ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 2014
Sunrise: 7:42 am
Sunset: 4:58 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Now don't get all puffed up, December 9th is National Pastry Day. Cake for breakfast, pie for dessert; whatever pastry you fancy will be a treat for you and your friends today. And always remember, even though it can be finicky, there's no need to get huffy over puffy pastry.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Recipe for a Merry Christmas
Take the crisp cold of a December night, add two generous parts of snow, stir in air so clear it tinkles.
Into a generous heart, mix the wonder of a little girl, the sparkle of a young boy's glance, the love of parents, and set gently before the chimney side.
Add the lightest touch of a reindeer's hooves, a sprig of holly, a scent of fir.
Set the mixture to rise in the warmth of a dream of good will to men.
It will be almost ready to serve when it bubbles with warmth and good feeling.
Bedeck with the light of a star set in the East, garnish with shining balls of gold, silver and red.
Serve to the tune of an ancient carol in the middle of the family table. This recipe is sufficient for all the men and women you will ever meet.
Pastries are popular all throughout the year, especially during the holiday season. The base for endless sweet and savory creations, classic pastry dough is actually nothing more than flour, shortening and water.
I found this recipe for a breakfast pastry ring made with crescent rolls and topped with a delicious cream cheese layer and apple pie filling. Looks fancy but it’s so easy! It would be perfect for breakfast on Christmas morning.
APPLE CREAM CHEESE BREAKFAST PASTRY
2 8 oz packages crescent rolls
1 8 oz package ream cheese, softened
1 can apple pie filling
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
½ tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tsp. milk
Preheat oven to 350º. Spray a pizza pan with cooking spray. Open both packages of crescent rolls and separate into 16 triangles. Arrange 12 triangles in a circle on the pizza pan, with wide edges on the outside of the pan and the points of the crescent triangles in the middle. Press the outer seams together, leaving the points in the middle alone.
Make cream cheese filling: In a bowl, combine cream cheese, ¼ cup powdered sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the outer edges, about 2 inches wide, of the dough, within about ½ inch of the edge. Spoon pie filling on top of the cream cheese layer.
Now, take the points of the crescent triangles in the middle of the pizza pan and place them up over the filling, pressing the point into the outer edge. Make your way around the pan doing this, making a circle shape.
Cut the remaining 4 crescent triangles lengthwise into three strips. You will have 12 small triangle shaped pieces. Going around your circle, place the outer edges of the small triangles into the uncovered filling areas. There should be 12 inches empty spots to place your small triangles. Press the larger seams together on the outside of the ring and the points on the inside of the ring.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Make glaze: combine ½ cup powdered sugar and 2 to 3 tsp. milk and mix until smooth. Drizzle evenly over pastry. Slice into triangles and serve. Enjoy!
The picture above is of a little Happy Meal provided by niece that had the heart attack last month. Praise the Lord, she is back to work and busy with Christmas preparations too ! I also got to see the full moon on Saturday evening so I threw a picture of that in too. My phone camera doesn’t do the best job in the world but I think it was beautiful.
I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday !
16 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Spend some time today making lists and making plans. Plan with plenty of margin. Leave room for God’s better plans.
Count your blessings with Christmas Blessings Mix! Small bags of snack mix, each ingredient reminds us of a holiday blessing.
2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup cinnamon imperials candy (red hots)
1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins
1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds
1 cup M&Ms brand chocolate candy
16 Hershey’s brand chocolate kisses
gift tags
Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup Christmas Blessings Mix in small cellophane treat bags or zipper food storage bags. Add one Hershey's Kiss to each bag. Seal bag or fold down top to seal.
Christmas Blessing Mix Poem
Bugles: Bring us the joyful message of the Heavenly Host, announcing peace on earth, good will to men.
Pretzels: Symbol of a mother's loving arms; as Mary wrapped her Son in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger.
Red Hots: Red berries that decorate the holly plant, a reminder of eternal life and Christ's redemption.
Nuts or seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
Dried fruits: Remind us of the rich gifts brought by the Wise Men.
M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
Hershey's Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
Recipe for a Happy Christmas
from 'Christmas Joy' by Susan Branch
Fill a house with equal parts of love, hope, & peace
Add the joy of children & the strength of older people
Season with the Music of Laughter & some Mistletoe kisses
Warm before a crackling fire & serve with tidings of comfort & joy!
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is always, always something to be thankful for.
2294. for pastries, the sweeter, the better
2295. for snacks that remind us to count our blessings
2296. for packages of crescent roll dough , it makes a multitude of things
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 !
ADVICE FOR TODAY
Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.
Peg Bracken
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
1 comment:
I like that recipe for the pastry ring, Ma; it looks and sounds delicious! I'm glad to hear your niece is back to work; that is great news indeed!
betty
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