Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ WWII Rationing ~ Tuna Melt Casserole ~ Jerry Maxwell ~ Georgia Sue Mattern ~ National Mutt Day

 

 

Good 26º everything is frozen white morning. 

 

 

Yesterday, again and again, the dark clouds and high fog came in. They finally left and we had clear blue sky!! 

 

Picture of the Day ... Jerry with our Maggie when she was a tiny pup!

 

 

 

 

Interesting about rationing during WWII.....

 

On November 26, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered nationwide gasoline rationing to help the American war effort. Here are six surprising items that were rationed during World War II.

Rubber Was ScarceRubber was the first commodity to be rationed, after the Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies cut off the U.S. supply; the shortage of rubber affected the availability of products such as tires. Only people in services considered essential could purchase tires, and vehicle owners could only have five tires in their possession with any others being confiscated.

 

Footwear Was On Hold

Starting on February 9, 1943, Americans needed a coupon to buy a pair of shoes, and they received only three coupons a year unless their shoes were stolen or lost due to a catastrophe, leading to the issuance of a special certificate. Shoes were rationed because both leather and rubber were scarce due to the war effort, and even the height of boots or the sole of the shoe had to comply with regulations. Colors were restricted to four basic ones: black, white, town brown, and Army russet.

 

Running on Fumes

Rationing gasoline, it was reasoned, would conserve rubber by reducing the number of miles Americans drove. Ration stamps for gasoline were pasted to the windshield of a the automobile. The type of stamp determined the gasoline allotment for that automobile. Black stamps, for example, signified non-essential travel and mandated no more than three gallons per week, while red stamps were for workers who needed more gas, including policemen and mail carriers. In a separate attempt to reduce gas consumption, the government passed a mandatory wartime speed limit of 35 mph, known as the “Victory Speed.”

Sugar Was in Short SupplyThe Japanese conquered the Philippines in the early part of 1942, causing the United States to lose a major source of sugar, and it became the first food to be rationed. On May 5, 1942, families received a ration book for sugar covering the next 56 weeks. The ration stamps were good for one pound of sugar and could be used over a two-week period.

 

Not Enough Coffee in Your CupAmericans on the home front saw coffee rationing begin on November 29, 1942. Each household was limited to one pound of coffee every five weeks. Coffee rationing ceased in 1943, which was probably as welcome as the end of Prohibition.

 

Life Changed As The Nation RationedDealerships had to stop selling cars and bicycles to civilians because car factories needed to produce more military vehicles and equipment. Radios, phonographs, refrigerators, vacuums, washing machines, sewing machines, and typewriters were also unavailable for civilian purchase during this time.

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

Want to be top tomato with your gang? Bake up this homestyle Tuna Melt Casserole that's packed with comforting corkscrew macaroni bathed in melty swiss cheese and topped with fresh tomatoes and they'll love it and you!

 

• 1 (16-ounce) package corkscrew macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
• 3 (6-ounce) cans tuna, drained, flaked
• 2 tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

 

1. Preheat oven to 400º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook pasta 7 minutes, or until al dente. Drain well and return to pot; set aside.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk; increase heat to medium-high and cook until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat and add 1-1/2 cups cheese, stirring until melted.
4. Add cheese sauce and tuna to pasta in pot; toss until evenly mixed. Transfer mixture to baking dish. Arrange tomato slices on top, overlapping if necessary. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
5. Cover baking dish with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

 

***Elbow or shell macaroni will work just fine.

 

 

 

 

Today is a special day. It was my darling's birthday. Jerry Wayne Maxwell 12-2-1940 - 2-12-2007. It always blows me away when I think about it... born on 12-2 and died on 2-12. He is loved and missed every single day.

 

 

 

Born in Dallas Texas, grew up in Redwood City Ca., joined the Marines during Viet Nam and was a tanker, traded in his tan and green USMC uniform for a Los Angeles Sheriff's Department tan and green deputy uniform for 30 years.

 

 

Another special birthdays today...

Georgia Sue Mattern is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GS!!

 

 

Historically this date....

1927 – Following 19 years of Ford Model T production, the Ford Motor Company unveils the Ford Model A as its new automobile

  

1980 – Four U.S. nuns and churchwomen, Ita Ford, Maura Clarke, Jean Donovan, andDorothy Kazel, are murdered by a death squad in El Salvador.

 

 

And births this date include..

1914 – Ray Walston, American actor (d. 2001)

 

1924 – Alexander Haig, American Soldier & Civil servant, 7th Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 5th White House Chief of Staff and 59th United States Secretary of State (d. 2010)

 

 

1981 – Britney Spears, American singer, dancer and entertainer

 

 

1983 – Aaron Rodgers, American football player

           born in Chico Ca!

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Hump Day. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Mutt Day encourages us to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs twice a year on July 31st and December 2nd.

Desperately longing for a new home, millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs in shelters wait for someone to come and adopt them. National Mutt Day provides an excellent opportunity to find the perfect canine companion. Despite the name, a mutt learns, obeys and trains much like purebred animals. While their lineage cannot be traced and their features a bit murky, their companionship will be faithful. 

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and often abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home. Whether you know it or not, their potential is limitless. Some of the benefits of adoption are often hidden. Human and canine both enjoy increased physical activity.  Another boost is social interaction through daily walks. While humans develop patience, their four-legged companion learns to trust and new limits. For example, as dogs explore the many scents of the human lifestyle,  they usually discover shoes are off-limits.

No matter the breed, size or demeanor of the human, er, canine, the shelter will take the time to find the right home for their animals. They schedule visits and have procedures in place to promote healthy adoptions for families and individuals. While some dogs experience injury or illness, the shelters work with veterinarians to heal the animals before making them available for adoption.

Of course, shelters always welcome donations and volunteers. Dogs love walking, playing and being loved even if they haven’t found their forever home. Every moment they spend socializing increases their opportunity for adoption.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Visit a shelter; if you are unable to adopt a dog, you can always volunteer. Post on social media using #NationalMuttDay and encourage others to join in.

NATIONAL MUTT DAY HISTORY

Celebrity Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, founded National Mutt Day in 2005.  Celebrate the day on both December 2 and July 31 of each year.