Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Golf History ~ 1 2 3 Salsa Dip ~ National Chocolate Souffle Day

 

 

Good 46º cloudy morning. 

 

Yesterday the rain was sprinkles on and off. We topped at 56º.

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about golf...

 

The reason why golf balls have dimples is a story of natural selection. Originally, golf balls were smooth; but golfers noticed that older balls that were beat up with nicks, bumps and slices in the cover seemed to fly farther.

 A golfer's worst enemy may be divots, but his or her best friend may be dimples. It is the dimples on a golf ball that send it sailing farther down the fairway. There's a finite amount of space on the surface of a golf ball. According to rules, a golf ball has a diameter of just 1.68 inches. But just how many of those little dimples are there on golf balls? The number of dimples on today's golf balls ranges between 300 and 500, with variations between make and model of golf balls. The most common number of dimples on a golf ball’s surface is 336.

 

The origins of golf are unclear and much debated. However, it is generally accepted that modern golf developed in Scotland from the Middle Ages onwards. The game did not find international popularity until the late 19th century, when it spread into the rest of the United Kingdom and then to the British Empire and the United States.

The modern game of golf is generally considered to be a Scottish invention. A spokesman for The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, one of the oldest Scottish golf organisations, said "Stick and ball games have been around for many centuries, but golf as we know it today, played over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland." The word golf, or in Scots gowf [gʌuf], is usually thought to be a Scots alteration of Dutch "colf" or "colve" meaning "stick, "club", "bat", itself related to the Proto-Germanic language *kulth- as found in Old Norse kolfr meaning "bell clapper", and the German Kolben meaning "mace or club". The Dutch term Kolven refers to a related sport where the lowest number of strokes needed to hit a ball with a mallet into a hole determines the winner; according to the "Le grand dictionnaire françois-flamen" printed 1643 is stated the Dutch term to Flemish: "Kolf, zest Kolve; Kolfdrager, Sergeant; Kolf, Kolp, Goulfe."

17th-century America: In December 1650, near Fort Orange (modern city of Albany, New York), a group of four men were playing Kolf in pairs for points. On July 22, 1657, several men were cited and warned not to play Kolf on Sundays. On December 10, 1659, an ordinance was issued to prevent playing Kolf in the streets of Albany due to too many windows being broken.

 

 

Evidence of early golf in what is now the United States includes a 1739 record for a shipment of golf equipment to a William Wallace in Charleston, South Carolina, an advertisement published in the Royal Gazette of New York City in 1779 for golf clubs and balls, and the establishment of the South Carolina Golf Club in 1787 in Charleston. However, as in England, it was not until the late 19th century that golf started to become firmly established.

The evolution of golf can be explained by the development of the equipment used to play the game. Some of the most notable advancements in the game of golf have come from the development of the golf ball. The golf ball took on many different forms before the 1930s when the United States Golf Association (USGA) set standards for weight and size. These standards were later followed by a USGA regulation stating that the initial velocity of any golf ball cannot exceed 250 feet per second. Since this time, the golf ball has continued to develop and impact the way the game is played.

 

Another notable factor in the evolution of golf has been the development of golf clubs. The earliest golf clubs were made of wood that was readily available in the area. Over the years, hickory developed into the standard wood used for shafts and American persimmon became the choice of wood for the club head due to its hardness and strength. As the golf ball developed and became more durable with the introduction of the "gutty" around 1850, the club head was also allowed to develop, and a variety of iron headed clubs entered the game. The introduction of steel shafts began in the late 1890s, but their adoption by the governing bodies of golf was slow. In the early 1970s, shaft technology shifted again with the use of graphite for its lightweight and strength characteristics. The first metal "wood" was developed in the early 1980s, and metal eventually completely replaced wood due to its strength and versatility. The latest golf club technology employs the use of graphite shafts and lightweight titanium heads, which allows the club head to be made much larger than previously possible. The strength of these modern materials also allows the face of the club to be much thinner, which increases the spring-like effect of the club face on the ball, theoretically increasing the distance the ball travels.

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

The name of our 1 2 3 Salsa Dip says it all. Yep, with just three ingredients you can make this great-tasting Tex-Mex dip...in no time!

 

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 cup medium salsa
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

 

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 1-quart casserole or baking dish with cooking spray.
    
2. In a medium bowl, with an electric beater, combine all ingredients and beat until smooth and well blended.
    
3. Transfer to prepared baking dish and bake 30 minutes, or until light golden.
    

***Makes 3 cups dip.

Serve warm with tortilla chips or fresh cut veggies for dipping.

 

 

 

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 (d.2021)

 

 

 

1940 – Mario Andretti, Italian-American race car driver

His winery in Napa makes awesome wine!!!

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Monday. 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. 

Here is a simple recipe;

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/chocolate-souffl

 

 

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Hot Dog History ~ Meatloaf and Potato Casserole ~ National Polar Bear Day

  

Good 41º drizzling rain morning. 

 

 

Yesterday morning the clouds started moving in. We topped at 52º.

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about hot dogs...

 

 

A hot dog (less commonly spelled hotdog) is a food consisting of a grilled or steamed sausage served in the slit of a partially sliced bun. The term hot dog can also refer to the sausage itself. The sausage used is a wiener (Vienna sausage) or a frankfurter (Frankfurter Würstchen, also just called frank). The names of these sausages also commonly refer to their assembled dish. Some consider a hot dog to technically be a sandwich. Hot dog preparation and condiments vary worldwide. Typical condiments include mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, relish, and cheese sauce,and common garnishes include onions, sauerkraut, jalapeños, chili, grated cheese, coleslaw, bacon, and olives. Hot dog variants include the corn dog and pigs in a blanket. The hot dog's cultural traditions include the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

 

These types of sausages were culturally imported from Germany and became popular in the United States. It became a working-class street food in the U.S., sold at stands and carts. The hot dog became closely associated with baseball and American culture. Although particularly connected with New York City and its cuisine, the hot dog eventually became ubiquitous throughout the US during the 20th century. Its preparation varies regionally in the country, emerging as an important part of other regional cuisines, including Chicago street cuisine.

