Then the big fluffy white clouds came....
The world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885. Since then, the United States has been home to some of the world's tallest skyscrapers. New York City, specifically the borough of Manhattan, notably has the tallest skyline in the country. Nine American buildings have held the title of tallest building in the world. New York City and Chicago have always been the centers of American skyscraper building. The 10-story Home Insurance Building, built in Chicago in 1885, is regarded as the world's first skyscraper; the building was constructed using a novel steel-loadbearing frame which became a standard of the industry worldwide.
Since its topping out in 2013, One World Trade Center in New York City has been the tallest skyscraper in the United States. 3 World Trade Center, aka 175 Greenwich Street, opened its doors for the first time on June 11, 2018, with the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Silverstein Properties. After a series of guest speakers and live performances, the ribbon was cut at 12:00 PM, officially opening the building for business.
Its spire brings the structure to a symbolic architectural height of 1,776 feet, connoting the year the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed, though the absolute tip (or pinnacle) of the structure is measured at 1,792 ft. However, the observation deck elevation and highest occupied floor of One World Trade Center are surpassed by Central Park Tower, 432 Park Avenue
and Chicago's Willis Tower (formerly and still commonly known as the Sears Tower). 111 West 57th Street, and Tribune East Tower will also have higher occupied floors and roofs upon their completion.
Prior to the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York City, the twin towers of the first World Trade Center occupied the second and third positions on the list below, behind Willis Tower. The North Tower (1 WTC) stood at 1,368 feet, while the South Tower (2WTC) was 1,362 feet tall. If they were still standing today, they would occupy the seventh and eighth positions on the list below, with their replacement—the new One World Trade Center—being excluded.
There are numerous supertall buildings both proposed and under construction throughout the country, concentrated in New York City and Chicago. In New York City, 111 West 57th Street, 9 DeKalb Avenue, and 270 Park Avenue, are all currently under construction. In Chicago preparation work for Tribune East Tower has begun. Other tall buildings that are proposed include the 1,010-foot-tall One Bayfront Plaza, and the 1,049-foot-tall One Brickell City Centre in Miami.
One bite of these Stuffed Tex-Mex Rollups and you'll understand why we make so many of 'em at a time! Kids of all ages will find these cheesy rollups simply irresistible, especially since we roll 'em in a buttery, seasoned, and crunchy chip topping. These rollups are simply the perfect snack.
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup finely shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 24 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 (1-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
- 1 1/2 cups finely crushed ranch-flavored tortilla chips
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and egg yolk until smooth. Stir in cheese, set aside.
- Roll out each bread slice to about 1/8-inch thickness with a rolling pin. Spread cheese mixture evenly over each slice of bread. Roll up each slice jellyroll-style and place on a baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl, combine butter and taco seasoning mix. Brush butter mixture lightly over rollups on all sides. Roll them into crushed tortilla chips until coated. Place seam side down on baking sheet, cover and freeze at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, preheat oven to 400º. Bake rollups 10 to 12 minutes, or until coating is crispy.
On February 1st, National Dark Chocolate Day reminds us to indulge a little. Many tout dark chocolate as the healthier chocolate. However, for some, it can be an acquired taste.
Also known as bittersweet chocolate, dark chocolate is different from milk chocolate. Candy makers add milk or butter to milk chocolate, giving it a creamier consistency. Dark chocolate includes no added milk or butter. Instead, the percentage of cocoa solids remaining in the chocolate determines how dark the chocolate is. The higher the ratio, the darker the chocolate. It may also have a slightly bitter taste.
Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. We have been cultivating cacao for at least three millennia, and the plant grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. Our earliest known documentation of using cacao seeds dates to around 1100 BC.
Fermentation helps develop the flavor of the cacao seeds. Otherwise, the seeds are too bitter to eat. Once fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted. After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. Processors then ground the cocoa nips into cocoa mass, pure chocolate in rough form. Next, they usually liquefy the cocoa mass and mold it with or without other ingredients. At this point in the process, it is called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
Besides being lower in calories and fat, dark chocolate has many other health benefits. It also serves as a decadent ingredient in many desserts and sauces.
