For Sunday, July 31st, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JULY 31ST, 2011

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

It's SUNDAY!

MUTTS DAY

Some may love the preciseness of a purebred dog, but there's no denying that mutts are full of character! Mutts are a mix of any sort of dog breed. Sometimes they are a mix of two, or maybe they are a mix of ten, and there's a good chance a mutt will get the best qualities of all the breeds. Take your mutt for a walk today, or scratch his belly, or play an extra long game of fetch.

Smile.

Have you ever noticed how easily puppies make human friends?

Yet all they do is wag their tails and fall over

Walter Anderson

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Jelly beans didn't become associated with the Easter holiday until the 1930s, probably owing to their resemblance to Easter eggs. But famous jelly bean aficionados like the Beatles and Ronald Reagan, plus the weird flavored jelly beans of the Harry Potter movies, have helped to make jelly beans popular any time of year! The crazy creepy flavors from Harry Potter Bertie Botts include flavors such as Banana, Black Pepper, Blueberry, Booger, Candyfloss, Cherry, Cinnamon, Dirt, Earthworm, earwax, Grass, Green Apple, Marshmallow, Rotten Egg, Sausage, Lemon, Soap, Tutti-fruitti, Vomit, and Watermelon.

Jelly Bean Biscotti

1 bag (13 oz size) Jelly Beans, more as desired
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup sanding sugar, optional

In a medium bowl or electric mixer bowl add the butter and sugar and cream them together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add three eggs, one at a time, incorporating after each addition.

Beat in the vanilla then add the baking powder, salt and flour, beating on low speed until fully incorporated - you do not want to mix too long. The dough is very soft and sticky. Stir in the jelly beans.

Using a spatula, scrape the dough out of the bowl onto a floured surface. Put flour on your hands and sprinkle flour on top of the dough. Then cut the dough in half. Take one half and roll lightly back and forth making a rope - pick it up and place it on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Don't be worried if the dough is so soft it bends when you pick it up. Once you place it on the parchment paper you can shape it a little more. Do the same with the 2nd half.

Flatten them out on top a little with your palm. Next beat remaining egg in a bowl and brush them all over to coat them evenly. Now sprinkle with sanding sugar, optional.

Place in preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until they are slightly golden brown.

When done remove them from the oven. Let them cool for about 10-20 minutes or until they are cool enough for you to handle.

Place them on a breadboard and slice them crosswise on the diagonal into about 3/4 inch slices.

Put them back on the cookie sheet inside up and bake for another 10-12 minutes until the edges are turning slightly brown. Remove from oven and place on a rack to cool.

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 dog owns nothing, yet is seldom dissatisfied.

Irish Proverb

COUNTING THE DAYS

These days the dogs that I get to be with are mostly the grand dogs. They are all wonderful pets and I miss having one of my own so I loving having them around. They all are always happy to see me. I guess that is a good thing.

It's been a pretty hot weekend and I'm very thankful for the shade and the fan I have blowing here on the deck of my camper.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

COUNTING THE DAYS

Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job.

Franklin P. Jones

53 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

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought

Matthew 5:5 (MSG)

For Saturday, July 30th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JULY 30th, 2011

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

It's SATURDAY!

MAKE TODAY BETTER THAN YESTERDAY DAY

If you'd like to start anew and have a better day today, then read on for some tips on how to have a great day today.

Decide that Today Will Be a Great Day. Make it real by writing it down and saying it out loud to yourself. Wake up and smile! Today is going to be a Great Day!

Take it Slow. If yesterday was bad or if you are tired today, take it slow to warm up before you kick your day into high gear. If you need to, stay in slow & steady pace for the whole day.

Cultivate Compassion, Don't Judge. For a whole day make a pact with yourself not to judge yourself or others. Give everyone, including yourself, the benefit of the doubt for one whole day. It will help change the mental pathways that you tread every day.

Observe, Don't React. When you encounter things that would normally make you angry, traffic, certain people, slow computer, etc, plan to observe these things in a detached way as opposed to reacting with anger. If you are angry a lot, be kind to yourself and figure out what is making you angry

Smile at People. Smile at everyone you meet. Fake it 'til you feel it. Laugh at the ridiculous things that happen in life! Humor is the ultimate for producing a sense of well-being.

Pay it Forward. Do something nice for someone else. Try doing this all day. Compliment people, thank people, let people go ahead of you in traffic or in line. Watch how quickly that goodness comes back to you!

Treat Yourself! Make it a point to indulge in a favorite treat or activity, or break one of your own rules today.

Count your Blessings. Even when things are bad, there are always things to be thankful for. List them out in your head or write them down.

Get some Great Rest Tonight! You deserve it!

Have a great day!

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

CHEESE CAKE DAY

FRUIT SMOOTHIE NO BAKE CHEESECAKE

2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

6 Tbsp. butter, melted

3 Tbsp. sugar

4 pkg. (8 oz. each)Neufchatel Cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 pkg. (12 oz.) frozen mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries), thawed, well drained

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP , thawed

LINE 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Mix cracker crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom of pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.

BEAT Neufchatel and 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add berries; beat on low speed just until blended. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Pour over crust.

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Use foil handles to lift cheesecake from pan before cutting to serve.

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

Happiness? That's nothing more than health and a poor memory.

Albert Schweitzer

No doubt about it my memory is getting more selective every day. I like to dwell on the good thoughts and more and more I do just that. Summer and all its warmth and sunshine will soon be a thing of the past. During these summer days while we are enjoying whatever sunshine comes our way, may it always be a reminder of God's incredible generosity toward each of us.

Happy Saturday everyone!

.COUNTING THE DAYS

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

Joseph Addison

55 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 Friday, July 29th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JULY 29th, 2011

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

It's FRIDAY!

RAIN DAY

Here's a weird little holiday, courtesy of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. It all started back on July 28th, 1874, when a farmer told Byron Daly, the owner of a drug store, that tomorrow he should expect rain. The farmer made this guess because it always rained on his birthday, July 29th. When the farmer's prediction proved true, Mr. Daly made an annual game of it, betting store patrons and townspeople that they could expect rain on July 29th. The typical wager for this bet: a hat. Every year it rained, and every year Mr. Daly won himself a new hat. Over the years Daly and his son amassed a huge collection of hats, which were donated to raise money for charity. So next time it rains on Rain Day, just think, somebody out there is winning a hat. And somebody's bare head is getting soaking wet.

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Irish Blessing

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

National Lasagna Day is today.

Sure, it's July. Its hot and humid. Cooking up a pan of Lasagna will make the kitchen a lot hotter. But as it cooks, the smell will waft throughout the house. Your mouth will begin to water. When dinner time arrives, you will have a huge appetite for a huge piece of lasagna. Of this, you can be certain.

Lasagna is a favorite Italian dish. In between multiple layers of lasagna pasta are generous amounts of tomato sauce, cheeses, and sometimes hamburger and/or Italian sausage. Its the favorite Italian dish of millions of Americans. We all would eat it more often, but this culinary work of art, made with loving hands, takes time to make and bake.

It is best to celebrate National Lasagna Day by baking the lasagna that you will eat today. If you don't have the time, or the weather is just too hot, then head out to your favorite Italian restaurant.

...or you can try out this recipe for SKILLET LASAGNA

1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 cup uncooked mafalda, mini-lasagna noodle, pasta
1 1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 jar (14 ounces size) tomato pasta sauce (any variety) or Marinara sauce
1 jar (4.5 ounce size) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, if desired

Cook beef, onion and bell pepper in Dutch oven over medium-high heat about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients except cheese. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle with cheese.

Makes 4 servings

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 YOUALL!

AROUND HOME

If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain.

Dolly Parton

We got our rain here on Thursday and there is a slight chance of more today. DD and her hubby are giving me a ride to the campground later on today so I'll be able to check out my camper and make sure all is well there. It's been almost a month since I was last able to go. They are supposed to be having a carnival of some sort going on there this weekend with games and rides for the children. I plan on doing a lot of what I usually do -- sitting and relaxing and enjoying the view from my camper deck.

Happy Friday Everyone!

COUNTING THE DAYS

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Irish Blessing

56 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