For New Year's Eve, December 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.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31ST, 2018

80 Days until Spring

Sunrise: 7:54 am

 Sunset: 5:08 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

  

Today is New Year’s Eve which is celebrated across the globe.  Many have fireworks displays and other festivities to celebrate the start of the New Year.

In the United States huge crowds gaiters in New York City to watch the ball drop in Times Square, a traditions that began in 2907 after firecrackers were outlawed.  At midnight it is customary to kiss a loved one, make a toast and sing Auld Lang Syne.

We can celebrate at home with our families or go out on the town with friends  and enjoy the countdown to midnight!  Happy New Year !

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me:  Seven Swans a Swimming.

My Gift for you today is a recipe for:

Seven Layer Dip

1 can bean dip

1 avocado, peeled, seeded and chopped

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 c. sour cream

1 pkg. dry taco seasoning mix

2 large ripe tomatoes, chopped

1/2 c. sliced black olives

1 can cheddar flavor cheese dip

1/2 c. chopped green onions

Tortilla Chips

Spread bean dip in a shallow 2 quart dish.  Arrange avocado over beans.  Sprinkle with lemon juice and garlic salt.  In small bowl combine the sour cream and taco mix.  Spread it over the avocado.  Top with a layer of tomatoes and olives.  Spread with cheese dip and sprinkle with green onions.  Serve with tortilla chips.  Makes 6 cups.

Every New Year’s Eve I try to stay awake until Midnight and watch the ball drop on TV.  It is a hard thing for me to stay awake that long.  One year I cleaned out my recipe box so I’d have something to do that would keep me awake so late.  This year I’m going to try my best, but don’t really have a project to work on.  Hopefully there will be a great movie or two that I can watch to pass the hours.

I’m not sad to see another year ending as endings always mean new beginnings.  I’m thankful for the past and look forward to the future, but try to live in the present and enjoy each moment as it comes.

Today’s pictures are more of our family Christmas.  This time we’re in the kitchen.  

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

Happy New Year’s Eve!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

When I think of any of my successes, I am thankful to God from whom all blessings flow, and to my family and friends who enrich my life.

Author Unknown

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

6661. for 2018, a good year

6662. for a new recipe to share

6663. for a TV to watch

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!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.

Vern McLellan

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Sunday, December 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.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30TH, 2018

80 Days until Spring

Sunrise: 7:54 am

 Sunset: 5:07 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

  

Today is National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, which is commonly known as Baking Soda.  It is used in baking, cooking, deodorizing, cleaning, polishing, and countless other applications.

Baking soda is a white, odorless, crystalline solid that is completely soluble in water.  It is very useful around the home, the kitchen, and for medical purposes.  Baking soda can even be used as an antacid to treat indigestion and heartburn.  Sodium bicarbonate certainly deserves a whole day of celebration.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me:  Six Geese a Laying

My gift to you today is a recipe for a platter of deviled eggs.

Loaded Deviled Eggs

12 eggs, hard boiled, cooled and halved

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 tsp. fresh chives

2 1/2 tsp. white vinegar

2 tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 tbsp. finely shredded cheddar cheese

1/4  tsp. garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste.

1/4 cup sour cream

paprika

Remove egg yolks from egg halves and place in mix bowl.  Add bacon, chives, vinegar, mustard cheese, garlic power, salt and pepper. Add sour cream and mix well.

Spoon yolk mixture back into egg halves.  Sprinkle with paprika.

Note:  They say that adding a tablespoon of baking soda to the water when boiling eggs will make them much easier to peel.

We had a wonderful celebration on Saturday and I thank DS#3 and his wife for being such wonderful hosts.  It was a cold day, but there wasn’t any rain or snow so the roads were clear for all to travel.  We never know this time of year what the weather will be. I took a lot of pictures so it will probably take more than one day to share them all.  

Today is going to be a day of rest here for me.  After church I’ll be here at home, with my feet up and will probably have an afternoon nap too.

I hope you all have a RELAXING Sunday! 

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Live your life while you have it.  Life is a splendid gift.  There is nothing small in it.  For the greatest things grow by God’s Law out of the smallest.

Florence Nightingale

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

6658. for baking soda, it has many uses

6659.for eggs, good and good for us

6660. for a day to relax

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

The miracle of your existence calls for celebration every day.

Oprah Winfrey

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Saturday, December 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.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29TH, 2018

81 Days until Spring

Sunrise: 7:54 am

 Sunset: 5:07 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

  

Today is Pepper Pot Day, which is a thick, spicy soup first created on December 29th, 1777.  During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army experienced an exceptionally harsh winter in Valley Forge.  The soldiers were low on food, so the baker general gathered whatever food he could to find to feed the soldiers . 

 He was able to find scraps of tripe, meat and some pepper corn.  He mixed the ingredients with some other seasonings, and created a hot spicy soup we now know as pepper pot.  It became known as the soup that won the war.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me:  Five golden rings

My gift to you today is a recipe for Pineapple Upside Down cake with 5 pineapple rings on top.

Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Heat 1/4 cup butter in an 8 by 8 by 2 inch pan. Stir in 3/4 cup packed brown sugar  Drain one can crushed pineapple, or pineapple rings. Reserve the syrup.

Spread 1 cup of drained pineapple  over the brown sugar.  Put in oven on low, 275 degrees, while mixing cake batter.

Beat 2 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Then fold in 1 cup flour, 1 tsp. baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.  

Stir in 1/2 cup of reserved pineapple syrup.  Pour batter over the pineapple mixture and bake 40 minutes or until done in a 350 degree oven.

Let stand a few minutes before turning upside down on a serving plate.  Best served warm with or without whipped cream.

One of my sons used to love pineapple upside down cake.  We all liked it, but it was his favorite.    Whenever I make one, I always think of him.

Today is our Family Feast to celebrate Christmas.  We will not be having Pepper Pot today, but roast turkey and all the trimmings instead.  I’m all packed and ready to go.  DS#5 and his family will be giving me a ride. I’m excited to see everyone and praying for safe travels for all.  The ones that live in Ohio will be there and we will be missing those far away that can’t come due to time and distance.  It’s been a long time since everyone was home for Christmas.

DS #3 and his wife will be our hosts and as they just got a new home this year, we are celebrating a Victorian Christmas.  They now have a beautifully restored Victorian house.  This will be my first time there and hope to get plenty of pictures.  The pictures today are of their home all decorated for Christmas.

I hope you all have a SUPER Saturday! 

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!

Hamilton Wright Mabie

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

6655.  For DS#3 and his wife, our hosts for today

6656. for a cake that always reminds me of one DS#2

6657. for a ride, thanks to DS#5 and family

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

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.

Eric Sevareid

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma