For Saturday, January 16th, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16TH, 2016

 63 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Sunrise: 7:53 am

Sunset:  5:25 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

On this, the third Saturday of January, we celebrate Soup Swap Day. It's  a day to spend quality time with family and friends and share some homemade soup with them to take home.  

With the cold weather still in abundance, January is the perfect month to celebrate and enjoy soup of all kinds.  From thick, creamy, calorie laden soup, also known as a Bisque or Chowder, to the water based and healthier broth or consommé, and the vegetable laden chili and gazpacho, almost every country around the world has it’s own special recipe. 

Warm and nourishing soup is perhaps the best part of winter.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Soup is a lot like a family. Each ingredient enhances the others; each batch has its own characteristics; and it needs time to simmer to reach full flavor.

Marge Kennedy

I do love soup and when it’s cold out I do make it often. So I’d like to swap a recipe for a homemade soup with you all today.  I looked for and found this new recipe to try out and here it is:

FARMER'S CHEESE SOUP 
Makes 7 cups
3 tablespoons butter 
1 cup finely chopped onion 
1 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup sliced carrot rounds 
1/2 pound broccoli, separated into small flowerets (about 2-1/4 cups) 
3 cups milk 
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 

6 to 8 slices French bread, toasted 
Swiss cheese cut into thin wedges, two for each slice of bread 
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 

Melt butter in 3 qt. saucepan.  Add onion and celery.  Stir and cook 5 minutes.  Add carrots, broccoli and broth. 

Cover, bring to a boil, then turn to simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add milk, bring to a simmer.  Add cheese, stirring until melted.  Pour soup into a casserole.  Float bread slices on top of soup and cover each with two wedges of Swiss cheese.  Place under broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts and turns a delicate brown. 

Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and serve. 

Now all I have to do is get some French Bread…sounds like a winner to me!  Tomorrow is the 3rd Sunday dinner for any of my family that can come and I’m thinking that I’d better share some of this with them along with some chicken and rice casserole.

I hope you all have a SUPER Saturday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Good soup is one of the prime ingredients of good living.  For soup can do more to lift the spirits and stimulate the appetite than any other one dish.

Louis P. De Gouy

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

3502. for soup, always good and good for you

3503. for recipes to share, I’m always trying out something new

3504. for family to share a meal with 

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.

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

Food feeds both the body and soul - there are clear reasons to eat a balanced diet, but there are also reasons you cling to your mom's secret chicken noodle soup recipe when you're sick.

Michael Mina

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma