Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Interesting About Kevin Spacey ~ Summers Best Tomato Pie ~ National Idaho Day

  

Good 46º morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we stayed clear and sunny and went from 47º to 91º.

 

 

Picture of the Day..the Hollywood sign in 1943

 

 

Interesting about actor Kevin Spacey........

 

Kevin Spacey Fowler (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor. Known for his work on stage and screen, he has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and two Laurence Olivier Awards. Spacey was named an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2015.

 

Spacey began his film career with small roles in Mike Nichols's comedy-drama films Heartburn (1986) and Working Girl (1988). He won two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for playing a con man in The Usual Suspects (1995) and Best Actor for playing a suburban husband and father going through a midlife crisis in American Beauty (1999). His other films include Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Outbreak (1995), Se7en (1995), A Time to Kill (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), Pay It Forward (2000), Superman Returns (2006), 21 (2008), Margin Call (2011), Horrible Bosses (2011), and Baby Driver (2017). He has also directed the films Albino Alligator (1996) and Beyond the Sea (2004).

 

In Broadway theater, Spacey starred in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night in 1986. He won a Tony Award in 1991 for his role in Lost in Yonkers. He won a Laurence Olivier Award for his performance in a revival of The Iceman Cometh in 1999. Spacey portrayed the title role in Richard III in 2011 and Clarence Darrow in a West End production of Darrow in 2015. He was the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London from 2004 to 2015, for which he received the Society of London Theatre Special Award. In 2017, he hosted the 71st Tony Awards.

 

In television, Spacey portrayed Ron Klain in Recount (2008) and produced Bernard and Doris (2008), both for HBO Films. From 2013 to 2017, he starred as Frank Underwood in the Netflix political drama series House of Cards, which won him a Golden Globe Award and two consecutive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Actor. Both Spacey and the show itself were nominated for five consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series, respectively.

 

In 2017, Spacey faced several allegations of sexual misconduct. In the wake of these claims, Netflix cut ties with Spacey, shelving his biopic of Gore Vidal and removing him from the last season of House of Cards. His completed role as J. Paul Getty in Ridley Scott's film All the Money in the World (2017) was reshot with Christopher Plummer. Spacey has denied the accusations and was found not liable in a 2022 lawsuit in New York. In a separate case in London, he was acquitted by a jury of sexual assault charges in 2023.

 

Early life, family and education

Kevin Spacey Fowler was born in South Orange, New Jersey, to Kathleen Ann (née Knutson), a secretary, and Thomas Geoffrey Fowler, a technical writer and data consultant. His family relocated to Southern California when he was four years old. Spacey has a sister and an older brother, Randy Fowler, from whom Spacey is estranged. His brother has stated that their father, whom he described as a racist "Nazi supporter", was sexually and physically abusive, and that Spacey shut down emotionally and became "very sly and smart" to avoid beatings. Spacey first addressed the matter in October 2022, saying that his father was "a white supremacist and a neo-Nazi" who would call him "an F-word that is very derogatory to the gay community". He stated that, as a result, he became extremely private about his personal life and did not come out as gay earlier in his life. Spacey had previously described his father as "a very normal, middle-class man".

 

Spacey attended Northridge Military Academy, Canoga Park High School in the 10th and 11th grades. He graduated co-valedictorian (along with Mare Winningham) of the class of 1977 of Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California. At Chatsworth, Spacey starred in the school's senior production of The Sound of Music, playing the part of Captain Georg von Trapp, with Winningham as Maria von Trapp. He started using his middle name "Spacey", which was his paternal grandmother's maiden name.

 

Spacey had tried to succeed as a comedian for several years before attending the Juilliard School in New York City, as a member of Group 12, where he studied drama with teacher Marian Seldes between 1979 and 1981. During this time period, he performed comedy in bowling alley talent contests.

 

Legal issues

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office stated, in April 2018, that it would investigate an allegation that Spacey had sexually assaulted an adult male in 1992. In July 2018, three more allegations of sexual assault against Spacey were revealed by Scotland Yard, bringing the total number of open investigations in the UK to six. In September 2018, a lawsuit filed at Los Angeles Superior Court claimed that Spacey sexually assaulted an unnamed masseur in October 2016 at a house in Malibu, California.

