Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Hawaiian Goose ~ All-American Pudding Cake ~ National Anisette Day

 

Good 57º clear sunny morning. 

 

Yesterday we topped at 102º.

 

 

Picture of the Day     

You have to keep and eye on the clouds!!! 

 

 

Interesting....

 

 

Hawaiian Goose 

The Nene , also known as Hawaiian goose, is a species of bird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The official bird of the state of Hawaii, the Nene is exclusively found in the wild on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Hawaii.

The Hawaiian name nēnē comes from its soft call. The specific name sandvicensis refers to the Sandwich Islands, a former name for the Hawaiian Islands.

 

It is thought that the Nene evolved from the Canada goose (Branta canadensis), which most likely arrived on the Hawaiian islands about 500,000 years ago, shortly after the island of Hawaii was formed.

This ancestor is the progenitor of the Nene as well as the prehistoric giant Hawaii goose (Branta rhuax) and nēnē-nui (Branta hylobadistes). The nēnē-nui was larger than the Nene, varied from flightless to flighted depending on the individual, and inhabited the island of Maui. Similar fossil geese found on Oahu and Kauai may be of the same species. The giant Hawaii goose was restricted to the island of Hawaii and measured 3.9 ft in length with a mass of 19 lb, making it more than four times larger than the Nene. It is believed that the herbivorous giant Hawaii goose occupied the same ecological niche as the goose-like ducks known as moa-nalo, which were not present on the Big Island. Based on mitochondrial DNA found in fossils, all Hawaiian geese, living and extinct, are closely related to the giant Canada goose (B. c. maxima) and dusky Canada goose (B. c. occidentalis).

 

 

The breeding season of the Nene, from August to April, is longer than that of any other goose; most eggs are laid between November and January. Unlike most other waterfowl, the Nene mates on land. Nests are built by females on a site of her choosing, in which one to five eggs are laid (average is three on Maui and Hawaii, four on Kauai). Females incubate the eggs for 29 to 32 days, while the male acts as a sentry. Goslings are precocial, able to feed on their own; they remain with their parents until the following breeding season.

 

The Nene is a herbivore that will either graze or browse, depending on the availability of vegetation. Food items include the leaves, seeds, fruit, and flowers of grasses and shrubs.

 

 

From Mr. Food

Make this for the 4th.....

 

Hooray for the red, white, and blue! Our All-American Pudding Cake will surely earn you your baking stars and stripes! This scrumptious homemade poke cake, filled with creamy pudding, is a delight for your senses!

 

• 1 (18.25-ounce) package white cake mix
• 25 drops red food coloring
• 25 drops blue food coloring
• 1 (4-serving-size) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• Red, white, and blue sprinkles for garnish

 

1. Prepare cake mix according to package directions for 2 (8-inch) round cake pans.
2. Divide batter evenly between 2 bowls. Stir red food coloring into one bowl of batter, and blue food coloring into second bowl. Pour each bowl of cake batter into an 8-inch round cake pan.
3. Bake according to package directions; let cool 15 minutes. Using a straw or wooden spoon handle, poke about 15 holes randomly in each cake layer.
4. In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix and milk; whisk just until pudding starts to thicken. (Pudding should be pourable.) Slowly pour pudding into holes of both cake layers. Refrigerate 1 hour.
5. Place 1 cake layer on serving platter and frost with whipped topping. Place second cake layer on top and frost top and sides with remaining whipped topping. Garnish with sprinkles and refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

 

Historically this date....

1698 – Thomas Savery patents the first steam engine.

.... no wonder the steam engine cartoon was named Thomas!

1881 – Charles J. Guiteau shoots and fatally wounds U.S. President James Garfield, who eventually dies from an infection on September 19.

1937 – Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan are last heard from over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first equatorial round-the-world flight.

1962 – The first Wal-Mart store opens for business in Rogers, Arkansas.

 

And births this date include...

1932 – Dave Thomas, American fast food entrepreneur (Wendy's) (d. 2002)

1946 – Ron Silver, American actor (d. 2009)

1964 – José Canseco, Cuban-born American baseball player

 

1964 – Ozzie Canseco, Cuban-born American baseball player

1986 – Lindsay Lohan, American actress

 

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On July 2nd, we recognize a liqueur derived from aniseed on National Anisette Day. Aniseed from the anis herb gives anisette its licorice or fennel flavor. While usually a dry dry liqueur, distillers sometimes add a sugar syrup for a sweeter result. Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France lead the world in drinking this licorice tasting drink.

The herb of the aniseed, usually the main ingredient in anisette, is considered to have medicinal qualities. Sweeter than other anise-flavored liqueurs, anisette’s association with a variety cures date back to ancient Egypt. As a liqueur, distillers create a dryer anisette in Europe than they do in the United States. Distillers add other spices such as coriander and fruit to distill anisette, too.

While most enjoy anisette by sipping it, the liqueur can be mixed as a cocktail, too. However, pure anise extract should not be drunk straight. Since its alcoholic content is high, it irritates the throat. However, mixing it in with coffee, gin, bourbon, or water will bring out a bit of a sweet flavor. The solution? Bake some anise cookies!

If you’re the one who eats all the black jelly beans, you will likely savor a shot with anisette. The licorice flavor comes from the same anise plant that some licorice candies are made.