Weather/Clouds ~ Picture of the Day ~ Ravens ~ Pepperoni Pizza Chicken ~ National Clean Up Your Room Day

  

Good 39º cloudy morning. 

 

Yesterday with rain on and off we topped at 51º.

We had some interesting clouds....

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about Ravens.....

 

 

The common raven (Corvus corax), also known as the western raven or northern raven when discussing the raven at the subspecies level, is a large all-black passerine bird. Found across the Northern Hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids. There are at least eight subspecies with little variation in appearance, although recent research has demonstrated significant genetic differences among populations from various regions. It is one of the two largest corvids, alongside the thick-billed raven, and is possibly the heaviest passerine bird; at maturity, the common raven averages 25 inches in length and 2.6 pounds in mass. Although their typical lifespan is considerably shorter, common ravens can live more than 23 years in the wild. Young birds may travel in flocks but later mate for life, with each mated pair defending a territory.

 

Common ravens have coexisted with humans for thousands of years and in some areas have been so numerous that people have regarded them as pests. Part of their success as a species is due to their omnivorous diet: they are extremely versatile and opportunistic in finding sources of nutrition, feeding on carrion, insects, cereal grains, berries, fruit, small animals, nesting birds, and food waste.

 

Some notable feats of problem-solving provide evidence that the common raven is unusually intelligent. Over the centuries, it has been the subject of mythology, folklore, art, and literature. In many cultures, including the indigenous cultures of Scandinavia, ancient Ireland and Wales, Bhutan, the northwest coast of North America, and Siberia and northeast Asia, the common raven has been revered as a spiritual figure or godlike creature.

 

Most common ravens prefer wooded areas with large expanses of open land nearby, or coastal regions for their nesting sites and feeding grounds. In some areas of dense human population, such as California in the United States, they take advantage of a plentiful food supply and have seen a surge in their numbers. On coasts, individuals of this species are often evenly distributed and prefer to build their nest sites along sea cliffs. Common ravens are often located in coastal regions because these areas provide easy access to water and a variety of food sources. Also, coastal regions have stable weather patterns without extreme cold or hot temperatures.

 

Common ravens usually travel in mated pairs, although young birds may form flocks. Relationships between common ravens are often quarrelsome, yet they demonstrate considerable devotion to their families.

 

Females lay between three and seven pale bluish-green, brown-blotched eggs. Incubation is about 18 to 21 days, by the female only. The male may stand or crouch over the young, sheltering but not actually brooding them. Young fledge at 35 to 42 days, and are fed by both parents. They stay with their parents for another six months after fledging.

 

The brain of the common raven is among the largest of any bird species. Specifically, their hyperpallium is large for a bird. They display ability in problem-solving, as well as other cognitive processes such as imitation and insight.

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

When it comes to pizza, we all want that yummy pepperoni and cheesy taste, without all the extra carbs that comes from the crust. So, we decided to take that classic pepperoni pizza taste, and team it up with chicken breast! It's an ooey-gooey, cheesy, pepperoni-perfect recipe that we know you're gonna love.

 

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, lightly pounded
• Salt for sprinkling
• Black pepper for sprinkling
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 16 slices pepperoni
• Dried oregano for sprinkling

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper.  
2. In a shallow dish, combine bread crumbs and garlic powder; mix well. Dip chicken into bread crumb mixture, coating evenly on both sides. Place on baking sheet.
3.  Bake 15 minutes. Remove chicken from oven, top evenly with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni. Sprinkle lightly with oregano. Place back in oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes more or until no longer pink in center.  Serve immediately.

 

****If you want, serve this up with a green salad and some garlic rolls, for a fully authentic Italian dinner treat!

 

 

Historically this date......

1924 – J. Edgar Hoover is appointed the Director of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, and remains so until his death in 1972.

 

1954 – Bill Haley & His Comets release "Rock Around the Clock", the first rock and roll record to reach number one on the Billboard charts.

2002 – F.B.I. agent Robert Hanssen is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for selling United States secrets to Moscow for $1.4 million in cash and diamonds.

2005 – A hand grenade thrown by Vladimir Arutinian lands about 65 feet from U.S. President George W. Bush while he is giving a speech to a crowd in Tbilisi,Georgia, but it malfunctions and does not detonate.

 

And births this date include....

1899 – Fred Astaire, American dancer and actor (d. 1987)

 

1922 – Nancy Walker, American actress (d. 1992)

1936 – Gary Owens, American actor and announcer (d. 2015)

 

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

Spring cleaners get their wish granted each year when National Clean Up Your Room Day arrives on May 10th. Children often dread this parent-appreciated day. Though, some years, the observance arrives with perfect timing for Mother’s Day!

However, the observance doesn’t only target kids. It is also about picking up, straightening up, and cleaning up the whole house. Adults take spring cleaning seriously, and homes get aired out. They organize, de-clutter, and rearrange. It’s time to fix the broken and match up missing parts, like with like. We tackle cluttered closets and donate or throw away those things we no longer use. Help your children make their beds, clean their rooms, and eliminate the toys and clothing they have outgrown.

The day helps garages, sheds, and cabinets see the light of day. Drawers, closets (did we say that already), and under the bed get thoroughly organized. Find ways to repurpose items around the house, too.

• Use an old towel bar on your potting bench and hang S hooks to store your tools.
• Broken dresser drawers become bookshelves or under-bed storage.
• How many ways can you repurpose an unused wine rack?
  • storage for towels in the bathroom
  • take it to the craft area for all the small tools, glue and yarn
  • store water bottles and travel mugs
• Tissue boxes make terrific storage for plastic bags, but they also work well for used dryer sheets. Reuse the dryer sheets to wipe down the washer and dryer to keep it dust-free and clean out the lint trap.
• Use old magazine racks to store cutting boards, baking sheets, and other flat kitchen items. 

 

HOW TO OBSERVE Get ready to de-clutter! For everyone who waits for the right time to get started, the day has arrived. National Clean Up Your Room Day says so! Make a list and spend some time getting your home looking and feeling clean and fresh for summer.