For Wednesday, September 30th, 2020

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 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.

83 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise: 7:25 am

 Sunset: 7:11  pm

Life is a special occasion!!

Hallmark

Today is Hot Mulled Cider Day which honors the delicious drink perfectly suited for crisp September afternoons.  Apple cider is produced using a cider press and is a time honored favorite of the autumn season.

To make mulled cider, slowly add brown sugar to apple cider in a saucepan over medium heat.  Stir until all the sugar has been dissolved.  Add other ingredients such as nutmeg, allspice, orange juice and lemon juice and bring to a boil.  Strain out the spices, pour into a mug and add a cinnamon stick. 

Enjoy National Hot Mulled Cider Day as you sip on your homemade brew!

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The tarter the apple, the tastier the cider.

Beverly Lewis 

I love hot apple cider and will add mulling spices to it for special occasions.  No matter what, it’s easy to add a cinnamon stick stirrer to your cup.  The more you stir it, the better the flavor gets. Apples and cinnamon seem to go together, just like peanut butter and jelly do.  I try to keep some on hand all Autumn long.  It really warms you up on a cold crispy fall day.  

We fortunate to have a couple of Apple Orchards nearby that make their own cider too.  We have it quickly and readily available and most grocery stores carry it this time of year.

But on the menu today is different recipe that will also warm you up:

 Stuffed Pepper Soup

1 pound lean ground beef

1 onion chopped, 1 cup

1 medium red sweet pepper, chopped

1 orange sweet pepper, chopped

1 green sweet pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 c.. beef broth

2 cubs water

1 14.5 once diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 cup uncooked instant brown rice 

1/2 c finely shredded Colby and Monterey Jack Cheese

In large skillet cook beef, onion, sweet pepper and garlic over medium heat until meat is brown and vegetables are tender.

In a slow cooker combine beef vegetable mixture, broth water, tomatoes, pepper, chili powder and paprika.

Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.  Stir in rice.  Cover and cool for 30 minutes more until heated through.  Sprinkle each serving with cheese.

This makes 8 servings so there will be plenty to have for lunch for serval days after tonights dinner.  It’s another thing that will warm your tummy up on a cold day.

I got some garlic bread sticks to have along with my soup tonight which should be the perfect accompaniment.

The pictures today include but are not limited to my colorful sweet peppers.  They are such a gorgeous color. 

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

I’ve de-cider-ed that fall is the best season of all.

Author Unknown

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

8510. for mulled cider, a delicious hot drink

8511; for the colors of fall 

8512.for warm things on a cold day 

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

Always look on the bright cider life.

Author Unknown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma 

MY BLOG

What’s New at My House

 

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

For Tuesday, September 29th, 2020

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 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.

84 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise: 7:24 am

 Sunset: 7:13 pm

Life is a special occasion!!

Hallmark

Today is National Coffee Day which celebrates a world commodity that is second only to oil.  

According to legend a sixth century Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi discovered his goats frolicking from one coffee shrub to another.  He realized the coffee berries had stimulating effect, and he began to experiment with the seeds.  A century later, brewed coffee emerged from Arabia and the popularity of coffee grew at an exponential rate.

Today over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year. Don’t forget to take a coffee break or two to celebrate this historical and important beverage.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A morning coffee is my favorite way of starting the day, settling the nerves so they don’t later fray.

Marcia Carrington

There is no doubt about it, I’m a coffee lover.  I have to start every day off with a good cup of hot coffee.  I’m addicted to coffee and need to start my day off right.  It wouldn’t be the same without it.

Usually I use my Keurig coffee maker to make my coffee, but it’s on the fritz right now and so I’m using a little 4 cup Mr. Coffee pot that was loaned to me by DS#5 the last time it quit.  I like them both and have a  variety of coffee on hand for either one of them.  I like to change things up a bit and used different flavored coffees to do this.  Right now I have Pumpkin Spiced coffee on hand as well as a Donut Shop variety.  I also have French Vanilla and Starbucks Fall blend on the shelf.  I like them all and switch between them.  It may be that I’ll have to get a new Keurig soon.  I do miss it and the convenience of making one cup at a time.  It tells me it needs a needle head cleaning which isn’t easy.  We’ll see….

Meanwhile on the menu for today is yet another new recipe to try :  

 Harvest Chicken Casserole

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for baking dish

2 lbs.  boneless chicken breasts

salt

ground black pepper

1/2 onion, chopped

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes

1 lb. brussel sprouts, trimmed and quartered

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp. dried

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 c. chicken broth, divided

6 c. cooked wild or brown rice

1/2 c. dried cranberries

1/2 c. sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with oil.  In a large deep skillet over medium high heat, heat 1 tbsp. oil.  Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Add chicken to skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through.  8 minutes per side. Let rest 10 minutes, then cut into 1 inch pieces.

Heat another tablespoon oil over medium heat.  Add onion, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, garlic, thyme, paprika and cumin.  Season with salt and pepper and cook until softened.  5 minutes.  Add 1/4 cup broth, bring to a simmer and cook covered 5 minutes

Place rice in large baking dish and season with salt and pepper.  Stir in chicken, cranberries, cooked vegetables and remaining 1/4 cup of broth.  Top with almonds and bake until dish is hot and almonds are toasted. 15 to18 minutes.

This recipe makes 8 servings so I think I’ll cut it in half for just me. I’ll still have leftovers for lunch for a couple of days.  

Except for the coffee, the pictures today are from DD who had trick or treat this past weekend at their campground.  What fun !

I think I’ll have another cup of coffee!

I hope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.

T. S. Eliot

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

8507. for coffee, it starts every day here at my house

8508. for trick or treat fun

8509, for a working coffee maker, thanks to DS#5

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

No matter what historians claimed, BC really stood for Before Coffee.

Cherise Sinclair

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma 

MY BLOG

What’s New at My House

 

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

For Monday, September 28th, 2020

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 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.

85 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise: 7:23 am

 Sunset: 7:14 pm

Life is a special occasion!!

Hallmark

Today is Good Neighbor day which is a day that promotes neighborliness and niceness toward people that surround us.  In 1978 President Jimmy Carter designated the day on September 24th as Good Neighbor Day .  It’s an opportunity to get to know each other better.  This day acknowledges and celebrates the importance of a good neighbor. 

It’s a blessing to have a good neighbor, but it is ever a greater thing to be a good neighbor.  Good neighbors often become friends.  They watch out for each other, lend a helping hand and are there for advice when asked.

Neighbors offer that cup of sugar when we are short, collect our mail when we are on vacations, watch our homes, and watch our children and our pets.  Simply put, being a good neighbor makes good neighbors and develops lifelong friendships.

The date has changed in 2003 from the fourth Sunday in September to an annual observance on September 28th.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

While the spirit of neighborliness was important on the frontier because neighbors were so few, it is even more important now because our neighbors are so many.

Lady Bird Johnson

All in all I have to say that I have good neighbors.  They are quiet and respectful of my privacy.  Although at times it’s a little too quiet around here, I won’t complain because I’ve had some neighbors in the past that were too noisy and downright rude.  I rarely see anyone out in my neighborhood.  I’ve never seen people keep so much to themselves.  Only when they have to do yard work will they be outside and wave hello .  Some don’t even do that. They have people that come in to do the yard work and remain inside.

I happened to see some kids out on their scooters and some on a bike, that said,  hello and I like your bike to me when I was out this past week.  They are the only ones I’ve talked with in awhile. Even when I’m out, everything is mostly quiet with few people venturing out of their homes. The good thing is there is very little traffic either.making it a very safe place to walk and ride a bike.  We don’t have sidewalks so must walk on the streets.

As usual I’ll be cooking today, my leftovers from the weekend are gone.  On the menu today is:

Smoothered Pork Chops with Broccoli and Mushrooms

Makes 4 servings

1 lb. mushrooms, halved or quartered if large

3 tbsp. olive oil, divided

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 head brocoli cut into florets

4 bone in pork chops

2 large shallots, finely chopped

1 tbsp. flour

3/4 c. dry white wine, or apple juice

1/2 c. chicken broth

2 tbsp. sour cream

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tbsp thyme

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Toss together mushrooms and tablespoon oil in large baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Bake 10 minutes.  Push mushrooms to one side and add broccoli to pan.  Toss with 2 tbsp. oil .  Season with Salt and pepper.  Roast until vegetables are golden and tender.  12 to 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, heat remaining tablespoon of oil in large pan over medium heat.  Season four chops with salt and pepper.  Cook until internal temperature on a meat thermometer reads 140 degrees.  4 to 5 minutes per side.  Transfer to a plater, tent with foil; reserve skillet 

Add shallots to skillet and cook stirring occasionally 4 or 5 minus.  Add flour and cook, stirring one minute.  Add juice and simmer until thickened. Add broth and simmer until thickened.  Remove from heat. and stir in sour cream, mustard and thyme.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve pork chops topped with pan sauce and roasted vegetables along side.

I am going to let my pork chops simmer in the pan sauce  for about 20 minutes and then mix in the oven roasted vegetables until everything is smothered and covered.  I like to make sure that my pork chops are done and think the juices will be good mixed in the vegetables too. I’ll be using apple cider instead of apple juice too since I have plenty of that on hand.

After a beautiful weekend we are supposed to be getting some cooler weather coming our way.  We’re to be down in the 60’s now for the rest of the week.  Thankfully it will be only partly cloudy which also means partly sunny.  I think I’ll have to put a sweater on. 

The pictures today are a mix of our Princess and our Prince Charming and DS#6's children for fall pictures.  She is now back in her college dorm and he is celebrating his senior year of high school.  They are celebrating fall with some pictures.  

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

COUNTING MY GIFTS

All will concede that in order to have good neighbors, we must also be good neighbors.That applies in ever field of human endeavor.

Harry S. Truman

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

8504.for good neighbors 

8505; for fall pictures

8506,for a safe and wonderful start to the school year

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

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.

Benjamin Frianklin

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma 

MY BLOG

What’s New at My House

 

http://onyama.blogspot.com/