For Monday, January 2nd, 2023

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

MONDAY, JANUARY 2ND , 2023

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.

Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals

'

78 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

In Ohio

 Sunrise:  7:54 am

 Sunset:   5:10 

pm

In Florida

Sunrise: 7:14

Sunset: 5:46

Life is a special 

occasion!

Hallmark!

Today is National Cream Puff Day which celebrates a rich dessert that made its debut in the United States in 1880.

However, the first cream puff originated in Europe sometime during the 1540’s when Catherine de Medici’s pastry chef created the baked puffed shells for Chatherine’s husband, Henry II of France.

Cream puffs are unusual pastries.  Flour is added to a boiled mixture of butter and water, and then cooked at a high temperature until the mixture becomes a smooth ball of dough with a hollow center.  After cream puffs are taken out of the oven, they must be cut in half or the pastry will deflate upon cooling.

To celebrate today, bake some of your own divine cream puffs to enjoy or buy some at a bakery.  Don’t forget to top them off with powdered sugar.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There is no better way to bring people together than with desserts.

Gail Simmons

I’ve never made my own cream puffs but they are delicious.  One of my first jobs was working in a bakery after school when I turned 16. I have to say it was a favorite job of mine.  I got a taste for fine baked goods of all kinds.  That might be where I got my first taste of a cream puff.  They were filled with whipped cream!  Up until that time, I’d only had what desserts my mom or grandmothers made. 

We had a delicious New Years Day dinner.  DS#4 made the pork roast and sauerkraut and his wife made deviled eggs and an orange tangerine jello salad that was more like dessert than a salad.  Our sunshine boy made a pan of homemade mac and cheese that was also delicious.  I think there was enough left overs to do it all again today.  I’ve certainly done a lot of fine eating while I’ve been here. 

And the weather has been absolutely beautiful, warm and sunny, with the exception of a few foggy mornings.  I’m being terribly spoiled. They even make my morning coffee for me.  

Everyone’s back to work today, except for me and some of the grandchildren who are off school until Wednesday. I supposed I’ll be enjoying another nap in the lounge chair in the sun today. I could get used to this kind of life with no problem.  DDIL#4 says she wants to get the Christmas decorations down today, but I won’t be doing that till I go back home.  I’m never in a hurry to do that anyway as everything looks so blah with the decorations down. It won’t be long now and I’ll put up some Valentine decorations just so there will be some color in the house. Everything looks so dreary in Ohio, but at least here, they have blue skies and sunshine.

I don’t have any pictures of cream puffs today but I do have some of the boys taking down the tree. 

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

COUNTING MY GIFTS

One of the most important courses in any meal is the dessert.  And like the final act in a good play, is long remembered with pleasure. 

Duncan Hines

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

10,932 for cream puffs a delicious dessert 

10,933for blue skies and sunshine 

10,934 for such wonderful cooks here 

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

Life is short and unpredictable.  Eat the dessert first!

Helen Keller

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma