Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ The Hollywood Sign ~ Breakfast Monkey Bread ~ National Red Wine Day

Good 48º clear morning. 

Yesterday we topped at 97º.

Picture of the Day ... ???

Interesting....

Things you didn't know about the Hollywood sign...

On July 13, 1923, a 50-foot sign that spelled out the word "Hollywoodland" was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills. Here are 5 things you didn’t know about this sign that ended up as a welcome to the movie capital of the world...

The Hollywood sign started out as an advertisement for a new real estate development partly financed by the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, Harry Chandler.  In order to promote the project, Chandler and his partners put up $21,000 (over $250,000 in today’s money) for 45-foot-high white block letters that were anchored to telephone poles and illuminated by 4,000 light bulbs. At night the billboard flashed in four stages: “Holly,” then “Wood,” then “Land” and then the entire word, “Hollywoodland.”

Peg Entwistle climbed up on the “H” in the fall of 1932 and jumped. She was distraught that her part in the film Thirteen Women had been cut out, and it was her first and only movie. Ironically, a letter had been mailed to her just before her death offering her the lead role in a play about a young woman who commits suicide. Since her suicide, rumors have floated around that the ghost of a woman dressed in clothing from the 1930s can be seen appearing near the Hollywood sign and then vanishing. 

Regular maintenance on the sign stopped when the Hollywoodland real-estate development went under due to the Great Depression. The “H” even toppled over, so that it briefly read “Ollywoodland.” After ownership of the sign passed to the city in the mid-1940s, the L.A. Recreation and Parks Commission apparently wanted it razed. But the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce stepped in, and in 1949 it removed the last four letters and restored the rest.

Despite the 1949 restoration, the Hollywood sign eventually began to deteriorate once again. The third “O,” for example, tumbled down the side of Mount Lee, and arsonists set fire to the bottom of the second “L.” In 1978, Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner held a gala at his mansion, where he and eight other donors, including rock musician Alice Cooper, pledged nearly $28,000 each to fund a replacement. After a three-month period without a sign, construction finished up later that year. The sign looked the same, but structural improvements were added, and it is maintained with fresh paint from time to time.

You might not think that a sign perched on the side of a steep hill would be in danger of being hit by a car. But one night, Albert Kothe had a little too much too drink. He drove his 1928 Ford station wagon right off the cliff just above the sign. The car rolled down the hill, smashing into the “H.” Luckily, Albert was OK, but both the Ford and the “H” were destroyed.

From Mr. Food

Our Breakfast Monkey Bread is an easy breakfast bake the whole family will enjoy. Full of cheesy eggs, ham, and broccoli, this breakfast bake is sure to fill everyone's bellies.

 

• 1 (16.3-ounce) package refrigerated biscuits (8 biscuits)
• 10 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups diced ham
• 1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 2-1/2-quart casserole with cooking spray.
2. Slice each biscuit into 6 pieces.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well mixed. Stir in ham, broccoli, and 1 cup cheese. Add biscuit pieces and toss to coat evenly. Pour mixture into casserole dish.
4. Bake 45 minutes, or until center is set. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and return to oven just until cheese is melted.

Historically this date....

1957 – U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond begins a filibuster to prevent the Senate from voting on Civil Rights Act of 1957; he stopped speaking 24 hours and 18 minutes later, the longest filibuster ever conducted by a single Senator.

1968 – Riots in Chicago, Illinois, during the Democratic National Convention.

1996 – Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales divorce.

2003 – An electricity blackout cuts off power to around 500,000 people living in south east England and brings 60% of London's underground rail network to a halt.

2011 – Hurricane Irene strikes the United States east coast, killing 47 and causing an estimated $15.6 billion in damage.

And births this date include....

1925 – Donald O'Connor, American singer, dancer, and actor (d. 2003)

1930 – Ben Gazzara, American actor (d. 2012)

1943 – David Soul, American actor

 ... working on wife #5 !!!

 

1958 – Scott Hamilton, American figure skater

1969 – Jack Black, American actor

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On August 28th, National Red Wine Day ushers in the flavors of fall. As the grapes ripen and signal a time for warmer sips, wine drinkers know reds mean tailgating and spicy foods.

Throughout the year, wine days afford us the opportunity to taste and learn about the differences between wines. Earlier this month National Prosecco Day gave us the last bubbly rays of summer. Now we savor the best of the season with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot noir, Port, and Syrah.

Red wine varietals produce deep ruby reds as well as subtle ambers and browns. Their beautiful colors hint at the coming change in the season. With that, we can look for delicious menu changes, too. Besides, what better way to enjoy a great bottle of wine than by pairing it with excellent company and food. Restaurants around the country will be happy to oblige throughout the celebration. Be sure to check out the latest menus from appetizers to desserts.

Don’t fear the red, either. Even if you prefer a sweeter wine, there’s a red for you. Also, blends offer a way to enjoy the best of both wine worlds. And don’t fret. Red, red wine pairs well with salad, steak, dessert and so much more.

If you’re hesitant, attend a wine tasting. There you will learn more each time and find the wine that fits not only your palate but your cooking style, too.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Pour a glass or two of delicious red wine.

