On My Mind Today

Who doesn't love a fresh baked muffin hot from the oven? The smell as they bake brings back memories from childhood. There are the traditional ones like Blueberry or Banana Nut, but it's nice to find something new. From Food Network Magazine this is sure to become a new family favorite. Sweet Potato-Chocolate Muffins 2 cups flour 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 stick melted butter 1/2 cup canned sweet potato purée 1/2 cup sour cream 2 eggs 1. Mix flour, mini chocolate chips, baking powder, salt and baking soda. 2. In 2nd bowl whisk brown sugar, melted butter, sweet potato purée, sour cream and eggs. Fold into the flour mixture. Divide among 12 prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Enjoy!

 I, like millions of other people, loved Calvin and Hobbes, and was disappointed when the comic strip came to an end. No longer would we see the world through their eyes as they went on their adventures sharing their wisdom along the way. Several months ago I discovered this last conversation between Calvin and Hobbes written as a final chapter by a fan. It deeply touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. One more time they have shared their words of wisdom with the world. In The Final Minutes of His Life, Calvin Has One Last Talk With Hobbes “Calvin? Calvin, sweetheart?” In the darkness Calvin heard the sound of Susie, his wife of fifty-three years. Calvin struggled to open his eyes. God, he was so tired and it took so much strength. Slowly, light replaced the darkness, and soon vision followed. At the foot of his bed stood his wife. Calvin wet his dry lips and spoke hoarsely, “Did… did you…. find him?” “Yes dear,” Susie said smiling sadly, “He was in the attic. “ Susie reach...

Each day we are hit with an onslaught, of all that is wrong in our world. As impossible as it seems we gather our strength to rise above it and see the good. Narcissistic leaders unleashing evil in their incessant need for power. With no heart or compassion, they bomb the innocent never looking back with as much as a hint of remorse. Some of our fellow countrymen strive each day to spread hatred, fear and lies. If said often enough their hope is they will eventually turn friends into foes. Misogynistic men calling out like the pied piper, hoping to pull in those easily led. In spite of this we will stay strong and rise above it all, knowing in our hearts that we will triumph in the end. Be diligent and recognize the ones, that try to persuade you to buy the evil they sell. Always remember if we rise above it all, Our love, hope and acceptance will always win.

Grief is the last act of love we can give to those we loved. Where there was deep grief, there was great love. ~ knowyourgrief.org ~ 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 b...

This recipe was found on the Midwest Living website. It was submitted by Karen Cope of Minneapolis who won a blue ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair for this stunning chocolate-and-marshmallow cake, based on whoopie pie cookies. As she says, "It's hard to beat a chocolate cake with a creamy marshmallow filling and chocolate glaze." I suggest making it when you will be having company, otherwise you will have trouble not eating all of it by yourself! Whoopie Pie Cake   1-1/2 cups butter 5 eggs 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 2 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup buttermilk powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2-1/2 cups packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee crystals 1 cup water   Chocolate Glaze   1/4 cup whipping cream 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces   Marshmallow Filling   3/4 cup butter, softened 1 - 7-ounce jar marshmal...

Laughter - noun: The action or sound of laughing; an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement. Syn onyms -  belly laugh, cackle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, horselaugh, snicker, hee-haw. It has become clear to me that people don't laugh enough today; at least not the hearty kind of laughter that makes us feel good. We have fallen into routines where we allow daily stress to dominate our days. Is it any wonder we feel unhappy so often? They say that laughter is the best medicine, and as it turns out, there is some scientific truth to this. Per research by Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University in California, laughter leads to benefits such as:  Reducing stress hormones Working our abs Boosting T-cells Lowering blood pressure Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increased blood flow which can help to protect us from a heart attack. It can also temporarily relieve pain, and it burns calories. Another bonus to laughter - it has been shown t...