Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Embarrass Minnesota ~ Baked Ziti ~ National Sardines Day

 

 

Good 43º dark cloudy high fog morning. 

 

Yesterday we started like this...... 

 

and ended dark and cloudy and topped at 46º with a couple sprinkles of rain.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day... fun with a statue! 

 

 

 

 

Interesting town in Minnesota .....

 

The name Embarrass was derived from the French word embarras, based on its meaning of "to hinder with obstacles or difficulties". It was given this name by the French fur traders who were some of the first Europeans to visit the area, and who found the narrow, shallow river very difficult to navigate, and named the river "Embarras".

Embarrass is an unincorporated community in Embarrass Township, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States.

The community is located on the Mesabi Iron Range. With an average annual temperature of 34.4 °. Embarrass is notable as the coldest place in Minnesota.

 

The community of Embarrass is located 22 miles northeast of the city of Virginia; and 27 miles southwest of Ely. Embarrass is 12 miles south of Tower; and 86 miles north of Duluth. Nearby places include Tower, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, Biwabik, and Babbitt.

 

The Embarrass River flows through the community. 

 

Embarrass has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), bordering very closely on a subarctic climate (Dfc), with short, warm summers and long, bitterly cold winters. Summer nights remain cool despite the warm days. With an average annual temperature of 34.4º ,Embarrass is the coldest place in Minnesota. In January 2005, Embarrass had a near-record low temperature of −54 °. The unofficial low temperature is −64 °, which was reached in February 1996. The thermometer that measured this temperature was verified for accuracy by Taylor Environmental Instruments, but as it was not recorded at a National Weather Service Cooperative Site, it will remain unofficial. The current record low temperature for Minnesota −60 ° was recorded outside of the nearby town of Tower on February 2, 1996 by the NWS Cooperative Observer located there.

 

According to the NOAA, there has been at least a trace of snowfall recorded every month of the year.

The average first and last dates for a freeze are August 31st and June 20th, giving Embarrass a short average growing season of only 72 days.

 

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

It's just a simple and delicious baked ziti recipe that you can customize however you'd like!

 

• 1 pound ziti
• 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 (28-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish or 3-quart casserole with cooking spray.
    
2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook ziti until just barely tender; drain and place in a large bowl.
    
3. Add ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, and parsley to the ziti; mix well. Spread half the spaghetti sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Spoon ziti mixture into baking dish; cover with remaining spaghetti sauce, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
    
4. Bake 25 minutes, then top with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake 10 additional minutes, or until heated through.

****Use your favorite type of flavored spaghetti sauce to add additional flavor to this ziti. And don't worry if you don't have ziti on hand -- just substitute any other equal-sized shape.

 

 

 

 

Historically this date.....

1835 – The Texas Provincial Government authorizes the creation of a horse-mounted police force called the Texas Rangers (which is now the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety).

 

1859 – Charles Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species, the anniversary of which is sometimes called "Evolution Day"

 

1944 – World War II: Bombing of Tokyo – The first bombing raid against the Japanese capital from the east and by land is carried out by 88 American aircraft.

1950 – The "Storm of the Century", a violent snowstorm, takes shape on this date before paralyzing the northeastern United States and the Appalachians the next day, bringing winds up to 100 mph and sub-zero temperatures. Pickens, West Virginia, records 57 inches of snow. 353 people would die as a result of the storm.

1963 – Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy, is murdered two days after the assassination, by Jack Ruby in the basement of Dallas police department headquarters. The shooting happens to be broadcast live on television

1971 – During a severe thunderstorm over Washington state, a hijacker calling himself Dan Cooper (AKA D. B. Cooper) parachutes from a Northwest Orient Airlines plane with $200,000 in ransom money. He has never been found.

 

1976 – The 1976 Çaldıran-Muradiye earthquake in eastern Turkey kills between 4,000 and 5,000 people.

And births this date include..

1713 – Junípero Serra, Spanish missionary (d. 1784)

If you grew up in California you learned all about this guy.

 

The San Gabriel Mission where several friends were married.

 

1784 – Zachary Taylor, American general and politician, 12th President of the United States (d. 1850)

1864 – Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French painter (d. 1901)

Interesting paintings! 

 

1897 – Lucky Luciano, Italian-American mobster (d. 1962)

1917 – Howard Duff, American actor (d. 1990)

1948 – Steve Yeager, American baseball player

 

 

1968 – Todd Beamer, American passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 (d. 2001)    HERO!!!!!

 

1978 – Katherine Heigl, American actress and producer

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

November 24th recognizes these silver little fishes on National Sardines Day. They may not swim right up to your plate, but they sure do pack in the flavor.

While some people are afraid to taste these small, silverfish, others consider sardines a delicious snack enjoyed on their own or with crackers.

Sardines are several types of small, oily fish, related to herrings. While we might be most familiar with sardines packed in cans, some enjoy fresh sardines grilled. This small fish can also be pickled and smoked, too. When canned, they can be packed in water, olive, sunflower or soybean oil or tomato, chili or mustard sauce.

The term sardine was first used in English during the beginning of the 15th century, possibly coming from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia where there was an abundance of sardines.

Sardines are a great source of vitamins and minerals.
From one’s daily vitamin allowance containing:

• 13 % B2
• .25 % niacin
• 150% vitamin B12
• phosphorus
• calcium
• potassium
• iron
• selenium
• omega-3 fatty acids
• vitamin D
• protein

– B vitamins are important in helping to support proper nervous system function and are used for energy metabolism.
– Omega 3 fatty acids reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and regular consumption may reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and can even boost brain function as well as help lower blood sugar levels.

Relative to other fish commonly eaten by humans, sardines are very low in contaminants, such as mercury.

Sardine oil is used in the manufacturing of paint, varnish and linoleum.

The sardine canning industry peaked in the United States in the 1950s.  The Stinson Seafood plant in Prospect Harbor, Maine, which was the last large sardine cannery in the United States, closed its doors on April 15, 2010, after 135 years in operation.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Share a can or two of canned sardines with a friend.  See if you prefer the mustard, chili or the tomato packed ones better!

Look, if you Celebrate Every Day® most years, this is the only holiday on this date. So we’ll offer some extra special tips to help you celebrate.

• Try sardines on a salad. Mash them up and mix them with some Caesar dressing for a start. Add some extra croutons if that improves the experience.
• Toss them with pasta and a spicy marinara sauce.
• Grill them with olive oil. Add lemon, garlic, and tarragon.

 

Weather/Fog ~ Picture of the Day ~ Forks of Salmon, California ~ Quick Lasagna Toss ~ Grace (Lesser) Elliott ~ National Espresso Day

 

 

Good foggy 38º morning. 

 

 

Yesterday the fog hung around and then it got dark and cloudy. We topped at 39º. 

 

 

Picture of the Day .... ya think?

 

 

 

Interesting odd town name in California...

 

Forks of Salmon is an unincorporated community of Siskiyou County in northern California, USA. The town is situated at the confluence of the north and south forks of the Salmon River, hence its name. The ZIP Code is 96031. The community is inside area code 530.

Forks of Salmon was originally a California Gold Rush settlement in the now defunct Klamath County, California. It has had its own post office from September 30, 1858 until today, with a short break from October 16, 1871 to August 28, 1872.

 

In the state legislature, Forks of Salmon is in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Brian Dahle, and the 1st Assembly District, represented by Republican Megan Dahle.

 

Federally, Forks of Salmon is in California's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa.

For more information, go here:

https://www.bestplaces.net/zip-code/california/forks_of_salmon/96031

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g32398-Forks_of_Salmon_California-Vacations.html

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Classic lasagna is great, but sometimes it's too much work. Our Quick Lasagna Toss is perfect when you've got a craving but don't want all the fuss.

 

• 12 lasagna noodles, broken into large pieces
• 1 pound hot Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 (26-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

 

1. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain.
    
2. Meanwhile, in a large pot over medium-high heat, cook sausage 6 to 8 minutes, or until no pink remains, stirring to crumble sausage; drain. Add noodles and remaining ingredients; mix well.
    
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.

 

***Add a sprinkle of chopped parsley before serving and this will look extra-fancy and fresh-looking.

 

 

 

Special Birthday today, Grace (Lesser) Elliott (LASD ret) is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE!!

 

Historically this date.........

1889 – The first jukebox goes into operation at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco.

 

 

 

1980 – A series of earthquakes in southern Italy kills approximately 3,000 people.

1981 – Iran-Contra Affair: Ronald Reagan signs the top secret National Security Decision Directive 17 (NSDD-17), giving the Central Intelligence Agency the authority to recruit and support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

2007 – MS Explorer, a cruise liner carrying 154 people, sinks in the Antarctic Ocean south of Argentina after hitting an iceberg near the South Shetland Islands. There are no fatalities.

And births this date include....

1804 – Franklin Pierce, 14th President of the United States (d. 1869)

 

1859 – Billy the Kid, American outlaw (d. 1881)

 

1887 – Boris Karloff, British actor (d. 1969)

 

 

1888 – Harpo Marx, American comedian (d. 1964)

 

 

1992 – Miley Cyrus, American actress and singer

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

Get the pure coffee essence on National Espresso Day! Whether you sip one cup or keep buzzing all day long, November 23rd is the day.

The word espresso (/ɛˈsprɛsoʊ/; Italian pronunciation: [eˈsprɛsso]) in Italian means ‘quick in time.’ Before the advent of the espresso machine, espresso was simply a coffee expressly made for the person ordering it. It was also made with recently roasted and freshly ground beans. The cup was brewed shortly before serving. In the late 1800s, this practice was commonplace in cafés and restaurants.

While today’s espresso maintains the freshness quality, it has undergone a transition in meaning. We’ve come to know espresso as a highly concentrated brew served in smaller quantities. We may also use espresso as a base for other delicious coffee creations.

We can thank the espresso machine for this modern view of espresso. In 1901, Italian Luigi Bezzera invented the first successful espresso machine. The newer technologies produced a smaller, more concentrated cup more quickly than traditional coffee brewing methods. Additionally, this thicker, more intense brew created a creamy foam on top called the crema. The richer flavors and aromas of an espresso create delicious lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, macchiato, and many cafe’ creations.

Beyond the range of beverages, the intense flavor of espresso lends itself to baking. Where coffee may become lost when blended with other flavors, espresso remains vibrant. Blend it with cream cheese, sugar and flour for a cheesecake. Add it to ladyfingers and make tiramisu. Many desserts call for espressos such as ice cream and creme brulee.