Yesterday ~ Picture of the Day ~ Smews ~ Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza Sticks ~ Val Smullen ~ National Cheese Day

 

Good 45º clear sunny morning.

 

Another warm day yesterday as we hit 93º. Predictions for cooler days ahead. 

 

 

Picture of the Day.... perfect timing....

 

 

 

Interesting about Smew Ducks......

 

The Smew (Mergellus albellus) is a species of duck, and is the only living member of the genus Mergellus. Mergellus is a diminutive of Mergus andalbellus is from Latin albus "white".

 

The drake smew, with its 'cracked ice' and 'panda' appearance, is unmistakable, and looks very black-and-white in flight.

The females and immature males are grey birds with chestnut foreheads and crowns, and can be confused at a distance with the ruddy duck; they are often known as "redhead" smew. It has oval white wing-patches in flight. The smew's bill has a hooked tip and serrated edges, which help it catch fish when it dives for them. The smew is 15–17 in long.

This species breeds in the northern taiga of Europe and Asia. It needs trees for breeding. The smew lives on fish-rich lakes and slow rivers. As a migrant, it leaves its breeding areas and winters on sheltered coasts or inland lakes of the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, northern Germany and the Low Countries, with a small number reaching Great Britain (for example, at Dungeness), mostly at regular sites. Vagrants have been recorded in North America. On lakes it prefers areas around the edges, often under small trees. The smew breeds in May and lays 6–9 cream-colored eggs. It nests in tree holes, such as old woodpecker nests. It is a shy bird and flushes easily when disturbed.

 

 

 

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza Sticks

A great snack for game day or movie night!

 

 

1

can Pillsbury™ refrigerated classic pizza crust

1/3

cup ranch dressing

2

cups shredded cooked chicken breast

1/3

cup cooked crumbled bacon (about 4 slices)

1/2

cup chopped green onions (8 medium)

2

cups shredded Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese blend (8 oz)

 

Additional ranch dressing for dipping

 

 

• Heat oven to 400°. Lightly grease cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray.
•  

  Unroll pizza crust onto cookie sheet; press dough out into 13x10-inch rectangle. Spread dressing over dough. Sprinkle chicken, bacon and half of the green onions over dressing in even layers. Top with cheese.

 

• Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and cheese in center is bubbly.
•  

  Sprinkle with remaining half of green onions. Cool slightly. Cut into about 1 1/2-inch-wide strips. Serve with additional dressing for dipping.

 

 ****

• For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding the ranch dressing, then proceed with directions.
• Use leftover grilled chicken breast in place of the shredded. Dice it into small pieces to save time, and use up leftovers!

 

 

Special Birthday today... Val Smullen. HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAL!! 

 

 

 

Historically this date.....

1896 – Henry Ford completes the Ford Quadricycle, his first gasoline-powered automobile, and gives it a successful test run.

 

1939 – Holocaust: The MS St. Louis, a ship carrying 963 Jewish refugees, is denied permission to land in Florida, in the United States, after already being turned away from Cuba. Forced to return to Europe, more than 200 of its passengers later die in Naziconcentration camps.

1974 – During Ten Cent Beer Night, inebriated Cleveland Indians fans start a riot, causing the game to be forfeited to the Texas Rangers.

2004 – Marvin Heemeyer's eventually suicidal protest rampage with an improvised bulletproofed bulldozer destroys 13 buildings in Granby, Colorado, including the town hall.

 

Quite a mixed bag of births today... some good and a lot of very odd people!

Births include...

1907 – Rosalind Russell, American actress (d. 1976)

 

1924 – Dennis Weaver, American actor (d. 2006)

 

 

1926 – Robert Earl Hughes, American heaviest human being (d. 1958)

Click here: Robert Earl Hughes Was A Mighty Big Man - YouTube

 

1936 – Bruce Dern, American actor (ewwwwww.)

 

 

1944 – Michelle Phillips, American singer-songwriter and actress (The Mamas & the Papas)

 

 

1952 – Parker Stevenson, American actor and director

 

1975 – Russell Brand, English comedian and actor

(another ewwwwww.....)

 

1975 – Angelina Jolie, American actress

1979 – Christopher Dorner, American police officer and murderer (d. 2013)

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

Moooove over whiners! June 4 is National Cheese Day! Well, it does go great with WINE!

An encyclopedia of cheese will cover the alphabet and broaden your vocabulary. It will undoubtedly contain more varieties of cheese than what’s found at the local grocer. Cheese is produced from the pressed curds of milk. The milk can come from cows, buffalo, goats or sheep. Temperature and aging affect the flavor and texture of the cheese as well as spices and other seasonings added during the process.

The opportunity to go to a cheese tasting or visit a cheesemonger who is knowledgeable about pairings will improve your enjoyment of the cheese you choose.  Does Stilton melt? Can you serve Chévre with a salad? Be sure ask questions and provide your preferences. Your favorite wine might find a new sidekick. You might discover a smokey spread to go with bruschetta or a tangy cheddar to pack with lunch.

In the United States, a road trip to Wisconsin isn’t out of the question for quality and variety. But, they aren’t the only place to find outstanding flavor and choice. Local delis have selections of domestic and imported cheeses, and independent shops offer a rotating inventory beckoning us to keep visiting to see what’s new.

Excellent as a snack on its own, cheese is also a perfect ingredient in pasta, soups, souffle and many other recipes. We slap it on a sandwich cold but why stop there when it can be grilled and melted like this amazing Swiss and Tomato Grilled Cheese recipe.  When company comes to visit, nothing is better than a cheeseball, especially when bacon is added.

Cheese is multinational, too! Every nation in the world has their own variety of cheese. Italy seems to have harnessed the market. They did add it to pizza, and that’s pretty amazing.  Savor the opportunity if you ever have the chance to taste cheeses from around the world. For example, hop on over to Greece.  They have this dessert called cheesecake. Delicious!

HOW TO OBSERVE

There are many ways to celebrate National Cheese Day.  Try a new recipe or take a risk and try type of cheese you’ve never heard of before. Ask for recommendations from friends or share your favorites.