For Wednesday, October 25th, 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.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 2017

56 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise: 7:52 am

 Sunset: 6:32 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is International Artists Day which honors those creative souls that will leave a record of today for the future that can’t be captured in history books. The anguish and joy of the human soul is portrayed through the haunting tones of a melody, the violence and fury caught in a photograph, or the serene gaze of a statue staring off into eternity.

Today is a great time to celebrate existing artists, and the artist that exists within all of us.  Artists work hard to create their work. They add beauty to the world around us. Artists work with many different mediums. They include painters, photographers, sculptors, musicians, dancers, writers, actors, digital artists and more.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I cannot see that art is anything less than a way of making joys perpetual. 

Rebecca West

There are so many different kinds of art in the world that I think in some way we are all artists.  Whether it is in the food you cook, the way you decorate your home, or in the photographs you take, we all are artists. 

I have two wonderful sons that are artists and make their living by what they do.  One is an art teacher and the other a graphic designer.  It’s great that they can do the work they love.

It is said that nothing is really work when we love what we do.  

I do love to paint but also love to sew and knit.  I love to cook and bake too.  None of it is work for me for sure.  There is always something to do here and I’m never bored.  

One thing I’ve learned is let all that you do be done in love and you will learn to love what you do.

I think the rain that came our way earlier in the week is coming to an end but not the cooler weather.  Hopefully I can get the yard work done…yes there are sill plenty of leaves to mulch and rake.  I may wait till the end of the week when it is supposed to be a bit warmer.  We’ll see...

It seems the days are getting shorter and shorter for me as I really don’t do much after the sun sets and it’s dark out.  So the old saying to make hay while the sun shines is very true in my case.  If I want to get something done, it will be during the daylight hours.  

Today’s pictures are of just a few of the many things I’ve painted over the years. I give most of what I paint to family for gifts.  I figure homemade is better than store bought any way.  

Life is good in the slow lane.

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others. 

Vincent Van Gogh

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

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

It's National Greasy Foods Day! Although it may not be the healthiest choice, everyone deserves to indulge in a greasy meal every now and then. From pizza and nachos to burgers and French fries, today you can celebrate with your favorite guilty pleasure.

Fried foods are greasy and today’s recipe is a favorite of mine.

Chicken Fried Steak

4 beef cube steaks
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 egg
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce, optional
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups vegetable shortening for deep frying
1/4 flour
4 cups milk
kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
Pound the steaks to about 1/4 inch thickness. Place 2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl. Stir together the baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a separate shallow bowl; stir in the buttermilk, egg, Tabasco Sauce, and garlic. Dredge each steak first in the flour, then in the batter, and again in the flour. Pat the flour onto the surface of each steak so they are completely coated with dry flour.

Heat the shortening in a deep cast iron skillet to 325 degrees. Fry the steaks until evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Place fried steaks on a plate with paper towels to drain. Drain the fat from the skillet, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid and as much of the solid remnants as possible.

Return the skillet to medium low heat with the reserved oil. Whisk the remaining flour into the oil. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release solids into the gravy. Stir in the milk, raise the heat to medium, and bring the gravy to a simmer, cook until thick, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Spoon the gravy over the steaks to serve.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. 

 Emilé Zola

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

5377. for all artists especially my sons

5378. for a little grease now and then, fried foods are good

5379. for leftovers, always good to have on hand

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

Great art can only be created out of love. 

 James Baldwin

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma