For Saturday, July 29th, 2017

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades.  May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks, and boring grays of your every day.

SATURDAY, JULY 28TH, 2017

55 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Sunrise: 6:20 am

 Sunset: 8:48 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Rain Day which celebrates all things wet and wonderful.  You don’t have to be a farmer with your eye on the latest batch of crops to be concerned with rain.  If you’re blessed enough to live where it rains on Rain Day you can head outside to dance, sing, or just walk in the rain.  If it doesn’t rain, you can serve up a delicious meal of fresh greens and things that depend on the rain to grow and reflect on 

just how blessed we are to live in a rainy world.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Some people are making such thorough plans for rainy days that they aren't enjoying today's sunshine.

William Feather

You all know I love the sunshine, but it does take rain to make things grow. Rain is a needed component for crops to thrive.  All life is dependent on rain, and rain is what keeps our world green and fresh and beautiful. 

We all need water and wouldn’t have it without rain.  Water makes up more than half of our adult bodies.  And while nearly 70 percent of the world is covered by rather only 2.5 percent of is fresh.

Our bodies depend on water to survive.  We should drink water every day. Other drinks and foods can help you stay hydrated but also add extra sugar to your diet.  If you don’t like the taste of plain water try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your drink.  

If you don’t replace the water you loose, you can become dehydrated   Don’t wait until you notice symptoms of dehydration to take a action and remember when we get older our brains might not sense dehydration.

The pictures today are of a rainy day here at my house looking out the sunroom windows. On the bright side today is to be a mostly sunny one.

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!

 National Lasagna Day is today. Sure, it's July. Its hot and humid. Cooking up a pan of Lasagna will make the kitchen a lot hotter. But as it cooks, the smell will waft throughout the house. Your mouth will begin to water. When dinner time arrives, you will have a huge appetite for a huge piece of lasagna. Of this, you can be certain.

Lasagna is a favorite Italian dish. In between multiple layers of lasagna pasta are generous amounts of tomato sauce, cheeses, and sometimes hamburger and/or Italian sausage. Its the favorite Italian dish of millions of Americans. We all would eat it more often, but this culinary work of art, made with loving hands, takes time to make and bake.

Lasagna is a favorite of mine and it’s what I’m cooking up today for my family and friends.  It’s not the only thing on the menu.  I’ll be having lots of variety which will also include fruit and a salad.  The picture above is from my cookbook which was a wedding gift and has served me well for many years.

Lasagna 

1 pound sausage, Italian is preferred

1 clove garlic minced

1 tablespoon basil

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1lb. can tomatoes, 2 cups

2 6oz. cans tomato paste

****

10 oz. Lasagna noodles

3 cups fresh ricotta or creamy cottage cheese

1/2 grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

2 beaten eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated or sliced thin

Brown meat slowly, spoon off excess fat. Add next 5 ingredients.  Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cook noodles in large amount of boiling water till tender.  I always add a tablespoon of oil to water so noodles don’t stick together.

Combine remaining ingredients except mozzarella cheese. Place half the noodles in a 13 by 9 inch pan.  I always coat the pan with baking spray for easier clean up.

 

Spread with half cottage cheese mixture, then half of the Mozzarella cheese and half the meat sauce.  Repeat layers.

Bake at 375 degrees about 30 minutes.  Let stand about 10 minutes then cut in squares.  Makes 12 servings.

I’m making a double recipe today and using a large foil baking pan.  I don’t want to have any clean up afterwards and can simply throw the pan away.

You can assemble this early and refrigerate.  Remember to add 15 minutes to baking time when heating up.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Author Unknown

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

5113. for rain, a necessity for life

5114.  for my stove and oven, it’s getting a workout today 

5115. for family and friends to cook for

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

The shortest period of time lies between the minute you put some money away for a rainy day and the unexpected arrival of rain. 

Jane Bryant Quinn

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma