ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: April 2022

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Decide to be happy today, to live with what is yours – your family, your business, your job, your luck. If you can’t have what you like, maybe you can like what you have.

Just for today, be kind, cheerful, agreeable, responsive, caring, and understanding. Be your best, dress your best, talk softly, and look for the bright side of things. Praise people for what they do and do not criticize them for what they cannot do. If someone does something stupid, forgive and forget. After all, it’s just for one day.

Who knows, it might turn out to be a nice day.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

I'm looking out the window
and the day is drab and dreary,
And I'm trying to console myself
by thinking something cheery
I know it's simply horrible
to get in such a slump
And I also know it's up to me
to get across the hump
And I realize I'm selfish
to mention this to you
For, gee, you might be feeling
a little 'low-down' too
but often when I feel like this
I tell myself it's true
That I am not the only one
who feels 'low-down and blue'
And just knowing there are others
who feel the way I do
Renews my sinking spirit
and keeps me smiling through
and know that it's natural
to take a 'spirit-dive'
Provides the spunk and courage
to hang on and survive
And while there are a lot of moods
that we can drive away
by looking on the BRIGHT SIDE
in all we do and say,
There also is a loneliness
that God meant us to feel
But, gee, it sure is mighty hard
to know which one is real
And I'd hate to be a 'sad sack'
who never saw the sun
And just complained that every day
was such a dreary one.
But I know that all the dark days
are just part of God's plan
We should accept them graciously
and do the best we can...
So I'll just keep on trying
for I know it's 'Gospel true'
there never was a cloud so dark
the sun could not shine through!

by Helen Steiner Rice

On the Bright Side Newsletter

I send this little letter out each morning to all my family and friends and even to a few people that I've never met. Many of them send it on to others too. So in order to make it available to more people I post the 'brighter side' of the news here each day in this journal.

The letter began as an effort to keep in touch with my family as they are spread out in all directions. My family, friends and God are the most important things in my life.

You'll find quotes, poems and stories and even a few recipes included in this newsletter. I try to find something new each day to share.

In a world that very often publishes only the dark side of things I felt that others would be encouraged to hear about
'the bright side'.

'On Ya'-ma

Saturday, April 30, 2022

For Saturday, April 30th, 2022

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH, 2022

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.

53 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER

Sunrise: 6;26 am

Sunset: 8
;24 pm

Life is a special occasion!

Hallmark

Today is a Happy Birthday to our Sunshine Boy!

Happy Birthday ♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you♥ ♥ ♥

May the dear Lord bless you today and always !

Happy Birthday to you♥

Today is also National Raisin Day which celebrates a delicious and nutritious snack.

People have been dehydrating grapes to make raisins for thousands of years. The practice dates back to 2000 B.C. and originated in Persia and raisins were highly prized by the Ancient Romans, who used this delicious snack food to barter. They also awarded raisins as prizes at sporting events.

They are low in fat and contain important nutrients like iron, coper, calcium and antioxidants. Raisins became commercially popular in 1873 when a heat wave destroyed acres and acres of California grape vines. One grower decided to sell the dried grapes and marketed them as a Peruvian delicacy. Today, California produces half of the world’s raisin supply.

To celebrate today, snack on a box of raisins or bake a delicious batch of oatmeal raisin cookies.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The wrinklier the raisin the sweeter the fruit.

Alan Tudyk

As usual this Grandson’s birthday is a long distance one. He lives in sunshine State. A card was sent out with lots of love and birthday wishes for him. His winning smile is why I call him my Sunshine Boy.

Raisins are one thing I keep in the pantry all the time. I do use them both in snacking and baking. Every one loves oatmeal raisin cookies.

I’ll be sure to have some today. But on the menu for today is;

Caprese Chicken with Bacon

Makes 4 servings

8 bacon strips

4 bonesless skinless chicken breast halves

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 plum tomatoes, sliced

6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

4 slices mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place bacon on an ungreased baking pan. Bake until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain.

Place chicken in a ungreased baking pan, brush with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with tomatoes and basil. Wrap each in 2 bacon strips . Arranging bacon in a crisscross.

Bake uncovered until a thermometer reads 165 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes. Top with cheese and bake until melted.

I’m using chicken tenders today so will put 2 of these together wrapped in the bacon. I also have shredded mozerella instead of slices to put on the top.

This sounds fancy but is really easy to make.

We’re to finally make it up to the 60’s today and it’s sunny! Tomorrow we’re to be 70 degrees but the rain will be moving in again and we’re to cool off in the 50’s this coming week.That’s much better than the 30’s we had last week.

I hope you all have a SUPER Saturday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Raisins are a thing that lasts, they come in small boxes and you always feel like eating raisins, even at six in the morning.

A raisin is always an appropriate snack.

Fran Lebowitz

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

10,201 for our Sunshine Boy, it’s his birthday today

10,202. for great smiles that make me happy

10,203. for a sunny 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 EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of life.

O. Henry

A little smile, a word of cheer,

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought

Matthew 5:5 (MSG)

Friday, April 29, 2022

For Friday, April 29th, 2022

THE BRIGHT SIDE

FRIDAY, APRIL 29TH, 2022

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.

54 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER
'

Sunrise: 6;28 am
Sunset: 8
;23 pm

Life is a special occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Abor Day which has been celebrated since 1872. A journalist named J. Sterling Morton created this holiday to encourage people to plant trees and raise awareness of the importance of forests and plants. The first Arbor Day took place in the state of Nebraska and local newspapers estimated one million trees were planted that day.

Today, Arbor Day is a worldwide celebration. People traditionally celebrate this holiday by volunteering their time to plant trees or donating money to preserve forests. Many schools typically plan a variety of Arbor Day activities like essay contests, art projects and field trips to local parks to get kids engaged in this important campaign.

To celebrate, plant a tree in your yard or donate to preserving a forest.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

There can’t be enough to be said about the importance of trees. They produce oxygen we need to breathe. I’m blessed with a large oak tree beside my house and it gives me plenty of wonderful shade in the summer. It gives shelter and food to the animals around here too. It produces acorns which both the squirrels and the birds love.

Someone planted it long ago and now I get to enjoy it. Our forests are not what they used to be. Many years of logging has depleted them. I think if you cut down a tree, then it needs to be replaced by another.

A lot of the trees in my community were cut down because they were causing problems with roots growing into the sewer lines and they haven’t planted small ones to take their place. Someday they too will grow. We need the shelter, shade and oxygen they provide.

It’s also my day to cook something new and on the menu is a:

Cucumber Sandwich

Makes one serving

2 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp. slice fresh chives.
1 Tbsp, chopped fresh dill
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
1/3 cup thinly sliced English Cucumber

Stir cream cheese, yogurt, chives, dill and pepper together in a small bowl. Spread the mixture evenly on one side of each brad slice. Top one slice with cucumber slices, then top with other bread slice, cream cheese side down.

Cut the crusts from the sandwich and cut in half diagonally to serve.

This is a great sandwich to have when it gets warmer out and today is a much warmer day. We’re to be in the 50’s. Its both nourishing and refreshing. I don’t cut the crusts from mine as I happen to like them.

The pictures today are of one of my favorite places to walk in the shade of lots of trees. It’s a shrine that we had a family reunion at in 2015.

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

He who plants a tree. Plants a hope.

Lucy Larcom

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

10,198 for trees, they are very important
10,199. for forests to walk in .
10,200. for shade and shelter

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 EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Someone is sitting the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

Warren Buffet

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,
ma

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought

Matthew 5:5 (MSG