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
2 comments:
I have never had Coq Au Vin; sounds like it could be interesting to try one day down the road. I like that Hungarian blessing. I do think the world needs more peace, glad there are those who go out in pursuit of it as peacekeepers.
betty
I loved the blessing!
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