For Monday, November 30th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30th, 2015

21 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

Sunrise: 7:35 am

Sunset:  5:01 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Did you wake well rested, feeling vigorous and ready for the day? Then you are ready to celebrate Stay Home Because You’re Well Day.  This day is celebrated annually on November 30th.  This holiday has no agenda other than to spend a healthful day at home. What you do with it is up to you.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have past at home in the bosom of my family. 

Thomas Jefferson

These days I stay at home every day of the year, but one thing I regret is taking off sick days when I did work.  I hardly ever missed a day of work because I didn’t feel well.  I worked at jobs that no one else did and felt responsible to show up every day. 

We used to call taking a day off when you felt good a Mental Health days.  A day when you could recoup and recover from working.  Everyone should take one now and then because it only makes you a better person for having done so.  One of the reasons people do get sick is because they get stressed out from working so hard.  I don’t regret many things in my life, but not taking time off from work is one of them.  

The week ahead is looking pretty good for this time of year in Ohio.  Temps will range from mid 40s to upper 50’s this week.  Can’t complain at all when we usually have snow by now. 

And speaking of home, I had to share some pictures of the individual gingerbread homes we decorated this year.  I’m not sure who’s is who’s, but mine is the one above the heading that reads 24 days until Christmas.

I hope you all have a GREAT start to this new week.  Happy Monday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

 Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3358.  for stay at home days, they are wonderful

3359. for having very few regrets in my life

3360. for my Christmas clock which chimes out a different carol every hour

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

24 Days Until Christmas

Advent tip for today:  Write a letter to a family friend or some troops stationed overseas.

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Make each day useful and cheerful and prove that you know the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be happy, old age without regret, and life a beautiful success.

Louisa May Alcott

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

For Sunday, November 29th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29th, 2015

22 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

Sunrise: 7:34 am

Sunset:  5:02 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. On the heels of Thanksgiving, this year it sneaks up on us. The Advent season marks the beginning of the Christian year across many churches in the United States today. Its length varies from 22 to 28 days, starting on the Sunday nearest St Andrew’s Day, November 30th,  and encompassing the next three Sundays, ending on Christmas Day.

In recent times the most common observance of Advent has been the keeping of an advent calendar, with one door being opened in the calendar on each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve. The keeping of an advent wreath is also a common practice, with four or five candles extending from the wreath.  Each week until Christmas we light a new candle.

Preparing our hearts and minds for authentic Christmas is challenging. We are remind us of our need to pay attention, and what our goal ultimately is: attaining heaven for ourselves, our spouse and children, and our fellow man.  We are reminded to love one another. 

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

This is what the table looked like before everyone arrived on Friday to decorate our Gingerbread Houses.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I long to look at my holiday season with eyes that see the Christ in Christmas.

 Ann Marie Stewart, Preparing My Heart for Advent

Keeping an Advent Wreath wasn’t always a part of my heritage but it is one I’ve come to love and is a tradition that I’ve passed on to my children.  Today I’ll get my wreath out of storage and place it on the center of the table and each evening I’ll be lighting a candle, saying some prayers and reflecting on the true meaning of the season.  There are seasons for everything. This one is for preparing and waiting.

The pictures today are of the Gingerbread House Party I had on Friday. It was a first time event for our family.  Everyone seemed to have a great time. I took lots and lots of pictures and these are just a few of the many.  I was pleasantly surprised that even the youngest one present enjoyed it.  We adults did too.  Everyone had a house, a cap and an apron to take home. 

I hope you all have a RELAXING and restful Sunday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Christmas is a gift of love wrapped in human flesh and tied securely with the strong promises of God. 
It is more than words can tell, for it is a matter for the heart to receive, believe and understand.

Author Unknown

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3355.  for fun and festive things to do preparing for Christmas

3356. for sugary sweetness of frosting, always makes a tasty treat

3357. for laughter and smiles, they do brighten my days

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

25 Days Until Christmas

Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. 
The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. 
The only requirement is to believe in Him. 
The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.

Corrie Ten Boom

Time to make some Blizzard Bites.  Crunchy and sweet, this no bake snack mix in a jar is easy to make and fun to give. 

To make Blizzard Bites, you'll layer crunchy cereal, pretzels and peanuts with tangy dried cranberries and candied pineapple in a Mason jar or canning jar, then add meltable white chocolate chips.  The recipients simply melt the white chocolate chips and coat the snack mixture with a sweet holiday topping. It's simple and it’s sweet!

A great gift for teachers, Secret Santa exchanges or 12 Days of Christmas activities.

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Christmas began in the heart of God. 
It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.

Anonymous

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Saturday, November 28th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28th, 2015

23 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

Sunrise: 7:33 am

Sunset:  5:02 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Small Business Saturday. In an age of global markets and capitalism, it’s far too easy for small businesses to struggle and fail, even if they have superior products and services. We have the power to change this, and Small Business Saturday encourages people everywhere to shop with small businesses for just one day, and to change the world a little bit.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Don't forget until too late that the business of life is not business, but living. 

B. C. Forbes

Small businesses are becoming a thing of the past.  Here in or town, there are not many left and those struggle to keep going.  There’s a hardware store not far from home that has been there for as long as I can remember. It’s close to our downtown and even though it’s close I still find myself going to one of the big chain stores like Lowes or Home Depot.  

So many things have changed over the years and small businesses are one of them.  I can remember having a corner store 

not far from where we lived and we’d walk there to pick up milk or a loaf of bread. My mom used to tie some money in a corner of a hankie and give me a list of what we needed and I’d go to the store, hand it over to the store keeper and he’d bag up what I needed. These days I need to drive to the closest store.

The pictures today are of my two out of state sons and their families making sausage bread which is a holiday tradition for our family.  They were all together for Thanksgiving which is a blessing.  Not a small business, but family busyness.  Yum!

Today I’m trying to clean up a little from yesterday’s festivities.  I’m taking it slow and easy for sure. 

I hope you all have SUPER Saturday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Work is our business; it's success is God s.

Proverb

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3352.  for small businesses that provide friendly service

3353. for a house to clean up, it means we had a good time yesterday

3354. for lots of leftovers, I won’t have to cook for a while

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

26 Days Until Christmas

The Saturday after Thanksgiving can be a time of flagging motivation. No matter where we are, plans, prep or purchases, this is the week we feel the strain.  It’s time to relax with a catch up weekend!

Take a deep breath and review what needs to be done!  

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy if anything can. 

Thomas Merton

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

For Friday, November 27th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27th, 2015

24 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

Sunrise: 7:31 am

Sunset:  5:03 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Buy Nothing Day is always Celebrated the Day after Thanksgiving.  If you are tired of the commercialism of Christmas then, this special day is for you. Buy Nothing Day is a 24 hour moratorium on holiday shopping. It was created as a protest against the commercialism of this most sacred of holidays.

Aside from abstaining from shopping on this day, t’s been suggested that we reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas. Take a minute to remember what this season is really all about. Some people take advantage of the lack of shopping on this day, and use the time to instead celebrate nature and the immense amount of beauty it offers us, free of charge.

 There’s no doubt that going without buying anything for an entire day is quite a challenge in the modern world, and will serve to make you think about what your life is really about.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Only in America do people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have.

Author Unknown

There will be no shopping here at my house today.  Today is all about family, particularly the little ones.  The pictures shown are from our trip to Christmas in the Country last year at this time.  A trip to Amish country with all the sights sounds and smells of an old fashioned Christmas.

This year for the very first time we are decorating gingerbread houses here at home instead of going anywhere. Of course not all of us will be here, that is the way of things when your family is large and time and distance keep you apart.   We’ll see how this all goes, but I think it’s going to be a very SWEET occasion ! Hopefully I’ll have lots of pictures to show you in the days to come.

I hope you all have FANTASTIC Friday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

A hug is a great gift — one size fits all, and it's easy to exchange. 

Author Unknown

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3349.  for sweet treats to decorate with

3350. for another reason to celebrate

3351. for the true meaning to the season, Jesus came on Christmas Day

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

27 Days Until Christmas

Take heart! There's no need to break the bank to decorate your house for the holidays. Simple strategies and a dash of creativity can go a long, long way when it comes to decorating.   Use what you have. Before you dash out to the craft store or trim a tree shop, pay a visit to the attic or storage room. Memories fade from year to year, so refresh yours with a quick inventory of the holiday decorations you already have on hand. Keep them firmly in mind as you read Christmas magazines or check out the Festival of Trees displays. You can update your decor with a few simple additions.

I’ve used the same decorations for several years now and simply find new ways to display them.  I always try to remember the old adage:  K eep  I t  S imple and  M ake  I t  F un.  KISMIF !

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

ADVICE FOR TODAY

It's good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things that money can't buy. 

George Horace Lorimer

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26th, 2015

25 DAYS UNTIL WINTER

Sunrise: 7:30 am

Sunset:  5:03 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Happy Thanksgiving !

Thanksgiving is a very important holiday, especially in the busy lives of Americans. It is a time to kick back and relax, watch a football game or go to a movie, and enjoy a huge feast. It's also time for us to give thanks to our God, for the things he has bestowed upon us and upon this great nation. There is no nation in the world that has more to be thankful for than us.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Now thank we all our God,
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices…

Johann Crüger

There is no pumpkin pie here at my house today but I do have lemon meringue and apple.  Thanks to a fund raiser for two of my grandson’s, pie is on the menu. I do have a turkey breast roasting in the oven and plan to have some sweet potatoes and stuffing to go with it.  

We had our big Thanksgiving feast last Saturday and that is when the pictures were taken that you are seeing today. We also had our annual mud football game that was played on the street. No mud this year.   I hope your day is just as wonderful as the one we shared as a family. 

It’s going to be a busy day as I’m decorating the house for the big day tomorrow.  I think it should look like Christmas when you are decorating gingerbread houses.

One thing about celebrations is that you need to have food!  It doesn’t have to be fancy at all but must include a little of that secret ingredient called LOVE.

I hope you all have GREAT day.  Happy Thursday ! Happy Thanksgiving!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

One of life's gifts is that each of us, no matter how tired and downtrodden, finds reasons for thankfulness.

J. Robert Maskin

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3346.  for turkey and the fixings, always good

3347. for families that get together, strengthening ties that bond us together

3348. for blessings that make us very thankful people

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

PRAYER REQUEST

My daughter has once again asked for prayers for her SIL.  The results of the tests last week show that this dear one has stage one breast cancer.  A course of treatment has not yet been set, but she’ll soon know.  May the dear Lord bless this much loved Sister in Law with healing and guide the hands of the doctors caring for her. We pray in all things Thy will be done Lord.  Amen.

28 Days Until Christmas

America gives thanks today as Thanksgiving Day kicks off the holiday season. The days ahead will be busy ones so today, just enjoy being with your loved ones.  Share with each other what you are thankful for and give praise for all you have.

Have a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving !

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

William Arthur Ward

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma