Fog/Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Acorn Street, Boston ~ Tuna Noodle Casserole ~ Commissioner Reagan's House ~ Daddy & Momma Geese and Babies ~ National Pet Parents Day

Good 46º cloudy morning. 

Yesterday started off super foggy. It finally lifted, but the gloom stayed and early afternoon we got some rain. 

Picture of the Day ....

Interesting about a street in Boston...

The street featured is Acorn Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts. It is a tiny one-block-long street located in the Beacon Hill area, an historic district of Boston retaining much of its original architecture dating from the early to mid-1800s.

The street is said to be the most photographed street in Boston and one of the most photographed streets in the U.S.. Its few homes, originally used to house the coachmen employed by families in the nearby Mt. Vernon and Chestnut St mansions, have assessed values that range from $2 million to upwards of $6 million. The street attracts so many visitors that it occasionally looks less like a part of a colonial village and more like a carnival attraction.

It is one of the last places in the U.S. to still have actual cobblestones as paving material. Real cobblestones are rounded but irregularly shaped stones, "cobs”, taken from the earth and used as they are naturally formed. The settlers extracted these and put them to use by creating cobblestone streets, which today are very rare and are considered to be historic treasures.

Acorn Street is one of the very few streets with its original cobs in place. Other streets are described as cobblestone, but it is more likely that these streets are paved with "setts"—quarried granite worked on to form more even surfaces. Cobblestones are not level and stick up out of the ground in uneven arrangements, much to the dismay of the horses and humans who have had to traverse them.

From the Slow Roasted Italian... here's a good one, if you haven't made this in awhile! 

TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE

If you're looking for the most delicious Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe, you've found it. Now that more people are eating from their pantry, you might be wondering what the best way to use canned tuna is. You've guessed it, it's this delicious pantry casserole recipe.

• (12-ounce) package extra broad egg noodles
• 2 cups frozen peas (or your favorite vegetables)
• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (or 1 can mushroom, one can celery)
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cup sharp shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 (10 ounce) cans tuna, drained
• 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Cook noodles according to package directions (only cook noodles to al dente, they still have a bite to them) as they will cook in the oven if using frozen peas add them during the last 2 minutes.
3. Meanwhile: In a large bowl combine soup, milk, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, onion, garlic, and pepper. Mix well. Add warm pasta, peas, and tuna, stir until combined.
4. Spread into a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
5. Mix the cracker crumbs with butter in a bowl and sprinkle over the casserole.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the casserole is heated through.

Donna's notes....

 

1. If using canned peas, drain them and add to the bowl at the same time as the pasta.
2. Be sure to only cook the noodles to al dente as they will continue cooking in the oven.
3. You can use any pasta you like. Noodles are classic but this recipe is great with elbows, shells, cavatappi, and penne too. I imagine every pasta would work in this recipe.

Historically this date....

1944 – Georgios Papandreou becomes head of the Greek government-in-exile based in Egypt.

1962 – NASA's Ranger 4 spacecraft crashes into the Moon.

1981 – Dr. Michael R. Harrison of the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center performs the world's first human open fetal surgery.

1986 – A nuclear reactor accident occurs at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union (now Ukraine), creating the world's worst nuclear disaster.

And births this date include...

1900 – Charles Richter, American geophysicist (d. 1985)

1933 – Carol Burnett, American comedian

Carol lived with her mother in Hollywood on Cherokee Avenue in a brownstone between Hollywood Boulevard and Yucca. My grandmother and aunt lived a block over on Whitley Avenue. Didn't know Carol (she wasn't famous yet) but probably had walked past her apartment building a bunch of times.

1938 – Duane Eddy, American musician

1942 – Bobby Rydell, American singer

 I watch Blue Bloods on TV a lot and the home that is used for the Commissioner is a beauty. Recently it showed the street sign by the house, so I looked up the street on Google and taaa daaaa... there is the house! It's on Harbor View Terrace in Brooklyn at the corner of 82nd Street.

To be clear, the interior of the house (where the meal scenes occur, for example) is actually a CBS set. However, fans will be happy to know that the exterior is a real house.

The house is situated in a cozy neighborhood near the water. Despite the fact that CBS uses its image for Blue Bloods, the estate is actually privately owned by a group of Catholics from the Middle East called the Maronites. Thus, this is not a place that is open to the public; anyone who wants to get a glimpse of it in real life will have to be respectful and cautious.

The beautiful residence isn't just for looks—it's inhabited by a bishop, according to the publication. The homestead has belonged to the Diocese of Saint Maron-USA since 1978. There's no word on whether the owner is a fan of Blue Bloods.

With its picturesque landscaping, numerous windows, and stately chimney, Frank's abode is certainly stunning—but it's not the only impressive property on the block. The newspaper adds that the area is filled with 100 year-old mansions, modest Victorian spaces, and even a gingerbread house that—almost—looks cute enough to eat.

Yesterday I saw this mom and dad goose and their three goslings, one of them under mom between her feet, on my driveway. 

Here are some interesting facts about Canadian Geese and some great pictures:

https://forum.americanexpedition.us/canada-goose-information-facts-photos-and-artwork

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On the last Sunday in April, National Pet Parents Day recognizes the pet parents who go the extra mile to care for their fur babies. 

There is a very special connection, a unique bond, between a pet and its owner.  This unique relationship, which can often last for many years, is often a vital part of the ‘pet parents’ life. Their loved pets are considered to be a member of the family. 

Some pet parents are new to the experience. Others are repeat performers. No matter how many pets or how often they engage in the relationship, it’s a special one every time. 

The observance was created to honor all dedicated pet parents across the nation with a special day of their own. 

HOW TO OBSERVE

There are several ways to celebrate this day.

• Give yourself some extra cuddle time with your pets.
• Take a photo with your pet.
• Check out the best ways to save on pet care while still giving your pet the best health possible.

NATIONAL PET PARENTS DAY HISTORY

Founded by Veterinary Pet Insurance(VPI) in 2007, National Pet Parents Day was created from inspiration in seeing the majority of their policyholders consider their pets as part of their family.