For Sunday, August 7th, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7TH, 2016

46 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Sunrise: 6:29 am

Sunset:  8:37 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Friendship Day which is a day to nurture relationships, new and old. It's a really easy and fun day to celebrate.

In 1935, the United States Congress, proclaimed the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day. Following the popularity and success of Friendship Day in US, several other countries adopted the tradition of dedicating a day to friends. Friendship Day is celebrated by several countries around the world.

One thing is for certain... if you put your all into the spirit of Friendship Day, you will have a great, great day.

Happy Friendship Day to people all over the world!  

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world. 

Leo Buscaglia

I am very thankful to have a few good friends and they really do make a big difference in my life.  Friends, truly good friends, are there when others aren’t.  I have found that best way to have a friend is to be one.  Too often time and distance may keep us apart, but with the internet these days, thankfully everyone seems a little closer.  

It’s another quiet relaxing day here at my house.  Sundays have always been my day of rest and this one is no different.  Everyone needs a day off from work and that I one thing I do best. Ha !

More Pictures of our blooming Rose of Sharon Bushes today.  They don’t seem to mind the dry weather we’ve been having.

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 Raspberries & Cream Day!

This chilled pie is an appealing combination of chocolate, berries, and lemon. No baking required.

7 ounces chocolate wafer cookies, about 32, coarsely broken

 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

6 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1/4 cup sugar

1, 14 ounce, can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup crème fraîche*

 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

2 1/2 cups fresh raspberries 

Place broken cookies in processor. Process until finely ground. Place chocolate chips, butter, and sugar in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high at 15 second intervals until melted, stirring occasionally. Add chocolate mixture to cookie crumb mixture and blend until combined. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up sides of 9 inch glass pie dish. Chill crust while preparing filling.

Whisk condensed milk, crème fraîche, lemon juice, and lemon peel in large bowl to blend. Add half of raspberries. Stir, pressing gently on some raspberries, until raspberries begin to break apart and filling turns pink. Transfer filling to crust. Chill until filling is set, about 2 hours.

Scatter remaining raspberries over pie. Cut into wedges and serve.

*Creme fraiche means fresh cream in French, and it's an incredibly decadent type of sour cream.  Creme fraiche can be purchased or made easily at home by combining 1 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons buttermilk in a glass container. Cover and let stand at room temperature from 8 to 24 hours or until very thick. Stir well before covering and refrigerate up to 10 days.   It is most similar to light sour cream. Sour cream can be exchanged for creme fraiche in some recipes, however the flavor of creme fraiche is more refined.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. 

George MacDonald

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

4111. for friends, very appreciated and needed too.

4112.  for fresh fruits, available on farm market stands this time of year

4113. for the Rose of Sharon Bushes that keep on blooming

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

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down. 

Arnold Glasow

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma