For Monday, April 18th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

APRIL 18th, 2011

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

It's MONDAY!

Full Pink Moon

This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month’s celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.

Add to this list the Paschal Full Moon. Simply speaking, the Paschal Full Moon is the first full Moon after the spring equinox. Also called the Egg Moon, this Moon sometimes occurs in March and sometimes in April.

The word Paschal means Passover in Greek. This Moon is significant because it is used to determine what date Easter will fall on each year. This is why Easter is a movable holiday, occurring anywhere from late March to late April.

In 2011, the Paschal full Moon falls on April 18th.

STARTING THE DAY WITH A PSALM

PSALM 36: 1 - 3, 13-14

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?... I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!

Lord. You remain steadfast. You are my stability. And I wonder each and every time, why did I fear? YOU are my strength and my salvation!

Amen

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

NATIONAL ANIMAL CRACKERS DAY

National Animal Crackers Day celebrates a truly fun food. When you were a kid, did you eat the trunks off the elephants first? Or the heads and necks of the giraffes? However you made your animal bites, these lightly sweetened crackers have been delighting children for generations.

If you'd like to make your own, here is just the recipe:

1/2 cup oatmeal
2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup butter, softened
4 tablespoons buttermilk

Do not grease cookie sheet. Grind oatmeal in blender until very fine. Add honey, salt, flour and baking soda. Cut in butter. Add buttermilk. Roll very thin, cut with animal cookie cutters. Bake at 400 degrees until brown for 10-12 minutes

PRAYER for Our Troops

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

Most of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But we're all eligible for life's small pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four-pound bass. A full moon . An empty parking space. A cracking fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Cold beer. Don't fret about copping life's grand awards. Enjoy its tiny delights. There are plenty for all of us.

United Technologies Corporation Ad

I don't know if we'll be seeing the full moon here or not. It looks like there will be plenty of clouds and rain here this week. But that's what we can expect in April. The grass is growing now but we've not had to mow it yet. It won't be long though.

After a stormy Saturday and a very chilly Sunday I'm hoping that the bad weather has it's fill and that Easter weekend will be a sunny and warm one!

COUNTING THE DAYS

May you have warm words on a cool evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door

Irish Toast

64 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma