2014 Winter Olympics

The 2014 Winter Olympics, officially the XXII Olympic Winter Games, or the 22nd Winter Olympics, are scheduled to take place from 6 to 23 February 2014, in Sochi. Are you looking forward to the games? Do you have a favorite event?

James Wood Autopark

Holiday Treats

The winter weather has graced us, the holiday lights are in full sparkle, the carolers are singing, and the recipes are smelling better and better. We've compiled our favorite holiday treats for you to test and enjoy:

Cherry Chocolate Kisses

1 cup butter (no substitutes) softened
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons maraschino cherry liquid
¼ teaspoon almond extract
2 ¼ cups all- purpose flour
½ cup chopped maraschino cherries
Granulated sugar
48 Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat butter in a mixing bowl on medium high speed for 30 seconds.
Add powdered sugar and salt; beat until combined.
Beat in cherry liquid and almond extract until combined.
Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer.
Stir in remaining flour and the cherries with a wooden spoon.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls.
Place balls 2 inched apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Flatten with bottom of a glass dipped in granulated sugar.
Bake about 14 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
Remove from oven; press unwrapped candy kiss into the center of each cookie.
Transfer to wire racks and cool.

Christmas Turtle Cookie
1 cup all-purpose flour sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sweetened cocoa powder
1 stick butter unsalted, room temperature
2 tablespoons milk {I use almond milk}
2/3 cup sugar
1 large egg separated plus 1 egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups pecans finely chopped
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
14 soft caramel candies

Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in bowl.
Add butter and sugar to a separate mixing bowl and beat with electric mixer on medium-high speed for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla to butter mixture and mix well.
Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture just until combined.
Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk egg whites in bowl until frothy.
Place pecans in separate bowl.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
Dip dough balls in egg whites, then roll in pecans.
Place balls 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets.
Using a 1/2-teaspoon measuring spoon make an indentation in center of each ball.
Bake until set – about 12 minutes. {Halfway through baking rotate baking sheets for even baking}.
Microwave caramels and cream in a microwave safe bowl. Stir occasionally, until smooth for about 1 to 2 minutes.
Once cookies are removed from oven, gently re-press existing indentations you made with the measuring spoon.
Fill each with 1/2 teaspoon caramel mixture.
Cool for 10 minutes.
Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Red and White Sugar Cookie Pinwheels

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring
Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough
3 tablespoons milk

Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.
Cream butter and sugar together in another large bowl.
Add egg, vanilla, milk, and peppermint extract, and beat until incorporated.
Gradually add the dry mixture, beating until combined.
Remove half of the mixture from the bowl.
Add red food coloring, beating until fully combined (you may have to knead the colored dough a bit to get it mixed thoroughly).
On a sheet of waxed paper, roll out dough to form a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick.
Repeat this step with the other half of uncolored dough with no food coloring.
Carefully, slide the red dough on top of the white dough and slide the parchment paper out.
Trim edges if uneven and patch if necessary.
Roll dough into a log, creating a swirl effect.
NOTE: Do not worry if the dough starts to tear a little when you are rolling it. This is normal. Simply mend it with your fingers as you go along.
Place a generous amount of sprinkles in a shallow dish and roll the cookie dough log firmly over the sprinkles until they stick.
Wrap tightly with saran wrap and place the dough back in the refrigerator and let chill for 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees .
Slice the dough into 1/2-inch slices and place on a parchment lined sheet tray about 1-inch apart.
Bake for 10-15 minutes.

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Automotive Winter Tips

We are all aware the mother nature has brought some of her coldest weather with her through the metroplex this year. It is important to keep your vehicle's best interest in mind throughout winter to ensure its future condition with these helpful tips:

Keep an Emergency Kit Inside Your Car

Make Sure Your 4-Wheel Drive Works

Check Your Car's Belts and Hoses

Replace Windshield Wipers and Wiper Fluid

Check Your Oil and Battery

Check Your Tire Pressure and Consider Snow Tires

Also, visit our service department at www.jameswood.com/service

Safe Holiday Travels

Over the Thanksgiving holiday about 40 million Americans are said to be traveling at least 50 miles. Keep in mind that the added pressure of busy roads and heavier traffic can increase your stress level during your voyage. You can only control your own actions on the road and it’s important that you don’t become an unsafe driver. That said, we encourage you to follow the new 3-second rule to allow adequate time for your brakes to stop your car. 

Calculate the distance by choosing an inanimate object (like a highway sign). When the car in front of you passes that object count, “one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand,” and if you passed the object before you get to three, you are tailgating the vehicle in front of you and driving unsafely.

It’s important to also adjust the time according to the weather and road conditions:

• 3 seconds –for speeds of 35-55mph when the weather is good and the roads are dry
• 6 seconds – when traveling at speeds over 55mph or when there is rain or heavy traffic
• 9 seconds – during heavy snow and/or ice

 
 

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True or False? Automotive Myths

Over the years, several automotive tips and tricks have evolved and been passed down through generations. However, with the ever changing technology and testing, several of those concepts have simply become nothing more than a myth. Explore the most commonly believed car "facts" that are not so true:

• The color of your car affects the cost of your insurance FALSE

• The higher the octane rating, the more power the fuel will produce FALSE

• Sugar in the gas tank destroys the engine FALSE

• A tire may explode if you exceed the "max pressure" number on the sidewall FALSE

• All-season tires offer more traction on wet roads FALSE

• All-wheel drive will help you go faster around corners FALSE

Share your feedback with us in the comments below.

 www.jameswooddenton.com

 

Automotive Myths & Tricks

There are several myths pertaining to the automotive world that people are still considering to be rules or suggestions to follow. However, it’s important to understand that value of these myths when considering all the advancements over the years. 

As the seasons change, it’s important to keep your eye on your vehicle’s tire pressure. However, the proper pressure is not the weight stamped on the sidewall of the tire. Manufacturers actually display the maximum inflation level for save driving during all conditions.  The inflation pressure and would be too high for everyday driving. The correct pressure can be found on a tag either in the door frame area or glove compartment lid in your vehicle because all model’s weight, load-carrying capacity, operating parameters, fuel economy and speed potential vary.

 

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