For Saturday, November 23rd, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD, 2013

5 days until Thanksgiving

28 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

32 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Sunrise:7:27 am

Sunset:5:03 pm

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

We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens his will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to his name: He forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
Amen

--Traditional Thanksgiving Hymn
A translation by Theodore Baker: 1851-1934

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Remember God's bounty in the year.  String the pearls of His favor.  Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light!  Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!  

Henry Ward Beecher

We are celebrating Thanksgiving early, and indeed we do have something to give thanks for.

Today is our Family Thanksgiving Feast.  If you know anything at all about my family, you must know they love good food and they love getting together.  This will be one happy day from beginning to end.  

I already have a few of my family here at my house this morning as DS#6 and his family came in last evening.  I’ve plans for some sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast for them and then the food prep will begin.  I’m not having dinner here this year, we’ll be gathering at DD’s house.  She and her hubby are hosting this family holiday.  This year the celebrations will be rotating from house to house and this is the 1st in the rotation.

None the less we have food to make and take.  One of the things I’m taking is sweet potato casserole.  I’ve made this several ways over the years and this is one of my favorites.

 3 to 4 large sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed (about 3 cups)

1/2 cup of unsalted butter

3/4 cup of granulated sugar, or to taste

Pinch of salt

2 large eggs, beaten

 1/4 cup of half and half

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 cups of mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 1-1/2 to 2 quart casserole dish; set aside.

Mash the cooked and cooled sweet potatoes until smooth; add the butter, half the sugar, pinch of salt and all of the half and half, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla extract; stir well and taste. Add the remaining sugar as needed to taste. Add the eggs and combine well. Pour into the casserole dish. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, until heated through well.

Remove, uncover and spread marshmallows on the top, bake uncovered about 10 minutes longer, or until marshmallows are nicely browned.

Serves about 6 - Double for the holidays.

I hope you all have SUPER Saturday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart.

Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving

I have counted at least 3 things 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.

1158. for my family, all those near and far

1159. for abundant food to share

1160. for love and laughter

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 !

Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.  

Robert Caspar Lintner

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma