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 26TH, 2017
Sunrise: 7:53 am
Sunset: 5:05 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is Thank You Note Day which is a day to get a notepad, some note cards, some paper or anything to write on along with a pen, some envelopes and stamps and write special thank you's for the gifts that you received.
‘Tis the season to exchange gifts. It is also the season to be grateful and thankful. So sit with a cup of hot chocolate and left overs from your Christmas dinner and say thank you.
Thank you notes are very simply notes and letters of appreciation and gratitude. Thank you notes are traditionally hand written, though in recent years it is acceptable to send a thank you note through email or by text.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom.
Author Unknown
Please consider this my THANK YOU to each and every one of you that are reading this post. Whether you gave a gift at Christmas or not, I have the gift of your friendship which means a lot to me. If you did give me a gift, please know that it was very appreciated.
Saying thank you doesn’t take a lot of time, but it is important to let others know we are grateful for what they give.
I try to always show what I’m thankful for on my daily posts, but really the 3 things I write down only touch the surface. There really is so much more.
Today I’ll be spending some time just trying to get organized here. Things are slightly topsy turvy here and little has been done the past few days.
I know some are still on Christmas break but some have to return to work today, which ever you are doing, it’s not always an easy start after a holiday, just do the best you can.
It’s to be very cold with temps in the single digits. So we’ll need to bundle up when going outside. BrrrChill! Looks like we’re going to have very cold winter here.
I hope you all have TERRIFIC Tuesday!
WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN
There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!
It’s Candy Cane Day, which is a day set aside for people around the world to appreciate the candy cane, it's history and how good it tastes.
Legend says that the white of the candy cane represents Jesus's purity, the bold red stripes represents crucifixion, and the three thin red stripes stand for the Holy Trinity. This legend further suggests that the general shape is for the ‘J' in Jesus, as well as perhaps to resemble a shepherd's cane.
Somehow we always seem to wind up with leftover candy canes each year so I’m giving you a few ways to use them today. You can use a candy can as a stirrer for hot chocolate or even your coffee and it will give you a delicious peppermint flavor.
You can also make a quick and easy peppermint bark by adding 1/2 cup crushed candy canes to 12 oz. of either white or dark chocolate which has been melted. Spread out on a platter and let cool then break into pieces.
You can also make a batch of cookies peppered with crushed candy canes.
Peppermint Sugar Cookies
2 c. flour, plus more for rolling
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. butter, softened to room temp
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 c. crushed candy canes
Icing and Decoration
1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
3 or 4 tbsp. milk
1/2 c. crushed candy canes
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour salt and baking powder.
In a another bowl beat butter for 2 minutes, add sugar and beat 2 more minutes. Then add egg and peppermint extract and beat to combine thoroughly.
With mixer on low add dry ingredient and beat until just combined. Add crushed candy canes and mix thoroughly.
Divide dough in half and roll out on floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes and transfer to uncreased cookie sheet. Reroll scraps and cut out more shapes. Repeat with other half of dough
Refrigerate cut out cookies while oven preheats. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes depending on size of cookies. Cool and decorate.
With confectioner’s sugar in a small bow, whisk in milk 1 tbsp. at a time, until smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Ice cookies where you want candy to adhere and sprinkle candy on top.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
G.K. Chesterton
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
5563. for people to thank, you all are appreciated
5564. for time to get organized
5565. for candy canes, always good
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
Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
2 comments:
Such cute pictures of you and your grandchildren, Ma! It is always good to say thank you and to be appreciative of a gift given, a word of encouragement, etc. I hope it won't be too cold of a winter for you all! I know its hard to stay motivated if it is cold outside to get things done.
betty
I'm smiling, recalling each Christmas afternoon when my mother would set up the card table and make me write thank-you notes. (grumble, grumble, LOL.)
This year we received our first ever t-y notes from my granddaughters. Small, perhaps, but they really touched my heart. Whatever form, I hope expressing our thanks never goes out of style.
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