For Saturday, December 21st, 2019

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21ST,2019 

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.

Welcome Winter!

89 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

4 Days Until CHRISTMAS 

Sunrise: 7:51 am

 Sunset: 5:02 pm

Life is a special occasion!!

Hallmark

Today is the first day of winter which is also known as the Winter Solstice.The Solstice is when the earth’s axle tilt is at its maximum farthest away from the sun  It’s the shortest day and longest night of the year.  

The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal  of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening days. While the traditions surrounding the winter solstice differ from culture to culture, most recognize it as a symbol of rebirth  

It’s also Look on the Bright Side Day which is a day to be optimistic. People are urge to look on the bright side of things.  Remove can’t from your vocabulary and you’re half way there.  Be grateful for small things, big things, and everything in between. It’s important to take a step back and concentrate on what you do have rather than what you don’t have. Kinow that it’s ok to make mistakes.  Your past mistakes are meant to guide you, not define you  No one is perfect.  Look at the bright side of mistakes and use them as a lesson moving forward.  Don’t dwell on the negatives and start focusing on the positive.  Why be negative when you can be positive. Always look on the bright side!

Today is also National Fried Shrimp Day, Forefathers Day, Kiwi Day , Humbug Day and Yule.

If you can’t see the bright side, polish the dull side 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

Percy Bysshe Shelley.

While it’s true that today is the darkest and shortest day of the year, tomorrow starts the trend toward brightening things up again. So be optimistic and smile more today.  Many times when one door closes, another opens.  And when you truly believe, good things are bound to happen, they usually do!

It seems as though it’s been Winter for quite a while already, but today is actually only the beginning.  It’s been terribly cold but thankfully we haven’t had a lot of snow, making for clear roads and easier travel.  

On the bright side the days will now begin to get longer one minute at a time.  Sad to say I’m not a fan of winter and am very much looking forward to Spring.

The cold winter months of December, January, February, and March seem to go on and on forever, but no winter lasts forever and Spring never fails to come.

This weekend is supposed to be a bit warmer and I’m thankful that we’ll be able to get out and about without freezing.  I’ve some shopping I’d like to do before I leave on my trip.

Although we’ve had snow, it looks like it will not be a white Christmas here. The weather man says the sun is supposed to come out today and last through Christmas day.  Hurray!  

This is my day to make my weekend meal and once again the crock pot is going to be put into good use. 

Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole

1 pkg. 16 oz. rigatoni 

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 onion, chopped

4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cans , 15 oz each, pizza sauce

1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1 pkg, 8oz, sliced pepperoni

Chapped fresh basil, optional

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Mean while,  in a skillet cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is not longer pink.  drain.

Drain pasta, place in slow cooker, Stir in beef mixture, cheese, pizza sauce, soup and ppperoni. Cover and caok 2 to 3 hours or until heated through, if desired top with basil before serving.

Makes 14 servings

I didn’t have any canned pizza sauce on hand so I made my own.  and here is the recipe

Pizza Sauce

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

1 tbsp. oregano

1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp paprika

Mix the sauce and paste together until smooth .  Stir in oregano, garlic and paprika.  

Simple and very easy.

It looks like I’ll have plenty of casserole  leftovers so part of this will go into the freezer for another time.  I don’t mind leftovers but it is quite a lot.  

Today’s pictures are random winter photos from the past.  Just in case you want to see snow…

I hope you have a SUPER  Saturday!

‘

COUNTING MY GIFTS

No winter lasts forever , no Spring skips its turn.

Hal Borland

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

7706. for Spring, I’m counting the days

7707. for a trip south to get away from winter

7708. for a warm cozy home 

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

Winter is the time for comfort for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.

Edith Sitwell.

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma