Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Minnesota University Mascot ~ Cheese Steak Casserole ~ Jim & Babette Faust ~ National Use Your Gift Card Day

Good 33º dark cloudy morning. 

Yesterday the weather didn't change much. Stayed cold and the snow didn't melt, nor did we get more. We got some drizzle. Rain predicted through Monday. We topped at 37º.

Pictures of the Day .... perfectly timed dog moments....

Interesting university mascot.......

Gophers are small rodents that burrow tunnels and live underground.

For more than a century, Minnesota has been known as the Gopher State, a nickname that led the University of Minnesota to adopt a smiling, bucktooth rodent dubbed Goldy Gopher as its school mascot in the 1940s.

Minnesota became known as the "Gopher State" in 1857, the result of a political cartoon ridiculing the $5 million Railroad Loan in western Minnesota. The cartoon portrayed nine Gophers with the heads of local politicians pulling a locomotive.

From Mr. Food...

Looking to add some excitement to ho-hum dinnertime? Well, bake up a batch of our Cheese Steak Casserole, and you'll have everyone racing to the table! This twist on a traditional Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich tastes plain old delicious!

 

• 1 (8-ounce) package wide egg noodles, cooked according to package directions
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 onion, cut in half and sliced thin
• 1 pound thin boneless beef sirloin steak, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (15-ounce) jar cheese sauce

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place cooked noodles in baking dish; set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat; cook red peppers and onion 4 to 5 minutes, or until fork-tender. Add beef, salt, and pepper to skillet and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until beef is brown, stirring occasionally. Drain liquid.
3. In a microwaveable bowl, melt cheese sauce in microwave 1 minute.
4. Spoon half of cheese sauce over noodles. Top with beef mixture, then pour remaining cheese sauce over top; cover with aluminum foil.
5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until heated through.

Today is a special anniversary... my high school pal Sandy's (Todoran) baby sister, Babette and her groom Jim Faust have been married since 1986.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!!!

Historically this date.....

1788 – The first elements of the First Fleet carrying 736 convicts from England to Australia arrives at Botany Bay.

1896 – The X-ray machine is exhibited for the first time.

1944 – The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosts a jazz concert for the first time. The performers are Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Roy Eldridge and Jack Teagarden.

1990 – Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry is arrested for drug possession in an FBI sting.

And births this date include....

1779 – Peter Mark Roget, British lexicographer (d. 1869)

He wrote one of my most favorite books!!!

1813 – Joseph Glidden, American farmer who patented barbed wire (d. 1906)

With that name, you'd think he invented some kind of paint!  LOL, probably a relative!

1882 – A. A. Milne, English author (d. 1956)

1892 – Oliver Hardy, American comedian and actor (d. 1957)

1904 – Cary Grant, English actor (d. 1986)

(1981)
Mr. Grant and I at a Fabergê sales meeting in the Bahamas. He was dreamy then, even at 77 years old!

1913 – Danny Kaye, American actor (d. 1987)

1941 – David Ruffin, American singer (The Temptations) (d. 1991)

   Saw them at the Playboy Club in the 70's... NEAT!!!!

1955 – Kevin Costner, American actor

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Use Your Gift Card Day reminds Americans to use the $1 billion in gift cards left unused each year. On the third Saturday in January, take stock of the gift cards you received over the holidays. Make the most of each one of them before they’re forgotten for good!

We all do it. Stash away gift cards thinking we will have more time later to use them. They collect dust and disappear into an abyss somewhere. We discover them as we clean and often don’t remember how much was on the card or if we used a portion of it. Those partial balances add up, too!  The first step is to collect the cards together and see what you have. You know where to look.

• Every pocket of every purse and wallet you have
• The infamous junk drawer
• Glove compartment of the car
• Bottom of the toy box (it may have been used to scrape goo off a toy)
• The other junk drawer
• A gift bag with the tissue paper still in it
• The toolbox (we know what happens when a flathead screwdriver can’t be found)

Once you have your gift cards, get organized. Where do the gift cards work? Restaurants, retail, and services all offer gift cards. Some gift cards are designed to be used just about anywhere.

Maximizing Your Gift

• Check for deals to maximize your gift cards. In most cases, gift cards work just like cash and can be used with coupons. There are exceptions, however, so it’s always good to check first.
• Is the card to a place you don’t shop? You have a few options:
  • See if the card is good at a companion location
  • Check to see if the gift card can be cashed out
  • Have a gift card swap party or sell your gift card for cash
  • Donate your gift card to a charity fundraiser like a silent auction
• Plan to overspend the amount of the gift card to avoid having small balances lying around. Even if you add a small useful item (lip balm is always handy) to go a penny over the amount, you’ll be able to hand the card over to the retailer to recycle the card.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Collect your gift cards. It’s time to use them. Don’t let them sit for a year and risk losing your gift altogether. Maximize your gift cards with deals and get the most out of your gift cards, too. Have a shopping spree or a spa day with your gift cards. Don’t let those gifts and savings pass you by!