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 9TH, 2018
Sunrise: 7:54 am
Sunset: 5:17 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is Static Electricity Day. Static electricity has been experienced by all of us, whether we’re simply grabbing a door handle on a cool dry day, or from walking across a carpet in wool socks or from petting your kitten, static electricity has occasionally added a little spark to your day
To reduce static build up you can wear shoes with leather soles, wear moisturizer, and natural fibers, except wool. Avoid synthetic materials and remember that if you keep your hands on a metal pen it will help to release the static charge throughout the day, rather than letting it build up for a painful shock.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The sunbeams are welcome now. They seem like pure electricity—like friendly and recuperating lightning. Are we led to think electricity abounds only in summer, when we see in the storm clouds as it were, the veins and ore beds of it? I imagine it is equally abundant in winter, and more equable and better tempered. Who ever breasted a snowstorm without being excited and exhilarated, as if this meteor had come charged with latent aurora of the North, as doubtless it has? It is like being pelted with sparks from a battery.
John Burroughs
Due to the cold weather here, we have had a lot of static electricity. It always takes me by surprise as I’m never sure just when I’ll be shocked. They say that by adding a little moisture to the air you can stop it. I have set out several small bowls of water by the heat vents to see if it helps. I do have a humidifier which I’ve not yet put into use but it’s supposed to help combat winter dryness and help you breath better when you have a cold.
We are supposed to be 35 and partly sunny here today. One of the best days we’ve had in quite awhile. What a relief it is after the weather we’ve been experiencing. It may not be warm enough to sit outside in the sun, but I’m tempted. Maybe the sunporch will warm up enough to enjoy for a change. There are no leaves on the trees so it should get the full benefit of the afternoon sun. We’ll see...
I hope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!
Hot soup on a cold day
WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN
There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!
It’s National Apricot Day! The word apricot means precious in Latin. Apricots ripen earlier than most summer fruits, making them a precious commodity every spring.
The apricot tree emerged in China more than 4,000 years ago and eventually made its way across Asia to the Mediterranean. Centuries later, Spanish explorers introduced the apricot to the New World and planted the trees all over the west coast. Today, farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley produce 95% of the apricots grown in the United States.
Whether you prefer them fresh, broiled, grilled, or poached, enjoy an apricot today
I like apricot jam so I looked for a recipe using it to share with you all today.
Easy Apricot Jam Bars with Walnuts
1 cup butter, melted, plus more for greasing pan
1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. all purpose flour
1 2/4 c. old fashion rolled oats
1/2 c. light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cup apricot jam
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
Preheat ove to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper so that paper hands over the long sides of the pan by about 1 inch.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flours, oats, sugars, salt and soda. Pour 1 cup melted butter over mixture and still until ingredients are evenly moistened. Firmly press all but 3/4 cup of mixture in an even layer into prepared baking pan. Spread jam on top, leaving a 1/4 inch boarder all around. Press remaining mixture into clumps, add walnuts and toss. Sprinkle all over jam.
Bake until top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool completely. Using the overhanging parchment paper lift from baking pan to a work surface and cut into bars. Bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
This is a variable recipe. Use the flours, jams, and nuts of your choice.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.
William Faulkner
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
5605. for a sunny day to enjoy
5606. for fruit, apricot jam is good too
5607. for a return to more normal 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
Faith is like electricity. You can't see it, but you can see the light.
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
3 comments:
There’s a lot of ‘shocking’ going on over here! I really dislike static electricity! When my siblings and I were little, we had several experiences with electricity and getting shocked. The old refrigerator would shock us when we opened the door every single time! We learned to use a rag around our hand to keep it from happening. My sister, Nita, had a very close call when we were scrubbing the kitchen floor and she touched a metal cart that had an electrical plug on it. I really dislike being shocked! Did you know that if your clothes are being static you can spray them with a little hair spray? I do that a lot.
I love apricots! Especially apricot pie! I have a bit of pie in the freezer and I’m going to get it out and eat it up today!
Happy Tuesday to you!
I'd quite forgotten about static electricity! That used to be such fun 'shocking' one another when we were kids. Great tip about holding a metal pen throughout the day.
How I'm praying for cold weather next year (once we've moved) so I dare turn on the oven ... and enjoy these great meals/soups you've featured.
Loved all of your images today Pam! Especially the one of the birds as they are my favourite thing. I love wild birds and watching them. We don't experience much in the way of static electricity here in the UK, probably because our homes are not heated in much the same way. I can remember rubbing my hair with a balloon as a child so we could laugh at it standing up and rubbing my feet as I scooted across the carpet to shock my brother or sister. They did it too. Fun times! Your recipe looks fantastic! Bookmarking this one! Love and hugs and blessings to you! xoxo
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