What Shall We Make Today?

This month’s last recipe is Strawberry Pretzel Bars!

Ingredients

2 cups crushed pretzels

¾ cup butter, melted

3 tablespoons white sugar

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 cup white sugar

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry flavored Jell-O

2 cups boiling water

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries

Directions

Stir crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons sugar together until well-combined; mix well and press mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Bake in the preheated oven until set, about 8 to 10 minutes; set aside to cool.

Place cream cheese and 1 cup sugar in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture onto cooled crust.

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in still-frozen strawberries and allow to set for a few minutes, until the mixture “looks like egg whites.” Spoon and spread over cream cheese layer; refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.

ENJOY!

America’s Youngest Ambassador Dies

In late 1982, Smith, a fifth-grader at Manchester Elementary School in Manchester, Maine, wrote a plaintive letter to Soviet leader Andropov. She said that she was “worrying about Russia and the United States getting into a nuclear war. Are you going to have a war or not?” A few months later, Smith’s letter was reprinted in Russia and it was announced that Andropov was writing a response. Smith received his letter in April 1983. Andropov assured Smith that he did not want a nuclear war with the United States or any other country. Calling Smith a “courageous and honest” little girl, Andropov closed the letter with an invitation for her to visit the Soviet Union. In July, accompanied by her parents, Smith embarked on a two-week trip. She was a hit in the Soviet Union, and although she did not get to meet with Andropov, she traveled widely and spoke to numerous groups and people.

In the United States, some people branded her as a patsy for the communists and claimed that Soviet propagandists were merely using her for their own purposes, but Samantha’s enthusiasm and contagious optimism charmed most Americans and millions of other people around the world. During the next two years, Smith became an unofficial U.S. goodwill ambassador, speaking to groups throughout the United States and in foreign nations such as Japan. On August 25, 1985, while traveling with her father, their small plane crashed and both were killed.

Smith’s legacy lived on, however. Her mother began the Samantha Smith Foundation, which has as its goal bringing people from different nations and cultures together to share their experiences. In particular, the foundation established a student exchange program with the Soviet Union. In the Soviet Union, news of Smith’s death was met with great sadness. The Russian government responded by issuing a stamp in her honor and naming a mountain after the young girl.

SOURCE: HISTORY.COM

Weirdest Attractions in Every State: Part 4

New Mexico

The Musical Highway in Albuquerque, New Mexico will remind you why the state is also called the “Land of Enchantment”. This interesting section of Route 66 plays “America the Beautiful” through your car by using pits carved into the road as acoustics. Notably, the song only sounds right if you go exactly 45 miles per hour!

New York

There are plenty of weird attractions to see in New York. Chief among them is Pumpkin Chuckin’ at Varick Winery and Inn in the city of Romulus. As the name suggests, this attraction consists of firing pumpkins at stationary targets with a catapult while you drink wine. Phenomenal.

North Carolina

The next time you pass through Collettsville, North Carolina, make sure to stop by the House of Mugs. That’s right, North Carolina has an informal mug museum that started as a couple’s interesting choice of exterior decoration. There are now over 25,000 mugs in this ever-growing collection.

North Dakota

North Dakota is already a strange place. It’s made stranger when you see a towering Buffalo Monument rising over the horizon. If you visit Jamestown, you won’t be able to miss this larger-than-life monument to the animal that once dominated the Great Plains.

Ohio

When you’re on a road trip, you’ll see a lot of signs. If you want to double the number of signs you’ll see on your trip, drop by the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, you’ll get to check out signs from across the decades, with some even dating back to the 19th Century!

Oklahoma

You know how they say “pop” instead of “soda” in some parts of the world? If you want to discuss this at length with like-minded enthusiasts, check out Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma. There, you’ll find a 66-foot tall LED soda bottle and an absurdly large assortment of soda flavors at the “soda ranch”.

Oregon

Bend, Oregon is the home of The Last Blockbuster in existence. Here, you can rent DVDs, Blu-Rays, and video games—just like you’d expect from a rental store! Of course, there are no other Blockbusters left, so this is a great tourist attraction to visit if you pass through Oregon.

Pennsylvania

If you take the time to visit Centralia, Pennsylvania, be aware that the locals resent tourists. However, this semi-abandoned town is home to a mine fire that’s been burning since the 1960s due to natural deposits of coal beneath the ground.

