For Wednesday, December 27th, 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.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27TH, 2017

84 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

Sunrise: 7:53 am

 Sunset: 5:05 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

 Today is Make Cut Out Snowflake Day which is a day to show your crafty skills, as you make paper snowflakes. Making cut out snowflakes is a great project for kids. However, you don't have to be a kid, to have fun making paper snowflakes. It's a skill that is practiced by many people.

They say no two snowflakes are alike. It shouldn't come as a surprise, that there are seemingly countless different snowflake designs. Templates abound, from fast and easy patterns, to intricate time consuming designs to challenge the most practiced snowflaker.

So, if you like snow...bring it on! Bring out the paper and scissors, and cut out some paper snowflakes on this very special Make Cut Out Snowflake Day.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The present never ages. Each moment is like a snowflake, unique, unspoiled, unrepeatable, and can be appreciated in its surprisingness. 

Gail Sheehy

I’ve spent many happy hours making snowflakes in the past and really there is no reason not to do so today.  They would make for some great decorations to enjoy all through the winter months.  Too often after the Christmas decorations come down everything looks bleak and bare inside the house and out and usually I can hardly wait to put up some valentine decorations when February comes.

When I think about it we are all like snowflakes, precious and unique.  We should never forget just how special each and every one of us is.  We would live a boring life if all of us were the same.

When my daughter and I went out shopping before Christmas she found some pretty snowflakes cut out of felt and got them to use as doilies on her table and set some candle holders with snow flakes on then to decorate her dining room table.

There are lots of ways to decorate with snowflakes.

You can create a snowflake garland.  You can glue paper snow flakes to a ribbon and string them across your windows   Or make a snow flake runner for your table.  You can even make larger snowflakes cut out of paper doilies and use them for place mats.

Hanging snowflakes from your chandeliers or like a curtain at the window are a great way to use them too.

You can even mix your textures with tulle, tissue paper and paper snowflakes and dress up a few strands of light for some extra cheer during the winter days.

Here at my house I put some snowflake stick on decals on the windows. But we have plenty of real flakes out side.  

I hope you all have WONDERFUL Wednesday!

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

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

It’s National Fruitcake Day!

It is very appropriate for National Fruitcake Day to be celebrated shortly after Christmas. Once the holidays are over, it's time to get rid of your fruitcake. Giving a fruitcake is a Christmas tradition for many. It is also believed that recipients will rewrap the fruitcake and give it to someone else. Who knows how many years, or decades, a fruitcake has been passed along? Ultimately, the trick is to make sure you give away the fruitcake before the holiday season is through. Otherwise, you get the joy of storing it, until the next fruitcake giving season.

On National Fruitcake Day, those with a sweet tooth can celebrate by eating a slice or two. Otherwise, we suggest you use this day to give give fruitcake to someone…anyone.

I happen to love fruitcake and although I looked for one in the store this season, the only one I found was in the form of a small bar cake and not very tasty at all.  I remember that my mom used to make a homemade one but couldn’t find her recipe.  So I searched for something similar and this 

is what I found.

Fruit Cocktail Cake

(not my mother’s fruitcake)

1 1/2 c. flour

1 can fruit cocktail, undrained

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and light grease a pan, 8 by 8 square or 9 inch round works well.

In medium bowl sift together flour, baking soda and salt.  Add sugar, egg and fruit cocktail, including juice,  and mix well until combined

Pour into prepared pan and crumble brown sugar and nuts over the top.  Bake until center is set, 30 to 40 minutes.  Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Snowflakes are one of Nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.

Verna Kelley

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

5566. for snow flakes precious and unique

5567. for fruit and cake, a great combination

5568. for visits with family during the holidays

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

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake. 

Marie Beynon Ray

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma