Heat ~ Picture of the Day ~ Bar-tailed Godwits ~ Bacon & Egg Breakfast Grilled Cheese ~ Dinner ~ National Peanut Butter Cookie Day

Good 54º clear sunny morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we were all prepared for the "super" heat. We started out clear and sunny.

 

 

 

Then in the afternoon the clouds moved in. At this time, 3:30, it was 103º.

 

 

 

At 5pm we topped at 106º!!! Then the temperatures finally started dropping.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day ... It's hot! We need a pool.

 

 

 

 

Interesting about Bar-tailed Godwits....

 

Right now, a Bar-tailed Godwit is out over the Pacific Ocean making an eight-day, non-stop flight from Alaska to New Zealand. More than 7,000 miles. No rest. No turning back. Only the great open ocean below.

About eight years ago, a team of biologists surgically implanted a small satellite transmitter in a female godwit in New Zealand, designated her E7, and set her loose. Then they watched as the little dot onscreen bounced across the virtual globe. First E7 flew for seven days and nights without stopping to Yalu Jiang, an estuary in China. She stayed in that area for more than a month before taking off for her breeding grounds, in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, in southwestern Alaska. After a couple months there, she flew all the way back to New Zealand in a single go, arriving about eight days and 7,200 miles later. It was the longest known non-stop flight of any bird.

 

 "These godwits are epic migrants. We had a bird, E-7, that we had tagged, and she left New Zealand in the spring. She flies non-stop seven days, ten thousand kilometers, to the Yellow Sea. All of the Bar-tailed Godwits of Alaska, they stop at the Yellow Sea."

However, the food-rich tidal mudflats of the Yellow Sea are disappearing rapidly. 

"So that really struck home--the critical importance of the Yellow Sea. That’s their only stopover site between New Zealand and Alaska is the Yellow Sea."

The birds can achieve these long distance flights only when they have fattened up whether along the coast of Alaska in our fall, or China and Korea in our spring.

 

 

 

 

This doubly good breakfast sandwich combines a load of favorites all in one! Imagine starting your day off with a hearty and melty Bacon and Egg Breakfast Grilled Cheese!

 

 

 

• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk or water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 teaspoons butter at room temperature, divided
• 4 slices whole wheat or white bread
• 2 slices slices Colby-Jack cheese
• 4 slices full-cooked bacon

 

 

1. In a small bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until blended.
2. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon butter until hot. Pour in egg mixture. As eggs begin to set, gently pull the eggs across the pan with an inverted turner, forming large, soft curds. Continue cooking -- pulling, lifting, and folding eggs -- until thickened and no visible liquid egg remains. Do NOT stir constantly. Remove from skillet.
3. Spread remaining butter evenly on 1 side of each bread slice. Place 2 slices in skillet, buttered side down. Top evenly with scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon. Cover with remaining bread, buttered side up.
4. Grill sandwiches over medium heat, turning once, until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.

 

 

 

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

1942 – Holocaust: Anne Frank receives a diary for her thirteenth birthday.

1994 – Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman are murdered outside her home in Los Angeles, California. O.J. Simpson is later acquitted of the killings, but is held liable in wrongful death civil suit.

 

And births this date include....

1924 – George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States

 

 

1928 – Vic Damone, American singer (d.2018)

Lots of wives!

1929 – Anne Frank, German-born Dutch Jewish diarist and Holocaust victim (d. 1945)

 

1930 – Jim Nabors, American actor (d.2017)

Personal life interesting. Closeted for YEARS!!!

 

 

 

 

Dinner last night was Schwans Orange Chicken with Rice & Vegetables, and two half ears of corn (since it was corn on the cob day!). And yes, I like mayonnaise on my corn cobs!

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Hump Day. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Peanut butter cookie lovers across the United States annually observe National Peanut Butter Cookie Day on June 12.

Alabama’s American agricultural extension educator, George Washington Carver, was the most well-known promoter of the peanut. Carver compiled 105 peanut recipes from various cookbooks, agricultural bulletins, and other sources.  In 1916, he put together a Research Bulletin called How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption. Included in this Research Bulletin were three recipes for peanut cookies calling for crushed or chopped peanuts as one of its ingredients.

It was in the early 1920s that peanut butter was found listed as an ingredient in cookies. 

Homemade peanut butter cookies would just not be right without the traditional forked crisscrosses on them!

HOW TO OBSERVE

Try this Chunky Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe! and share with a friend.

Temperatures ~ Picture of the Day ~ Goliath Beetles & Frogs ~ Easy Corn Pudding ~ National Corn On The Cob Day

 

Good 52º clear sunny morning.

 

 

Yesterday was lawn mowing day. Had to get it done before it hot too hot. As it was, before noon it was 80º. Came in the house, ahhhhhhhh, nice and cool. Even Dude and Bruiser were happy to come in. We kept heating up until by 5pm it was 101º. Today will be the same or warmer.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day ... for my winey friends.....

 

 

 

Interesting about Goliath Beetles and Goliath Frogs......

 

Goliath was the large biblical warrior defeated by the young David in the Book of Samuel. There couldn’t have been anyone more intimidating than Goliath, but David had no fear of man because he feared the God he served.

The Goliath beetles (named after the biblical giant Goliath) are among the largest insects on Earth, if measured in terms of size, bulk and weight. They are usually 2.1 to 4.2 inches long, weighing up to 1.7 ounces at adult stage. Goliath beetles can be found in many of Africa's tropical forests, where they feed primarily on tree sap and fruit.

Goliath beetles, like almost all other beetles, possess a reinforced first pair of wings (called elytra) that act as protective covers for their secondary pair of wings and abdomen. Only the second pair of wings (which are large and membranous) are actually used for flying. When not in use, they are kept completely folded beneath the elytra. Each of the beetle's legs ends in a pair of sharp claws, which provide a strong grip useful for climbing on tree trunks and branches. Males have a Y-shaped horn on the head, which is used as a pry bar in battles with other males over feeding sites or mates. Females are without a horn and instead have a wedge-shaped head that assists in burrowing when they lay eggs. In addition to their massive size, Goliath beetles are strikingly patterned as well. Prominent markings common to all of the Goliathus species are the sharply contrasting black vertical stripes on the pronotum (thoracic shield).

The massive goliath frog (Conraua goliath), as its name alludes, is the largest frog in the world with individuals weighing 7lbs. The granular skin is greenish in color with a yellowish-orange underside, and the feet and hands are webbed. It lives in or near fast-flowing rivers in the coastal rain forests of west Africa. The goliath frog is as big as some house cats!

It doesn't start out so big, though. The goliath frog tadpole is the same size as the tadpole of an average frog, but just keeps growing. The adult looks a lot like other frogs as well, just a whole lot bigger.

Goliath frogs can jump almost 10 feet forward.

You'd think that such a large frog would make a loud croak, but goliath frogs don’t have a vocal sac and are mute.

 

 

 

From Mr. Food.....
Corn pudding is a dish that's been around since the early days when settlers learned how to cook corn from the Native Americans. Today, it's still a side dish favorite that families love to change up and make their own. Our Easy Corn Pudding recipe is the shortcut way of making this classic dish, and it's very tasty!

 

• 2 (15-1/4-ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
• 2 (14-3/4-ounce) cans cream-style corn
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

1. Preheat oven to 350º.  Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
    
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Spoon into baking dish.
    
3. Bake about 75 minutes, or until golden and set.

 

 

 

Historically this date.......

1776 – The Continental Congress appoints Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston to the Committee of Five to draft a declaration of independence.

1944 – USS Missouri (BB-63) the last battleship built by the United States Navy and future site of the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, is commissioned.

I was born the day the "surrender" with Japan was signed aboard. My Brian served as a Marine in the Gulf War aboard the Missouri!

 

1955 – Eighty-three are killed and at least 100 are injured after an Austin-Healey and a Mercedes-Benz collide at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the deadliest ever accident in motorsports.

1962 – Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin allegedly become the only prisoners to escape from the prison on Alcatraz Island.

1970 – After being appointed on May 15, Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington officially receive their ranks as U.S. Army Generals, becoming the first females to do so.

 

And births this date include....

1933 – Gene Wilder, American actor (d. 2016)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1936 – Chad Everett, American actor (d.2012)

 

1945 – Adrienne Barbeau, American actress

.....I delivered a package to her back in the '70's, when I worked for UPS. She was a real beauty in person, even with no makeup!

 

1956 – Joe Montana. American football player

 

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Tuesday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

June 11 of each year is the day to celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day.  Fresh corn on the cob is a summertime treat that people from all corners of the United States look forward to as we start the picnic season.

Corn on the cob is also known in different regions as pole corn, cornstick, sweet pole, butter-pop or long maize.   It is a sweet corn that is picked when the kernels are still tender when it’s in its milk stage.

Boiling, steaming, roasting or grilling are the most common ways of preparing corn on the cob.   If it is grilled or oven roasted, the corn is usually left in its husk during the cooking process.

Proper dinner etiquette for eating corn says it is appropriate to hold the cob at each end with your fingers.

** If you cook corn too long in boiling water it gets mushy, even if you cook it a short time! I always bring the water to a rolling boil, set the pot aside, add in some vinegar (about 1/4 cup) and add the corn and let it sit until hot and serve it. The vinegar doesn't add any taste but it keeps the corn crunchy. 

Weather ~ Dude ~ Picture of the Day ~ Toll House ~ Summer Corn Salad ~ Gar Austin ~ Alex & Maria/Mud Run ~ National Iced Tea Day

Good 47º clear sunny morning. 

 

 

It stayed nice yesterday. Quick warming up, as we hit 70º by 10:30. Noon we were at 80º, 3pm 90º, and at 5pm topped at 97º! 

 

While I was watering the lawn, Dude went over on the side of the house to nap in the sunshine.....

 

 

Yesterday on my phone I got a "Severe Weather Alert" ... "Excessive heat Tuesday through Wednesday". This is when I honor Mr. Carrier for inventing the air conditioner!

 

 

 

Picture of the Day.... ahhhhh, hot day, cool pool! 

 

 

 

 

Interesting about Toll House.........

 

Born in 1905, Ruth Wakefield grew up to be a dietician and food lecturer after graduating from the Framingham State Normal School Department of Household Arts in 1924. Ruth and her husband Kenneth bought a tourist lodge named the Toll House Inn, where she prepared the recipes for meals that were served to guests. In 1930, Ruth was mixing a batch of cookies for her guests when she realized that she was out of baker's chocolate. Ruth substituted broken pieces of Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate, expecting it to melt and absorb into the dough to create chocolate cookies. That didn't happen, but the surprising result helped to make Ruth Wakefield one of the 20th century's most famous women inventors. When she removed the pan from the oven, Wakefield had accidentally invented "chocolate chip cookies."

Andrew Nestle and Ruth agreed to have Nestle print the recipe on each package of his chocolates and Ruth received a lifetime of free semi-sweet morsels.

 

 

 

From the Slow Roasted Italian

SUMMER CORN SALAD

Summer Corn Salad is a bright refreshing taste of summer. Garden fresh corn and tomatoes come together with fresh mozzarella, herbs and a glorious dressing that really gives it an even lighter fresher taste. This simple recipe is the perfect summer side!

 

• 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, cleaned and washed
• 1 (10.5 ounce) package grape tomatoes, halved
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into bite size pieces
• 10 basil leaves, chiffonade (roll leaves and slice thinly)
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground coarse black pepper

1. Cut corn off the cob, place into a medium mixing bowl.  Add tomatoes and mozzarella. Sprinkle with basil.  Set aside.
2. Add fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper to a pint size canning jar.  Shake to combine.  Pour dressing over salad.  Toss to combine.
3. Serve and enjoy!

DONNA’S NOTES

1. If you are traveling with this salad or making ahead; you can prep the salad and the dressing and wait to pour dressing over salad until ready to serve.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. You can cook the corn if you prefer, I really enjoy the fresh taste of it uncooked in this salad.  The acid in the lemon juice will mellow out the starchiness of the corn and create a fabulous flavor.

 

Special birthday today, Gar Austin (LASD ret Chief) is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAR!! I hope you have a great day! xo

Here is Gar in 1968 escorting Sirhan Sirhan into court after he killed Robert Kennedy....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historically this date........

1925 – Inaugural service for the United Church of Canada, a union of Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregationalist churches, held in the Toronto Arena.

 .... I used to attend a Presbyterian church, Mom and Dad were married in a Methodist church, and Jerry and I at a Congregational church!

1991 – The kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard

 

 

And births this date include...

1889 – Sessue Hayakawa, Japanese actor (d. 1973)

    Ah yes, he was in Bridge on the River Kwai.

   

1921 – Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Greek-English husband of Elizabeth II

   

 

1922 – Judy Garland, American actress and singer (d. 1969)

   

 

1953 – John Edwards, American politician and lawyer

 

1982 – Tara Lipinski, American figure skater

 

 Yesterday my Italian son, Alex Corsaro and his girlfriend Maria, went to and participated in the Marine Corps 10K Mud Run at Camp Pendleton. Here they are with the medals they got.... Congratulations kids!!! ♥♥

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Monday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Iced Tea Day is observed annually on June 10th.  This day is set aside to celebrate one of summer’s favorite drinks.  Whether it is sweetened or unsweetened, with or without lemon, it is loved by many and enjoyed by the glass full all summer long.

Iced tea can be found in many flavors including lemon, peach, raspberry, lime, passions fruit, strawberry and cherry.

An alternative to carbonated soft drinks and quite popular in the United States, iced tea makes up about 85% of all tea consumed.  It can be readily found in restaurants, convenience stores, vending machines, grocery stores and self-serve soda fountains.

Recipes for iced tea have been found dating back to the 1870s.  The Buckeye Cookbook, published in 1876 and Housekeeping in Old Virginia, published in 1877 both contain iced tea recipes.  It is believed, however, that iced tea started to appear in the United States in the 1860′s and became widespread in the 1870s where it was found offered on hotel menus and was on sale at railroad stations.  The popularity of refreshing iced tea drink grew rapidly after it was introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. 

Green tea has been suggested to be used for a variety of positive health benefits. 

• Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Some forms of cancer
• Oral health
• Reduce blood pressure
• Weight control
• Antibacterial and antiviral activity
• Protection from solar ultraviolet light
• Anti-fibrotic properties
• Neuroprotective power