Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Ulysses S Grant ~ "Don't Peek" Chicken ~ Dan and Judi Patz ~ National I Love Horses Day

 

Good 55º clear sunny morning.

 

Yesterday we topped at 100º.

 

Picture of the Day .... Then and now, Dick Van Dyke 95 years old!

 

As an actor, singer, writer, comedian, and dancer, Dick Van Dyke proved there’s nothing he can’t do. He got his start in show business on radio and Broadway, and then as Rob Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Recently he voiced Hopscotch the Sasquatch on the TV series Kidding.

If you want to read more about him, go here:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001813/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

 

 

 

 

Interesting.....

 

Few men in American history have ever been more associated with the cigar than the eighteenth president, Ulysses S. Grant. Famous as the Union general who brought the Confederate Army to its knees, Grant became a two-term president who was nearly always seen with his cherished cigar. Grant was known to smoke over 20 cigars every day, which probably contributed to his death from throat cancer. When the general decided to run for president, his relish for stogies became part of his campaign persona, and was even immortalized in the 1868 campaign song, "A Smokin' His Cigar."

 

 

Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant;  April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American military leader who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877. As president, Grant was an effective civil rights executive who created the Justice Department and worked with the Radical Republicans to protect African Americans during Reconstruction. As Commanding General, he led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War in 1865 and thereafter briefly served as Secretary of War.

Raised in Ohio, Grant possessed an exceptional ability with horses, which served him well through his military career. He was admitted to West Point, graduated 21st in the class of 1843 and served with distinction in the Mexican–American War. In 1848, he married Julia Dent, and together they had four children. Grant abruptly resigned his army commission in 1854 and returned to his family, but lived in poverty for seven years. He joined the Union Army after the Civil War broke out in 1861 and rose to prominence after winning several early Union victories on the Western Theater. In 1863 he led the Vicksburg campaign, which gained control of the Mississippi River. President Abraham Lincoln promoted him to lieutenant general after his victory at Chattanooga. For thirteen months, Grant fought Robert E. Lee during the high-casualty Overland Campaign and at Petersburg. On April 9, 1865, Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox. A week later, Lincoln was assassinated and was succeeded by President Andrew Johnson, who promoted Grant to General of the Army in 1866. Later Grant openly broke with Johnson over Reconstruction policies; Grant used the Reconstruction Acts, which had been passed over Johnson's veto, to enforce civil rights for recently freed African Americans.

 

In his retirement, Grant was the first president to circumnavigate the world on his tour, dining with Queen Victoria and meeting many prominent foreign leaders. In 1880, Grant was unsuccessful in obtaining the Republican presidential nomination for a third term. In the final year of his life, facing severe financial reversals and dying of throat cancer, he wrote his memoirs, which proved to be a major critical and financial success.

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Hey you, no peeking! There's a reason why we call this chicken casserole "Don't Peek" Chicken! It's 'cause  the secret to this recipe, unlike other chicken dishes, is keeping the foil on tight; the foil ensures that all those yummy, classic chicken dinner flavors spread throughout the dish. So, resist the urge to glance in! You'll be thanking us later, for one of the best chicken recipes you've ever had!

 

• 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of celery soup
• 1 envelope onion soup mix (from a 2-ounce box)
• 1 soup can cold water
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 chicken (3-1/2 to 4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
• Paprika for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
    
2. In a large bowl, mix together rice, soups, soup mix, water, garlic, parsley, and Worcestershire sauce.
    
3. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Press chicken into mixture. Sprinkle with paprika, then cover tightly with aluminum foil.
    
4. Bake 1-1/4 hours. Do NOT open cover (not even to peek!) during baking.

***

Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving for an impressive finishing touch.

 

This is great made ahead and rewarmed in the oven or microwave. For a different taste treat, why not try adding some carrot or celery chunks or using flavored rice? And remember, bottled garlic is a wonderful time-saver.

 

 

Special anniversary today...

Dan (LASD ret) and Judi Patz are celebrating Anniversary 49! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!!

 

 

 

Historically this date....

1870 – Reconstruction era of the United States: Georgia becomes the last of the former Confederate states to be readmitted to the Union.

 

1916 – In Seattle, Washington, William Boeing and George Conrad Westervelt incorporate Pacific Aero Products (later renamed Boeing).

 

2003 – AOL Time Warner disbands Netscape Communications Corporation. The Mozilla Foundation is established on the same day.

 

 

And births this date include...

1935 – Ken Kercheval, American actor  (d.2019)

 

 

1935 – Alex Karras, American football player and actor (d 2012)

 

 

 

 

1939 – Patrick Wayne, American actor

 

 

1944 – Jan-Michael Vincent, American actor (d.2019)

So many problems with drinking.

