Clear Sunny Sky ~ Picture of the Day ~ Hummingbirds ~ Mini Italian Breakfast Casseroles ~ Brother's Day

Good 41º scattered clouds morning. 

Yesterday morning the sky was super clear and sunny. So beautiful. No gloom. We warmed to 76º. 

Picture of the Day ... LOL!

Interesting about hummingbirds...

Flowers are beginning to bloom, and hummingbirds are starting to return from their southern winter sojourns. Here’s a regional guide for when they should arrive and the food they’re seeking.

As warmer weather approaches, multitudes of migrant birds are on track for arrival in North America. Among them are those favorite avian gems, hummingbirds. The spring arrival—or year-round presence—of hummingbirds in yards varies across the country, but current studies point out some new potential challenges to migrating hummingbirds, such as changing bloom times of nectar plants and an earlier arrival of spring on their wintering and breeding grounds. Here are general guidelines to current hummingbird migration patterns for various sections of the country, as well some tips on the different feeding strategies you can use to attract them to your yard. Additionally, you can also learn more about how to help hummingbirds below. 

Eastern United States 

Over most of the eastern two-thirds of North America, from central Canada southward, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird reigns supreme.

Predominantly a neotropical migrant, it winters from southern Mexico to Costa Rica. Each spring, this species arrives in numbers along the Gulf Coast by early March, filtering northward over the next two months until arriving in northern states and southern provinces by late April or early May. Migrating males usually arrive a week or so before females at any given location. Climate change is affecting the migration of Ruby-throats, though.

Southeastern United States

The Southeastern coast, from Cape Hatteras southward, in Florida, and especially around the Gulf Coast, is different from the rest of the eastern United States. Here hummingbirds are likely to be present year-round, with both higher diversity and greater numbers of birds present in winter! As such, supplying nectar sources and insect-laded gardens is appropriate year-round in these regions. In coastal Texas and Louisiana, hummingbirds may visit feeders in the late winter and early spring.

Mountain West 

In the mountainous West, a variety of hummingbirds, including Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, Rufous, 

and Calliope, arrive in spring as the first flowers bloom. Starting in early March, these species will appear in yards near the Mexican border, and by early to mid-May will be found in the northern Rockies. Rufous Hummingbirds winter primarily in southern Mexico and breed as far north as southeastern Alaska. These hardy little birds can survive sub-freezing temperatures on practically any night of the year, but they can’t go without nectar and small insects, none of which are available in the winter in this region. Climate change and earlier blooming times for wildflowers may be affecting all of these species, as they do not appear to be shifting their arrival times to match the early blossoming times of their favorite food sources. Nectar feeders and selected wildflower plantings in yards can help these species fuel up for their continued migration and upcoming breeding season. 

Southwest and West Coast 

In the Southwest and in the West to British Columbia, hummingbirds are present year-round. In southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, many sought-after species, including Blue-throated, Rivoli's, Broad-billed, and White-eared hummingbirds, frequent backyard nectar feeders, and even-rarer visitors can also make an appearance.

Hummingbird lovers on the West Coast from California to British are also fortunate. Large numbers of hummingbirds, especially Anna’s to the north and Allen’s to the south, are likely to be found in good numbers in hummingbird-friendly yards year-round. Migrant Rufous Hummingbirds also move northward early—as far north as Oregon by the end of February—on their way to their coastal Alaskan breeding grounds.

Here in Southern Oregon I have some Rufous hummers who stay year round. 

Hummingbirds may be some of the smallest birds in the world, but fluttering those tiny wings can be quite a workout. Flapping away at up to 90 beats per second burns up calories fast; to maintain their momentum, hummingbirds need to eat—a lot! To satisfy their speedy metabolisms, these busy birds consume half their body weight in bugs and nectar, feeding every 10-15 minutes and visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers per day.

The hummer syrup I make is boiling 8 cups of water in the microwave and then adding 2 cups of sugar, stirring well. Let cool.  

From Mr. Food

When it comes to breakfast, it's always fun when we can find ways to shake it up and bring some new flavors to the table. Our Mini Italian Breakfast Casseroles are a delicious blend of Italian cheeses, spinach, and ham that give a fresh taste to your morning meal. Best of all, because they're mini, everyone gets their own personal breakfast casserole, so no one has to fight over the last bite.

 

• 4 eggs
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup packed baby spinach
• 1/3 cup diced cooked ham
• 1/4 cup Italian blend cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat 4 ramekins with cooking spray. 
    
2. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir in spinach, ham, and Italian blend cheese. Divide egg mixture evenly into ramekins and place on baking sheet. 
    
3. Bake 20 minutes or until eggs are set in center. Serve immediately.

Historically this date...

1830 – Mary Had a Little Lamb by Sarah Josepha Hale is published.

1846 – Mexican-American War: General Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey.

1883 – The Brooklyn Bridge in New York City is opened to traffic after 14 years of construction.

1940 – Igor Sikorsky performs the first successful single-rotor helicopter flight.

1962 – Project Mercury: American astronaut Scott Carpenter orbits the Earth three times in the Aurora 7 space capsule.

1994 – Four men convicted of bombing the World Trade Center in New York in 1993 are each sentenced to 240 years in prison.

And births this date include...

1686 – Gabriel Fahrenheit, German inventor and thermometer maker (d. 1736)

........and you always wondered why it was called "fahrenheit" ! BTW, there is a guy named Anders Celsius!

1879 – H. B. Reese, American inventor of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and founder of H. B. Reese Candy Co. (d. 1956)

God Bless him for inventing one of my most favorite things!!!!

1938 – Tommy Chong, Canadian-born actor and comedian

1941 – Bob Dylan, American singer and songwriter

1943 – Gary Burghoff, American actor

1945 – Priscilla Presley, American actress

Interesting read. Odd too!

1967 – Eric Close, American actor

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Observed every year on May 24th, Brother’s Day honors the brothers in our lives. Whether we have one or many, our brothers hold a special place in our hearts. Even if for those who don’t have brothers, someone in their life is usually like a brother to them. Brothers from other mothers are found in a best friend, a brother-in-law, or a cousin. They are the men in our lives we count on even when we don’t talk very often. We share memories, challenges that frequently began with the phrase, “Watch this!” soon followed by a few stitches.

While minding their own business, they are also prepared to step in when necessary. That’s what brothers do.

Of course, they’ve been known to put toads on your head or gum in your hair.  They may have been too cool for you once, too.  Brothers come in many shapes and sizes and so do their relationships. Whatever yours is, take the time to celebrate your brother on Brother’s Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy time with brothers and reminisce.  Find time for new brother siblings to spend some fun, enjoyable time together. 

BROTHER’S DAY HISTORY

C. Daniel Rhodes of Alabama founded Brother’s Day.

I don't have a brother, only had 2 older sisters, Marion and Betty.  My daughter Kristen though, has a brother, Brian, and both my granddaughters have a brother... Sami's is Tucker and Alex's is Jack.

7 Sets of Famous Brothers – According to Biblical history, the first siblings on earth were a pair of brothers. You may have heard the story of Adam and Eve’s sons, Cain and Abel. You might have also heard that it didn’t end well for the first brothers in human history. According to the book of Genesis, Cain murdered Abel, and then lied to God about it. Thankfully, most brothers avoid taking sibling rivalry to this level. Many brothers get along quite well, like these seven sets of famous brothers.

1. The Wright Brothers

Wilbur Wright was born near Millville, Indiana, in 1867. Four years later, his brother, Orville, was born in Dayton, Ohio. Famously known as the Wright brothers, the two invented the first motor-operated airplane. Not only were they the first to find success in motorized flight, but they also built and flew the first one. The flight took place on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

2. The Brothers Grimm

Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm, born in 1863, and Wilhelm Carl Grimm, born in 1859, are better known as the Brothers Grimm. The German academics collected and published folklore during the 19th century. They didn’t actually write fairy tales, however. Instead, they are credited for preserving and putting to paper the many oral stories that were passed down from generation to generation. Some of these fairy tales include Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretal, and Little Red Riding Hood.

3. The Marx Brothers

Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zeppo were the stage names of the five brothers who made up the famous comedy act known as the Marx Brothers. The brothers were born in New York City to Jewish immigrants from Germany and France. From 1905 to 1949, the Marx Brothers found success in a theatrical genre called vaudeville. They performed on Broadway and in motion pictures.

4. Peyton and Eli Manning

The Manning brothers are among the greatest sets of siblings in sports history. Their dad was NFL quarterback, Archie Manning. Peyton Manning was born in 1976 and won two Super Bowls. He played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. Eli Manning was born in 1981 and spent his entire career with the New York Giants. Like his brother, Eli also won two Super Bowls.

5. Liam and Chris Hemsworth

The Hemsworth brothers are both actors from Australia. Chris Hemsworth was born in 1983. He has appeared in many movies but is best known for his role as Thor in the Avengers movies. Chris is one of the highest-paid actors in the world. His younger brother, Liam, was born in 1990. Among other films, Liam starred in The Last Song, where he met famous singer and actress, Miley Cyrus. Their marriage ended after just one year.

6. Prince William and Prince Harry

Prince William and Prince Harry are the sons of Charlies, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. William was born on June 21, 1982, and is second in the line of succession to the British throne. Prince William is married to Catherine (Kate) Middleton. They have three children. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is a little more complicated than his elder brother. Harry was born on September 15, 1984. In 2018, he married American actress Meghan Markle. They have one child. In 2020, the couple announced they were leaving the Royal family. Harry and Meghan currently reside in Canada.

7. The Jonas Brothers

If you’re a pop music fan, you have likely heard of Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. They formally formed their group, the Jonas Brothers, in 2005. At the time, Kevin was 17, Joe was 15, and Nick was 12 years old. Since their formation, the trio of brothers have toured the world, sold millions of albums, won multiple music awards, and have appeared in film and television.