For Friday, February 9th, 2024

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH, 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

40 Days Until Spring 

In Ohio

   Sun1rise:  7:31 am

   Sunset :   5:54 pm

I'm sorry once again I can't find any pictures to share today!

Life is a special  

occasion!

Hallmark!

 

Today is Pizza Pie day this is one of numerous delicious food holidays in the U.S. Pizza Pie Day is a day for celebrating Pizza, one of the most popular foods Americans enjoy.

36 Percent of Americans eat pizza like dishes for breakfast. Historians claim Pizza has been a common staple in the Middle East but it was Italians who perfected and popularized the recipe.  As World War II troops grew fond of pizza while they served in Italy, pizzerias sprung up in the U.S. to see the  returning soldiers’ demands for pizzas.

Pizza like flatbreads baked in mud ovens were eaten by natives in ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, Israel and other parts of the Mediterranean.  However, the contemporary style of cuisine traces its organ to the city of Naples in 18th century Italy.  Originally pizza was considered as a meal for the poor who couldn’t afford quality, nutricious food and  had to settle for cheap food sold by street vendors and roadside restaurants.  Back then pizza was eaten for any meal by peasants. and it was comprised of flatbread with toppings made from several ingredients like anchovies, cheese, garlic, tomatoes and oil.

Baker Raffaele Esposito of Naples is credited for the recipe and renown modern pizza.  In 1880 Esposito’s restaurant Pizzeria di Pieto baked a special pie topped with tomatoe sauce, basil and mozzarella to mark the royal visit of Italian King Umbrerto I and his wife.

Before WWII pizza Was a local dish eaten and sold by Italian immigrants in the U.S.  However, during the occupation of Italy by Allied Forces, soldiers resorted to eating local Italian cuisine and eventually grew to love pizza so much the bakers were hardly able to keep up with the soldiers demand for the dish. The war veterans brought their love for it  back home and largely contributed to its popularity in America.

In 1905, Lombardi’s , originally a grocery store in NYC, became a North American’s premier pizzeria.  That led to the growth of pizza houses in NYC and all over the U.S. in later years.

To celebrate today, make or buy your favorite pizza and enjoy!

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

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There is no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap.

Kevin James

Pizza is a favorite of mine, but I don’t eat it often because of the bread content, which produces carbs and thus sugar which I cannot have.  I did find a veggie pizza with a cauliflower crust and enjoyed that but don’t have it often.  It’s not a favorite of mine.  I have also made my own little pizzas on whole grain English muffins, with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese on top..  They are quite good and very easy to make.  I just pop them in the toaster oven until the cheese has melted.  

However since it’s my day to cook something new. I have 

 Air Fryer Fish and Chips on the menu for today.

Makes 4 servings

1 lb. potatoes 

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1/4 tsp. pepper

Fish:

1/3 cup flour

1/4 tsp pepper

1 egg

2 Tbsp. water

2/3 cup crushed cornflakes or Panko Breadcrumbs

1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1 lb, cod fillets

1/4 tsp salt

Tartar sauce, optional

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.

Peel the potatoes and cut length wise into 1/2 inch thick slices.  Then cut the pieces into 1/2 inch thick sticks.

In a  large bowl, toss potatoes with olive oil, and pepper.  Place potatoes in  a single layer in the air fryer pan .  Working in batches if need be.  Cook for 5 to 10 minutes until just tender. Toss the potatoes to redistribute and continue cooking until lightly brown and crisp  Remove from pan and keep warm.

If your air fryer is large enough to do both fish and potatoes at the same time, just make sure all the pieces are in a single layer

  with plenty of room for the hot air to circulate around them.  

Meanwhile in a bowl, mix the flour and pepper.  In another bowl whisk egg with water .  In a third bowl toss the crushed cornflakes with Parmesan cheese. 

Pat the fish dry with a paper towel, Working one fillet at a time, dip the fish into the flour, turn to coat both sides and shake off any excess. Then dip into egg mixture , turning to coat.  Finish in the cornflake mixture, patting the fish to gently help adhere the corn flake crumbs. 

Place the fish in a single layer in the air fryer pan.  Cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through,  until fish is lightly browned and beginning to flake easily when tested with a fork.  

Serve with tartar sauce if desired.

I will use Panko bread crumbs not the crushed cornflakes in mine today.  I do love fish and try to have it often.

Today is another springlike day with temps near 60 degrees. I may just open the doors and let some fresh air in.

Tomorrow is supposed to be cloudy with a chance of rain, so I’ll enjoy this nice weather while we have it!

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Pizza makes me think that anything is possible.

Henry Rollins

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

12,053. for delicious pizza

12,054.for healthy alternatives to eat

12,055. for a springlike 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!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Better ingredients, better pizza - it’s not a slogan, its a  way of life.

John Schnatter 

a smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma