Weather/Rain/Fog ~ Picture of the Day ~ Sea Otters ~ Toasted Ravioli Dinner ~ National Earth Day ~ National Jelly Bean Day

  

Good 38º very foggy morning....

 

Yesterday we started dark and gloomy.... then we got some sun....

The sun came and went with the clouds and so did the light rain. We topped at 59º.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about Sea Otters.....

Sea otters are known to hold hands while sleeping so they don't drift apart. 

Sea otters sleep in "rafts" — a group of floating otters all joined together. Not all species of otters hold hands; this is a characteristic unique only to sea otters. These furry creatures, the largest member of the weasel family, are even known to wrap sea plants around themselves to secure the bond and prevent families from becoming separated. Because newborns struggle to grasp their parents' hands, the mother will turn her body into a crib for her baby by floating on her back and letting her baby sleep on her chest.

 

 

The sea otter is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 31 and 99 lb, making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter is capable of living exclusively in the ocean.

 

Sea otters are known to hold hands while sleeping so they don't drift apart. Sea otters sleep in "rafts" — a group of floating otters all joined together. Not all species of otters hold hands; this is a characteristic unique only to sea otters. These furry creatures, the largest member of the weasel family, are even known to wrap sea plants around themselves to secure the bond and prevent families from becoming separated. Because newborns struggle to grasp their parents' hands, the mother will turn her body into a crib for her baby by floating on her back and letting her baby sleep on her chest.

 

The sea otter inhabits nearshore environments, where it dives to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various mollusks and crustaceans, and some species of fish. Its foraging and eating habits are noteworthy in several respects. Its use of rocks to dislodge prey and to open shells makes it one of the few mammal species to use tools. In most of its range, it is a keystone species, controlling sea urchin populations which would otherwise inflict extensive damage to kelp forest ecosystems.

 

Sea otters, whose numbers were once estimated at 150,000–300,000, were hunted extensively for their fur between 1741 and 1911, and the world population fell to 1,000–2,000 individuals living in a fraction of their historic range. A subsequent international ban on hunting, sea otter conservation efforts, and reintroduction programs into previously populated areas have contributed to numbers rebounding, and the species occupies about two-thirds of its former range. The recovery of the sea otter is considered an important success in marine conservation, although populations in the Aleutian Islands and California have recently declined or have plateaued at depressed levels. For these reasons, the sea otter remains classified as an endangered species.

 

The sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammal species, but it is the heaviest mustelid. Male sea otters usually weigh 49 to 99 lb and are 3 ft 11 in to 4 ft 11 inches in length, though specimens up to 119 lbs have been recorded. Females are smaller, weighing 31 to 73 lbs and measuring 3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 7 inches in length.

 

Unlike most other marine mammals, the sea otter has no blubber and relies on its exceptionally thick fur to keep warm.

 

^{If you want to read a whole lot more about sea otters, go here:}

^{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_otter}

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

If your daily dinner routine is getting...a bit too routine, then you're going to love this idea for a Toasted Ravioli Dinner. With each bite you get the crunch and cheesiness of the ravioli, the freshness of the salad, and the tang of the homemade dressing. What a tasty way to change things up!

 

• 1 (20-ounce) package frozen cheese ravioli
• 3/4 cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying
• 1 (5-ounce) package fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
•  
• DRESSING
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar

 

 

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook ravioli to desired doneness; drain, pat dry, and cool slightly.
    
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine bread crumbs, garlic powder, and salt. In another bowl, mix together milk and egg. 
    
3. Dip ravioli, a few at a time, into milk egg mixture, then into bread crumb mixture, coating evenly.
    
4. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil until hot. Fry ravioli in batches until golden on both sides; drain on paper towels. 
    
5. To make the dressing, in the same skillet over medium heat, heat oil until hot. Add walnuts and saute 3 to 4 minutes, or until toasted. Add vinegar, sugar, and lemon juice and cook until sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly.
    
6. Place spinach and tomatoes in a large bowl; add walnut dressing and toss until evenly coated. Divide spinach mixture evenly on plates and top with toasted ravioli.

****Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for that added zip!

 

 

 

Historically this date

1945 – World War II: Führerbunker: After learning that Soviet forces have taken Eberswalde without a fight, Adolf Hitler admits defeat in his underground bunker and states that suicide is his only recourse.

 

.......too bad he wasn't caught and put in an oven to die! JUSTICE.

 

 
2000 – In a pre-dawn raid, federal agents seize six-year-old Elián González from his relatives' home in Miami, Florida.

 

 

Commentators have suggested that the Elián González affair may have been a factor in voters' decisions in the 2000 United States presidential election, which could have affected the close outcome in Florida. Al Gore's handling of the matter may have been as great a factor as anger by the predominantly Republican Cuban community over the boy's return to Cuba. Gore initially supported Republican legislation to give the boy and his father permanent residence status, but later supported the Administration position. He was attacked by both for pandering and being inconsistent.

 

2008 – The United States Air Force retires the remaining F-117 Nighthawk aircraft in service.

 

And births this date include....

1906 – Eddie Albert, American actor (d. 2005)

 

 

 

 
1936 – Glen Campbell, American singer, musician, and actor (d.2017)

 

 

1937 – Jack Nicholson, American actor, film director, producer and writer

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Each year on April 22nd, National Earth Day campaigns around the globe promote ways to save the Earth. 

Since its inception, the organizers promote events educating the public about a variety of subjects including:

• climate change
• air pollution
• water pollution
• erosion
• recycling
• composting
• renewable fuels and power
• carbon footprints
• efficient cars
• rain forests
• ecosystems

NATIONAL EARTH DAY HISTORY

In 1969, the concept of Earth Day was established at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. On March 21, 1970, a sanctioned Proclamation was signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later, on April 22, 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day. While National Earth Day is not considered a national holiday we encourage you to learn more.

Environmentalists held rallies in large cities around the country. The observance became a global event in 1990 and hasn’t stopped since.

Today is also....

Who can resist a handful of sweet jelly beans on National Jelly Bean Day? Well on April 22nd each year, you really don’t have to resist at all. As a celebration, enjoying them is a must! 

While candies made in a similar manner existed before the jelly bean, Boston confectioner William Schrafft made them popular during the Civil War. With their firm exterior, jelly beans were the first candies sold by the pound. Schrafft encouraged his customers to send them to Union soldiers.

In the 1930s, jelly beans became closely associated with the Easter holiday thanks to their egg-like shape. However, confectioners make jelly beans available all year long now. So, there’s no excuse not to enjoy them if you have a craving at any time of the year.

The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, enjoyed jelly beans so much that they were present at his inauguration. He started eating them when he quit smoking years before. The Herman Goelitz Candy Company supplied red, white and blue jelly beans for the 1980 event. At the time, the company didn’t produce blue jelly beans. They created a blueberry jelly bean for the first time, especially for the inauguration.

** In my kitchen I kept a jar with Jelly Bellies in it. When I babysat our little granddaughter Alex she would always ask for some. She loved them. That is why I nicknamed her, Jelly Bean,  hence the email JellyBeansBobo!  "Bobo" because she couldn't say "grandma", she called me Bobo.

 

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Pennsylvania History ~ Tortellini Salad ~ National Kindergarten Day

 

 

Good 36º cloudy morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we had quite a bit of rain on and off. We topped at 54º.

 

 

Picture of the Day...crazy business name!

 

 

 

Interesting about Pennsylvania.....

 

In 1909 the first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh. (it closed in 1970)

Hershey is considered the Chocolate Capital of the United States.

In 1913 the first automobile service station opened in Pittsburgh.

 

In 1946 Philadelphia became home to the first computer.

 

The first daily newspaper was published in Philadelphia on Sept. 21, 1784.

 

Drake Well Museum in Titusville is on the site where Edwin L. Drake drilled the world’s first oil well in 1859 and launched the modern petroleum industry.

 

Philadelphia is the site of the first presidential mansion.

 

Betsy Ross made the first American flag in Philadelphia.

 

The Rockville Bridge in Harrisburg is the longest stone arch bridge in the world.

The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776.

 

Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell.

 

Benjamin Franklin founded the Philadelphia Zoo, the first public zoo in the United States.

 

Philadelphia was once the United States capital city.

 

Punxsutawney citizens are proud to be over shadowed by their town’s most famous resident the world-renowned weather forecasting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. Punxsutawney is billed as the weather capital of the world.

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

It’s the time of year when we’re firing up the grill, doing more backyard entertaining, and wanting to eat fresher. Yet we don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. So here’s an easy-as-can-be salad that starts with a few freezer favorites that cut down on prep, and promises to deliver lots of oohs and aahs.

 

• 1 (19-ounce) package frozen cheese tortellini, cooked according to package directions
• 2 cups frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and dried well
• 2 cups frozen cauliflower florets, thawed and dried well
• 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 2 cups frozen cooked diced chicken, thawed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 3/4 cup (4 ounces) cheddar cheese chunks
• 1/2 cup black olives, drained well
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

 

1. In a large bowl, combine tortellini, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, and olives.
2. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, onion powder, salt, and pepper; mix well. Pour mixture over vegetables and toss until evenly coated. Cover and chill until ready to use.

 

 

 

Historically this date.......

753 BC – Romulus and Remus founded Rome (traditional date).

1918 – World War I: German fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, known as "The Red Baron", is shot down and killed over Vaux-sur-Somme in France.

 

 

1952 – Secretary's Day (now Administrative Professionals' Day) is first celebrated.

1982 – Baseball: Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers becomes the first pitcher to record 300 saves.

 

And births this date include.....

1889 – Efrem Zimbalist, Russian-born American concert violinist (d. 1985)

 

1905 – Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, Governor of California (d. 1996)

 

1915 – Anthony Quinn, Mexican-born American actor (d. 2001)

 

1926 – Elizabeth II, Queen of the Commonwealth realms

 

1935 – Charles Grodin, American actor (d.2021)

 

1951 – Tony Danza, American actor and comedian

 

1980 – Tony Romo, American football player

 

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Each year on April 21st, National Kindergarten Day honors the birthday of the man who started the first Kindergarten. Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel (April 21, 1782  – June 21, 1852) is credited with starting the very first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837. Frobel was a German teacher and a student of Johann Pestalozzi. Frobel laid a foundation for modern education, recognizing that children learn through play and experience.

The first kindergarten (which means garden for the children) was developed in Blankenburg, Germany, in 1837. The kindergarten fostered Frobel’s social experience for children. It also allowed them to smoothly transition from home to school.

Eventually, the Prussian government banned Frobel’s unorthodox methods. However, the rest of the world was eager to accept Frobel’s idea of kindergarten, including the United States.

In 1856, Watertown, Wisconsin, opened the first kindergarten in the United States. Founded by Margarethe Schurz, this kindergarten was a German-language class, as were many in this region. Kindergarten found its way into private English-speaking institutions across the country. However, it wasn’t until 1873 that it became part of any public school system.

National Kindergarten Day offers an opportunity to thank a kindergarten teacher you know. There are several ways to celebrate the day, too!

HOW TO OBSERVE

• Recognize an outstanding kindergarten teacher.  
• Explore a career in elementary education, specifically as a kindergarten teacher.
• Learn more about elementary education.
• Donate to a teacher’s supply fund.
• • Share your experiences as a kindergarten teacher.
  • Invite families to see how today’s students learn.
  • Spend a day in a classroom.

NATIONAL KINDERGARTEN DAY HISTORY

National Kindergarten Day honors the day Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel was born on April 21, 1782. However, we were unable to identify the founder of National Kindergarten Day. 

Kindergarten FAQ

Q. Do kindergarten classes run half days or full days?
A. Most kindergarten classes today operate full days five days per week. However, in the past, the programs ran half days.

Q. How old are children when they begin kindergarten?
A. Most children begin kindergarten the year they turn five. However, children who are born later in the year often wait until the following year to begin. Schools provide parents with age guidelines.