Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ World's Longest Fingernails ~ One Pot Creamy Beef Stroganoff ~ Herman & Karen Baertschiger ~ Toby and Bruiser ~ National Hot Chocolate Day

Good 46º foggy morning. 

Yesterday that old gloom hung around all day and never left. 

Picture of the Day ... this city in the Czech Republic.... LOL

Interesting and icky.....

Shridhar Chillal (born 1937) is an Indian man who held the world record for the longest fingernails ever reached on a single hand, with a combined length of 358.1 inches. Chillal's longest single nail is his thumbnail, measuring 77.87 inches). He stopped cutting his nails on his left hand in 1952.

Although proud of his record-breaking nails, Chillal has faced increasing difficulties due to the weight of his finger nails, including disfigurement of his fingers and loss of function in his left hand. Nerve damage caused from the nails' immense weight has also caused deafness in Chillal's left ear.

Chillal has appeared in films and television displaying his nails, such as Jackass 2.5.

On 11 July 2018, Chillal had his fingernails cut with a power tool at the Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum in New York City, where the nails will be put on display. A technician wearing protective gear cut the nails during a "nail clipping ceremony".

One Pot Creamy Beef Stroganoff

"This beef stroganoff recipe is basically magic. Just seven ingredients, and completely ready to serve in 30 minutes! If the addition of evaporated milk has you doubting this recipe, never fear—it cooks with the noodles to create an unbelievably creamy sauce, all in one pot. And talk about easy—you don’t even need to drain the beef. Just keep adding ingredients, and let them simmer together into a satisfying stroganoff that’s the very definition of comfort food."

1

lb ground beef (at least 80% lean)

1

package (8 oz) sliced button mushrooms

1/2

cup chopped onion

1/2

teaspoon salt

1

carton (32 oz) Progresso™ beef flavored broth

1

can (12 oz) evaporated milk

1

package (12 oz) uncooked medium egg noodles (about 7 cups)

1

container (8 oz) sour cream

• 1

  In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook beef, mushrooms, onion and salt over medium-high heat 9 to 11 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown and vegetables are tender. Do not drain.
• 2

  Stir in broth, milk and noodles. Noodles will not be completely covered at first. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, just until noodles are tender and most of liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; do not drain. Stir in sour cream.

Special Anniversary today, my friends Herman & Karen (aka Sugar Bear) Baertschiger

Historically this date.....

1876 – The United States orders all Native Americans to move into reservations. 

1930 – 3M begins marketing Scotch Tape.

1957 – Eight people on the ground in Pacoima, California are killed following the mid-air collision between a Douglas DC-7 airliner and a Northrop F-89 Scorpion fighter jet.

1971 – Apollo program: Apollo 14 – Astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell, aboard a Saturn V, lift off for a mission to the Fra Mauro Highlands on the Moon.

2001 – In the Netherlands, a Scottish court convicts Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and acquits another Libyan citizen for their part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988.

And births this date include.... 

1872 – Zane Grey, American novelist (d. 1939) 

 

His home in Avalon on Catalina Island, turned into a hotel, was a favorite place for Jerry and I to stay. Whatta view!

1902 – Tallulah Bankhead, American actress (d. 1968) 

1919 – Jackie Robinson, American baseball player (d. 1972) 

1934 – James Franciscus, American actor (d. 1991) 

1937 – Suzanne Pleshette, American actress (d. 2008) 

1947 – Nolan Ryan, American baseball player 

1959 – Anthony LaPaglia, Australian actor 

1981 – Justin Timberlake, American singer 

My friends Dave (LASD ret) & Pam Clark sent me this picture of their cat Toby....

Ya think he and Bruiser are related??? LOL

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Each year on January 31, National Hot Chocolate Day warms up people across the country by celebrating the timeless cold-weather beverage.

Hot chocolate is a warm beverage made with ground chocolate, heated milk or water, and sugar. In America, we often use the terms hot chocolate and hot cocoa interchangeably. However, the two beverages are different.

Cocoa vs Hot Chocolate 

We make hot cocoa with cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar. We’re able to do this thanks to a process developed by father and son chemists. The thicker, more flavorful beverage, we make hot chocolate from ground chocolate containing cocoa butter. It’s also called drinking chocolate. Hot chocolate has also been around longer than hot cocoa. In the early 1800s, Casparus van Houten Sr. developed a process to separate the cocoa solids from the butter. His son, Coenraad Johannes made those fats more soluble in water. Together their processes made cocoa powder possible.

But before then, everyone drank hot chocolate. This thicker, creamier beverage often offered medicinal benefits for stomach ailments during the 19th century. In fact, long before the beverage’s popularity in Victorian times, it served in ceremonial culture. 

2000 years ago, the Mayans likely created the first chocolate beverage. A cocoa beverage was also an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD. Europe popularized the drink after it was introduced from Mexico in the New World.

Make it and Benefit

Hot chocolate can be enjoyed in a variety of combinations, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows. Sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of peppermint makes the chocolate extra special. In the United States, an instant form of hot chocolate is popular. It is made with hot water or milk and a packet containing mostly cocoa powder, sugar, and dry milk. People enjoy topping it with marshmallows or whipped cream.

There are health benefits to drinking hot chocolate. Cocoa contains significant amounts of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer. It has also been shown that the cocoa beans help with digestion. The flavonoids that are found in the cocoa also have a positive effect on arterial health.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. You can make it with dark or milk chocolate. While you’re at it, try experimenting, too. Add some cinnamon or other flavors to your chocolate. Of course, inviting a friend to join you is essential to the celebration, too. Try adding these toppings.

