For Friday, January 26th, 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.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 2018

53 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

Sunrise: 7:45 am

 Sunset: 5:37 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Spouse’s Day which provides an opportunity for couples to recognize and celebrate the cherished soulmate in their life. Though it can sometimes be difficult for busy couples to carve out time to spend together, make sure to let your spouse know just how much you love and appreciate them today!

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Appreciation can make a day--even change a life, Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

Margaret Cousins

Life does get busy and we often take the people we love for granted.  They do many big and little things each day and we forget to tell them how much we appreciate them.  The best way to do this is to say Thank You !  This day serves as a good reminder not just for spouses, but all family members.  Never take each other for granted.

Those two simple words, thank you, mean a lot.  When I think about how those words affect me, I know that they mean so much more to the person hearing them than they do to the person saying them.

For the past couple of weeks our weather pattern has been up and down.  We get below freezing, have more snow and then it warms up again.  Today is to be one of those warmer days, with temps close to 50.  But then we go down hill once more.  While I’m very thankful for these brief reprieves they tend to make me long for Spring even more.  

I need to remember that while every day may not be a good one, there is something good to be found in every day if we take the time to look for it!

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!

WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN

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

It’s National Peanut Brittle Day which was one of the first types of candy ever made. Many ancient cultures that had access to molasses, honey, or sugar, produced some form of it.

The first peanut brittle recipe appeared in an American cookbook, but the exact origin of the confection is uncertain. According to one account, peanut brittle was a Celtic dessert. The Celts covered peanuts in sugar and baked them, and this eventually evolved into a caramel bark.

Peanut brittle can be a little tricky to make. Most recipes call for a candy thermometer to allow the baker to regulate the exact temperature, and the results can be affected by weather! If brittle is made on a humid day it will not hold its shape.

I haven’t eaten peanut brittle for many years.  I love it but the last time I ate it, I broke a tooth so have stayed away from it since.  I found the recipe below and thought it might be a little more tooth friendly. Although I haven’t tried this recipe out yet, it does sound pretty good.

Peanut Brittle Bars

Make a sweet cookie crust and top it with a quick version of peanut brittle.

Crust

2 c.flour

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. butter

Topping

1 c.salted peanuts

1 cup chocolate chips

1 jar, 12.5 oz., caramel topping

3 tbsp. flour

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 15 by 19 by 1 inch pan with shortening.  In large bowl mix all crust ingredients except butter.  With a pasty blender or fork, cut in butter until crumbly.  Press mixture evening in bottom of pan.  Bake 8 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with peanuts and chocolate chips.  In small bowl, mix caramel topping and 3 tbsp. flour until well blended. Drizzle evenly over chocolate chips and peanuts.

Return to oven. Bake 12 to 18 minutes longer or until topping is set and golden brown.  Cool completely and cut into bars.

Makes approximately 48 servings.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

A little praise goes a great ways.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

5656. for Thank You’s that warm my heart

5657. for peanuts, always good and good for you

5658. for a brief wintermission

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

 Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible--the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.

Virginia Satir

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma