For Friday, February 28th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2014

20 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

113 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:05 am

Sunset: 6:18 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR LITTLE LUCKY GUY TODAY!

May the dear Lord bless you today and always!

Hoping this year’s birthday is the very best a super 4 year old like you can ever have! 

Happy 4th birthday!

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

You should have four of the world’s brightest candles to blow out because you've made the world a much brighter place to live for four whole years.

The pictures today were taken at our Little Lucky Guys birthday party last year.  This is a long distance birthday but I’m supposed to be attending his party tomorrow.  I’ll be praying our weather clears and so do the roads so we can all make it safely there and back.

What a great day today will be !  Not only a birthday to celebrate but we’re also saying goodbye to this very cold and snow February.  I think we’ll all agree that it is a good thing that it is so short.

While I try to remain contented with my lot this winter, I’ve also got to say it’s been a trying one for sure.  We’ll be thinking Spring thoughts from now on…the calendar says only 20 more days!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

So many wishes 

so many smiles

Too many memories

too few words

With one big birthday

wish for you !

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.

1448. for our Little Lucky Guy, four years old today!

1449.  for the opportunity to make a big bowl of potato salad to share

1450. for gifts that arrive in the mail, just in time!

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 !

Happy Birthday from the heart

cause that’s where all good wishes start!

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

For Thursday, February 27th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2014

21 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

114 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:06 am

Sunset: 6:17 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Thursday, February 27, 2014, is National Chili Day. And with temperatures once again dipping, it's the perfect comfort dish. It doesn't matter if it's hot and spicy chili, turkey chili, beef chili, bean chili, beanless chili, white chili, red chili, green chili, vegetarian chili, meatless chili or 15 bean chili, chili is warming to the soul and a true favorite meal during cold winter months

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

See the footprints on the back steps, a little bird had stopped by to say hello

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. 

J.G. Holland

I happen to have some leftover chili in the freezer right now and one of my favorite ways to use that up is to have chili dogs.  I love to put chili over a hot dog in a bun, sprinkle some grated cheddar cheese over that then top with some onions.  To me that is good eating.  

I found this recipe for Loaded Oven Chili Cheese Dogs and thought it a good way to make hot dogs for a crowd.

Loaded Oven Chili Dogs

7 or 8 hot dogs, depending on how many fit in your pan
7 or 8 hot dog buns
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup relish
15 oz can  chili or homemade chili, your choice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 onion, diced

Evenly spread 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of relish into each hot dog bun, top with the (uncooked) hot dog, and place in a 9x13 baking dish. Repeat for remaining hot dogs. Evenly top each with chili, then cheese, then diced onion. Cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Fork and knife are absolutely required with this one!

Another 2 inches or so to add to the whiteness

COUNTING MY GIFTS

For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. 

 Ralph Waldo Emerson

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.

1445. for sunshine on a cold 12 degree morning

1446. for leftover chili

1447. for cinnamon raisin toast, another good comfort food

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 !

I just loved how the sunlight came shining  in through the fence slats

 Remember, men need laughter sometimes more than food. 

Anna Fellows Johnston

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2014

22 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

115 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:08 am

Sunset: 6:15 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

This is a day that Fairy Tales are made of and for. It's Tell a Fairy Tale Day . We all know that everybody loves a good fairy tale. To qualify as a fairy tale, a story does not have to begin with Once upon a time, but, they usually do. It is a requirement that the story has a happy ending. There's nothing better than a good story that ends with and they all lived happily ever after. 

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace. 

Eugene O'Neil

I’ve always loved fairy tales.  I like the thoughts of they all lived happily ever after.  Of course we know that is not always the case but it is a good thought to keep.  One of my favorites for Spring is the Velveteen Rabbit and then there is the story of Bambi, telling about how one spring morning, in a little hidden forest glade, a fawn was born.

We had a bit more snow yesterday.  Not a lot but flurries that amounted to an inch or so.  It managed to cover all the dirty melting mounds around here and freshen everything up with a new coating of white.  This morning it looks like we have another couple of inches to add to that.  

I’ve been wrapping up and putting away my valentine decor and beginning to get the Spring things out.  Little by little it will look like Peter Rabbit lives here at my house.  Spring will come and dreams will come true!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

If you see the magic in a fairy tale, you can face the future. 

Danielle Steel

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.

1442.  for stories that warm our hearts and souls

1443. for rabbits that remind us of Spring

1444.  for the children in my life to tell stories to

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 !

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. 

C.S. Lewis

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

For Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, 2014

23 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

116 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:09 am

Sunset: 6:14 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

If you enjoy the taste of milk chocolate and peanuts then this day is for you.  It’s Chocolate Covered Peanuts day. Although many brands of nuts are available to buy, it’s more fun and cheaper to make your own. All you need to do is to melt some chocolate in a pan, add in the peanuts and stir it all up, then allow the nuts to cool before eating. Just go nuts and enjoy the day!

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Life is like a box of chocolates – full of nuts! 

Forest Gump

I do love my chocolate and nuts too.  I so agree with Forest Gumps statement.  Life is a lot like a box of chocolate. There is often a surprise in every bite.

Life will bring some tough moments, but the good times hopefully more than make up for it. 

Remember:  Life is like a box of chocolates, if you start running out, find a way to get more!

No matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for more. 

Today I’ll be going out to get a hair cut and do some errands, but otherwise it’ll be a pretty quiet day here.

I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

God gives the nuts, but he does not crack them. 

Proverb

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.

1439.  for nuts and chocolate, the salty and sweet are a treat!

1440. for a life full of good times that make up for the bad times

1441. for a surprise in every day

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 !

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts. 

Author Unknown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Monday, February 24th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, 2014

24 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

117 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:11 am

Sunset: 6:13 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

February 24th is a holiday with a crunch. One might even suggest that it is a corny holiday. Well, that's okay because today is National Tortilla Chip Day. Just a few decades ago, Americans seldom ate Corn Chips and Salsa. It's popularity has grown immensely. Today is a tribute to that rising popularity of one of America's favorite munchies.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Let the chips fall where they may.

Fight Club movie

Did you know that most tortilla chips are triangular shaped because they are cut from round tortilla.

In Mexico, Tortilla Chips are called tostados, toasted chips. Outside of North America they are called corn chips

Doritos brand was the first toasted tortilla chip launched nationally in the U.S. in 1966.

This is one of my favorite dips to have with Tortilla chips

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, finely diced

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 (16 ounce) can refried beans

1 (14.5 ounce) package tortilla chips

1 fresh jalapeno pepper, sliced

In a large frying pan, brown ground beef with onion, salt and pepper over medium heat. Break the meat into very small pieces while it is cooking. After the meat is thoroughly cooked, drain off the grease.

Arrange chips on a microwavable platter. Spread beans over the chips. Layer with 1/2 of the cheese, the ground beef mixture, and remaining cheese. Arrange jalapeño peppers on top.

Microwave on medium-high until cheese has melted. Serve immediately.

Note; I don’t favor jalopeno peppers at all so I skip that one ingredient.  I often make up the layers in a dish and dip the tortillas instead of putting it on top the tortillas.

This recipe is way too much for me and is one I need to fix when company comes

The pictures today were taken yesterday.  The predicted snow mysteriously disappeared and the sun was shinning!  And the daffodils are starting to come up where the snow melted along the driveway.

I hope you all have a marvelous Monday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

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.

1436. for corn chips and dip, a yummy snack

1437.  for every morning that I can get out of bed

1438. for clear walkways and parking lots, I made it to church yesterday

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 !

A chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life .

 John Hancock

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Sunday, February 23rd, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD, 2014

25 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

118 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:12 am

Sunset: 6:12 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

February 23rd. isTennis Day.  This is a date set aside honoring Walter Wingfield, who patented the game in 1874. Know the best way to ccelebrate Tennis Day? Make a racket!

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If you can react the same way to winning and losing, that's a big accomplishment. That quality is important because it stays with you the rest of your life, and there's going to be a life after tennis that's a lot longer than your tennis life

Chris Evert

I can’t say much about the game of Tennis.  I remember playing it when I was young and still in school.  That was a very long time ago.  As far as making a racket goes…I can still do that.  Making a lot of noise that is.

Tennis always seemed like a summertime sport.  Summertime thoughts of any kind are great too.  Here, my  thoughts turn to spring these days.  I’d say it’s on everyone’s mind at this point.  Just getting outside and enjoying the sun would be wonderful.  

Meanwhile we are still dealing with winter. The week ahead is to be very cold once more  and maybe some more snow.  We’ll be down again into the low teens at night.  BrrrChill!.  I’ve got to say a few days with temps above freezing were wonderful!

Hope you all have a restful and relaxing Sunday and if you are able, get out and enjoy the sun.  

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Love is nothing in tennis, but in life it's everything.  

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.

1433. for activities that get us outdoors in the sunshine

1434. for a few days above freezing

1435. for a cup of Christmas tea, a  fruity and refreshing drink

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!

February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer. 

Shirley Jackson

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma