For Thursday, June 30th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JUNE 30TH, 2011

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

It's THURSDAY!

NATIONAL HANDSHAKE DAY

You reveal a lot with your handshake. Are you extroverted, expressive, shy or neurotic? Well a good handshake is important. Especially in the business world, where deals are finalized with a handshake and where a bad handshake could derail the whole deal! A handshake is a way to show someone a hello or a thank you and sometimes an appreciation. A handshake is an acknowledgement of gratitude or a greeting

More and more people have gotten to the point with germs and infections that they won’t even touch another person especially a stranger because they are afraid of catching something contagious so one National Handshake Day you can take one day to appreciate the ones around you.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

NATIONAL BOMB POP DAY

Bomb Pops have been a popular patriotic popsicle enjoyed since 1955. This classic is a timeless choice enjoyed on beaches and at barbeques. But if there’s one day to treat yourself to a Bomb Pop it’s the last Thursday of June

The Bomb Pop has come a long way since its original inception consisting of three tiers in red (cherry), white (lime) and blue (blue raspberry). The ice pop now comes in an array of flavors so there’s something for everyone’s taste!

The Bomb Pop is a frozen icon present at countless family gatherings, from relaxed backyard barbeques to electric Fourth of July parties and more. Relive all your favorite memories and create new ones by celebrating National Bomb Pop Day

They are patriotic, a perfect combination of red, white and blue. Here is one way to make your own:

Homemade Bomb Pops

Fill a 9X13 inch pan with 12 plastic solo cups.

Fill the cup with about 1 inch of cranberry juice. Freeze.

Fill another inch with 7up or Lemonade. Add popsicle sticks. Freeze.

Once that layer is frozen, add blue Hawaiian Punch. Freeze for a final time.

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!

AROUND HOME

The first handshake in life is the greatest of all: the clasp of an infant fist around a parent's finger.

Mark Beltaire

This week has been blessed with some wonderfully beautiful sunny days. It's been cool at night so the sleeping is good and I've actually been out for walks this week. They are still finishing up the new high school we have in our town, so it's interesting to see what has been accomplished. Our new gym and cafeteria are supposed to be finally finished by summers end and ready for students in the fall. They were without one this past school year.

It's just very nice to be out and enjoying the sunshine!

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Beware of a new phone scam.

An Ohio county resident reported receiving a call from someone purporting to be a government official and asking for financial information.

The caller identified himself as the U.S. government and told the resident that he qualified for $7,000 in aid. The resident hung up when the caller asked for credit card or debit card information.

Never give any personal info over the telephone or in an e-mail.

COUNTING THE DAYS

Nine-tenths of wisdom is appreciation. Go find someone's hand and squeeze it, while there's still time.

Dale Dauten

85 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma

For Wednesday, June 29th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JUNE 29TH, 2011

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

It's WEDNESDAY!

HUG HOLIDAY DAY

Hug Holiday Day encourages us to give hugs to those who need them. On this day, people go out and give hugs at senior citizen centers, hospitals, and other places. The focus is upon elderly, sick and invalid, lonely people and anyone who needs the warmth, cheer, and love that a hug provides.

This very special day was created by the Hugs for Health Foundation.

The great thing about hugging is when you share a hug, you almost always receive one, so it's impossible to run out!

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

ALMOND BUTTER CRUNCH DAY

These cookies are absolutely fantastic, and different than the norm.

Almond Butter Crunch Cookies

1/2 cup salted butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp pure almond extract

1/4 cup (1 oz) almonds, ground in a food processor

1 cup flour

1 cup (4 oz) sliced almonds

Glaze:

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 cup (6 oz) chocolate chips

2 tsp light corn syrup

Preheat oven to 350F. Blend butter and sugar to a grainy paste. Mix in egg and almond extract and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add ground almonds and flour and blend at low speed until just combined, taking care not to overmix. For dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and roll in sliced almonds. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until cookies are golden along the edges. Remove and set on cooling rack.

Make the glaze: Scald cream in small saucepan and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips and corn syrup. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Gently mix glaze until smooth, careful not to introduce too much air into the chocolate. When cookies are cool, drizzle or dip the cookies while glaze is warm. Refrigerate on waxed paper until glaze has set, about 10 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!

AROUND HOME

A hug delights and warms and charms,
that must be why God gave us arms.

Author Unknown

There are group hugs, bear hugs, big hugs and small hugs...but to me they are all the same.

Hugs are wonderful. I love getting and giving hugs so here is one for all of you today!

