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.

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Interesting About Rowing ~ Mama's Cheesy Chicken 'n'n Broccoli Casserole ~ Peace Officers Memorial Day

  

Good 45º morning.

 

 

Yesterday we topped at 92º.

 

 

Picture of the Day...construction failure.

 

Interesting about rowing........

 

 

 

 

Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddling, but rowing requires oars to be mechanically attached to the boat, and the rower drives the oar like a lever, exerting force in the same direction as the boat's travel; while paddles are completely hand-held and have no attachment to the boat, and are driven like a cantilever, exerting force opposite to the intended direction of the boat.

 

In some strict terminologies, using oars for propulsion may be termed either "pulling" or "rowing", with different definitions for each. Where these strict terminologies are used, the definitions are reversed depending on the context. On saltwater a "pulling boat" has each person working one oar on one side, alternating port and starboard along the length of the boat; whilst "rowing" means each person operates two oars, one on each side of the boat. On inland waterways, the opposite applies, with "rowing" being where each person in a crew works one oar and "sculling" (especially in sport rowing) involves each participant using a pair of oars. In a maritime setting "sculling" means propelling a boat with a single oar operated over the stern.

 

This article focuses on the general types of rowing, such as recreation and transport rather than the sport of competitive rowing which is a specialized case of boat racing using strictly regulated equipment and a highly refined technique.

History of rowing

Ancient Egypt

The beginning of rowing is clouded in history but the use of oars in the way they are used today can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Whether it was invented in Egypt or something learned from Mesopotamia via trade is not known. However, archaeologists have recovered a model of a rowing vessel in a tomb dating back to the 18-19th century BC. The model they found was of a wide boat with shallow bottom, rather like a barge, which was designed to float on the shallow rivers of Mesopotamia. Both the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers were part of this region and flowing from the north to the south they quickly became an integral part of the non-nomadic civilizations.

 

Rowing vessels, especially galleys, were extensively used in naval warfare and trade in the Mediterranean from classical antiquity onward. Galleys had advantages over sailing ships in light seas with low winds: they were easier to maneuver, capable of short bursts of speed, and able to move independently of the wind.

 

Ancient Greece

During the classical age of oared galleys, the Greeks dominated the Mediterranean while the Athenians dominated the other Greeks. They used thousands of lower-class citizens to serve as rowers in the fleet. In Classical Athens, a leading naval power at the time, rowing was regarded as an honorable profession of which men should possess some practical knowledge.The Classical trireme used 170 rowers; later galleys included even larger crews. Trireme oarsmen used leather cushions to slide over their seats, which allowed them to use their leg strength as a modern oarsman does with a sliding seat. Galleys usually had masts and sails, but would lower them at the approach of combat. Greek fleets would even leave their sails and masts on shore (as being unnecessary weight) if possible.

 

If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowing

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

SERVES

6

SERVING SIZE

1 1/4 cups per serving

COOK TIME

4 Hr

It's a slow cookin' kind of day with this easy chicken casserole recipe. Just prep ingredients, toss 'em in the slow cooker and relax. Mama's Cheesy Chicken 'n' Broccoli Casserole packs lots of home-cooked flavor without much of a fuss.

 

• 8 ounces wide egg noodles
• 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 (12-ounce) package frozen broccoli florets
• 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (about 20)

In a large bowl, combine noodles, 2 cups cheese, and remaining ingredients except crushed crackers, stirring well. Spoon into a 5-quart slow cooker that's been coated with cooking spray.

Cover and cook on LOW 4 hours.

Combine remaining 1 cup cheese and the cracker crumbs. Uncover slow cooker and sprinkle crumb mixture over casserole. Cover and cook on LOW 30 more minutes.

 

***Carefully remove lid at end of cooking so condensation doesn't run into casserole and make the crumbs soggy.
 

***Kick it up! You can also add a Southwestern flair to this casserole by substituting condensed cheddar cheese soup and cheddar cheese with habanero peppers for the cream of chicken soup and sharp cheddar cheese.

 

 

 

Historically this date........

1905 – Las Vegas, Nevada, is

founded when 110 acres (0.45 km), in what later would become downtown, are auctioned off.

 

1928 – Mickey Mouse premiered in his first cartoon, Plane Crazy

 

 

1940 – McDonald's opens its first restaurant in San Bernardino, California.

 

1969 – People's Park: California Governor Ronald Reagan has an impromptu student park owned by University of California at Berkeley fenced off from student anti-war protesters, sparking a riot called Bloody Thursday.

 

1970 – President Richard Nixon appoints Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington the first female United States Army Generals.

2010 – Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo.

... just amazing at 16 years of age!

 

 

And births this date include...

1895 – Prescott Bush, American banker, politician and member of the Bush family (d. 1972) (GHW's dad)

 

1936 – Anna Maria Alberghetti, Italian-born actress

 

1937 – Trini López, American musician (d.2020)

 

 

1941 – K. T. Oslin, American musician (d.2020)

 

 

 

1955 – Lee Horsley, American actor

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Every May 15th Peace Officers Memorial Day pays tribute to local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice or been injured in the line of duty. The observance takes place during Police Week.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, more than 800,000 law enforcement officers serve in the United States today. Each year, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial adds new names to the wall, on average 163 deaths per year. Fallen law enforcement officers represent all levels of law enforcement, including local, state, federal, tribal, and military law enforcement. They’re family members, husbands, wives, parents, sons, and daughters.

The day honors fallen LEO across the nation and offers support to their surviving family members and officers.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Many organizations, government agencies, and private citizens fly flags at half-staff in memory of those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Services honoring the fallen are conducted across the country, including Washington, D.C. Attend a memorial near you. Support families of fallen and injured law enforcement officers.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington, D.C., features the names of more than 22,000 law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY HISTORY

On October 1, 1961, Congress asked President John F. Kennedy to designate May 15th as a day to honor peace officers. President Kennedy declared Peace Officers Memorial Day on October 1, 1962.  In 1994, Bill Clinton made an amendment through Public Law 103-322 that directed the United States flag to be flown at half-staff on May 15th in honor of the day.

An annual Memorial Service gathering began in 1992 in Senate Park and later became known as Police Week.