Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Interesting About Summer ~ Penny-Pinching Teriyaki Chicken ~ National Catfish Day

  

Good 51º clear sunny morning. 

 

Yesterday we topped at 97º.

 

 

Picture of the Day ... a happy house!

 

 

Interesting about summer........

 

 

Summer is the hottest of the four temperate seasons, occurring after spring and before autumn. At or centered on the summer solstice, the earliest sunrise and latest sunset occurs, daylight hours are longest and dark hours are shortest, with day length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice. The date of the beginning of summer varies according to climate, tradition, and culture. When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa.

 

The meteorological convention is to define summer as comprising the months of June, July, and August in the northern hemisphere and the months of December, January, and February in the southern hemisphere. Under meteorological definitions, all seasons are arbitrarily set to start at the beginning of a calendar month and end at the end of a month. This meteorological definition of summer also aligns with the commonly viewed notion of summer as the season with the longest (and warmest) days of the year, in which daylight predominates.

 

Days continue to lengthen from equinox to solstice and summer days progressively shorten after the solstice, so meteorological summer encompasses the build-up to the longest day and a diminishing thereafter, with summer having many more hours of daylight than spring. Reckoning by hours of daylight alone, summer solstice marks the midpoint, not the beginning, of the seasons. Midsummer takes place over the shortest night of the year, which is the summer solstice, or on a nearby date that varies with tradition.

 

In some Southern Hemisphere countries such as Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, summer is associated with the Christmas and New Year holidays. Many families take extended holidays for two or three weeks or longer during summer.

 

Schools and universities typically have a summer break to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days. In almost all countries, children are out of school during this time of year for summer break, although dates vary. Many families will take holidays for a week or two over summer, particularly in Southern Hemisphere Western countries with statutory Christmas and New Year holidays.

 

In the United States, public schools usually end in late May in Memorial Day weekend, while colleges finish in early May. Public school traditionally resumes near Labor Day, while higher institutions often resume in mid-August.

 

In England and Wales, school ends in mid-July and resumes again in early September. In Scotland, the summer holiday begins in late June and ends in mid-to late-August. Similarly, in Canada the summer holiday starts on the last or second-last Friday in June and ends in late August or on the first Tuesday of September, with the exception of when that date falls before Labour Day, in which case, ends on the second Tuesday of the month. In Russia the summer holiday begins at the end of May and ends on 31 August.

 

In the Southern Hemisphere, school summer holiday dates include the major holidays of Christmas and New Year's Day. School summer holidays in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa begin in early December and end in early February, with dates varying between states. In South Africa, the new school year usually starts during the second week of January, thus aligning the academic year with the Calendar year. In India, school ends in late April and resumes in early or mid-June. In Cameroon and Nigeria, schools usually finish for summer vacation in mid-July and resume in the later weeks of September or the first week of October.

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

This is a fantastic dinner for any night of the week that packs a lot of flavor and won't break the bank. Our Penny-Pinching Teriyaki Chicken will filly your belly without emptying your pockets!

 

• 2 1/2 to 3 pounds chicken thighs, skinned if desired
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 3 scallions, sliced
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

 

1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; mix well and add to chicken. Seal bag and marinate in refrigerator about 4 hours, turning occasionally.
2. Drain chicken, reserving marinade.
3. Coat a grill pan or skillet with cooking spray and cook chicken over medium heat 15 to 18 minutes, or until no longer pink in center, turning occasionally.
4. In a small saucepan over high heat, boil reserved marinade 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon over chicken and serve immediately.

 

 

Historically this date.....

1876 – Battle of the Little Bighorn and the death of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer

1950 – The Korean War begins with the invasion of South Korea by North Korea.

1996 – The Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia kills 19 U.S. servicemen.

2012 – The final steel beam of 4 World Trade Center is lifted into place in a ceremony.

And births this date include....

1925 – June Lockhart, American actress

 

 

1945 – Carly Simon, American singer-songwriter, actress, and author (Elephant's Memory)

 

 

1961 – Ricky Gervais, English comedian, actor, and writer

 

 

1963 – George Michael, English singer-songwriter, musician, producer, and actor (d. 2016)

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

In the United States, National Catfish Day on June 25th each year celebrates the value of farm-raised catfish.

A diverse group of ray-finned fish, catfish are named for their prominent barbels, which resemble cat whiskers. These nocturnal swimmers don’t have any scales. Their smooth flesh makes it difficult for anglers to clean. In the United States, the most commonly eaten species of catfish are the channel catfish and blue catfish. They are also a good source of Vitamin D.

In 1986, catfish comprised the third-highest volume of finned fish consumed in the United States.

A favorite dish of many Americans, this fine finned fish can be prepared in many different ways. Traditionally, many catfish lovers coat the fish in cornmeal and fry it. While many people prepare only the filets when cooking fish, when it comes to catfish, others prefer the fish cooked whole. No matter the method, this tender whitefish comes delicately off the bone. Spices complement this freshwater fish, too. However, it is also delicious served with a milder touch. A little lemon and butter go a long way. Those who love it fried will eat the crispy tail right away to savor the crunch!

HOW TO OBSERVE

While baking and frying catfish may be the most common ways of enjoying this flavorful fish, they’re not the only way. Celebrate by discovering all-new recipes like soups, sandwiches, and appetizers. How about some catfish pasta dishes? If you’ve never tasted catfish before, #NationalCatfishDay encourages you to explore dishes bursting with flavor. Add a little catfish to your menu! We even offer several recipes for you to try, too!

Low Country Catfish Soup
Easy Fried Fish Fillet Recipe
Zucchini Noodles with Fried Catfish

 

NATIONAL CATFISH DAY HISTORY

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan designated June 25th as National Catfish Day by Presidential Proclamation after Congress called for the day to be established by Joint Resolution 178.

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Cheesecake History ~ No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe ~ National Take Your Dog To Work Day

  

Good 42º clear sunny morning. 

 

Yesterday we topped at 93º.

 

 

Picture of the Day...blackbird catching a ride on an osprey's stick

 

 

Interesting about cheesecake....

Cheesecake is a sweet dessert consisting of one or more layers. The main, and thickest, layer consists of a mixture of a soft, fresh cheese (typically cottage cheese, cream cheese or ricotta), eggs, and sugar. If there is a bottom layer, it most often consists of a crust or base made from crushed cookies (or digestive biscuits), graham crackers, pastry, or sometimes sponge cake. Cheesecake may be baked or unbaked (and is usually refrigerated).

 

Cheesecake is usually sweetened with sugar and may be flavored in different ways. Vanilla, spices, lemon, chocolate, pumpkin, or other flavors may be added to the main cheese layer. Additional flavors and visual appeal may be added by topping the finished dessert with fruit, whipped cream, nuts, cookies, fruit sauce, chocolate syrup, or other ingredients.

 

An ancient form of cheesecake may have been a popular dish in ancient Greece even prior to Romans' adoption of it with the conquest of Greece. The earliest attested mention of a cheesecake is by the Greek physician Aegimus (5th century BCE), who wrote a book on the art of making cheesecakes (πλακουντοποιικόν σύγγραμμα—plakountopoiikon sungramma). The earliest extant cheesecake recipes are found in Cato the Elder's De Agri Cultura, which includes recipes for three cakes for religious uses: libum, savillum and placenta. Of the three, placenta cake is the most like modern cheesecakes: having a crust that is separately prepared and baked.

 

A more modern version called a sambocade, made with elderflower and rose water, is found in Forme of Cury, an English cookbook from 1390. On this basis, chef Heston Blumenthal has argued that cheesecake is an English invention.

 

The English name cheesecake has been used only since the 15th century, and the cheesecake did not evolve into its modern form until somewhere around the 18th century. Europeans began removing yeast and adding beaten eggs to the cheesecake instead. With the overpowering yeast flavor gone, the result tasted more like a dessert treat. The early 19th-century cheesecake recipes in A New System of Domestic Cookery by Maria Rundell are made with cheese curd and fresh butter. One version is thickened with blanched almonds, eggs and cream, and the cakes may have included currants, brandy, raisin wine, nutmeg and orange flower water.

 

Modern commercial American cream cheese was developed in 1872, when William Lawrence, from Chester, New York, while looking for a way to recreate the soft, French cheese Neufchâtel, accidentally came up with a way of making an "unripened cheese" that is heavier and creamier; other dairymen came up with similar creations independently.

 

Modern cheesecake comes in two different types. Along with the baked cheesecake, some cheesecakes are made with uncooked cream cheese on a crumbled-cookie or graham cracker base. This type of cheesecake was invented in the United States.

 

Cheesecakes can be broadly categorized into two basic types: baked and unbaked. Some do not have a crust or base. Cheesecake comes in a variety of styles based on region:

 

South Africa

One popular variant of cheesecake in South Africa is made with whipped cream, cream cheese, gelatin for the filling, and a buttered digestive biscuit crust. It is not baked, and is sometimes made with Amarula liqueur. This variant is very similar to British cheesecake. This cheesecake is more common in British South African communities.

 

Japan

Japanese cheesecake, or soufflé style or cotton cheesecake, is made with cream cheese, butter, sugar, and eggs, and has a characteristically wobbly, airy texture, similar to chiffon cake. No-bake cheesecakes are known as rare cheesecake.

Philippines

The most prominent version of cheesecake in the Philippines is ube cheesecake. It is made with a base of crushed graham crackers and an upper layer of cream cheese and ube halaya (mashed purple yam with milk, sugar, and butter). It can be prepared baked or simply refrigerated. Like other ube desserts in the Philippines, it is characteristically purple in color.

 

Russia

Russian-style cheesecake (Vatrushka) is in the form of a dough ring and filled with quark or cottage cheese.

 

United States

The United States has several different recipes for cheesecake and this usually depends on the region in which the cake is baked, as well as the cultural background of the person baking it.

Chicago

Chicago-style cheesecake is a baked cream-cheese version that is firm on the outside with a soft and creamy texture on the inside. These cheesecakes are often made in a greased cake pan and are relatively fluffy in texture. The crust used with this style of cheesecake is most commonly made from shortbread that is crushed and mixed with sugar and butter. Some frozen cheesecakes are Chicago-style.

New York

New York–style cheesecake uses a cream cheese base, also incorporating heavy cream or sour cream. The typical New York cheesecake is rich and has a dense, smooth, and creamy consistency.

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

You don't have to turn your oven on to enjoy a slice of one of your favorite desserts! Our No-Bake Cheesecake is an easy cheesecake recipe that'll leave them (and you!) cheering.

 

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup (1/2 pint) sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 prepared 9-inch graham cracker pie crust

 

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar, then blend in sour cream and vanilla. Fold in whipped topping until well mixed.
    
2. Spoon mixture into pie crust.
    
3. Chill 4 to 5 hours, or until set. Keep refrigerated.
   
   

***This is nice garnished with your favorite fresh fruit or pie filling, or sprinkled with crumbled chocolate cookies.

 

 

 

Historically this date.......

1846 – The saxophone is patented by Adolphe Sax in Paris, France.

 

1949 – The first television western, Hopalong Cassidy, is aired on NBC starring William Boyd.

 

2010 – John Isner of the United States defeats Nicolas Mahut of France at Wimbledon, in the longest match in professional tennis history.

 

 

 

And births this date include..

 

1893 – Roy O. Disney, American businessman, co-founded The Walt Disney Company with his brother Walt.(d. 1971)

 

 

 1895 – Jack Dempsey, American boxer and soldier (d. 1983)

 

1931 – Billy Casper, American golfer and architect (d. 2015)

 

 

1942 – Michele Lee, American actress

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

Every year employees across the country bring their dogs to work the Friday after Father’s Day. It’s National Take Your Dog to Work Day.

A celebration of the companionship between canine and human, National Take Your Dog to Work Day hopes to inspire others to adopt from shelters and humane societies. Those in the pet supply business may find this to be an everyday occurrence. With pets being central to their business platform, employees bring their dogs to work frequently. Companies such as Petco, Petsmart, Mars Petcare, Trupanion, and Nestle Purina Petcare all have pet-friendly policies. So, every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day at these companies.

However, not only pet companies are dog friendly these days. Tech and marketing businesses seem to be next in line for offering this perk to employees. Amazon, Airbnb, Procore Technologies, Vungle, and Radio Systems Corporation are just a few of the companies across the nation supporting pet-friendly policies.

Are there benefits to having a dog by your side all day? As any business knows, policies like these come with pros and cons.

Pros of Pet-Friendly Policies

1. Perhaps the number one benefit of dogs at work is the reduced stress for most employees. Studies have shown pets in the workplace not only reduce stress but also increase productivity.
2. Which brings us to the second benefit. Employees who take breaks to care for their dog tend to be more productive than those who plow through their work. They come back to their desk refreshed and energized, ready to refocus.
3. Employees are healthier and so are their dogs because both are getting more physical activity.
4. The pet also gets more social interaction, not only from the dog owner but from the entire office.
5. Overall, dogs bring a morale boost to the entire office. Not very many can resist the affection of a loveable pup.
6. Pet-friendly businesses retain their employees longer and are more attractive to future employees.

Cons of Pet-Friendly Policies

1. The job satisfaction of employees with allergies or phobias are greatly affected.
2. Risk of injury to employees or other dogs increase the legal risk.
3. Dogs that are not well-trained lead to distractions in the office.
4. What do potential clients think? If dogs on the premises continually turn away dollars, the pros may not matter.

While not all businesses can participate in #TakeYourDogToWorkDay, those who can have a terrific opportunity to see if a pet-friendly policy would work. It also provides some insight into your employees’ desire for this type of policy.

NATIONAL TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY HISTORY

The celebration originated in the United Kingdom in 1996. Then in 1999, Pet Sitters International founded its first day in the United States.