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.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2018
Sunrise: 7:24 am
Sunset: 7:12 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is National Hot Mulled Cider Day which is a perfect way to celebrate the arrival of fall. Apple cider is produced using a cider press and is a time honored favorite of the autumn season. Mulled cider is cider that has been simmered on a stove at low heat with spices and possibly brown sugar as well. Bags of mulling spices are even available at the store. It’s a cozy drink that will warm you up from your head to your toes.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Life is too short not to celebrate the nice moments.
Jurgen Klopp
We’ve had a couple of cooler days here that have been just right for enjoying a cup of hot cider. The scent alone puts me in a good mood and the taste is divine. But today we’re are to be warmer again with temps in the mid 70’s and tomorrow it’s to be a bit warmer yet. So I’ll probably be enjoying my cup of cider cold. Either way it is delicious. I try to keep a jug of cider in the fridge all fall and into winter as well. It’s easy to get here and the kind I like best is from one our our local apple orchards.
I like to make mulled cider in my crockpot and let it simmer all day long. The house smells wonderful. It’s great to have for fall celebrations. Here’s an easy recipe if you’d like to try it out. It makes enough for a crowd, but the leftovers can be refrigerated and heated up again whenever you feel like a cup.
Slow Cooker Mulled Cider
1 or 2 medium oranges
1 or two medium red apples
2 cinnamon sticks
whole cloves for poking into fruit
2 lemons
1 dash ground cinnamon
1 dash ground cloves
1 dash nutmeg
1 gallon apple cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
Set your crockpot on high heat. Fill it with cider leaving room for the apple and orange to float around. You will have extra cider to add later on if you wish. Wash the orange and apple and dry off. Poke cloves into the flesh of the fruits, as many as you like. Add cinnamon sticks and some brown sugar to taste.
Using a vegetable peeler, cut of two long strips lemon rind from one of the lemons. Drop these into cider pot. Slice the remaining lemon into thin slice and drop about 5 of them into the pot.
Cover the crock pot and let mixture come almost to a boil. Then sprinkle with a dash of ground spices to taste. Turn the heat down to low and let it simmer. Remove the fruit. Ladle out mugfuls to serve. You can replenish the cider as needed but you will not have to add more spice as long as you have 1/4 of the original mulled cider in the pot.
One of my DIL’s made her’s by adding cranberry juice and that was very good too.
Today’s holiday tip: Get ready for holiday houseguests. Make sure you have sheets, blankets, towels and bed space to welcome visitors.
Even though my house only has one extra bedroom here, I do have plenty of what it takes to provide a welcome room for guests. I always have extra sheets and towels available and if necessary I can easily give up my bed and sleep on the couch for more room if needed. I’ve done that more than a time or two. My motto is: the more the merrier!
I’m off to church as usual this morning and have dressed accordingly. We’ll have a chilly start but it will warm by midday. I’ve added a sweater as a second layer right now, but won’t need it later. I cooked yesterday so Sunday lunch is ready and all I have to do is heat it up. It’ll be a lazy day here at my house.
I hope you all have a RELAXING Sunday!
COUNTING MY GIFTS
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
Oprah Winfrey
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
6386. for cider, hot or cold
6387. for room for guests
6388. beautiful fall 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
Celebrate what you want to see more of.
Tom Peters
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
