ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 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.
Sunrise: 7:44 am
Sunset: 4:59 pm
Life is a special occasion!!
Hallmark
Today is International Mountain Day which was designated in 2001 by the United Nations Assembly to create awareness about the important role that mountainous regions play in the global ecosystem. Mountains are essential to the worlds fresh water supply. They also safeguard many natural resources and protect communities against national disasters.
The symbol for this holiday consists of three equilateral triangles on a single horizontal line. The left triangle has s blue diamond shape at the top; representing ice and snow on mountain peaks. The middle triangle has and orange circle, representing the resources that are countinously mined from inside mountains. The triangle on the right has a small green triangle at the base, representing the crops that grow on mountains.
To celebrate today, I’m remembering the mountains of my childhood.
If you can’t see the bright side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.
John Muir
The only mountains I’m familiar with are the the Appalachians in West Virginia. My grandparents had a farm there that I visited when I was a child. They lived in a valley and were surrounded by these gentle mountains on all sides. That is what the pictures are of today. The barn shown is the original one that was there when I was young as well as some of the outbuildings but their house has been replaced with a new house built by one of my uncles that moved there after my grandparents died. Thankfully someone in the family still owns the property.
It’s my day to cook here at my house. On the menu is;
Satisfying Tomato Soup with Grill Cheese Croutons
2 tsp. oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 cans, 14.5 oz.each diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups water
2 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp ground pepper
Minced fresh basil, optional
In a large sauce pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and celery ; cook and stir until tender. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
You can puree soup using an immersion blender. Or cool soup slightly and puree in batches in the blender. Return to pan and heat through. If desired top with fresh basil.
For croutons that won’t immediately soak up all the soup, use day old bread and cook it slower than normal so you end up with a crispy, drier sandwich. Butter one side of 2 slices day old bread. Place on side in skillet over medium low heat, top with your favorite cheese slices. Top with second slice , butter side up and cook until golden brown. Flip and cook until brown and then remove and cut into cubes.
I’m not going to puree my soup because I used crushed tomatoes instead of the diced ones. I’ve never had grilled cheese and tomato soup this way before but thought it sounded worth trying. It’s one of my favorite comfort foods.
I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!
COUNTING MY GIFTS
County Roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia , mountain mama
John Denver
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
8720.for mountains that provide lots of memories
8721. for loving grandparents to visit
8722.for comfort food, mmm good.
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!
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
Every mountain top is within your reach if you just keep climbing.
Barry Finlay
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
MY BLOG
What’s New at My House
4 comments:
Sending out some Friday love to all of you. Enjoy your weekend !
I love the photos of your grandparent's farm and so glad it's still in the family. I have so many great memories of my grandparent's farm in Tennessee. The family sold it when I was in my teens, I was heartbroken. There is a Walmart there no *sigh*
Enjoy your tomato soup and have a great weekend!
Sweet photos! I grew up in the Rocky Mountains, so winters were (usually) pretty spectacular. Don't remember ever having seen this symbol, but will be on the look-out.
That's neat, your grandparent's home being kept in the family! I've daydreamed about re-visiting my own grandparent's place in Minnesota. But after seeing what's been done to my childhood home on Google Earth -- better I leave things in my mind, the way I remember.
Great pictures!! Your soup sounds yummy for a cold winter day!
betty
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