LEAP DAY

Today is Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - Leap Day - and it only happens once every four years.

Did you know people born on Leap Day are called "leaplings" or "leapers?" I didn't, (at least not until I Googled it today). Those born on a Leap Day will celebrate their birthday on February 28th or March 1st. Most opt for March 1st. Dinah Shore and Jimmy Dorsey were celebrity leaplings. In 1988, Time magazine claimed that Superman was born on February 29th. How about that?

The Guinness Book of World Records keeps track of certain Leap Year Phenomenon. A family in the United Kingdom has had three consecutive generations born on February 29th. Also, a Norwegian woman, named Karin Hendriksen gave birth to three consecutive leaplings: in 1960, 1964, and 1968. Sweet!  :)

Here's an interesting video explaining Leap Days and Leap Years much better than I could. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

PRACTICE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

How many times have you been cheered by a small act of kindness?

I can think of many: 

The friend who drove out to our house to take pictures of it when it snowed in 2004 (when it rarely snows in our area), and we were out of town and missed it.

The child who hugged me, when I was most unlovely, and made me feel so wretched . . . and so loved at the same time.



The many friends and acquaintances who have blessed our hearts and home with their gifts of food, cards, phone calls, prayers, well wishes, money, and time when we've experienced major life changes.





The strangers who smile at me . . . just because.

Those folks who have done something unselfish and kind for me and/or someone in our family - and we never even knew it.

Gestures of kindness don't have to make the history books to make them worthwhile.  Think of everyone for whom you've done a favor, and know that they would agree.

 

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. - Oscar Wilde

 

A CHUCKLE 4U - "Mushroom Mayhem"

A group of friends wanted to get together on a regular basis to socialize and play games. They decided that the lady of the house was to prepare a meal. When it came time for Hank and Lydia to be the hosts, Lydia wanted to outdo all the others. She decided to have mushroom-smothered steak. But mushrooms are expensive, so she told her husband, "No mushrooms. They are too high."

Hank asked, "Why don't you go down into the pasture and pick some of them there mushrooms? There's plenty in the creek bed."

She said, "No, some wild mushrooms are poison."

He said, "Well, I see varmints eatin' them, and they're okay."

So Lydia decided to give it a try. She picked a bunch, washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak. Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ol' Spot (the yard dog) a double handful. Ol' Spot ate every bite. All morning long, Lydia watched Ol' Spot and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them.

The meal was a great success, and Lydia even hired a helper lady from town to help her serve. After everyone had finished, they relaxed, socialized, and played Uno and Rummy. About then, the helper lady came in and whispered in Lydia's ear, "Ma'am, Ol' Spot is dead."

Lydia immediately went into hysterics. Hank explained to their guests that there was a problem with the evening's meal and that medical help was necessary. Then he called the doctor and told him what had happened. The doctor said, "That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quickly as possible. We'll give everyone enemas, and pump out their stomachs. Everything will be fine. Just keep them calm."

Soon they could hear the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road. The EMT's and the doctor had their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach pump. One by one, they took each person into the bathroom, gave them an enema, and pumped out their stomach. After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, "I think everything will be fine now," and he left.

They were all looking pretty weak sitting around the living room, and about this time the helper lady came in and whispered to Lydia, "You know that feller that run over Ol' Spot? Well, he never even did stop!"

GOD GAVE THE INCREASE

Below are pics of the oranges growing on two trees in our backyard.  Several years ago, hubby buried some little seeds from an orange he had eaten . . . and trees began to grow. I am so glad he planted them.  This is the first year we've had an edible and sizeable harvest. Praise God!

"Cutie" took this picture right after a rain this month.

 

It's still amazing to me when I look out our kitchen window, or step onto the back porch, and I see our beautiful tree with so many oranges. I'm so glad hubby had a vision, and that he listened to his heart and planted those seeds by faith. God has surely blessed him with juicy fruits!

Our Camelia's are blooming, too!

A CHUCKLE 4U - "The Glass"

CHOCOLATE PRETZEL BUTTONS

We couldn't wait to try the recipe for these cute little "Chocolate Pretzel Buttons," so we made them today. (The hardest part about this recipe was trying not to nibble on the ingredients.) 

 

3 ingredients:  salted mini-pretzels, Hershey's kisses, M&M's

 

Place the pretzels on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, then top each one with a kiss.
(We used almond kisses, but we would've done better with PLAIN because the almond pieces got in the way and we couldn't get the M&M's to stay on the top of the kisses. They kept sliding off and down to the sides. That's okay, though. We've learned our lesson and now we know better for next time. ;)

 

Little Man couldn't wait to try them.
He helped to keep a close eye on them while they baked in a 275*F oven for ONLY 3 MINUTES.

May I present to you, "Chocolate Pretzel Buttons," fresh from the oven. Yum-O!
I hope you'll try them soon. Be sure to put them in the refrigerator - or in the freezer if you're as impatient as we were - so they can cool down and harden. (Otherwise, you might get burned by the hot, melting chocolate, and that won't be any fun.) We popped the whole cookie sheet inside, then tossed the parchment paper after they had cooled.
Super easy cleanup.  :)

A GENTLE REMINDER . . .

. . . to bring continuous praise to God, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"

(Psalm 107:8, 21, and 31) KJV

FOOD FOR THOUGHT