For Saturday, July 9th, 2022

 ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SATURDAY, JULY 9TH, 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.

'

75 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Sunrise: 6:03 am

 Sunset: 9:03

 pm

Life is a special  

occasion!

Hallmark

Today is National Sugar Cookie Day which celebrates a seemingly simple, but delicious cookie. Tradition sugar cookie recipes call for just 6 ingredients: sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla and baking powder.

Although sugar cookies are sometimes considered plain, there is more than meets the eye.  Use cookie cutters to create shaped cookies, and top them with frosting or sprinkles.  You can also make cookie sandwiches with two cookies and fillings like marshmallows, melted chocolate or jam.

To celebrate today, order a batch of homemade sugar cookies to support your favorite bakery.  Keep them for yourself or share them with friends or family.  

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

People have got to learn, if they don’t have cookies in the cookie jar, they can’t eat cookies.

Suze Orman

Baking cookies used to be a big part of my life.  The kids all loved them.  But one imparticular was known as the cookie monster.  I could hardly keep enough on hand.  These days however the only time I make them is for Christmas of special holidays like Valentines Day.  But I do buy a lot of my cookies at the store and always have some on hand. 

Frosted sugar cookies would be a favorite in my family, but they will also settle for sprinkles. One way or the other they go faster if they are decorated.  

For today, I’m cooking for the weekend , not baking and on the menu is:

20 Minute Healthy Sausage and Veggies One Pot

2 cups baby potatoes, rinsed and quarter

1/2 red bell pepper, sliced 

1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced 

1/2 green bell pepper sliced

1 zucchini, halved and sliced 

1/2 onion, sliced

9 oz smoked sausage, sliced 

3 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes, optional

1/2 tsp garlic power or mince garlic

1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 cup chicken broth

Salt and fresh cracked pepper 

Fresh parsley, chopped

In a heavy bottomed pot like cast iron, heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium high heat.  Add the potatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, stirring a few times.  Remove potatoes from pot and set aside. 

In same pot brown the sliced sausage for around 5 minutes in 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium high heat.  Remove the sausage and set aside.

Add onion and garlic and cook 2 minutes with remaining oil.  Add bell peppers and zucchini to the same pot and season with red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper .  Cook until softened, stirring occasionally.

Add the cooked sausage and potatoes back to the pan and mix everything together. Add chicken broth and cook for 5 minutes more.  Adjust seasoning and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.  

Serve immediately.

I only have green pepper on hand so I will use a summer squash and not zucchini in mine for color.

This is to be the first of two beautiful days here in Ohio. The whole weekend looks wonderful ! The temps will be in the mid to upper 70’s. 

I hope you all have a SUPER Saturday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS 

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

 

10,411. for sweet comfort food a cookie will do

10,412. for a beautiful weekend 

10,413. for no rain so things can dry up again 

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

Baking cookies is comforting and cookies are the sweetest little bit of comfort food.  They are very bite sized and personal .

Sandra Lee

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma