Humans have been dressing up their pets for a long time. Ancient Egyptian paintings portray domestic animals with collars or ribbons around their necks, and the collar was perhaps the first pet fashion statement. Says one resource: "Collars emerged as tools for training and restraint as well as status symbols at the height of civilization. But they were also beautiful works of art... Read more
Have you ever played in a puddle? Most puddles are left behind by rain. They can also form near underground springs, on beaches when the tide goes out, from snow melt, or from man-made sources such as a fire hydrant or backyard watering hose. They may attract small animals that desire to drink the water, or creatures such as frogs and mosquitoes that lay their eggs there.... Read more
Fruitcake is both lauded as a holiday gift-giving tradition and loathed as the butt of jokes and as a synonym for "crazy." What is a fruitcake? It is a very heavy spice cake filled with candied or dried and sugared fruits and nuts. Some recipes also contain alcohol. Fruitcake is known for lasting many years due to the preserving qualities of the sugar and alcohol... Read more
New Year festivals are celebrated around the world. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, they are "among the oldest and the most universally observed."... Read more
Warm up your drawing skills and try your hand at these fun, simple sketches. Each of the simple drawing guides listed below includes step-by-step instructions so that you can learn to draw your favorite seasonal characters, objects, and animals. Read more
Hats have been around since the dawn of humanity. Hats have served many different purposes, from functional to stylish, and have been constructed from various materials... Read more
The snow leopard or ounce is one of 37 species of cats found throughout the world. This long-haired big cat lives in the snowy mountains of Asia. It feels right at home at elevations up to 5,500 meters or 18,000 feet!... Read more
Christmas lights are often used to decorate Christmas trees as well as the exteriors of houses, shrubbery, and outdoor trees. Where did the tradition of illuminating homes and trees with... Read more
What is a Christmas stocking? Historically, a stocking was a long sock worn by both men and women. Christmas stockings, on the other hand, are large, oversize sock-shaped bags... Read more
Following the success of the song "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," country artist Gene Autry recorded "Frosty the Snowman... Read more