Rhode Island

Roger Williams, the man who founded Rhode Island, was buried in 1683 in a grave with no marker. Nearly 200 years later, the state’s authorities decided to exhume his remains and bury him with more ceremony. They discovered that an apple tree root had “eaten” the corpse, and the state put the root on display at the John Brown House in Providence.

South Carolina

If you find yourself traveling through Dillon, South Carolina, check out the iconic South of the Border complex. You can spot Sombrero Tower from miles away and enjoy Mexican restaurants, themed gift shops, and other fun attractions off Interstate 95.

SOURCE: THEQUICKREPORT.COM

Happy National Sponge Cake Day!

This recipe was given to me almost 50 years ago, by a lovely Portuguese woman I was working with at a factory.  The Portuguese ladies made this cake for every party we had at the mill.  It’s light and fluffy and so easy to make!

Ingredients

12 eggs, separated

2 cups of sugar

1 ½ cups flour

I tsp. baking powder

Directions

Use butter to grease a large tube pan (most angel food cake pans are not big enough.) Then sprinkle sugar inside the pan to cover the butter.  This gives the sponge cake a lovely crust.

In one bowl, cream the yolks with the sugar.  Then add the flour and the baking powder.

In a separate large bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.  Fold this into the yolk mixture.

Bake at 350*for 45 minutes. 

Cool upside down on plate.  Cake slides out after 10 minutes.

ENJOY!

Rhoda!

Today would have been Valerie Harper’s birthday.  She was born August 22, 1939 and passed away August 30, 2019.  Rhoda was a great show and Valerie Harper made me laugh.  TV Guide had the following biography about the talented actress.

From TV GUIDE:

Fast Facts

Co-founded the non-profit L․I․F․E․ in 1983 with Dennis Weaver, a charitable organization aimed at feeding the homeless population of Los Angeles

Announced in early 2013 that she had been diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer and that doctors had given her only months to live

Although her family moved frequently throughout her childhood, she eventually chose to stay in New York to study ballet before beginning her career on Broadway

Quote: “I used to get some ego thing out of saying I wasn’t a star, just an actress․ Forget it․ I’m a star․ I wanted it, I worked for it and I got it․”

Worked as a chorus girl on Broadway before landing the role of Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in 1970, a character that would eventually land her own spinoff in 1974

Continued her career on television with “Valerie” in 1986, but would eventually be fired by production company Lorimar the following year, thus prompting a wrongful termination lawsuit in which she was awarded $1․4 million

Met Mary Tyler Moore almost a decade prior to being cast on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” after her husband Richard Schaal guest-starred on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in 1961

Ran for president of the Screens Actors Guild in 2001, but lost to Melissa Gilbert

SOURCE: TVGUIDE.COM

Happy National Hawaii Day!

If you’re fortunate enough to be planning a trip to Hawaii, Trip Advisor recommends these places!

Diamond Head State Monument

This dormant volcano crater is one of Honolulu’s major natural landmarks, known for its history, amazing hikes, and stunning coastal views. The way to the summit is an easy-to-moderate hike up—though there’s a steep flight of steps—and you’ll be treated to some of the best views on the island. There are also many lookouts surrounding the crater. If you have limited mobility, don’t worry, multiple other hikes within the park are accessibility friendly. It can get busy (and hot!) so try to reach early in the morning and bring sunscreen and plenty of water.

Waimea Canyon State Park

Also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, this scenic state park overlooks the colorful Waimea Canyon, which stretches over 14 miles and is more than 3,600 feet deep. The park itself is famous for its scenic drive, panoramic lookouts, and hikes of varying difficulty. Depending on the time you visit, the canyon’s appearance can seem to change throughout the day—it’s best to visit earlier in the morning for fewer crowds and better visibility. You might even spot a rainbow, especially during the summer months. There are many ways you can tour the canyon, including a bike tour, or even from up top on a helicopter ride.

Pearl Harbor National Park

A National Historic Landmark, this site consists of five memorials commemorating the events around WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Waikiki Beach

This iconic landmark in Waikiki is one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, located on the south shore of Oahu. Waikiki Beach is the birthplace of modern surfing culture—look out for the statue of renowned waterman Duke Kahanamoku, who popularized the sport internationally. Once the playground of Hawaiian royals, today the beachfront is lined with resorts and some of Hawaii’s most historic hotels. Surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers flock to this beach all day long. Boat tours in Waikiki are a great way for admiring the coast away from the crowds. Neighboring Kalākaua Avenue has plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy, is a marvel of opulence, innovation and political intrigue. Meticulously restored to its former grandeur, this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu tells of a time when their Majesties, King Kalakaua, who built the palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, walked its celebrated halls. Today, you can enjoy one of the most spectacular living restorations in all of Polynesia and immerse yourself in Hawaii’s royal heritage.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

Weirdest Attractions in Every State: Part 3

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is well-known for its gothic reputation, including the notorious Salem Witch Trials. If you want to experience some cool, creepy attractions, check out Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery in Salem. This museum is full of monster movie replicas and fascinating relics.

Michigan

While our previous entry was Halloween all year round, Frankenmuth, Michigan sports an attraction where it’s Christmas all the time! Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland features more ornaments and decorations than you could possibly imagine. Drop in any time of year for some Christmas magic!

Minnesota

The Spam Museum in Austin, Minnesota is as strange as it sounds. It’s a museum commemorating the polarizing canned meat. If you happen to take a road trip that passes Austin, drop in and learn more about this emulsified mystery meat. It’ll at least give you a break from the highway!

Mississippi

Did you know that there’s a museum specifically dedicated to aprons? That’s right, Iuka, Mississippi is home to the Apron Museum, where famous aprons from across history and pop culture can be found. There are more types of aprons here than you ever realized existed.

Missouri

Take a trip through Independence, Missouri and discover the utterly odd Leila’s Hair Museum. This eerie destination is crammed full of pieces of artwork created from, you guessed it, human hair. This sprawling art exhibit is simultaneously gorgeous and genuinely upsetting.

Montana

One of the most interesting destinations in Montana is a fascinating underground shopping district in Havre. The town burned down in 1904 and enterprising business owners decided to rebuild their shops underground. You can still check out this historic and fascinating destination!

Nebraska

Alliance, Nebraska is home to a strange roadside attraction that is also a downright unforgivable pun. This is Carhenge, a silly joke given horrible life in the High Plains region. It’s just Stonehenge but remade with cars. Check it out if you like bad puns.

Nevada

Nevada is home to a high density of particularly weird places. One example is the horrendous and awful Clown Motel in Tonopah. Most people are afraid of clowns for understandable reasons, so it’s strange that such a motel even exists.

New Hampshire

Cat Alley in Manchester, New Hampshire is exactly what the name implies. It’s an alley full of street art depicting adorable cats! If you’re a fan of felines or just a connoisseur of public art, this is one catwalk you won’t want to miss.

New Jersey

New Jersey’s strangest tourist destination is the otherworldly Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township. It’s a museum that depicts numerous famous pieces of artwork as life-sized displays. Rather than observe the work from afar, you enter the art physically and experience it from a new angle!

SOURCE: THEQUICKREPORT.COM

Weird Wednesdays: The Dog Chapel

Today’s Weird Wednesday’s building is The Dog Chapel in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

This isn’t your ordinary chapel — it’s a doghouse of worship.

In St. Johnsbury, Vt., stands Dog Mountain — a 150-acre mountaintop expanse with ponds, fields and trails — the grounds of which are always open for leash-free enjoyment by dogs and their owners. And on these grounds, there’s a white structure with a steeple, where an arched black sign proclaims “CHAPEL” in gold lettering. It may seem like your run-of-the-mill New England church, but step inside and it’s anything but.

Stained-glass windows show images of dogs being petted by human hands, licking scoops of ice cream off cones and facing forward with their tongues hanging out. The edges of wooden pews are carved into the shapes of sitting dogs, and there’s even a doorknob molded in the form of a dog’s head, with “All creatures welcome” etched into its supporting plate. Yes, there’s a doggy door.

Welcome to Dog Chapel, the dog-matic centerpiece of Dog Mountain, built by the late Stephen Huneck, an artist and children’s author, and his late wife, Gwen, meant to celebrate the bond between canine and human, according to Curbed.

Huneck, who has referred to Dog Mountain as “the largest artwork of my life and my most personal,” is known for his 10 books that focus on a Labrador pooch named Sally. Inside the chapel, a carved wood statue of a winged Sally rests on a pedestal. On walls around it, the objective of Dog Chapel is immediately evident.

A number of Post-it notes and photos line the walls — they’re images of deceased dogs, with birth and death dates as well as notes from owners on what they meant to them.

“Dukie, we miss you sneezing on us when we rub your belly,” reads one.

The tributes have come from people all over the globe.

“When you visit the Dog Chapel, you are totally enveloped with messages of love,” Huneck once said. “It is a very moving experience — sad, certainly, but also uplifting — to see how much everyone cherishes his or her dog.”

SOURCE: NEWYORKPOST