For Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2ND, 2016

51 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Sunrise: 6:24 am

Sunset:  8:43 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is National Night Out Day which is a community, police awareness raising event in the United States, held the first Tuesday of August.

The event has been held annually since 1984 and is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the United States and Canada.

The event is meant to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, neighborhood watch, and other anti crime  efforts.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself

Romans 13:9 

The pictures today are of DS#4’s boys when they attended National Night Out in their community last year.  I’m pretty sure they went again this year too.  Our communities are stronger and safer when everyone works together to make them safe.

We have a Neighborhood Watch sign at the beginning our street.  I think that it is good for us all to be aware of what is going on around us and to be a good neighbor whenever possible.

Sometimes good, friendly neighbors are hard to come by. When you do have a kind, good neighbor nearby, it really goes a long way.  I’m blessed to have one of sisters as a neighbor and she’s a good one for sure !

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 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day which is a time to enjoy a cold sandwich.......an ice cream sandwich.

In July and August, we find many special days for one kind of ice cream or another. The ice cream sandwich is so popular, and tastes so good, that it earns its own special day....today.

I’ve never made my own but they say that thess ice cream sandwiches are not at all difficult to make, but do require a little planning ahead.

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Sandwiches

For the Filling:
1 quart vanilla ice cream (homemade or store bought)

For the Cookies:
½ cup vegetable shortening
1¼ cups light brown sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup cocoa powder
½ teaspoon instant espresso powder
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour, divided
 Line a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with foil, allowing excess to hang over the edges.

 If you're using homemade ice cream, immediately after churning, spread the ice cream into the prepared pan. If using store bought ice cream, soften it slightly and then spread it into the prepared pan. Freeze overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

 In a large mixing bowl, beat together the shortening and the brown sugar with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the baking powder, salt, cocoa powder, espresso powder and vanilla. Mix until incorporated. Mix in 1 cup of the flour, followed by 2 tablespoons of water, and then add the remaining 1 cup flour and another 2 tablespoons of water, mixing well until no dry ingredients remain. The dough should be soft and pliable but not sticky; if necessary, add more water, a teaspoon at a time, until the dough comes together.

Turn out half the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll to an even 1/8 inch to ¼ inch thickness. Cut the dough into 2 by 4 inch rectangles.  Transfer the cookies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a skewer, poke a pattern of holes on each cookie's surface. Roll out, cut, and poke remaining dough, rerolling the scraps as you work. Place the sheets of cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking.

Bake 7 to 8 minutes, or until the cookies are just set. Do not overbake.
 Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool 2 to 3 minutes on a baking sheet. Transfer to cooling racks and cool to room temperature. Freeze cookies for at least 1 hour before assembling the sandwiches.

To assemble the sandwiches, have everything ready and work quickly! Match up cookies of the same size and have them laid out and ready for the ice cream. Use the edges of the foil to lift the block of firm ice cream from the baking pan and place it on a cutting board. Working quickly, cut the ice cream into 2 by 4 inch rectangles Using a narrow stainless steel spatula, place a rectangle between two chilled cookies and press the cookies lightly to adhere.

Cut one or two rectangles, assemble those cookies and place on a tray, then do one or two more, until you're finished. Return the sandwiches to the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or zip top plastic bag in the freezer.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Let me be a little kinder, 

Let me be a little blinder 

To the faults about me;

 Let me praise a little more,

 Let me be, when I am weary; 

Just a little bit more cheery,

 Let me serve a little better 

Those that I am striving for.

 Let me be a little braver

 When temptation bids me waver, 

Let me strive a little harder

 To be all that I should be;

 Let me be a little meeker 

to the brother that is weaker; 

Let me think more of my neighbor

 and a little less of me.

Author Unknown

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

4096. for good neighbors, especially my sister

4097.  for cold sandwiches made with ice cream 

4098. for our police and fire departments that keep us safe

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

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy if anything can. 

Thomas Merton

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma