Frozen ~ Geese ~ Warmed ~ Picture of the Day ~ Buzz Aldrin ~ Sheet Pan Toad-In-The-Hole ~ National Chocolate Mint Day

Good 22º everything frozen again morning! 

Yesterday that 24º was tooooooo cold, and now this! Whine whine wine!!!

I went out to take a picture of my mountain....

and the geese were sitting in the frozen grass in the pasture.....

The sun came out early with the clear sky and by 10am  most of the ice had melted and we warmed to 36º. By later in the afternoon we topped at 65º. 

Picture of the Day .... again, perfect timing!

Interesting about Buzz Aldrin....

Buzz Aldrin was one of the first two persons to walk on the surface of our natural satellite, the Moon!

What is interesting is that his mother's maiden name was Moon.

Aldrin was born on the 20th of January, 1930, in Mountainside Hospital. His parents were Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr. (1896–1974), a career military man, and Marion Gaddys Aldrin (née Moon) (1903–1968), who lived in Montclair.

The renowned astronaut is of Scottish, Swedish, and German ancestry. He was born as Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., but has been called "Buzz" throughout all his life. Buzzer was just the way his sister mispronounced the word brother. Later the funny word was shortened to Buzz, which became the astronaut's official name in 1988.

If you want to read more about Buzz, go here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzz_Aldrin#Personal_life

From Mr. Food...

If you've never heard of toad-in-the-hole, well, let us enlighten you! It's a recipe that is perfect for breakfast, dinner, or even brinner -- that's breakfast for dinner! Our Sheet Pan Toad-in-the-Hole comes together with all the flavors you love, without any of the mess of a traditional big breakfast. Once you try it, you're gonna wonder how you lived without it! 

 

• 6 slices bacon
• 6 (1/2-inch-thick) slices country-style bread
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 6 eggs
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt for sprinkling
• Black pepper for sprinkling
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced (optional)

 

1. Preheat oven to 400º. Place bacon in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, let cool slightly, then coarsely crumble.
2. Meanwhile, coat another baking sheet with cooking spray. 
3. Using a 2-1/2-inch biscuit cutter or the rim of a drinking glass, make a hole in the center of each bread slice. Butter one side of each slice and place on baking sheet, buttered side down. Lightly butter top side.
4. Gently crack an egg into each bread hole. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook 12 to 15 minutes or until eggs are cooked to your desired doneness. Sprinkle with bacon and scallion, if desired, and serve immediately.

 

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 Hump Day. 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, so they 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, they added sugar, 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.

One of the earliest mass-producers of chocolate mints was Huyler’s in New York. Their chain of stores spread across the country. 

Today we find mint chocolate in everything from ice cream to brownies, cookies and candies, liquors and sauces. Girl Scouts first sold Thin Mint cookies in 1953 and are still their most popular cookie. Mint chocolate is also the name of an herb with edible leaves that tastes 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 way 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