For Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
AUGUST 31st, 2010


It's TUESDAY!

Today will be the day.

DDIL#5 is scheduled for a C-section this morning. They were sent home yesterday to await results of the tests. By evening they were notified that all was well. DS#5 is super excited. So are we all! I'll be praying all goes well and hopefully I'll get some pictures to share with you all tomorrow.


THINKING

Pottery has been around for thousands of years. Each potter has their own unique style and finished product. But they all start with the same lump of clay. It may not look much but it has huge potential. The potter patiently works with it, allowing it take shape. Even if it falls out of shape, the potter will patiently start again. It is no surprise that God has been compared to a potter. Like a potter God works with us gently.

But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand

Isaiah 64:8


NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Today is National Trail Mix Day

Trail Mix Day features a high energy, tasty treat for the trail or snacks. You can buy packages of trail mix at a store. Or, you can make up your own, using the ingredients you like best.

When you head out to a campout, a hike or to go biking, take the Trail Mix along with you. It provides the extra energy boost to keep you from tiring along the way, and allows you to reach your destination full of pep.
Here is a fun way that the Boy Scouts make Trail Mix:

Ask each hiker or camper to bring a box or bag of their favorite cereal, nuts, pretzels, raisins, dried fruit, M&Ms, etc. For younger hikers or new members of the group, it's best to provide them with a list of the types of food that can go into trail mix. That way, the inexperienced hiker won't bring something that can not be easily carried. At the campout or before the hike, bring the group together and mix all the food in a big, big bowl. Put the mix into sealable baggies and pass them out to each hiker.

Tips: When making your own trail mix, avoid messy items that leave your hands sticky. Also avoid too many salty items. For example, unsalted nuts is better than salted ones.


PRAYERS

Dear Lord, let me be slow to criticize and quick to compliment.

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!


FAMILY

Did you know diaper spelled backwards is repaid ?

I guess for the most part we've all changed a diaper or two. Some more than others. It's not the most pleasant job in the world, but a necessary one for sure.

Just to think that we all wore diapers at one time goes to show that somethings in life just never change. Except for diapers of course we all hope they get changed.


COUNTING THE DAYS
A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

Washington Irving


22 DAYS UNTIL FALL


Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,
ma

For Monday, August 30th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 30th, 2010

It's MONDAY!

TODAY MIGHT JUST BE THE DAY!

We are all anxiously awaiting news today. I feel like I'm sitting on pins and needles for sure. DDIL#5 will be going in for tests this morning to make sure everything is ok with the baby and if it is this will probably be the day grand'babe' #14 will arrive. My phone will be by my side at all times and hopefully by tomorrow morning I'll have some special news to share with all of you.

We'll see...

THINKING

When we give from the heart, we receive the blessings of JOY, satisfaction and gratitude.

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully

2 Corinthians 9:6

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day

Enjoy today or tonight by a campfire or bonfire, toasting a big, soft, sticky and sweet marshmallow, or two, or three, or….. Summer would not be the same without a campfire and this great campfire treat.Summer is short. Summer is good. So enjoy it while it is still here. Toast a marshmallow and forget about everything else.

And don't forget to make a few S'mores. Just in case you don't know how to make one, the recipe is shown below:

Chocolate candy bar

Honey Graham Crackers

Marshmallows

Instructions:

Break off a square of Graham cracker

Add a piece of Chocolate.

Toast a big marshmallow over the campfire.

Add the hot marshmallow.

Top it with another graham Cracker.

Eat , savor and enjoy!

Note: You can make S'mores in the microwave (which is what I'll probably do) Just put them together and pop them into the microwave on high for 15 to 20 seconds.

PRAYERS

Lord Jesus, in the world that you love so much we are surrounded with advertising on the streets, in magazines, on TV and on the Internet. All of which are trying to convince us of ways of enjoying ourselves and becoming likable and popular. Keep our vision clear and show us how to distinguish between what is shallow and what is of lasting value. Inspire us to choose ways of deeper happiness that lead to fullness of life.

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

What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience.

St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis certainly did give us a great recipe for living a happy life. It was a quiet restful day here at home on Sunday. I fussed around the house with this and that and really didn't do much at all. I suppose that is what Sundays are for.

The week ahead looks pretty quiet until the weekend. I'll be camping and then coming in for the baptism on this coming Sunday. Other than that there is always the usual housework and laundry and a bit of crafting to do.

COUNTING THE DAYS

The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.

Martha Washington

23 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma

For Sunday, August 29th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 29th, 2010

It's SUNDAY!

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY DS#1

May the dear Lord Bless you today and always!

We got a chance to celebrate his birthday together last weekend so that is what the picture is of today. I made what he requested for a cake and that was Jello No Bakes Oreo Cookie and Reece Cup pies.

They were very easy to make and cold so that was good on a hot day.

The chief beauty about time
is that you cannot waste it in advance.
The next year, the next day, the next hour
are lying ready for you,
as perfect, as unspoiled,
as if you had never wasted or misapplied
a single moment in all your life.
You can turn over a new leaf every hour
if you choose

Arnold Bennett

THINKING

Never be afraid to sit awhile and think

Lorraine Hansberry

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Today is National Cornbread and Milk Day

Corn bread is something I love and rarely have. Awhile back a friend let us know about how they made their cornbread in cakes just as you do pancakes. I tried it and liked it as it made individual servings that I could also freeze for future use. So I thought I'd share that recipe with you today.

A griddle cake is another word for a pancake, but it seems to be used more often to indicate something more rustic and less breakfasty than the word pancake. The result is something that takes less time than baking, heats up the kitchen less and already comes in neat, individual servings.

Cornbread Griddle Cakes
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels (optional)

Combine all dry ingredients (flour through salt) in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
Combine eggs, buttermilk and oil in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until the batter is just combined, adding in the corn kernels at the last minute.

Cook as you would cook pancakes, in a nonstick or lightly greased pan until lightly browned on either side. The cakes will be fairly thick and I like to make them about 3-inches in diameter. They will take a bit longer to cook than real pancakes, so be patient.
The griddle cakes can be served warm, at room temperature or popped in the toaster and heated up.

You can use some fresh corn in the griddle cakes, but you can also add other things to them, such as cayenne pepper and lime zest for a spicier variation, or some chopped up pre-cooked bacon, for something really savory. Serves 6-8

PRAYERS

Prayer is the key to each morning, and the lock to every evening.

Gandhi

Lord Jesus, your friends said to you: Teach us how to pray

We ask that you give us the fullness of your Spirit to help us to pray, so that we may grow in friendship with you

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

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

Winnie the Pooh

Today I'll be off to church as usual. It's been awhile since I've been home to do that. I always visit the little church near the campground during the summer. I'll be going to my home church next Sunday too, as DS#6 and his wife are having our little Lucky guy baptized then. He thought it would be nice to have it done here at home. And DD has graciously agreed to have them at her house for the weekend celebration too.

I'm happy that my family will be able to gather once more. I look forward to the times that they can be together. At least those than can make it will be there, some won't be able to do so. Sad but true is the fact that with such busy lives, and the distance between us we just don't all get together as much as we'd like.

As for me, I'll be there. There is just no place I'd rather be.

COUNTING THE DAYS

Invest a few moments in thinking. It will pay good interest

Author Unknown

24 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma

FOR SAturday, August 28TH, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 28th, 2010

It's SATURDAY!

It's heating up again!

After a few wonderfully cool days, they say that this weekend may be a hot one again. It seems that our cool weather doesn't really begin here until after the 3rd week of September. Strangely enough though we did have better weather in October last year than we did in September. We really never know just what the weather will do.

When Labor Day weekend comes most of the pools and beaches will close here and with school beginning it seems that summer is already over.

My that time went fast!

THINKING

I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today

William Allen White

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Today is National Cherry Turnover Day

1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls

1 cup cherry pie filling

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon milk

Unroll dough and separate into eight triangles; make four squares by pressing the seams of two triangles together and rolling into shape. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Spoon 1/4 cup pie filling in one corner of each square. Fold to make triangles; pinch to seal. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Mix sugar and milk; drizzle over turnover. Serve warm.

Makes 4 turnovers

PRAYERS

Loving God, thank you for a summer full of relaxation and fun. As summer changes into fall, help us also transition back into school and cooler weather, to the glory of Your name.

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!

AROUND HOME

I don't know about having too much zeal; but I think it is better the pot should boil over than not boil at all

Anonymous

This is the first Saturday I've spent at home in a long long time. It does feel a little strange but I couldn't do the drive to the camper after traveling to and from DS#6's.

There is always much to be done here so no doubt I'll be keeping busy. I wouldn't know what I'd do if I ever had a day there was just nothing to do. I don't think I ever had one of those. Probably never will either.

FAMILY

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book

Irish proverb

I'm hoping that today finds DS#6 feeling much better. When he got home yesterday he said it was a little more painful than he'd expected it to be. They said he'd be able to go back to work on Monday but it sure is going to be a slow go for him for awhile. I'm hoping, and saying some special prayers for him , that all goes well and he has a speedy recovery.

COUNTING THE DAYS

When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another

Helen Keller

25 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma