Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Arctic Fox ~ Hawaiian Chicken and Rice Casserole ~ National S'mores Day

Good 52º clear sunny morning. 

Yesterday we topped at 100º. 

Picture of the Day ....

Interesting about the Arctic Fox ......

The Arctic fox, also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is a small fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and common throughout the Arctic tundra biome.

It is well adapted to living in cold environments, and is best known for its thick, warm fur that is also used as camouflage. In the wild, most individuals do not live past their first year but some exceptional ones survive up to 11 years. Its body length ranges from 18 to 27 inches, with a generally rounded body shape to minimize the escape of body heat.

The Arctic fox preys on many small creatures such as lemmings, voles, ringed seal pups, fish, waterfowl, and seabirds. It also eats carrion, berries, seaweed, and insects and other small invertebrates. Arctic foxes form monogamous pairs during the breeding season and they stay together to raise their young in complex underground dens. Occasionally, other family members may assist in raising their young. Natural predators of the Arctic fox are golden eagles, polar bears, wolverines, red foxes, wolves, and grizzly bears.

Arctic foxes must endure a temperature difference of up to 160–180 °F between the external environment and their internal core temperature. To prevent heat loss, the Arctic fox curls up tightly tucking its legs and head under its body and behind its furry tail.

This position gives the fox the smallest surface area to volume ratio and protects the least insulated areas. Arctic foxes also stay warm by getting out of the wind and residing in their dens. Although the Arctic foxes are active year-round and do not hibernate, they attempt to preserve fat by reducing their locomotor activity. ( A locomotor skill is a physical action that propels an individual from one place to another. )

They build up their fat reserves in the autumn, sometimes increasing their body weight by more than 50%. This provides greater insulation during the winter and a source of energy when food is scarce .

The Arctic fox's seasonal furs, summer (top), "blue" (middle), and winter (bottom)

From Mr. Food

Hello Hawaii! We're celebrating delicious tropical flavor with our Hawaiian Chicken and Rice Casserole. Juicy chicken, sweet pineapple, creamy rice, and a special little crunch all come together to make this casserole recipe as good as it gets. It's an easy way to feed the family and take them on a trip to an island paradise!

 

• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
• 3 cups diced cooked chicken
• 1 (10-1/2-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 scallions, sliced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup chow mein noodles

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º.  Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook rice according to package directions, substituting one cup of coconut milk for one cup of water.
3. In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, chicken, soup, pineapple, red pepper, scallions, 1-1/2 cups cheese, the ginger, salt, and remaining coconut milk; mix well.  Spoon mixture into baking dish.
4. Bake 35 minutes. Remove casserole from oven, top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and the chow mein noodles.  Bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until casserole is heated through.

 

Historically this date........

1519 – Ferdinand Magellan's five ships set sail from Seville to circumnavigate the globe. The Basque second in command Sebastian Elcano will complete the expedition after Magellan's death in the Philippines.

1846 – The Smithsonian Institution is chartered by the United States Congress after James Smithson donates $500,000.

1948 – Candid Camera makes its television debut after being on radio for a year as Candid Microphone.

1969 – A day after murdering Sharon Tate and four others, members of Charles Manson's cult kill Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.

1981 – Murder of Adam Walsh: the head of John Walsh's son is found. This inspires the creation of the television series America's Most Wanted.

2003 – The highest temperature ever recorded in the United Kingdom – 101.3 °F in Kent. It is the first time the United Kingdom has recorded a temperature over 100 °F.

And births this date include....

1874 – Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States (d. 1964)

1889 – Charles Darrow, American board game creator (Monopoly) (d. 1967)

 

1898 – Jack Haley, American actor (d. 1979)

1913 – Noah Beery, Jr., American actor (d. 1994)

1923 – Rhonda Fleming, American actress

6 husbands ....

1924 – Martha Hyer, American actress (d.2014)

1928 – Jimmy Dean, American singer and businessman (d. 2010)

1928 – Eddie Fisher, American singer (d. 2010)

Interesting read ... Debbie talks about Eddie divorcing her and marrying Liz Taylor..

Click here: Debbie Reynolds on losing Eddie Fisher to Elizabeth Taylor - Gossip Rocks Forum

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National S’mores Day on August 10th recognizes the most popular campfire treat! Millions of people of all ages love this gooey, toasted treat. 

S’mores consists of a roasted marshmallow with a layer of chocolate bar sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker.

The origin of this tasty snack is credited to the entrepreneur Alec Barnum. However, the first recorded version of the recipe can be found in the 1927 publication of Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.  Even though the Girl Scouts were not the first ones to make s’mores, Girl Scout groups describe them in their reports as early as 1925. Earlier recipes used the name “Some Mores.”  It is unclear when the word “S’mores” became the more common name.

Today, many variations on the original s’more find their way around a campfire.

• Try spreading peanut butter on the graham crackers before adding the other ingredients.
• Substitute peanut butter cups in place of the chocolate bar.
• Replace the graham crackers with fudge-dipped cookies.
• Add banana slices. 

HOW TO OBSERVE

Try this S’more Bar recipe at home. Enjoy and share with your friends and family. However, if you think s’mores are too messy for you but enjoy the flavor, add the s’more ingredients to delicious desserts. Cakes, pies, dips, trifles also offer a terrific way to enjoy the taste of a s’more.