• Whipped cream
• Marshmallows
• Sprinkles
• Candied fruit

Weather ~ Luncheon ~ Picture of the Day ~ Pike Place Fish Market ~ One-Pan Rotini With Tomato Cream Sauce ~ Cat Raincoat ~ National Croissant Day

Good 44º super cloudy/foggy morning. 

The weather yesterday started out so gloomy... and stayed that way all day. We did get a few sprinkles of rain.

And the noisy geese back again! 

Yesterday was the local Law Enforcement/Fire luncheon at the Golf Club in Grants Pass. I hadn't been for several years and finally went. The restaurant is now owned by Dustin, who owns The Vine Restaurant next to Brian's State Farm office. Had a great lunch and visit with our LASD group, Bill and Jeannie Patterson and Dale Yellin and former Jackson Co Fireman and Rogue River Chief, Mike Hannan. All the rest of the attendees were former LAPD and one guy who was a cop in Illinois. Pictures later....

Picture of the Day ... LOL   Hazard, Kentucky! 

Interesting ... Pike Place Fish Market ... if you haven't been there and are in the Seattle area, make sure you go visit this market! It's fun!!!

As part of a large farmers' market, the 'Pike Place Fish Market' is an open air fish market located in Seattle, Washington at the cross streets named Pike Place and Pike Street. Founded in 1930, this site is known for the tradition of fishmongers (someone who sells raw fish and seafood, either wholesale or retail), throwing fish that customers have purchased, before they are wrapped. The market is a popular tourist attraction, often billed as world-famous. Exact address for the headquarters is 86 Pike Place.

The 'Pike Place Fish Market' is best known for its staff who complete a ritual of hurling customers' fish orders across the display and shipping area. This standard routine and ritual is followed by staff after customers have placed an order. While wearing orange rubber overalls and boots, staff call out the customer's order, at which point the fishmonger will throw the customer's fish behind the counter for wrapping. Initially, the ritual of shouting and then repeating the customer's ordered fish began as a prank by one employee, but was enjoyed by customers, so it became a routine and tradition.

As part of the ritual, while working, staff yell to each other and chant in unison while they throw ordered fish. Occasionally, the staff will throw a foam fish into the crowd to scare bystanders or select a customer from the crowd to participate in the fish toss. Above the area in which they throw fish is a sign that reads, "Caution: Low Flying Fish."

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

One-Pan Rotini With Tomato Cream Sauce

• 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups uncooked spiral pasta
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking up beef into crumbles, 5-10 minutes; drain. Add garlic and seasonings; cook 1 minute longer. Add the stock and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Add pasta and peas; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until pasta is tender, 10-12 minutes.
• Gradually stir in cream and cheese; heat through (do not allow to boil).

Test Kitchen tips

• Even if all the noodles aren't totally submerged in liquid when added to the pan, they will still cook through.
• For an extra boost of flavor, stir in cooked sausage and serve with additional cheese.

Historically this date......

1835 – In the first assassination attempt against a President of the United States, Richard Lawrence attempts to shoot president Andrew Jackson, but fails and is subdued by a crowd, including several congressmen.

1847 – Yerba Buena, California is renamed San Francisco.

1994 ... today marks the 26th year my Mother, Margaret Laney, has been gone. So miss her still today. She never got to know my grandbabies; Alex, Jack, Tucker, and Sami. Such a shame! She was a beautiful person inside and out. LOVE YOU MOM!

And births this year include....

1882 – Franklin D. Roosevelt, American politician, 44th Governor of New York, and 32nd President of the United States (d. 1945)

1914 – John Ireland, Canadian actor (d. 1992)

1914 – David Wayne, American actor (d. 1995)

1922 – Dick Martin, American comedian (d. 2008)

1925 – Dorothy Malone, American actress (d.2018)

1930 – Gene Hackman, American actor

1937 – Vanessa Redgrave, English actress

1941 – Dick Cheney, American politician, 7th White House Chief of Staff, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming, 17th United States Secretary of Defense and 46th Vice President of the United States

My cat Bruiser is such and outdoor guy and even when it's raining, which is odd to me that a cat goes out and wanders around in the rain. Saw this picture and thought, good idea, a raincoat for the Bruise!!! LOL

All I know. Happy Hump Day. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

In the United States, National Croissant Day recognizes a flaky pastry enjoyed at every meal.  Croissants are a buttery, crescent-shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  

The key to a perfect croissant is laminating the dough. Laminating the dough is a process by which butter is folded into the mixture creating multiple thin layers of butter and dough. The result is a mouth-watering flaky crust and airy body.

Legend surrounds this pastry, as is often the case with a popular, worldly treat. What is known, is that crescent-shaped breads have been found around the world for ages. One of these was the Kipferl which originated in Austria as far back as the 13th century. This nonlaminated bread is more like a roll.

Credit for the croissant we know today is given to an Austrian military officer, August Zang. In 1939 he opened a Viennese bakery in Paris introducing France to Viennese baking techniques.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Stop by the bakery for a fresh, warm croissant. Be sure to give your baker a shout out, too! Of course, you can always try baking your own. We’ve even provided a recipe to try. 

Croissants recipe.

NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY HISTORY

The earliest we’ve found the observance being celebrated is in 2006. National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this buttery food holiday.