ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 2017
69 DAYS UNTIL SPRING
Sunrise: 7:53 am
Sunset: 5:18 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is Houseplant Appreciation Day which is the day to get back to tending to, and loving your houseplants. And, it's also a day to appreciate just how special and important they are. They are therapeutic, lifting your mood and outlook. They add warmth and a calming effect. If you are a gardner, they give you an opportunity to play in the dirt, until spring arrives
Growing houseplants is pretty easy. They need a little sunlight, water, occasional nutrients, and a little love. Houseplants take in the carbon dioxide that you exhale, and give off oxygen....just for you!
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.
Jim Carrey
The only house plant that I have left here at my house is a shamrock. It’s sat on my kitchen window sill for several years now and all I have to do is water it now and then. Apparently it likes being where it’s planted as it keeps growing and growing.
Like flowers, we too are to bloom where we are planted. Which is simply a way of saying a person should take advantage of the opportunities they have in their life and be grateful for the present situation.
The only sure thing in life is change. No matter where you're planted, situations and circumstances will change with time. If you want to learn to bloom despite any circumstances, it's important you learn to calmly embrace change.
Thinking about what could happen in the future, or what you could have done differently in the past, can distract you from blooming in the present. Even when you're frustrated, try your best to stay in the present moment and accept things for what they are. Being content with our lot in life is sometimes difficult, but God has placed us right where he wants us to be.
So don’t be discouraged. Never give up. Bloom where you’re planted.
I hope you all have TERRIFIC Tuesday!
WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN
There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!
Today is Bittersweet Chocolate Day. In case you didn't get enough chocolate and sweets over the long holidays, here is a chance to delve into some bittersweet chocolate. Bittersweet chocolate is a sweeter form of dark chocolate. Unlike milk chocolate, it has no milk. It is darker, and richer than most other chocolates, and is the most popular chocolate for baking. Consuming bittersweet chocolate on a daily basis is actually quite good for you. All variations of dark chocolate contain antioxidants that lower blood pressure and help protect your heart.
Dark Chocolate Brownies
1 cup Butter
5 ounces, unsweetened Chocolate
1/4 cup unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 cups Sugar
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
3 whole Large Eggs
1 1/4 cup Flour
3/4 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Powdered Sugar, For Sifting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium large saucepan, melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate over low heat, whisking occasionally until smooth and melted. Sprinkle in cocoa powder and whisk to combine. Remove the pan from heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Stir in sugar and vanilla until just combined. One at a time, stir in the eggs.
Gently stir in the flour until halfway incorporated. Add the chocolate chips and stir just until combined.
Pour batter into a greased 8 by 8 or 9 by 13 baking pan. Square pan will result in thicker brownies. Spread to even out the top and place in the oven.
Bake for 40 minutes, then check the brownies with a toothpick. If it is overly gooey, return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes.
Allow to cool completely, then sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into small squares. The brownies are very rich! When warm the brownies will seem soft. As they cool, they will firm up.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.
Luther Burbank
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
4558. for plants and flowers that bring joy to our lives
4559. for chocolate, good and good for you too
4560. for changes that help us grow
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
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
3 comments:
So true God has us where he wants us to be. That is always something good to remember, especially if it involves changes in our lives. I don't have any house plants either. I used to have some, but got out of the habit of keeping them. Might have to get one or two around here!
betty
I adore that image of the daisies in a mason jar!
So, shamrocks are easy-going houseplants, then?
Unlike my mother and her fabled 'green thumb', I've never been a good shepherd to living plants. Long story, but Tom recently broke one of my mother's ceramic bowls ... I used to call it the 'bread bowl' because that's what usually housed the raw, yeasty dough. Anyway(!). He glued it back together, but it still leaks. Rather than throwing it out, he suggested we plant something in it. I think she'd be pleased. :)
I love my houseplants. Some of them belonged to my mother when she was in the nursing home. I have managed to keep them alive for over 10 years. I need to transplant them as they no longer bloom. I have a tree in my living room that we bought when we moved into this house. That was nearly 30 years ago!!
Post a Comment