Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ George Washington ~ Chicken & Broccoli Hotdish ~ Jim and Babette Faust ~ National Winnie the Pooh Day

  

Good 43º raining morning.

 

 

Yesterday we had rain on and off and topped at 55º.

 

 

Picture of the Day...funny cats!😁

 

 

Interesting about George Washington.........

 

 

 

 

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was an American Founding Father, military officer, politician and statesman who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Second Continental Congress as commander of the Continental Army in June 1775, Washington led Patriot forces to victory in the American Revolutionary War and then served as president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted and ratified the Constitution of the United States and established the American federal government. Washington has thus been called the "Father of the Nation".

 

Washington's first public office, from 1749 to 1750, was as surveyor of Culpeper County in the Colony of Virginia. He subsequently received military training and was assigned command of the Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War. He was later elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses and was named a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, which appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Washington led American forces to a decisive victory over the British in the Revolutionary War, leading the British to sign the Treaty of Paris, which acknowledged the sovereignty and independence of the United States. He resigned his commission in 1783 after the conclusion of the Revolutionary War.

 

Washington played an indispensable role in adopting and ratifying the Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1789. He was then twice elected president by the Electoral College unanimously. As the first U.S. president, Washington implemented a strong, well-financed national government while remaining impartial in a fierce rivalry that emerged between cabinet members Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. During the French Revolution, he proclaimed a policy of neutrality while additionally sanctioning the Jay Treaty. He set enduring precedents for the office of president, including republicanism, a peaceful transfer of power, the use of the title "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. His 1796 farewell address became a preeminent statement on republicanism in which he wrote about the importance of national unity and the dangers that regionalism, partisanship, and foreign influence pose to it. Washington's image is an icon of American culture. He has been memorialized by monuments, a federal holiday, various media depictions, geographical locations including the national capital, the State of Washington, stamps, and currency. In 1976, Washington was posthumously promoted to the rank of General of the Armies, the highest rank in the U.S. Army.

 

Washington consistently ranks in both popular and scholarly polls as one of the greatest presidents in American history.

 

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, at Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the first of six children of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. His father was a justice of the peace and a prominent public figure who had four additional children from his first marriage to Jane Butler. The family moved to Little Hunting Creek in 1734 before eventually settling in Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia. When Augustine died in 1743, Washington inherited Ferry Farm and ten slaves; his older half-brother Lawrence inherited Little Hunting Creek and renamed it Mount Vernon.

 

Washington did not have the formal education his elder brothers received at Appleby Grammar School in England, but he did attend the Lower Church School in Hartfield. He learned mathematics, trigonometry, and land surveying, and became a talented draftsman and mapmaker. By early adulthood, he was writing with "considerable force" and "precision". As a teenager, to practice his penmanship, Washington compiled over a hundred rules for social interaction styled Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation, copied from an English translation of a French book of manners.

^{On January 6, 1759, Washington, at age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old widow of wealthy plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis. The marriage took place at Martha's estate; she was intelligent, gracious, and experienced in managing a planter's estate, and the couple had a happy marriage. They moved to Mount Vernon, near Alexandria, where he lived as a planter of tobacco and wheat and emerged as a political figure.}

 

^{Washington was inaugurated on April 30, 1789, taking the oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City. His coach was led by militia and a marching band and followed by statesmen and foreign dignitaries in an inaugural parade, with a crowd of 10,000. Chancellor Robert R. Livingston administered the oath, using a Bible provided by the Masons, after which the militia fired a 13-gun salute. Washington read a speech in the Senate Chamber, asking "that Almighty Being ... consecrate the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States". Though he wished to serve without a salary, Congress insisted that he accept it, later providing Washington $25,000 per year to defray costs of the presidency, equivalent to $6.14 million today. Washington wrote to James Madison: "As the first of everything in our situation will serve to establish a precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part that these precedents be fixed on true principles." To that end, he preferred the title "Mr. President" over more majestic names proposed by the Senate, including "His Excellency" and "His Highness the President". His executive precedents included the inaugural address, messages to Congress, and the cabinet form of the executive branch.}

 

^{If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington}

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Looking for some cool ideas for family-friendly weeknight meals? Then our shortcut version of Chicken & Broccoli Hotdish uses the convenience of lots of fresh-tasting frozen and refrigerated ingredients, making you a one-pan hero!

