For Thursday, December 1st, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 1ST,  2011

It's THURSDAY!  

WORLD AIDS DAY

The first World AIDS Day was on December 1, 1988 and every year since it's served as an opportunity to increase awareness, educate, raise money, and fight prejudice. It's estimated that over 33.4 million people are currently living with HIV and countless others are affected by it. Keep an eye out today for everyone wearing red ribbons 

DECEMBER is National 3D Month, a time to prevent drunk and drugged driving. It's also  Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month; Learn a Foreign Language Month, National Tie Month, Safe Toys & Gifts Month,  National Sign Up for Summer Camp Month, Spiritual Literacy Month, and Universal Human Rights Month.

The turquoise and zircon are the birthstones for December.

Holly, narcissus, and poinsettia are the flowers for the month of December.

Every year at just this time,
In cold and dark December,
Families around the world
All gather to remember,
With presents and with parties,
With feasting and with fun,
Customs and traditions
for people old and young.

 Helen H. Moore 

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

EAT A RED APPLE DAY

Apples are delicious. Apples are nutritious. That's a great combination. Apples date back to the garden of Eden. In that garden, the Bible tells us it was the Forbidden fruit.It is really easy to participate in this special day. There are thousands of varieties of apples grown all over the planet. Your mission today, is to pick an apple among all of these varieties, and eat it.

A little apple trivia: The science of growing apples is called pomology.

It's also National Pie Day so today I'll share a recipe for the classic Apple Pie with you

Make this pie with a combination of tart apples, such as Granny Smith, and sweet varieties like Fuji, Jonagold, or Golden Delicious.  If you’re not inclined to make your own pie crust, you can substitute a pre-made refrigerated crust.  Your pie will still be wonderful.

Put a large baking sheet on the middle of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and each cut into 10 wedges
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons applesauce, optional
2 tablespoons brandy or dark rum, optional
1 batch double crust Pie Dough
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Whisk together flour, zest, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and 2/3 cup sugar.  Gently toss with apples, lemon juice and applesauce, brandy or rum, if using.  Set aside while preparing crust.

For the bottom crust, roll out 1 disk of pie dough, keep remaining disk chilled, on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round.   Roll the dough from the center out, turning the dough in one quarter turns as you roll.  Fit the round into a 9-inch ceramic, glass or metal pie plate. Trim edge, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Chill while rolling out dough for the top crust.

For the top crust, roll out remaining piece of dough on the lightly floured surface with the rolling pin into an 11-inch round.

Spoon apple filling into shell, then cover with the top crust and trim with kitchen shears, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Press edges together, then crimp decoratively. Lightly brush top of pie with egg and sprinkle the top with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Cut a few steam vents in the top crust with a small sharp knife.

Bake pie on the hot baking sheet for 20 minutes. The baking sheet will catch any drips and spills. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and continue to bake until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling, about 40 minutes more. Cool pie on a rack until warm, about 2 hours, before serving.

Makes one 9-inch pie.

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

God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. 

J.M. Barrie

When I woke up yesterday morning, I discovered that we had snow on the ground.  All the grass was covered but the walks and the driveway were bare.  It was all gone by noon. That is a very good thing as I dislike shoveling snow.  Today and tomorrow we are to have some sunshine before the rain returns on Sunday and then more snow showers are forecast for next week.

The rosebush has some frozen buds on it, but there will be no more blossoms to enjoy till next year.  I'll just have to dig deep into my memory bank if I want to see them.  

From now until sometime in March we'll have lots and lots of that white stuff and cold weather here.  Thankfully we will have Christmas to celebrate.  All the decorations, good smells from the oven and Christmas music playing will help to make December a wonderful month.

COUNTING THE DAYS

Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!

Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

21 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

24 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