WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH, 2015
Sunrise: 7:21 am
Sunset: 5:08 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
November 18th is National Apple Cider Day! Apple cider is a raw unfiltered, unsweetened, non-alcoholic drink made from apples. Apple cider can be differentiated from apple juice in that apple juice is typically filtered to take out apple particles, pasteurized to maximize shelf life, and sugar and water are often added to the beverage. Because of its limited shelf life, untreated cider has become a seasonal beverage produced mostly in fall and winter months, making it a popular holiday beverage. Cider can be enjoyed cold or mulled by making the cider hot and adding spices like clove and cinnamon.
Happy Apple Cider Day!
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
I know the look of an apple that is roasting and sizzling on the hearth on a winter's evening, and I know the comfort that comes of eating it hot, along with some sugar and a drench of cream. I know the delicate art and mystery of so cracking hickory nuts and walnuts on a flatiron with a hammer that the kernels will be delivered whole, and I know how the nuts taken in conjunction with winter apples, cider, and doughnuts, make old people's tales and old jokes sound fresh and crisp and enchanting, and juggle an evening away before you know what went with the time.
Mark Twain
Apple Cider is a staple here at my house from the time it is available until I can no longer get it. I drink it hot and cold. I also use it in cooking and baking. It’s a favorite beverage for me. I’ve never made my own cider but it’s readily available at the farmers markets and grocery stores.
I found a recipe for a Sparkling Cider Punch to help celebrate the holidays. All you need is sparkling apple cider, fresh orange juice, and lemonade concentrate.
2 lemons
3 large oranges
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 liter club soda
2 bottles sparkling apple cider
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 trays ice cubes
Thinly slice the lemons and the oranges and place in a large punch bowl. Pour in the thawed lemonade. Gently stir in the club soda and the sparkling apple cider. Add sugar to taste. Add ice
Today is my day to get some shopping done. Only just a few days now until our family feast and I’ve got potato salad and some sheet cake brownies to make.
I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday !
COUNTING MY GIFTS
The tarter the apple, the tastier the cider.
Beverly Lewis
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
3322. for apple cider, it’s delicious
3323. for grocery stores that provide good fresh food
3324. for the little red hen, my car that still runs
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!
36 Days Until Christmas
Share your blessings with Blessings Mix
Use them as table favors, workplace gifts or party treats at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or to celebrate American holidays such as Independence Day or Veterans Day--and bring home the values that underlie each occasion.
Gather your ingredients: small twisted pretzels, Bugles brand snack mix, raisins or dried fruits, nuts, seasonal candies such as candy corn, M&Ms brand chocolate candies, and Hershey's brand chocolate kisses.
Thanksgiving Blessing Mix
2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup candy corn
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
Blessings Mix gift tags
Place approximately 1/3 cup snack mix in clear party bags. Add one Hershey's Kiss to each bag. Close bag with chenille stem or twist tie.
Thanksgiving Blessing Mix Poem
Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Nuts or seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
Dried fruits: Harvest gifts of our bountiful land.
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.
For Christmas Mix simply replace the candy corn with some red hots cinnamon candies. And use Christmas M and M’s
Here’s the Christmas Blessings 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.
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 !
ADVICE FOR TODAY
Use what you have, use what the world gives you. Use the first day of fall: bright flame before winter's deadness; harvest; orange, gold, amber; cool nights and the smell of fire. Our tree lined streets are set ablaze, our kitchens filled with the smells of nostalgia: apples bubbling into sauce, roasting squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, warmth itself. The leaves as they spark into wild color just before they die are the world's oldest performance art, and everything we see is celebrating one last violently hued hurrah before the black and white silence of winter.
Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
2 comments:
I too like apple cider, especially on a cool day to have a hot cup of it. I would imagine the stores are starting to get busy with people buying their turkeys and whatnot for the Thanksgiving feast next week :) Your potato salad and brownies sound delicious and will make a nice addition to your family's get together this weekend :)
betty
I needed a snack to have on hand this weekend, when our little grands are coming to decorate their Christmas trees (small ones that they are taking with them). I think I just found it!
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