Weather/Smoke ~ Picture of the Day ~ Strange City 'Hell for Certain' ~ Chicken Salad Bake ~ Tom and Adele Graves ~ National Coast Guard Day

 

Good 58º dark smokey morning. 

 

Yesterday and today we are covered in smoke from the California fires which is blowing north..... no blue sky! It's gloomy and depressing. :(

 

Today is even worse....

 

Picture of the Day ... perfectly timed

 

 

Interesting about strange city names....

 

Hell for Certain is an unincorporated community in Leslie County, Kentucky, United States. Also known as Dryhill, the community is 7 miles north of the small town of Hyden. The place became known as Hell for Certain because it is located near a creek of the same name.

A mission church sits at the mouth of Hell for Certain Creek at the Middle Fork Kentucky River. The church was started in the early 1950s by the late Miss Evelyn Fuqua, who was a licensed minister in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

The area has been extensively mined for coal. The Geological Society of America has borrowed "Hell for Certain" as a name for the tonstein (hard rock) located in the area and throughout the Appalachian basin.

The Bluegrass Brewing Company of Louisville named one of their beers after Hell for Certain.

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Get ready for a true Southern favorite we like to call our Chicken Salad Bake. Discovered in an old cookbook, this recipe combines the best of old-fashioned flavor and comfort in one casserole dish. Take this dish on a picnic or send it to a potluck; no matter where you serve it, this is a dish you can be proud of.

 

• 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 (2-ounce) jar chopped pimientos
• 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup (3-ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup crushed potato chips

 

1. Preheat oven to 425º.
2. In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, onion, pimientos, soup, and mayonnaise; mix well and pour into an 8-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and potato chips.
3. Bake 20 minutes, or until heated through.

 

 

 

Special Anniversary today, high school pal Adele aka Del (Easton) and her hubby Tom Graves are celebrating #56 today. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!!

 

 

 

Historically this date.....

1892 – The father and stepmother of Lizzie Borden are found murdered in their Fall River, Massachusetts home.

 

1944 – The Holocaust: a tip from a Dutch informer leads the Gestapo to a sealed-off area in an Amsterdam warehouse, where they find and arrest Jewish diarist Anne Frank, her family, and four others.

1987 – The Federal Communications Commission rescinds the Fairness Doctrine which had required radio and television stations to present controversial issues "fairly". WHAAA???

 

1993 – A federal judge sentences Los Angeles Police Department officers Stacey Koon and Laurence Powell to 30 months in prison for violating motorist Rodney King's civil rights.

Births this date include....

1901 – Louis Armstrong, American jazz trumpeter and singer (d. 1971)

 

 

1944 – Richard Belzer, American actor and comedian

1955 – Billy Bob Thornton, American actor and writer

....with wife #6!

 

1962 – Roger Clemens, American baseball player

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Coast Guard Day on August 4th celebrates and honors the courageous work of the service members of Coast Guard. 

The United States Coast Guard is one of the six US Armed Forces. While this maritime service is a branch of the military, they are a multi-missioned service. During peacetime, it operates under the Department of Homeland Security. However, their responsibilities can be transferred to the US Navy by the President of the United States any time deemed necessary, or by Congress during war times.

Always ready, The United States Coast Guard’s official motto in Latin reads Semper Paratus.

Since 1790, the Coast Guard’s missions have changed. As the nation and the military services grew, maritime needs evolved. In 1917, the first Coast Guard aviators graduated from Pensacola Naval Aviation Training School. Today, aviation is a large part of the Coast Guard’s security, enforcement, and defense readiness.

Always ready to protect our shores and waterways, the Coast Guard provides more than search and rescue. They are a large part of the nation’s navigation system and Marine Environmental Protection.

When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of America, the US Coast Guard saved over 33,500 lives. Their maritime efforts rescued an estimated 24,000 lives from peril in severely dangerous conditions.

Since 1790, service members have been at the ready to provide support whatever the mission. Their commitment continues today. 

NATIONAL COAST GUARD HISTORY

The United States Coast Guard traces its founding to an act of Congress on August 4, 1790.  The Coast Guard consisted of 10 vessels that carried out the enforcement of various trade and humanitarian duties.

 

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Arizona's State Bird ~ Crazy-Good Rosemary Chicken ~ Bob & Marie Vincent ~ National Georgia Day

 

Good 60º smokey morning. 

 

Yesterday we topped at 107º!

 

 

Picture of the Day .. perfect timing

 

 

 

Interesting about Arizona's state bird...

 

When the United States declared independence in 1776, choosing state birds was not high on the priority list. In fact, nearly 150 years passed before Kentucky stepped up and named the first state bird, on February 26, 1926. Not surprisingly, that first choice was the Northern Cardinal, one of the most recognizable, brightly colored and popular birds in the country. The cardinal was so popular that six other states (all clustered around and near Kentucky) selected the same bird. One would think that competitive and independent states would make a point of choosing unique birds, but one would be wrong. All 50 states now have official birds, but 30 of those states share their selection with at least one other state. Following the seven-state cardinal, six states chose the Western Meadowlark and five the Northern Mockingbird. Other birds shared by at least two states include the American Robin, American Goldfinch, Mountain Bluebird, Eastern Bluebird and Black- capped Chickadee. Playing copy-cat was hardly necessary, since there are plenty of appropriately unique choices among America’s birds. In addition, some of the omissions are as surprising as some of the choices. For example, while two states chose chickens, there are no hummingbirds or raptors on the list.

It should come as no surprise that Arizona is one of just twenty states that chose a unique state bird. After all, this is the state with an official tie (the bolo), an official rattlesnake (the Ridge-nosed) and an official gun, the Colt revolver. In 1931, nineteen years after becoming the 48th state, Arizona’s legislature chose the Cactus Wren. It’s probably not true that the choice was based on the bird’s song, a sputtering, staccato-chugging babble that might be compared with a state legislative session. That ‘song’, which David Sibley calls “unmusical….like a quacking duck”, is just one unique characteristic of the Cactus Wren. While the other eight North American wrens are small, drab, shy and furtive, the Cactus Wren stands alone. He is big, boldly patterned, boisterous, brash and inquisitive. At eight inches, he dwarfs our other wrens, and his bullying behavior is more like a thrasher than a wren. Appropriately, his scientific name is a 10-syllable mouthful, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, meaning ‘brown-capped curved bill’. The Cactus Wren builds multiple nests, most of which are never occupied, and, as you might guess, these nests typically are found in cactus. Here the bird perches, oblivious to the sharp spines, shattering the clear desert air with his staccato song. Limited in the U.S. to the southwest, the wren is widespread south to central Mexico, and a dozen generic cousins can be found from Mexico to Brazil. One of these, the Rufous-naped Wren, made me think I was back in Arizona as it snatched scraps from my table in Costa Rica.

Far from shy, the Cactus Wren carries a chip on his shoulder and is not one to mess with. They will destroy bird nests and eggs, including those of other Cactus Wrens. I’ve had my hat knocked off after getting too close to a Cactus Wren nest, and inexplicably another made a high speed landing in the center of my back. I also saw one peck a downed House Finch to death. Like Arizona retirees, they are mostly monogamous, adapt well to suburban desert neighborhoods ,and often growl when they meet their mates. This is a bird that, if it could, would sport a bolo tie and carry a Colt. Without question, this was a good choice for the wild west state of Arizona.

The Cactus Wrens primarily eat insects (ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and wasps) and occasional seeds and fruits. 

Male and female Cactus Wrens mate for life. Large scale development throughout the Southwest has caused declines in the Cactus Wren population. It's not currently listed as endangered, but it is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

You can serve up a restaurant-worthy dinner while sticking to your budget, with this easy recipe for Crazy-Good Rosemary Chicken. These juicy chicken breasts are topped with a flavor-packed sauce made with some onions, a little lemon juice, a splash of wine, and a bit of mustard. The results are amazing!

 

• 4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced onion
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

 

1. Between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper, pound chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness. Using a fork, poke chicken several times (this helps the marinade penetrate the chicken).
2. In a large bowl, mix 1 tablespoon oil, the salt, pepper, lemon zest, garlic, and rosemary. Add chicken and toss until evenly coated. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
3. Coat the chicken breasts in flour. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil until hot; cook chicken breasts 5 to 7 minutes per side or until chicken is golden brown and no longer pink in center. Remove chicken to a platter and cover to keep warm.
4. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Cook onion 3 to 4 minutes or until soft. Add lemon juice, wine, and mustard; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly reduced. Serve chicken topped with sauce.

 

 

 

Special Anniversary today... former Temple City neighbors Bob and Marie Vincent are celebrating #58! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!!

 

 

Historically this date....

1934 – Adolf Hitler becomes the supreme leader of Germany by joining the offices of President and Chancellor into Führer.

1936 – Jesse Owens wins the 100 meter dash, defeating Ralph Metcalfe, at the Berlin Olympics.

1958 – The nuclear submarine USS Nautilus travels beneath the Arctic ice cap.

2004 – The pedestal of the Statue of Liberty reopens after being closed since the September 11 attacks.

 

And births this date include....

1926 – Tony Bennett, American singer

 

 

 

1951 – Jay North, American actor

 

 1977 – Tom Brady, American football player

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

The 13th colony and the 4th state to enter the Union, National Georgia Day recognizes the natural wonders and immense complexities of this bastion of Southern culture.

Georgia’s founder, James Oglethorpe, settled the colony’s first capital, Savannah. Georgia would go on to have four more capitals, Augusta, Louisville, Milledgeville and finally, Atlanta

Politically and socially, a divide has always seemed to exist. Considering Georgia was initially established as a barrier of fortification between South Carolina’s southern border and the Spanish settled in Florida, perhaps Georgia lived up to destiny.

To Sign or Not to Sign

Georgia initially prohibited slavery in 1735. Of the 13 original colonies, she was the only one to do so. The prohibition lasted 15 years. Leading up the Revolution, Georgia leaned toward supporting the crown and was the single colony not in attendance at the First Continental Congress.

During the Second Continental Congress, Georgia first sent one delegate, Lyman Hall. However, Hall didn’t vote because he only represented a single parish in Georgia. The colony later sent Button Gwinnett and George Walton as official delegates. All three signed the Declaration of Independence.

Wars were destructive for Georgia. Her people and the economy suffered, and the resistance to social change persisted.

During the 20th century, industrial and technological advancements found a niche in Georgia’s economy. A hub for airlines, military bases and international corporations, Georgia rebounded once more.

National Georgia Day Flavor

When it comes to Georgia, words that come to mind include home-cookin’ and comfort food. Don’t be surprised by the serving size, the number of fried foods or desserts. Two things are certain, they’re made from the heart, and they are delicious!

Just about anything can be fried, including okra, green tomatoes, chicken, seafood and Vidalia onions. Since 1986, those sweet onions grow in Vidalia and 20 Georgia counties, and nowhere else by Geogia law.

Peaches are to Georgia like sunshine is summer. Take a bite out a ripe one and let the juice run down your chin. Or, enjoy all the wonderful peach pastries or canned peaches Georgia has to offer.  From pies to jellies, there are so many ways to bring the flavor of Georgia home with you.

Grab a Coca-Cola and some boiled peanuts to enjoy the summer weather. Georgia is home to Coca-Cola and enjoying salty peanuts go back to the Civil War era.

Real BBQ finds a home in the South and in Georgia, you better show up early or you won’t get served. When its done right, there’s bound to be a limited supply, so it sells out early, too!

When the air is cool, a Brunswick stew is in order. With tomatoes, lima beans, corn, okra, potatoes, and chicken, beef or any game to be had, this one-dish meal will warm the whole family up on cold, Southern evening.

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Overall, Georgia’s history is fertile for inspiration. Alongside the peach orchards and cotton fields surge crops of masterful artists, musicians, writers, and poets. Their experiences with the beauty, history, and humanity of Georgia fill the eyes and ears with more than can be appreciated in one visit.

 

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Iowa Facts ~ Italian Goulash Skillet ~ Spencer Norman ~ Marie Vincent ~ National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

 

Good 59º morning. 

 

Yesterday clouds moved in and we had a few sprinkles of rain and we topped at 103º.

 

 

Picture of the Day ... then and now, Max Baer Jr....

 

Max Baer Jr. was best known for his role in Beverly Hillbillies. As of 2021, his net worth is over $65 million. Beyond a career in acting, he was also a producer and a screenwriter. Today, he’s 83 years old.

 

 

 

Interesting about Iowa....

 

Ripley’s Believe It or Not has dubbed Burlington’s Snake Alley the most crooked street in the world.

 

On the other hand, this is Lombard Street in San Francisco and it's been called "the crookedest street in the world" ! Both look the same.

 

Elk Horn in the largest Danish settlement in the United States.

 

Wright County has the highest percentage of grade-A topsoil in the nation.

 

Quaker Oats, in Cedar Rapids, is the largest cereal company in the world.

Dubuque is home to the only county courthouse with a gold dome.

Herbert Hoover, a West Branch native, was the 31st president of the United States and the first one born west of the Mississippi.

 

The famous actor John Wayne was born in Winterset on May 26, 1907.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wayne)

 

Iowa State University is the oldest land grant college in the U.S.A.

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

This simple goulash recipe is a skillet sensation! Made with ground beef, macaroni, and lots of mozzarella cheese for a hearty weeknight dinner everyone will love. Plus, we added a little bit of our favorite Italian seasonings. Because it's so easy to make, we know our Italian Goulash Skillet is going to be one of your favorites too!

 

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 (24-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

 

1. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, saute beef and onion, stirring to break it up until no pink remains; drain excess liquid.
2. Add spaghetti sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; mix well. Stir in pasta and heat 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. 
3. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and serve.
   

 

 

Special birthdays today, my late friend Erika Norman's husband Spencer is celebrating. He is also the father of Cathy (LASD ret). Happy Birthday Spencer!!

And my former Temple City neighbor Marie Vincent is celebrating. Happy Birthday Marie!!

Historically this date....

1776 – The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence took place.

1923 – As vice president, Calvin Coolidge becomes the 30th President of the United States after the death of Warren G. Harding

1934 – Gleichschaltung: Adolf Hitler becomes Führer of Germany.

1964 – Vietnam War: Gulf of Tonkin incident – North Vietnamese gunboats allegedly fire on the U.S. destroyers USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy.

1990 – Iraq invades Kuwait, eventually leading to the Gulf War.

 ..........and my Brian joins the Marines!

 

And births this date include...

1924 – Carroll O'Connor, American actor (d. 2001)

 

1932 – Peter O'Toole, Irish actor (d. 2013)

 

1945 – Joanna Cassidy, American actress

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On August 2nd, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day encourages us to cool off with one of our favorite frozen treats. Whether it’s vanilla, strawberry or Neapolitan between two chocolate wafers, the dessert sure will hit the spot on a hot summer day.  

The original ice cream sandwich sold for a penny in 1900 from a pushcart in the Bowery neighborhood of New York. Newspapers never identified the name of the vendor in articles that appeared across the country. However, the ice cream sandwiched between milk biscuits became a hit. Soon, pushcarts popped up around the city and country during the summer months selling the portable treats. Early pictures show beach goers at Atlantic City getting their ice cream sandwiches for 1¢ each. 

Once ice cream sandwiches became popular, recipes for home cooks filled the papers. The sandwich layers included everything from angel food and sponge cake to shortbread cookies. Restaurants offered the ice cream sandwich as a decadent dessert for travelers. By 1940, grocers sold sandwiches made with crispy wafers.

One account claims the modern ice cream sandwich with the chocolate wafer was invented in 1945 by Jerry Newberg. The ice cream maker sold his creation at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, PA. At the time, the storied location was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.

If the chocolate brownie wafer doesn’t appeal to you, don’t hesitate to mix it up. All variety of cookies make excellent sandwich parts. Change up the ice cream, too. Around the world, ice cream sandwiches go by a variety of names including the Monaco Bar, Giant Sandwich, Maxibon, Cream Between, Vanilla Slice, and many more.

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Enjoy an ice cream sandwich today!