Fog ~ Gloom/Blue Sky ~ Picture of the Day ~ President's Helicopters ~ Ooey Gooey Caramel Pecan Poke Cake ~ National Anthem Day

Good 31º super foggy morning...

Yesterday it started out dark and gloomy...

Then the clouds dissipated a little and there was blue sky for a few minutes!  We were  still in the 30ºs... and it did this all day, gloom, sun, gloom, sun................. we topped at 60º.

My two geese who hang out here were having a problem with another goose and there was a "fight" between the two males...

Picture of the Day... LOL

Interesting about the President's helicopters....

Marine One is the call sign of the helicopters used to carry the President of the United States. The helicopters are operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1; “Nighthawks”), which is responsible for all White House military aircraft. As a security measure, Marine One always flies in groups with identical helicopters, sometimes as many as five. One helicopter carries the president, while the others serve as decoys. When the helicopter lands, a Marine is waiting outside to greet the president, regardless of the location. The vice president travels in Marine Two.

Feb. 19, 2020 (UPI) -- Sikorsky Aircraft was awarded a $470.8 million modification for six VH-92A helicopters for the presidential helicopter replacement program.

The deal modifies a $542 million contract awarded in June to build six new helicopters for the Presidential fleet.

Under the modification, Sikorsky -- a division of Lockheed Martin -- will provide interim contractor support and six cabin interior reconfiguration kits as well as six low rate initial production lot II VH-92A aircraft for the presidential fleet.

The Navy plans to replace the current Marine Corps fleet of 19 helicopters, composed of the VH-3D, which entered service in 1978 and the VH-60N aircraft, which arrived in 1987 -- with 23 new aircraft.

The VH-92A is designed to increase performance and payload, including crew coordination systems and communications capabilities, and be easier to maintain.

In December, General Electric received an $11.1 million contract to build five CT7-8A6 engines for the presidential helicopter fleet.

From Mr. Food

Ooey gooey Caramel Pecan Poke Cake starts with a packaged cake mix, but still has that old fashioned “from-scratch” taste that everyone craves. It's sure to be a hit, whether you make it just-because, or you're whipping it up for a special occasion. And while they'll think you spent all day on it, you'll have a secret smile, knowing just how easy it was to make!

 

• 1 (18.25-ounce) box chocolate cake mix, prepared according to package directions
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (14-ounce) can caramel topping
• 1 (16-ounce) container coconut pecan frosting (or your favorite)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour batter into baking dish.
2. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes, then poke holes in top of cake using a wooden spoon handle.
3. In a medium bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping. Pour mixture slowly over cake while still warm.
4. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Spread frosting over cake, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.

 

***Make this unique! Use your own favorite frosting flavor to top it off! 

Historically this date

1776 – American Revolutionary War: The first amphibious landing of the United States Marine Corps begins the Battle of Nassau.

1845 – Florida is admitted as the 27th U.S. state.

1931 – The United States adopts The Star-Spangled Banner as its national anthem.

1991 – An amateur video captures the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers.

2005 – Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly an airplane non-stop around the world solo without refueling.

And births this date include....

1847 – Alexander Graham Bell, Scottish-Canadian inventor (d. 1922)

1882 – Charles Ponzi, Italian criminal (d. 1949)

... ah ha! the ponzi scheme!

1911 – Jean Harlow, American actress (d. 1937)

1971 – Tyler Florence, American chef and author

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Anthem Day commemorates the day the United States adopted “The Star Spangled Banner” as its National Anthem. Written by Francis Scott Key, the “Star Spangled Banner” became the National Anthem in 1931. 

Oh Say Can You See Fort McHenry

The story behind “The Star Spangled Banner” is as moving as the anthem itself. While an attorney, Key was serving in the Georgetown Light Field Artillery during the War of 1812. In 1814, his negotiation skills as a lawyer were called upon to release Dr. William Beane, a prisoner on the British naval ship, Tonnant. Early in September, Key traveled to Baltimore in the company of Colonel John Skinner to begin negotiations.

While Key and Skinner secured Beane’s release, the British navy had begun attacking Baltimore. The trio waited at sea to return to Georgetown.

Fort McHenry is built on a peninsula of the Patapsco River. Just across the Northwest Branch is the city of Baltimore. In 1814, the population of Baltimore was roughly 50,000 people, hardly the metropolis it is today. The country itself was still young, and often families of soldiers lived nearby, providing support to their soldiers.

The Rocket’s Red Glare

The British navy abandoned Baltimore and turned their full attention to Fort McHenry on September 13th. As the 190-pound shells began to shake the fort, mother nature brought a storm of her own. Thunder and rain pelted the shore along with the bombs and shells. Throughout the night, parents, wives, and children in their homes could hear and feel the bomb blasts across the way. There were reports of the explosions being felt as far away as Philadelphia. It was a long night of fear, worry, and providing comfort to one another.

At sea, Key had a similar night. Being a religious man, one who believed the war could have been avoided, he watched the bombs bursting in air over the water and steadily pummeling Fort McHenry. It was undoubtedly a sight to behold.

For 25 hours, the star-shaped fort manned by approximately 1,000 American soldiers endured over 1,500 cannon shots. The Fort answered with their own with almost no effect.

Does that Star-Spangled Banner Yet Wave

In the early morning of September 14th, after Major George Armistead’s troops stopped the British landing party in a blaze of gunfire, the major ordered the oversized American flag raised in all its glory over Fort McHenry. Sewn a few months before by Mary Pickersgill and her daughter, the enormous banner replaced the storm flag, which had flown during battle.

