Use This Framework to Give Your Kid Enough Downtime

Imagine a day in the life of a child. They’re engaged at school for six to eight hours. A relentless schedule doesn’t benefit a child’s academic performance or mental health. It’s essential to incorporate some time with family, friends, or themselves into their routine. What is “downtime”? Think back to your own childhood. Perhaps you built a blanket fort with your sibling on a lazy Saturday or play-wrestled with a parent....

December 20, 2023 · 2 min · 330 words · Amanda Mullins

Glienicke Bridge: The Bridge Of Spies

However, as the 20th century dawned, the demands exceeded even this bridge’s capacity. Consequently, in 1907, it was replaced with a modern iron bridge. Exclusive access was granted solely to allied military personnel and foreign diplomats. A photograph of Glienicke Bridge taken in 1987. Glienicke Bridge after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Plaque across the bridge to remember the division of Germany until 1989. Photo credit:Roland.h.bueb/Wikimedia Commons Photo credit:Uwca/Wikimedia Commons...

December 19, 2023 · 1 min · 74 words · Christopher Frost

Today's NYT Connections Hints (and Answer) for Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Todays puzzle has three relatively easy groupings and one stumperor at least thats how it was for me. If you want an easy way to come back to our Connections hints every day,bookmark this page. Below, Ill give you some oblique hints at todays Connections answers. And farther down the page, Ill reveal the themes and the answers. Scroll slowly and take just the hints you need! Does todays Connections game require any special knowledge?...

December 19, 2023 · 3 min · 506 words · Pamela Carson

Whipped Ricotta Is the Easiest Way to Upgrade Your Holiday Appetizer Spread

Its silky, creamy, and a decadent appetizer youd never be able to make, right? Whipped ricotta sounds like youd be implementing the same method youd use for whipped cream. While thats kind of true, youre not beholden to the same finicky results. Whipped cream has discerniblepeaks you have to look out foror you could ruin it. Whipped ricotta is not meant to blow up the same way; instead, it becomes silky and light....

December 19, 2023 · 2 min · 320 words · Leslie Hernandez

Bottle Kicking in Hallaton

In the village of Hallaton in Leicestershire, England, a unique tradition unfolds every Easter Monday. The remaining portions are collected in a sack and carried up the nearby Hare Pie Hill. Here, the bottles are adorned with ribbons, and penny loaves are distributed to the eager crowd. The initiation of the competition is marked by tossing each bottle in the air three times. The convivial atmosphere in the pub serves as a fitting conclusion to the day’s fervent competition....

December 18, 2023 · 1 min · 103 words · Tiffany Palmer

Cuccidati Are the Colorful Italian Christmas Cookie You've Been Missing

I believe theres room on the table for all the cookies during December. This year, I recommend a classic Italian cookie called cuccidati. I can confidently say Italians have a great eye for cookies. Even if youve never had one, Im guessing it might look awfully familiar. Fig Newtons are similar to these homemade treats, though not necessarily based on them. Nearly anything with rainbow nonpareils catches my interest, and Im glad these did....

December 18, 2023 · 3 min · 630 words · Raymond Young

Every Version of 'A Christmas Carol,' Ranked (and Where to Stream Them)

Hundreds or thousandsif you count re-imaginings and very special episodes of sitcoms. But which version is the very best? To rankChristmas Carols, you have to decide whatA Christmas Carolis to you. Other versions do some things better, but this one doeseverythingrightno mistakes. Scrooge’s miserliness is played as pathology. But Finney and company also manage to keep the emotional core of the story intact. Jim Backus, who voices Magoo/Scrooge, is amazing....

December 18, 2023 · 2 min · 295 words · Keith Welch

Today's NYT Connections Hints (and Answer) for Monday, December 18, 2023

This might look like a number-themed or street-themed puzzle, but not everything is what it seems! If you want an easy way to come back to our Connections hints every day,bookmark this page. Below, Ill give you some oblique hints at todays Connections answers. And farther down the page, Ill reveal the themes and the answers. Scroll slowly and take just the hints you need! Does todays Connections game require any special knowledge?...

December 18, 2023 · 3 min · 502 words · James Barton

Today's NYT Connections Hints (and Answer) for Sunday, December 17, 2023

Today is another fun puzzlenot as easy as the last few, but still pretty straightforward solving. If you want an easy way to come back to our Connections hints every day,bookmark this page. Below, Ill give you some oblique hints at todays Connections answers. And farther down the page, Ill reveal the themes and the answers. Scroll slowly and take just the hints you need! Does todays Connections game require any special knowledge?...

December 17, 2023 · 3 min · 450 words · Sydney Wiggins

Allie's Christmas Pudding Chronicles: Making a Hard Sauce

Today is feeding day so Lil Pud gets to come out and receive sustenance in the form of brandy. I wanted the full experience so I opted in. I know now that I could never be an animal farmer. What the heck is hard sauce? Hard sauce is a traditional accompaniment to figgy pudding, but its more accurately known as brandy butter. I suppose it will be hard if it’s in the fridge....

December 16, 2023 · 2 min · 269 words · Alison Roberts

Today's NYT Connections Hints (and Answer) for Saturday, December 16, 2023

Dont let those similar-looking words TRICK you; today is another easy one. If you want an easy way to come back to our Connections hints every day,bookmark this page. Below, Ill give you some oblique hints at todays Connections answers. And farther down the page, Ill reveal the themes and the answers. Scroll slowly and take just the hints you need! Does todays Connections game require any special knowledge? Nope, everything is pretty accessible today....

December 16, 2023 · 3 min · 452 words · Kim Wilson

Forget Roasting: Air Fry Your Chestnuts

Roasting chestnuts leisurely in a little cast iron pot over a roaring fireplace would be romantic, wouldnt it? When I was younger, we would make oven-roasted chestnuts. Its a classic method, but even that can take 20 to 30 minutes. I did both soaked and unsoaked, and they roasted with the same peeling ease. What really matters is how you score them. Score the chestnuts I buy chestnuts from my local Shoprite, and theyre in great condition right now....

December 15, 2023 · 2 min · 248 words · Karen Garcia

How to Connect Any Alexa-Enabled Amazon Device to Wifi (and Troubleshoot These Common Issues)

Smart assistant like Alexa, Siri, or Google are essential components in your smart home. These assistants come to life via devices installed throughout your house. For Alexa, that meansAmazon Echo, which comes in a whole line of different options. Mighty and mini, they fit just about anywhere, and can even bemountedto walls and ceilings. If youre just going to set your Echo on a counter, everything you need is in the box....

December 15, 2023 · 2 min · 274 words · Heather Barnett