For Saturday, April 24th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

APRIL 24^TH, 2010

It's SATURDAY!

As I have worked in the house for most of the week I'd like to get outside a bit today. I'm not so sure that I'll do that though as the weather man says rain.

One way or the other it'll be a great day! I hope your day is a wonderful one too!

THINKING

Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God. After this he said to him,

Follow me.

John 21:18-19

I believe the second half of one's life is meant to be better than the first half. The first half is finding out how you do it. And the second half is enjoying it

Frances Lear

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex

Oscar Wilde

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

The cupcake is not extravagant and quite cheap to make. Exclusive cupcakes stores are currently openning in the hip fashion quarters . Here's a recipe to try:

• 2 cups of boiling water
• 1 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of butter, room temperature
• 2 1/8 cups of sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 
  
• Peanut Butter Frosting:
• 1/2 cup of butter, softened
• 1 cup of creamy peanut butter

• 3 tablespoons of milk
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups of powdered sugar
• chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Pour boiling water over cocoa powder and mix throughly until smooth. Let cool.

Combine the flour, salt, baking soda and powder together in a separate bowl.

Cream together the sugar and butter and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then add the vanilla. Add the flour and the cocoa mixture alternatively in a dry-wet-dry method, beginning and ending with the dry.

Place in cupcake papers and bake for 18-22 minutes or until a cakes tester comes out clean. Let cook on a wire rack.

Peanut Butter Frosting: Beat the butter and peanut butter until smooth and creamy. Add the milk and then the powdered sugar until desired sweetness. Spread over cooled cupcakes.

Optional: melt some chocolate chips in the microwave and flick it on with a fork. Hey, a little flair can be fun.

PRAYERS

Lord, as you lend me life, lend me a heart full of thankfulness, that I may treasure good friends and be appreciative of all who are part of my life. Inspire me each day to live positively and cheerfully, living in such a way that I express thanks and encouragement to others, so that, together, we may bring out the best in each other.

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.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

AROUND HOME

People tell me I look good these days. I look good because I feel good. I know people who are older than I am who are twenty-five... It's all about attitude. To me, age is just a number.

Rita Moreno

The house is looking pretty good now that I've had almost a week to put things in order. I didn't delve into Spring cleaning but it is better than it was. Spring cleaning will come in the fall after camping season is over.

Taking the curtains down, washing windows and woodwork take more time that I want to take right now...there is just so much more I like to do and I'm still adjusting to not going off to work each day. It is a wonderful feeling.

Just to sit and read or go outside and enjoy the day when I want to is a real treat!

FAMILY

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age

Sophia Loren

One of my favorite birthday gifts this year was a box full of crafts to do. DS#1 and family put this together so that when camping days come along we could always find something to do together. Lots of fun days are ahead and if we're lucky the box will never be empty.

COUNTING THE DAYS

There is always a lot to be thankful for, if you take the time to look. For example, I'm sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt

Author Unknown

58 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma