Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Potato History ~ Inca History ~ Parmesan Potato Wedges ~ Jerry's 1955 Chevy Pickup ~ National Love Your Pet Day

 

Good 37º morning.

 

Yesterday the rain came and went and the sun shined through the clouds occasionally. We topped at 48º.

 

 

Picture of the Day... which way can I go? 

 

 

 

 

Interesting about potatoes ....

 

The potato’s story began more than 10,000 years ago on the shores of Lake Titicaca, in present-day Peru. The Incas are believed to have been the first to cultivate potatoes all the way up in the Andes mountain range, at 3,800 metres above sea level.

Wild potato plants already grew around the lake, and communities of Inca farmers began domesticating the potato and learning how to preserve this sturdy veggie.

The Incas discovered that by dehydrating the potatoes into a substance called chuño, they could store it for up to 10 or even 15 years. Peruvian potatoes were versatile too. The Incans boiled, mashed, roasted, fermented in water to create a sticky toqosh, and ground to a pulp and soaked to create almidón de papa (potato starch). Peruvian potatoes soon formed the basis of the Incan diet, sustaining great cities and Incan armies. It became a revered food, as the Incans also used potatoes to treat injuries, predict the weather, and make childbirth easier. The Incans even used the modest potato to measure time, as Incan units of time corresponded with the length of time it took to cook a potato to different consistencies.

It wasn’t until the mid-16th century that potatoes spread beyond the shores of South America. After Spanish Conquistadors ransacked Peru in hopes of finding gold, they instead discovered the potato.

The Spanish were impressed with this root vegetable that was easy to farm in abundance and store for long periods. Packed with vitamin C, the potato also relieved scurvy among the Spanish sailors. Peruvian potatoes quickly became a staple item on Spanish ships and the Conquistadors carried them across the seas to Europe.

A few decades later, Sir Walter Raleigh, an English explorer, writer, soldier and politician, introduced potatoes to Ireland in 1589, on 40,000 acres of land near Cork. It took many more decades before potatoes became a prominent part of the European diet. It wasn’t until the 1780s that the Irish began farming potatoes in abundance, thanks to their hardiness and nutrition.

Since then, the potato has traveled all over the globe, becoming one of the most important foods in the world. Although it may seem like a simple tuber, the potato has played a great role in human history.

To read more about Inca history, go here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_Empire

 

 

 

Parmesan Potato Wedges

 

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 4 medium baking potatoes (about 8 ounces each)
• Cooking spray

• Preheat oven to 400°. Mix first 5 ingredients.
• Cut each potato lengthwise into 8 wedges; place in a parchment-lined 15x10x1-in. pan. Spritz with cooking spray; sprinkle with cheese mixture. Bake until tender, about 30 minutes.

 

 

 

Historically this date.....

1931 – The Congress of the United States approves the construction of the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge by the state of California.

1933 – The Congress of the United States proposes the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution that will end Prohibition in the United States.

1962 – Mercury program: While aboard Friendship 7, John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the earth, making three orbits in 4 hours, 55 minutes.

1998 – American figure skater Tara Lipinski becomes the youngest gold-medalist at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

And births this date include....

1902 – Ansel Adams, American photographer (d. 1984)

1924 – Gloria Vanderbilt, American socialite and clothing designer (d.2019)

 

Mother of Anderson...

 

 

1937 – Roger Penske, American racing driver, race team owner and entrepreneur

..... good guy! Brian worked for him for a few years.

1937 – Nancy Wilson, American singer (d.2018)

1946 – Sandy Duncan, American singer and actress

 

1947 – Peter Strauss, American actor

 

1951 – Edward Albert, American actor (d. 2006)

 

1954 – Patty Hearst, American socialite

 

 

The other day I sold Jerry's old 1955 Chevy pickup. It was not driven for 33 years! It sat in the carport. Rick bought it and is going to get it running and fixed up. He said he'd come over and give me a ride when finished. Here he is with his trailer picking up the truck.... and his friend Dean (local Rogue River State Farm agent) steering it....

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On February 20th, pet lovers everywhere observe National Love Your Pet Day.  This holiday is a day set aside to give extra attention to and pamper your pets.  This is a good day to focus on the special relationship that you have with your pets.

Did you know that most households in the United States have at least one pet?  While there are more cats than dogs in the United States, more households have dogs than cats, but not by much. Pets are not limited to the canine and feline categories.  There are quite a few who prefer the companionship of birds, reptiles, fish or rats.  Whoever your pet companion is, we are sure you will enjoy spending a little extra time with them on National Love Your Pet Day and reap the benefits, as well such as stress relief and lower blood pressure.  So on February 20 (and every day) show your appreciation to your pets!

HOW TO OBSERVE

Bring your pet a special treat, take an extra long walk or give them more attention on National Love Your Pet Day.  Whatever you decide to do, spoil and appreciate your pets!

**My life would not be good without my dog Dude and my cat Bruiser. They are my loves and keep me company and happy!