For Tuesday, May 31st, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TUESDAY, MAY 31ST, 2016

20 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER

Sunrise: 5:57 am

Sunset:  8:55 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is What You Think Upon Grows Day. The date was chosen to honor one of the pioneers of the modern positive thinking, Norman Vincent Peale, who was born on this day in 1898.  He is famous for writing The Power of Positive Thinking. 

What you choose to think about and dwell on in this life will make or break you as to what type of person you will end up becoming in this life.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Proverbs 23:7

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results. 

Anonymous

I like to think that I’m a positive thinker.  I’d rather look on the bright side of life than to dwell on what’s wrong with it. We can all choose our thoughts and I choose to think about what is good and beautiful in my world.

Life is thought, and when we cease to think, we are not living. How we think, is the kind of life we live. Since we are able to control our thoughts, we can determine the course of our life and the way we feel during our time here.  

It is very important to establish good thinking guidelines and follow them. Placing thoughts of peace and happiness in our minds will help to make our lives peaceful and happy. If we do not set our thoughts properly, we travel through life by way of places where we will wish we had not gone.

I hope you all have a  TERRIFIC Tuesday !

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!

It’s Macaroon Day

The word macaroon comes from an Italian or Latin word for crush or beat. These delightful cookies are named this because the main ingredient is crushed almonds. In addition to almond paste, most macaroons have whipped egg whites, coconut, and of course sugar.

Really Easy Macaroons

3 cups  sweetened flaked coconut

 3/4cup  sugar 

3 large egg whites

1/4teaspoon  salt

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8teaspoon almond extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.  In large bowl, stir coconut, sugar, egg whites, salt, vanilla, and almond extract until well combined.  Refrigerate one half hour.

Drop batter by rounded teaspoons approximately 1 inch apart, on parchment paper covered cookie sheets. Bake 25 minutes until lightly golden.

Cool 1 to 3 minutes on cookie trays. Remove with wide, thin spatula. Finish cooling on wire rack.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Your life is your garden,
Your thoughts are the seeds.
If your life isn't awesome,
You've been watering the weeds.

Author Unknown

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

3907. for positive thoughts, there is always a bright side to every situation

3908.  for coconut, good in candy and cookies and lots in between

3909. for our minds, we often take them for granted

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

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. 

Author Unknown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Monday, May 30th, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, MAY 30TH, 2016

21 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER

Sunrise: 5:58 am

Sunset:  8:54 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Memorial Day which is officially celebrated on the last Monday during the month of May. Memorial Day is dedicated to service men and women who gave their lives for freedom and country. It is also a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. The roots of Memorial Day observance, goes back to 1865 and the end of the Civil War.

Memorial Day was traditionally held on the 30th of May. In 1971, Congress changed it to the last Monday, in order to afford a three day holiday weekend. Regardless of the date, we are encouraged to follow Memorial Day tradition: attend a parade, and visit a cemetery to honor and remember our serviceman. Take time to remember lost loved ones in whatever way you feel appropriate.

At Arlington National Cemetery, in solemn ceremony, a wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

Lee Greenwood

Today is supposed to be a beautiful day here in our part of the world.  They say we’re to be in the 80’s for most of the week to come, but by next weekend we’ll cool down into the 70’s.  It has been unusually warm for us and 70’s are more the norm. I remember a few very cool Memorial Days over the years, but this will not be one of them.  

I’ll be remembering loved ones in a special way today.  To all our military who bravely served and lost their lives and to all  family members that have died, you’ll always be remembered and never forgotten.

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to Summer too.  Pools open and many schools are already out for summer vacation or soon will be.  Many are planning their summer vacations.  Here at my house it simply means more time out on the porch.  

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

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!

Today is Mint Julep Day!

Known as the official drink at the annual Kentucky Derby horse race held the first Saturday of May, a traditional Mint Julep is made with mint, bourbon, sugar and water. Mint Juleps became a Churchill Downs track staple in 1938, when they sold for 38 cents in a souvenir glass.

This is an easy nonalcoholic version of the classic Mint Julep cocktail. It can be served not only to your family and friends but the kiddos too.   It will certainly keep you cool and refreshed through the hot months of summer.

Makes 2  glasses

2 ounces simple syrup

1 ounce lemon juice

2 sprigs fresh mint plus more for garnish

8 ounces ginger ale

Pour lemon simple syrup and lemon juice in a small glass with the mint sprigs and stir well. Refrigerate this mint mixture for 30 to 60 minutes to infuse the mint flavor into the syrup. Fill glass with ice. Pour 1.5 ounces of your mint and lemon mixture into each glass. Top with ginger ale to fill and garnish with additional mint.  You will want this by your side as the temps climb! 

Simple Lemon Syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

 1-1/2 cups fresh lemon juice

In small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.  Add in lemon juice and stir well. Transfer to a sterilized bottle.  Refrigerate,  It keeps indefinitely

COUNTING MY GIFTS

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.

Celia Thaxter

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

3904. for our military, always remembered

3905. for our lost loved ones, never forgotten

3906. for lemons and mint, very refreshing

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

Summertime is always the best of what might be.

Charles Bowden

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Sunday, May 29th, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, MAY 29TH, 2016

22 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER

Sunrise: 5:58 am

Sunset:  8:53 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers which honors our heroes, the more than one million men and women who have served under the UN flag with pride, distinction and courage since the first deployment in 1948. And we pay our highest tribute to the more than3,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while in service during that period.

Today, more than 124,000 military, police and civilian personnel are deployed in 16 peacekeeping operations on four continents.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Where there is Faith,

There is Love.

Where there is Love,

There is Peace.

Where there is Peace,

There is God.

Where there is God,

There is no need.

Hungarian House Blessing

I am always reminded of the Hungarian House Blessing, which is quoted above, when I think of peace and I am thankful for all the peace keepers in this world.  Keeping peace and making peace is important to each and everyone of us.  

We live in a world that is filled with fighting and rivalry. Every level of society is affected.  Gossip, slander, being a busy body, being opinionated or judgmental are all things with a very destructive force.  When we avoid these things, we become peacemakers.

There is a need for peace makers, peace keepers and peace builders in our world and I think it all starts with treating each other as we would like to be treated.  Common courtesy isn’t so common any more.  When we treat each other with respect we are keeping the peace.

Building peace in our world, one step at a time, begins at home and it begins with each one of us.  

Peace be with you all ! 

I hope you all have a RELAXING Sunday !

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!

It's National Coq Au Vin Day!

Coq Au Vin is French for rooster with wine. It is a popular dish made with braised chicken that is slowly cooked with red wine, mushrooms, pork fat, and various spices. Coq Au Vin became popular in the United States thanks to Julia Child, who featured the dish in her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It also appeared many times on her TV show The French Chef. Today, it is a popular dish in many French restaurants, but it is also a fabulous dish to cook at home

COQ AU VIN

6 slices bacon

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 chicken legs and thighs
1 lb baby portobello mushrooms, sliced
6 large cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 lb pearl onions, peeled
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 shallots, minced
1 celery stalk
1 can low sodium chicken broth
3 large carrots
3 baking potatoes
1/3 cup all purpose flour
2-3 cups red wine
2 bay leaves
3-4 stalks fresh thyme
2 sage leaves
salt and pepper

This is a good classic and economical dish to prepare for a Sunday or holiday meal or when you're expecting company. Plan on one chicken leg per person. Other dark meat chicken may be used but the white portion of the chicken has a tendency to dry out during the cooking unless marinated. Note: Chicken may be optionally marinated in a zipped plastic bag for several hours or overnight for better flavor; use 1 cup red wine and 2 tablespoons Kosher salt and a clove of crushed garlic. Turn over a few times. Discard marinade when done.
Choose a hearty red wine such as Merlot or Marsala.

Wash chicken under cold running water; drain and pat dry with paper towels.

Slice bacon crosswise into 2 inch long strips and saute with a tablespoon olive oil over low heat in a large Dutch oven to obtain drippings. When bacon is crisp, remove from pan using a slotted spoon. Save bacon for later.

Brown the chicken in the bacon drippings and olive oil over high heat, turning to brown other side. Chicken legs only need to brown, but do not need to be fully cooked at this point. Remove from pan and set aside.

While the bacon and chicken are cooking, prepare the vegetables: Peel garlic, shallots and onions

Note: frozen pearl onions and frozen sliced carrots may be substituted for fresh; red onions can be used if shallots are not available.

Wash and peel carrots and potatoes. Crush garlic and mince shallots. Wash and remove strings from celery and coarsely chop. To remove strings from celery, break off a small bit from the edge on the bottom end of the celery stalk and peel upwards along the outer side; or a vegetable peeler can be used.

Slice carrots into 1/2 inch thick coins and do the same with the potatoes. Clean the mushrooms; brush off using a clean towel and slice into halves.

Saute mushrooms, pearl onions and carrots in drippings over high heat until they begin to take on color. Don't stir too often; allow to brown. Add minced shallots and garlic to vegetables when vegetables begin to caramelize.

Add potatoes and celery. Sprinkle 1/3 cup flour over vegetables. Stir to distribute flour; pour wine over all and add fresh herbs. With a spatula to scrape up the brown flavor bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in broth. Be careful not to break up vegetables when stirring.

Return bacon and chicken to pot. Simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until vegetables and chicken are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove thyme and bay leaves before serving.

Enjoy!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

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

3901. for peace, it begins with me

3902. for chicken, so many good ways to fix it

3903. for a long holiday weekend to celebrate

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

The basis of world peace is the teaching which runs through almost all the great religions of the world. Love they neighbor as thyself.

Eleanor Roosevelt

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma