Recipe Just for Kicks--Polar Express Hot Chocolate

Recipe Just for Kicks--Polar Express Hot Chocolate

We've all gotten used to cocoa that comes from powder and hot water. This is what hot chocolate is supposed to be! I intend to be sipping on this while presents are opened. I have shamelessly stolen this from Honey and Fitz off of Pinterest, but if you keep scrolling you'll get to the original poster's link, so it's all good. Polar Express Hot Chocolate (aka the BEST hot chocolate you've ever tasted) Recipe: --1.5 cups of heavy cream --1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz) --2 cups of bittersweet chocolate chips --6 cups of milk --1 tsp vanilla extract In a large pot over low heat, combine all of the above ingredients.  Stir regularly for 30-40 minutes until chocolate is fully melted and incorporated with other ingredients.   If you're making this for a party, you could add all of the above ingredients to a crockpot a few hours before guests arrive.  Provide a ladle and mugs and let them serve themselves.    Read more: http://honeyandfitz.blogspot.com/2011/12/polar-express-hot-chocolate-recipe-aka.html#ixzz2EDJx84ET There is even a recipe for homemade marshmallows! Who knew you could do that?

Movie of the Month--Hydraulics

 I love hokey old black and white movies. Hokey old instructional videos of cutting edge technology are a hoot! Ever wonder how your hydraulic brakes work? Wonder no more! This 1936 instructional video from Chevrolet explains it! 

Hot Dog! 0-60 in 20 seconds!

Safety First--What Is This Eyesight Thing?

Automotive engineers are relentless in their quest for a crash-proof car that will keep you and your babies safe. Eyesight from Subaru is the latest innovation in crash prevention and avoidance.

This is how it works. It's pretty amazing!!

Safety First--Winterize Your Ride

Who knows more about winter weather than the Weather Channel? Am I right? Here are some common sense tips to get you and your car through til April.

Winterize Your Car

Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers. To help you make it safely through winter, here are some suggestions from the National Safety Council to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared.

Read the full article here

Driving in Snow and Ice

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.

Click here for more

Top Picks for 2012--Lakeland For the Win!

So I was surfing the web, minding my own business when I stumbled upon this article from MSN Autos.

Consumer Reports' 2012 Top Picks

The best models of the year in 10 categories.

(Note: Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on MSN.)

A redesigned, significantly improved Camry Hybrid has helpedToyota capture five of the 10 spots on this year's Top Picks list.

The other Toyotas that made the cut are the Prius hybrid, theHighlander and RAV4 SUVs, and the Sienna minivan. This is the first time since 2003 that one brand has so dominated the list.

In addition to the Camry and Highlander, two other new picks are the Hyundai Sonata and the redesigned Subaru Impreza. The other selections are returning models: the Chevrolet Avalanche, Ford Mustang, and Infiniti G.

Toyota's ability to maintain its competitive lead among hybrids and SUVs is a big factor in its strong presence on this year's list. But another factor is today's weaker minivan field. The current Sienna scored lower in our tests than its predecessor, but the front-wheel-drive version is the only minivan that didn't have below-average reliability in our latest survey. So it's the only minivan we recommend.

Our Top Picks are the best all-around models in their categories, chosen from the more than 260 vehicles we've recently tested. For car shoppers, they are a great place to start. To see the best & worst 2012 cars and best new-car car values, go to Consumer Reports' annual auto issue hub.

Click here to read more.

According to Consumer Reports, I carry 6 of the 10 Top Picks!

• Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Toyota Rav4
• Toyota Sienna
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Highlander and 
• Subaru Impreza 

Also in the list were the Ford Mustang, Hyundai Sonata, Infiniti G, and the Chevrolet Avalanche.

My job at the dealership is to provide information for my customers. That means I have to be a student of the industry. When someone asks me why I should buy my car instead of the competitor, I need to have the facts. I love finding impartial third party sources that validate what I already know...my products are the best!

Safety First--Counterfeit Airbags

Safety Advisory: NHTSA Alerting Consumers to Dangers of Counterfeit Air Bags 

As if we didn't have enough to worry about, now we have counterfeit airbags?!? This article from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns of fly-by-night airbags that could put you in harms way.
Click here for the full article.

The moral of the story: always bring your car to a reputable dealership for airbag repairs.

