For Sunday, February 21st, 2010

a pictorial journal

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FEBRUARY 21^st, 2010

It's SUNDAY!

I went to church Saturday evening with DD and DS#5 so today is one that I won’t have to go out for anything. At least right now, I have no plans. That could change though if I think of something good to do.

The weather man says we are due for some freezing rain tonight and into Monday morning. The kind that makes the sidewalks and the road ways slippery.

Take good care every one!

THINKING

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

Today is Giving Day, a day to give someone something, even if it's merely encouragement

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

I often see Hot Cross Buns in the bakeries this time of year so I thought I share a little history about them today

It was a universal custom to mark a new loaf of bread with the sign of the cross before cutting it, in order to bless it and thank God for it

Hot Cross Buns have a mixed history. Some say they were part of pagan spring festivals and later given the cross by monks wanting to give Christian meaning to the tradition. Hot cross buns are typically eaten on Good Friday and during Lent. Stories abound about the origins of the Hot Cross Bun. Some say that the origin of Hot Cross Buns dates back to the 12th century, when an Anglican monk was said to have placed the sign of the cross on the buns, to honor Good Friday, a Christian holiday also known as the Day of the Cross. Supposedly, this pastry was the only thing permitted to enter the mouths of the faithful on this holy day

Other accounts speak of an English widow, who's son went off to sea and she vowed to bake him a bun every Good Friday. When he didn't return she continued to bake a hot cross bun for him each year and hung it in the bakery window in good faith that he would someday return to her

Traditionally, hot cross buns are eaten on Good Friday, with the cross on the buns standing for the crucifixion of Christ. At one time there were laws forbidding the sale of hot cross buns at any time other than Easter and Christmas

They are also said to have originated at Saint Alban's Abbey in 1361, where the monks distributed them to the poor. Whatever their origin, these hot cross buns became a famous Good Friday feature in England and Ireland, and later in this country. They were made of spiced dough, round in shape, with a cross made of icing on the top. In recent times these cross buns are sold not only on Good Friday but all through Lent

Whether your hot cross buns are adorned with an icing cross, scored with a cross, or store bought, I pray your Lenten Season is a blessed one

PRAYERS

Dear Father, thank you for all the gifts you've given us. Help us to identify our gifts and to use them to serve others

Amen

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AMEN

AROUND HOME

I've learned that after age 50 you get the furniture disease. That's when your chest falls into your drawers

Getting older means a lot of things and for me the little quote above is definitely one of them. Getting older also brings a lot of other things too. I don’t do as much as I used to and I don’t move as fast either. I’m not complaining at all. As a matter of fact I am enjoying it. Leading a simpler life and slowing down are very good things in deed.

FAMILY

Our five senses are incomplete without the sixth - a sense of humor

Author Unknown

DS#6 emailed directions to the hospital where the new baby will be born yesterday. It is getting very close to their time now. He says about a week away, but babies have a way of making their own time known. I think they are born with a sense of humor for sure.

I know all of my children were. They continually surprise and delight me. There never was or will be a dull moment at my house.

COUNTING THE DAYS

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity

Henry Van Dyke

27 DAYS UNTIL SPRING !

54 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

39 DAYS UNTIL MA RETIRES

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma

Pictures today are of more blooms around our house July 2008