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 13TH, 2017
Sunrise: 7:46 am
Sunset: 4:59 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is St. Lucia Day which is widely celebrated in Scandinavian countries.
St. Lucia, also called Lucy, was a fourth century Italian martyr. Her name is derived from the Latin lux, meaning light, so she has become associated with festivals and celebrations of light. Before the Gregorian calendar reform in 1752, the day occurred on the shortest day of the year, hence the saying, Lucy light, Lucy light, shortest day and longest night.
St. Lucia Day is especially important in Italy and in Sweden, where the oldest, or sometimes youngest, daughter dons a crown of burning candles and wakes the family with coffee and St. Lucia buns, sweet rolls seasoned with saffron.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own.
Ben Zweetland
With the shortest day of the year fast approaching, we all crave light these dark days. There is very little sunshine in my part of the world and even during the day time we need to turn lights on inside.
So I thought this might be a good time to celebrate light. Another holiday which celebrates light is Hanukkah which began yesterday and continues through December 20th.
We’ve had some snow but not as much as those to the east of us. Thankfully we were spared a lot of snow but not the cold. It’s been downright freezing. BrrrChill!
Today I hope to turn the oven on and bake so that should definitely warm things up. Chocolate chip cookies are calling my name…They may not be very Christmassy, but they are everyone’s favorite.
Santa’s workshop is pretty much closed for now as far as the making goes, but there is lots of wrapping to be done! Busy days continue!
Bundle up every one ! Keep warm ! Baby it’s cold outside !
I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!
WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN
There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!
It’s National Cocoa Day! Nothing is better on a cold winter day than a delicious cup of hot cocoa! Cocoa is made from the dried, fully fermented seeds of the cacao tree. It’s used to make cocoa powder, which a main ingredient in the hot cocoa we all know and love.
Cocoa trees are grown worldwide, but it is thought that the first ones grew in South America. Cocoa is similar to wine, in that its flavor profile differs based on where it’s grown. Lucky for us, cocao trees are very plentiful – it takes 300-600 cocoa beans to make two pounds of chocolate!
Today I’m sharing a special cocoa recipe for the most wonderful season of all!
Christmas Cocoa
(makes 6 servings)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/3 cup water
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
4 c. mlk
3/4 c. marshmallow creme
In a 2 quart saucepan, heat sugar, cocoa, water, cinnamon and nutmeg over low heat staring constantly until mixture is smooth. Heat to boiling , reduce heat. Simmer for 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
Stir in milk. Heat over low heat. Pour cocoa in to 6 mugs. Top each with 2 tbsp. marshmallow creme.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.
Aaron Rose
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
5524. for light, which makes everything look brighter
5525. for hot cocoa, with marshmallows is good
5526. for many joyous reasons to celebrate
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
Let your light shine. Shine within you so that it can shine on someone else. Let your light shine.
Oprah Winfrey
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
4 comments:
Dropping in to say Good Morning! Those chocolate chip cookies will go well with a cup of the cocoa! That’s one way to stay warm!
My sister, Deanie, was born on the 21st. I loved the book Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher.
Chocolate chip cookies are just the thing to make on a cold almost winter day :)
betty
We're still (absurdly) warm in Phoenix ... but warm cookies and cocoa sound wonderful!
I thought the shortest day/longest night was December 12 (my son's birthday) ... but I find these factoids/gems so interesting! A crown of candles? My word, what posture they must have assumed! :)))
This truly is the season of Light Pam! Our church always celebrates 25 days of Light the World in the run up to Christmas. Its a great way to put the real meaning into Christmas and this time of year. Its dark here by 4 PM these days! I am sure your chocolate chip cookies were fabulous and that hot cocoa is calling my name! xoxo
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