Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Left-handed People ~ Amish Chicken Casserole ~ National Chocolate Souffle Day

 

Good 26º everything is frozen morning. 

 

 

Yesterday the sun came and  went... and we topped at 52º.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

 

Interesting about left-handed people....

 

About 10-15% of the population is left-handed. Why is this so? Genetically, it's likely due to a gene called NRH (“non-right-handed”) which has a 50% chance of making people left-handed (and also has a 50% chance of making your hair spiral counterclockwise!).

There has been a lot of interesting research on handedness in the last decade.

Left-handers' brains are structured differently from right-handers' in ways that can allow them to process language, spatial relations and emotions in more diverse and potentially creative ways. Also, a slightly larger number of left-handers than right-handers are especially gifted in music and math. It is believed that these abilities are due to increased communication between the brain hemispheres, and the ability to use both sides of the brain at once when processing stimuli.

People throughout history have incorrectly thought that left-handedness was a demonic curse or learning disability that must be corrected.

Some famous left-handed people; 

Leonardo da Vinci, Drew Barrymore, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Keanu Reeves, Chewbacca the Wookie, Harpo Marx, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Winston Churchill, Babe Ruth, Martina Navratilova, James Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. 

 

From Mr. Food

This Amish Country recipe is sure to be a popular one at your house. We take the shortcut liberty of using cooked rotisserie chicken to get our Amish Chicken Casserole from the oven to the table quickly. You won't find another Amish casserole recipe like this one! Pair it with a side of veggies, and you're sure to have a fantastic dinner on the table.

 

• 8 ounces medium egg noodles
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups chopped cooked rotisserie chicken
• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsle

 

1. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside.
    
2. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
    
3. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter; gradually add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add chicken broth and milk; increase heat to medium and cook until mixture is slightly thickened and bubbly, stirring constantly. Stir in salt and pepper; set aside.
    
4. In a large bowl, combine noodles, chicken, mushrooms, onion, and parsley; stir in sauce.  Spoon mixture into baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. 
    
5. Bake uncovered 25 minutes, or until heated through.
    

 

 

 

Historically this date.....

 

1935 – DuPont scientist Wallace Carothers invents nylon

1954 – The first color television sets using the NTSC standard are offered for sale to the general public.

1991 – The first Gulf War ends.

1993 – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents raid the Branch Davidian church in Waco, Texas with a warrant to arrest the group's leader David Koresh. Four BATF agents and five Davidians die in the initial raid, starting a 51-day standoff.

1997 – An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 in Armenia and Azerbaijan kills around 1,100 people

1997 – An earthquake in northern Iran is responsible for about 3,000 deaths.

1997 – The North Hollywood shootout takes place, resulting in the injury of 19 people and the deaths of both perpetrators.

2001 – The Nisqually Earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale hits the Nisqually Valley and the Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia area of the U.S. state of Washington.

And births this date include....

1906 – Bugsy Siegel, American gangster (d. 1947)

 

1931 – Gavin MacLeod, American actor

 

 

 

1940 – Mario Andretti, Italian-American race car driver

His winery in Napa makes awesome wine!!!

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Sunday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Chocolate Souffle Day celebrates a delightfully delicious dessert on February 28th each year. 

The word souffle is the past participle of the French verb souffler, which means “to blow up” or more loosely “puff up” which describes a souffle perfectly.  A souffle is a lightly baked cake made with egg yolks and beaten egg whites that are combined with other ingredients to make the dish either a savory main dish or a sweet dessert.

Two essential components make up every souffle.

1.  a French creme patisserie base/flavored cream sauce or puree

2.  egg whites beaten to a  soft peak meringue

A souffle gets its flavor from the base, and the egg whites provide the lift to puff it up. A variety of cheeses, jams, fruits, or chocolates can be baked into the base of the souffle. Many souffle bakers like to puncture the top of the souffle after removing it from the oven. Then they pour mouth-watering sauces onto it, such as chocolate, vanilla, or for a savory flavor cheese and herbs.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Souffles offer an opportunity to show off and invite friends to share in the celebration. If you need a recipe, we’ve found several for you to try. 

Easy Chocolate Souffle
Mexican Chocolate Souffle Cake
Flourless Chocolate Souffle with Raspberry Cream

 

Full Moon ~ Rain ~ Geese ~ Picture of the Day ~ Kelloggs Corn Flakes ~ Unforgettable Chicken Casserole ~ National Kahlua Day

 

Good 38º cloudy drizzly morning. 

Be safe out there with this full moon!!!! 

 

Yesterday by 8am the rain started and the geese were sitting on the barn roof honking and honking!

 

 

Picture of the Day.... who in the world comes up with these street signs!! 

 

 

 

Interesting about Kelloggs Corn Flakes...

 

On February 26, 1852, John Harvey Kellogg was born. He is best known today for the invention of the breakfast cereal corn flakes. Here are 5 things you didn’t know about the surprising history of corn flakes...

