For Sunday, December 12th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 12th, 2010

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

It's SUNDAY!

Poinsettia Day

These beautiful flowers are recognized as a symbol of Christmas. Poinsettia Day was pronounced as an Act of Congress. It is in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who died on December 12, 1851. Poinsett was the first Ambassador to Mexico who brought the plant back to his plantation in the U.S. He grew the plants in his Greenville, S.C plantation and gave them out as gifts to friends.

In Mexican folklore, there is a story of a little poor girl who had nothing to bring to church for Christmas. On her way to church, she picked some plants by the side of the road. As she entered the church, the ends of the leaves turned into bright, brilliant red flowers. You guessed it... Poinsettias.

THINKING

The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper

Bertrand Russell

Today: Go outside and experience the magic of God's creation and don't forget to wear your mittens.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

It's National Ambrosia Day

This 'food of the gods' is popular on family tables as well as in church basements! Ambrosia typically is a creamy, chilled fruit salad that scores points with both young and old dinner guests.

1 pound bag miniature marshmallows
2 cups broken pecans (optional)
1 jar (10 oz) well drained maraschino cherries(cut in half)
1 pound can pineapple chunks, well drained
1 package (7 oz) flaked coconut (optional)
1 can (10 oz) Mandarin orange sections, well drained
1 pound sour cream
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine all of the ingredients as listed. Store in refrigerator with tight fitting lid. Refrigerate at least 4-6 hours. Do not freeze.

PRAYERS

Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people. He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us. He is the Savior of us all. Let your blessing come upon us as we light two (purple) candles and the third (pink) of our Advent wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise of salvation.

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

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingratiates of a truly merry Christmas

Peg Bracken

I got our front porch decorated for Christmas yesterday morning and spent most of the day in Mrs. Claus Closet and managed to get 10 more gifts done. I still am not finished as there is about 5 more I'd like to do. We'll see how it goes today.

We are still under a winter storm watch and warning. Rain changing to snow today and then more snow through Wednesday they say.

Take good care all!

COUNTING THE DAYS

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air

W.T.Ellis

9 DAYS UNTIL WINTER!

13 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

127 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