FOR TUESDAY, December 28TH, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 28th, 2010

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side

It's TUESDAY!

National Card Playing Day!

It's the perfect time to spend an hour or so playing cards with family and friends. And it arrives at just the perfect time of year...a few days after Christmas. The holiday hustle and bustle is over. It's time to turn to card games for a calmer relaxing and more slow paced form of fun and entertainment.

Happy Card Playing Day.

THINKING

The Fourth day of Christmas is Holy Innocents Day.

Christmas is a celebration of life. Today is a day when children should have the preeminence in family life, leading the family prayers, making decisions about family activities for the day, having the place of honor at meals, and so forth. Households that do not have children might adopt a neighborhood family or two with their children and make a party at which the children are the guests of honor.

The story of the Holy Innocents is one of the most poignant stories in all of Scripture, Rachel weeping for her children... because they are no more. It is a day to give thanks for the children in our lives.. And it is a good day to revive the ancient custom of parents blessing their children at the end of the day, as part of their nightly prayers.

May God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit bless you and keep you both now and for evermore.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

Christmas is a candy holiday, much like Halloween and Easter. Today is National Chocolate Candy Day, an occasion to make homemade chocolate candy. Why not start the New Year with an inspired chocolate creation of your own!

Chocolate Haystacks

2 cups Sugar
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Butter or margarine
1/3 cup Cocoa
3 1/2 cups Quick cooking oatmeal

1 cup Shredded coconut
1/2 cup Chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

In a large saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter and cocoa; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Drop from a teaspoon onto waxed paper; work quickly as the mixture hardens quickly.

Makes 48 pieces

PRAYERS

God, we often tell you what we want without knowing what we really need. Please give us what we need to be part of what you are doing through Jesus for good in our families and our world

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

It's the time of year when many of us are looking to a fresh start and new challenges.

I've several fresh starts and challenges ahead of me for the new year. My living room and dining room have needed painting very badly and on March 19th, 2011, I've asked those in my family that can come to be here to paint those two rooms. With a few extra hands this should be easily accomplished in one day.

My job will be to take everything off the walls and fill in holes before then. I'll also have all the curtains down and washed and ready to put back up after the painting is done. I have plenty of time so I'm hoping to have it all ready for my painting crew. I want to have it all done before camping season begins.

The other challenge for me is memorizing Scripture verses. One of my favorite Bible study teachers is Beth Moore and on her blog, the 1st and 15th of the month, she'll share new verses for memorization. I'm not really good at this at all but am going to try. Keeping our minds active is one of the best things we can do, and this is one way for me to do this. I'll be sharing the verses on the 1st and 15th with you all too beginning in January.

I'm sure there will be other things to begin and more challenges along the way in 2011, but these are the two that I'm starting off with.

COUNTING THE DAYS

May the new year bring
The warmth of home and hearth to you.
The cheer and goodwill of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

82 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

111 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

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 Monday, December 27th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 27th, 2010

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side

It's MONDAY!

Make Cut Out Snowflake Day is here and now. Here's a day to show your crafty skills, as you make paper snowflakes. Making cut out snowflakes is a great project for kids. However, you don't have to be a kid, to have fun making paper snowflakes. It's a skill that is practiced by many people.

They say no two snowflakes are alike. It shouldn't come as a surprise, that there are seemingly countless different snowflake designs. So, if you like snow...bring it on! Bring out the paper and scissors, and cut out some paper snowflakes on this very special Make Cut Out Snowflake Day

THINKING

On the third day of Christmas we celebrate St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. Tradition tells us that John was once given a cup of poisoned wine, but drank it with no ill effect. A chalice with a serpent signifying the powerless poison is one of his symbols. In spite of exile and attempts to kill him, John lived to a great old age. In his last years it is said that he had to be carried to the assembly of the Church and, when he was asked to speak, he would say, simply, My dear children, love one another.

It is the custom to bless wine on St. John's day, and to drink a toast to the love of God and to the saint. Most of us are a bit sad to see Christmas pass. I hope this was a great Christmas at your house. May the meaning of the season last all year long for you

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

December is National Fruitcake Month. Refining that Holiday season salute to this celebratory loaf, today is National Fruitcake Day! Old fashioned fruitcakes may not have been everyone's favorite, but there are recipes for such modern updates as carrot fruitcake, Jamaican fruitcake, and even beer fruitcake!

Quick bread Fruitcake

2 eggs
2 cups water
1 package cranberry quick bread mix
1 package date or nut quick bread mix
2 cups chopped pecans
2 cups raisins
2 cups candied cherries
1 cup cut-up candied pineapple

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour the bottom and sides of a fluted tube or 10 inch tube pan.

In large bowl, combine eggs and water. Add remaining ingredients. Stir by hand until combined. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 75-85 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pan 30 minutes. Loosen edges and remove from pan. Cool completely.

Wrap in plastic wrap or foil and store in refrigerator.

PRAYERS

Loving God, help us to keep the message of Christmas alive all year long.

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

We had a wonderful family Christmas yesterday. There was plenty of fun times and good food to be had as always. DS#5 and his wife do a terrific job of hosting Christmas at their house for us and I sure appreciated all they do too.

COUNTING THE DAYS

As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time

John Mason

83 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

112 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

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 Sunday, December 26th, 2010

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 26th, 2010

If you can't see the brightside of life, polish the dull side

It's SUNDAY!

Boxing Day is celebrated in England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other former British commonwealth countries. It is a legal holiday in these countries. This is also St. Stephans Day, where Boxing Day gets some of it's roots. On St. Stephans' Day, churches opened their collection boxes to the poor.

Boxing Day was an expression of appreciation and thanks, much like Christmas tips are today.

The roots of the holiday goes back to the Middle Ages . On this day, members of the merchant class would take boxes, fill them with food and fruits, and give them to servants, tradespeople and the less fortunate. In the case of servants, they would work on Christmas Day, so it was only fitting that immediately after Christmas, they would be given a day off to celebrate.

Today is also National Whiners' Day, a day dedicated to people who return Christmas gifts and it is National Thank You Note Day. Go ahead, do it today before you forget!

THINKING

Christmas is a Season not just one day.

So often Christmas day seems to come and go very quickly, and with it, the spirit of the Christmas season can be lost in the process of cleaning up, finishing left-overs, traveling or returning gifts.

We've all heard the song the 12 Days of Christmas. I like my 12 days to begin on Christmas and continuing on for 12 days. The Twelfth Day being January 6th.

However you count the days, Christmas is certainly worthy of an extended and proper celebration

The 2nd Day of Christmas is St. Stephens Day. It is also the day St. Wencesias of

Bohemia whose charity to the poor is remembered. The day after Christmas is a particularly good day to put the spirit of giving into practice. If you make end of the year gifts to charities, write your checks today. Charity can take many forms and whatever form yours takes, make sure to sing or whistle Good King Wencelaus while you are doing it

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

National Candy Cane Day

Since they're such a big part of Christmas as both a sweet treat and hanging ornament, National Candy Cane Day is a fitting tribute to the striped little shepherd's crooks that kids love.

One of my favorite quick and easy desserts is made with Candy Canes.

You will need

1 container cool whip topping

3 or 4 Candy Canes

and 1 can of Pirouline wafer rolled cookies.

Every one loves the ones filled with chocolate here at my house

Simply crush the candy canes and add to the cool whip. Stir in to blend and then serve with the cookies which are dipped in the whipped candy cane mixture..

Delicious!

PRAYERS

Father, help us to live as the holy family,

united in respect and love.

Teach us the sanctity of human love,

show us the value of family life,
and help us to live in peace with all
that we may share in your life for ever

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

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.

Harlan Miller

Today is our family gathering and I am so looking forward to it. I had my quiet day yesterday and am ready for the cheerful sounds of people together enjoying themselves. I love seeing my children and grandchildren together in one place. It's a good thing we have special holidays so we do see each other.

This morning I'm putting my ham in the oven and making my baked beans too. I'll be off to church in a little while and then home to finish everything up to take over to DS#5's house.

I talked to DS#2 and #4 yesterday. They are both doing well and were enjoying Christmas at their homes . It was so very good to talk with both of them.

COUNTING THE DAYS

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.

Oprah Winfrey

84 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

113 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

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

Love,

ma