 

• 1 (10.75-ounce) can Cheddar cheese soup
• 1 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (22-ounce) package frozen chicken breast strips, thawed, coarsely chopped
• 1 (14-ounce) package frozen broccoli florets, thawed
• 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

 

1. Preheat oven to 375 º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
    
2. In a large bowl, combine soup, sour cream, milk, and Cheddar cheese; mix well. Stir in chicken and broccoli and pour into prepared baking dish.
    
3. In a medium bowl, combine potatoes, butter, salt, and pepper. Evenly sprinkle over chicken mixture.
    
4. Bake uncovered 55 to 60 minutes, or until heated through and golden brown.

 

 

Today is a special anniversary... my high school pal Sandy's (Todoran) baby sister, Babette and her groom Jim Faust have been married since 1986.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!!!

 

Historically this date......

1788 – The first elements of the First Fleet carrying 736 convicts from England to Australia arrives at Botany Bay.

 

1896 – The X-ray machine is exhibited for the first time.

 

1944 – The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosts a jazz concert for the first time. The performers are Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Roy Eldridge and Jack Teagarden.

 

 

 

1990 – Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry is arrested for drug possession in an FBI sting.

 

And births this date include....

1779 – Peter Mark Roget, British lexicographer (d. 1869)

 

1813 – Joseph Glidden, American farmer who patented barbed wire (d. 1906)

 

1882 – A. A. Milne, English author (d. 1956)

 

 

1892 – Oliver Hardy, American comedian and actor (d. 1957)

1904 – Cary Grant, English actor (d. 1986)

Cary Grant and I back in the 60's when I worked for Faberge ... and he came to our meeting....

1913 – Danny Kaye, American actor (d. 1987)

 

1941 – David Ruffin, American singer (The Temptations) (d. 1991)

   Saw them at the Playboy Club in the 70's... NEAT!!!!

 

1955 – Kevin Costner, American actor

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Winnie the Pooh Day on January 18th commemorates author A.A. Milne’s birthday in 1882. He brought the adorable, honey-loving bear to life in his stories, which also featured his son, Christopher Robin. 

Milne’s lovable Pooh Bear, as he was fondly called, is a fictional bear inspired by a black bear named Winnie. Winnie lived at the London Zoo during World War I. The author’s son, Christopher Robin, would visit the bear often and named his own teddy bear after her and a swan named Pooh.

This friendship inspired a collection of books starting with Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926. E.H. Shepard beautifully illustrated the books.

Their adventures took them and millions of children through the Hundred Acre Woods. Each character played a unique role in the books. Whether the wisdom of Owl or Rabbit lead the group awry or a celebration ensued, the story’s characters became beloved around the world. 

In the 1960s, Disney bought the rights to the Winnie-the-Pooh characters dropping the hyphen from Pooh’s name. The illustrations were a bit different, too.

Milne’s stories have been translated into over 50 languages and are considered classic children’s stories today.

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Snuggle up with your favorite Pooh fan, a pot of honey, and take turns reading about the adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Share your favorite Pooh Bear adventure or quote. Watch a Winnie the Pooh movie. Listen to songs like “Return to Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins. 

 

NATIONAL WINNIE THE POOH DAY HISTORY

Since at least 1986, National Winnie The Pooh Day has been observed across the country. However, we’ve been unable to identify the founder of the day. We will continue researching.

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ President Woodrow Wilson ~ Rigatoni Bolognese ~ Joe and Jo Ann Kirk ~ National Classy Day

  

Good 41º raining morning. Rained all night.

 

 

Yesterday started out super foggy and at 32º. Ice on the barn roof. We topped at 40º after having on and off rain sprinkles.

 

 

Picture of the Day...cross-eyed cat😮

 

 

 

Interesting

 

Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was an American politician and academic who served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. A member of the Democratic Party, Wilson served as the president of Princeton University and as the governor of New Jersey before winning the 1912 presidential election. As president, Wilson changed the nation's economic policies and led the United States into World War I in 1917. He was the leading architect of the League of Nations, and his progressive stance on foreign policy came to be known as Wilsonianism.

 

Born in Staunton, Virginia, Wilson grew up in the Southern United States, mainly in Augusta, Georgia, during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. After earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in history and political science from Johns Hopkins University, Wilson taught at various colleges before becoming the president of Princeton University and a spokesman for progressivism in higher education. As governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913, Wilson broke with party bosses and won the passage of several progressive reforms. To win the presidential nomination he mobilized progressives and Southerners to his cause at the 1912 Democratic National Convention. Wilson defeated incumbent Republican William Howard Taft and third-party nominee Theodore Roosevelt to easily win the 1912 United States presidential election, becoming the first Southerner to do so since 1848. During his first year as president, Wilson authorized the widespread imposition of segregation inside the federal bureaucracy. He ousted many African Americans from federal posts and his opposition to women's suffrage drew protests. His first term was largely devoted to pursuing passage of his progressive New Freedom domestic agenda. His first major priority was the Revenue Act of 1913, which lowered tariffs and began the modern income tax. Wilson also negotiated the passage of the Federal Reserve Act, which created the Federal Reserve System. Two major laws, the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act, were enacted to promote business competition and combat extreme corporate power.

 

At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the U.S. declared neutrality as Wilson tried to negotiate a peace between the Allied and Central Powers. He narrowly won re-election in the 1916 United States presidential election, boasting how he kept the nation out of wars in Europe and Mexico. In April 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany in response to its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare that sank American merchant ships. Wilson nominally presided over war-time mobilization and left military matters to the generals. He instead concentrated on diplomacy, issuing the Fourteen Points that the Allies and Germany accepted as a basis for post-war peace. He wanted the off-year elections of 1918 to be a referendum endorsing his policies, but instead the Republicans took control of Congress. After the Allied victory in November 1918, Wilson went to Paris where he and the British and French leaders dominated the Paris Peace Conference. Wilson successfully advocated for the establishment of a multinational organization, the League of Nations. It was incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles that he signed. Wilson had refused to bring any leading Republican into the Paris talks, and back home he rejected a Republican compromise that would have allowed the Senate to ratify the Versailles Treaty and join the League.

 

Wilson had intended to seek a third term in office but suffered a severe stroke in October 1919 that left him incapacitated. His wife and his physician controlled Wilson, and no significant decisions were made. Meanwhile, his policies alienated German- and Irish-American Democrats and the Republicans won a landslide in the 1920 presidential election. Scholars have generally ranked Wilson in the upper tier of U.S. presidents, although he has been criticized for supporting racial segregation. His liberalism nevertheless lives on as a major factor in American foreign policy, and his vision of ethnic self-determination resonated globally.

 

Early life and education

Main article: Early life and academic career of Woodrow Wilson

Wilson,  c.  mid-1870s

Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born to a family of Scots-Irish and Scottish descent in Staunton, Virginia. He was the third of four children and the first son of Joseph Ruggles Wilson and Jessie Janet Woodrow. Wilson's paternal grandparents had immigrated to the United States from Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1807, and settled in Steubenville, Ohio. Wilson's paternal grandfather James Wilson published a pro-tariff and anti-slavery newspaper, The Western Herald and Gazette.^[2] Wilson's maternal grandfather, Reverend Thomas Woodrow, moved from Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, to Carlisle, Cumbria, England, before migrating to Chillicothe, Ohio, in the late 1830s. Joseph met Jessie while she was attending a girl's academy in Steubenville, and the two married on June 7, 1849. Soon after the wedding, Joseph was ordained as a Presbyterian pastor and assigned to serve in Staunton. His son Woodrow was born in the Manse, a house in the Staunton First Presbyterian Church where Joseph served. Before he was two years old, the family moved to Augusta, Georgia.

 

The high school I went to was named after President Wilson. It was Woodrow Wilson High.

 

^{If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodrow_Wilson}

 

 

From Mr. Food

SERVES

6

COOK TIME

30 Min

Turn your kitchen into an Italian restaurant with our easy version of the classic Rigatoni Bolognese. This hearty meat sauce packed with flavorful veggies over rigatoni pasta will do you proud!

 

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 pound rigatoni pasta
• 2 tablespoons slivered fresh basil

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown beef with salt and pepper. Drain off excess liquid then add carrot, onion, green pepper, and garlic. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
    
2. Add tomato sauce and oregano, loosely cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain and place in a large serving bowl. 
    
4. Stir basil into sauce and pour over pasta, toss to coat, and serve immediately.
   

 

***We think serving this with a little bit of Parmesan cheese makes it even more traditional.

 

 

Special anniversary today... Joe (LASD ret) Kirk and his bride Jo Ann are celebrating. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!!

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

1899 – The United States takes possession of Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean.

1917 – The United States pays Denmark $25 million for the Virgin Islands.

1929 – Popeye the Sailor Man, a cartoon character created by Elzie Segar, first appears in the Thimble Theatre comic strip.

1950 – The Great Brinks Robbery – 11 thieves steal more than $2 million from an armored car Company's offices in Boston, Massachusetts.

1969 – Black Panther Party members Bunchy Carter and John Huggins are killed during a meeting in Campbell Hall on the campus of UCLA.

1989 – Cleveland School massacre: Patrick Purdy opens fire with an assault rifle at the Cleveland Elementary School playground in Stockton, California, killing five children and wounding 29 others and one teacher before taking his own life.

 

1991 – Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm begins early in the morning. Iraq fires 8 Scud missiles into Israel in an unsuccessful bid to provoke Israeli retaliation.

1994 – 1994 Northridge earthquake: A magnitude 6.7 earthquake hits Northridge, California.

1995 – The Great Hanshin earthquake: A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits near Kobe, Japan, causing extensive property damage and killing 6,434 people.

 

And births this date include...

1899 – Al Capone, American gangster (d. 1947)

1922 – Betty White, American actress (d.2021)

1931 – James Earl Jones, American actor

1933 – Shari Lewis, American ventriloquist, puppeteer, comedian and children's television host (d. 1998)

1942 – Muhammad Ali, American boxer (d.2016)

1962 – Jim Carrey, Canadian actor and comedian

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On National Classy Day, we celebrate those who are graced with the ability to live their lives with class, passion, and who are driven to share it with others. On January 17th, honor those class acts and commemorate the birth of one of the most legendary comedians ever to walk the Earth.

Classy people draw others to them. They have a grace and knack for bringing light into a room with humor, beauty, or inspiration. For example, American comedian, Betty White, was graced with a seemingly unlimited ability to make us laugh. Her humor transcended age, gender, and race, and her vibrant energy was contagious. Knowing her or someone like her is an unforgettable experience that lives far beyond a single moment.

“Everybody needs a passion. That’s what keeps life interesting. If you live without passion, you can go through life without leaving any footprints.”
Betty White in her book If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won’t)

We are not all graced with the same qualities as Betty White’s immaculate timing or delightful humility. However, we are all given traits that make us unique. We can exercise those abilities to the benefit of everyone around us. Other iconic women who shared their finer qualities with the world include:

• Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
• Barbara Pierce Bush
• Sacagawea
• Diana Princess of Wales
• Julia Child
• Eleanor Roosevelt
• Rosa Parks
• Nelly Bly
• Bessie Coleman

 

Those endearing traits that leave an indelible mark on our memories fall within a narrow spectrum of terms. Words like kindness, generosity, humility, knowledge, and steadfastness come to mind. Being classy magnifies these qualities and makes the person even more unforgettable. While we can’t always name the specific trait that charms us, we often understand when we’ve been in its presence. That’s why National Classy Day encourages us to recognize those talents and abilities in others.

 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

On National Classy Day, reflect on those who’ve graced the world with their best qualities and made it a better place. Who would you recognize on January 17th? There are other ways to celebrate the day, too!

• Bring joy, laughter, or a smile to someone. Share a funny story, pun or joke.
• Remind someone of their goodness by complimenting them on a talent, skill, or accomplishment.
• Encourage someone to strive for their goals.
• Look for the positive in your day.
• Give someone a little grace. We all have bad days and a little kindness goes a long way.

NATIONAL CLASSY DAY HISTORY

On December 31, 2021, actress, comedian, and producer Betty Marion White Ludden passed away at 99. Born on January 17, 1922, White’s enduring career was so legendary that in 2018, Guinness World Records named her the female entertainer with the longest career. White was first cast in a radio broadcast in 1939 at the age of 17, and her career spanned 82 years. And for her entire career, White displayed grace and charisma that touched the world. She starred in numerous television shows and movies, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland, and many more, all of which showcased her quick wit and grace.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Classy Day on January 1, 2022, in honor of Betty White and all the women who bring their grace and gifts to their communities and the larger worl