The Joy of Giving Thanks to the LORD

On this Thanksgiving Day 2011, my heart is full of thanks to God for...
...His mercy
...His peace
...His provision
...His love
...His saving grace
...His forgiveness

Chronicles 16:8-36

8 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed as a statute to Jacob, as an everlasting covenant to Israel,
18 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance."
19 When you were few in number, and of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
35 Say also: "Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!" Then all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD.

The Joy of Bacon!

"Bacon is meat candy!"

I don't know who said it, but i agree. So heres one of my favorite appetizers. Thanks to Susie Yeatts for bringing these to the New Year's Day celebration at the Lancelot's all those years ago. I make them every Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bacon Roll-Ups
10-12 slices bread (cheap), trim crusts and cut each slice in 3 strips
1 lb bacon, cut each strip in half
Olives, green (regular or jalapeño stuffed)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Baking sheet, 9x13
Toothpicks, 24-36

Preheat oven to 350 degrees


Place 1/2 strips of bacon on baking sheet.
Place a bread strip on each piece of bacon.
Spoon 1/2 tsp Parmesan cheese on top of bread slice.
Set an olive in the middle of the strip of bread.
Roll and secure with a toothpick.
continue until baking sheet is full
Bake about 30 min, until bacon is thoroughly cooked.
Cool 2-4 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Joy of Leftover Mashed Potatoes!

After we finished our Thanksgiving meal at work, there were alot of leftover mashed potatoes. It occurred to me that this may be typical for many during the holidays. So I thought i'd share with you what I shared with my coworkers. 

Rachel Ray’s Mashed Potato Soup

(rachelrayshow.com)

Ingredients

·        Drizzle of EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

·        6 slices bacon, chopped

·        4 tablespoons butter

·        1 medium onion, chopped

·        4 tablespoons flour

·        4 cups chicken stock

·        2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

·        8 ounces shredded yellow cheddar cheese

·        Chopped chives, for garnish

Preparation:

·       In a medium pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of EVOO over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve.

·       Drain off excess bacon fat from the pot and add butter. When it is melted, add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour into the pot and cook with a wooden spoon for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a bubble. Cook until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

·       Whisk in mashed potatoes, then stir in the cheddar cheese with a wooden spoon and cook until the potatoes are hot and the cheese is melted.

·       Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved bacon and chopped chives.

Enjoy!