 

The word "frankfurter" comes from Frankfurt, Germany, where pork sausages similar to hot dogs originated. These sausages, Frankfurter Würstchen, were known since the 13th century and given to the people on the event of imperial coronations, starting with the coronation of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, as King. "Wiener" refers to Vienna, Austria (German: Wien), home to a sausage made of a mixture of pork and beef. Johann Georg Lahner, an 18th/19th century butcher from the Franconian city of Coburg, is said to have brought the Frankfurter Würstchen to Vienna, where he added beef to the mixture and simply called it Frankfurter. Nowadays, in German-speaking countries, except Austria, hot dog sausages are called Wiener or Wiener Würstchen (Würstchen means "little sausage"), to differentiate them from the original pork-only mixture from Frankfurt. In Swiss German, it is called Wienerli, while in Austria the terms Frankfurter or Frankfurter Würstel are used.

 

A German immigrant named Feuchtwanger, from Frankfurt, in Hesse, allegedly pioneered the practice in the American midwest; there are several versions of the story with varying details. According to one account, Feuchtwanger's wife proposed the use of a bun in 1880: Feuchtwanger sold hot dogs on the streets of St. Louis, Missouri, and provided gloves to his customers so that they could handle the sausages without burning their hands. Losing money when customers did not return the gloves, Feuchtwanger's wife suggested serving the sausages in a roll instead. In another version, Antoine Feuchtwanger, or Anton Ludwig Feuchtwanger, served sausages in rolls at the World's Fair – either at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, or, earlier, at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, in Chicago – again, allegedly because the white gloves provided to customers to protect their hands were being kept as souvenirs.

 

Another possible origin for serving the sausages in rolls is the pieman Charles Feltman, at Coney Island in New York City. In 1867 he had a cart made with a stove on which to boil sausages, and a compartment to keep buns in which they were served fresh. In 1871 he leased land to build a permanent restaurant, and the business grew, selling far more than just the "Coney Island Red Hots" as they were known.

 

 

^{Carts selling frankfurters in New York City, circa 1906. The price is listed as "3 cents each or 2 for 5 cents".}

 

Ingredients

Common hot dog sausage ingredients include:

• Meat trimmings and fat, e.g. mechanically separated meat, pink slime, meat slurry
• Flavorings, such as salt, garlic, and paprika
• Preservatives (cure) – typically sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite

Pork and beef are the traditional meats used in hot dogs. Less expensive hot dogs are often made from chicken or turkey, using low-cost mechanically separated poultry. Changes in meat technology and dietary preferences have led manufacturers to lower the salt content and use turkey, chicken, and vegetarian meat substitutes.

Commercial preparation

 

Hormel hot dogs going into a smoker (1964)

Hot dogs are prepared commercially by mixing the ingredients (meats, spices, binders and fillers) in vats where rapidly moving blades grind and mix the ingredients in the same operation. This mixture is forced through tubes into casings for cooking. Most hot dogs sold in the US are "skinless" rather than "natural casing" sausages.

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Here's a great meat-and-potatoes combination that's sure to be a hit with your gang! There's no need to make a separate mashed potato side dish... you can have an all-in-one dinner with this reader-favorite casserole.

 

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/3 cup saltine cracker crumbs (about 8 crackers)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 servings warm instant mashed potatoes
• 1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 6 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray
    
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, onion, egg, chili powder, and salt; mix well. Press mixture into prepared baking dish and bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until juices run clear. Drain off excess liquid.
    
3. Combine potatoes, corn, and scallions. Spread over meat loaf. Sprinkle cheese evenly over top.
    
4. Bake an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted and top has begun to brown.

 

***If you want to add more spicy heat, use a little more chili powder or use a blend of shredded Mexican cheeses or Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers instead of Cheddar cheese.

 

 

 

Historically this date.....

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 (d. 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Polar Bear Day, also known as International Polar Bear Day, focuses our attention on conservation efforts and learning more about the fabulous polar bear on February 27th.

 

Polar bears can reach a height of 9 ft tall and a weight of 1400 pounds. They use their large, slightly webbed front paws to paddle as they swim.  As they are powerful swimmers, some polar bears swim hundreds of miles from land. However, some of the distance may have been covered by floating on sheets of ice.

 

Polar bears have a warming layer of fat covered by their thick coat of insulating fur, which helps them live in colder environments.

 

Some organizations use this day to raise awareness of the declining number of polar bears worldwide. Many believe global warming and the consequential loss of their natural habitat threaten these beautiful creatures.  Groups around the world gather together to find ways to make a difference and spread information to others.

 

 

NATIONAL POLAR BEAR DAY HISTORY

Each year, Polar Bears International sponsors National Polar Bear Day. They have been celebrating the day since at least 2011.

Polar Bear FAQ

Q. Are polar bears white?
A. A polar bear’s skin is actually black. Its thick, insulating fur is translucent.

Q. Where do polar bears live?
A. Polar bears cover quite a bit of territory. Their home in the Arctic spans from Russia, across Norway, Greenland, Canada, and some parts of Alaska.

Q. What is a polar bear hybrid?
A. Some polar bears and grizzly bears have bred creating a hybrid bear. They are called various names including grolar and pizzly bears.