On My Mind Today

I have had this recipe for many years, but do not remember where it came from. It is very easy to make and ready in less than an hour. Filled with flavor and a nice kick of spice from the andouille sausage, it is a delicious meal for those who love spicy food. Serve with hot sauce and a side salad or crusty rolls. Cajun Chicken & Sausage with Red Beans and Rice   6 oz. Andouille Sausage, sliced  1 Onion, quartered and sliced 2 small bell peppers, sliced 8 oz. cooked chicken cut up 3 scallions, sliced 1 pkg. Carolina or Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice    1. Prepare Red Beans and Rice as directed. 2. Heat large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and onion; cover and cook for 3 minutes          stirring occasionally until sausage is lightly browned. 3. Add peppers and sauté 2 minutes. Add chicken and sauté until hot. 4. Add sausage/chicken mixture to Red Beans and Rice when done. Stir in scallions. Serve with hot sauce.

So many things have been gathered over the years, and so much if it has been forgotten. Open a drawer or closet door to discover long lost collections. Too many pictures, some just a blur, that never made it into albums. If left like this no one may ever know which family members are reflected? Oh, the fashions we tried from young to old, so many we could not just let go. Whether too big, too small, or no longer our style, we have hung onto them as if they were gold. Those times we felt we did a good cleaning, we were only fooling ourselves. The minimal space we seemed to free up was quickly stuffed full again. We think our belongings are priceless, and want to pass them onto those we leave behind. The truth of the matter is in front of our eyes, to our children they don't seem to shine. Clear things out, let go of what doesn't matter, and leave them the precious memories. Let them spend time reminiscing over old photos, and not sorting through what you did not.

Our daily lives are filled with constant noise and images. Something is always "on"; whether it be television, computers, phones, radios or noise surrounding us in public spaces, our ears and eyes are bombarded for hours every day. Not only does all of this make us feel we need to engage with these things, but it takes time away from our families and gives us no peace. Being surrounded by all of this it's no surprise that people feel stressed or depressed. Their senses get no down time; some of it by choice and some by circumstances of their daily life. Either way, it's not healthy. Our brains and our senses need time to regroup and recharge. If we don't give them time to heal from the relentless mayhem in our chaotic environment, our stress level will continue to increase and lead to negativity and depression. Both of these have a way of spreading to those around us. We need to find time to be still in our lives; to embrace total silence. We need stillness, for i...

Give your brunch a bit of Mexican flare with this Fried Egg Tostada from Food Network Magazine. You can prepare this with a lot of heat, or not so much for those faint of heart. Use mild salsa if your family and guests prefer or kick it up with the hotter version. I used medium salsa, sliced jalapenos and feta cheese. However you decide to make them, they are delicious! Fried Egg Tostada Serves 4 4 tostada shells 1 tablespoon Butter 4 eggs salt and pepper Iceberg lettuce, shredded Lime juice Salsa Sriracha Cilantro Cotija cheese, crumbled Lime wedges 1. Heat butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Crack eggs in pan and cook until the white is set, but the yolk is still runny, 3 to 4 minutes. 2. Top tostada shells with shredded iceberg lettuce; season with salt and a squeeze of lime juice. Top with 1 to 2 tablespoons salsa and fried eggs. 3. Drizzle with Sriracha and top with cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese. Serve with a lime wedge.

Each spring I await the arrival of the flower bed's first blossoms. Seeing the bright colors emerge awakens my spirit after a long winter. By June there are an abundance of flowers not only there, but also in my vegetable garden. The flowering sage and multitude of purple balls on the chives can brighten even a cloudy day. Enjoying these blossoms even more than I do are the bees. Each year they arrive as soon as the first flower appears. Going from one to another gathering pollen to bring back to their hives. Hearing the buzzing of the bees has a calming effect on me. As they go about their business, I will do my weeding right beside them. I am often told that I am going to get stung, but I always say we have an agreement. I won't bother them if they don't bother me. So far, we each have kept out word. I often think that it would be nice if this same mutual understanding could apply to humans. Even if our beliefs may be different, we should be able to occupy the same space ...

As I look around today, it seems that everyone is in a hurry. Scurrying around from one thing to another; rushing through their daily lives. I can't say that I have been much different through the years, but as I look back, I wonder what I have missed in this blur of activity. As you age, you are more aware of what is happening around you and have a greater appreciation for what you see. As a parent I watched my young children at play, but it was to ensure they were safe - not solely for the joy that could be experienced from their play and laughter. I think that many of us leave childhood and that innocence of just having fun and never stop to embrace it again. I find that the small moments I observe as I watch others, make me realize I should have slowed down and savored them in my own life. We never seem to recognize how amazing they are until they are in the past, and by then we have missed the opportunity. If I could pass on any advice to the younger generation, these would be...