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Brighter Winter Days FINDING POSITIVITY IN OUR DARKEST HOURS
The winter solstice on Dec. 21 marks the shortest day of the year. On the plus side, we get more sunlight every winter day from there. Unfortunately, the path to brighter days is a long and slow one. The shroud of darkness over both morning and evening can be depressing, so we’ve found conscious ways to remain positive despite the minimal daylight hours. We’ve found it helps to have a routine. Unless there’s an early-morning court hearing, we try to start each day the same way. We begin by getting the kids up for school and having breakfast together as a family. It can be challenging for Ashley because she struggles to sit still, but the quality morning time together is worth it. The family time sets the tone for the entire day. After breakfast, it’s time to feed our 30 rescue cats outside. Russell and Ruby used to fight over whose turn it was each morning, so now they alternate. Then, we make the most of the daylight by giving the kids 10 minutes to play outside before school. Russell usually wants to play catch, while Ruby tends to go rollerblading or pick up the various cats. We could steal a little more sleep each morning by getting up about 20 minutes later, but we believe there’s more to starting the day than getting out the door on time. Easing into the day together as a family is well worth dragging ourselves out of bed a little early. Another routine involves dropping the kids off at school every day. Each morning, we give them both a sticker with a positive reminder. They say things like “No Bad Days” or “Never Give Up.” We find these affirmations helpful as adults, so we hope they’ll give the kids a tool to reflect on their mindset and how they can make the day as happy as possible. It’s so easy to begin with one negative thought and slide into a bad mood that taints the entire day. For example, we recently grumbled when an employee called in sick, thinking about how we would need to shift responsibilities and deadlines. Fortunately, we recognized our unhelpful approach and chose to change it. We began to consider how to take the focus off ourselves and make the sick employee’s life easier.
We both try to concentrate on mindfulness and practice gratitude throughout the day. In particular, Ashley likes to block off the last half-hour of her work day to reflect on how it went and what she can do better tomorrow. It gives her time to decompress before the kids get home from school so she can provide them with the energy they deserve. Fortunately, the short winter days won’t last forever. But these practices continue to benefit us even when spring and summer come back around. There’s no wrong time of year to remember we always have the choice to leave the world a tiny bit better than it was and make each day count.
–Ashley and Christopher Bruce
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From Miracle Cure to Tasty Delight
How to Avoid Costly Divorce Mistakes
Tips to Prevent Critical Missteps
Divorce is a life-altering journey for many couples, with uncertainty and significant life changes that will affect you, your family, your finances, and your future. Here is a list of common mistakes to avoid to help you or a friend navigate the divorce process more smoothly. Don’t: Listen to the Wrong People The person you choose to be your lawyer is critical. Attorneys play a pivotal role in divorce proceedings, so DO heed their advice and guidance. Don’t: Make Emotional Decisions Emotions for both parties in a divorce can prevent a satisfying resolution. Focusing on facts, like financial matters or child custody issues, is essential. If you need someone to talk to, therapy is your best option. Don’t: Get Caught Up in the Small Issues It’s crucial to evaluate the worth of your possessions before engaging in a dispute. Some assets like homes or cars are worth fighting for, while others like a television or couch are not. Don’t: Be in the Dark About Your Finances Being up to date on your financial situation can save you money in the long run. Take the time to comprehend your financial situation fully, whether informally or through legal processes like discovery. Don’t: Make Decisions Based on Emotions Divorce is an emotional drain on most people. It is best to approach it with an open, rational mind. You don’t want to say something that can affect you personally, so always keep your head cool. Don’t: Pay Exorbitant Legal Fees While having legal representation is essential, going into litigation can become quite expensive. Mediation is a more cost-effective way to resolve divorce issues. Don’t: Ignore Tax Implications How you divide your assets can have severe tax implications for you, so knowing what they are upfront is essential. A failure to discuss tax consequences in advance can lead to big problems later — and a worse overall settlement than you thought. Divorce is a life-changing event that should be approached carefully. Seek the counsel of experienced attorneys, stay level-headed, and prioritize your long-term well-being during this challenging time. The Bruce Law Firm is always ready to answer your questions and discuss strategy. To learn more about how we can help, call us today!
The Unbelievable History of Ketchup
Ketchup, the popular tasty and tangy condiment found on tables and in refrigerators worldwide, has a surprising and somewhat peculiar history. In the 1830s, it was not just a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs; it was actually sold as medicine — yes, medicine! A Unique Origin Ketchup’s roots can be traced back to Asia, where it was called ke-tsiap (Xiamen), a sauce made from fermented fish sauce. It made its way to Europe in the 17th century, but it looked and tasted different from the ketchup we know today, as it included ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, and oysters — no tomatoes. The Medicinal Claim and Tomato Connection In the 1830s, an Ohio physician named Dr. John Cook Bennett began marketing a tomato-based concoction as a medicinal elixir. Dr. Bennett claimed his tomato extract had incredible healing properties and promoted it as a cure for a wide range of ailments, including diarrhea, indigestion, jaundice, and rheumatism. During this time, tomatoes were still relatively new in American cuisine, and many people were skeptical about their edibility and safety. In fact, some believed tomatoes were poisonous, but Dr. Bennett aimed to market them as a safe and healthy miracle ingredient. His tomato preparation was a precursor to modern ketchup. The Transition to the Table Over time, the medicinal claims surrounding tomato-based ketchup faded, and people began enjoying its taste. A tomato-based ketchup started to appear in cookbooks as an ingredient in recipes and was commonly paired with eggs, meat, and fish. By the late 19th century, ketchup had become a staple in American households, and companies like Heinz began mass-producing it. Today, it’s tough to imagine ketchup as anything other than a delicious topping for our favorite foods, and while tomatoes do contain antioxidants and vitamin C, we know ketchup won’t cure a sickness. However, its transformation from fish sauce to tomato medicine to a beloved topping is a remarkable twist in culinary history!
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–Ashley and Chris Bruce
Teaching Kids the Joy of Giving 6 Fun Ways to Instill Generosity
3. Let them pick a charity. Another fun way to teach your children the importance of giving is by giving them some money and allowing them to pick their favorite charity. Empowering your kids to help animals, children in poverty, or any noteworthy charity will lead to meaningful moments they will carry with them. 4. Help them give away their old toys. Removing old toys that occupy your house is an excellent opportunity for your kids to give. Teaching them to get rid of what they don’t need to help other kids in need will show them how their actions positively affect others. 5. Make it a habit. Getting involved with a charity with your kids will help them discover the power of giving alongside you, and by doing it over and over again, you can teach your kids a habit of helping. Make generosity a practice, not just a holiday tradition. Challenge your kids to give something away daily, whether it’s a compliment or food to a hungry person, and help them form a habit of compassion and generosity. 6. Create joyous giving. Make giving a joyful and fun experience for your children. Create memorable moments together by organizing family giving events or even crafting Christmas cards for medical workers. The more fun you have doing it, the more they will learn and make it a habit.
The holiday season is all about giving, but it is also an amazing time to teach our children about charity by helping them give to the less fortunate. This act of charity and sharing will instill kindness, compassion, and good character in your kids.
To help get you started, here are seven playful ways to impart this wisdom to your children.
1. Give them a snack surprise. For your kids’ school lunch, pack an extra snack with a note explaining to give a friend or someone in need something to eat. Encouraging them to share with someone, especially a less fortunate child, will make them feel great. Repeating this with your children several times can start a lifelong practice of compassion and giving. 2. Get them to make someone smile. One powerful way to teach your kids kindness is to have them smile at strangers. Challenge your children to compliment someone daily and encourage others. The more they compliment, the more smiles they’ll receive.
Have a Laugh!
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Inspired by TheModernProper.com
Ingredients
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1/2 cup butter
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1/2 tsp celery seed 1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup chopped onion 1 cup sliced celery 2 cups sliced carrots
1 cup milk
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup flour
2 cups peas
1 tsp salt
4 cups cooked chicken
1/2 tsp pepper
1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
Directions
1.
In 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, and garlic powder to pan and stir. Sauté for 2 minutes. Slowly incorporate milk. Add stock and bring to a simmer, whisking until mixture thickens. Add peas and chicken.
4.
Roll out pastry sheet into 16-inch square on floured surface. Cut into 3-inch squares and place overlapping onto chicken mixture. In a small bowl, whisk egg with 1 tbsp water. Brush egg over pastry and place in oven for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
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How to Find Bright Spots in Winter Darkness page 1
How Ketchup Transformed From Cure to Condiment Mistakes to Avoid When Getting a Divorce page 2 Making Holiday Charity Fun for Kids Skillet Chicken Pot Pie page 3
3 Tech Myths You Should Stop Believing page 4
Top Tech Myths You Probably Still Believe
For some people, it can be hard to understand that computer technology has only existed for around 60 years and technology as we know it today for 15 years. But keeping up with this constant evolution can be a challenge for anyone, regardless of how long technology has been a part of their lives. That’s why so many myths exist about technology; what was true five years ago may no longer apply. So, to separate fact from fiction and keep you up to date with the latest in tech, here are the top three myths about technology you need to stop believing today. No. 1: Charging your device for a long time will ruin its battery. Once upon a time, for many laptops, cellphones, tablets, or other devices, this was true. However, as technology
advanced, so did its batteries. Now, most devices (particularly smartphones) have batteries that know when they reach their maximum charge level and stop accepting input. No. 2: Everything you do in privacy/ incognito mode is completely private. If you’re a fan of using this browser setting for privacy’s sake, we hate to be the ones to tell you privacy/ incognito modes aren’t private. This browser feature erases cookies and tracking data once you close the window, but your internet service provider and the websites you visited all know you were there. This means the only place your browsing won’t appear is in your device’s history. So, not only can someone find your history, but if you’re using
this browser setting to protect your information from hackers, it doesn’t work. Sites can still see your unique browser’s “fingerprint” and use that to target you. No. 3: Once you delete a file, it’s gone. This one may sound counterintuitive, but it’s true. When you “delete” something on your computer, your computer doesn’t actually destroy it. Instead, it simply flags the file as available to overwrite whenever you need the space. Until the computer officially writes new data over the file, it’s still there (and can be found).
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