For Monday, December 17th, 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 17TH, 2018

8 Days until Christmas

Sunrise: 7:48 am

 Sunset: 5:00 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

  

Today is National Maple Syrup Day which is the perfect day to begin the day with pancakes, french toast or biscuits topped off with delicious Maple Syrup.

Maple syrup is distinctly a North American product.  Canada, the largest supplier, produces over 5 million gallons of each year.  Vermont is the largest producer in the United States.  Native Americans were the first to harvest and boil the sap of the maple tree into a thick syrup.  

It takes 30 to 50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.  Maple syrup can also be boiled down to produce maple cream, maple sugar and maple sugar candy. It is also used as a sweetener or flavoring agent.  Whether you like maple syrup as a topping on waffles, or vanilla ice cream, enjoy some in honor of National Maple Syrup Day.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know

Where treetops glisten,

and children listen

to hear sleigh bells in the snow…

Irving Berlin

Maple syrup is a delicious topping for our favorite breakfasts, but they say it also packs more than just flavor. Pure Maple syrup also contains antioxidants and tummy soothing compounds.  For me it is comfort food.  I especially like it as a topping on vanilla ice cream.  

In honor of the day, I found a recipe using maple syrup to share.  I haven’t made it yet.  But it sounds like a keeper.  It would be perfect to serve to holiday guests.

Maple Walnut Coffee Cake

For the streusel:

1/2 c. light brown sugar

1/4 c. flour

1/4 c. finely chopped walnuts

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3 tbsp. butter, melted

For the cake:

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. light brown sugar

1/2 c. capped wallets

1/2 c. maple syrup

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1/4 c. milk

2 large eggs, beaten

1 tsp. maple extract, optional

8 oz. sour cream, at room temperature

Topping:

1/2 c. powdered sugar

2 tbsp. maple syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray the bottom of an 8 inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.  

In a smal bowl, combine all the streusel ingredients with a fork until crumbly.

For the cake.  In in a large bowl stir together flour, baking powder, soda, salt brown sugar and walnuts.  In a small bowl still together the maple syrup, oil, milk, eggs and extract.  Stir in sour cream.  Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients. Gently stir until combined.

Spoon half the batter into prepared pan.  Sprinkle with half the streusel.  Spread remaining batter over streusel.  Sprinkle with remaining streusel

Bake for 35 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 15 minutes

To make the toping:  Combine the powdered sugar with maple syrup until a thick, pourable icing forms.  Dried over the warm cake. Cut into squares and serve.  Store leftovers, covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.

It’s the beginning of another new week and things are looking a lot like Christmas here.  This week I get to wrap my Christmas gifts and mail the ones that need to go out of town.  I’ll also be doing some baking.  

Thanks to some warmer and drier days last week, I was finally able to mulch up the remaining leaves in the yard over the weekend.  Leaf duty has officially ended for this year.  It was hard to believe that it was actually nice enough to get out in the middle of December.   Now we’ll see how much snow duty will need to be done.  Right now it’s looking like we won’t have any snow for Christmas, but we’ll see….

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

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it white. 

Bing Crosby

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

6619.  for Maple syrup, mmm..good

6620. for a nice weekend to get leaf duty done

6621. for new recipes to try out

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

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.

W.E. Ellis

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma