For Tuesday, December 27TH, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 27th,  2011

It's TUESDAY!  

Make Cut Out Snowflake Day

Make Cut Out Snowflake Day is  here and now. Here's a day to show your crafty skills, as you make paper snowflakes. Making cut out snowflakes is a great project for kids. However, you don't have to be a kid, to have fun making paper snowflakes. It's a skill that is practiced by many people.

They say no two snowflakes are alike. It shouldn't come as a surprise, that there are seemingly countless different snowflake designs. Templates abound, from fast and easy patterns, to intricate time consuming designs to challenge the most practiced snowflaker.So, if you like snow...bring it on! Bring out the paper and scissors, and cut out some paper snowflakes on this very special Make Cut Out Snowflake Day.

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.  

Author Unknown

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

FRUIT CAKE DAY

It's a fitting time of the year to think fruitcake!  While I'm not a fan of candied fruit, I do like fruit cake.  I would probably substitute some chopped maraschino cherries for the candied fruit and the dates in this recipe.

Banana Fruit Cake

3/4 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup walnuts, chopped
3 cups candied fruit
1 cup pineapple
2 cups dates, chopped
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon orange rind, grated
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cup mashed bananas

Prepare 2 loaf pans and preheat the oven to 300 degrees. 

In a large bowl combine the fruit, dates, pineapple and walnuts. Dredge them with 1/4 cup of the flour. Sift the remaining flour together with the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside. 

Cream the butter, add the sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Beat in the orange rind, orange juice and orange extract. Mash the bananas with a fork. 

Alternately stir the bananas and the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the floured fruit and nuts. 

Turn into the prepared pans and bake for 2 hours and 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 20 minutes, then turn out onto racks.

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

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!  

Author Unknown

We have been very fortunate here so far this year and have not seen too many of those snowflakes flying in the air.  Yes, they are beautiful and I have been known to make many of the paper cut out ones, but snow is not big on my list of things I like.

Snowy days are a part of winter here though.  The weather man says that before today is over we may have 2-3 inches of snow.  

Many of you will be back to work today, but if you're lucky enough to be home, have some fun and make a snowflake or two today!  

Take good care everyone!

COUNTING THE DAYS

Ever felt an angel's breath in the gentle breeze?  A teardrop in the falling rain?  Hear a whisper amongst the rustle of leaves?  Or been kissed by a lone snowflake?  Nature is an angel's favorite hiding place.  

Terri Guillemets

84 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

115 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

 

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

Love,

ma