For Monday, December 18th, 2023

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18TH, 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

4 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

In Ohio

   Sunrise:   7:49 am

   Sunset:    5:00 pm

Life is a special   

occasion!

Hallmark! 

 

Today is Bake Cookies Day, which is the perfect day to get a head start on holiday baking.

People have been baking cookies during Christmastime since the middle ages.  Around this time, spices and dried exotic fruits became increasingly popular ingredients, used in pastries and baked goods.

As accessibility  to these ingredients became more widespread, families began to bake delicious cookies to share with neighbors at Christmas.  The types of Christmas cookies to bake at Christmas include classic sugar cookies, gingerbread, crinkle cookies and many more.

To celebrate today, bake a batch of tasty cookies to share with family and friends.

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

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY 

A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.

Barbara Johnson

I do love cookies but I don’t bake many.  Now that the kids are all grown and have their own homes, I get plenty of cookies that they make.  When they were children I was always making cookies for them to enjoy.  Now they bake for me.

I do have cookies here to eat.  I bought them so I could have some with a good cup of coffee.  So that is how I’ll celebrate today.

It’s colder in the 30’s once more and the rain we’ve had, is supposed to change to snow.  It definitely would be a great day to turn the oven on.

It’s my day to cook here and on the menu is:

Creamy Chicken Rice Soup

Makes 4 servings

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 medium carrot, chopped

1 celery rib, chopped 

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 tsp minced garlic

1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice

3/4 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp pepper

2 cans chicken broth

3 Tbsp. flour

1 can evaporated milk

2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast.

In a large saucepan , heat oil over medium high heat, saute carrot, celery and onion until tender.  Add garlic, cook and stir 1 minute, Stir in rice, seasonings and broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat; simmer covered until rice is tender, about 15 minutes.

Mix flour and milk and stir until smooth , stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened. Stir in chicken and heat through.

One serving soup equals 1 1/4 cups

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

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS 

 Nothing is more effective than sincere adequate praise, and nothing is more lame than a cookie cutter compliment.

Bill Walsh

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

11,903 for delicious tasty Christmas cookies

11,904. for a good day to turn the oven on

11,905. for the smell of a sugar cookie candle

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!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Classic Christmas cookies are really time consuming, Instead make a bar you can bake in a pan and just cut up, like a brownie or a blondie or shortbread , which still has that Christmas vibe.

Zooey Deschanel

a smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma