Sunday, February 1, 2009

Super Sunday Brings Super Start to February

Good afternoon! I am just getting the house all straightened up before we go to a Super Bowl party and I want to thank those that left some tasty recipes on the blog. Here is a couple of them!

This is good finger food and nice change from reg popcorn

Cajun Popcorn
1/2 quarts popped popcorn*1/4 cup butter, melted1 teaspoon paprika1/2 teaspoon onion powder1/2 teaspoon garlic powder1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper1 teaspoon lemon pepperPour butter over warm popcorn. Combine remaining seasonings and sprinkle over popcorn; toss to mix.

Bake in 300*F (150*C) oven for crispy popcorn. Makes 2 1/2 quarts.*1-ounce of unpopped popcorn kernels (2 tablespoons household measure) makes approximately 1 quart of popped popcorn.

This is yummy Baked Artichoke Dip.
Serving: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

1 box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (or 1 cup chopped spinach) 1 14 oz can quartered artichoke hearts, chopped 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 package cream cheese, softened 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/8 cup dry bread crumbs 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1/8 tsp pepper 1. Preheat oven to 400°. 2. Combine all of the above ingredients and place in baking dish. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes and serve with crackers.I add hot crushed red peppers to mine.

Teri


Now that my mouth is watering I do want to say that we have great weather for traveling today and tonight if you are going to watch the big game with friends or family. Those southwest winds that helped to boost our temperatures into the low 40s late last night also created havoc on area roadways with blowing and drifting snow due to wind gusts in the 20 to 25 mph range. Today our wind speeds should be mainly light out of the northwest close to 5 mph as high pressure builds in. We are in nature's sweet spot to start February with temperatures close to 10 degrees above average. After our coldest January since 1994 we certainly earned it. But winter is not done by a long-shot. We have a huge East Coast storm winding up that could bury the big cities. Now while we will miss out on the snow we will not miss out on its cold backlash with highs by Wednesday struggling into the teens. Our snowfall should be mainly on the light side but with strong winds developing again Tuesday and Wednesday that will be enough to cause more travel troubles. So get out and enjoy our beautiful day while you can.

Super Bowl Weather Formula & Prediction: This formula was created when I was in college and has an accuracy rating much higher than the Farmer's Almanac. LOL

No, really it does surprisingly well. I cannot give you the complete formula but I can tell you it is based on extreme weather and atmospheric modeling. You match the two cities playing against each other and forecast the next 4 days starting tomorrow.

Pittsburgh jumps out big today and scores first. They seem to have the Cardinals on the ropes, much like the Denver Broncos had the Washington Redskins and myself a Redskin fan gasping for air back in 1988. The John Elway-led Broncose raced out to a 10-0 lead and my college buddies were very worried for me. But no worries! We all know how that game turned out. :) Hail to the Redskins! Pittsburgh's John Elway today will be the big East Coast storm that is developing but if you notice it will not be a direct hit on Pittsburgh. They will be brushed by the storm and this means hope is alive and well for the Cardinals no matter how bad the start. The Cardinal's version of Doug Williams today will be the Greenland block which is developing a little farther east turning the storm away from Pittsburgh and just maybe the game.

Arizona will be trailing but Kurt Warner's experience shines through like the hot desert sunshine. It becomes apparent in the second quarter that the Steelers could not deliver the knockout punch and they will pay dearly. A late field goal just before halftime gives the Cardinals some hope and momentum before Bruce Springsteen comes out and gives the best halftime show ever. The Boss brings back great memories and reminds me of a man that has made a great comeback. His music is timeless. Now it is Arizona's turn for a comeback as they get rolling in the 3rd quarter and heat up.

The announcers keep talking about Pittsburgh's dominance but in a New York minute it all changes. Phoenix will have highs near 80 by Wednesday and Thursday this week which is more than 10 degrees above average BOTH DAYS. This means the Cardinals will score at least 2 lightning-quick touchdowns in the second half with Larry Fitzgerald leading the way. Former Colt "the Edge" also takes it to the house. Pittsburgh's weather will be cold to start the week, but a warming trend closer to normal by Thursday is a sign that the Steelers peaked too soon. Should we blame Pittsburgh's meteorologists? Why not, it comes with the territory.

We start the 4th quarter wondering what happened to the really good commercials we grew up with during the Super Bowls and don't blame the economy. Things just seem out of kilter. Weird things are about to happen. Not only will Pittsburgh have a major mistake in the red zone in the 4th quarter (a reflection of poor weather models making more mistakes this week in the East) but there will be an unknown player that steps up for the Cardinals that will become a household name from here on out) The Cardinals will get their "Rolle on" and their defense finally earns some respect.

Don't go on your bathroom break too long....the score with 2 minutes left will be Pittsburgh 23 Arizona 20 and Arizona has the ball. Pittsburgh and its vaunted defense looks tired and Warner marches the Cardinals right down the field. Everybody is expecting overtime when the referees make a wild call that everybody will talk about for years to come. When does it ever end?Arizona pounces on it and punches it into the end zone for a 27 to 23 lead. This is the way it ends.

Arizona shocks the world! Nobody thought they could do it, nobody but themselves. They should give nature some credit too! The big high pressure ridge out west was just strong enough along with pressure changes over Greenland to keep Pittsburgh from getting the much bigger snowstorm that would have pushed them to victory based on our weather-sports prediction model. It is always a game of inches on and off the field and it is fitting that the Cardinal is the Indiana state bird. Bird, bird, bird is the word! Cardinals win Super Bowl 43. Moral of the story, never let your guard down with nature and in real life. You have to take advantage of all opportunities including today's great food, company, and weather. Peace!


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mike I have to say that sounds like you have already seen the game! lol. :-P

I would like to see James get a ring for he is from the Colts!

Really is does not matter to me who wins I just can't wait to see the game!

Got to go get some more stuff ready! Mike We will see how the game goes and if you are right on! Then I'M scared of you! LOL!!!!!:-)

Have a good game night Bloggers And Mike! See ya later!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Indiana weather is unpredictable just as the super bowl scores :P


Pittsburg 28
Arizona 10


Richard

Anonymous said...

Mike, thank you for posting my recipes.. the popcorn one is fun. tasty as well, and if some who may get frustrated with the game ,they can throw popcorn... LOL! watch out for the dogs though, they may end up with a tummy ache.

GO Cardinals!!!:))))


T

Anonymous said...

actually popcorn is healthy for dogs.

Anonymous said...

It was a great day!!! I hope everyone has a fun time tonight watching the game.

F/C

Anonymous said...

Plain popcorn is okay for dogs in moderation, Cajun not....! spice can make them sick!

T. was making a joke, and you made a joke out of yourself;

Be nice!

Anonymous said...

AWESOME!!! GO CARDS!!!!! If the Colts can't win it....AZ is just fine with me! My realitives in Scottsdale, AZ are pumped up!!!

Chris in Tipton

Anonymous said...

az 28 pitt..10

Anonymous said...

GO AZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike...so are we gonna have anymore BIG snows?????Waiting for more snow in Monticello!!!!

Anonymous said...

Well I thought the Steelers would win! But I'M not happy about it! For the way they where un sportsmen like! They started to many fights!

But it was a GREAT GAME! And I did have a lot of fun! lol.....

AR, Played a great game and I was kinda hoping they would pull it off because of James!and Larry, ;)

Well they all played a good game and I hope you all had a good night as well.....

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Hats off to Arizona for making it to the Super Bowl. They did a great job against a veteran team.



Richard

Anonymous said...

Mike,
Nice prediction your points -4 on pittsburg and -3 for Arizona. Being within a 7 digit guess, I say Kudos on your pics.

Anonymous said...

I got off of my many jobs at 7:30....I made it home for halftime and the second half. WHAT A SHOW BY THE BOSS!!!!! Awesome!!!!! What a half of football!!!!! The Cardinals didn't lose....they beat themselves....sort of reminds me of the Colts....a good offense....and little defense....all they needed to do was make a 4 down stop.....and they couldn't do it.

I do not like Pittsburgh....and haven't for 14 years....since 1995 when it came down to one play vs the Colts....they play rough....but they won.

Baseball season starts in 2 weeks!

I know that my man Obama likes the Sox.....but I say GO CUBS!!!!!

Chris in Tipton....

Enjoy the 2 week break from winter!

Anonymous said...

Mike, while you didn't get the winner right, I'd say your Super Bowl forecast was a good 80%...the closeness of some of your predictions was uncanny, and a little scary!

Brent

Anonymous said...

Good job on the score, just got the wrong team. Sure thought Zona had it. Can't stand the Steelers and some of their players. That guy punching the player who was on the ground was a joke. Guy should have been kicked out of the game in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

Mike you had the score right just switch them and there you have it! lol..... Way to go! ;)

You said Steelers 23 Arizona 27
___________________________
The real score was Steelers 27 And Arizona 23. Not bad! ;)
___________________________

Night all I got to get some sleep I got some work to get done in the morning!

See ya!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Are you sure you didn't edit your blog entry after the game? 'Cause your prediction was SO close to what happened.

The play that everyone will question:

How the refs DIDNT review the "fumble" with 5 seconds left, 'cause I thought it was a forward pass, which would have left Arizona with another hail mary pass. And considering Pitt had an Excessive Celebration penalty after that play, it would have been around what... 30 yards? Very makable... Arizona got stiffed by the refs, big time.

Anonymous said...

Nice job Mike on your prediction! How close you were! Bummer AZ didn't win! Was hoping for the underdogs to pull it off and it sure looked like they would. Teri...thanks for the recipe. It was good! Was a hit at our home with the guest!
CarrollCoGirl

Anonymous said...

Please tell me this isn't true for our area....accu is calling for this but saying 1.5 inches.

Monday, Feb 2
Colder with more sun than clouds; a couple of snow showers this afternoon Monday Night, Feb 2
Mostly cloudy and very cold with a couple of snow showers Tuesday, Feb 3 Mostly cloudy, breezy and colder with snow showers, accumulating 1-3 inches Tuesday Night, Feb 3 Mostly cloudy and breezy with snow showers, accumulating up to an additional inch

Anonymous said...

Go Cards! :( So close but no cigar :( :(

Anonymous said...

Tuesday, Feb 3
High: 26 °F RealFeel®: 8 °F
Rather cloudy, breezy and colder with snow showers, accumulating a coating to an inch

Tuesday Night, Feb 3
Low: 11 °F RealFeel®: -4 °F
Mostly cloudy and breezy with a couple of snow showers

Monday, Feb 2
High: 36 °F RealFeel®: 27 °F
Colder with more sun than clouds; a couple of afternoon snow showers

Monday Night, Feb 2
Low: 15 °F RealFeel®: 6 °F
Mostly cloudy and very cold with a couple of snow showers
oops put Tues before Monday but never the less they have already changed the forecast