For Saturday, December 11th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 11th, 2010

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

It's SATURDAY!

Its Aurora Borealis Day

The first display of the northern lights was recorded in America. The sighting was made in New England on this day in 1719. The report said that a mysterious face seemed to appear in the atmosphere; and, since most aurora borealis displays occur in September and October and again in March and April, this is very strange, indeed!

The simplest explanation for the green, red, and frost-white northern lights is that, just as the gas in a neon light glows when charged with electricity, so the gas in the atmosphere glows with specific colors when charged with electric particles from the sun.

As far as we know, there is still no technical explanation for the off-season display

THINKING

1st Corinthians 13

A Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas and lots of love to you and yours

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

National Noodle Ring Day is a December day that kids young and old have been impatiently awaiting!

Baked in a ring mold, this recipe requires flat noodles bound together with a little flour, some eggs, and maybe breadcrumbs. Inverted onto a serving plate, this noodle dish is a distinctive way to slice and serve pasta!

1 lb. pkg. fine noodles

2 c. finely chopped onions
2 green peppers, diced
6 T butter
4 large beaten eggs
2 1/2 c. sour cream
1 10oz. pkg. sharp cheese, grated
salt & pepper

Cook noodles according to directions. Blanch in cold water, drain thoroughly. Over low heat, saute onions and peppers in butter only until the onions are transparent. Mix into the noodles: eggs, sour cream, cheese, salt, pepper & sauteed onions and peppers. Pour into large, well greased ring. Bake about 1 hour at 325º, or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Turn out onto platter & garnish with parsley.
If this is prepared the night before, noodle ring should be allowed to warm to room temperature before baking.

PRAYERS

Lord, I’ve lost the wonder of a child at Christmas. Renew within me the simplicity and purity of a childlike love and faith in You; may the child within, buried so deep, come to life in worship and adoration of You this Christmas, and Lord, remind me this day that, by Your grace, I am Your child both now and for all eternity

Amen

Please join me in praying too for an internet friend that is really down right now. She writes that she would appreciate prayers so that God will ease her pain as her back is troubling her and for strength to cope with what she needs to do with the undertakers and all the things she has to do as her brother has passed away and that He will raise her spirits.

May the Lord of all Hope hear our prayers.

And don't forget to 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

Peace starts with a smile...

Most days you'll find me smiling a lot here at my house. There is just so much I have that brings peace and joy into my life. Today is another one of those days...I'll be working away in Mrs. Claus' Closet as I've now named the craft room and singing along with the Christmas songs on the radio.

Have a great Saturday everyone.

COUNTING THE DAYS

What you do, what you think, and what you say all goes out from you, and the farther it spreads, the bigger it gets. Then, much of it comes back to you, even though you may not recognize it...

do it all with great love and positive purpose.

Ralph Marston

10 DAYS UNTIL WINTER!

14 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

128 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