For Thursday, February 10th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

February 10th, 2011

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

It's THURSDAY!

TODAY IS UMBRELLA DAY!

Umbrella Day is in honor of one of the world's most invaluable inventions. On a rainy, day, we are sure glad that someone was smart enough to invent it. It's also increasingly popular to use umbrellas to shade ourselves from harmful UV radiation, and the heat of the sun.

Umbrellas come in all sorts of sizes, colors, shapes, and, designs. Businesses and organizations use them for advertising. The smallest umbrellas fit inside a purse or glove compartment. Golf umbrellas are popular sizes. Then, there are lawn and beach umbrellas. There's one or two made just for you.

Celebrate Umbrella Day in a couple of ways. First, make sure your umbrella is handy. Second, use it, or walk around with it. If you don't have an umbrella, isn't it time to get one?

Spring will come and you know we'll be needing our umbrellas then for sure!

THINKING

The sun won't shine until you put the umbrella away. Be free

Author Unknown

Do yourself a favor—forgive those who hurt you! Give yourself the gift of forgiveness. It will bring peace to your heart and enable you to hear God’s voice and follow His leading in your life.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

IT'S NATIONAL CREAM CHEESE BROWNIE DAY

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons water
2 large egg whites
2 ounces light cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350: F. Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Combine flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, cocoa and baking powder in a medium-size bowl; mix well. Add canola oil, water and egg whites; mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon and spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Combine cream cheese, remaining sugar and vanilla in a small bowl; blend well. Drop small spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture over brownie batter; swirl gently with a knife to create a decorative pattern. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 20 minutes before cutting into bars.

PRAYERS

Creator-God, help me to be a conscientious caretaker of Your creation.

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

It's been a cold week so far and I'm still living in HOPE for that warmer weather they say is coming our way. I know that under all that ice and snow are little bulbs that are just waiting to burst open. It won't be long and we'll be seeing daffodils along the driveway. They are usually the first to appear. Then there will be tulips, and hyacinths too. Won't it be wonderful!

COUNTING THE DAYS

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella.

Terri Guillemets

38 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

67 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