For Monday, October 18th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

OCTOBER 18^TH, 2010

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side

It's MONDAY!

This time of year is known as St. Luke's Little Summer

Lovely, summerlike days that occur around October 18 are called St. Luke's Little Summer . In olden days, St. Luke's Day did not receive much attention so to keep from being forgotten, St. Luke presented us with some golden days to cherish before the coming of winter, or so the story goes. Some folks call this Indian Summer, but that officially occurs between Nov

ember 11 and

November 20.

We certainly had a nice Sunday to enjoy!

THINKING

If we weren't meant to keep starting over, would God have granted us Monday?

Anonymous

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his

compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

National Chocolate Cupcake Day

National Chocolate Cupcake Day is another one of those holidays that you don’t know where or why it came to be, but you’re happy wi

th it just the same!

This family friendly holiday is, we’re afraid, going to make a right mess of your kitchen. That's because what child can resist licking the frosting spoon? Oh who am I kidding, we all know that it’s the adults that make the most mess when they lick the bowl. Yum!

Perfect Chocolate Cup Cakes

Makes 12 cupcakes

For the cupcake
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt
1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fit the 12 molds in a regular-size muffin pan with paper muffin cups, or butter them with flour

and tap out the excess.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter at medium speed until soft and creamy. Add the sugar and beat for about 2 minutes, until it is blended into the butter. Add the egg, then the yolk, beating 1 minute after each addition and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the vanilla, then reduce the mixer speed to low and add half the dry ingredients, mixing only until

they disappear. Scrape down the bowl and add the buttermilk, mixing until incorporated, then mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Scrape down the bowl, add the melted chocolate and mix it in with the rubber spatula. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin molds.

Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the tops of the cakes are dry and springy to the touch and a knife inserted into their centers comes out clean. Transfer the muffin pan to a rack and let the cakes cool for 5 minutes before unmolding. Cool to room temperature on the rack before decorating.

Powdered Sugar Frosting

1 stick butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
a little milk

Beat butter for a minute with an electric mixer. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time alternately with a little milk. Add the vanilla extract. Continue beating until light and fluffy.

PRAYERS

Lord, may people be as ready to give me a chance, a break, and let me make a new start, as I am ready to be as equally generous to others. Forgive me my faults in the same way as I forgive and accept other people

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 used to love night best but the older I get the more treasures and hope and joy I find in mornings

Terri Guillemets

It was a beautiful day here yesterday and I spent a little time on the patio soaking up some sunshine too!

There is not much at all on my calendar this week except for Tuesday night which is our Dulcimer get together. We start practicing our Christmas songs now as that gives us 2 more times in order to play them. I love carols and it doesn't seem fair to play them only one time so we do it 3 times. October, November and December. After that we take a break until April as the weather gets too bad and going out in the evenings isn't much fun at all.

The long range weather forecast say's that except for a chance of showers tonight we'll be in the low 60's or high 50's and mostly sunny the rest of the week. Not quite summer weather, but still nice.

FAMILY

I talked to DS#6 last evening and our little Lucky guy had a big week, he cut his first tooth and started crawling too. I think their life is about to become busier than it ever was.

COUNTING THE DAYS

I accept life unconditionally. Life holds so much--
so much to be happy about always.
Most people ask for happiness on condition.
Happiness can be felt only if you don't set conditions.

Artur Rubinstein

64 DAYS UNTIL WINTER!

68 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma