SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19TH, 2015
Sunrise: 7:51 am
Sunset: 5:02 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Look for an Evergreen Day is today. To many people, only a fresh cut real tree will do for Christmas. The scent of fresh pine helps to capture the feel of the holidays. Nothing looks more real than a real tree, each one with it's own character and appearance.
There is no shortage of types of Christmas trees. Generally classified as firs, spruces, and pines, the most popular varieties have changed over the years. Personal preference will determine whether you select a short needle, or long needled tree.
If you haven't selected a tree yet, it is certainly getting late. By the 19th of December, most people have found and put up their Christmas tree. So if you are still treeless, this special day could be the day to do so.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
May Christmas be Evergreen in your hearts!
Most of the pictures today are of the Christmas trees that my family have shared. The little tree shown in the picture above is just a start of what I’ve been painting for Christmas this year. It is not finished and truth be told I’m just now finishing up and the gifts I have to mail to family this year are going to be mailed out late. It will be hoped they get them by Christmas but that may not be the case. We’ll just have to wait and see how the mail runs. I will be sending them out by priority mail, so we’ll see.
Years ago now when I kept Christmas at home for my family, I tried to follow a theme for the year. One year I gave each person a little tree to put in their home with the wish that they would Keep Christmas Evergreen in their hearts. Another year I gave a them all a little drum as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
Evergreens are symbolic of life itself and points to God's gift of life. Legends say that the branches of an evergreen tree, dusted with snow, was used indoors and was decorated with candles, lighted in honor of birth of Jesus Christ. Evergreen trees such as fir and spruce are used as Christmas trees since they withstand the severe winter and keep themselves green. Faith in God can withstand any temptation or trial and keep the soul evergreen.
Just because I’ve haven’t shared a recipe lately I wanted to let you know about one I made yesterday. It simmered away while I got lots done and it was easy peasy
EASY BEEF STEW
1 pound stew beef
1 can sweet peas,drained
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can cut green beans, drained
3 or 4 stalks celery, sliced
1 small onion
3 potatoes, diced bite size
3/4 bag sliced baby carrots
1 pkg Lipton onion soup
1 quart low sodium beef broth
1/2 cup flour or 1/4 cup cornstarch
2 beef bouillon cubes
Dice beef to your size preference, put stew beef into the Crock Pot. Dice potatoes to bite sizes and put over beef. Add drained peas and green beans. Then, slice carrots and celery to medium sizes; just not too small! Chop onion to your size preference, add.
To make it saucy: Measure 1 1/2 cups water or beef broth in a liquid measuring cup. Heat in microwave until hot. Add the 2 beef bouillon cubes and stir until they are dissolved, add.
In the same measuring cup, heat 2 cups water or broth, add Lipton onion soup until it has dissolved and also add. Put the Crock Pot on low for 5-8 hours.
To thicken the sauce, use a soup ladle to measure 1 cup of the stew broth and put in a sauce pan. Heat to boiling and add the flour, a little at a time. Alternatively, use a package of brown gravy, if desired. If you prefer to thicken the gravy with cornstarch, stir the cornstarch into cold water until fully dissolved before adding it back to the soup. Stir in gravy. Cover and keep on low for another hour or two.
Note: I used frozen vegetables, not canned
They say we’ll be below freezing today for the first time in awhile. We may even have a chance for a few flakes. But tomorrow we’ll warm back up into the 40’s and it looks like next week we’ll be mostly in the 50’s so that means no snow for Christmas Day. We’ll be keeping Christmas evergreen in our hearts !
I hope you all have a SUPER Saturday !
COUNTING MY GIFTS
The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
3418. for Evergreens, reminding us of God’s gift of life.
3419. for fresh warm cookies, courtesy of my next door sister
3420. for my little tree that sets on the table, it’s tiny but it works
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!
5 Days Until Christmas
Advent tip for today: Make a manger with twigs you collect from outside and talk about Baby Jesus and the type of place he was born in.
Did you know: Most people and churches do not include the Christ child in the manger until Christmas Eve. That missing figure reminds us throughout the season that all of life would be meaningless without Christ.
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
We can learn a lot from trees: they're always grounded
but never stop reaching heavenward.
Everett Mámor
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
5 comments:
Definitely going to make that stew, Ma! It does look easy and delicious! So cute with the Christmas tree decoration you are making. I like your idea about the themes you did from Christmases past; very clever :) We are celebrating Christmas with son/family this year so didn't put up a tree here, but do enjoy looking at other people's trees and their decorations :)
betty
I was good about the trees this year and only put up two.
I love a real tree but my allergies prevent me from having one. So sad because the fragrance is wonderful.
The beef stew sounds so good and it is finally cooler here....almost cold. I love soups and stews, chili, too in cooler weather.
Hope your day was/is blessed.
Barb
A gift arrived in the mail just now from a dear friend. Every year she sends evergreen branches from the woods around her home on a mountain! I have only seen mountains once... the smell is heavenly.
Evergreen day!
I do miss the smell of a fresh fir! Alas, they dry out so quickly in the desert air down here, we've gone the artificial route.
Your handmade trees are engaging, indeed, and I'm sure will be treasured. (Your handwriting is lovely!)
Your stew sounds delicious Pam! I am sorry I have been such a poor commenter these past weeks. I read, but it has been hard to sit at the computer for very long and of course my left arm is very painful, which means I am having to type with my right hand. One handed typing, not great, lol In any case I always love the things you post, the little snippets of trivia, the special thoughts, the lovely photos of your family, all of it. You are a real treasure in blogland Pam. I wanted you to know how very much I appreciate you and all that you share. I do love a real tree, but alas we have not had one for a very long time now. I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2016. I would have sent you a card via e-mail, but don't have your e-mai address! God bless you and all that you do. You are a spark of light in a sometimes very dark world. xoxo
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