 

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Idaho ~ Breakfast Pockets ~ Just Because Day

Good 50º morning. 

Yesterday we started off at 53º with a clear sky. We topped at 98º.

Picture of the Day ...

Interesting about Idaho......

Elk River is the home of the Idaho Champion Western Red Cedar Tree, the largest tree in the state. Estimated to be over 3000 years old this giant is more than 18 feet in diameter and stands 177 feet tall.

In Idaho law forbids a citizen to give another citizen a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds

The city of Grace in the Gem Valley is most famous for their certified seed potatoes.

Grangeville is located in north central Idaho. The community is considered the getaway to five wilderness areas and four national forests totaling 5 1/2 million acres. The total is second only to Alaska in designated wilderness area.

The Lewis & Clark Highway (United State Highway 12) is the shortest route from the midwest to the Pacific Coast and the longest highway within a national forest in the nation.

The economy of Idaho City originally developed around gold mining in the 1860s.

Bruneau Dunes State Park contains North America’s tallest single structured sand dune. It stands 470 feet high.

The Kamiah Valley is rich in the heritage and legends of the Nez Perce. It was here, among the ancestors of the present day Nez Perce, the Appaloosa horse was first bred, primarily for use as a war animal.

Hell’s Canyon is the deepest gorge in America.

From Mr. Food

There's no excuse to skip breakfast anymore! Our On-the-Go Breakfast Pockets are just as good at the breakfast table as they are on-the-run. A buttery, flaky crust and a cheesy hot filling make these an "A+" morning option.

 

• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 (8-ounce) can crescent rolls
• 4 thin slices deli ham
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

 

1. Preheat oven to 375º. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, water, salt, and pepper.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add egg mixture and cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until set, stirring occasionally.
3. Separate crescent rolls into 4 rectangles, and pinch perforations together. Top each rectangle with a slice of ham, then spoon egg evenly on top half of rectangle; sprinkle with cheese. Fold dough over filling, pressing edges to seal.
4. Place on baking sheet and bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately.

***Make these ahead of time for busy mornings! All you have to do is wrap them up and pop them in the freezer. When you're ready for one, just take it out and heat!

Historically this date.....

1859 – Petroleum is discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania leading to the world's first commercially successful oil well.

1918 – Mexican Revolution: Battle of Ambos Nogales: U.S. Army forces skirmish against Mexican Carrancistas in the only battle of World War I fought on American soil.

1939 – First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft.

1980 – A massive bomb planted by extortionist John Birges explodes at Harvey's Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada after a failed disarming attempt by the FBI. Although the hotel is damaged, no one is injured.

2003 – Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing 34,646,418 miles (55,758,005 km) distant.

2011 – Hurricane Irene strikes the United States east coast, killing 47 and causing an estimated $15.6 billion in damage.

And births this date include.....

1908 – Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States (d. 1973)

 

1916 – Martha Raye, American actress (d. 1994)

 

Holy cow, 7 husbands!

1937 – Tommy Sands, American actor and singer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Sands_(American_singer)

Sad, some people just don't age well!

1942 – Daryl Dragon, American keyboardist (Captain & Tennille .... divorced. (d.2019)

1943 – Tuesday Weld, American actress

 

1947 – Barbara Bach, American actress

(Mrs. Ringo Starr)

 

1952 – Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman), American actor

 

1969 – Cesar Millan, Dog trainer

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Date When Celebrated : This holiday is always held on August 27

Today is Just Because Day. Finally, you have a chance to do something without a rhyme or reason. Most often in life, we do things because we have to, or we want to, or it's expected of us. None of those reasons apply today.  

Is there something you'd like to do, but there isn't a reason or logic for doing it? Well, today is the day to go out and do something "just because". It is most enjoyable if it is an uncommon, or unexpected activity or action. Perhaps, you have something in mind. If not, just go with the first thing that comes to your mind.  "Just because" activities often come from a "whim" or a "what if I" type of thought. We know you will quickly get the hang of this day, and have a lot of fun with it. 

To get you started, here are some of our suggestions for Just Because Day :

• Take an unplanned day of vacation
• Visit someone you haven't seen in a while
• Knock on someone's door and compliment them for their great lawn
• Skip, don't walk
• Spin a wheel, and bicycle in the opposite direction of where the arrow points.
• Buy something you don't need.
• Jump in a puddle
• Walk backwards

Here is a great idea- send someone some flowers- - "just because".

Thought for the Day: Did you ever feel like you've had too much wine?  .... Yeah, me neither.

---

History and Origin of Just Because Day :

Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of this day. But, we think this can be one of the best, most fun days of the year! Why!? ..Just because.

Reader Comments:

"The original version of Just Because Day may be a movable holiday called Because Day that was first celebrated on the third Wednesday in May. It was invented in the late fifties or early sixties, by my father, Joseph J. Goodwin of Los Gatos, CA. He turned the gift of a transistor radio for my mother into our own family holiday. It wasn't so much about a radio as it was about celebrating life, free afternoons, and family. My sister assured me on my last visit that she passed the tradition on to her family."  B. Lynn Goodwin