All Things Considered
E.T.A. Hoffmann's original story, "Nutcracker and Mouse King," is darker and spookier than the ballet version most people know. iStockphoto.com hide caption
No Sugar Plums Here: The Dark, Romantic Roots Of 'The Nutcracker'
David Daniel, an east Texas landowner, was so determined to block the Keystone XL pipeline from coming through his forest that he took to his trees and built an elaborate network of treehouses eight stories above the ground. Maggie Starbard/NPR hide caption
A recent study in the British Medical Journal concludes that Rudolph's nose is red "due to the presence of a highly dense and rich nasal microcirculation." Ann Johansson/Corbis hide caption
Does bell pepper and black tea sound appetizing? A computer may think so. Ryan Smith/NPR hide caption
Family's 'Small Plate Throwdown' A Competitive Christmas Tradition
Jack O'Donnell (Brian Cranston) and Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) are tasked with saving six Americans during the Iran hostage crisis. Claire Folger/AP hide caption