Recipe Just for Kicks--Butter Beer

   

For those of you who are not familiar with Harry Potter, Butter Beer is a favorite beverage of this young wizard and his two best friends when go into Hogsmeade for an afternoon of fun. Perfect (family-friendly) drink for a Halloween party! 

  

Magically Easy Butterbeer Recipe:

  

Butterbeer:

2 liter cream soda

2 tablespoons Butter extract

2 teaspoons rum extract

*drop the extracts into the 2 liter bottle, put on cap and slowly rotate until combined. 

 

Cream topping:

1 7oz container of marshmallow creme

1 cup whipping cream

1 teaspoon rum extract

*add all items together in an electric mixer and combine until smooth.

  

Pour the butterbeer into a glass,  drizzle with the cream topping, and enjoy!

  

  

 Credit for this recipe goes to http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-camp-harry-potter-activities.html  I found it on Pinterest.

Safety First--10 Safety Features That Could Save Your Life

Thank you to USAA for this article!

 Incidentally...Every one of the features listed below is available on our Toyotas, Hondas, and  Subarus!

10 Car Safety Features That Could Save Your Life

Find out which high-tech features you should look for when shopping for a new vehicle.

It's a scary scenario that occurs daily on American highways: You take your eyes off the road to adjust the air conditioner or change the radio station, unaware of the traffic jam up ahead. By the time you look up, it's too late to stop. Or is it?
Imagine an autonomous system that sees obstacles in the road, predicts the impending crash and starts braking before you even realize you're in danger.
Thankfully, this high-tech safety feature — known as forward collision avoidance — is now a reality. It's one of many newer technologies available today as automakers computerize cars, apply radar innovation and expand the list of safety features that come standard on their vehicles.

Click here to read more

Girls and Cars--102-year-old Driver...82-year-old Car!

Genealogist Megan Smolenyak tweeted this story on Twitter. It was originally published in the Akron Beacon Journal. I thought it was absolutely marvelous, so I had to share it with all my ladies!

Her car is 82. She’s 102. Both still going strong.

By Bob Dyer
Beacon Journal columnist
Published: September 15, 2012 - 10:38 PM | Updated: September 17, 2012 - 10:07 AM

 Margaret Dunning, 102, of Plymouth, Mi., stands on the running board of her 1930 Packard 740 Roadster at the 2012 Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles on Saturday in Jackson Township. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal)

Not many folks change their own oil anymore.
Fewer still are women.
And I’ll bet you a week’s pay there’s not another woman on the planet who continues to change her own oil at the age of 102.
Meet Margaret Dunning of Plymouth, Mich.
I’m serious. Born in 1910. Still sharp. Still spunky. Still crawling around under the hood with a funnel and an oil pan.

Click here for the whole story

How Stuff Works--Manual Transmission

Special thanks to Bob who found this cool video.
If you've ever wondered how a transmission works this 1936 instructional video from Chevrolet will explain it! It's 9 minutes, 41 seconds well spent! Seriously--I get it now!

Talk about Gee-Whiz technology!!!

The 2013's are coming!!!

One of the most frequently asked questions this time of year is "When are the new 2013's coming?" Some of them are here already, some are coming soon, some won't arrive till closer to the new year.
Let's take a look at what's coming when...

Toyota	When	Subaru	When	Scion	When	Honda	When
Avalon	Dec	BRZ	Here!	xD	Dec	CR-Z	Dec
Camry	Dec	Forester	Sept	xB	Dec	Fit	Here!
Corolla	Sept	Impreza	Sept	tC	Here!	Insight	Dec
Matrix	Oct	Legacy	Here!	iQ	Here!	Civic	Dec
Prius	Dec	Outback	Here!	FRS	Here!	Accord	Dec
Prius c	Dec	Tribeca	Dec			Crosstour	Dec
Prius v	Dec	WRX/STI	Sept			CR-V	Dec
Sienna	Here!	Crosstrek	TBA			Odyssey	Nov
Yaris	Dec					Pilot	Dec
4Runner	Dec					Ridgeline	Dec
FJCruiser	Dec
Highlander	Dec
Land Cruiser	Here!
Rav4	Dec
Sequoia	Dec
Tacoma	Here!
Tundra	Dec
Venza	Here!

I'll keep you posted as new information becomes available.

Recipe Just for Kicks: My Secret Weapon--Carrot Cake

Word got out that I make a really good carrot cake. In fact, if I need a favor at the dealership, my carrot cake is the bribe of choice. Some people have family recipes that have been handed down for generations. Mine came from Google. This recipe popped up first. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/carrot-cake-iii/
Believe me, if you want something done, dangle a carrot cake!

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped pecans
•  
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
4. To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.

Lakeland Automotive Car Film Festival

Summer is the season for the big budget, big explosion, testosterone-fueled Hollywood blockbuster. I thought it would be a great time for our First Annual Lakeland Automotive Car Film Festival. I took a survey around the dealership and compared it to IMDB's list. Here are the results:

IMDB	Lakeland Automotives’s List
	Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
The Italian Job (2003)	Fast Five (2011)
The Fast and the Furious (2001)	Cars (2006)
Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)	The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Death Proof (2007)	Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Cars (2006)	Used Cars
Ronin (1998)	Bullitt (1968)
Death Race (2008)	Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1897)
The Blues Brothers (1980)	The Italian Job (2003)
Goldfinger (1964)	The Cannonball Run (1981)
Mad Max (1979)	Days of Thunder (1990)
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)	Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
American Graffiti (1973)	Thelma and Louise (1991)
Duel (1971)	Need for Speed (2007)
Bullitt (1968)	Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)	The Wraith (1986)
The Italian Job (1969)	Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
The Cannonball Run (1981)	Speed Racer (1967)
Vanishing Point (1971)	Gone in 60 Seconds (1974)
Death Race 2000 (1975)	The Car (1977)
To Live and Die In L.A. (1985)	Corvette Summer (1978)
Tucker the Man and His Dream (1988)	Hot Rod (1950)
Against All Odds (1984)	Christine (1983)
Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)	Mad Max (1979)
The Driver (1978)
Grand Prix (1966)
Le Mans (1971)
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974)
The Hollywood Knights (1980)
The Gumball Rally (1976)
Thunder Road (1958

So, the next time you're at the video store and you don't know what to get, give one of these high-revving movies at try. Leave a comment below with your vote for your personal favorite.

Just for laughs!--FAIL Auto Show

Special thanks to reader Tom G. for sharing this hysterical "auto show".

http://www.eazyman.com/what-happens-when-you-repair-you-car-yourself/

Don't let this kind of thing happen to you! Call us! We can help!

Our service hours are Monday-Friday 7:00-6:00, Saturday 8:00-2:00.

You can schedule an appointment by clicking here or by calling 920-458-6171!

Recipe Just for Kicks---My House Lo Mein

I'm not entirely sure what nutrient is in Chinese food that my body is craving, but I can't seem to get enough. I have spent a shocking amount of money at my favorite little Chinese restaurant (China Star at Business Drive and Union Avenue in case you were wondering and no, I don't get any promotional considerations for mentioning them.)

So I started looking around for a good recipe for Lo Mein. This one is every bit as easy as spaghetti with sauce from a jar and it has the same restaurant Lo Mein flavor I love so very much.

Maggie's Lo Mein

Bag of frozen shrimp already cooked, deveined and de-tailed (you can use cooked chicken, beef or pork or any combination)
Spaghetti or linguine
Frozen Stir-fry Vegetables
Green Onions

Mushrooms

Soy Sauce
Oyster Sauce
Sesame Oil

You'll notice there are no amounts. Here's all you need to do. Thaw the shrimp in a colander (or stir fry the meat you're using).

Stir fry all of the vegetables in a teeny bit of vegetable oil.

Cook the spaghetti according to package directions

Add sauce: 3 parts Soy Sauce, 2 parts Oyster Sauce, 1 part Sesame Oil. Start with Tablespoons and add more until it's at the desired level of sauciness.

How easy is that?!?

Give it a try. Leave a comment below. Follow me on You Twit Face

Certified Pre-owned Vehicles--What's the big deal?

The bosses here at Lakeland Automotive are always on the look out for ways to meet our customers' needs. This spring we have started offering "Certified Pre-Owned" Hondas and Toyotas.

So? What's the big deal? What's the difference between a "Certified Pre-owned" and a regular pre-owned vehicle? Is it just the next euphemism for a USED car? (Incidentally, I prefer the term "Previously Enjoyed.")

To answer these tough questions for you, I did what I usually do... I Googled.

WikiPedia says: 

"A certified pre-owned car or CPO is a type of used car.
Most often late-model, they differ from other used cars by having been inspected, refurbished, and certified by a manufacturer or other certifying authority. They also typically include an extended warranty, special financing, and additional benefits." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Pre-Owned)

...And they're absolutely right.



Edmunds, the go-to website for all things automotive says this: 

"'Factory Certified' refers to used cars that are offered for sale by your local dealer with the support of the vehicle's original manufacturer, with warranties that extend beyond the initial coverage. The original manufacturer of the vehicle is using their dealer network to inspect the car, determine if it is worth certifying, then offering support for the vehicle for a period of time beyond the original warranty. The certified warranty protection typically takes effect when the original warranty expires and, like a new car warranty, offers coverage for a certain number of years or miles, whichever comes first. Used cars sold with third-party warranties are sometimes advertised as "certified" but are not truly factory certified because the authority and expertise of the vehicle's manufacturer do not stand behind the "warranty" in any way. In fact the term "warranty" may be misleading as third-party warranties are really extended service contracts. A true warranty offers coverage that is included in the original purchase price." (http://www.edmunds.com/certified-cars/certified-pre-owned-vehicle-programs.html)

In a nutshell, CPO programs allow you to get high-quality, late-model, gently driven cars at a substantial savings over new. You still get many of the warranty, insurance, and special financing options that new car customers enjoy. It's kind of like finding a dress as Goodwill with the original store tags still on.

Toyota and Honda each have slightly different Certification guidelines.

My little Toyota booklet says that Toyota Certified Used Vehicles are:

• All Toyota Models
• All sources
• trades
• off-lease
• auctions
• purchase
• Under 85,000 miles
• Come with a Certified Comprehensive Warranty
• Current model year plus 6 years back
• 12-month/12,000 miles Comprehensive Warranty
• From Date of TCUV purchase
• $50 deductible per visit
• Come with a Certified Limited Powertrain Warranty
• 7-year/100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty
• From original date of first use when sold as new
• $50 deductible per visit
• Warranty is transferable--no charge
• Come with Roadside Assistance
• 1-year of Roadside Assistance
• From date of TCUV purchase
• Toll-free call for service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Covers
• Flat tires
• lockouts
• jump starts
• towing
• fuel delivery
• Must meet these standards
• CARFAX Vehicle History Report
• 160-point Quality Assurance Inspection
• 131-Checkpoint mechanical inspection
• All tires must match; minimum of 5/32" tread
• Brakes minimum 50% wear remaining
• 100% mechanically correct
• 29-point detailing and appearance standards
• exterior
• interior
• engine compartment
• trunk compartment
• Hybrids--same benefits plus
• 8-year/100,000 miles Factory Hybrid Battery Warranty
• 174-point Quality Assurance Inspection
• Optional Vehicle Service Agreements are also available

The Honda booklet lays it out like this:

• Eligibility
• 6 years old or newer
• Up to 80,000 miles
• No gray-market vehicles
• No branded title or salvage vehicles
• Inspection/Certification
• CARFAX Vehicle History Report
• Comprehensive 150-point inspection
• Must pass stringent Honda Certified requirements
• Mechanical check and scheduled service
• Appearance inspection and reconditioning as required (interior and exterior)
• Warranty Coverage
• Any remaining balance of new-car warranty
• 12-month/12,000-mile nonpowertrain coverage (following expiration of new-car warranty)
• 7-year/100,000-mile power train coverage (from original-in-service date)
• No deductible
• Covers most mechanical components except routine maintenance items like spark plugs, wiper blades, brake pads, etc)
• Warranty transferable (private-party transactions only)
• Warranty honored at all Honda automobile dealerships

You may be saying, "Hold the phone! What about Warranty Forever?!?" Never fear, my darlings. We are still including Warranty Forever on all our new cars, qualified non-certified used cars, domestic used cars. Basically, if it isn't Factory Certified, and it's under ten years old and under 100,000 miles at the time of purchase, it still comes with Warranty Forever at no additional cost. 

More on Warranty Forever in another article.

As always, your questions or comments are welcome below. I'm only a phone call away at 920-458-6171. Email me at maggiemitchell@lakelandauto.com or follow me on You Twit Face