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, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2018
Sunrise: 7:25 am
Sunset: 6:00 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is International Pancake Day which is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras Day or Shrove Day. It is a day when people eat all they want of everything and anything they want as the following day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a long fasting period for Christians. In addition to fasting, they also give up something special that they enjoy. So Fat Tuesday is a celebration and the opportunity to enjoy that favorite food or snack that you give up for the long lenten season.
In addition to being called Pancake Day, Mardi Gras Day and Fat Tuesday, it is also called Fastnacht Day, Pennsylvania Dutch country and other areas with large German populations refer to it as Fastnacht Day.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Take your burdens to the Mardi Gras
Let the music wash your soul
You can mingle in the street,
You can jingle to the beat of the jelly roll.
Paul Simon
I think I will be celebrating this day by eating pancakes. It’s something I don’t fix very often for myself, but they do freeze well, so today I’ll mix up a batch and freeze what I cannot eat.
It is also Paczki Day here in Northern Ohio so I picked up some Polish Paczki at the store yesterday. Paczki are Polish donuts that are traditionally made and eaten on Fat Tuesday l They have fruit and creme fillings. I happened to get blueberry and lemon, but there are many varieties. They are a big splurge before lent arrives.
I do have a list to share of what I’ll be giving up for Lent and it’s not what most would think of but I’ve been following it ever since I found it quite a few years ago and it works for me.
The Hope of Lent
Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism——become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement——be full of hope.
Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred——return good for evil.
Give up negativism——be positive.
Give up anger——be more patient.
Give up pettiness——become mature.
Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy——pray for trust.
Give up gossiping——control your tongue.
Give up sin——turn to virtue.
Give up giving up——hang in there!
Giving up all of these things is not easy at all. When I think about all the times I complain, especially about the weather, I know I have a lot of work to do on this one alone.
On the bright side I saw that a 50 degree day is headed our way later on this week! Meanwhile I’m not giving up hope, I’ll be hanging in there.
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 Tortellini Day. Tortilla is a signature pasta dish from the Itallion region of Bologna. The most common fillings for tortellini are ham, white meat, and Parmesan cheese.
Sorry no tortellini pictures today, only Pancakes and Paczki.
One Pot Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage
1 lb. cooked pork sausage
1 sm. yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 jar, 28.5 oz. pasta sauce
1 can, 14.5 oz, diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 c. chicken broth
20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 c. shredded mozzarella Cheese
6 fresh basil leaves chopped
In 12 inch skillet, cook sausage, onion and garlic 5 to 7 minutes until onion softens and sausage begins to brown.
Stir in sauce, tomatoes, chicken broth and tortellini. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until tortellini is cooked
Remove from heat, sprinkle with cheese and basil. Serve when cheese has melted.
Makes 6 servings.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
You've got to roll with the punches
Learn to play all of your hunches
Make the best of whatever comes your way.
Forget that blind ambition
And learn to trust your intuition
Plowin' straight ahead come what may.
Jimmy Buffett
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
5710. for pancakes, they are not just for breakfast
5711. for the hope of Lent, hang in there
5712.for a sunny Monday, which got me to Tuesday
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 the good times roll….
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
6 comments:
You have quite a list there, MA, of things you're "giving up" for Lent. Go easy on yourself... I happen to think you're just fine the way you are. :-) Blessings~ Andrea in Indiana (at my new "home" here on Blogger) xoxo
I LOVE that Give Up List, I am going to copy it and keep it always. x
I love your Lenten list!
... meanwhile, I'm over here salivating over your pictures. :) I don't recall Tom ever mentioning Paczki, but I'm going to ask!
Are you ok, MA? You usually post everyday and it's been 3 days since we've heard from you. I'm trying not to worry but... well... check in when you can. Lovingly~ Andrea xxx
I gave up complaining for Lent. And then the shooting happened in Florida. So much for that! Something has to be done to keep our kids from dying in school shootings!
Pancake Day is one of my favourite days Pam! When I was a child it was the only time of year that we had pancakes! We have them a bit more often now! Those Polish donuts look fabulous! I love your list of things you are giving up for lent! It’s a beautifully sunny day here today! It feels like Spring is on our doorstep. I wish! Xoxo
Post a Comment