 

In December 2018, Spacey was charged with a felony for allegedly sexually assaulting journalist Heather Unruh's 18-year-old son in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in July 2016. Spacey pleaded not guilty to the charge on January 7, 2019. Unruh's son told police that he was texting with his girlfriend throughout the alleged "groping" incident. Spacey's defense attorneys spent months trying to obtain copies of the texts and the phone itself. In mid-May 2019, Unruh's son's personal attorney informed the court that the phone in question was "missing". On June 4, 2019, the defense learned that, when Unruh gave the police her son's phone in 2017, she admitted that she had deleted some of the text messages. Later that month, her son filed a lawsuit against Spacey, claiming emotional damages. Shortly later, on July 5, 2019, they withdrew the lawsuit.

 

If you want to read more about Kevin, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Spacey

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

SERVES

6

COOK TIME

45 Min

This summer, how about using those ruby red tomatoes to bake up something a little unusual but a whole lot tasty? We call it Summer's Best Tomato Pie and it's so fresh and creamy, you're gonna have a hard time stopping at one slice. With tomatoes being such a great summer food buy, you may want to bake one for a friend, too!

 

• 1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
• 2 large tomatoes, sliced
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

 

 

1. Preheat oven to 450º. Unroll pie crust and place in a 9-inch pie plate; fold edges under and crimp. Prick bottom and sides of crust with a fork. Bake 8 minutes, remove from oven, and reduce oven to 350º.
    
2. Arrange tomato slices in crust. In a medium bowl, combine egg, heavy cream, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper; mix well and pour over tomatoes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
    
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let sit 5 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve.
   
   
   

 

 

Historically this date.......

1974 – Police in Los Angeles, California, raid the Symbionese Liberation Army's headquarters, killing six members, including Camilla Hall.

1983 – The U.S. Department of Energy declassifies documents showing world's largest mercury pollution event in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (ultimately found to be 4.2 million pounds), in response to the Appalachian Observer's Freedom of Information Act request.

 
1995 – Shawn Nelson steals a tank from a military installation and goes on a rampage in San Diego resulting in a 25 minute police chase. Nelson is killed by an officer after the tank got stuck on a concrete barrier and tried to break free.

 

 
2004 – The first legal same-sex marriages in the U.S. are performed in the state of Massachusetts.

 

 

2006 – The aircraft carrier USS Oriskany is sunk in the Gulf of Mexico as an artificial reef.

 

2007 – Trains from North and South Korea cross the 38th Parallel in a test-run agreed by both governments. This is the first time that trains have crossed the Demilitarized Zone since 1953.

 

2013 – Two Metro-North commuter trains collide near Bridgeport, Connecticut injuring at least 72 people.

 

And births this date include...

1911 – Maureen O'Sullivan, Irish actress (d. 1998)

 

 

 
1936 – Dennis Hopper, American actor and director (d. 2010)

 

 

1956 – Sugar Ray Leonard, American boxer

 

1956 – Bob Saget, American actor (d.2022)

 

 

 
1962 – Craig Ferguson, Scottish actor and comedian

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On May 17th, National Idaho Day recognizes the 43rd state to join the union.

A wave of settlement made its way into The Gem State following in the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery. Miners, traders, and missionaries made their way West into the territory of the Nez Perce, Shoshone, and Bannock peoples. On July 3, 1890, the state became the 43rd state of the United States.

The state is dominated by the Rocky Mountains range. Snake River winds its way through the rugged western border of the state carving the deepest river gorge in North America. Hells Canyon National Recreation Area provides spectacular views of the dramatic landscapes the Snake River took thousands of years to sculpt.

Idaho doesn’t lack scenery. Take any byway, and the next turn will reveal a whole new vista to observe. For example, Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve will seem to erupt before your eyes. This vast lava field formed from ancient volcanic activity.

While exploring Idaho, don’t forget to investigate Hagerman’s Fossil Beds. Excavations of these well-preserved fossils have fascinated paleontologists for generations. If there is an equine interest, be sure to study the Hagerman Horse, too!

Beyond the fossils, entire cityscapes of stone appear. The City of Rocks encountered by native peoples, pioneers, and modern-day adventurers became a kind of waystation or landmark for those who were westward bound.

Inventors seem to like Idaho. Beyond the list of patents for improvements to printing presses and railroad technology, Idaho is the home of the television. Philo Farnsworth invented the necessary technology that brought the small screen to the mass market.

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Flower Bouquets ~ Baked Penne Primavera ~ National Barbecue Day ~ National Mimosa Day

  

Good 47º morning.

 

 

Yesterday we started at 45º and topped at 92º.

 

 

Picture of the Day😧

 

Interesting about flower bouquets......

 

A flower bouquet is a collection of flowers in a creative arrangement. Flower bouquets can be arranged for the decor of homes or public buildings or may be handheld. Several popular shapes and styles classify handheld bouquets, including nosegay, crescent, and cascading bouquets. Flower bouquets are often given for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries or funerals. They are also used extensively in weddings and at the Olympic Medal Ceremonies. Bouquets arranged in vases or planters for home decor can be placed in traditional or modern styles. According to the culture, symbolism may be attached to the types of flowers used.

 

History

Fresh flowers are arranged in front of houses to celebrate Onam, a major celebration in Kerala, India.

 

The arrangement of flowers for home or building decor has a long history worldwide. The oldest evidence of formal arranging of bouquets in vases comes from ancient Egypt, and depictions of flower arrangements date to the Old Kingdom (~2500 BCE). The sacred lotus, as were herbs, palms, irises, anemones, and narcissus, were often used.

 

In some cultures, ancient practises still survive today; for example, in ikebana, the art of flower-arranging arranging comes from Japan. The oldest known book on flower arranging is Japanese and dates from 1445. Simplicity and linear form are core features of ikebana, which has had a significant influence on Western flower arranging since the late 19th century.

 

Flower arranging as an art form was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks who learned it while in China. In ancient China, flower arranging developed into a highly refined art form based on the principle that life is sacred, including the life of plants. Therefore, cut flowers were used sparingly in carefully planned arrangements. Flowers were a traditional ritual offering among Buddhists, however, and remain so.

 

In Europe, flower arranging as a formal art was first documented among the Dutch, who "in particular, painted wonderful informal arrangements of flowers. In the 18th century, arrangements were used to decorate the houses of the wealthy families and the aristocracy."

 

Flower symbolism is common in many cultures and can be complex. In China, certain flowers symbolize seasons: white plum blossoms represent winter, peach and cherry blossoms represent spring, lotus represent summer, and chrysanthemums the fall.

Language of Flowers

Flower symbolism originated in Asia and the Middle East, where certain flowers, such as the lotus, were considered sacred or at least to be associated with spiritual themes. This was often reflected in artwork, for example, the use of bamboo in Chinese art to represent longevity and eternity. The language of flowers was introduced to England in the early 18th century by Mary Wortley, Lady Montague, whose husband was Ambassador to Turkey. By the Victorian era, almost every flower had a specific meaning. Small nosegay or "tussie mussie" bouquets might include chamomile flowers, which a woman might send to a romantic interest to tell him "Patience"; goldenrod represented indecision.

 

Wedding Bouquets

Traditionally, the bride holds the bouquet, and the maid of honor holds it during the ceremony. After the wedding, the bride tosses it over her shoulder, and it is believed that whoever catches the bouquet is the next in line to be married. This practice may be related to the myth of the Golden Apple of Discord.

Wedding Bouquet Shapes

There are many different bridal bouquet styles from which to select. Brides typically choose the shape of their bouquets according to popular trends at the time of their wedding; however, some choose bouquets which evoke another period. While the language of flowers can contribute to a message about the couple, the shapes are a personal preference.

 

The Posy bouquet is typically round and is thought of as modern due to the small size and relative simplicity of the arrangement. It is also popular for the ease of carrying and passing off during the ceremony. It can be composed of an expensive flower, such as a rose, or a sampling of country flowers.

 

The Cascading bouquet is usually a large arrangement which tapers near the bottom. It was popularized as the arrangement of choice for the 1980s at the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and the Prince of Wales at Westminster Abbey. It can, and is often, made up of many kind of flowers and is enhanced with Baby's Breath and different types of greenery, such as ivy. This bouquet became less popular as bridal trends shifted towards simplicity; however, it has found a resurgence in recent years.

 

The Presentation bouquet grew in popularity at the turn of the twentieth century. It is most frequently composed of a long-stemmed bud, such as the Calla Lily, and is cradled in the bride's arms rather than carried by the stems.

 

There is a new trend of Ramo Buchon for bridal bouquets. Ramo Buchon is a rose bouquet that is dome-shaped, tightly packed, decorated, and wrapped in fancy paper. This bouquet is the perfect blend of style and substance.

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

SERVES

6

COOK TIME

55 Min

Baked Penne Primavera is a favorite easy baked vegetable and pasta dish, thanks to its fresh-from-the-garden taste and creamy, fill-ya-up satisfaction.

 

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of asparagus soup
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 1 (0.7-ounce) package dry Italian dressing mix
• 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 (16-ounce) packages frozen Italian mixed vegetables, thawed

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
    
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine soup, milk, and dressing mix. Add ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; mix well.
    
3. Add cooked pasta and vegetables, and toss until well coated. Spoon into prepared baking dish then sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
    
4. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until heated through.

 

****There are a variety of different combinations of frozen Italian mixed vegetables. If you have other mixed vegetable favorites, use them; any one will do.

 

 

Historically this date.......

1866 – The U.S. Congress eliminates the half dime coin and replaces it with the five cent piece, or nickel.

 

1868 – President Andrew Johnson is acquitted in his impeachment trial by one vote in the United States Senate.

 

1929 – In Hollywood, California, the first Academy Awards are handed out.

 

And births this date include...

1905 – Henry Fonda, American actor (d. 1982)

 

 

 

1909 – Margaret Sullavan, American actress (d. 1960)

..........who was married to Henry Fonda once!

1919 – Liberace, American pianist (d. 1987)

 

 

 

1921 – Harry Carey, Jr., American actor (d.2012)

1953 – Pierce Brosnan, Irish actor

 

 

1955 – Debra Winger, American actress

 

1955 – Olga Korbut, Belarussian gymnast

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

If the mouthwatering aromas wafting down the street haven’t told you, we will; May 16th is National Barbecue Day!

The purist in the world of barbecue either uses charcoal, wood, or gas and slow cooks the protein over indirect heat. While the type of protein and seasonings vary, each part of the country specializes in their own flavors and sauces.

For example, more tangy BBQ with a vinegar base can be found in North Carolina. South Carolina leans toward a sweeter sauce. The sauce can be applied thick or thin, giving it more of a glaze. Turn up the heat by adding spices and peppers. Smoking meat is another way to add flavor and tenderness, too.

Unique ingredients come from ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire, brown sugar, soy, and molasses. But you never know what combination of spices a barbecue master has in his or her repertoire. They’ve spent years perfecting their trade.

Pork is the original barbecue meat, but beef, chicken, lamb, and other proteins find their way into barbecue. If you think it’s just about the meat, you’d be wrong. The sides are just as important when it comes to good barbecue. An ideal coleslaw will pair well with a shredded bbq pork and make the perfect sandwich.  The macaroni and cheese, potatoes and bbq baked beans – these are all staples of barbecue flavors.

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Visit your favorite bbq restaurant.  The best places have a line and sell out early.  Or, plan ahead and make your one bbq.

And.... today is also

 

National Mimosa Day on May 16th celebrates the beverage of brunches! This simple cocktail offers a refreshing toast-worthy drink at celebrations of all kinds. Made with orange juice and sparkling wine, mimosas also add a bright punch of flavor the day after a celebration.

No matter the celebration, mimosas are served up in tall champagne glasses. They turn basic buffets and summer brunches into a festive occasion. You also don’t have to break the bank to make them. Fill the glasses half full with your favorite sparkling wine (it doesn’t have to be expensive champagne) and top it off with chilled orange juice. Garnish with an orange slice, and you’re all set.

Overnight guests will be delighted when you greet them with mimosas and an egg bake you prepared the night before. Or perhaps you’ll heat up the waffle maker. Whatever you serve, the morning will be a hit.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Mix up a couple of mimosas to go with brunch or a late breakfast. Learn to make them for baby showers, wedding showers, or other special occasions. It’s an excellent day for practicing toasts for those big occasions, too. 

NATIONAL MIMOSA DAY

Jace Shoemaker Galloway, the Queen of Holidays, created National Mimosa Day.