For Wednesday, January 31st, 2018

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, JANUARY 31ST, 2018

48 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

Sunrise: 7:40 am

 Sunset: 5:43 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Inspire Your Heart With Art Day which celebrates art and the effect it can have on your heart. Art is valued and appreciated for all sorts of reasons and  has the power to change us, and to inspire our hearts.

There are many different forms of art like paintings, music, theater, sculpture, dance or poetry and all of them can inspire our hearts.  Works of art that move us to tears or make us smile can stick with us forever.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

Thomas Merton

Most of us have an artistic side of one kind or another and can appreciate art in lots of different forms.  What a dull world it would be without it.  When you think about it there are also woodworkers, knitters, quilters and many other forms of art. The list seems endless.  

It’s been proven that art can actually have a positive effect on your health too. It relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, boosts self esteem, and provides a sense of accomplishment.  I know it does for me.  

Today we’re to be a bit warmer with temps in the 40’s melting the snow that has accumulated once again before more comes our way.  Winter like weather is still very much with us and will be for quite awhile yet.  

We just need to remember that what ever the weather we can make our own sunshine.  

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!

Today is National Hot Chocolate Day which celebrates the perfect winter drink.  It’s thick, silky, toasty and usually smothered in whipped cream. No other drink brings warmth to our lives and tastebuds quite like hot chocolate.  

Rich ’n Creamy Hot Chocolate

Makes 8 servings

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. water

1/8 tsp salt

5 1/2 c. milk

2 c. Half and Half creamer

2 tsp. vanilla 

Melt chocolate chips, stirring constantly, in saucepan over low heat.  Stir in sugar, water and salt.

Increase heat to medium.  Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a full boil.  Continue cooking 2 minutes, stirring constantly. 

Add milk and half and half.  Cook until heated through.  Do not boil.  Add vanilla.

Remove from heat and beat with a whisk until frothy.

Pour into mugs.  Serve with whipped cream.

PRAYER REQUEST

Please join me in praying for DSIL today as he has surgery on his knee.  May he have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Pablo Picasso

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

5671. for the many different kinds of art making our world a better place

5672. for a mug of hot chocolate, it takes the chill away

5673. for sunshine, it brightens my days

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

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do.  Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.

Ella Fitzgerald

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Tuesday, January 30th, 2018

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, JANUARY 30TH, 2018

49 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

Sunrise: 7:41 am

 Sunset: 5:42 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is National Puzzle Day which honors puzzles of all kinds — jigsaws, riddles, science, math, mechanical and wood puzzles and of course real life puzzles.

Puzzles are problems that are difficult to solve or require special skills to resolve.   For example, crosswords, word search and anagrams put a persons vocabulary skills with language to a test, while Jigsaws develop patience and visual skills.

In addition to being entertaining and fun , puzzles have health and social benefits as well.  Studies have shown that doing puzzles can enhance brain activity, increase creativity and concentration and they improve memory.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Our whole life is solving puzzles

Erno Rubik

Now with digital entertainment, the common puzzle may be falling by the wayside, but they are fun for the whole family.  It used to be that every January we’d set up the card table in the living room and work a jigsaw puzzle.  It was something to do whenever you had time.  You could work it alone or with others, it didn’t matter.  It was a great way to pass the time on a cold winter evening.

I haven’t done that in quite awhile, but it’s something I think I might just do.  These winter days need a little something different.  There is something challenging and fun about searching for a puzzle piece and finding it, then putting it where it belongs.

Every piece of a puzzle is important and if one piece is missing, the puzzle isn’t whole.  Its reminds me that all the pieces of my life are important too.  Even winter…

Along with the usual housework yesterday,  I made a trip out to pick up a puzzle and  some croissants  so I'd have some pictures to show you today !  It was a fun sort of day !  Today should be another one.

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 National Croissant Day, which celebrates the crescent shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.   I love croissant sandwiches and I happened to have a coupon for two Croissant sandwiches with bacon egg and cheese that I redeemed yesterday. They are a favorite of mine but I often make my own and prefer them over the ones I got yesterday.

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Croissant Sandwiches

4 thin slices Canadian Bacon

4 croissants, split

4 eggs

1/4 cup milk

4 slices American cheese

Heat oven to 325 degrees.  Place Canadian bacon in a single layer on foil covered baking sheed and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are crisp and begins to curl. Drain bacon on paper towel.  Discard foil

Arrange croissants, but sides up, on same baking sheet.  Bake 3 to 5 minutes until cut sides are golden brown

Meanwhile, whisk eggs and milk till blended.  Cook in medium skilled sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat 3 to 4 minutes until eggs are set, occasionally lifting edge with spatula and tilting skillet to allow uncooked portion to flow underneath.

Filled croissants with bacon, eggs and cheese to make 4 sandwiches.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Each one of us fulfills a piece of a larger puzzle.

Eric McCormack

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

5668. for puzzles, rewarding when solved

5669. for crossants, good with bacon, egg and cheese

5670. for winter, a necessary part of life

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

Love is like a puzzle.  When you’re in love, all the pieces fit but when your heart gets broken, it takes a while to get everything back together.

Author Unknown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Monday, January 29th, 2018

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.

MONDAY, JANUARY 29TH, 2018

50 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

Sunrise: 7:42 am

 Sunset: 5:40 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Happy Birthday to our Star today! 

Happy Birthday ♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday  ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you♥ ♥ ♥ 

May the dear Lord bless you today and always!

Happy Birthday ♥ 

Today is also Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.  As anyone who has ever come in contact with it knows, bubble wrap is not just a protective wrapping for things. It is also a wonderful stress reliever! Just squeeze the bubbles in the Bubble wrap, and feel the stress disappear with each POP...POP…POP!

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 Don't cry when the sun is gone, because the tears won't let you see the stars. 

Violeta Parra

This grandson’s birthday is another long distance celebration and as usual the card went out in the mail filled with love and best wishes for a very Happy Birthday!  He is such a handsome young man and a great big brother to his sisters and brother. I’m very proud of him as I am of all my grandchildren.  He’s a star!

It’s to be a cold and snowy day here and it’s going to be a great day to make a pot of chili.  It’s something that you cannot make in small amounts so I’ll be enjoying it for a few days here.  That’s alright by me as I love having leftovers to heat up and not having to cook something new every day.  

After the little taste of Spring we had over the weekend, this weather is a bit of a downer, but then, it could be worse.  On the bright side I have a warm and cosy house and the pantry is well stocked. 

Every day is a day to celebrate and be happy just to be alive!

I hope you all have a GREAT start to this new week.  Happy Monday!

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

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

It’s National Corn Chip Day which celebrates the Corn Chip and the many ways to enjoy them. Fifty years ago, few Americans knew what Corn Chips were. Today, most American can not imagine life without this tasty, crunchy holder of salsa, cheese and dips. They are even sprinkled atop salads, making salads even more crunchy.  

The corn chip is not to be confused with the tortilla chip. Both are made from cornmeal which is baked or fried in oil.

Differing steps for processing the corn separate the tortilla from the corn chip. The corn for a tortilla chip is soaked in a lime water solution that breaks down the hulls. This process creates a crisper, milder chip. A corn chip is sturdier with a stronger corn flavor.

The recipe for today is one of my favorite ways to enjoy corn chips, in my Chili, but the chili recipe today is not one I usually make , so I thought it might be nice to try something different.

Good Ol’ Chili

Serves: 8

1 lb. ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

1 can dark red kidney beans

2 cans chili beans

2 cans pinto beans

1 can diced Italian tomatoes

1 large can tomato sauce

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

 1/2 tsp season salt

Corn chips for garnish

In a medium pan, cook ground beef and drain.  Combine all ingredients in crockpot and simmer all day, or simmer in large pot on the stove for at least one hour. Top with corn chips.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

God's promises are like the stars; the darker the night the brighter they shine. 

David Nicholas

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

5665. For our Star, It’s his birthday today!

5666. for chips, fritos are good

5667. for retirement, life in the slow lane is 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

 Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. 

Les Brown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma