A bit of Texas trivia

Happy Belated Birthday, Jim Word! (39 one more time).
This past week has been fairly quiet for me. Monday was my Pokeno group, and we had a good time as always, Tuesday was a workshop morning for several of us Auxiliary ladies. Last week we had started work on tray favors for the hospital patients for the month of March, and we needed to finish them. We decided that maybe our patients would enjoy a little humor with their gifts, so we made “Texas Weather Worms”! Yes, we’re a little early for March, but you never know when the weather or something else will keep us from working, so we started early. Somewhere along the way, someone us one of these weather worms and we decided to copy it, using green, gold and white yarn (the colors most St. Patrick’s Day favors use). It basically is a bundle of yarn that is tied together and then braided. We used eleven strands of each color that were cut into 22” lengths, stacked three together, using one of each color, tied it in the center and then tied all together about one inch further down, this formed a “head”. We then braided this, using each color separately, tied it off at the bottom, cut the yarn evenly and then added a square piece of postcard weight cardboard to the top. These are inscribed: You are the proud possessor of a Genuine Texas Weather Worm; hang it outside and check it when possible. If it’s wet…it’s raining; If it’s white…it’s snowing; if it’s moving, it’s windy; if it’s stiff…it’s freezing; and if it’s gone, it’s been stolen.
The rest of the week was easy as I was able to stay at home, catch up on my laundry and do a little house cleaning, and bake a dessert for the company that was coming on Thursday, as well as one for a Super Bowl party that will be at the hospital on Friday.
My grandson, who is stationed in Hawaii has been in the states for a short time and he and my daughter, as well as a great-granddaughter came in to spend the day with me. We had an awesome time, as it has been almost three years since I had gotten to see him. It made for a wonderful week for me!
Friday morning it was time to spend time helping out with something fun for the hospital staff. The Auxiliary usually makes popcorn when something is going on, especially when it’s a Super Bowl Party, so several of us were there helping with that. It was a very nice day; the hospital provided the chili and all the necessary things to make chili bowls. Quite a few of the others brought in entries for a “contest”. Best chili, best dip, best dessert, as well as two or three ‘guessing games”. How many candies in the bottle, fill out Super Bowl trivia, and several other things. Everyone enjoyed themselves and being there gives the Auxiliary members a chance to meet staff from different departments.
Saturday evening a friend and I were able to attend the annual “Gala” that benefits our catholic school. There is always a ‘live’ auction, as well as a ‘silent’ one, a wonderful meal, a chance to gamble and a live band. This year, as always, each grade made and donated one of the prizes. One was a live oak tree, to plant in your yard, and it had about 10 or 15 lottery tickets adorning it! The auctioneer was great, and everyone had a great time bidding on the various things, including fishing trips and a “Yeti” ® or that type of cooler that was filled with many, many things and I am not sure but I think it brought in a four-figure total!
Monday starts a new week, with Valentine’s Day as its beginning. Hopefully all of you will have a great day! As it stands now, mine will be quiet as I have nothing scheduled, that I know of, but that can change with a phone call.
As I was cleaning out some papers and things recently, I came across a calendar, from several years ago and, it has the most interesting Texas Trivia and history, that I have seen in a long time. So, here is some Trivia from the calendar. Hope you find it as interesting as I did.
In 1836, on February 17, Col. James C. Neill left the Alamo, leaving Col. W. B. Travis in command.
In 1665, on February 18, Robert Cavalier Sieur de la Salle constructed Ft. St. Louis near Matagorda Bay, and in 1861 on this date, General David E. Twiggs surrendered US military posts in Texas to the Texas Confederates.
In 1846, on February 19, the Flag of the Republic was lowered at the State Capitol, with Gov. James Pinckney Henderson formally taking office, as the Republic of Texas ceased to exist.
In 1861, On February 20, Texans voted to ratify the Secession Ordinance. In 1882 on this date, Excavation for the Capitol began. In 1943, Women Air Force Pilots flight school opened at Avenger Field in Sweetwater.
In 1846, on February 21, the Texas Legislature elected Sam Houston and Thomas J. Rusk to the US Senate.
In 1819, on February 22, Adams-Onis Treaty defining the boundary between US and Mexico was signed. Also on this date, the US Navy attacked Aransas Pass.
In 1720, on February 23, Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo was established near San Antonio. In 1836, Santa Anna and his army surrounded the Alamo and also in 1836, a Treaty was signed between the Texans and Cherokee Indians.
Almond Bark Cookies
24 oz almond bark
2 cups dry roasted, unsalted, peanuts
2 cups pretzels (short straight ones)
2 cups (peanut butter flavor, Capt’n Crunch Cereal
2 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups miniature marshmallows (optional, but very good)
Place almond bark in a very large Pyrex bowl and microwave 2 or 3 minutes, stir and put back for 2 minutes longer. Put all other ingredients in a large container and mix together. When almond bark is melted, dump the other ingredients into it and stir until well coated and then drop by spoons full on to foil. You can substitute chocolate bark and use pecans instead of peanuts for another delicious cookie.
Cocoa Puff® Cookies
½ cup white Karo®
¼ cup honey
1 cup sugar
1½ cups chunky peanut butter
4 cups Cocoa Puffs® cereal
Place Karo®, honey and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a fast boil; remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter mixing until well blended. Add the Cocoa Puffs cereal and stir just until coated. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow to cool before serving.