For Wednesday, January 31st, 2024

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31ST, 2024

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

48 Days Until Spring 

In Ohio

   Sun1rise:  7:41 am

   Sunset :   5:42 pm

Life is a special  

occasion!

Hallmark!

 

Today is Natoional Hot Chocolate Day which honors a day devoted to our favorite chocolate beverage.

Few beverages are as deep rooted in American collective childhood quite like hot chocolate.  The drink reminds us of rainy days, skiing , sledding or even a quiet day watching the snow fall.  It brings warmth to our lives and tastebuds.

The explorer, Cortez carried the cocoa beans and tools for making hot chocolate with him to Europe.

Swiss Chcolatier Daniel Peter created the first milk chocolate by combining powdered milk with chocolate.

The popular hot chocolate manufacturer Swiss Miss started selling its first powdered hot chocolate which could be mixed with water instead of milk.

To celebrate today, cozy up with your favorite mug of hot chocolate !  Enjoy!

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

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Love is like swallowing hot chocolate before it has cooled off.  It takes you by surprise at first, but it keeps you warm for a long time.

Heri Frederic Amiel

I do like the flavor that Swiss makes and use it when I make hot chocolate.  Sometimes I do add some milk to it, but not always.  The milk is used to cool it down faster.

It’s to be another cold day here, so after I go shopping I’ll be having a cup or two!

My breakfast venture in the search for crossantwich yesterday,  turned out to be futile.  They stopped serving breakfast at 10:30 and I got there just before 11:00.

Today,  I’m going grocery shopping today and  I have seen them in the frozen food section before, Hopefully they will have some today.  That way I can just pull one out of the freezer when I want it.

I made up a new menu to do my shopping from 

Monday - Chicken Sausage and Kale Stew

Wednesday - Mom’s Chili

Friday - Black Bean Quesadillas 

Weekend - Maple Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels Sprouts

On the menu for today is

Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Casserole

Makes 4 servings

3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped carrots

1/2 cup chopped celery

2 Tbsp. flour

2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

1/4 tsp ground pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 cups milk

3 cups whole grainn cooked noodles

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

3/4 cup thawed frozen peas

1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  

Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion ; cook stirring until softened. Sprinkle with flour, thyme, pepper and garlic powder; cook stirring until coated.  Then heat to medium high and add milk.  Cook, stirring until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in noodles, chicken and peas.  

Transfer to a square 8 inch baking dish.

Combine breadcrumbs and remaining oil in a small bowl.  Sprinkle over the casserole. Bake until browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

We are still in the mid 30’s and cloudy today so it will be a great day to turn the oven on.

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS 

Because the best gift in life, is just having someone to drink

Hot Chocolate with.

Tesse Shaffer

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

12,029, for a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day 

12,030. for a dry day to get outside 

12,031. for stores close by 

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

Don’t overlook life’s small joys while searching for the big ones.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

a smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Tuesday, January 30th, 2024

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30TH, 2024

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

49 Days Until Spring 

In Ohio

   Sun1rise:  7:42 am

   Sunset :   5:41 pm

Life is a special  

occasion!

Hallmark!

 

Today is National Coissant Day which celebrates the croissant and it’s colorful tale full of adventure.  In 1683, the Turkish Empire laid siege on Vienna, Austria.  The Turks made several attempts to enter the city by force, but were unsuccessful, so decided to dig an underground tunnel.  The bakers of Vienna, who worked in basement storerooms, heard the sound of digging and alerted the army.

The bakers received high honors and thanks for assistance in outwitting the Turks. In celebration they baked their bread in the shape of a crescent moon - the symbol of the Ottoman Empire.  After the Turks were defeated, it became custom to serve morning coffee with the crescent shaped pastry.  The legend goes on to say that over a hundred years later, Marie Antoinette the Austrian Princess who married Louis XVI, introduced the pastry to the French who dubbed it a croissant.  

To celebrate today, warm up a delicious Croissant and enjoy it with a generous helping of butter!  Yum!!

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

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

My week spot is laziness. Oh, I have a lot of weak spots : cookies, croissants.  

Anthony Hopkins

Croisants are one of my favorite things, but I don’t eat them very often at all now.  I’ve given up all kinds of breads except for Oatnut bread or Whole Wheat bread. 

I used to always have my chicken salad sandwiches on Croissants and also love a warm ham and cheese on a croissant.  

I have had all sorts of Croissants but the easiest are made with crescent roll pastry in a tube.  I have had them glazed and chocolate covered.  But the plain ones are delicious by themselves especially when you spread them with butter.

I also enjoy a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant breakfast sandwich like the ones you find at Burger King.  

We no longer have a Burger King on my side of town, so I guess I’ll be traveling up town today to get one in order to celebrate.  I could make my own here at home, but that would mean I’d have a whole package of croissants to eat and I cannot do that.  

The trouble is I’m rarely dressed and ready to go out before 11:00 o’clock which is when they stop serving breakfast sandwiches.  I do get up early,  but am rarely dressed and ready to go out until after noon.

I’ll need to make an extra effort today so I can celebrate!

I h

 ope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS 

People who love to eat are always the best people.

Author Unknown 

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

12,026, for a delicious croissant sandwich

12,027. for the bakeries in our town

12,028. for a hot bowl of soup to enjoy on a cold 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

Croissants and conversations — a recipe for morning delight!

Author Unknown 

a smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Monday, January 29th, 2024

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

MONDAY, JANUARY 29TH, 2024

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

50 Days Until Spring 

In Ohio

   Sun1rise:  7:43 am

   Sunset :   5:40 pm

Life is a special  

occasion!

Hallmark!

 

Today is a Happy Birthday to our Star!

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

May the dear Lord bless you today and always!

Happy Birthday to you♥ 

Today is also Freethinkers day, which is also known as Thomas Paine Day. Its a day that celebrates the life and work of Thomas Paine, who was born on this day.

He came to American in 1774 at the request of Benjamin Franklin.   Thoughout his life he wrote many influential books including the Age of Reason, the Rights of Men,  and Common Sense.  Each of these works brought public attention to the key issues and helped establish the philosophical foundation for the American Resolution.

Paine’s writing inspired many people to strive for political economic, and social advancement.  He was also one of the first people to call for universal human rights and an end to slavery.

Freethinkers Day has been celebrated since the 1990’s, its purpose is to educate people about Paine’s work and the importance of freethinking and freedom.  

To celebrate today, pick up a copy of Common Sense and take a moment to appreciated your civil liberties.

             

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

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Think before you speak.  Read before you think.  

Fran Lebowitz

This grandson’s birthday is another long distance celebration for me.  A card will be going out to him with birthday wishes and lots of love.

I have read Common Sense.  And found out that there is nothing common about it.  

It is easy to let others do the thinking for us, so we don’t have to do it, but it is best we do the thinking for ourselves.  What we think about we often do and we need a lot of thinkers in this world so we can be our own individuals. Not a copy of someone else.  

Today is my day to cook something new and on the menu is:

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Makes 2 servings

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup, butter, cubed

1/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 1/2 cups milk

3/4 cup chicken broth

1 cup cooked broccoli

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a pan, saute onion in butter until tender.  Stir in the flour and pepper until blended.  Gradually add milk and broth.  Bring to a boil and cook and stir until thickened.

Add broccoli.  Cook and stir until heated through.  Remove from heat, stir in cheese until melted. Then serve hot.

1 cup equals 1 serving

This is a quick and easy healthy meal for me. 

Our high for today will only be 35 degrees, so it is a good day for hot soup!  We had a mixture of snow and rain coming down all day yesterday, but none of the snow layed on the ground.  It all melted away.

My son’s and their families  did a great job of helping me yesterday.  We managed to go through all the clothing stored in my spare room.  My daughter in law helped me sort and resort through the clothes.  I started with 5 bins of clothing I wanted to keep, but then we went through it again and managed to get down to get it down to one and one half bins.  It’s still too much to all fit in my suitcase, and we didn’t even get started on the clothes in my bedroom which are the ones I’m presently wearing. They even took out all the pictures in the frames I have so I can get rid of the frames.  

They will be back in a couple of weeks to do that for me.  My granddaughters helped to go through my makeup and jewelry.  They found some treasures to take home with them. And I set aside the things I hope to take with me.  Hopefully I can get through the clothing in my room this week and next so they won’t have so much to sort through. 

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

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS 

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.

Zig Zigler

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

12,023, for DS#5 AND #6’s help

12,024.for my 2 granddaughters and DIL that helped so much too. 

12,025. for lots to give away or to sell.  My life has been a good one!

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

Whether you think you can, or think you can’t — you’re right.

Henry Ford 

a smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma