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, NOVEMBER 25TH, 2017
Sunrise: 7:28 am
Sunset: 5:02 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is Small Business Saturday which is a day to support your local economy and go out and buy things from a small business. The 1960’s saw the rise of the American shopping mall and the decades since have seen large chain retailers taking over the retail market and displacing smaller family run businesses. With all the odds stacked against them, small businesses need a day in their honor.
While you may or may not end up paying more, it’s important to remember that spending your money at a small business generally puts more money into the local economy than if you’re spending that money in a chain store.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Behind every small business, there's a story worth knowing. All the corner shops in our towns and cities, the restaurants, cleaners, gyms, hair salons, hardware stores - these didn't come out of nowhere.
Paul Ryan
There truly are fewer and fewer small businesses that are privately owned in and around our area. More and more Dollar stores seem to be taking over. It used to be that we had small corner stores in our neighborhoods that would supply anything from a loaf of bread to school supplies. Now I have a Dollar General just around the corner and it pretty much does have a little bit of everything.
I’ve also noticed that the same chain stores seem to be everywhere. Whenever I’ve visited the places where different ones of my children live, the same stores are there in their towns too. There is very little variety.
Today is the day our family gathers together to celebrate Thanksgiving. The part of the family that lives here in Ohio will be present as well as few of our extended family members. My sister and her husband as well as a few nieces and nephews will also be coming. There will be lots of fun and food and I’m so looking forward to seeing them all together.
DS#5 and his wife are hosting this celebration and we’ll be starting with a small lunch/appetizers at noon, followed by the annual family football game then dinner around 4:00.
It’s going to be a most cloudy day with temps in the mid 40’s here so not bad at all for travel. That is something to be thankful for as there have been times we’ve had to contend with snow.
Today’s pictures are of the snowman craft we enjoyed doing on Friday. Everyone was very creative and they surprisingly turned out to be quite good. A big thank you to DD and her hubby for the pizza and several hours of family fun!
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!
It's National Parfait Day
A parfait consists of layers of ice cream, whipped cream, and any combination of syrups and fruits. Yes, it's basically a fancy word for a sundae. And, it's usually served in a fancy glass.
Celebrate this day by eating Parfaits. While chocolate is by far the favorite, use your imagination to create a wide range of single and mixed flavors.
Chocolate and Caramel Ice Cream Parfait
Serves: 10-12
For the caramel crunch layer:
9 whole graham crackers
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup caramel or butterscotch chips chips
for the caramel whipped cream layer:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream or cool whip
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
to assemble:
1 container Chocolate Ice Cream
Chocolate syrup
To prepare the caramel crunch: Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the graham crackers in a medium bowl and crush using a heavy utensil such as a glass cup. Crush until you have some crumbs and some slightly larger pieces. Add the oatmeal, vanilla and oil to the bowl and stir to combine so that the crumbs are slightly wet. Spread the crumb mixture over the prepared cookie sheet. Bake the crumbs at 350 for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately stir in the caramel chips. The heat of the hot crumbs will help melt the chips and distribute the flavor. Set aside to cool completely.
To prepare the caramel whipped cream: Beat the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer until stiff. Or use Cool Whip then add the brown sugar and vanilla and mix until combined. Set aside.
To assemble: Let the ice cream soften for about 5 minutes to make assembly easier. Put a small amount of crumbs on the bottom of a glass. Top with chocolate syrup, drizzle it around the edge so it touches the rim. Spoon the Chocolate ice cream on top of it, then top with another layer of chocolate syrup again, drizzle it against the wall of the glass for the nicest look. Spoon or pipe the whipped cream on top of the ice cream, then drizzle more chocolate syrup on top. Repeat with remaining ingredients. If using a tall cup, you can do more than one layer of each component.
Freeze until ready to serve.
DD, DS#6, and DS# 5
COUNTING MY GIFTS
When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.
Joyce Brothers
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
5470.for family to celebrate with
5471. for desserts, ice cream is good
5472. for sock snowmen, cuddly not cold
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
Having a place to go — is a home.
Having someone to love — is a family.
Having both — is a blessing.
Donna Hedges
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
2 comments:
Those snowmen sure looked cute! I'm sure lots of fun in creating them! We've been trying to find local restaurants to try out rather than going to chains and we have found a few that we go back to time after time again because they are so delicious.
betty
Those snow-folks are adorable ... as are their creators!
Whenever possible, I love supporting small businessmen and women. Goodness knows, today's labor laws don't make it easy for them to compete.
Hope you're having a blast at your family Thanksgiving celebration today!
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