For Friday, August 27th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
AUGUST 27th, 2010

It's FRIDAY!
Today is Mother Teresa Day, marking her birth on August 27, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia. The Catholic nun founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, which cared for the destitute in Calcutta. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and died in Calcutta in 1997.

Just sharing today some of the back to school pictures I received so far this new school year.


THINKING
It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing

Mother Teresa

Be faithful in small things, she said. Because it is in them that your strength lies

PRAYERS

Loving Lord, inspire me to be welcoming and generous in my attitude to others, showing individuals that they matter and are important. May I make a difference to someone in my part of the world today

Amen

Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders. Lord, hold our troops inyour loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters
and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU! AROUND HOME

Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family to have joy
Mother Teresa

I spent most of yesterday just entertaining our little Lucky guy. Of course at his age there is not a whole lot to do. We both had a nice afternoon nap. It was a very long day as it took forever to hear about how DS#6 and his surgery went. It's hard to wait around not knowing what is going on. His surgery was to have been before noon and as we later on found out it only took about 45 minutes. His hernia repair was done with laparoscopy which is a supposed to make for a much shorter recovery time. But they forgot to let anyone know that he was in recovery and until about 7:30 last night I didn't know much at all. They kept him overnight they said due to pain management and hopefully he'll be home today.

Thank you all for the prayers and thanks be to God all is just fine.
FAMILY

It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start

Mother Teresa
COUNTING THE DAYS

In the end, dear friend, it is always between us and God, not between us and them
Mother Teresa

27 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.
A little smile, a word of cheer, A bit of love from someone near…
Love,
ma

For Thursday, August 26th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 26th, 2010

It's WEDNESDAY!

TODAY IS NATIONAL DOG DAY

National Dog Day has two goals: to hon

or dogs, and to rescue dogs from homelessness and abuse. It's an opportunity for us to recognize and appreciate the value and importance of dogs in our lives.

This day is intended to honor dogs for all that they do for us. In addition to giving love and companionship, dogs help us out in countless ways. They are watchdogs for our safety. They lead the blind. Dogs aid in search and rescue, and they seek out bombs and drugs.

The second goal of National Dog Day is to rescue dogs in need. On occasion, dogs need us to save them from homelesness and abuse. The goal of the National Dog Day foundation is to rescue 10,000 dogs a year. Lend a hand to help a dog in need today, or any day.

THINKING

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms

George Eliot

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

The kind man feeds his beast before sitting down to dinner.

Hebrew Proverb

One thing that I really love but haven't had in ages is

German Potato Salad

German potato salad with a bacon and vinegar dressing. This no-mayonnaise recipe is easy to make and good for picnics. Allow the salad to sit for a bit to soak up the sauce

2 1/2 lb. waxy potatoes, about 6 medium

6 slices of bacon, chopped small

3/4 c. chopped onion, chopped

2 T. flour

1 T. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt, adjust according to how salty the bacon is.

1 tsp. celery seed

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

1 c. water

1/3 c. white vinegar

2 T. chives, chopped

Cook potatoes in their jackets 20 minutes or until barely done, drain, peel and cube. Set aside.

Cook bacon until crisp, remove from pan and set aside. Add onions to bacon drippings and cook until soft and beginning to brown.

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to form a roux (flour/fat paste for thickening sauces). Let it cook for 1 minute, then add the sweetener, salt and celery seed. Add water gradually, stirring constantly so that no lumps form.

Add vinegar, and bring sauce to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Add pepper. Taste and adjust

seasonings.

Add potatoes and crumbled bacon to pan. Stir and heat until potatoes are heated through. Put potato salad in a bowl and let it marinate until lukewarm.

Sprinkle chives on top to serve

PRAYERS

You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us

Robert Louis Stevenson

Prayer for the Animals
by Albert Schweitzer

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals.

Especially for animals who are suffering; for any that are
hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death.

We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them, we ask a
a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

Amen

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

AROUND HOME

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am

Author Unknown

I am visiting these two dogs today. They are DS#6's. I'll be in good company for sure. Soon as I hear how the surgery goes I'll be letting everyone know. Of course I'll be praying and trusting that all goes well.

FAMILY

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why

Author Unknown

I did get some back to school pictures yesterday from DDIL#4 of my Sunshine Boy going back to school. I'll be sharing them soon. I imagine that most are going back this week too. It's sad to say good by to summer vacation but exciting for them all to get back to school.

I'm sure there are some dogs out there that will be missing their playmates too.

COUNTING THE DAYS

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

Author Unknown

28 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma

For Wednesday, August 24th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 25th, 2010

It's WEDNESDAY!

Today is Kiss and Make Up Day!

Kiss and Make Up Day is a great way to end a spat. Everyone has an argument, a fight, or a tiff once in a while. Family, friends, lovers, no one escapes without an occasional fight. Today is a day to end the fight, kiss, and make up.

This could be one of the best, most fun days of the year!

THINKING

Much of the stress in daily life comes from thinking there is not enough time to do all that we want to do, or feel we should do. But actually, time is not the issue. Accessing God's wisdom to use time wisely is what's needed.

All things should be done decently and in order

1 Corinthians 14:40

PRAYERS

Three things in human life are important:

the first is to be kind;

the second is to be kind;

and the third;

is to be kind.

Henry James

Help me be honest and kind, Lord.

Amen

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU!

AROUND HOME

As a rule, man’s a fool. When it’s hot, he wants it cool. And when it’s cool, he wants it hot. Always wanting what is not.

I've found that contentment doesn’t happen overnight. It’s somethingthat we learn.

We really had a cool down. But it still has been very humid. So even though we're in the 70's it didn't seem as cool as it would have otherwise. Hopefully today will be another cool one.

I really can't believe I said that. Just a few short months ago I was praying for some warmth.

FAMILY

I heard from DS#5 on Tuesday and from his wife too. They wanted to let us know all is well and that we'll know for sure Monday if that will also be the birthday of grand'babe' #14. The excitement is building.

COUNTING THE DAYS

The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings

Dave Weinbaum

29 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma

For Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

AUGUST 24th, 2010

It's TUESDAY!

Today is the Full Sturgeon Moon.

Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. Others called it the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon.

As cloudy as it's been the last few days we've not had mu

ch of a chance to see the moon. Today is supposed to be sunny and clear so I'm hoping that it will be visible tonight.

THINKING

I live this day one precious moment at a time and enjoy the life I've been given. I am grateful for the fullness of my life and for each golden opportunity to live it well.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

The time will come when winter will ask you what you were doing all summer

Henry Clay

One thing I saw a lot of when driving home yesterday was apple orchards. Very soon now we'll have loads of fresh apples available to enjoy

Caramel Apple Cake

Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/3 cups sugar, plus 1/4 cup for the apples

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground apple or pumpkin pie spice blend

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon fine salt

• 4 large golden delicious apples, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped

• (about 5 cups)

• 3 large eggs

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• Finely grated zest from 1 orange

• Juice of 1 orange (about 1/3 cup)

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Caramel Glaze:

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

• 2 tablespoons water

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 3/4 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Pinch salt

• Special equipment: 10 cup bundt pan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter and flour the bundt pan.

Whisk the flour, 1 1/3 cup of the sugar, 1 teaspoon of the pie spice, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.

Toss the apples with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon pie spice and set aside.

Whisk the eggs and oil together in another bowl. Whisk in the sour cream, orange zest and juice, and vanilla. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon just until combined but st

ill a bit lumpy.

Using a slotted spoon, scatter about 1/2 cup of the apples in the bottom of the bundt pan. Put about 1/3 of the batter on top. Repeat, alternating with the remaining apples and batter, ending with the batter.

Bake the cake until it pulls away for the sides of the pan and a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool 10 minutes and invert onto a rack placed over a baking she

et. Cool.

To make the caramel: Stir the sugar, corn syrup, and 2

tablespoons water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, swirling the pan but not stirring, until the sugar is dark amber-colored caramel, about 15 minutes. Pull pan from the heat and carefully pour in the cream (take care it will splatte

r). Stir in the pecans, vanilla, and salt. Cool until caramel becomes thick and syrupy, then evenly pour over the cake and cool until set.

PRAYERS

O God, please listen to my prayer today. When I see hurting people. I pray for them, that they might feel some peace, some healing, some joy. When I see someone who looks alone. I pray for them. If they are praying too, let my prayer join their prayer. If they are not praying, let my prayer carry their longing to you.

Amen

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

AROUND HOME

The song has ended, but the melody lingers on

Gene Kelly

Yesterday evening was much cooler here and this morning it'll be cool enough to really enjoy my morning walk too. All summer long I've tried to get in about 3 walks a week but when winter comes I'll be house bound so I'll be taking advantage of the good days we have now.

COUNTING THE DAYS

We have enjoyed summer walks, warm sunshine, beautiful sunsets, gardens full of color and watching swallows sweeping in all directions. We have appreciated the freedom of being outdoors and the weather has helped considerably. We have allowed ourselves to slow down, we have given ourselves time to unwind and we have done things we normally might not do. It is often during these times that we feel close and connected to God. But after any holiday or summer break we drift quickly back into what we must do next, what we forgot to do and what we wished we had done. We forget about living in the moment where life bubbles and where life really matters. In the meantime let's make the most of today

from one of my morning devotionals

30 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma