For Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JULY 3rd, 2011

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

It's SUNDAY!

STAY OUT OF THE SUN DAY

Stay Out of the Sun Day encourages us stay cool in the shade, and to give our skin a rest from the hot, damaging rays of the sun.

The sun is directly over head. We're in the middle of summer, when the temperatures are the hottest, and the sun is the brightest. It's not a bad day to take a break from catching all of those rays and stay out of the sun.

Find some fun and relaxing ways to stay in the shade. A hammock strung behind two shady tress sounds like a great way to go!

Air Conditioning Appreciation Days begins today and continues through August 15th.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Eat Beans Day

Beans Beans the magical fruit...the more you eat, the more you reap those benefits of these protein packed, fiber billed and versatile legumes. Weird how that doesn't rhyme anymore.

Beans are just as important as fruits and vegetables in your plan for good nutrition. They are full of anti-aging agents (antioxidants), plus lots of other vitamins and minerals. And, if that isn't enough to convince you... there are a ton of ways to prepare them and they taste really great!

Kansas Calico Beans

1 16-oz can pork 'n beans
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 16-oz can lima beans or butter beans
6 slices of bacon
1/2 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons vinegar

Fry 6 slices of bacon; drain and crumble. Save this for the topping. Brown the meat in the bacon grease. Add the chopped onion to the meat and saute. Drain off any remaining water or grease.

In a large bowl, mix the ketchup, salt, brown sugar, dry mustard and vinegar to make a sauce. Add the meat and onions. Mix well.

Drain some of the liquid from each can of beans, but leave enough so the beans won't go dry during baking. Stir the 3 cans of beans into the meat and sauce mixture. Pour into a casserol dish and top with the bacon crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Your baking time will depend on the depth of your baking dish. Use the shorter time for a shallow dish so the beans don't get dry.

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 EM

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

AROUND HOME

Happiness is sharing a bowl of cherries and a book of poetry with a shade tree. He doesn't eat much and doesn't read much, but listens well and is a most gracious host.

Astrid Alauda

Thought for today

To be good instruments of God's love we must avoid being over tired, burnt out, stressed, aggressive, dispersed or closed up. We need to be rested, centred, peaceful and aware of the needs of our body, our heart and our spirit.

Jean Vanier

When we are tired and wearied it is hard to do anything. It is even more difficult on a spiritual level, to do anything proper. It is always a difficult challenge to find the balance between work, rest and play. But as we journey through these weeks of summer there is a better chance of finding that balance. As many enjoy a well earned holiday it is up to us to create time for rest and relaxation. No one else is going to do it for us and no one is going to thank us if we don't.

This 4th of July weekend is giving me a good rest for sure. I hope you all are enjoying it too. There's nothing like a 3 day weekend...unless of course you are retired like me... and every day seems like the weekend.

Happy Sunday!

COUNTING THE DAYS

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.

Nelson Henderson

82 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