For Thursday, January 21st, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST, 2016

58 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Sunrise: 7:50 am

Sunset:  5:31 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

January 21st is National Hugging Day!  What a great day! This is an opportunity to give and to receive. Give a hug, and you automatically receive one in return.  Hugs are loving. Hugs are therapeutic. Hugs are caring. Hugs are celebratory.  Hugs make you feel good inside. 

Celebrate today by giving hugs to family, friends and loved ones. You'll love the warm feeling you get.  

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There's something in a simple hug
That always warms the heart;
It welcomes us back home
And makes it easier to part.

A hug's a way to share the joy
And sad times we go through,
Or just a way for friends to say
They like you 'cause you're you.

Hugs are meant for anyone
For whom we really care,
From your grandma to your neighbor,
Or a cuddly teddy bear.

A hug is an amazing thing -
It's just the perfect way
To show the love we're feeling
But can't find the words to say.

It's funny how a little hug
Makes everyone feel good;
In every place and language,
It's always understood.

And hugs don't need new equipment,
Special batteries or parts
Just open up your arms
And open up your hearts.


Keep this hug going
Pass it on to your buddies.

Author unknown

I love to get hugs and to give them.  Living alone means that I don’t get them every day but I do take advantage of every chance I get to give one or to get one.  Scientific studies have demonstrated that hugs are incredibly good for us. A hug can lower your blood pressure, trigger the release of healthy hormones, like oxytocin, and relieve stress. Doctors recommend a minimum of 4 to 6 hugs per day for our emotional and physiological well being, but more is always better!

This time of year a bowl of soup is like a warm hug.  It takes the chill off and warms you up right down to your toes. Chicken soup can help clear congestion and soothe stuffy nasal passages. The vegetables in it provide vitamins and nutrients. Soups with beans and grains offer protein and fiber. But beyond that, soup simply makes you feel better. Warms you through and fills you up in a way nothing else can. Soup is dinner with bread and a salad. Soup is lunch with a crisp apple. Soup is a meal.

Like hugs, Food can repair and mend, making everything ok again.  When its cold outside, like it is now, our bodies begin to crave substance and because we need more energy and can feel its effects almost immediately, warming us up from the inside out, comfort food becomes even more important.

Growing up my favorite Tomato Soup was a red and white can of Campbells. And depending on my mood, some days I added white rice to my soup, some days I added egg noodles, and others I went straight for a side of an oozy grilled cheese sandwich. With Kraft American Cheese, of course.

I found this recipe for Creamy Tomato Soup that is like a warm, velvety hug that you don’t want to end.  And it’s made extra special by an addition of cooking sherry, which is found in the vinegar aisle in the grocery store  

6 Tablespoons Melted Butter

1 whole Medium Onion, Diced

1 bottle, 46 Oz., Tomato Juice

 2 cans, 14 Oz. each, Diced Tomatoes

1 to 3 Tablespoons Chicken base/bouillon

3 Tablespoons Sugar

1 pinch Salt

 Black Pepper To Taste

1 cup Cooking Sherry

1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream

 Chopped Fresh Parsley

Chopped Fresh Basil

Sauté diced onions in butter until translucent. Then add canned tomatoes, tomato juice, chicken base, sugar, pinch of salt, black pepper and stir. Bring to a near boil, then turn off heat. Add in sherry and cream and stir. Add in parsley and basil to taste.

Adjust other seasonings and serve with yummy, crusty bread on a cold blustery, dreary, depressing, rainy, snowy day.  I’m thinking that I’ll be adding some rice to mine.

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

COUNTING MY GIFTS

A hug is the perfect gift; one size fits all, and nobody minds if you exchange it.

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

3517. for hugs, always wonderful

3518. for comfort foods that feel like a warm hug

3519. for the many ways to keep warm on a cold winter day.

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

No matter how hard you hug your money, it never hugs back.

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma