Whew! Wednesday flew right by and my feet were aching to prove how busy I was all day. I made a batch of no sugar chocolate syrup for my coffee which is VERY important to anyone and everyone I will come into contact with throughout the day. A caffeinated Karina is a happy Karina – or at least a happier Karina than one that ISN’T caffeinated! To get that way my coffee MUST have chocolate in it. It’s a fact and I’m not one to mess with facts. I also prepared four different foods for food celebrations, cleaned up the house, did laundry, did a fairly OK job unclogging a sink, and other odd jobs throughout the house. Thursday flew by nearly as quickly, and with it being just as busy, but it was more brain busy than physically busy as I plowed through some important year end/start of the new year paperwork with our accountant. Today will be pretty busy too, and I’m trying to get out of the office a bit early because Hubby and I have plans for the weekend, so there’s even MORE to be done when I get home! I’m exhausted already and this day has barely begun.
Verse of the Day
January 11, 2018
In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
The beginning of the year has been a trying time for people I care about. Maybe it’s been that way for you or those you love. My prayer for you, and for them, is that they may know the comfort of God’s presence. Whether it’s the popular little poem “Footprints” or the familiar “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me,” the presence of the Lord is absolutely vital to standing up against our anguish! The Lord does long to be with us, especially at those moments when we feel most alone. He told us that by experiencing anguish, alone, by himself on the cross.
January 12, 2018
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
One. Basic, simple, and easy to understand. When we become Christians through faith and baptism into Christ, we are made one with all other Christians around the world. Race, gender, and social status are gone. All that’s left is One, the One, Jesus. Our lives are his and thus are connected to each other. Our destination is the same, heaven. Our family is the church. No barriers. No closed doors. We are one.
www.verseoftheday.com
Food for Thought
If you could have any superpower, what would you want for it to be? Now think carefully – you only get to choose ONE! I’m not sure what got me to thinking about this. Probably my fleeting thought that I wish I didn’t need to sleep – but seriously, sleep is awesome, so I don’t want to give that up. And then I thought, well, maybe I’d like to be super fast at doing everything I do . . . but I don’t think that would be good either because there are some things in life we need to savor . . . a good book, time with the people we love, a delicious meal . . . hurrying through some things would be pretty sad. Well, Hm. If I don’t want to never need sleep, and I don’t want to be extra speedy . . . maybe it would be good to read other people’s minds. No, I REALLY don’t want that. It’s bad enough seeing what the perpetually stupid put out there on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. Hubby suggested that flying would be nice – and I agree with him. His point was that we drive back and forth every day and we see the same view over and over, to the point that we don’t really SEE it any longer. But if we could fly we would see everything like the birds do, AND we’d have the added benefit of not having to deal with traffic. I like the way he thinks!
January 11 –
Cigarettes Are Hazardous to Your Health Day – In 1964 the US Attorney General issued the very first warning that smoking cigarettes are hazardous for health. The rough estimate is that over 440,000 deaths from smoking related diseases occur every year in the US. The celebration for this one isn’t smoking – it’s encouraging the smokers in your life to quit. We all have someone we love who is slowly, day by day, smoke by smoke, killing themselves. The sad thing is that smokers KNOW that it is bad for them, and every time they light up they are in denial as to what it is doing to them. There’s always an excuse, always a reason – be it that they are afraid of gaining weight, they are stressed out, etc. to be their reason to put off quitting until another day. Today is the day to offer solutions, suggestions, and lots of prayer for those you care about to quit this horrible, deadly and very expensive habit!
Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day – In 1836 Samuel Morse first demonstrated the use of a communications code that was later given his name. Morse Code is a system of electrical signals made up of precisely timed dits (represented in print as dots), dahs (represented as dashes) and dead air time. The most common use for Morse Code today is the signal for SOS, which looks like this:
… _ _ _ …
Today is “Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day” so if you hear a lot of tapping going on by your family members, this could be why! Find how to spell out your name. It’s a quick way to celebrate this day. My name in Morse Code is:
_._ ._ ._. .. _. ._
Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day – This celebration holds a special meaning for me. I likely won’t celebrate it myself since it isn’t as fun without a kid to splash around with, but I will observe it by remembering one of the best memories I have with my son. I know I share this every year, but it’s very special to me. I hope to recreate it with each of the grandchildren at some point – just probably not in the city. He was about 10 or 11 years old at the time. I was working in Seattle, which involved a 5 hour round trip commute to go to work, so I got little time at home with my kids. Once in awhile though, thanks to a very understanding boss, when the patient schedule was light, or the doctor was going to be out of the office, he’d let me bring my son to work. One day, it was early summer, and the day started out sunny and gorgeous. By the time we were to leave the office though it was pouring down rain – buckets and buckets of rain! We had light jackets, no hats, no hoods, no umbrellas. We were slightly distressed at what we were going to do as it was pre-payday and I certainly didn’t have enough money for a cab if we went to lunch as I’d promised. It was one, or the other. I shrugged and said, let’s go! He looked up at me with a big question mark in his blue eyes, unsure of what I meant, so I grabbed his hand and started running down the street, and shocked the heck out of him when I jumped off of a curb, into the middle of a huge puddle, splashing both of us completely. The look of utter delight on his face was incredible. We both started laughing at the same time, and holding hands, we stomped in every puddle we found all the way down to the ferry, while everyone we passed either shook their heads, or laughed right along with us. We were soaked to the skin, laughing and shaking the water out of our eyes, and just enjoying that day with everything in us. He told me that we’d just made a memory picture, and that as we grew older we would pull out that photo of our day together, remember it, and we’d smile. And he was right. That amazing day with my son is imprinted on my mind like it was yesterday, and will forever be in my heart as one of the best days ever. He’s all grown up now, with children of his own to create beautiful memories with, but that memory photograph will never grow older for me. I love you G!
January 12
Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day – for all the men out there, this could be YOUR day – if you’re a fabulous wild guy! I searched everywhere I could to find out why this day was set aside for this, and nobody knows. It’s listed on many sites, but none have anything but speculation as to what it all means. One idea is that it’s a day for women to feast their eyes on some fabulously wild men. Others suggest that perhaps it’s a day to treat your Fabulous Wild Man to a feast. No matter how you choose to celebrate it, if you have a fabulous man in your life – give him a special treat and let him know that to you, he’s the most fabulous of them all.
Kiss a Ginger Day –I have to wonder why red headed kids get kicked around so much? I really want to know! For one thing, they are called “gingers”, and they are often treated badly. Personally I think that many shades of naturally red hair (no, the garish store bought reds don’t count) are stunning! This celebration was started as a direct response to a Facebook campaign started in 2008 to “Kick a Ginger”. Many red headed kids were assaulted in school, causing outrage and condemnation . . . and this celebration. The idea is to grab every “ginger” you see and give them a kiss. Keep in mind, that this is ALSO a form of assault if they do not want to be kissed, and if you’re a grown-up and the ginger in question is a child . . . well, the kiss could open up a can of worms you really want to leave alone. Use discretion with this one. Spread some “Ginger love” today though by at least being nice to anyone you see who happens to have red hair.
National Pharmacist Day – Can I get a Woohoo? Think this one isn’t very exciting if you aren’t a Pharmacist? Well, think about this for a moment. Pharmacists must have knowledge of the chemistry of all medicines. They have to be able to tell their customers/patients about the side effects of drugs, and all aspects of prescription medication. It is very important that they understand and recognize the interactions that different medications may have when taken together, since so many people take multiple medications at a time. I only have to see a pharmacist on very rare occasions – but if you happen to see your pharmacist today, wish them a Happy Pharmacists Day!
This Day in History –
January 11, 1973 – American League baseball adopts the “Designated Hitter” rule.
January 12, 1966 – Batman debuts on television.
Food Celebration of the Day
January 11 – National Hot Toddy Day – The history of hot toddies is as murky as the libation itself, but folks have always considered it equal parts cocktail and restorative. We’ve always used it in our house when we start to get a cold – break out the Hot Toddy ingredients and drink it before bed. It’s soothing, relaxing and really does seem to help a cough – either that or we no longer care about it after that. I was on the search for a keto version because sadly, honey is not low carb. I ordered some honey extract and gathered my ingredients. Oh My Gosh. It was AWFUL! AWFUL! It tasted like drinking perfume. Just say no. I did find a recipe that worked for me though – it was quite delicious. Give it a try!
- Hot Whiskey Toddy
- Apple & Tea Hot Toddies
- Hot Lemon Rum Toddy
- Hot Cranberry Toddy
- Amaretto Coffee
- Kahlua Hot Chocolate
- Chocolate-Orange Cupcakes
January 12 –
National Curried Chicken Day – I love Indian food, and I love curry! This is a really great low carb recipe FOR this delicious dish! I really thought it turned out great – hubby wasn’t a fan, but he doesn’t like anything with curry in it. I felt bad because I didn’t realize how much he doesn’t care for curry, so I made him something else. More for me! https://www.ketoconnect.net/recipe/coconut-curry-chicken/
National Glazed Doughnut – I talked about Carolyn Ketchum and her blog yesterday, and she saved the day again with her Chocolate Donuts. We had them for breakfast with bacon yesterday AND today! YUM!
National Marzipan Day – Before there was Play-Doh, there was marzipan, a moldable sweet almond paste. Play with your food or just get an almond flavor fix with these fun recipes. I personally am not a big fan of the flavor of Marzipan, but some people love it. If you do, then go for it!
- Marzipan Bugs
- Pineapple Marzipan Cake
- Chocolate Marzipan Cookies
- Raspberry Marzipan Coffee Cake
- Chocolate Chip Marzipan Cake
- Lip Zmakkin Gypsy Gelato
I’m outta here! Have a wonderful Friday – wish me luck, speed, accuracy and a wide awake mind! I’m going to need it! God bless you and with any luck and internet signal, I’ll see you tomorrow!