For Tuesday, December 12th, 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.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH, 2017

9 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise: 7:45 am

 Sunset: 4:59 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is  National Ding a Ling Day which is a very special day to Ring your Bell.  We're not talking about the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, standing with their bells and kettles, outside of every store in the country. On National Ding a Ling Day, you should brace yourself for bizarre and crazy behavior, from all of the people you encounter today. Even normally conservative people have been known to go a little crazy on this day.  

 Be ever vigilant to the ding a lings that will come out of the woodwork. Ding a Lings will be everywhere: on the road, on the street, in stores, and even in your house! It’s suggested that you get into the holiday spirit, and become a ding a ling yourself. But, please do so for just one day.  

For the record: Ding a Lings and Ding Bats are not quite the same thing.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 A bell is no bell 'til you ring it, A song is no song 'til you sing it, And love in your heart. Wasn't put there to stay - Love isn't love 'Til you give it away. 

Oscar Hammerstein

It’s true, people to seem to become a little crazy this time of year.  With the first snow, it seems that people forget how to drive.  And with long lines in the stores with everyone trying to get their shopping done, people forget how to be courteous.  

I’m not so sure that I want to become a ding a ling, just because everyone else is. Just because others have gone south, doesn’t mean that I have to be one of them.

I have a hair appointment on Thursday this week so while I’m out I will finish up what shopping I have to do and I’ll be doing my best to keep calm, merry and bright.  After all this is the season to remember the reason we go through all this preparation in the first place.  Jesus is the reason for the season.  Christmas wouldn’t be a holiday if it weren’t for His birth.  God’s gift to the world !

Christmas bells, hear them ring…soon it will be Christmas Day!

I hope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

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

It’s Gingerbread House Day!

The tradition of making decorated gingerbread houses started in Germany in the early 1800’s. According to certain researchers, the first gingerbread houses were the result of the well known Grimm’s fairy tale Hansel and Gretel.

Lebkuchenhaus or Pfefferkuchenhaus are the German terms for a gingerbread house.

The pictures I’m sharing today are of DS#5 and his family as they decorate gingerbread houses this year!   They used already prepared pieces that come in a box to make theirs.  There are many different kinds available in the stores.

The recipe today is not for gingerbread, but for a Lebkuchen.  I thought it might be a fun way to share one of the many diverse recipes that came from other countries that many enjoy during the holidays.

Christmas Lebkuchen

1 egg

2 tbsp. oil

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1/3 c. honey

1/3 c.molasses

2 c. flour

1 tsp.baking soda

1 tbsp.pumpkin pie spice

1/2 c. chopped almonds

1/2 cu mixed candy fruit 

1 egg white

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 tbsp. lemon juice

mixed candied fruit diced for decorating

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking sheet

In a large bowl, beat egg and oil.  Add brown sugar and beat well.  Add honey and molasses.  Mix well.

Mix together flour, pumpkin pie spice and baking soda.  Add to egg mixture and beat till well mixed.

Stir in almonds and candied fruit.  Dough will be very think.

Spread in baking pan.  Used back of spoon to spread, Dipping spoon in water so that dough doesn’t stick to spoon.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until done.

With a sharp knife score into bars immediately upon removing from oven by just cutting through top crust.  

With mixer in small bowl beat egg white, powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.  Spread icing over warm bars.  Decorate with candied fruit and cool completely.

Cut through completely at the score cards to cut into individual bars.

Makes 32 bars

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Carol singing, church bells ringing,
Once more Christmastime is here.
Children laughing, grownups beaming,
Hearts are warm with Christmas cheer.

Ruby Lee Mitchell

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

5521. for Christmas bells, hear them ring

5522. for cookies, gingerbread is good

5523. for DS#5 and his family for sharing their family fun

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

Christmas is the happiness that lights our children's eyes.
Christmas is a song of bells ringing through the skies.
Christmas is a time of peace, of contentment deep within,
A time of love and silent hope that years will never dim.

Sherrill Thompson 

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma