For Monday, February 3rd, 2020

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 2020 

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.

45 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

Sunrise: 7:38 am

 Sunset: 5:46 pm

Life is a special occasion!!

Hallmark

Today is National Carrot Cake Day which celebrates  a dessert that has been around since the Middle Ages. At that time sugar and other sweeteners were rare and very expensive so people used sweet vegetables to flavor their puddings.

The technique became obsolete for several hundred years, but resurfaced in the 20th century.  Durin WWII, the British government rationed many foods and household staples including sugar.  To appease the nation’s sweet tooth, the Ministry of Food promoted recipes for carrot puddings, carrot filled pies and carrot cakes.  

Carrot cake is much healthier than many other baked cokes.  A traditional recipe  calls for carrots, raisins, walnuts, and brown sugar.  Enjoy a slice from your local bakery in honor of Carrot Cake Day!

This week is also Boy Scout Anniversary Week and International Friendship Week.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Vegetables are a must on a diet.  I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.

Jim Davis

I usually make Carrot Cake closer to Easter, but it is delicious any time and is filled with healthy ingredients, all things good for us.  And I love it with Cream Cheese frosting too.  Here is a recipe in case you’d like to make your own.

Carrot Cake

For the cake:

1 1/2 c. sugar

1c vegetable oil

3 eggs

2 c.flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

3 c. shredded carrots

1 c. coarsely chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese frosting;

1 pkg. 8 oz. cream cheese softened

1/4 c. butter, softened

2 or 3 tsp milk

1 tsp. vanilla

4 c. powdered sugar

Nutmeg, if desired

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Greese bottom and sides of on 13 by 9 ince pan with shortening, Lightly flour.  In large bowl , beat sugar, oil and eggs until well blended.  Add flour,cinnamon, baking soda, vanilla and salt.  Beat on low speed 1 minute.  Stir in carrots and nuts.  Pour into pan.  

Bake 40 to 45 minutes until tooth pick inserted in the the center comes out clean.Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing from pan.  Cool completely before frosting.

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla with electric nixon on low speed until smooth.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time on low speed until spreadable.  Frost cake.  Sprinkle nutmeg on frosted cake if desired .  Store in refrigerator.

Now that ground hog day is over and both ground hogs, Phil in PA and Chuck in Ohio, agreed it will be an early spring this year my thoughts are turning to spring and that is what the pictures are of today. Some Easter bunnies and some grandchildren with the Easter bunny from past years.  It’s to be springlike today with temps in the 50’s but it won’t last for very long, we’ll drop back down into the 30’s by Wednesday.  So enjoy today and get out if you must, it won’t be getting any better.  This week I’ll be going to school with two of my grandchildren on different days  Thursday is a visit with our X factor and on Sunday I’ll be going to Sunday school with our Cutie Patootie.  It’s their way of honoring grandparents and I’m very glad I am their’s .  Looks like a busy week for me.    

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

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Desserts are the fairy tales of the kitchen — a happily-ever-after to supper.

Terri Guillemets

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

7832. for carrot cake, good and good for us too

7833. for school visits with grandchildren

7834. for a spring like day today to get outside 

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

Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.

Ernestine Ulmer

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma