For December 31st, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31ST, 2013

79 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

172 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:55 am

Sunset: 5:09 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

It’s New Years Eve and what could be more traditional than a round or two of Old Lang Syne?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind ?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past.  Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.  

Brooks Atkinson

Saying goodbye to the old year is always a good thing in my books.  It is over and done and we’ve nothing but new and wonderful things to look forward to. 

 I’m wishing you all a cup of kindness in the New Year.  May it be filled up and overflowing.  Nothing but all the good in the world to you and yours for 2014!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Yesterday …. was our Lord’s grace.

Tomorrow….  is our Lord willing.

Today…. is our Lord’s gift —

which is why everyone,  everywhere, calls right now the present.

Ann Voskamp

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1271. for a New Year to look forward to

1272. for kindnesses of friends and family

1273. for the annual countdown on Times Square

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

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 !

We'll Take a Cup of Kindness Yet, For Auld Lang Syne

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

For Monday, December 30th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30TH, 2013

80 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

173 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:54 am

Sunset: 5:08 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

DS#5’s three children - our sweet sugar AB, Cutie Patootie and Mr Wonderful

December 30th is National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, a day to celebrate the many uses of sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda.  Did you know that Baking soda is a very versatile natural substance that can be seen used throughout history and was first recognized by bakers to make breads. Baking soda trapped carbon dioxide in the ingredients of the bread causing it to rise. Bakers have used sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, through out our history to make cakes, breads and to bake other types of dough that rise. 

 Baking Soda can be used to remove tarnish from silver, including sterling silver jewelry. Baking Soda can be used to relieve the pain from bee stings, sunburn, and the itch from poison ivy.

 Baking Soda can be used to brush your teeth, and exfoliate your skin.  Drinking baking soda, or bicarbonate powder, dissolved in water is a folk remedy that has been used for many generations to alleviate the symptoms of indigestion  and heartburn

Looking for and enjoying beauty is a way to nourish the soul. the universe is in the habit of making beauty. There are flowers and songs, snowflakes and smiles, acts of great courage, laughter between friends, a job well done, the smell of fresh-baked bread. Beauty is everywhere

Matthew Fox

DS#4’s two boys - our Little Ray of Sunshine and my Sunshine Boy

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Talk of joy: there may be things better than beef stew and baked potatoes and home-made bread -- there may be. 

Ray Stannard Baker

I did some baking last week but didn’t use any bicarbonate.  I had so frozen bread dough in the freezer so decided to make one of our families favorites.  Sausage bread.  DS#3 had made some for our Christmas celebration and I know DSIL made some too, but I didn’t have any here to eat, not that I really need it, but I love it so I did.

Making sausage bread is pretty easy and I think I’ve shared the recipe before but will do so again today.

SAUSAGE BREAD

This has to be one of the all time favorites of my family
I usually make this recipe for three loaves of Sausage Bread at a time.

3 loaves frozen bread dough…thawed according to package directions
2 stalks celery finely diced
1 green pepper finely diced
2 pounds sausage (the bulk Italian Sausage or Plain is best)
3 eggs
3 cups mozzarella cheese
Approximately 1 cup of parmesan cheese

Let your bread dough rise just like you would when baking a loaf of bread.
Brown sausage together with the celery and green pepper
When it is all nicely browned drain the grease and save in a bowl as you’ll use this later on when baking
Remove the pan from the burner and add 3 eggs well beaten to the mixture. I then sprinkle this mixture with parmesan cheese. Stirring until well combined
Taking one loaf of dough at a time flatten and roll out on a well floured surface.
When it is rolled out to an oval shape about 1 foot by 2 feet, spread 1/3 the sausage and egg mixture on top of it. Then cover this with 1/3 the mozzarella cheese for each loaf.
Roll your dough up like a jelly roll and secure ends with toothpicks and place on greased cookie sheet in a horseshoe shape.
Baste the dough with some of the grease you saved and set aside after browning the sausage.
Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes. Basting tops of loaves with the grease every 15 minutes. The loaf is done when it is golden brown
Repeat for this for the other 2 loaves
Serve warm sausage bread with a mustard sauce made from 2 parts mustard and 1 part cocktail sauce and 1 part horseradish sauce. You can alter these amounts according to your own taste.
I’ve done up this recipe from memory and it may not read as well as the original but it will make a delicious snack .

