks of the Ohio River, and is the filming location for the fictional Metropolis in the 1978 film! The Sears Tower in Chicago is the tallest building in America, reaching 1,729 feet all the way up to the tippy top Illinois is home to the world’s largest bottle of ketchup in Collinsville Illinois is the 25th largest state in the US by area Illinois is the top generator of nuclear power than any other US State The Chicago Public Library is the 5th largest library in the US, has 5,949,251 volumes in their collection, and has 81 different locations for library and technology services for native Chicagoans Chicago Deep Dish Pizza was invented in the 1940s by Ike Sewell, founder of Pizzeria Uno Chicago is the third largest city in the US with more than 2.5 million residents You can see four different states from the top of the Willis Tower The Chicago River used to flow in the other direction, but from 1862-1922 it was reversed thanks to a series of highly skilled engineers designing special canals.

We’re just a few weeks away from the holiday season. Hanukkah starts on December 18th, Christmas follows on the 24th, and Kwanzaa starts on the 26th!  So let’s get ready to celebrate both in our homes and on the road. Grab some of these travel friendly gadgets for yourself or surprise a friend or loved one with some festive fun. Plus, they make very entertaining gitables for the company holiday present exchange or white elephant parties!  Check it out on today’s blog. Celebrate the happiest of Kwanzaa holidays with this fun, festive car shade for under $30 on Amazon! We also love these multi sheet sets of Kwanzaa window clings that you can use to decorate all of your family cars so no one is left out of the fun. Share your seasons greetings to all those who celebrate with you with this Happy Kwanzaa car flag! You’ll have to grab a car window flag pole separately, but that just means you have flexibility to swap it out for other festive flags all year round. Light up the night for 8 straight says with this fun magnetic Chanukah  menorah! It’s a little pricey, but it’s so festive and well made that it will be delighting families for many, many years to come, so we think it’s worth the investment. We also love these fun gel window clings that are perfect for car windows, and a little more budget friendly. Choose from Hanukkah Emoji Dreidels, and two different colorways for Menorahs and Hanukkah greetings. Got a car with a shiny new grille? We’ve got just the thing to bring it into the festive winter season. This Clayflame Exquisite Christmas Car Decoration with lights is a perfect choice. Grab one for yourself and gift a few to friends with their multibuy discount sale options. Transport yourself to Toyland and join in on the local holiday parade fun by adding this wind-up car key decoration to your car’s roof! It comes in lots of fun colors to match your personal aesthetic, and is sure to bring some smiles. The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear, and who better to do so with  than with your best pal, Buddy the Elf! This goofy inflatable car buddy is perfect for spreading joy this holiday season and is available on Amazon for fast shipping. If Buddy the Elf is not your speed, we suggest checking out the classic antihero and lovable grump, The Grinch! This car buddy inflatable grinch has a santa hat and scarf, making him the perfect seasonal carpool companion. We could all use some more cheer and happiness these days after a few long years of lockdowns and lack of socialization.  Bring the funny to the roadways with this goofy Light-It-Up Christmas Vacation WiperTags Decal by WiperTags on Etsy. We are pretty sure it’ll bring some laughs and reduce some road rage for all those who see it. The kids all love it when the big man rolls into town, but what about the reindeer?  Light up the night with these clever reindeer antler decorations with festive LED lights and jingle bells! You’ll be bringing the holiday spirit with you wherever you go on the road!