ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22ND, 2016
88 DAYS UNTIL SPRING
3 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Sunrise: 7:51 am
Sunset: 5:02 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is Forefathers Day. Few things are more important to Americans than heritage. Remembering where you come from, and how hard you’ve worked to get where you are are all integral parts of the concept of the American dream. For those reasons, no holiday could be more American in nature than Forefathers’ Day, a holiday that celebrates the first ever pilgrims courageously sailing across the vast ocean they knew very little about at the time, in search of a better life and freedom from religious prosecution. When they set foot on the shores of North America, they themselves were the beginning of a new country that would one day become a world superpower. Now that’s definitely an event worth celebrating.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The smells of Christmas are the smells of childhood.
Richard Paul Evans
For the most part my forefathers came to this country from Europe in hopes of a better life but there was also an American Indian in my ancestry too.
Most of the traditions passed down from generation to generation include food. And when it comes to cooking here at my house I have a wide and varied menu. I don’t ever think I’ll manage to make my grandmother’s chicken noodle soup though. It was the best I’ve ever tasted and my other grandmother’s biscuits were just heavenly. She made lots of them so had that recipe perfected. They were served at every meal and were also good to snack on in between too.
It’s good to have roots but also good to make some new traditions of our own to pass on from generation to generation.
One traditional thing in our family is making sausage bread for the holidays and my children are passing that on to their children too. My youngest son shared some pictures of them doing just that this week and that is what is shown in the picture above. We also do the traditional visit to St. Nick who is checking his list to see who’s naughty or nice. My daughter shared a couple of pictures of that too.
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 Date Nut Bread Day
At our house Date Nut Cookies are a favorite so I don’t make the bread but here is a recipe in case you’d like to try.
Date Nut Bread
1 1/2 cups pitted dates, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup boiling water
1 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg or cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, plus 5 to 8 pecan halves reserved
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9 by 5 by 3 inch loaf pan.
Place dates in a medium sized bowl, or large liquid measuring cup, boiling water. Let stand at least 20 minutes. Drain before use.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; set aside.
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars. Add egg, then vanilla. Gradually incorporate the flour mixture and blend until just combined. Stir in drained dates and nuts.
Transfer the batter into the prepared pan. Top with reserved nuts in a preferred pattern. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until an inserted toothpick in the center comes out almost clean.
Place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes, then remove the bread from the pan and cool completely. Makes one loaf.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!
Hamilton Wright Mabie
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
4501. for our ancestors, we need to remember where a roots are
4502. for tradition holiday foods, mmmm good!
4503. for a wonderful family whom I love dearly
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
Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity.
John Adams
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
3 comments:
Its good to have the traditions we do have around the holidays. Good to hear your children are passing those traditions down to their own children! Always fun to visit St. Nick!
betty
LOL-ing over here. DH loves him some date-nut bread, so that's what I did Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, the multi-tasker in me tried talking on the phone w/ my BF at the same time. What a mess! I kept slurping up the raw batter off my hands and counter-tops until my stomach was good and queasy. :(
Love the cheesy grin on your g'daughter's little face; and gotta say, your daughter is really pretty!
I have been missing, MA.... but I enjoyed this post and will try to read more regularly! Merry Christmas!
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