The pictures today are of some of my beautiful grand babes this Christmas.

I hope you all have a marvelous Monday!

DS#1’s son - our Little Lucky Guy

COUNTING MY GIFTS

'Give us this day our daily bread'

is probably the most perfectly constructed and useful sentence ever set down in the English language.  

P.J. Wingate

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1268. for soda and all it’s wonderful benefits

1269. for bread, especially sausage bread

1270. for an old recipe shared by a friend years ago and much loved, the recipe and the friend.

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

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!

DS#3’s four children - Our northern Belle, Our Angel, Our Little Lad, and our Star

While earning your daily bread, be sure you share a slice with those less fortunate. 

Quoted in P.S. I Love You

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Sunday, December 29th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29TH, 2013

81 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

174 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:54 am

Sunset: 5:07 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

Today I’m celebrating Tick Tock Day.  There are only two days left until the end of the year and this time of year we all think about whether or not we have achieved everything we set out to do or upheld our New Year’s resolutions and made a difference. Tick Tock Day puts the pressure on you to cram in some last minute work before the end of the year to achieve your goals!  So before your clock rings that 2014 New Year bell get that list of things to do done; time is running out! Tick Tock!

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. 

Author Unknown

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.

Alice Morse Earle

As the year comes to an end, it is nice to look back on all the great times we have spent out doing what we love.  I had quite a year adjusting to just being at home.  Ever since I retired I had the joy of camping with some of my family and friends from April till October, but that all came to an end, so this is the first year I really spent just being at home.  I fell in love with my porch and my patio.  Wonderful places to be during the nice weather months, May though September.  I also got a chance to see more of Ohio.  I traveled from east to west, a little bit south and north and had a great time doing it.  

There were many occasions too that enabled me to spend time with family.  The holidays and festivals we got to go to were full of good times for all.  I traveled to visit one of my out of state sons too.  The visit with his family was just awesome.  I’m also thankful that my health has remained good and I’ve been able to keep up most everything here at home too.  Being able to take care of myself and my home means a lot.  

Looking ahead into the New Year, I guess we’ll just have to see what the new year brings and keep the faith that no matter what may come the good Lord has it all in control.

Today’s pictures are some of my family celebrating New Years Day 2013

Tick Tock, make every day count !

Hope you all have a restful and relaxing Sunday everyone!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Every minute starts an hour and every minute is a new opportunity. Each time the clock ticks you have a chance to start over, to say, do, think, or feel something in such a way that you and the world are better for it. 

Author Unknown

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1265. for memories of good times

1266. for time to do what I love

1267. for each day as it comes

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

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!

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:  To rise above the little things.  

John Burroughs

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Saturday, December 28th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28TH, 2013

82 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

175 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:54 am

Sunset: 5:07 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

As January nears, we can blow off some steam by honoring Card Playing Day today. Make your favorite snack and drink; invite people over, and play. Stick with a global favorite like UNO. Everybody needs a bit of a break and a wind down.  There's no better time to enjoy a relaxing card game with your family and friends .

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.

Rogers Hornsby

I used to love playing cards and still do when there is someone around to play with.  I love the companionship and conversation as much as I love the games.  The snacking is pretty good too!

Today and all this week has been pretty quiet and calm around my house.  I had everything done pretty much as of last weekend so I’ve done a lot of nothing but rest and relax here.  I did put in a small ham and a turkey breast on Christmas so I’ve had those to eat and so I’ve not even had to cook at all since then.  I’ve even got my ham bone in the freezer now to make some bean soup later on.

I hope you all have a super Saturday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

My old grandmother always used to say, Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever. 

George R.R. Martin

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1262. for ways to wind down and relax

1263. for ham and beans

1264. and the turkey sandwich

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

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 !

Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories. 

From the movie An Affair to Remember

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Friday, December 27th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27TH, 2013

83 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

176 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:53 am

Sunset: 5:05 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

Make Cut Out Snowflake Day is here and now. A great way to celebrate the festive season and winter in general is by making your own snowflake decorations. Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day encourages you to get busy with paper and scissors to make your very own snowflake decorations!  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.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

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

Author Unknown 

When moisture condenses and freezes on a window, some say that Jack Frost has stopped by, leaving the lacy pattern as a souvenir. But we can grace our panes with paper snowflakes, attaching them with poster putty  Snowflakes are fun to make and I’ve found that using paper coffee filters to make them is an easy and fun way to do so .  

 Flatten coffee filter

Fold it in half

Fold in half again, and continue until you can no longer fold

Cut shapes along the folded edges and  the outside edge of the filter.

It’s not as though I had nothing to do today but sometimes you just have to take time out for the fun things.  

All work and no play is not good, not even for us adults. Knowing that I don’t go outside and play in the snow, inside fun is best.  Silly grand’ma’ that I am.

Hope you all will take some time out for fun today too and have a fantastic Friday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven. 

Author Unknown

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1259. for fun things to do in winter

1260.  for snowflakes

1261. for a warm house

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER REQUEST

DDIL#4 has asked for prayers for a dear friend of hers who’s mother passed early yesterday morning.  Please pray for her friend’s family as they could use it at this time of sorrow and loss.  May our dear Lord bless and comfort them all.

May this beloved mother rest in peace and perpetual light shine upon her.

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 !

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like snowflake. 

Marie Ray

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Thursday, December 26th, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26TH, 2013

84 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

177 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:53 am

Sunset: 5:05 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night, tho' the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath'ring winter fuel.

Good King Wenceslas is a popular Christmas carol that tells a story of a king braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen, December 26, the day after Christmas. During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by following the king's footprints, step for step, through the deep snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, a 10th-century Christian prince in a land where many practiced a more ancient religion. 

The song was written by John M. Neale, who was most well-known for his adaption of medieval hymns, many of which are no longer sung in most settings today. He also wrote O Come, O Come Emmanuel. 

Its most basic message is summed up in its final lines: 

Ye who now will bless the poor 

 shall yourselves find blessing.

Prince Charming and our Princess with Cutie Patootie!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. 

Luke 14:13-14

The generosity of King Wenceslas reminds me to share what I have.  I may not have much but I do try to always share.  One of the things that I have an abundance of is family and I try to share my love of them through this newsletter.  Family is one of the most basic foundations we have and gratitude, being thankful,  is  a big part of my faith.  I’m thankful for all of them.

So I share what I have - faith, family and friends and a SMILE or two.   I don’t do this to brag, but to encourage others to remember what is truly important in our life.  My family, myself included, is not perfect.  None of us are, but our faith and love keep us together.  I’d be the first to admit to falling short of many things.  One thing I know though, maybe two... is that as long as I still have it all together, my faith, my family and my friends will remain the important things in my life and I continue to be thankful for them.

May today be a day we can all share what we have and be thankful for it.  Let’s all try to help make miracles happen when and where we can, not only during the Christmas Season, but all year long

Hope you have a blessed and bountiful Thursday!

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.  

Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

DS#1 and his wife

COUNTING MY GIFTS

How beautiful a day can be
When kindness touches it!

George Elliston

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1256. for my large family, what a blessing they all are

1257. for my faith which reminds me always to be thankful

1258. for old friends that have remained so for many years

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

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!

Our little Lad with his big brother our Star and  his cousin our Prince Charming

If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.  

Bob Hope

DDIL#6 and DDIL#5 with our Cutie Patootie

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma