Full Moon ~ Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Dog Owlet Love Story ~ Cheesy Crockpot Ranch Potatoes ~ National Chocolate Mint Day

Stand by with this full moon..........be safe.

 

 

Good 26º foggy everything frozen morning. 

 

Yesterday started off at 25º and by 10am we warmed up to 33º. 

Predictions were for the same temps this morning and slowly warming up towards the end of the week with the possibility of rain/snow starting tonight.

Dude and Bruiser were not happy going out so they hunkered down inside.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day.... Sutro Tower in San Francisco (https://sutrotower.com/)

looks like a flying pirate ship in the fog...

 

 

It's actually the highest point in San Francisco.....

 

 

 

Love this story...... shared by former Wilsonite, Steve Geon, high school pal...

 

For years, a photographer Tanja Brandt has made it her mission to capture magnificent photos of animals and wildlife. Recently, the German artist found a new challenge when she photographed the unique bond between two unlikely friends: Ingo, a Belgian shepherd, and Poldi (napoleon), a one-year old owlet. The owlet and canine have a special protector-protected relationship and their affection towards each other couldn't be more evident. Ingo lovingly guards Poldi, who apparently doesn't know how to live free.

The owlet hatched two days after his six brothers and sisters, therefore has always been very vulnerable due to his small size. Comparatively, Ingo was raised to be strong and oftentimes ruthless police dog.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's another easy crockpot recipe...

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

 

 

• 24 oz frozen shredded hash browns thawed OR 3 cups of sliced or shredded potatoes
• 10 3/4 oz can cream of potato soup
• 16 oz container of ranch dip
• 2 c shredded cheddar cheese
• salt pepper and garlic powder to taste
• 6 oz can French-fried onions

 

• Mix together your potatoes, soup, dip, cheese, salt, pepper and garlic powder in your crock pot
• Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours
• Stir once after 2 hours
• Serve with a sprinkling of French-fried onions

 

 

 

Historically this date.....

1807 – In Alabama, former Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr is arrested for treason and confined to Fort Stoddert.

1847 – The first group of rescuers reaches the Donner Party.

1942 – World War II: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the executive order 9066, allowing the United States military to relocate Japanese-Americans to Japanese internment camps.

1945 – World War II: Battle of Iwo Jima – about 30,000 United States Marines land on the island of Iwo Jima.

1976 – Executive Order 9066, which led to the relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps, is rescinded by President Gerald R. Ford's Proclamation 4417

 

 

And births this date include....

1924 – Lee Marvin, American actor (d. 1987)

1955 – Jeff Daniels, American actor

 

1960 – Prince Andrew, Duke of York

 

1967 – Benicio del Toro, Puerto Rican actor

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Tuesday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

 

Recognized by the US National Confectioners Association, National Chocolate Mint Day is observed annually across the nation on February 19th.  This holiday has been set aside for all the chocolate mint lovers to eat their favorite treats all day long.

The Aztecs and Mayans are given much credit for their ways with chocolate, and while chocolate was brought back to Europeans, they were not fond of the dark, bitter bean, and it was used more for medicinal purposes.

As it was mostly consumed as a hot beverage, Europeans mixed mint, cinnamon and other spices to make it more palatable.  Over time, sugar was added, and the combination of chocolate and mint became fashionable.

Fast forward to the mid-1800s when inventions and improvements in processes made it possible for confectioners to begin mass producing chocolates.  Even then, small candy shops served a local public.  Advertisements for mint chocolates, or chocolate mints, did not start showing up in newspapers until the turn of the century.

The International Dairy Foods Association states that mint chocolate chip is the 10th most popular flavor of ice cream.

**Well, chocolate mint ice cream is certainly my favorite! It's also my pal (Karen Baertschiger) aka, Sugar Bear's favorite too. I used to love going to Fosselman's (http://fosselmans.com/index.html)

on Main Street in Alhambra! 

One of the earliest mass-producers of chocolate mints was Huyler’s in New York, which had a chain of stores across the country.

Today we find mint chocolate in everything from ice cream to brownies, cookies and candies, liquors and sauces.

Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies were first sold in 1953 and are still their most popular cookie.

Mint chocolate is also the name of an herb with edible leaves that taste like chocolate and mint.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Below is a favorite frosting recipe for chocolate cake.  It looks great decorated with chocolate mint candies, a perfect to celebrate National Chocolate Mint Day!

Mint Frosting for Chocolate Cake

1 package cream cheese (8 0z), softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract
Green food coloring

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.  On low speed, beat in mint extract, 2 to 3 drops of green food coloring and 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed.  Beat on medium speed until fluffy.  Store frosted cake in refrigerator.

The following are some other chocolate mint recipes for you to try:

Layered Mint Chocolate FudgeChocolate Mint BrowniesMint Chocolate Chip CookiesChocolate Mint Pie

And, for those who are thirsty:

Chocolate-Mint Martini