Weather ~ Luncheon ~ Picture of the Day ~ Pike Place Fish Market ~ One-Pan Rotini With Tomato Cream Sauce ~ Cat Raincoat ~ National Croissant Day

Good 44º super cloudy/foggy morning. 

The weather yesterday started out so gloomy... and stayed that way all day. We did get a few sprinkles of rain.

And the noisy geese back again! 

Yesterday was the local Law Enforcement/Fire luncheon at the Golf Club in Grants Pass. I hadn't been for several years and finally went. The restaurant is now owned by Dustin, who owns The Vine Restaurant next to Brian's State Farm office. Had a great lunch and visit with our LASD group, Bill and Jeannie Patterson and Dale Yellin and former Jackson Co Fireman and Rogue River Chief, Mike Hannan. All the rest of the attendees were former LAPD and one guy who was a cop in Illinois. Pictures later....

Picture of the Day ... LOL   Hazard, Kentucky! 

Interesting ... Pike Place Fish Market ... if you haven't been there and are in the Seattle area, make sure you go visit this market! It's fun!!!

As part of a large farmers' market, the 'Pike Place Fish Market' is an open air fish market located in Seattle, Washington at the cross streets named Pike Place and Pike Street. Founded in 1930, this site is known for the tradition of fishmongers (someone who sells raw fish and seafood, either wholesale or retail), throwing fish that customers have purchased, before they are wrapped. The market is a popular tourist attraction, often billed as world-famous. Exact address for the headquarters is 86 Pike Place.

The 'Pike Place Fish Market' is best known for its staff who complete a ritual of hurling customers' fish orders across the display and shipping area. This standard routine and ritual is followed by staff after customers have placed an order. While wearing orange rubber overalls and boots, staff call out the customer's order, at which point the fishmonger will throw the customer's fish behind the counter for wrapping. Initially, the ritual of shouting and then repeating the customer's ordered fish began as a prank by one employee, but was enjoyed by customers, so it became a routine and tradition.

As part of the ritual, while working, staff yell to each other and chant in unison while they throw ordered fish. Occasionally, the staff will throw a foam fish into the crowd to scare bystanders or select a customer from the crowd to participate in the fish toss. Above the area in which they throw fish is a sign that reads, "Caution: Low Flying Fish."

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

One-Pan Rotini With Tomato Cream Sauce

• 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups uncooked spiral pasta
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking up beef into crumbles, 5-10 minutes; drain. Add garlic and seasonings; cook 1 minute longer. Add the stock and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Add pasta and peas; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until pasta is tender, 10-12 minutes.
• Gradually stir in cream and cheese; heat through (do not allow to boil).

Test Kitchen tips

• Even if all the noodles aren't totally submerged in liquid when added to the pan, they will still cook through.
• For an extra boost of flavor, stir in cooked sausage and serve with additional cheese.

Historically this date......

1835 – In the first assassination attempt against a President of the United States, Richard Lawrence attempts to shoot president Andrew Jackson, but fails and is subdued by a crowd, including several congressmen.

1847 – Yerba Buena, California is renamed San Francisco.

1994 ... today marks the 26th year my Mother, Margaret Laney, has been gone. So miss her still today. She never got to know my grandbabies; Alex, Jack, Tucker, and Sami. Such a shame! She was a beautiful person inside and out. LOVE YOU MOM!

And births this year include....

1882 – Franklin D. Roosevelt, American politician, 44th Governor of New York, and 32nd President of the United States (d. 1945)

1914 – John Ireland, Canadian actor (d. 1992)

1914 – David Wayne, American actor (d. 1995)

1922 – Dick Martin, American comedian (d. 2008)

1925 – Dorothy Malone, American actress (d.2018)

1930 – Gene Hackman, American actor

1937 – Vanessa Redgrave, English actress

1941 – Dick Cheney, American politician, 7th White House Chief of Staff, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming, 17th United States Secretary of Defense and 46th Vice President of the United States

My cat Bruiser is such and outdoor guy and even when it's raining, which is odd to me that a cat goes out and wanders around in the rain. Saw this picture and thought, good idea, a raincoat for the Bruise!!! LOL

All I know. Happy Hump Day. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

In the United States, National Croissant Day recognizes a flaky pastry enjoyed at every meal.  Croissants are a buttery, crescent-shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  

The key to a perfect croissant is laminating the dough. Laminating the dough is a process by which butter is folded into the mixture creating multiple thin layers of butter and dough. The result is a mouth-watering flaky crust and airy body.

Legend surrounds this pastry, as is often the case with a popular, worldly treat. What is known, is that crescent-shaped breads have been found around the world for ages. One of these was the Kipferl which originated in Austria as far back as the 13th century. This nonlaminated bread is more like a roll.

Credit for the croissant we know today is given to an Austrian military officer, August Zang. In 1939 he opened a Viennese bakery in Paris introducing France to Viennese baking techniques.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Stop by the bakery for a fresh, warm croissant. Be sure to give your baker a shout out, too! Of course, you can always try baking your own. We’ve even provided a recipe to try. 

Croissants recipe.

NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY HISTORY

The earliest we’ve found the observance being celebrated is in 2006. National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this buttery food holiday.

Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Dude/Bruiser ~ American Water Spaniel ~ Crescent Chicken Pot Pie ~ National Corn Chip Day

Good 39º dark cloudy morning. 

The rain early yesterday kept coming down...
then in the morning we got 5 minutes of sun... then it was gone and back to the rain.... The rain stopped and then the sun came and went all day. 

A couple of the geese were back on the barn roof...

Picture of the Day.... LOL! This is Dude and Bruiser for sure!!! Dude is 85 pounds and Bruiser is 12 pounds. And yes, Bruiser is the boss!

Interesting...

The American Water Spaniel (AWS), is a breed of spaniel which originated in the United States. Developed in the state of Wisconsin during the 19th century from a number of other breeds, including Irish Water Spaniels.

They are medium-sized dogs, and have a double layered coat, which comes in a variety of brown related shades. A versatile hunting dog, they are also suitable for apartment life due to work by breeders to develop a breed with an even temperament.

Originating in Wisconsin, the American Water Spaniel is the Wisconsin state dog. The breed originated in the areas along the Fox River and its tributary the Wolf River during the early 19th century.

Hunters needed a dog that could work on both land and water, a versatile hunter skilled at bringing in a variety of game. Hunters also wanted a hunting dog compact enough to be transported in a small skiff, one that was able to withstand Wisconsin's cold water temperatures.

Breeds involved in the creation of the American Water Spaniel are thought to have included the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, native Indian dogs, the Poodle, and either the Sussex Spaniel or another type of field spaniel.

The American Water Spaniel remains a rare breed. During 1998 only 233 puppies were registered with the AKC, with an estimated 3,000 dogs in existence mostly around the Midwestern United States, in particular in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.

You like pot pies? Here is a good and easy recipe....

Crescent Chicken Pot Pie

Cozy comfort meal for chilly weather and an easy dinner.

1 16oz bag frozen mixed vegetables

2 cups cubed cooked chicken (use cooked rotisserie chicken from market)

1 10 3/4 oz can condensed (reduced fat and reduced sodium) cream of chicken soup

1 10 3/4 oz can (reduced fat and reduced sodium) cream of mushroom soup

1 8oz can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls

In large bowl mix vegetables, chicken, and soups. Pour into 13x9 cooking sprayed glass baking dish.

Unroll dough into 2 long rectangles, press perforations to seal. Place rectangles over chicken mixture. Pinch center edges to seal. Press outside edges of dough to edges of baking dish.

Bake 350º 25-30 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

**Switch out mixed frozen veggies for your favorite frozen veggie.

Sprinkle shredded cheese over crust during last 5 minutes of baking time.

Historically this date......

1916 – World War I: Paris is first bombed by German zeppelins.

1936 – The first inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame are announced.

1963 – The first inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame are announced.

1979 – Brenda Spencer kills two people and wounds eight at the Grover Cleveland Elementary School shootings.

WOW.... whack job! And only 17 years old at the time. Of course it hasn't gotten better since then with all the school age kids shooting students and teachers. An epidemic! Click on her name and read about the horrible life she had.

And births this date include.....

1913 – Victor Mature, American actor (d. 1999)

... and as my high school pal Adelle (Easton) related to me her dad was an officer on a Coast Guard ship and Mature was one of his underlings. When he had given Mature an order and someone said, "Don't you know who that is??? It's Victor Mature!" Del's dad remarked, "Mature, manure, I don't care what his name is!"

1918 – John Forsythe, American actor (d. 2010)

1942 – Claudine Longet, French singer and dancer

shot her boyfriend Spider Sabich...
    no recent photos of this beauty... she must be shy...

1944 – Katharine Ross, American actress

Busy gal, 5 husbands!

1945 – Tom Selleck, American actor, screenwriter and film producer

.... interesting read.... my sister knew his family. They had a place at Tahoe and she said they were the NICEST family!

1960 – Greg Louganis, American diver

1970 – Paul Ryan, American politician

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Hump Day. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On January 29th, grab the queso or salsa and celebrate National Corn Chip Day. Recognized each year across the country, the day encourages corn chip lovers to whip up their favorite dips and toppings.

The corn chip or friotes are not to be confused with the tortilla chip. Both are made from cornmeal which is baked or fried in oil.

Differing steps for processing the corn separate the tortilla from the corn chip. The corn for a tortilla chip is soaked in a lime-water solution that breaks down the hulls. This process creates a crisper, milder chip. A corn chip is sturdier with a stronger corn flavor. Both were popular snacks originating in Mexico.

There are two men credited with patenting and marketing the corn chip in the United States. First, Isador J. Filler often ate a tostada (a hard corn tortilla with toppings) while traveling in San Antonio, Texas as a salesman. He struck on the idea of making them in rectangles and marketing them as a chip. In 1932 he patented his concept.

Around the same time, Elmer Doolin was also traveling in San Antonio and was enjoying friotes. According to the story, he paid $100 for the recipe. Experimenting in his home until he created the ideal chip, Doolin then started selling them from the back of his Model T Ford. When he began mass-producing them under the name of Frito Corn Chips, they were a hit.

In 1945, Doolin came to an agreement with Herman Lay (of potato chip fame) to distribute Doolin’s Fritos across the country. The two companies merged in 1959 after Doolin’s death.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Grab your favorite corn chips. Add some dips or topping. 

NATIONAL CORN CHIP DAY HISTORY

National Corn Chip Day has been observed since at least 2002. However, we’ve not been able to identify the organizer of the celebration.  

Rain ~ Geese/Turkeys ~ Picture of the Day ~ President Buchanan ~ Buffalo Chicken Dip ~ National Blueberry Pancake Day

Good 47º super POURING on and off raining morning. 

Yesterday the rain came down in buckets for awhile, and of course Dude and Bruiser were out in it because of "nature calls"! Joy. 

 I heard a bunch of gobbling and honking and here were a bunch of the Canadian Geese on the barn roof and honking at the wild turkeys down by the fence....

After I took the picture of the geese, they left! :o)

Picture of the Day .... giggle....

Interesting

James Buchanan was the 15th president of the United States, and served in office from 1857 to 1861. Buchanan is the only U.S. president who never married. In 1819, Buchanan became engaged to Ann Coleman, the daughter of a wealthy iron mogul. Amidst rumors that Buchanan was seeing other women, Coleman broke off the engagement. She died shortly thereafter, leaving Buchanan brokenhearted. Buchanan vowed to never marry, and he never did. During Buchanan’s time in the White House, his niece Harriet Lane assumed the responsibilities of first lady. James Buchanan is the only president to remain a lifelong bachelor in U.S. history.

If you want to read more about Buchanan's bio, go here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Buchanan

Super Bowl Sunday is coming..... here's a good TV watching snack...

Buffalo Chicken Dip

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1/2 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank's)

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded

1 cup crumbled blue cheese

Crackers, bread or carrot sticks for serving

Preheat oven to 425º.

In saucepan over moderate heat, melt cream cheese until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add celery, hot sauce, and chicken and mix well. Transfer mixture to a 9" pie plate and sprinkle the blue cheese on top.

Bake until hot and bubbly, about 25 minutes.

Serve with crackers, bread or carrot sticks.

Historically this date......

1887 – In a snowstorm at Fort Keogh, Montana, the world's largest snowflakes are reported, 15 inches (38 cm) wide and 8 inches (20 cm) thick.

1915 – An act of the U.S. Congress creates the United States Coast Guard.

1956 – Elvis Presley makes his first US television appearance

1958 – The Lego company patents the design of its Lego bricks, still compatible with bricks produced today.

1980 – USCGC Blackthorn collides with the tanker Capricorn while leaving Tampa Florida and capsizes killing 23 Coast Guard crew members.

1986 – Space Shuttle program: STS-51-L mission – Space Shuttle Challenger 
breaks apart after liftoff killing all seven astronauts on board.

And births this date include....

1936 – Alan Alda, American actor, screenwriter, and director

A Hollywood person, married to the same women since 1957!!

1981 – Elijah Wood, American actor

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Tuesday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On January 28th, National Blueberry Pancake Day brinks the sweetness of blueberries to your pancake, flapjack or hotcake.

The early pancakes consisted mostly of flour and milk and were more like biscuits. Later, eggs, milk, a leavening agent (such as baking powder) and fat were added creating the fluffier, lighter pancake we know today.

Adding blueberries to the pancake batter when mixing up the ingredients may result in a bluish hue. To avoid this, add them right after dropping dollops of batter to the hot griddle.

Blueberries add a freshness to pancakes and nutrients like vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese and copper.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Whip up some pancakes with this recipe:  Todd’s Famous Blueberry Pancakes recipe.