On My Mind Today

 As the last vestiges of fall’s colorful display begins to wane so many other changes are on the horizon. The long summer days have passed us by, and darkness is the unwanted friend that is quickly taking over. There are too many months ahead that we will have to endure more black skies than light. It will take all of our strength to find the things that will keep our soul filled with brightness, and we desperately need the light these days more than ever. If I am fortunate, over the next several weeks I will still hear the haunting call of my Loons in the early morning or twilight hours of the day. I hold tightly onto this sound in hopes that my memory will bring it forth after they make their journey to float on the ocean for the winter. I look forward to this beautiful music each spring and wish that it would last the year through; serenading me into a calm, peaceful place. The sun does not rise as high in the sky as it did during the summer months, nor does it feel as hot on ou...

Recently it seems to have been more difficult to find faith in many aspects of my life. Life changes, among other things, have left me with little energy to stay the course and believe all will work out as it should. This led me to visit my Faith Box to take stock of the worries I placed in there, and to see what should remain. A few have been resolved; however, I left them there for good measure. Others are still in need of resolution. A few new ones have been added today.  This seemed like a good time to once again share this blog about the Faith Box. Perhaps it will help some of you with your own struggles and hopefully will lead me back to finding faith once again. Each one of us have burdens we carry with us every day. Most people shoulder them well and live their daily life so that others would never suspect what they might be burdened with. Regardless of what we carry with us; we all do the best we can to persevere and push through to better days. Often, we spend too much ti...

Now that fall has arrived, we all turn to our collection of soups and stews for the cooler days. This one has a wonderful combination of flavors and is a hearty meal to warm you on a cold evening. From the kitchen of Woman's Day this will become one of your favorite comfort foods. Pork and Cider Stew 2 medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces 3 small Parsnips or Carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices 1 cup chopped Onion 2 lb. boneless Pork Shoulder, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped 1/4 cup Flour 3/4 teaspoon Salt 1/2 teaspoon each dried Sage and Thyme 1/4 teaspoon Pepper 1 cup Apple Cider 1. Layer sweet potatoes, parsnips (or carrots), onion, pork and apple in a 3-quart slow cooker. 2. Stir flour, salt, sage, thyme and pepper in a small bowl to mix. Add cider; stir until smooth. Pour over meat and vegetables. 3. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or until pork and sweet potatoes are tender when pierc...

I may not call as often as I used to, and my messages are not as frequent. Don't fret and wonder as to why, as I have not forgotten you. Life is not what I imagined as I entered this stage of life. The dreams of carefree days filled with fun are not as common as I had hoped. Sometimes it is hard to explain the things that are faced each day. Although they may be small at this time, the worry is not felt less. Many days seem to be long, and it is enough just keeping up. When the evening arises with time to relax, silence seems to be a best friend. I do think of you often, and treasure memories of time spent together. However, no matter how good my intentions, there are times that sleepy eyes stop a call. Know in your heart that I think of you, and cherish our time and conversations. One day when you least expect it your phone will ring, as I have not forgotten you. 

Looking out over the lake today with bright blue skies and a light breeze sending ripples across the water, there is a hint of what's to come in the next several weeks. The trees still have colorful leaves, but the temperatures have been cooler, and many of the birds have taken their journey to warmer climates with only a few brave ones remaining. We have a pair of Loons and a duck gracing us with their presence. They take turns sitting on buoys near the docks. A Loon will sit for a while, and when the duck approaches it will raise its wings to move the duck back. Eventually the duck will jump up on the buoy, and the Loon will give in and float on the water for a bit, allowing the duck to get out of the cold water. Living in harmony yet both knowing who is in charge of the buoy. The sky looks different, there is a change in the way the air feels, and your senses know what's to come. The aroma of fall with leaves starting to fall to the ground and the breeze brin...

From Taste of Home contributor, Karen Howard, Lakeville, MA, this cheesy and tangy quiche is sure to be a hit at your next brunch. It is easy to prepare and ready in about an hour. Her tip to spread mustard on the bottom of the crust adds another layer of flavor. I used Dijon mustard and it was great! Zucchini Quiche Dough for single crust pie 3 tablespoons butter 4 cups thinly sliced zucchini (about 3 medium) 1 large onion, thinly sliced 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 cups shredded mozzarella 2 teaspoons prepared mustard (I used Dijon mustard) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a lightly floured surface roll dough to a 1/8" thick circle; transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 inch beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate while preparing filling. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add zucchini and onion; ...