Clouds/Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Rottweilers ~ Taco Casserole ~ National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day

Good 38º cloudy sprinkling morning.

Yesterday the clouds were dark....

then a touch of sun ......

then dark again....

It got windy and 48º. 

Picture of the Day

Interesting about Rottweilers...

The Rottweiler is a breed of domestic dog, regarded as medium-to-large or large. The dogs were known in German as 'Rottweiler Metzgerhund', meaning Rottweil butchers' dogs, because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market.

This continued until the mid-19th century when railways replaced droving. (the meaning of "droving"... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droving)

Although still used to herd stock in many parts of the world, Rottweilers are now also used as search and rescue dogs, as guard dogs, and as police dogs.

The Rottweiler is one of the oldest of herding breeds, known as a mastiff-type dog that was a dependable, rugged dog with great intelligence and guarding instincts.

During their quest to conquer Europe, the Roman legions traveled in large numbers across the continent. The lack of refrigeration meant soldiers brought herds of cattle for food. Drover dogs kept the herd together and guarded it at night.

Around A.D. 74 the Roman army traveled across the Alps and into what is now southern Germany. For the next two centuries the Roman drover dogs were continually used in herding and driving cattle for trade even after the Romans were driven out of the area.

The Rottweiler is good-natured, placid in basic disposition, very devoted, obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance is natural and rustic, his behavior self-assured, steady and fearless. He reacts to his surroundings with great alertness and at the same time even-tempered.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org 

Taco Casserole

Craving tacos and you have all the ingredients except taco shells? No problem. This tastes just like tacos and is so easy.

1 pound lean ground beef

1 15oz can spicy chili beans in sauce, undrained

1 cup thick and chunky salsa

2 cups coarsely broken tortilla chips

3/4 cup sour cream

4 medium green onions, sliced

1 medium tomato chopped

1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Whole tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, and additional salsa, if desired.

Heat oven to 350º.

Cook beef in skillet over medium heat 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked. Drain.

Stir in beans and 1 cup salsa. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

In ungreased 2 qt casserole, place broken chips. Top with beef mixture. Spread with sour cream and sprinkle with onions and cheese.

Bake uncovered 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Arrange whole tortilla chips around edge of casserole. serve with lettuce and salsa.

Historically this date.......

1882 – Robert Koch announces the discovery of mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.

1900 – Mayor of New York City Robert Anderson Van Wyck breaks ground for a new underground "Rapid Transit Railroad" that would link Manhattan and Brooklyn.

1934 – U.S. Congress passes the Tydings-McDuffie Act allowing the Philippines to become a self-governing commonwealth.

1944 – Ardeatine Massacre: German troops kill 335 Italian civilians in Rome.

1958 – Rock'N'Roll teen idol Elvis Presley is drafted in the U.S. Army.

1989 – Exxon Valdez oil spill: In Prince William Sound in Alaska, the Exxon Valdez spills 240,000 barrels (38,000 m³)

of petroleum after running aground.

1998 – Jonesboro massacre: Mitchell Johnson and Andrew Golden, aged 11 and 13 respectively, fire upon teachers and students at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro,Arkansas; five people are killed and ten are wounded.

Click on the "massacre" link and it is an interesting read. Sick puppies, both...Golden more so.

And births this date include....

1930 – Steve McQueen, American actor (d. 1980)

1944 – R. Lee Ermey, American actor (d. 4-15-18)

Born in Emporia, Kansas, Ermey enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1961. Ermey was a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, and Parris Island, South Carolina from 1965 to 1967. In 1968, Ermey arrived in Vietnam where he served for 14 months with the Marine Wing Support Group 17. He then served two tours of duty in Okinawa, Japan, during which he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6) and was medically discharged in 1972 for several injuries incurred during his tours

1954 – Donna Pescow, American actress

1976 – Peyton Manning, retired American football player

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

When it comes to a National Day, a chocolate covered raisin or a box of them is worth celebrating. On March 24th, National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day celebrates raisins coated in a shell of either milk chocolate or dark chocolate.

Moviegoers have been snacking on chocolate covered raisins for many, many years. Somehow, popcorn, a box of chocolate covered raisins go together perfectly. It doesn’t matter the kind of movie either. Chocolate covered raisins are also a conventional bulk vending item across the country.

More than 1 million Raisinets are produced per hour.

In some countries, chocolate covered raisins are known as Raisinets. Raisinets produced the first and one of the most popular brands of the product. Currently made by Nestle, they are the third-largest selling candy in United States history.  The Blumenthal Chocolate Company introduced the Raisinets to the United States in 1927, and then in 1984, Nestle acquired the brand. However, a large number of other brands produce chocolate covered raisins for us to enjoy.  

Raisins are an excellent source of calcium, potassium, iron, fiber and vitamin B.  When you combine the raisins with dark chocolate, you have a great tasting, healthy snack.  

HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy your favorite brand of chocolate covered raisins. Or, make your own. We’ve even provided several different recipes using this delicious snack. 

Chocolate Covered Raisin Cookies
Easy Chocolate-Covered Raisins (Crock-Pot)Deluxe Oatmeal Raisinets Cookies