For Thursday, January 6th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JANUARY 6th, 2011

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

It's THURSDAY!

AND it is Cuddle Up Day

Cuddles are great and actually good for you.

Cuddle Up Day is an opportunity to snuggle up to someone on a cold winters' day or night. Chances are it's cold outside. So, cozy up to a special someone, and enjoy the warmth and love. This day is enjoyed by both young and old.

• Cuddling up in your easy chair is a great idea

• Cuddling up to a pet is rewarding.

• Cuddling up to a stuffed animal is quite secure and comforting.

• Cuddling up with a good book is enjoyable.

• Cuddling up by the fireside is warm and cozy.

• But, nothing will beat cuddling up with a special someone.

THINKING

I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve

Albert Schweitzer

Today: do an act of service, big or small.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

January 6th is Shortbread Day

Shortbread is a delicious combination of 3 powerhouse ingredients: sugar, butter, and flour. The biscuit recipe originated in Scotland and holds much cultural significance, including the tradition of breaking a decorated shortbread over a bride's head as she enters her new home. Fortunately shortbread crumbles quite easily so she doesn't get totally clobbered.

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

1 cup butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Work butter with spoon or fork until fluffy; add sugar gradually. Stir in dry ingredients. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut in desired shape and place on ungreased cookie sheets or press dough into an 8x8-inch ungreased baking pan and score dough in size squares you prefer. You can also use a special shortbread pan if you have one (usually round with decorations indented in bottom; the finished product is flipped onto a plate after baking for cutting as marked on pan). Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approx. 20-25 minutes until delicately browned. A mixture of cinnamon and sugar or colored sugar may be sprinkled on top before baking.

Store in a tightly covered tin for maximum shelf life. This keeps well over a week and may also be frozen

PRAYERS

I thank you God for being my guiding light that will never burn out. Although I may not always show it, I am grateful for all you have given to me, my family, my friends, my blessings, everything. Sometimes I simply forget how lucky I am and how grateful I should be. I just get carried away with life and forget. But not today and all I want to say is thank you for everything.

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 EM

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

AROUND HOME

He who is waiting for something to turn up might start with his own shirt sleeves.

With my new schedule Thursdays and Fridays were to be open as Mr. Wonderful should be spending these days with his other grandma but today they were running a special, one time offer for this week only so he'll be with me today.

The good thing is that my schedule is flexible and I'm free to do whatever. Retirement is wonderful.

COUNTING THE DAYS

The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer. Minute by minute they lengthen out. It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change. It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day, until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise we realize that we can stay out of doors in a
twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour.

Vita Sackville-West

73 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

102 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