(((HUGS))

We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.

Virginia Satir

COUNTING THE DAYS

Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone you could hug today,
because when you give one, you get one right back your way.

Author Unknown

86 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma

For Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JUNE 28TH, 2011

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

It's TUESDAY!

ROUTE 66 DAY

Get your kicks...on Route...Six...Six The words to the classic song made famous by Nat King Cole, The Manhattan Transfer, Rosemary Clooney and many others is remembered today, along with the TV show of the same name.

The 59 year old highway of 2,200 miles of blacktop was decertified as a U.S. highway on this day in 1985. The highway that was a legendary part of Americana saw highway crews removing the classic roadway shield-markers that designated it as the highway west.

Route 66 started in Chicago, Illinois and continued into Santa Monica, California. Martin Milner and George Maharis took us for many spins on the famous highway through the TV series which aired in the early sixties. To travel from one end of Route 66 to the other, one would go through eight states and three time zones.

If you ever plan to motor west, travel my way, take the highway that’s the best...

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

National Tapioca Pudding Day

Cooks use tapioca as a thickener in the same kind of way they might use corn starch. Tapioca is also a key ingredient in many puddings.

Slow Cooker Tapioca Pudding

6 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup tapioca, small or large pearl
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pour milk into slow cooker and turn onto HIGH. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add tapioca, stir, and cover with lid. Cook for 2-3 hours until tapioca is tender

In a small bowl, beat egg and vanilla with a whisk. Add 1 cup of the hot cooked milk/tapioca to this egg mixture, stirring well. Then pour this mixture into the slow cooker and stir. Cover with lid and cook for a final 20 minutes. Remove lid, pour pudding into serving bowl and chill.

Or use the easy way out and buy the packaged pudding mix at the grocery store which is what I do. Enjoy some tapioca today!

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

Americans are getting stronger. Twenty years ago, it took two people to carry ten dollars' worth of groceries. Today, a five-year-old can do it.

As I'm taking a trip down memory lane today I thought about what things used to cost as compared to now and even though everything seems to be so much more expensive, we didn't make the kind of income some folks have today either.

Twenty years was a long time ago, yet it seems like the blink of an eye

...wasn't that just yesterday?

Enjoy your Tuesday and make the most of it!

COUNTING THE DAYS

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway

Henry Boye

87 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma

For Monday, June 27th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JUNE 27TH, 2011

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

It's MONDAY!

SUNGLASSES DAY

Sunglasses Day is a shady day for your eyes. Summer is in full swing. The sun is high in the sky. It's blindingly bright. A pair of UV protection sunglasses is definitely in order.

Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Your Optician will tell you that sungalsses with UV protection, will help to avoid cataracts. They also report that UV rays can be stronger in the winter, as the sun's rays hit you on the way down....and as it is reflected back up from the snow.

Enjoy Sunglasses Day with a shady, mysterious and fashionable pair of sunglasses

Do not worry about whether or not the sun will rise. Be prepared to enjoy it.

Author Unknown

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Orange Blossom Day

The orange is the citrus fruit we squeeze into juice or peel for a healthy snack, but the orange blossom that grows from the same tree has its own list of uses. Because of its intoxicating fragrance, the blossom is used as an additive to honey, tea, incense and perfumes.

Orange Blossom Cake

1 box yellow cake mix. 2 layer size
1 jar ,10 oz. size, orange marmalade
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
Eggs, oil and water per cake instructions
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon orange peel
2 tablespoons orange juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease Bundt pan and flour generously. Prepare cake according to directions, but reduce water to 1 cup and add marmalade and orange peel. Mix well. Bake 45-50 minutes.

Cool 10 minutes in pan. Make glaze by mixing sugar and orange peel and add orange juice a teaspoon at a time until pourable consistency. Pour over cooled cake.

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!

AROUND HOME

The flower that follows the sun does so even on cloudy days.

Robert Leighton

We've had so many cloudy days around here that it is a wonder our flowers are blooming at all, but they are! It doesn't seem to matter to them whether the sun shines or not.

I spent a while yesterday just basking in the sun, I need it even if the flowers don't. And yes, I had my sunglasses on.

They say we will see more sun than rain this week, I certainly hope so.

Have a great Monday everyone!

COUNTING THE DAYS

No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy the sunlight today, mix good cheer with friends today, enjoy it and bless God for it. Do not look back on happiness -- or dream of it in the future. You are only sure of today; do not let yourself be cheated out of it.

Author Unknown

88 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma