For Sunday, February 2nd, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, 2014

46 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

139 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:38 am

Sunset: 5:44 pm

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

It’s a double celebration today.  Today is Ground Hogs Day and also the Super Bowl.  I think that both these events have something in common. Both are ways that we all show some hope for life and yearn for light in the midst of winter.  All of our country is strangely warmed on Super Bowl Sunday as we get together and watch the festivities. 

I'm a little groundhog, it's my day.
Wake and stretch, go out and play.
Down in my burrow, down so deep,
Time to wake, from my long winter's sleep.

Grumble, grumble, scratch, scratch,
Grunt, grunt, yawn.
I'll eat my breakfast in your front lawn.
I'm a little groundhog, it's my day. 
Wake up and stretch, go out and play.’

Author Unknown 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There seems to be so much more winter than we need this year.

Kathleen Norris

Well yes, the groundhog reminds us that even though we still have winter, we can still play.  Today’s fun for many will be watching the Super Bowl and eating lots of good food while doing so too!  Here at my house we have another few inches of new snow on the ground this morning and more still falling.  Looks like winter isn’t going away.

According to one survey I read, sixty-one percent of Americans chose chips and dip as their favorite dish to eat on Super Bowl Sunday.  Other favorites include pizza, 55 percent, nachos, 41 percent, subs/sandwiches,38 percent, barbecue chicken, ribs, etc., 37 percent, fried finger foods,35 percent,  and burgers, 32 percent.   Twenty-eight percent named vegetables or other options.

I found this recipe for one of America’s favorites, a cheese burger, turned into a dip so I’m sharing it with you all today

Bacon Double Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

1/2 lb ground beef

 6 strips bacon

1 small onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

4 oz cream cheese (room temperature)

1/2 cup sour cream

 1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup shredded cheddar

 1 tbs worcestershire sauce

2 tbs ketchup

1 loaf French bread, sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium pan over medium heat, cook ground beef; set aside and drain grease from pan.

 In same pan, cook bacon until crispy; set aside and drain all but one tablespoon of grease.  Once bacon has cooled, crumble into large pieces.

In same pan with bacon grease, cook onions until tender Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Remove from heat and add beef, bacon, and all remaining ingredients back into the pan with the onion and garlic.  Stir until well blended; transfer mixture into a baking dish. Top with additional sprinkle of mozzarella and cheddar, if desired.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.  Garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and crumbled bacon; serve with sliced French bread.

My favorite part of the Super Bowl is the commercials.  I’m not very sports minded.  The Puppy Bowl will also be shown on the Animal Planet channel today and I’m sure I’ll be checking that out too.  

 If you look at a calendar. Groundhog Day is on February 2nd. The First Day of Spring is March 20th, 6 weeks and four days later. So if we're going by the Spring Equinox, then we're going to have 6 more weeks of winter whether the found hog sees his shadow or not.  I think the question is will we have early spring like weather for the last half of winter.  

Hope you all have a restful and relaxing Sunday.  

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. 

Maori 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.

1370.  for fun celebrations in the middle of winter

1371. for beautiful shadows on the snow

1372. for chips and dip, a good snack anytime

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 !

When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always get worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better. 

Malcolm Stevenson Forbes

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma