For Friday, September 30th, 2022

 ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 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.

'

82 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise:  7:24 am

 Sunset:  7:12  

pm

Life is a special   

occasion!

Hallmark!

Today is Hot Mulled Cider Day which is a 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 sugar has dissolved.  Add other ingredients such as nutmeg, allspice, orange juice and lemon juice, and bring to a boil.  Strain out spices, pour into a mug and add a cinnamon stick.

To celebrate today, sip your homemade brew!  Enjoy!

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The heat of autumn is different from the heat of summer.  One ripens apples, the other turns them to cider.

Jane Hirshfeild 

I happen to love cider whether it is hot or cold.  It’s delicious either way.  It’s refreshing when it’s hot outside and very warming when it’s cold weather.

You can buy mulling spices in the store.  They come in a bag that you simply put into your cider and let it brew over the heat.  It makes the whole house smell good. You can make it in the crockpot and leave it simmering on low if you want to make enough to have on hand for a crowd.   Sometimes I just put a cinnamon stick in my hot cider and stir it around.  It’s very flavorful too.They even have k cups so that you can make hot cider in your Kureig coffee maker.

It’s to be sunny out today for a change, but the high temp will be only 64 degrees, so it will be a good day to have some mulled cider.  

It’s my day to cook up something new here and on the menu is 

 

Black Bean and Rice Enchiladas

Makes 8 servings

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 green pepper, chopped

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can, 15 oz. black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can 14.5 oz., diced tomatoes and green chilies 

1/4 cup picante sauce

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 

2 cups cooked brown rice

8 flour tortillas , warmed

1 cup salsa

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

3 tbsp cilantro leaves 

Optional sliced red onion and jalapeño peppers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat.  Add green pepper, onion and garlic, sauté until tender.  Add next 6 ingredients, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered, until heated through.  Add rice, cook 5 minutes longer.

Spoon 1/2 cup of rice mixture down center of each tortilla.  Fold sides over filling and roll up.  Place seam side down in a baking dish coated with cooking spray Spoon remaining rice mixture along sides of dish.  Top tortillas with salsa.  Bake covered for 25 minutes.  Uncover and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake about 3 more minutes until cheese is melted.Sprinkle with cilantro and if desired, onions and jalapeños .

I don’t do jalapeños because they are too much heat for me, but other wise will be following the recipe with the exception of adding a dollop of sour cream on top.

I hope you all have  a FANTASTIC Friday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS 

With some cider you can literally taste the spirituality in it.

Author Unknown

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

 

10,660 for hot and cold cider, mulled is very good 

10,661 for a plentiful apple crop with lots of good cider to buy.

10,662. for an apple orchard nearby

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

Aways look on the Bright Cider life

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

For Thursday, September 29th, 2022

 ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 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.

'

83 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise:  7:23 am

 Sunset:  7:13  

pm

Life is a special   

occasion!

Hallmark!

Today is National Good Neighbor Day which celebrates Good Neighbors.  Being good neighbors is an important part of the social life.  In 2003 the U.S. Senate passed a resolution sponsored by Montanta Senator Max Baucus, making September 28TH, National Good Neighbor Day.  

A Neighbor is a person who lives nearby, normally in a house or apartment that is next door, or in the case of houses across the street.  Some people form friendships with their neighbors and help them by sharing their tools and helping with gardening tasks.  Other people become frustrated with their neighbors, if the neighbor makes a lot of noise or makes messes.

A group of people living close together in a small community is called a neighborhood.  Some neighborhoods have many community organizations, where people volunteer and do charitable activities. Other neighborhoods in poor communities may have no community organizations and there may be many problems in the community, such as illegal drugs, and homelessness.

To celebrate today, say hello to your neighbor and simply be a good neighbor to them.

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A good neighbor is a found treasure.

Chinese Proverb 

I happen to live in a very close knit community.  The homes are very close together.  Thankfully I have good neighbors and it’s very quiet here.  No one bothers me at all.  Even though I rarely see anyone, I know they are there if I needed them.

We have a community center where we all gather together to celebrate.  Soon we’ll be having a pumpkin decoration contest where friends and family are also invited. I’ve gone to this before and taken some of my family with me and that is what the picture are of today.  

I think if you want a good neighbor you have to also be a good neighbor.

I hope you all have  a GREAT day.  Happy Thursday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS 

Love your neighbor as yourself, but don’t take down the fence.

Carl Sandburg 

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

 

10,657 for great neighbors 

10,658 for a safe and quiet neighborhood 

10,659. for my cozy and warm home 

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

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

Harry S. Truman 

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

For Wednesday, September 28th, 2022

 ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 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.

'

84 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise:  7:22 am

 Sunset:  7:15  

pm

DS#1

Life is a special   

oc

 

casion!

Hallmark!

Today is National Sons Day which is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your sons at any age!  

Let us reflect upon the respect and commitment to our sons as they grow. 

To celebrate share a meal, enjoy the outdoors together or reminisce with some home videos. What ever you do, remember to let them know how much they mean to you today!

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side

DS#2 and his family 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

What greater aspiration and challenge are there for a mother than the hope of raising a great son or daughter.

Rose Kennedy

I’m blessed to have 6 sons.  Each one is different and they have varied careers. They are all married now and have homes and families of their own.  All but two live in Ohio, so I get to see most of them for family gatherings and holidays, but the two who live far away are very missed.  

It’s my day to cook here and also my day to make a menu for next week to do my shopping from.  I also do my shopping on Wednesdays.  

The menu for next week is:

Monday - Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Wednesday - Penne Pasta with Sausage, Butternut Squash and Chard 

Friday - Leek and Potato Soup

Weekend - Pulled Pork Tenderloin with Vadalia Onion BBQ Sauce 

On the menu for today is:

Southwestern Casserole

Makes 2 casseroles 6 servings each

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

2 lbs ground beef

1 onion chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced 

2 cans, 14.5 oz each, diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can, 16 oz. kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can, 6oz., tomato paste 

1 can, 4 oz. chopped green chiles, drained

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp. chili powder 

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp pepper

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 

2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped, optional

Cook macaroni according to package directions.  Meanwhile in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink.  Add garlic, cool 1 minute longer. 

Stir in next 8 ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, Drain macaroni, stir into beef mixture.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Transfer macaroni mixture to a greased baking dish.  Top with cheese and if desired, jalapeños . Cover and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.  Uncover, bake until bubbly and heated through, about 10 minutes longer. Serve 1 casserole and cool the second, cover and freeze up to 3 months.

I’ll only make 1/2 this recipe as I don’t have room in the freezer to put anything else. I also won’t be using green chillies or jalapeño peppers in mine since I like my food mild.

We still have a chance of showers today so I’m hoping for a break to get out and do my shopping. I heard from my son who lives in Florida this morning .  They didn’t have to evacuate and so far they even still have power on.  Hopefully it will stay that way.

I hope you all have  a WONDERFUL Wednesday !

DSIL and his family 

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.

 

10,654 for all 6 of my sons who are very appreciated and loved 

10,655 for a new healthy menu for next week 

10,656. for stores nearby 

DS#3

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!

DS#4

ADVICE FOR TODAY

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

DS#5

DS#6