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, DECEMBER 6TH, 2017
Sunrise: 7:40 am
Sunset: 4:58 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is St. Nicholas Day which is celebrated the world over by hanging up a stocking or leaving out a shoe so St. Nicholas can fill it during the night. St. Nicholas was a real person who lived in Greece, and was known for giving to needy people and the legend goes that he would throw gold coins into open windows of poor homes. After one bag fell in a stocking of a child, news got around. Children soon began hanging stockings by their chimneys in hops that St Nicholas soon would be there.
Happy St. Nicholas Day!
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicolas soon would be there…
Clement Clark Moore
For me this is a day to remember to be generous in giving to the poor. When my children were small they always set their shoes out for St Nick to fill. It was a family tradition and a fun filled day where they got a small treat in anticipation of Christmas.
The picture at the top of today’s post is a rendition of St. Nicholas that I painted years ago. I’m not sure where he wound up when I moved, but I think DD may have been the recipient. I gave away so much I’m not sure where things went.
Christmas is in the air and busy days of preparation are here. Every day I get a little more done and think of a little more I should do too. I’m sure one way or the other Christmas will come. I’m just thankful I can do what needs be done and consider it a bonus if anything extra gets done.
Yesterday I stuck one half of the beef roast, I had purchased earlier on sale, in the crockpot along with some potatoes, carrots and onion. At least I won’t have to cook again for a few days as I’ll enjoy heating the leftovers up in the microwave. Warm and hearty it will be a meal to keep me going.
It’s mid week and I’ve no reason to go out at all. It’s cold and I have everything I need to stay in and enjoy the warmth of home. More and more I appreciate the comforts of just being here with no place special to go. The Christmas music is playing and I’m keeping busy.
I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!
Jolly old St. Nicholas, Lean your ear this way! Don't you tell a single soul, What I' m going to say; Christmas Eve is coming soon, Now, you dear old man, Whisper what you'll bring to me: Tell me if you can….
WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN
There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!
It’s National Gazpacho Day! Gazpacho is a classic Spanish soup made with a wonderful assortment of vegetables—tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and garlic. This refreshing dish is served chilled and is typically enjoyed during the summer months.
Given this fact, it is curious that National Gazpacho Day is celebrated in December. Perhaps the intent was to give us something to look forward to as we approach winter. Regardless of the reason, gazpacho is a delicious meal that can be enjoyed anytime of the year.
You may have Jack Frost nipping at your nose but a cold serving of gazpacho might be the right way to fire up your taste buds. Gazpacho was developed as a way for field hands to cool off during the hot summer months of planting and harvesting. But you can still enjoy it during winter for a refreshing taste of summer.
Easy Gazpacho
6 oz hearty bread torn into 1 to 2 inch chunks
4 large very ripe tomatoes cut into 1 inch pieces
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1 small cucumber, peal and cut into 1 inch chunks
1 small red onion, pealed and cut into 1 inch chunks
1 medium green or red pepper, cored and seeded and cut into 1 inch chunks
1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
Place bread in bottom of large bowl. Add half the tomatoes in an even layer on top and season with salt and pepper. Add cucumbers, onion, peppers and garlic. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Drizzle oil and vinegar over top. Let rest at room temp for 30 minutes.
Toss all ingredients until they are evening mixed. Transfer contents including liquid at bottom of bowl to a blender. Blend till completely smooth. About 3 minutes. Press mixture through a strainer into a large bowl. Season with more salt and pepper and garnish with herbs . The soup can be chilled up to 3 days before serving.
Truth be told I think I would like this better before it went through the blender and enjoy it as a salad. But it would probably make a great soup for a hot day.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
Author Unknown
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
5503. for St. Nicholas, a very generous soul
5504. for vegetables, refreshing and tasty
5505. for busy days that keep me out of mischief
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 giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic
His giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.
St. Nicholas of Myra
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
5 comments:
I was treated to a lovely pic today of two of my grandchildren having enjoyed a visit from St Nicholas. They have a German exchange student living with them at the moment. Love all your Christmassy thoughts and pictures, especially that lovely painting you did of Saint Nick! How very wonderful! I have a pot roast that I picked up today to cook on Friday. We have company coming for lunch and you cannot go wrong with pot roast! God bless and Happy Wednesday! xoxo
We too put out a stocking for St. Nicholas to fill when I was growing up. Mainly nuts and candies :) Crock pot roasts always come out so good!
betty
I wonder how that gazpacho would be... served hot? We're having soup tonight, but I don't think I'd want cold soup this time of year.
But pot roast? Oh yeah. We had some earlier this week, too, and I'm looking forward to eating the leftovers. (We actually LIKE leftovers at our house!)
I've never tasted Gazpacho, but Tom's always on the look-out for a good one. This sounds awfully labor-intensive, doesn't it? For me, I'll stick with you on the pot roast. Yummmm!
I missed visiting this morning so here I am tonight! I’ve stayed in today too. It’s cold but not too. Tomorrow will only be in the 40’s which is cold for Texas and I’m going to wear a winter sweater to celebrate!
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