For Monday, October 31st, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

OCTOBER 31ST,  2011

It's MONDAY!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

History tells us that this holiday comes from ancient times, when people believed donning costumes and masks would protect them on this Hallowed Eve from evil spirits.  Halloween, also known as All Hallows Eve, is a favorite holiday for many as there is no stress involved only fun.  

Make the most of this fun holiday that truly promotes the exercise of imagination. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.

Author Unknown

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

CANDY APPLE DAY

Candy apples differ from caramel apples in the use of liquefied sugar or corn syrup, which is allowed to cool and harden into a sweet, tough shell around a tart, firm apple. Insert stick and you have a traditional treat for Halloween parties around the world. National Candy Apple Day is a reminder to make a batch for your masked party goers!

QUICK CANDY APPLE SLICES

4 tart apples
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick butter
1 package caramels

You will need Granny Smith or Jonathon Apples for this recipe as you really need a tart apple to counter the sweetness  of the other ingredients. 

Unwrap package of caramels. Then add butter, then add canned milk. Put in microwave for several minutes - be careful not to scorch. Stir frequently. Dip apple slices in.

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

Home is where the haunt is...

Here at my house I've got lots of treats for the tricksters tonight.  It's supposed to get up to 50 degrees today with a chance of rain.  I'm hoping that rain holds off as I know there will be lots of kids that will be disappointed if they can't go out and collect a bag full of candy.

As usual I'll be sitting out on the porch to hand out my candy.  It seems easier to do it that way than to answer the door bell so many times.  I love seeing the little ones all dressed up. It is lots of fun to see all the different costumes.  

I don't know how it is at your house but when the the babes were growing up there were always 2 questions that occupied everyone's minds this time every year.  What were the children going to be for Halloween and where did mom hide the candy?

Now I try to remember just where did I hide that candy?

Have a safe and fun Halloween everyone!

PRAYER REQUEST

Please join me in praying safe travels for DS#4 this week as he will be traveling for work.  And please continue to pray DDIL#4's Dad as he continues to go through radiation and chemo treatments.  He is showing signs of improvement and for that we are very grateful.

COUNTING THE DAYS

They that are born on Halloween shall see more than other folk.

Old Saying

52 DAYS UNTIL

 WINTER

56 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

For Sunday, October 30th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

OCTOBER 30TH,  2011

It's SUNDAY!

MISCHIEF NIGHT

The night before Halloween is a great time for Halloween pranks. Just make sure it's all in good fun.  It is an evening when people traditionally participated in harmless (please) mischief. The is on stress harmless or innocent mischief. Other forms of mischief can lead to big trouble. 

Remember the old days when someone used to call and ask, Is your refrigerator running?,  and  kids would ring your doorbell and then run.

Tis’ the season to bust out the spooky and hilarious moments that make people scream and laugh

Have a happy, safe, and harmless  Mischief Night

The Pumpkin Prayer

CUT OFF TOP: Lord, open my mind and fill me with your wisdom and guidance

SCOOP OUT YUCKIES: Lord, take out all my fussies and frownies and fill me with your love.

CARVE EYES: Lord, open my eyes to see all of the beautiful things You have made.

CARVE NOSE: Lord, help me to be a sweet, sweet fragrance to You.

CARVE MOUTH: Lord, help me always speak Your words of love and kindness.

CANDLE: Lord, let me be a light to others because You have filled me with your Light.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

National Candy Corn Day is today.

 Enjoy a handful of this sweet Fall treat. And, what perfect timing. National Candy Corn Day comes just a day before Halloween. That means you can eat plenty of it, before you go out Trick or Treating.

Candy corn consists primarily of corn syrup, honey, and sugar. There's lots of carbs(sugar), but it's fat free!?
Have a happy  National Candy Corn Day.

CRISP CANDY CORN TREATS

1/2 cup butter
10 cups crisped rice cereal
9 cups miniature marshmallows
2 cups candy corn
3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
Candy Pumpkins 
orange food coloring

Melt butter and marshmallows; stir until smooth. In a large bowl, mix rice cereal, candy corn and miniature chips together. 

Add orange food coloring to marshmallow mixture, or squirt over cereal in bowl. Add marshmallow mixture to cereal mixture; stir quickly to combine. 

Spread on a large buttered jelly roll pan; press with buttered hands. While warm, press on candy pumpkins spaced 1 to 1/2-2 inches apart. Refrigerate and cut into squares.

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

Who Am I?

A face so round And eyes so bright, A nose that glows My, what a sight! A fiery mouthwith a jolly grin, No arms! No legs! Just head to chin.

There is a lot of fun to be had this Halloween season.  It really has become a season as many have been decorated and having fun for most of October already.  

I remember the days when the trees in front of our house would be covered with toilet paper and even when a few eggs were smashed on our windows.  That wasn't much fun at all.  Cleaning up after the pranksters was not easy for sure.  

Remember to make it a fun time and keep it simple too.

It's Sunday!  A great day to rest and relax!

COUNTING THE DAYS

Herbal Folklore for a Less Haunted Halloween

 Burning sage in the home banishes evil spirits and protects residents. 

It can also attract wealth.

53 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

57 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

For Saturday, October 29th, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

OCTOBER 29TH,  2011

It's SATURDAY!

HERMIT DAY

Hermit Day is today. It's a quiet day to spend quietly in seclusion, all by yourself.
For some people, being a recluse is a way of life. They spend everyday by themselves, in peaceful seclusion. For whatever reason, Hermits prefer living away from the crowds and the sea of humanity. For many of us who lead an increasingly busy lifestyle, the idea of being a Hermit for a Day is very tempting. The thought of getting away from it all, even if for just one day, is very appealing.Have a happy, secluded, quiet, and peaceful Hermit Day.

In the quiet hours when we are alone and there is nobody to tell us what fine fellows we are, we come sometimes upon a moment in which we wonder, not how much money we are earning, nor how famous we have become, but what good we are doing.

A. A. Milne

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

NATIONAL OATMEAL DAY

Ground, rolled, or steel-cut oats are high in fiber and a filling ingredient in muffins, cookies, breakfast cereal and more. This nutritious grain gets its just desserts today, National Oatmeal Day.

APPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL

1 cup water
1/4 cup apple juice
1 apple, diced
2/3 cup rolled oats

dash cinnamon
1 cup  milk

Place the water, juice, and apples in a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in the rolled oats and cinnamon. Return to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer til thick. Serve hot with the milk.

This recipe makes 2 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 YOU!

AROUND HOME

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.  A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. 

Sophia Loren

When my children were young, I used to think that a day by myself was wonderful.  All I could think of was the fact that I would spend hours by myself, no one asking for anything, no one needing me. But I really didn’t have to wait for my children to grow up to realize that mothers never stop trying to raise their children no matter how old they get.  Being part of a family is to be always caring about others.  I hope all my children know how much I love them and how proud I am of them.  No matter how old they get I'll never stop caring.  My advice to young moms is that if you are a mom, know that somehow for the next few decades or for as long as you live, you'll be wearing your heart on your sleeve.

 One of our fun family times when my children were growing up was family game night.  Fall is a great time to initiate an old tradition.  I saw this little game recently and thought I'd pass it on.  

Spider

To play Spider, each person needs a sheet of paper, a crayon or pencil, and one die (dice). Each person chooses a number from 1 to 6. The youngest person then rolls the die. If she rolls her number, then she gets to draw a circle for the body of the spider. Then the die is passed to the next person. Once each person has drawn a circle, then you start to draw the legs (8 total). If you want the game to continue, then you can then add a face. The first person who completes their spider is the winner!

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!

COUNTING THE DAYS

To those who see with loving eyes, life is beautiful. 

To those who speak with tender voices, life is peaceful. 

To those who help with gentle hands, life is full. 

And to those who care with compassionate hearts,

 life is good beyond all measure.

Author Unknown

54 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

58 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