Goodbye 2019 ~ Famous People Who Died in 2019 ~ Picture of the Day ~ Blueberries ~ Speedy Ravioli Bake ~ New Year's

Good 41º dark cloudy morning. 

The last day of 2019. Another year went surreal fast! I'm sure 2020 will do the same. Hope it's a HAPPY New Year for EVERYONE!!!

Here is a website with a list of all the famous people who died in 2019...  https://www.who2.com/died-in/2019/

Click on a name for bio and photo.

Picture of the Day ... LOL. Shared by my friend Vivia.

Interesting about blueberries....

Blueberries are perennial flowering plants with amazing health benefits. Commercial 'blueberries', including both wild and cultivated blueberries, are all native to North America. The cultivated blueberry varieties were introduced to Europe last century.

Blueberries consist of 14% carbohydrates, 0.7% protein, 0.3% fat and 84% water. One serving provides a relatively low caloric value of 57 kcal per 100 gram (3.5 oz) serving. It also contains a glycemic score of 6 out of 100 per day, which is considered very healthy for diabetics.

Blueberries contain high polyphenolic compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This antioxident has been associated with increased neuronal signaling in brain centers mediating memory function as well as improved glucose disposal, benefits that would be expected to mitigate neurodegeneration.

Due to the prevalence of dementia especially in our aging population, preventive approaches are essential to address this public health problem. There is no remedy for dementia, but dietary approaches hold promise as effective and safe preventive interventions.

Dietary factors represent the most potent determinants of metabolic health and have been shown to mitigate specific mechanisms of dementia. Polyphenol consumption is important in this regard, and epidemiological studies indicate that consumption of blueberries is associated with lower risk of neurodegenerative disorders and better cognitive performance in the elderly.

Speedy Ravioli Bake

2 9oz pkgs refrigerated cheese-filled ravioli

1 25 or 26oz jar chunky tomato pasta sauce

1 t. dried basil leaves

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 400º. In a saucepan or 4qt Dutch oven cook the ravioli as directed on the package. Drain and set aside.

In the same saucepan, mix the pasta sauce and basil. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Stir in cooked ravioli. Pour into ungreased 13x9 glass baking dish. Sprinkle cheese over top.

Bake 10 minutes until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.

Historically this date....

1862 – American Civil War: Abraham Lincoln signs an act that admits West Virginia to the Union, thus dividing Virginia in two.

1879 – Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time, in Menlo Park, NJ.

1907 – The first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square (then known as Longacre Square) in New York City, New York.

1909 – Manhattan Bridge opens.

1960 – The farthing coin ceases to be legal tender in the United Kingdom.

................OMG, I first thought this said "farting" coin!

1983 – The AT&T Bell System is broken up by the United States Government.

1999 – Boris Yeltsin, the first president of Russia, resigns as President of Russia, leaving Prime MinisterVladimir Putin as the acting President.

And births this date include...

1920 – Rex Allen, American actor, singer, and songwriter (d. 1999)

1930 – Jaime Escalante, American teacher (d. 2010)

1943 – John Denver, American singer and songwriter (d. 1997)

1943 – Sir Ben Kingsley, English actor

1947 – Tim Matheson, American actor

1958 – Bebe Neuwirth, American actress

1959 – Val Kilmer, American actor

1965 – Nicholas Sparks, American author

1974 – Tony Kanaan, Brazilian racing driver

All I know. Nuff said. Happy New Year's Eve. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Every year on December 31st, people around the world celebrate New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year. It’s a day to say “goodbye” to the old and “hello” to the new.

Also known as Old Year’s Day or Saint Sylvester’s Day, New Year’s Eve is one of the most exciting holidays of the year. In some countries, such as the Philippines and Latvia, New Year’s Eve is a public holiday. In Japan, it’s a government holiday. In other countries, many businesses let their employees off of work early so that they can partake in the many festivities.

There are many reasons this day is one of the biggest nights of the year. Not just because it’s a time of big parties and celebrations all around the world. New Year’s Eve can be a significant turning point in your life. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and all of the lessons you have learned. It can be a time you decide to start making better choices. If you have had a rough year, New Year’s Eve offers a feeling of relief. You can be thankful that the year is finally over

New Year’s is also a time to forgive past mistakes and form new habits. Many people make New Year’s resolutions. Although, only 8% of people actually accomplish them. Instead of making resolutions that you’re not going to keep anyway, it’s better to set three or four goals. Breaking down goals into actionable steps, and reviewing your progress daily helps to keep them. It’s also a good idea to find a friend or mentor that can hold you accountable.

HOW TO OBSERVE

As we count down the last hours and seconds of the old year, it is an excellent time to look back at the year and reminisce with friends and family.   

Many cities throughout the world go all-out to celebrate this exciting night. Fireworks, concerts, countdowns, and ball drops are usually among the many festivities. Some of the best cities to celebrate include New York City, Sydney, Bangkok, Dubai, Cape Town, London, and Las Vegas.

In Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, it is a tradition to eat 12 grapes during the countdown to midnight, symbolizing hopes for the new year. Around the world, eating anything in the form of a circle or ring symbolizes coming full circle and is considered good luck.

As a Christian observance, it is traditional to hold an evening Mass the night before a Holy Day. New Year’s Day in the Roman Catholic Church honors the Virgin Mary. In some countries, St. Sylvester, Pope of the Catholic Church from 314 to 335, is celebrated on New Year’s Eve.

Other ways to participate:

• Host a party to ring in the New Year
• Set some achievable goals
• If you can’t be at a celebration, watch one live on television
• Have a game night with your family and see who lasts until midnight
• Go for a midnight run
• Attend a concert that goes past midnight
• Go ice-skating at a nearby park or indoor rink
• Kiss your spouse or significant other at midnight
• Enjoy a quiet evening at home journaling
• Think about what you can do to make next year the best one of your life

NEW YEAR’S EVE HISTORY

The first New Year’s celebrations were thought to be held in ancient Mesopotamia. Because of the calendar at the time, these celebrations took place in March. Ringing in the New Year consisted of an 11-day festival. When the calendar switched from the lunar year to the solar year, the New Year began in January. This occurred in 46. B.C., when an astronomer convinced Julius Caesar to follow the solar year. It seems that since way back then, the coming New Year has been cause for celebration. Through the years, many New Year’s traditions have formed. Some of which include fireworks, parties, and singing “Auld Lang Syne.”