For Thursday, July 28th, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, JULY 28TH, 2016

56 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Sunrise: 6:19 am

Sunset:  8:48 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

National Refreshment Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday in July.  This day is all about celebrating fun and refreshment during the hottest time of the year.  There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than those moments of simple refreshment.  These are the simple pleasures that we all love and cherish.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.

Jane Austin

We all need refreshment from time to time and for me there’s nothing more refreshing that a tall glass of iced sweet tea on a hot day.  Add a little lemon and it becomes even more so.  I guess most of us have our favorite summer time refreshment.

We all need some time to step back, join with friends, and renew our hearts.  Time out is essential, not only for peace and quiet, but to get things done for your life. If you try to wait for all of your chores and responsibilities to be finished, you may be waiting a long time

 We all need timeouts so our brains and bodies can reboot.

Remember:  The summertime takes us outside more and with that we need to drink more water.

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

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

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

It’s National Milk Chocolate Day which is a special day for a special treat. A milk chocolate shake is always good but here is a different kind of recipe to celebrate the day.

Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Scones

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar, PLUS
2 tablespoons sugar, divided use
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup miniature chocolate chips

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 

Combine the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and sift them together into a large bowl. 

Cut the butter into tablespoon sized pieces and add the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is the size of small bread crumbs. 

Stir the buttermilk and vanilla together, then add all at once to the dry ingredients. Stir in the mixture briskly with a fork just until a sticky, shaggy dough forms. Stir in the chocolate chips. 

This is quite a soft dough, so flour your work surface generously and turn the dough out onto it. Flour your hands and knead the dough gently about a dozen times. 

Divide the dough in half, then, flouring your work surface and your hands as needed to keep the dough from sticking, pat each half into a circle about 8 inches across and 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle each circle with 1 tablespoon of sugar and, using the flat of your hand, press the sugar gently into the surface of the dough. 

With a long, sharp knife, cut each round into wedges. Transfer the wedges to a large ungreased baking sheet, placing them about 1/2 inch apart. 

Bake until the scones are light brown and puffy, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Serve the scones warm. 

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Love is the greatest refreshment in life.

 Pablo Picasso

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

4081. for refreshing drinks like iced tea

4082. for chocolate chips, so many ways to use them

4083. for fresh blueberries from the farmer’s market this week

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

True silence is the rest of the mind , and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body , nourishment and refreshment.

William Penn 

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma