For Friday, February 18th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

February 18th, 2011

It's FRIDAY!

Today is The Full SNOW Moon

Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called February’s full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult

THINKING

To believe... is to know that every day is a new beginning.

It is to trust that miracles happen,

And dreams really do come true.

To believe... is to see Angels dancing among the clouds,

To know the wonder of a stardust sky,

And the wisdom of the man in the moon.

To believe... is to know the value of a nurturing heart,

The innocence of a child's eyes and the beauty of an aging hand,

For it is through their teachings we learn to love.

To believe... is to find the strength

And courage that lies within us.

When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.

To believe... is to know we are not alone,

That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.

To believe... is to know that wonderful surprises

Are just waiting to happen,

And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.

If only we believe.

Author Unknown

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Today is Crab Stuffed Flounder Day

Sea Food Lovers Crab Stuffed Flounder

6 flounder fillets

1 cup crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed

1 tablespoon finely chopped green bell pepper

1/4 teaspoon powdered mustard

1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

Ground white pepper to taste

3 saltine crackers, crushed

1 egg, separated

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

1/4 cup butter, melted

5 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon dried parsley

Preheat oven to 400. Rinse the fillets and pat dry with paper towels.

Combine crabmeat, green bell pepper,mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, white pepper, and the crushed saltines. Combine the egg white and 1 tablespoon mayonnaise. Stir into the crabmeat mixture.

Brush the flounder fillets with melted butter. Place in a lightly greased, shallow baking dish. Spoon the crab mixture over the fillets and drizzle with any remaining butter.

Bake the fillets in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

While the fish is baking, lightly beat the egg yolk in a small bowl. Stir in 5 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Remove fish from the oven and spread this mixture over the stuffing; sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

Increase oven temperature to 450 and bake until golden and bubbly, about 6 minutes.

While I've never tried this recipe, I am a seafood lover and this is one that does sound yummy.

PRAYERS

God our Father, give us the power of your Spirit that we may see and love in others what you see and love in them. We want to see the positive in people and bring out the best in each other. It’s easy to say that, but not always easy to live it out, and so we ask you to help and inspire us to live as you would like us to live

this day.

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

Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than need be; she is the tortoise that wins the race by her perseverance

Henry David Thoreau

A lot of thawing out has been taking place around here and it has been a delight to see the snow slowly disappearing. We all know that there is yet another month in which we could see snow coming yet. March often brings us a couple of significant snowfalls. Yet soon Spring will come...it just has to take its time.

I think that today will be the last of our 50 degree days and we'll be going back to the low 40's and mid 30's which is still normal for this time of year.

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

COUNTING THE DAYS

The Best Day of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart.

I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me.

I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

Tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be ......

The Best Day Of My Life!

Author Unknown

30 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

59 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