 

 

1951 – Jesse Ventura, American professional wrestler and politician

 

1963 – Brigitte Nielsen, Danish-born actress

 

Five husbands and 3 "partners". Busy!

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

On July 15 we recognize the love of one magnificent creature.  Today is National I Love Horses Day!

With over 200 breeds, these spirited animals give humans much to love.  Their loyalty and devotion throughout history may only be a portion of the reasons to love them. Not just a means of transportation, horses cleared fields, fought wars, and moved cattle. Beyond their utility, their companionship was indispensable long lonely trails. Cattlemen, pioneers and more recognize horses as cornerstones of survival in a burgeoning nation.

The tallest horse breed is the Shire.  The stallions of this draft horse breed tower at 17 hands above the tiny Falabella, which grows to only eight hands and is the smallest breed of horse.

The phrase “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” is a reminder to be grateful for the gifts, opportunities or kind gestures that come our way. The phrase comes from inspecting a horse’s teeth to determine its health and value. If the horse was a gift, such an inspection would be considered an insult.

The quarter horse, named for its speed on a short track, is one the of three fastest breeds of horses.  Thoroughbreds follow quarter horses for longer distance, but Arabians outlast both breeds for endurance on the longest races.

A horse can see almost 360° at once. Because of this, it’s difficult to sneak up on a horse. Their only blind spots are directly behind them and in front. However, don’t approach a horse from behind; their powerful hind legs can do serious damage if they decide to defend themselves with a kick. Because horses have such an excellent range of vision, they can be easily distracted or startled. Trainers will place blinders or blinkers on their harness to block the horse’s view from the side. The small piece of leather helps the horse to focus their vision forward.

Just like human hair and fingernails, a horse’s hooves are made of the same protein – keratin. Farriers specialize in caring for horses’ hooves. They not only fit horses with shoes, but they trim their hooves and make recommendations for hoof care and foot health. Since horses spend an enormous amount of time on their feet, the care a farrier provides is instrumental to their overall health.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL I LOVE HORSES DAY

Celebrate by visiting a local stable for a horseback ride. Seek a view of wild horses in a national park. Spend time riding your own horse if you have one.

Years ago I bought an Appaloosa horse from a deputy.

 

I wanted to be in the Sheriff's Mounted Patrol.

 

 

Chief was a great horse but I found out he was so frightened of sirens. I was riding him and a siren went by and it was "high ho silver and away!!!!" OMGOSH! So, I didn't think that would work and found a deputy who wanted to buy him and barrel race him. That worked great, as Chief won many barrel races!

 

And speaking of the Sheriff's Mounted, when I was in high school I played the glockenspiel in the Sheriff's Boys Band.

 

                                           ^not me

(And yes, politically incorrect as there were 5 of us girls...two carried the banner and three of us played the glockenspiel!) As for parades, we marched behind the Sheriff's Mounted.

 

 

Back then they didn't have anyone coming along and picking up the horse poop, so we marched right through it! YUCK! Our white boots became brown boots!

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Baltimore Orioles Baseball Team ~ Farmstyle Hamburger Stroganoff ~ National Mac and Cheese Day

Good 57º clear sunny morning. 

Yesterday we topped at 100º.

Picture of the Day .... then and now, Voight at 82

Jon Voight, AKA Angelina Jolie’s father, just won’t quit the acting game, and we’re thankful for that. He’s been playing Mickey in the Ray Donovan series since 2013, and he’s set to star in the film Roe v. Wade in 2021!

Interesting about the Baltimore Orioles baseball team ....

Baltimore Orioles Team History

Team Names: Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Browns, Milwaukee Brewers

Seasons: 121 (1901 to 2021)

Record: 8821-9824, .473 W-L%

Playoff Appearances: 14

Pennants: 7

World Championships: 3

Winningest Manager: Earl Weaver, 1480-1060, .583 W-L%

The Orioles’ franchise began in 1894 as the Milwaukee Brewers. Since 1954 they’ve been the Baltimore Orioles. The play in the American League East and their home park in Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.

The franchise’s Milwaukee phase was brief and unsuccessful, and in 1902 they moved to St. Louis where they became the Browns. They were pretty lousy during their 51 years in St. Louis, with the exception being a period in the early twenties, in which their George Sisler/Ken Williams led team was highly competitive but never quite good enough. In 1944 they won an American League pennant thanks to World War II having diluted baseball of much of its talent.

Their time in St. Louis wasn’t a complete failure, however. They were a popular draw, often beating their much-better inner city rivals the St Louis Cardinals at the gate. Then there was Bill Veeck’s entertaining two year ownership of the club between 1951 and 1953, which included an at-bat by midget pinch hitter Eddie Gaedel and a controversial move to Baltimore after the 1953 season.

Veeck was actually pushed out as owner by the time the team reached Baltimore. And to further cut ties to the past, in 1954 the Orioles orchestrated a seventeen player trade with the Yankees that shed them of just about everyone who had ever played in St. Louis.

The Orioles struggled throughout the fifties, but emerged as a winner in the sixties. The finally broke through in 1966, behind a Triple Crown from Frank Robinson, and ended up sweeping Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and the Brooklyn Dodgers to win their franchise’s first World Series.

The Orioles adopted their team name in honor of the official state bird of Maryland; it had been used previously by several baseball clubs in the city, including another AL charter member franchise also named the "Baltimore Orioles", which moved north to New York in 1903 to eventually become the Yankees. Nicknames for the team include the "O's" and the "Birds".

The Orioles experienced their greatest success from 1966 to 1983, when they made six World Series appearances, winning three of them (1966, 1970, 1983). This era of the club featured several future Hall of Famers who would later be inducted representing the Orioles, such as third baseman Brooks Robinson, outfielder Frank Robinson, starting pitcher Jim Palmer, first baseman Eddie Murray, shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., and manager Earl Weaver. The Orioles have won a total of nine division championships (1969–1971, 1973–1974, 1979, 1983, 1997, 2014), six pennants (1966, 1969–1971, 1979, 1983), and three wild card berths (1996, 2012, 2016).

From Mr. Food

Transport your taste buds to an Amish country farm with our easy skillet Farmstyle Hamburger Stroganoff. Off the shelf ingredients will help you bring this comforting meal to the table in no time flat.

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 (10- to 12-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1/2 pound cooked egg noodles

Transport your taste buds to an Amish country farm with our easy skillet Farmstyle Hamburger Stroganoff. Off the shelf ingredients will help you bring this comforting meal to the table in no time flat.

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until meat is browned and onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic powder, pepper, and mushrooms and cook 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in soup. Simmer, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes, or until hot.
    
2. Remove meat mixture from heat and stir in sour cream. Serve over hot noodles.

• **For a lower-fat stroganoff, substitute ground turkey for the ground beef, use low-fat sour cream, and low-fat cream of mushroom soup.
   

Historically this date....

1881 – Billy the Kid is shot and killed by Pat Garrett outside Fort Sumner.

1969 – The United States $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 bills are officially withdrawn from circulation.

2000 – A powerful solar flare, later named the Bastille Day event, causes a geomagnetic storm on Earth.

2002 – French President Jacques Chirac escapes an assassination attempt unscathed during Bastille Day celebrations.

2003 – In an effort to discredit U.S. Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson, who had written an article critical of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Washington Post columnist Robert Novak reveals that Wilson's wife Valerie Plame is a CIA "operative".

And births this date include....

1910 – William Hanna, American animator (d. 2001)

1911 – Terry-Thomas, British actor (d. 1990)

1913 – Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States (d. 2006)

1923 – Dale Robertson, American actor (d.2013)

 

1930 – Polly Bergen, American actress (d.2014)

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo 

One of the classic comfort foods earns a place of honor on July 14th. It is National Mac and Cheese Day!

Made with macaroni noodles, cream or milk, and the golden goodness of cheese, mac and cheese shines as a side dish while also standing on its own as a main dish. This meal reminds many of us of home while also teaching us the basics of the kitchen. What other recipes allow us to create so flamboyantly and often with so little knowledge about cooking?

From the classic mac and cheese with cheddar or American cheeses to the spicy cowboy mac with bacon and jalapenos, there’s a combination for everyone. Mix up the cheeses or load up on seasonings. It’s easy to get a toasty crust by setting the broiler for a couple of minutes at the end of the cooking time.

Mac and cheese offers a multitude of ways to enjoy it, too. As a soup, it warms us up after a long day. Stuff it inside a meatloaf or a burger for a meal made for a hungry, busy family. Roll up bite-sized bits in bread crumbs and deep fry for mouthwatering appetizers. Put your favorite mac and cheese between two slices of crusty bread. Then put into a panini press for some grilled yumminess. Whether we like it mild or spicy, mac and cheese has us covered.

Besides being simple to make, mac and cheese enables us to experiment with other flavors we enjoy. We break into our kitchen skills with mac and cheese, and it makes us look good. Sometimes the can opener doesn’t do that. On July 14th, celebrate mac and cheese not only because we love to eat it, but because it taught us we can cook, too.

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Enjoy some mac and cheese! Experiment with different cheeses or try it with toppings. Don’t hesitate to break out of your normal routine. This is no time to be ho-hum. It’s a celebration of a food that’s not only convenient but is versatile and delicious, too.