For Saturday, December 18th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 18th, 2010

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

It's SATURDAY!

Nutcracker First Performed

Fans of the ballet will be pleased to learn that the Nutcracker was first performed on this day.

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.

The story was written by E. T. A. Hoffmann. Alexandre Dumas' adaptation of the story was set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and has become the most popular ballet performed around Christmas time. It is appealing to children and adults alike and has been a standard yearly feature of theaters in many cities. Because the ballet centers around a young girl's Christmas gift of a life-size nutcracker, it has become a standard performance during the Christmas holiday season.

THINKING

O come, O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

hymn by John Mason Neale based on Latin Advent antiphons

Today: Resolve not to complain about the holiday season between now and Christmas. Choose to be joyful instead.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Today is National Bake Cookies Day

Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, Sugar or Oatmeal Raison jumbles, cookies come in all shapes, flavors and sizes. Indulge in your favorite today with a chilled glass of milk

Santa's Whiskers

1 c butter, softened

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c powdered sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/4 c all purpose flour

1 1/2 cc red and / or green candied cherries chopped

1 c coarsely chopped pecans

3 c sweetened flaked coconut

Combine butter, sugar, powdered sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add 2 1/4 cups flour. Continue beating until well mixed.

Combine cherries and 1 tablespoon flour in small bowl; toss to coat. Stir cherry mixture and pecans into dough.

Shape dough into 3 (10x1 1/2-inch) logs on plastic food wrap. Roll each in 1 cup coconut. Wrap tightly. Refrigerate until firm (1 hour or overnight).

Heat oven to 350°F. Cut logs into 1/4-inch slices with sharp knife. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned.

Makes 8 dozen

PRAYERS

O ADONAI, O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain, come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

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

The gift of happiness belongs to those who unwrap it.

Andrew Dunbar

Gifts, gifts and more gifts are what you would find here at my house today. Wrapping paper, curling ribbon and gift tags galore decorate my table. It is fun for me to do this as it seems like I've spent hours preparing it all. Now when I look at what I have for each one, it doesn't seem so much, but there are so many members of my family that it does make for a huge pile anyway.

COUNTING THE DAYS

Give yourself a perfect day. Do what makes you happiest. Look upon what gives you joy. Speak to those who warm your heart. Listen to that which lifts your spirit. Surround yourself with sights and sounds and people who give you pleasure. For all the happiness you give to others all year long, give yourself a perfect day

Author Unknown

3 DAYS UNTIL WINTER!

7 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

121 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