As Key waited at sea for dawn to break and smoke to clear, imagine the inspiring sight in the silence of the morning to see his country’s flag fully unfurled against the breaking of the day and the fort standing firm. 

Key was so moved by the experience he immediately began penning the lyrics to a song which were later published by his brother-in-law as a poem titled “Defence of Fort M’Henry.”

HOW TO OBSERVE

Sing the Star Spangled Banner.  Did you know there are three more verses to the original song? As a challenge, try learning them all. 

NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY HISTORY

Nearly 117 years passed after Key penned “Defence of Fort M’Henry” before it became the national anthem of the United States of America. “Hail Columbia” and “My Country’ Tis of Thee” held honorary places as patriotic songs. But, the United States didn’t have an officially declared anthem until a congressional resolution, signed by President Herbert Hoover, until “The Star Spangled Banner” became the national anthem of the United States of America on March 3rd, 1931.

*Historical note: The spelling of “defence” in the original title of Key’s song is correct for the period.  

Sami Pendleton ~ Picture of the Day ~ The Name Kermit ~ Sausage & Cheese Crescent Squares Appetizer ~ Bob Vincent ~ Chaka Patterson ~ National Banana Cream Pie Day

   

Good 30º cloudy morning.

Special birthday today, my granddaughter Sami is 12 years old. Yesterday we met up at LuLu's in Grants Pass for breakfast to celebrate...

Sami, Brian, Tucker....

Jen, Sami's BF Ava, Sami, Brian.....

Grandma Jean, Tucker, Brian...

Sami and Ava wearing shirts that say "Best Friends"..

Also, they are snuggled in Brian's hoodie. It was a cold day!!! We finally warmed to the low 50ºs. 

Picture of the Day.... hmmmmm.......

More about Dildo...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dildo,_Newfoundland_and_Labrador

Interesting about the name Kermit...

The name Kermit came to prominence through Kermit Roosevelt (October 10, 1889 – June 4, 1943 was an American businessman, soldier, explorer, and writer.) , the eldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt,

named for Robert Kermit, a maternal great-uncle. The character Kermit the Frog was introduced in 1955 by Jim Henson, and made the name known internationally through the television programs Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. Kermit was a Top 500 name until the 1960s, not coincidentally the decade in which Kermit the Frog became well known, proving that it isn't easy being green, even for a name.

Sausage & Cheese Crescent Squares Appetizer

2 8oz cans Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

1 pound spicy or mild bulk pork sausage

1 8oz pkg cream cheese

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 375º.

Unroll one can of dough into 2 long rectangles. Place in ungreased 13x9 inch glass baking dish. Press over bottom and 1/2 inch up sides to form crust.

In skillet cook sausage over medium heat, stirring frequently, until no longer pink. Remove sausage from skillet, discard drippings. In same skillet add cream cheese. Cook over low heat until melted. Add cooked sausage, stir to coat. Spoon evenly over crust in baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese.

Unroll second can of dough on work surface. Press to form 13x9 rectangle, firmly press perforations to seal. Carefully place over cheese.

Bake 21-26 minutes, until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Cut into small squares.

Another special birthday today is celebrated by my former Temple City neighbor, Bob Vincent, husband of the fabulous Marie. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!

Also celebrating today is my pals Jeannie & Bill Patterson's (LASD ret) dog Chaka. She has the same date and birth year as Sami! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAKA!!! xo

Historically this date....

1877 – U.S. presidential election, 1876: Just two days before inauguration, the U.S. Congress declares Rutherford B. Hayes the winner of the election even though Samuel J. Tilden had won the popular vote on November 7, 1876.

1953 – The Academy Awards are first broadcast on television by NBC.

2002 – U.S. invasion of Afghanistan: Operation Anaconda begins, (ending on March 19 after killing 500 Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, with 11 Western troop fatalities).

And births this date include....

1793 – Sam Houston, American politician, 8th Governor of Tennessee and 7th Governor of Texas (d. 1863)

.... it didn't work out, but I wanted another boy and to name him Sam after Sam Houston because Jerry was born in Texas. As it is, we got our 'Sami'! Ironic on Sam H's birthday!

1904 – Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel), American author (d. 1991)

1917 – Desi Arnaz, Cuban-born actor and bandleader (d. 1986)

1919 – Jennifer Jones, American actress (d. 2009)

1950 – Karen Carpenter, American singer and drummer (The Carpenters) (d. 1983)

1962 – Jon Bon Jovi, American musician (Bon Jovi)

1968 – Daniel Craig, English actor

1982 – Ben Roethlisberger, American football player

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Banana Cream Pie Day is recognized annually on March 2nd.  Celebrated throughout the United States, pie lovers enjoy this day as they get to indulge in one of America’s most popular cream pies.

Remember, bananas are loaded with potassium!

The process from the traditional custard pie was modified into a recipe for the appetizing and flavorful banana cream pie.  Now there are many variations in thousands of recipes for this yummy pie and recipes for banana cream pie can be found in recipe books dating back to the 19th century.

The banana cream pie was ranked the number one favorite dessert among the soldiers of the United States Armed Services in the 1950s.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Spend a little time in your kitchen whipping up a delicious banana cream pie to share with your family and friends.

A banana cream pie can be made as simple as:

• 1 box instant banana pudding  –  1 pkg cream cheese (softened)  –  2 large bananas – 1 container whipped topping – graham cracker crust
• Mix pudding with 1 1/2 cups milk, cool in fridge until thickened.  With mixer, combine pudding and cream cheese until blended.  Slice bananas into graham cracker crust.  Spoon pudding mixture over bananas and top with whipped topping.  Chill for at least 2 hours.  Enjoy!!