Corn Flakes Were Invented by AccidentAs superintendent at the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan in 1894, Dr. John Kellogg and his brother Will were searching for healthy vegetarian dishes to feed the patients. They put boiled wheat that had been left out and had dried up through rollers, hoping to make dough out of it, but getting flakes instead. After toasting them, they were a hit with patients, so they tried their idea using corn, and corn flakes were born.

 

Corn Flakes Was The First Box of Cereal To Contain PrizesIf you’ve ever bought a cereal box with a prize inside, you can thank Kelloggs. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes manufactured between 1909 and 1931 came with a prize inside the cereal box, and Kellogg’s was the first company to do this.  The first prize was a booklet for children called Kellogg’s Funny Jungleland and contained pictures of animals dressed in colorful clothing.  It was a clever marketing tactic that also entertained children at the same time.

 

The Cereal Mascot Isn’t a Rooster for the Reason You ThinkYes, roosters are known to crow when the sun comes up, and many people eat cereal for breakfast. However, that is not why this bird decorates the box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. Nansi Richards was a Welsh harpist who happened to be a friend of Kellogg’s. She pointed out that the word rooster in Welsh is "ceiliog," which sounds a lot like Kellogg. This mascot, named Cornelius Rooster ("Corny" for short) was a hit with consumers, eventually becoming an iconic branding touch.

 

Corn Flakes Have Been to the MoonAs one of the foods taken along for the first moon landing, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes was compressed so it would fit into an airtight pouch and milk powder made from freeze-dried milk was added. That was so the astronauts could add water to rehydrate it and enjoy their morning corn flakes. The breakfast cereal was encased in a laminated coating to prevent spoilage.

 

Kellogg and His Brother Had a Falling Out Over SugarDr. John Kellogg wanted a food that would be healthy for his patients of the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan where he was superintendent. The breakfast cereal proved popular among the patients, but his brother Will Kellogg wanted to add sugar to increase the popularity, which John was strictly against.
Eleven years after its invention, Will started his own company to produce the corn flakes with sugar, infuriating John and leading to a lifelong rift.

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Simple and satisfying, our Unforgettable Chicken Casserole has that cozy-comfort taste and texture that will make for a memorable meal. Using readily available ingredients, in just 30 minutes oven time, you'll have a chicken casserole recipe that'll stick in everyone's mind!

This delicious creamy chicken casserole recipe is a favorite for several reasons. First of all, it tastes amazing! With plenty of cheese and rich ingredients like mayo and sour cream, this casserole recipe is indulgent in all the best ways. Second, it's a perfect recipe to feed a hungry family. It makes plenty of servings, and leftovers taste great (if there are any). This is one of those meals that will make leftover night something that everyone actually looks forward to!

Enjoy this cheesy chicken casserole with your family this week. You'll be happy you did!

 

• 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 2 cups finely chopped celery
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (4-ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1 (6-ounce) can French-fried onion rings

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, stir together chicken, celery, cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, water chestnuts, soup, and almonds. Spoon into prepared baking dish.
3. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Sprinkle onion rings evenly over top and bake 5 more minutes, or until bubbly around edges. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

 

**We suggest serving this comforting recipe with a side of deliciously flavored corn or broccoli to make a full dinner!

 

 

 

Historically this day......

1951 – The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, limiting Presidents to two terms, is ratified.

1964 – The government of Italy asks for help to keep the Leaning Tower of Pisa from toppling over.

1973 – The American Indian Movement occupies Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

 

 

And births this date include...

1930 – Joanne Woodward, American actress

 

1932 – Elizabeth Taylor, British-American actress (d.2011)

 

1934 – Van Williams, American actor (d.2016)

"Williams, the Green Hornet, said goodbye to Hollywood around 1970 and followed his interests into a job in the actual world of law enforcement, spending 25 years as a reserve officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and also working at the San Diego Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department."

 

1940 – Howard Hesseman, American actor

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a great Saturday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Kahlúa Day on February 27th recognizes the rich, cream coffee liqueur that also serves up a great many delicious desserts! This alcoholic beverage adds to cocktails and adult flavored desserts equally well. To celebrate, you may want to use Kahlua, a coffee-flavored rum-based liquor, to flavor your ice cream or another dessert such as cheesecake or cake.  It also tastes great in coffee, hot chocolate, creamy cocktails, as a shot or on the rocks.

Pedro Domecq began producing Kahlúa in 1936. In 1994, the company merged with Allied Lyons forming Allied Domecq. In 2005, Allied Domecq was partially acquired by Pernod Ricard which merged with the Swedish Vin & Sprit (V & S Group) in March of 2008.

Kahlúa is made from coffee and rum, so it does contain caffeine.  Kahlúa is found to be used in a few notable cocktails, including the following:

•  B-52
•  Baby Guinness
•  Black Russian
•  Mudslide
•  White Russian
•  Espresso Martini
•  Caribbean Mudslide

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Atlanta Braves ~ All-In-One Sausage Dinner ~ Mark Moran ~ National Pistachio Day

 

Good 37º cloudy/foggy morning. Predictions are for 80% chance of rain today. 

 

 

Yesterday started off cloudy and sunny on and off and we topped at 63º. 

 

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

 

Interesting about the Atlanta Braves...

 

The Braves, who played in Boston and Milwaukee before moving to Atlanta in 1966, trace their nickname to the symbol of a corrupt political machine. James Gaffney, who became president of Boston's National League franchise in 1911, was a member of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party machine that controlled New York City politics throughout the 19th century. The Tammany name was derived from Tammamend, a Delaware Valley Indian chief. The society adopted an Indian headdress as its emblem and its members became known as Braves. Sportswriter Leonard Koppett described Gaffney's decision to rename his team, which had been known as the Doves, in a 1993 letter to the New York Times: "Wouldn't it be neat to call the team the 'Braves,' waving this symbol of the Democrats under the aristocratic Bostonians? It wouldn't bother the fans." And it didn't, especially after the Braves swept the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1914 World Series.

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Here's an all-in-one skillet meal that your family is sure to love! Our All-in-One Sausage Dinner is made with your favorite Italian sausage, along with some veggies, and yummy egg noodles. Everything cooks together in a homemade sour cream sauce for extra-goodness. And it only takes about 30 minutes!

 

• 1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausage, crumbled
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 pound narrow or medium egg noodles

 

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, combine sausage, onion, and green pepper. Cook until sausage is browned and onion is tender; drain off pan drippings.
    
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, sour cream, water, sugar, chili powder, and salt; mix well. Stir tomato mixture and noodles into skillet.
    
3. Cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
   
   

 

 

 

Special birthday today.... Mark Moran (Jackson Co Fire ret.) is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!!

 

^Rogue River Fire Department "back in the day" with Mark

 

^Mark with his bride Julie (Manager at Ace Hardware in Rogue River) and his daughter Leah (who was my hairdresser for 20 years!). Great family!

 

 

Historically this date.....

1919 – President Woodrow Wilson signs an act of the U.S. Congress establishing most of the Grand Canyon as a United States National Park (see Grand Canyon National Park).

1987 – Iran-Contra affair: The Tower Commission rebukes President Ronald Reagan for not controlling his national security staff.

1993 – World Trade Center bombing: In New York City, a truck bomb parked below the North Tower of the World Trade Center explodes, killing 6 and injuring over a thousand.

 

And births this date include...

1829 – Levi Strauss, German-born clothing designer (d. 1902)

Jerry's "uniform" daily was a pair of Levis 501 jeans and a JC Penny white t-shirt and in the winter also his camouflage jacket.

 

1846 – William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, American frontiersman (d. 1917)

1852 – John Harvey Kellogg, American surgeon and advocate (d. 1943)

1887 – William Frawley, American actor (d. 1966)

 

1916 – Jackie Gleason, American actor, writer, composer and comedian (d. 1987)

 

1920 – Tony Randall, American actor (d. 2004)

1928 – Fats Domino, American musician (d.2017)

 

1953 – Michael Bolton, American singer

1958 – Susan J. Helms, American astronaut

 

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good TGIF. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

February 26th recognizes all things pistachio and National Pistachio Day is the day to celebrate! Pistachio lovers rejoice as they eat their favorite nut all day long. For those who do not eat pistachios, buy some and give them to someone who does. Crack them open and eat them up or enjoy them in ice cream or your favorite pistachio dessert!

 

Pistachios arrived in the United States sometime in the 1880s, but they have been cultivated in the Middle East since Biblical times.

The pistachio tree grows to about 20 feet tall needing little or no rain and must have high heat.  Amazingly, in Iran, they claim to have 700-year-old pistachio trees!  A new tree takes between 7 and 10 years to mature and bear fruit.

Pistachio Facts:

•  All pistachio shells are naturally beige in color.  Some companies dye nuts red or green if nuts are inferior or for consumer demand.
• California produces about 300 million pounds of pistachios each year, accounting for 98 percent of America’s production.
• Pistachio shells typically split naturally when ripe.
• The kernels are often eaten whole, either fresh or roasted and either salted or unsalted.
• In the Middle East, people call the pistachio the smiling nut.
• In China, people call the pistachio the happy nut.

“Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin B6, copper and manganese and a good source of protein, fiber, thiamine and phosphorus.  Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pistachios, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”  US Food and Drug Administration, July 2003

A Great Thing To Do — Recycle the Pistachio Shells!

The empty pistachio shells are useful for recycling in several ways.  If unsalted, the shells need not be washed and dried before reuse, but washing is simple if that is not the case.  Practical uses include as a fire starter; kindling to be used with crumpled paper; to line the bottom of pots containing houseplants for drainage and retention of soil for up to two years; as a mulch for shrubs and plants that require acid soils, as a medium for orchids; and as an addition to a compost pile designed for wood items that take longer to decompose than leafy materials (it can take up to a year for pistachio shells to decompose unless soil is added to the mix).  

Shells from salted pistachios can also be placed around the base of plants to deter slugs and snails.  Many craft uses for the shells include holiday tree ornaments, jewelry, mosaics and rattles.  Research indicates that pistachio shells may be helpful in cleaning up pollution created by mercury emissions.