A Nippon Chocolate Pot - Art 6

We got a pitcher from a community market close by our neighborhood. We believe it is called a hot chocolate set.

Fig 01 - A colorful pitcher. 

Unfortunately, the facts that:

- There is no marking as to who the artist is

- No made in any country label anywhere on it.

- Impossible to know its origin

- No brand and value

Based on the internet sources, this is a Nippon (Japan) porcelain piece without maker marks before 1891. Then between 1891 to 1921 were marked. The Maple leaf is the oldest and a favorite of many collectors.

Fig 02 - A pot, from another position

After 1921 the United States required all pieces coming in from Japan be marked. They started using paper labels because Japan products didn’t command high prices and once in the United States labels were removed.

Fig 03 - A pot faces left

Do you know about this Nippon Chocolate pot?

# Previous postings:

- Our Nearby Neighborhood was Visited by Alligators – Critters 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is It Difficult to Study Art History? - Part 2 - Art 5 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is a Good Friday a Holiday in Your Places? - Sign 5 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Fish and Shellfish Sold by Local Groceries – Part 2 - Food Variety 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- When is Spring Coming in your Place? - Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Cooper Hawk at Neighborhood - Critter 91

We believe the bird is a cooper hawk. The bird looks beautiful but make other birds such as cardinals and bluebirds scattered. 

Fig 01 - A cooper hawk at neighborhood

It is a circle of life in the nature, sad to know about this matter. However, the predators need to eat. 

What we can do that Keep small pets out of their way, even though the cooper hawks will not attack pets if not hungry.

The cooper hawk has several distinct characters:

- biggish head

- lighter nape of neck

- and rounded tail

Do you know about a Cooper hawk?

# Previous postings:

- Is It Difficult to Study Art History? - Part 1 - Art 5 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do You Know that Plants can Memorize Information? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Fish and Shellfish Sold by Local Groceries – Part 1- Food Variety 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- When is Spring Coming in your Place? - Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Our Nearby Neighborhood was Visited by Alligators – Critters 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Historical Snow in Our State

Third week of January 2025, our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana got snow after 7 years. The last snow was in 2018. 

Fig 01 - A little snowman

This is a historical snow, and some people called it "a miracle" for warmer area like our state, a southern state.

Some interesting facts for southerners like us are:

- snow reached 9 inches (23 cm) 

- snow last for several days. 

- freezing temperatures at 10.4 F (minus, -12 C)

- many kids and pets see snow fall for first time.  

- some neighbors have enjoyed time 

Fig 02 - A Cat enjoys the snow

This kind of snow and freezing temperatures had been recorded in 1895. Quite very long time ago. 

Fig 03 - Snow in neighborhood

# Important postings:

- Our Neighborhood Getting Ready for Summer – Sign 47 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Herbs Show at Our City Park – Sign 19 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 04 - Pink Sky in the winter

What wonder me that the sky look pinky during winter season. Do you know the answer?

Fig 05 - View of pink sky

Fig 06 - A dog, first time snow

Fig 07 - Snow in the city

How about snow in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Squirrels Population in our Neighborhood – Critters 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update
- Is It Difficult to Study Art History? - Part 1 - Art 5 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do You Know that Plants can Memorize Information? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Fish and Shellfish Sold by Local Groceries – Part 1- Food Variety 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- When is Spring Coming in your Place? - Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Blue Heron with Plastic Cup Stuck on Beak - Critter 90

We saw a Blue Heron with bottle or cup stuck on its beak at the Green Trails Lake, one of lakes in our city.

Fig 01 - A heron with plastic cap

Another day, we drove by the lake multiple times, then just a few hours ago in recently. We did not see the bird.

We have no idea what other lakes it might go to, though we have checked at least at five other lakes in around our city areas.

We have spoken to several people and institutions. Wildlife and fisheries will not help, they say let nature take its course or contact a wildlife rehabilitation group or person.

The same with LSU (University), rehab people told us that if we bring to them, they will take it, but they will not come help with anything.

Fig 02 - A confuse heron.

# Some Previous postings:

- The Banana Tree Produces Fruit in Our State - Gardening and Hobby 60 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Repairs for Small Engines - Sign 64 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 03 - The bird walks around

We hope maybe someone else saw it and was able to help

Fig 04 - Still with a plastic cup

Do you have any suggestions?

# Previous postings:

- A Little dog on the Street – Critters 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Lighthouse for Helping People with Disabilities – Sign 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do You Know that Plants can Memorize Information? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Local Honey in the Farmer Market – Part 2 – Food Variety 17 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Squirrels Population in our Neighborhood – Critters 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Flash-Roasted Broccoli with Spicy Crumbs - Food Variety 38

Just simple recipe of the Flash-Roasted Broccoli with Spicy Crumbs. The recipe was modified from several sources.

Fig 01 - Spicy broccoli. 

Ingredients: 2 ounces sliced pepperoni 1 garlic clove, sliced 1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs) 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 pounds broccoli, trimmed and cut into long spears Salt 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Fig 02 - Fresh vegetable

Directions: Preheat the oven to 425°. In a mini food processor, pulse the pepperoni with the garlic until finely chopped. Add the panko and pulse just to combine. In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the crumb mixture and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Scrape onto a plate and let cool. Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss the broccoli with the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt. Spread the broccoli on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes, turning once, until tender and browned in spots. Spread the mustard on one side of the broccoli and press the broccoli into the crumbs. Transfer the broccoli to a platter, sprinkle with any remaining crumbs and serve.

Fig 03 - Broccoli, sold in Walmart.

Have a great weekend

# Previous postings:

- Special Parking for Low Emission Vehicles - Sign 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Talented Students to Display Their Paintings – Part 2 - Art 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why Turtles Produce almost All Female Hatchlings Recently? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Local Honey in the Farmer Market – Part 1 – Food Variety 17 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- A Little dog on the Street – Critters 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Eastern Phoebe Hummingbird - Critter 89

We saw the Eastern Phoebe Hummingbird quite early; the bird should migrate to our neighborhood around as soon as the end of February. 

Fig 01 - Perching, The Eastern Phoebee.

The best time to observe the Eastern Phoebe is about March, when peak migration from South (central) America to Southern Canada (North America), and stop by at our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

They may stay in our areas until late spring or summer, but very rare to be seen. The early migration for this year might be relate to severe weather at wintering grounds or lack of food sources.

The bird sounds like fee-bee. With “bee” slightly lower in tone. You can listen on the Merlin bird id app or the Audubon app. Probably available online as well.

Fig 02 - Cute little bird.

# Important postings:

- Goslings at the Neighborhood Lake – Critters 5 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Are Red Silkies a Rare Breed Chicken? - Critter 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 03 - Seeds for wild birds, illustration only.

The bird might be attracted by our foods in the feeder. Our main food that is dried mealworms.

Moreover, in addition to the mealworms, we have both white and golden safflower, black oil sunflower seed, sunflower seeds with no shell, white millet, shelled peanuts, and suet nuggets.

Fig 04 - The Eastern Phoebe, calm

Have you heard the Eastern Phoebe Hummingbird sounds in nature?

## Previous postings:

- Vaccinated but Mask Up - Sign 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Talented Students to Display Their Paintings – Part 1 - Art 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why Turtles Produce almost All Female Hatchlings Recently? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Ways in “Caching” for Speeding Up Web Server – Part 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Special Parking for Low Emission Vehicles - Sign 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Roselle in the Yard - Gardening and Hobby 64

Roselle with scientific name Hibiscus sabdariffa comes from warm regions and grow well in the tropical and subtropical temperatures. 

Fig 01 - The calyces of Roselle. 

Since our city has warm climate, we may find some of the Roselle flowers in our neighborhood areas.

As you might know that the plants have calyces which are red (light part) parts, not fruit of flowers. 

I don't know the benefits of calyces or never aware whoever consumed them in our neighborhood but reported by Southern University A&M College systems (2024, Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa): A Functional Food) that Calyces could be used as jams, tea (beverages) and other purposes.

Fig 02 - Leaves and calyces 

Do you know about calyces of Roselle?

# Previous postings:

- Zinnia Flower and Vincent Van Gogh – Part 2 - Art 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Hawks to Control Rats at Neighborhood - Critters 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do you Favor to Certain Chicken Egg Colors? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Ways in “Caching” for Speeding Up Web Server – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Vaccinated but Mask Up - Sign 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update