May 31, 2010

On this Memorial Day, we take a moment to remember the service men and women who have given their lives defending our country and protecting our freedom.  We thank you.

We ask for God’s blessings on the families who were left behind when their loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice.  We thank you.

We appreciate the service of all of our veterans who did make it back home; some physically injured and some emotionally wounded.  We thank you.

And we think of our military personnel who are unselfishly serving right now all around the world.  We thank you.

Tomorrow, we’ll get back to work and our daily business, and we probably won’t think of you in gratitude as often as we should.  Today though, we thank God for you all and lift up this prayer on your behalf.

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord’s mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

~Memorial Day Prayer by Mary Fairchild

~BigSis

May 25, 2009

We’ve talked about food and drinks for Memorial Day, but we know those are just minor things in the big scheme of things.  They’re fun things, but they are trivial.  Memorial Day is all about gratitude.

• To all of the men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country, we say thank you.

• To the families and friends of service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we say thank you.

• To all of the men and women who are defending our country this very day and this very minute all around the world, we say thank you.

• To the loved ones who are living their lives thousands of miles away from their family members who are serving now, we say thank you.

• To all of the veterans who have returned home after serving in the military, we say thank you.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone.  And thank you.  We appreciate you.

~BigSis

May 24, 2009

Anyone who knows us, knows that we take any opportunity we can to get together with friends and family. Unfortunately, our family can’t be together this Memorial Day so we’ll be getting together with friends. I thought it might be fun to serve up some festive Patriotic Cocktails so here are just a few ideas.

Here’s an easy, Red, White, and Blue Cocktail.

Red, White, and Blue Cocktail

Red, White, and Blue Cocktail

1 part grenadine
1 part peach schnapps
1 part blue curacao

Simply pour each part slowly into a shot glass in order:  red, white, and blue.

Here are two more really easy, yet very colorful cocktails.

Yankee Doodle

Yankee Doodle

1 part blue raspberry flavored vodka
2 parts sour mix or lemonade
1 part tonic water

Just pour into a rocks glass, stir and serve over ice.

Patriotic Punch

1 part red cherry flavored vodka
3 parts lemonade

Pour into a rocks glass, stir and serve.

And, I really like this one. I’m sure you could substitute vodka for the gin, if you’re not a gin lover.

Blueberry Cobbler

Blueberry Cobbler

1/4 c. fresh blueberries
1 small lime wedge
1 1/2 t. sugar
1 1/2 oz. gin
2 oz. club soda
Ice

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 15 of the blueberries with the lime wedge and sugar. Add the gin and ice and shake well. Strain into a highball glass half-filled with ice, top with the club soda and garnish with the remaining blueberries.

And, how about some red, white, and blue jello shots? Find all three recipes here on recipezaar.

I always like to serve up a festive cocktail, or two, for whatever the occasion may be, so maybe this gives you a couple of ideas.

Of course, this Memorial Day, we will be remembering what our service men and women do for us every day.

And, we will be remembering those who served our country that are no longer with us. SirHoney’s brother was a Marine and served our country in Vietnam. We will definitely be thinking of him this Memorial Day, as we do every day.

~LilSis

May 23, 2009

I can’t believe that Memorial Day is here already, that is; summer is here already.  Wasn’t it just Christmas, for cryin’ out loud?  Seriously, time is going by scary fast and it freaks me out.  The next time I turn around I’m going to be on Social Security, when I still feel like I should be on Spring Break instead.  How does life get by us so quickly?

So.  What I was about to talk about before I wigged out?  Oh yeah, food for Memorial Day.  Alrighty then.  We’re supposed to have rain here the whole DING.  DANG.  WEEKEND.  The whole weekend.  My first reaction was to be hissed off.  We work all week long, and then when the long holiday weekend comes along, we get rain?  3 days of rain?  Seriously?

But then I got a grip on my attitude and decided that I would make the best of the weather, whatever it was.  I can’t control it so there’s no point in getting worked up about it, right?  We still have 3 days off work.  Hallelujah!  So I vow to whine no more this weekend, even if I get mildewed by Tuesday morning.

However, with the weather being so sketchy, I haven’t wanted to commit to any plans that rely on a sunny day so I’m not doing the cookout thing.  That doesn’t mean I can’t think about what I would make for a Memorial Day soiree if I was having one.

Memorial Day is traditionally a burger/hot dog grilling kind of a day.  But maybe some of you are looking for ideas for Monday, and maybe you’re like me and want suggestions that don’t involve eating critters?  Allow me to give you a sample menu that I would make if I were making it.  I’m going with a Mediterranean theme, up until dessert when it’s unapologetically patriotic all the way!  Check out this menu, and enjoy your weekend…soggy or not!  I’m reminded by my conscience that this weekend is about the sacrifices made by our military men and women; NOT about whether I get to sit by the pool or not!

• Olive Garden’s Bruschetta from Todd Wilbur’s “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes” via Cooking with Good Morning America

• Grilled Portabella Mushroom Burgers with Tarragon Mustard Aioli from DIY Network

• Spinach and Orzo Salad from AllRecipes

• Cherry Tomato and Olive Salad from RecipeZaar

• Berry Cheesecake Pie from Taste of Home

• Red White ‘n’ Blue Salad from Taste of Home

Red White 'n' Blue Salad from Taste of Home

~BigSis