For Friday, December 28th, 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, DECEMBER 28TH, 2018

82 Days until Spring

Sunrise: 7:54 am

 Sunset: 5:06 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

  

Today is National Card Playing Day which celebrates card games and aims to bring together family and friends after a busy holiday season. It’s time to turn to card games for a calmer, relaxing, and more slow paced form of fun and entertainment.

Cards have survived for centuries as a form of play. There may be a few serious card players among us, but for most of card games are fun and just a game.

There a numerous kinds of card games to choose from.  Some easy, some more complicated, but  they are all entertaining and fun.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

On the fourth day of Christmas my true Love gave to me: Four calling birds…

I found the perfect cookie recipe for today’s gift.

Bird Nest Cookies

1 c. butter

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

2 egg yolks

1 tso, vanilla

2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

2 egg whites

1 c. chopped walnuts

Mix butter, brown sugar, egg yolks and vanilla well.  Blend in flour, salt, and mix together. Roll into one inch balls.  Dip in egg white and roll into nuts.  Put your thumb print in the center.  Bake at 350 degrees and when baked fill the thumbprint with your favorite jam or jelly.

Birds nests are a symbol of home.  They represent the love , commitment and effort it takes to build a happy home. Bird nests are also good luck symbols and legend has it that prosperity will come to a home that finds a birds nest nestled among the branches of the family Christmas tree.

Today I’m putting the finishing touches on everything for our family Christmas tomorrow.  I am going to put together the lasagna for tomorrow and store it in the fridge to be baked tomorrow morning .  I’m making sure I have all my gifts stored in a big bag to take and share.  I also have a few home made treats for the Christmas feast.  

It will be a busy day, but most is ready, I just have to pack it all up.

I had a surprise visit from DS#6 and his two children yesterday afternoon.  We did spend a couple of hours play UNO.  It’s easy enough that even my 4 year old granddaughter knew how to play.  Although she only watched, she was good at giving me some tips!  We also spent some time looking through old photo albums and musing about how much everyone had changed.  It was definitely a relaxing day.  The pictures below are of them at Christmas time.

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday! 

COUNTING MY GIFTS

I heard a bird sing in the dark of December,

A magical thing and sweet to remember.

We are nearer to Spring, than we were in September.

I heard a bird sing in the dark of December.

Oliver Herford

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

6652.  for cookies, mmm good

6653. for a surprise visit

6654. for a couple of very large bags and a cooler to hold it all

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

A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

Maya Angelou

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma