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Monday, February 19, 2024

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ President's Day ~ Creamy Chicken & Ravioli Skillet ~ National Chocolate Mint Day

  


Good 44º raining morning. 
 
 
Yesterday we stayed dry and topped at 55º. Rain predicted every day until Thursday. 
 
Picture of the Day😮
 

 
Interesting about President's Day
 

 

Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday at the federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. It is often celebrated to honor all those who served as presidents of the United States and, since 1879, has been the federal holiday honoring Founding Father George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and was the first U.S. president.

 

The day is an official state holiday in most states, with names including Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day, President's Day, Presidents Day, and Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday. The various states use 15 different names. Depending upon the specific law, the state holiday may officially celebrate Washington alone, Washington and Abraham Lincoln, or some other combination of U.S. presidents (such as Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who was born in April).

 

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 (N.S.). Washington's Birthday was celebrated on this date from 1879 until 1970. To give federal employees a three-day weekend, in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February. The day soon became known as Presidents(') Day (the presence and placement of the apostrophe varies) and provides an occasion to remember all the U.S. presidents, to honor Abraham Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays together, or any single president of choice.

 

As many states and cities followed suit, some states that had been celebrating Lincoln's birthday on February 12 combined the two into Presidents Day. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, preserved the Unionabolished slavery, bolstered the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy.

Observance and traditions

A food traditionally associated with the holiday is cherry pie, based on the legend of Washington in his youth chopping down a cherry tree.

 

Until the late 1980s, corporate businesses generally closed on this day, similar to present corporate practices on Memorial Day or Christmas Day. However, after having been moved to the third Monday, most businesses remain open with many offering sales and other promotions. Federal and state government services close (U.S. Postal Service, state Departments of Motor Vehicles, federal and state courts). Class schedules at universities and colleges vary depending on the school. Public elementary and secondary schools are generally closed, but some school districts, such as New York City, may close for an entire week as a "mid-winter recess".

 

The holiday is also a tribute to the general who created the first military badge of merit for the common soldier. Revived on Washington's 200th birthday in 1932, the Purple Heart medal (which bears Washington's image) is awarded to soldiers who are injured in battle.

 

Community celebrations often display a lengthy heritage. Laredo, Texas, hosts a monthlong tribute, as does Washington's hometown of Alexandria, Virginia, which includes what is claimed to be the nation's longest-running and largest George Washington Birthday parade.[50] Eustis, Florida, holds an annual "GeorgeFest" celebration that began in 1902, and in Denver, Colorado, there is a society dedicated to observing the day. At the George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Westmoreland County, Virginia, visitors are treated to birthday celebrations on the holiday, while at Mount Vernon they last throughout the holiday weekend and through February 22.

 

Since 1862 there has been a tradition in the United States Senate that George Washington's Farewell Address be read on his birthday. Citizens asked that this be done in light of the ongoing Civil War.

 

If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidents%27_Day

 

 
 
From Mr. Food
 

SERVES
4 to 5
COOK TIME
15 Min

If you think you have a prize-worthy weekday dinner recipe like this one that uses a few refrigerated and frozen supermarket shortcuts, then you need to enter our Dinner-in-a-Dash Recipe Contest. The Grand prize winner will receive a $500 Supermarket gift card, a signed Mr. Food Test Kitchen Cookbook and a slew of coupons for free items. So what do you say you make this for dinner tonight and tomorrow you enter the contest? We sure hope you do!

 

  • 1 (12-ounce) package frozen cheese ravioli
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup refrigerated shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups frozen cooked chicken chunks
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) package frozen garlic bread sticks, heated according to package directions

 

  1. Place ravioli into a large pot of boiling water and return to a boil. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally; drain. 
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add half-and-half, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Stir in chicken and peas, and continue to cook 6 to 8 minutes or until heated through. 
  3. Add ravioli to skillet and gently stir until thoroughly combined. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, cover, and heat until cheese is melted. Serve with warmed bread sticks.

 

****Go ahead and change up the veggies. Frozen broccoli, spinach, or mixed vegetables will turn this skillet dish into a weekly favorite!  And if you want to brown the cheese on the top, all you have to do is to prepare this in an oven-safe skillet and finish it off in a 425 degree F oven for about 10 minutes.
 
 
Historically this date.........
1807 – In Alabama, former Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr is arrested for treason and confined to Fort Stoddert.


1847 – The first group of rescuers reaches the Donner Party.


1942 – World War II: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the executive order 9066, allowing the United States military to relocate Japanese-Americans to Japanese internment camps.


1945 – World War II: Battle of Iwo Jima – about 30,000 United States Marines land on the island of Iwo Jima.


1976 – Executive Order 9066, which led to the relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps, is rescinded by President Gerald R. Ford's Proclamation 4417
 
 


And births this date include....
1924 – Lee Marvin, American actor (d. 1987)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJyCxDs6L-EIurgMYfTWBS5-eAs6OCHU3rDpNaNyPUh59a1Tll3B8BFTgq2C_wNbPWomVLuJyDFwpL9Iw_NdUg6hIbMGtTxHWTIti9GssaPphyphenhyphen8ftCNQcHxFZypR5hXtPsA10GCNV1ts/s1600/leemarvinMA28946262-0009.jpghttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQDm8PElsu8l3qeH8peKlH-sQTo2eR1Jx1xmOIQNG4hyphenhyphenuewDgr45bzWKTBMKkknjVUX08-XpUuXuZccPv2TQfGYDFTXEFYzgmYqeVZ2hCE-w8tL-XiN82r6FHbAyaQL02Tlg0PL-VmZc/s1600/leemarvin2MA28946262-0010.jpg


1955 – Jeff Daniels, American actor
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvwyVbiLgJBKhJefjc84933ssrVLo21e4ogw4Z6kAD-NH11ulS74AzdY1rC32RrvKYIIsgcZC-zhEnOnmhP9iIcQH9brd-Ewm945_KqF3LjQA_Vn4q-SLZvbE_EDJU8iXuz2PeTl0CFS9/s1600/jeff1MA29156049-0045.jpghttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLXiA4AcRx-FxSPYGj5c8_KjReNmgL8u9afXwVBvoLDVH-QWzYIiSorMG0w3MrtB4RBpcrUZWmO40GVRTIe6iXvG6XIDGohTNrZwjRMoc4_w-UKBroc5S9aCNjYwZPVmyQ8rujvPO2xBU/s1600/jeff2MA29156049-0046.jpg


 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLcUsRDMBKocq0Qqs80vEOHWBsdYcwBBIiwxwZmTaumbKVmkNMAJMwb9HKKGLdh2_EOXLcpOajf8Rihkk8j4EM-bmMCC7lU4A6ay9x73RQCnfVjyRqP37EzOgw2hQG_x1fl1UK_FqKYM/s1600/andrew_fergieMA28946262-0011.jpghttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBoUYh0bNCSWJ2sW5MyJdreZl6meZnU_0WjqTqP1jybWkA4qg7Iyc_93DiToKxk3hEg3fy0QmNV7DAXLLXd5xGsRgh7j1uGjpY36OSXl4jPoe2OQJr9MhoJX98tQFuo7wXbZk2GWR8-8/s1600/princeandrewMA28946262-0012.jpg
 


1967 – Benicio del Toro, Puerto Rican actor
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pM4MhWXFyyaYsUGTnjvc3CzojC0jPUdkdB6Axs05X9eubopZ2NSHktddj1zT3hmyjUuw6IvVsjEE2yQSslPZxv8oheeZ5XTv43GG2z6w7-ttgolN_Hm6IgCH5Qnem1pjEMQzsmLk1VE/s1600/benicioMA28946262-0013.jpg
 
 
 
All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Monday. Ciao.
xo Sue Mom Bobo

Recognized by the US National Confectioners Association, National Chocolate Mint Day is observed annually across the nation on February 19th. This holiday has been set aside for all the chocolate mint lovers to eat their favorite treats all day long.
The Aztecs and Mayans are given much credit for their ways with chocolate. And while chocolate was brought back to Europeans, they were not fond of the dark, bitter bean, so they used more for medicinal purposes.
As it was mostly consumed as a hot beverage, Europeans mixed mint, cinnamon and other spices to make it more palatable. Over time, they added sugar, and the combination of chocolate and mint became fashionable.
Fast forward to the mid-1800s when inventions and improvements in processes made it possible for confectioners to begin mass-producing chocolates. Even then, small candy shops served a local public. Advertisements for mint chocolates, or chocolate mints, did not start showing up in newspapers until the turn of the century.
The International Dairy Foods Association states that mint chocolate chip is the 10th most popular flavor of ice cream.
One of the earliest mass-producers of chocolate mints was Huyler’s in New York. Their chain of stores spread across the country.
Today we find mint chocolate in everything from ice cream to brownies, cookies and candies, liquors and sauces. Girl Scouts first sold Thin Mint cookies in 1953 and are still their most popular cookie. Mint chocolate is also the name of an herb with edible leaves that tastes like chocolate and mint.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Below is a favorite frosting recipe for chocolate cake. It looks great decorated with chocolate mint candies, a perfect way to celebrate National Chocolate Mint Day!
Mint Frosting for Chocolate Cake
1 package cream cheese (8 0z), softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract
Green food coloring
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.  On low speed, beat in mint extract, 2 to 3 drops of green food coloring and 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed.  Beat on medium speed until fluffy. Store frosted cake in refrigerator.