For Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

NOVEMBER 30TH, 2010

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

It's TUESDAY!

Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day is today.

Do you feel okay? If so, it is a good day to take off from work. It is recommended that you use extreme caution and good judgment. Following the concept of this day could get you a reprimand or cost you your job. Even if you don't stay home, I do hope your are well and even if you don't have to go off to work, like me, I still hope that all is well with you today too.

THINKING

The waiting is the hardest part

Tom Petty

We often speak of Advent as being a season of time in which we prepare for the Lord’s coming into our lives .Perhaps we should see it as a season of our heightened awareness, for the truth is that we should be looking for God already at work in our lives each and every day. God is always offering Himself to us.

Advent is a time to conscientiously, deliberately

begin each day of Advent by giving God some early moments of reflection and awareness of His presence to us along with a commitment to be about accomplishing His purposes, His tasks. What better way to begin our days?

Today, instead of quickly texting a friend, wait until you have time and talk with them.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

It's Eat a Green Apple Day

An apple a day may indeed keep the doctor away, especially a yummy, crisp green apple! Treat yourself to a bite of good health and munch on a ripe apple. Tempt the family with an apple cobbler or baked apples with a dusting of cinnamon!

Green Apple Salad

2 T fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 T Dijon mustard
1 T + 1 tsp. honey
6 T extra-virgin olive oil
5-6 large stalks celery with leaves
2 large Granny Smith apples
salt to taste
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted then chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional, but nice if you're serving this for Christmas)

Whisk together the fresh lemon juice, Dijon Mustard, honey, and olive oil and set dressing aside.

Wash celery stalks and dry with paper towels, making sure both stalks and leaves are very dry. Cut leaves away from stalks and chop to make 1/2 cup chopped celery leaves. Slice stalks on the diagonal into very thin slices, enough to make 2-3 cups sliced celery.

Working with one apple at a time, cut apple into fourths, peel and cut away seeds, cut each fourth into half crosswise, then cut each piece into thin wedges. Toss cut apples with a small amount of dressing as soon as they are cut so apples won't turn brown.

Combine sliced celery, chopped celery leaves, and apple/dressing mixture and stir to combine. Add enough more dressing so celery and apples are well moistened, but not overly wet. (You may not need all the dressing.) Season salad with salt to taste.

Toast walnuts in a dry pan over high heat for about 2 minutes, or until they start to smell toasty. (The toasted walnuts will smell a bit like popcorn.) Coarsely chop walnuts, then mix walnuts and dried cranberries (if using) into salad and serve.

PRAYERS

God of hope, you are a light in my darkness, a relief in my fear, my hope for a better world. Thank you for your promises kept and promises to come

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

If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want.

Elbert Hubbard

This is the end of another month and now that December is arriving we need to get ready for Christmas.

Advent Calendar: Time to get your calendar ready!

Elf Arrival: Is your elf ready? Do you have him or her where you can find it? Is your arrival letter written and do you have the gift from the North Pole that the elf can bring? If not…pull off some elfish magic and get them ready now!

Christmas Cards: Get out those cards and finish addressing them, add a newsletter or note if you like and put them in a basket or box ready to mail December 1st! Don’t forget to buy your stamps early.

We'll be having another raise in the cost of a stamp come January so the last time I went to the post office I purchased Forever stamps. They even have Christmas Forever stamps right now. These will be good to use even when the cost raises.

COUNTING THE DAYS

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.

Nursery rhyme

21 DAYS UNTIL WINTER!

25 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

139 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma