ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 2017
45 DAYS UNTIL SPRING
Sunrise: 7:37 am
Sunset: 5:47 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is Feed the Birds Day. Mid and late winter are especially hard on all outdoor animals. By mid winter, food sources become scarcer and scarcer for the wild birds that winter in your backyard. What little food that is available, can get buried under deep snow. While the bird feeder that you place in your backyard, in view of your window, may be entertaining to you as a bird watcher, it is also vital to the survival of birds in harsh winters.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The joy of nature is being able to see her beauty.
Pound for pound feeding the birds is great entertainment. They are fun to watch and they appreciate the food too. We’ve snow on the ground here right now so I’m sure the food is appreciated.
The black oil sunflower is a high energy food and a favorite seed of most birds found in Ohio. There is usually one or two that will fall on the ground here and eventually take root and bless us with a few sunflowers to enjoy in the summertime too. Then we’re doubly blessed.
I got to see DS#1 yesterday thanks to DS#5 who drove. He was up and feeling hopeful he will soon be able to go home. He had a fever that kept him there though for at least another day. We praying today is a better day and he’ll be home before he knows it. I heard from DDIL#1 already this morning and he was up bright and early, feeling hungry and no temp!
The house is to have it’s very first showing today and I’m excited and hopeful. I know it would be very unusual to sell it to the first people that view it, but one can dream.
I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!
WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN
There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!
It’s National Carrot Cake Day! Carrot Cake has been around since the Middle Ages. At that time, sugar and other sweeteners were rare and very expensive, so people used sweet vegetables to flavor their puddings.
I admit that the only carrot cakes I make are from a package but I found this recipe to try out today.
THE WORLD'S BEST CARROT CAKE
Made with all the special things you like in such a cake, this moist treat is one divine way to eat carrots.
2 to 3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 c. sugar
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 c. buttermilk
3/4 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pound carrots, peeled and grated
1, 8 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. raisins
Cream Cheese Frosting
Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl; set aside. Combine sugars, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract in a large bowl; stir until all ingredients are well blended. Add flour mixture, carrots, pineapple, walnuts, coconut and raisins, stirring just until well blended.
Grease 3, 8 inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with circles of parchment or waxed paper; grease and flour paper. Pour batter into cake pans.
Bake at 350 degrees. for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; loosen cake layers from edges of pans with a sharp knife and invert onto wire racks. Peel off waxed paper and cool completely.
Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Cover and refrigerate overnight before cutting.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1, 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1, 16 oz. pkg. powdered sugar
2 tsp. grated orange rind
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Combine butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl; beat until light and fluffy. Add sugar, orange rind and vanilla, mixing well.
Makes enough frosting for 1 three layer cake.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest.
J.G. Holland
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
4627. for birds, very entertaining to watch
4628. for carrots, always good and good for you too
4629. for a house showing today
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
Birds of a feather flock together.
Proverb
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
2 comments:
How exciting with the showing of the house, Ma! You never know, it could be just the thing the buyers are looking for! Glad to hear DDS#1 is continuing to improve; hopefully discharge soon! I always enjoyed feeding the birds when we lived in Prescott :) Fun to watch them enjoy the seed :)
betty
Oh, thank you for updating us on your DS#1's recovery!
Carrot cake ... be still my kneecaps! :) Hard to believe I refused to even taste it for years and years because I disliked carrots. The recipe sounds pretty labor-intensive for a 'kitchen visitor' like myself, but it's fun to read.
Crossing fingers that your first 'showing'!
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