For Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SEPTEMBER 28TH,  2011

  

It's WEDNESDAY!

NATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY

Not so long ago, the world felt like a smaller place, and everybody knew everybody else in their neighborhood. Now, many of us aren’t familiar with our neighbors, and only speak to them in passing. Good Neighbor Day. It's definitely a good thing. Being good neighbors is an important part of the social fiber that makes this country so great. Therefore,  it seems only fitting that one day a year honors good neighbors.  This day is to truly recognize and appreciate your good neighbor. Hopefully, one of those good neighbors is you!

While the spirit of neighborliness was important on the frontier because neighbors were so few, it is even more important now because our neighbors are so many.  

Lady Bird Johnson

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

NATIONAL STRAWBERRY CREME PIE DAY!

 Did you know that 70% of a strawberry cream pie’s weight comes from the strawberries themselves? That's a lot considering that the fruit isn't even in season in September!

When you set out to find the perfect strawberry cream pie there are many variations from which to choose. Some recipes use cream cheese in the filling while others call for whipped cream or custard. Crusts can be sweet or savory, strawberries can be whole or whipped into a mousse, and there are dozens of different toppings.

This recipe for Strawberry Cream Pie is easy and can be made ahead of time to save you time. You may also use frozen strawberries as long as you thaw them out and drain the excess liquid.

STRAWBERRY CREAM PIE

1 ½ cups crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie (you know the one)

2 tablespoons white granulated sugar

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons white granulated sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

1 cup mashed fresh strawberries

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons confectioner's sugar

Combine the cookie crumbs, sugar and butter and press into a 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 375F degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the strawberries. In small mixing bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken.

Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cream cheese mixture. Gently spoon mixture into prepared crust. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours or overnight. Serves 8-10

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

It's a Lovely Day in the Neighborhood

When Mr. Rogers asked, Won’t you be my neighbor? at the end of every episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, we knew what he was really asking was, Won’t you be my friend? If every neighbor were as kind and open-hearted as he was, we’d have no problem cultivating relationships within the neighborhood.

Today in my neighborhood it is really beginning to look like fall.  The leaves are falling from our tree in the curb lawn.  It seems it is a little later than usual turning colors but slowly the leaves are changing.

Leaf raking time will soon be here.  Here at my house we have a mulching mower so many of the leaves are mulched up.  We try to put them around the bushes for protection through the winter.  Some leaves are best left where they fall, like under trees where they will compost and feed the roots.

Raking the lawn isn’t only about aesthetics. It’s actually the healthy thing to do for your grass. Wet clumps of leaves left on a dormant lawn can result in brown spots when the lawn grows again in spring. But, it’s important not to rake too soon in the season or it will become the chore that never ends.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

COUNTING THE DAYS

Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door  neighbor ... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better or happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile; kindness in your warm greeting.

Mother Teresa

85 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

89 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

 

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

Love,

ma