Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Funk Nebraska ~ Bacon and Tomato Quiche ~ Jim Plumbridge ~ National Eat What You Want Day

 

Good 37º clear sunny morning.

Yesterday stayed super clear and we topped at 85º.

Picture of the Day ... perfect timing

Interesting about an odd named town....

Funk is a village in Phelps County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 194 at the 2010 census.

Funk was platted in 1887 on the railroad. It was named for Phillip C. Funk, an early settler. Funk was incorporated as a village in 1913.

Funk is located at 40°27′49″N 99°15′0″W .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.26 square miles, all land.

At the 2010 census there were 194 people, 79 households, and 54 families living in the village. The population density was 746.2 inhabitants per square mile. There were 85 housing units at an average density of 326.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 95.9% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5%.

Of the 79 households 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.6% were non-families. 29.1% of households were one person and 15.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the village was 45.6 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17% were from 25 to 44; 33% were from 45 to 64; and 18.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the village was 50.5% male and 49.5% female.

At the 2000 census there were 204 people, 77 households, and 65 families living in the village. The population density was 769.7 people per square mile. There were 82 housing units at an average density of 309.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 98.04% White, 0.49% Asian, 0.98% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47%.

Of the 77 households 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.3% were non-families. 14.3% of households were one person and 7.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution was 29.9% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median household income was $36,250, and the median family income was $43,333. Males had a median income of $22,292 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,658. About 7.1% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 4.3% of those sixty five or over.

From Mr. Food

 

Whether you’re looking for something special to serve for brunch, a light lunch or a refreshing change-of-pace dinner, nothing fits the bill better than our bacon- and tomato-studded cheesy quiche. With its fresh-from-the-farm taste, this may become your new anytime favorite.

• 1 refrigerated pie crust
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup real bacon pieces, reserving 1 tablespoon for sprinkling
• 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 avocado, peeled and sliced into wedges

 

• Preheat oven to 350º.. Place pie crust in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate and flute edges.
•  
• In a medium bowl, combine cheeses; mix well. Place half the cheese mixture in the pie crust, then top it with bacon pieces, tomatoes, and remaining cheese.
•  
• In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and half-and-half; slowly pour evenly over the top. Sprinkle with reserved bacon pieces.
•  
• Bake 45 to 55 minutes, or until center is set. Let sit 10-15 minutes to firm up, then garnish with avocado wedges, cut into wedges and serve.

Special birthday today, my nephew Jim Plumbridge is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIMMY!! xo

Historically this date.....

1858 – Minnesota is admitted as the 32nd U.S. State.

1880 – Seven people are killed in the Mussel Slough Tragedy, a gun battle in California

1907 – 32 Shriners are killed when their chartered train derails at a switch near Surf Depot in Lompoc, California.

1945 – World War II: Off the coast of Okinawa, the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill, is hit by two kamikazes, killing 346 of her crew. Although badly damaged, the ship is able to return to the U.S. under her own power.

1996 – The 1996 Mount Everest disaster: on a single day eight people die during summit attempts on Mount Everest.

And births this date include...

1888 – Irving Berlin, American composer (d. 1989)

1894 – Martha Graham, American dancer and choreographer (d. 1991)

1904 – Salvador Dalí, Spanish painter (d. 1989)

1911 – Phil Silvers, American actor and comedian (d. 1985)

1912 – Foster Brooks, American actor and comedian (d. 2001)

1935 – Doug McClure, American actor (d. 1995)

1963 – Natasha Richardson, English/American actress (d. 2009)

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Tuesday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo 

Observed annually on May 11th, National Eat What You Want Day sets diets aside for a day of indulgence.  It’s about having one day a year of eating with no regrets. Whether you love donuts or fast food, today is your day to gratify without feeling guilty.  

Chili cheese dogs, greasy hamburgers, french fries, potato chips, cake, cookies, candy, and ice cream are just a few of the things you can enjoy today without remorse. Decadent food is definitely on the menu today. The saying, “Everything in moderation” applies to this holiday quite aptly. Though, we’re not quite sure they meant EVERYTHING at the same time. 

However, a sample of this and a sample of that sure has a way satisfying a sweet tooth or a greasy yearning. Need a salt fix? This holiday offers it. How about a crunch craving? Yep, we’re sure you can find what you’re looking for. Whether it’s a rich, fried or fast, frozen, baked, or spicy eat what you want.

Some of us have that one irresistible food that we avoid at all costs because we know if it’s in the house we’ll eat it all. It’s our weakness, our kryptonite. This holiday suggests that we bend to our kryptonite just this one time each year.

 

NATIONAL EAT WHAT YOU WANT DAY HISTORY

Created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of wellcat.com, Eat What You Want Day is just a way to enjoy life with friends and family. Many nutritionists even agree that “taking a short break” from your diet regimen is actually good for you.

Weather ~ Jacksonville Inn ~ Brian/Jen/Tucker/Sami/Jean ~ Picture of the Day ~ Willow Goldfinch ~ Pull-Apart Cheese Bread ~ National Clean Up Your Room Day

 

Good 36º clear sunny morning.

Yesterday we had clouds, lots of the big fluffy white ones and we topped at 76º.

Yesterday Brian picked me up and we went to Jacksonville to the Inn where we met up with Jen, Tucker, Sami, and Jen's mom Jean.  We had brunch and a nice visit. 

You can read some more about this historic place..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonville_Historic_District_(Jacksonville,_Oregon)

Picture of the Day .... right place, right time

Interesting about the state bird of Washington....

Inviting the Willow Goldfinch
We owe it to the school children. The Willow Goldfinch or the American Willow is the State bird of Washington because the school children wanted it to be so. In a state wide vote in 1951, the school children voted the Willow Goldfinch to become a state symbol of Washington. Washington's Secretary of State writes in State Symbols:

In 1928, legislators let school children select the state bird and the meadowlark won hands-down. It was a nice choice but seven other states already had chosen the same bird. Another vote was taken in 1931 by the Washington Federation of Women's Clubs. Many birds were nominated, but the goldfinch won handily over the tanager, song sparrow, junco and pileated woodpecker. Now there were two state birds and the Legislature decided to leave the final choice to school children. In 1951, children voted for the goldfinch and the Legislature made it unanimous.

Willow Goldfinch Habits
Of course no one state can really claim ownership over this migratory bird, because it seeks refuge in many states across the country. However, the main path of the American Willow lies in the central portion of the Washington State, along the Columbia Plateau of the Tri-Cities where the state bird can be seen in healthy numbers.

The Willow Goldfinch rarely alights on the ground, preferring the relative safety of the trees and bushes. But in the Hanford Reach of the Tri-Cities region, the bird is often seen playing on the ground, helping itself to the cool and clean waters of the Columbia River, seeking comfort from the blistering heat of the arid shrub steppes of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland.

Natural Habitat for the American Willow
The Hanford Reach of Tri-Cities provides a sanctuary for the American Willow, along with other migratory birds and animals. In the months of August to November, the Willow Goldfinch can be seen in the famous nature sanctuary of the Hanford Reach, breeding and rearing their young, before flying off to somewhere else.

The American Willow builds its nest in trees and among the bushes of the shrub steppes of Tri-Cities. The birds are very devoted parents to their brood, patiently feeding the helpless chicks with food regurgitated from their mouth. When a predator is sensed nearby, the female American Willow lets out a distress call for the male bird to hear. The male American Willow responds by flying around the area, trying to scare off the would-be predator.

From Mr. Food

Our Pull-Apart Cheese Bread is great for a movie night at home with some friends and family. That's 'cause this pull-apart bread is made with delicious and irresistible ingredients, like two kinds of melted cheese and yummy buttermilk biscuits. Just don't blame us if this recipe steals the show!

• 2 (16.3-ounce) packages refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese blend
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Separate biscuit dough into 16 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 6 pieces and place in a large bowl. Add cheeses and chilies; toss until well mixed. Place in baking dish.
3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Pull apart and serve.

• When tossing the biscuits with cheeses, make sure to separate any biscuits that stick together. This will help make sure that there is cheesy deliciousness in every bite!

Historically this date......

1924 – J. Edgar Hoover is appointed the Director of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, and remains so until his death in 1972.

1954 – Bill Haley & His Comets release "Rock Around the Clock", the first rock and roll record to reach number one on the Billboard charts.

2002 – F.B.I. agent Robert Hanssen is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for selling United States secrets to Moscow for $1.4 million in cash and diamonds.

2005 – A hand grenade thrown by Vladimir Arutinian lands about 65 feet from U.S. President George W. Bush while he is giving a speech to a crowd in Tbilisi,Georgia, but it malfunctions and does not detonate.

And births this date include....

1899 – Fred Astaire, American dancer and actor (d. 1987)

1922 – Nancy Walker, American actress (d. 1992)

1936 – Gary Owens, American actor and announcer (d. 2015)

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Monday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo 

Spring cleaners get their wish granted each year when National Clean Up Your Room Day arrives on May 10th. Children often dread this parent-appreciated day. Though, some years, the observance arrives with perfect timing for Mother’s Day!

However, the observance doesn’t only target kids. It is also about picking up, straightening up, and cleaning up the whole house. Adults take spring cleaning seriously, and homes get aired out. They organize, de-clutter, and rearrange. It’s time to fix the broken and match up missing parts, like with like. We tackle cluttered closets and donate or throw away those things we no longer use. Help your children make their beds, clean their rooms, and eliminate the toys and clothing they have outgrown.

The day helps garages, sheds, and cabinets see the light of day. Drawers, closets (did we say that already), and under the bed get thoroughly organized. Find ways to repurpose items around the house, too. 

• Use an old towel bar on your potting bench and hang S hooks to store your tools.
• Broken dresser drawers become bookshelves or under-bed storage.
• How many ways can you repurpose an unused wine rack?
  • storage for towels in the bathroom
  • take it to the craft area for all the small tools, glue and yarn
  • store water bottles and travel mugs
• Tissue boxes make terrific storage for plastic bags, but they also work well for used dryer sheets. Reuse the dryer sheets to wipe down the washer and dryer to keep it dust-free and clean out the lint trap.
• Use old magazine racks to store cutting boards, baking sheets, and other flat kitchen items. 

HOW TO OBSERVE Get ready to de-clutter! For everyone who waits for the right time to get started, the day has arrived. National Clean Up Your Room Day says so! Make a list and spend some time getting your home looking and feeling clean and fresh for summer.