For Saturday, October 15th, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15TH, 2016

66 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise: 7:41 am

Sunset:  6:46 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Sweetest Day which exists as an opportunity for you to recognize that sweet and special someone. It doesn’t matter who that person is, or what their relation to you. They just have to be ‘sweet' in order to get a little recognition.

Herbert Birch Kingston, a Cleveland, Ohio philanthropist and candy company employee started Sweetest Day. He wanted to bring happiness to orphans, shut ins and under privileged. His intent was to show these people that they were not forgotten.  In 1922, he started this holiday by giving candy and small gifts. He often used movie stars to distribute the gifts.

The popularity of this holiday quickly spread. Today, it is celebrated with loved ones and friends. However, we are encouraged to follow the intent of the original holiday, and find ways to give candy and small gifts to those in need. Just buy some candy and distribute it like a reverse Halloween, handing out candy to friends, coworkers, and random people on the street to remind them to have the Sweetest Day of the year.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Today some of my sweeties, family and friends, are coming in to help me with the continuing saga of decluttering around here.  I need help and they are very SWEET to come in and provide some muscle power that I no longer have.  There are things here leftover from having a large family that are no longer needed and have to go.  A couple of beds, a desk, a dresser, more than one TV and lots more just has to go.  I no longer have a use for it and it hopefully will be out of the house by the end of the day. There is still going to be a lot that will need to be sorted through, but this will make a major improvement.

I’m providing lots of garbage bags and lots of food too.  Thankfully it’s supposed to be a lovely fall day here.

I hope you all have a SUPER Saturday!

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

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

It’s Chicken Cacciatore Day!

Here is a simple but delicious recipe:

Chicken Cacciatore! 

The dish is relatively quick and easy to make, quite nutritious, and the recipe can easily be multiplied to serve more if needed.
Serves 2

1 1/2 pounds of chicken thighs, with the bone in and skin on
some salt to taste
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, washed, seeded, and sliced thinly
4 ounces mushrooms, thickly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 cup Marsala or other red or white wine
1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped, firm ripe tomatoes, with their juices
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped 
1/2 teaspoon dry oregano or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped
Start by seasoning the chicken pieces on all sides with the salt. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Place the chicken pieces skin side down in the pan and brown, which should take about 5 minutes, and then turn over and lightly brown the other side. Take the chicken out of the pan and set aside. Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat out of the frying pan, and then add the sliced onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. 

Increase the heat to medium high. Cook until the onions are translucent, and the mushrooms have become limp. This should take about 10 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan and cook a minute or so longer. Add the wine and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, and then add the tomatoes. Stir in all of the spices as well as about a teaspoon of salt to taste. Simmer everyhing uncovered for another 5 minutes or so, and then put the chicken pieces on top of the tomatoes and onions, skin side up. 

Lower the heat and cover the frying pan with its lid slightly ajar so some of the steam can get out. Proceed to cook the chicken on a low simmer, turning it from time to time. Cook everything until the thighs are tender, which should take about 30 to 40 minutes. Serve over pasta to soak up the juices.

Happy Chicken Cacciatore Day!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Of all nature's gifts to the human race, what is sweeter to a man than his children? 

Marcus Tullius Cicero

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

4315. for all my SWEETIES!  Those near and far, you are all appreciated !

4316. for the garbage men and garbage pickers that will take all this overflow away

4317. for chicken, so many good ways to fix it

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

Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all that life really means. 

Robert Louis Stevenson

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma