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Loss

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One thing is certain in life – eventually we all run out of time. This truth is much clearer with each passing year. That feeling of invincibility from our youth fades ever so slightly with each decade. Nothing can bring us face-to-face with our own mortality more than the loss of a loved one or dear friend. Even if we are aware that their time with us is slipping away, we are never prepared. As they leave behind all that binds them to the earth, our hearts feel like they have been crushed by a heavy weight. Grief is a natural response to losing someone that is important to us. Processing a loss is different for each person, and grief is never experienced in the same manner. While some can allow themselves to feel their grief and release it, others hold it in and keep it hidden from the world. Losing someone is difficult at any time in our lives but can be even more heartbreaking and traumatic if we are facing difficult times. Our ability to accept loss when life is good is never easy ...
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Don't Let Them Steal Your Christmas Joy

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We have once again reached that joyful time of year. Decorated trees, Christmas lights, candy canes, stockings hung by the fire and so much more. The look of wonder in a child's eyes and their innocent belief in the season is contagious. There is something magical about the Christmas season, and in challenging times we need this magic in our lives. If we open our hearts up to all that comes with the holiday, it will lift our spirits and bring an abundance of joy. There are those who will try to steal our joy; the ones who refuse to see all that is good about Christmas. They do not look at the true meaning of the season or try to give joy to others. They believe it is about spending money and are not aware that a simple act of kindness is a true gift. If you are one who loves to start early and wrap themselves up in the season, do not be discouraged by others. Dive in and spread Christmas cheer wherever you go.  Decorate early. Listen to Christmas music. Smile at a stranger and comp...
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Coffee and Dessert - Chocolate-Orange Mascarpone Pie

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From the pages of Woman's Day magazine, this rich, creamy and delicious pie would be an excellent addition to your holiday gatherings. Easy to make and sure to become a favorite of family and friends. You will find it difficult to eat only one piece. (Photo below is from Woman's Day as we finished the pie before a photo was taken.) Chocolate-Orange Mascarpone Pie Cookie Crust: 24 chocolate wafer cookies (I used Nabisco Famous) 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1/3 cup orange marmalade Filling: 10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, broken up 3 tubs (8 ounces each) Mascarpone, at room temperature 1/3 cup Confectioner's sugar 3 Tablespoons orange liquor or orange juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 large seedless orange (optional) Crust: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. You'll need a 9-inch pie plate. 2. Pulse cookies in processor until fine crumbs; add butter and process until blended. Press mixture evenly into bottom and sides of pie plate. Bake 12 minutes; cool on wire rack. Spread marmal...
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The Path Less Taken

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These last several weeks I have felt the urge to travel solo on back country roads to seek some peace and solitude. There is nothing better for the soul than to escape the everyday chaos and take yourself to another time, even if only in your imagination. With that in mind, I once again share this blog from several years ago that brings me back to one of those days. "I shall be telling this with a sigh - Somewhere ages and ages hence; Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." ~ Robert Frost ~ In the last few weeks, I have traveled to the southern NH/MA border several times, been to Andover, MA, and most recently to Boston, MA. Being on the highways with such a high volume of traffic can be a bit overwhelming and stressful. It's no wonder people feel exhausted if they are dealing with this on a daily basis. Not something I have any desire to do. Today when I headed out, I decided to take a more peaceful ro...
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The First Thanksgiving - Two Perspectives

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Growing up we learned about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving held in 1621. Although there are many versions, the story many of us know is the one we are taught in school. The first American Thanksgiving was held in celebration and thanks of the harvest that the Plymouth Colony was blessed with after a very harsh winter. The colonists celebrated the day in the spirit of traditional English harvest festivals. The Native American Indians Samoset (Abenaki), Squanto (Patuxet-tributary of the Wampanoag), and Massasoit (Leader of the Wampanoag) were the honored guests of Captain Myles Standish and were asked to bring their immediate families along for the feasting and celebration. Standish had no idea that their immediate family consisted of nearly one hundred members of their tribe. Standish and the Pilgrims did not have enough food to last three days for so many people, so Massasoit sent his men home to bring back more food and supplies. His generosity provided the majority of the fo...
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Coffee and Dessert - Acorn Squash Streusel Pie

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From Just a Pinch Recipes, this was submitted by Brenda Watts. The original family recipe was for pumpkin pie, which later became sweet potato streusel. Her daughter then decided to become creative and changed the recipe to acorn squash streusel. I have not had the opportunity to try this one yet, but I have no doubt it will become a favorite. Any pumpkin or squash pie usually gets my stamp of approval. If you decide to make this one, please let me know what you think. Acorn Squash Streusel Pie For Pastry and Filling: 1 refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box (or you can make your own pie crust) 2 cups cooked and mashed acorn squash (or one 17 oz. bag of frozen acorn squash, thawed) 1/2 cup sugar 1-12/ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup evaporated milk or dairy sour cream For Streusel Toping: 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1/3 cup firm butter or margarine 1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans or wa...
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Earth's Cleansing

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"The groans of nature in this nether world, Which heaven has heard for ages, have an end. Foretold by prophets, and by poets sung, Whose fire was kindled at the prophet's lamp, The time of rest, the promised Sabbath, comes: Six thousand years of sorrow have well nigh Fulfilled their tardy and disastrous course Over a sinful world; and what remains Of this tempestuous state of human things, Is merely as the working of a sea Before a calm, that rocks itself to rest; For HE, whose car the winds are, and the clouds The dust that waits upon his sultry march, When sin hath moved him, and his wrath is hot, Shall visit earth in mercy; shall descend, Propitious, in his chariot paved with love; And what his storms have blasted and defaced For man's  revolt , shall with a smile  repair ." Cowper's Task. Humans have spent thousands of years abusing the earth; stripping her natural resources, dumping trash into her waters and onto the land, and spewing toxins into the air. And...
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