Weather/Snow/Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Oystercatcher Birds ~ Grilled Cheese Dippers ~ Bill & Jeannie Patterson ~ National Tie One on Day (not what you are thinking!)

Good 33º dark cold drizzling rain morning. 

A little after 8am yesterday we started getting a light snow. It wasn't sticking and our temperature was 34º. By 9:30 the snowflakes were getting bigger and starting to stick. 

By 11 we had a bit more snow....

In the 21 years I have lived here, we have never had to chain up or shovel snow. It's always been mild and then goes away in a few days.

Picture of the Day .... oops. Somebody better find the missing S.

Interesting about a bird called "oystercatcher".....

The oystercatchers are a group of waders forming the family 'Haematopodidae', which has a single genus, 'Haematopus'. They are found on coasts worldwide apart from the polar regions and some tropical regions of Africa and South-East Asia.

The name oystercatcher was coined by Mark Catesby in 1731 as a common name for the North American species H. palliatus, described as eating oysters.

The different species of oystercatcher show little variation in shape or appearance. They range from 15–20 inches in length and 28–36 inches in wingspan. The Eurasian oystercatcher is the lightest on average, 1.160 lb, while the sooty oystercatcher is the heaviest, at 1.806 lb).

The plumage of all species is either all-black, or black (or dark brown) on top and white underneath. The variable oystercatcher is slightly exceptional in being either all-black or pied. They are large, obvious, and noisy plover-like birds, with massive long orange or red bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. The bill shape varies between species, according to the diet. Those birds with blade-like bill tips pry open or smash mollusc shells, and those with pointed bill tips tend to probe for annelid worms. They show sexual dimorphism, with females being longer-billed and heavier than males.

The diet of oystercatchers varies with location. Species occurring inland feed upon earthworms and insect larvae.

Transform a grilled cheese sandwich into a delicious dipper! Coated with breadcrumbs and perfect for dunking into soup, you’ll never make this classic the same way again.

Grilled Cheese Dippers

1 T. butter

1/8 t. garlic powder

1/3 cup Progresso original panko crispy bread crumbs

1 can (8oz) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dough sheet

3 slices .08oz each, sliced American cheese, cut in half

3 Cheddar cheese sticks, unwrapped and cut in half crosswise

Your favorite tomato soup, if desired

Heat oven to 375°F. Line large cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter and garlic powder uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds or until butter is melted. Stir in bread crumbs; transfer to pie plate or shallow dish.

Unroll dough sheet on work surface; reshape into 12x8-inch rectangle. With pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut dough sheet into 6 squares, 4x4 inches each.

Place 1 cheese slice half and 1 cheese stick half onto 1 end of each square near center. For each roll-up, roll side with cheese, rolling to opposite side, and pinching seam to secure. Continue for remaining roll-ups.

Roll dough sticks into bread crumbs; place seam side down on cookie sheet. With sharp knife, pierce top of each dough stick 3 times. Bake 15 to 19 minutes or until dough is golden brown and baked through. Serve warm with tomato soup.

**

• Piercing the top of dough before baking will help steam escape during baking. Some of the cheese may melt outside of the ends of the grilled cheese dippers, but lining your pan with parchment will make for easy clean-up.
• Cheese sticks come in many varieties. Feel free to switch out the Cheddar sticks with pepper Jack or Colby Jack sticks.

Special Anniversary today.... pals Bill (LASD ret) and Jeannie Patterson are celebrating 27 years. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS! xo

Historically this date....

1924 – In New York City, the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held.

1934 – Bank robber Baby Face Nelson dies in a shoot-out with the FBI.

1973 – The Twenty-fifth Amendment: The United States Senate votes 92 to 3 to confirm Gerald Ford as Vice President of the United States (on December 6, the House confirmed him 387 to 35).

1978 – In San Francisco, California, city mayor George Moscone and openly gay city supervisor Harvey Milk are assassinated by former supervisor Dan White.

  

And births this date include....

1916 – Chick Hearn, American sportscaster (d. 2002)

  

1917 – Buffalo Bob Smith, American television host (d. 1998)

1940 – Bruce Lee, American actor and martial artist (d. 1973)

Real interesting read on his life.

  

1952 – James D. Wetherbee, American astronaut

1955 – Bill Nye (The science guy), American engineer and broadcaster

1957 – Caroline Kennedy, American journalist and attorney

1958 – Mike Scioscia, American baseball player and manager

He was one of the most awesome catchers ever!!!

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Hump Day. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Tie One on Day might confuse people with its name. However, it is not at all about going out, getting crazy and drinking too much while others are at home, working hard preparing for tomorrow’s big Thanksgiving Day meal.

The day celebrates the apron as well as the past generations of women who wore them and it was also created as a day to bring joy to the life of someone in need and celebrate the spirit of giving.

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.” EllynAnne Geisel

Through the years, aprons have served many purposes. They’ve protected hands from hot items coming out of the oven. In a moment of sadness, they’ve wiped tears away. Generation after generation, they protect our clothes while we cook. Though, they also protect shy, young children as they hide from strangers. During moments of haste or even humor, they handily swat away unwelcome kitchen visitors (cats, flies or cookie snatchers). They’ve carried eggs, vegetables, toys, and even the catch of the day. Aprons fan us as we wait for cakes to finish cooking and while on cool mornings, they’ve warmed hands waiting for children at the bus stop or for the postman. Occasionally, they even make us feel a little more adept in the kitchen, too. 

 

NATIONAL TIE ONE ON DAY HISTORY

Best-selling author, Ellyn Anne Geisel, created National Tie One on Day. She’s also the author of the book titled, The Apron Book.