On My Mind Today

We all have hopes and dreams which feed our imagination as we determine our path for the coming year. As we come to the end of 2013 I find myself reflecting on where I started, what I envisioned, and where the year has taken me. Like everyone else there have been some surprises and disappointments along the way. And where I am, is not necessarily what I had hoped for in terms of successes. That is not to say the year has been unsuccessful, but perhaps it is better to say some things did not get accomplished as intended. Not from lack of trying, but more from lack of finances to bring things to completion. Although I have not yet been able to hire the illustrator for the three stories I wrote based on my grandchildren, I have high hopes of this coming to fruition in 2014. I was able to publish my first book with a selection of my favorite blogs from the fledgling year. This was one of my successes and gave me insight into what it takes to get a book ready for publication. Information

With Christmas tomorrow and New Year's Day a week away, many people may be planning something for brunch. That wonderful meal that incorporates breakfast and lunch, and can include foods from either meal. My mother shared a recipe with me a while back that came from a bed and breakfast in Kennebunkport, Maine. Quick, easy and a delicious addition to your holiday brunch! Baked Eggs and Cheese   4 Eggs 1 cup Milk 2 teaspoons Sugar 1 lb. Monterey Jack Cheese, grated (or any other cheese of your choice) 4 oz. Cream Cheese 1 - 16 oz. container Small Curd Cottage cheese 6 Tablespoons Margarine (or butter) 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour 1 teaspoon Baking Powder   Preheat oven to 325 degrees.   Beat together the eggs, milk and sugar; add the cheeses and margarine. Mix well and then add the flour and baking powder.   Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish (glass). Bake for 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.   This dish can be made up the

As Christmas draws ever closer we seem to be rushing more and more to make sure everything on that day is our vision of "perfect". Putting pressure on ourselves that really is not necessary to enjoy Christmas Day. In the process we become stressed, moody and quick to lose our cool, and it is always with those closest to us. Thank goodness they usually understand what is going on. If not they might have us committed for our holiday insanity. I know in the past I was a crazy lady trying to accomplish everything that I deemed necessary to ensure a perfect Christmas Day. Looking back I realize that my children would have had a wonderful Christmas whether or not I had finished every task, baked every treat imaginable, or cleaned the house. That last one is especially comical as Christmas morning created chaos with wrappings and gifts scattered from one end of the house to the other. My children did not notice if all of these things were done as their excitement on that day was s

If you are looking for a light pasta dinner then you will enjoy this one. Quick and easy to prepare and delicious.   Coconut-Lemon Seafood and Pasta   1# Seafood (scallops, crab, shrimp or lobster, or a mix) 2-3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (more if needed) Lemon Zest Kalamata Olives (10 to 12 - sliced) 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt 1/2 Teaspoon Lemon Pepper Lemon Juice ( 1 Tablespoon or to taste) Chives - chopped 1 pound cooked pasta (you can use any pasta - I use Ronzoni Garden Delight Fettuccine)   Cook pasta while preparing remainder of recipe.   Melt coconut oil in large frying pan. Add lemon zest and seafood. Cook until seafood is almost cooked through. Add Kalamata olives, sea salt, lemon pepper and lemon juice and cook just until seafood is done.   Serve over cooked pasta and top with chopped chives. Add more lemon juice to taste and enjoy!      

What do you want for Christmas? We have all heard that question many times over the years. Often when I was asked, I tried to determine my answer by who was asking and what I felt they could afford to give. I never wanted anyone spending money they really did not have to spare. As with most of us, when I was younger there were many things I could think of that I would like to have or thought I needed. Early in life we are easily influenced by advertising and our peers. If it is the latest trend and all our friends have it, then we must need it too. Children want a specific (usually expensive) toy, and with teenagers it is the latest fashions or technology. If they do not have these things then they feel they don't fit in with everyone else. At this time in our life the needs and wants are endless, and we can fill a page with requests. When I had children my needs became fewer, as they were now more important than any needs I had. I could still think of things that I wanted, but

Now available on Amazon: On My Mind Today came to life in 2012 as a way for this 50+ woman to express and share her observations, reflections and life lessons. In this book are a selection of my favorite blogs from the first year, and ones that seemed to hit home with readers. A great book for a short read as you take a break in your day. On My Mind Today: The First Year: A Journal of a 50+ Woman's Observations, Reflections, and Life Lessons Paperback – December 3, 2013                  by

Sacrifice (verb): to give up something you want in order to help someone else. Whether it is a relationship with our husband or wife, children, family, partner or friends, there comes a time where we all need to make sacrifices. When their needs become more important than our own, and we know that the only thing we can do is put our desires aside and make sure that someone else is taken care of. This is how we show our love for those close to us and let them know how precious they are. Sometimes the other person has no connection to us at all. We see their struggle and know they are suffering. At this moment our compassion for another human is so overwhelming that we know all we can do is sacrifice to try and ease their burden. Even if we don't have a lot to give, there is always something we can do to help. This form of sacrifice is what we need to teach our children. To ensure they know they are part of a larger community with a responsibility to help others less fortunate, a

 Chocolate goes well with anything, and chocolate with raspberry is one of the great combos. These quick and easy brownies will certainly become a favorite with family and friends.   Raspberry Swirl Brownies   1 Stick of Butter 4 (1 ounce) Squares of Unsweetened Chocolate, cut up 3 Eggs 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract 1-1/2 cups Sugar 2/3 cup Flour, dash of Salt 1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 1/2 to 2/3 cup Seedless Raspberry Jam 1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts (optional)   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 2 quart glass bowl, combine butter and unsweetened chocolate. Heat in a microwave on high for 2 to 2-1/2 minutes, stirring once or twice until chocolate is melted. With a fork, beat eggs, vanilla and sugar until blended. Mix in flour and salt. Stir in the chocolate chips. Turn mixture into a greased 8 inch square baking pan. Drop spoonfuls of jam over brownie batter. Use knife to swirl jam around and through batter. Sprinkle nuts over the top. Bake

Black Friday - just the name conjures up visions of a bad day. I am baffled as to how anyone can find the chaos of this day enjoyable. The name Black Friday originated before 1961 in Philadelphia and was used to describe the extremely heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic on the day after Thanksgiving, and became more widely used outside of Philadelphia around 1975. It was later used by retailers, who traditionally operated at a financial loss ("in the red") from January through November, and "Black Friday" indicated the point at which they began to turn a profit ("in the black"). Over the years Black Friday became extremely popular as the day to start your Christmas shopping. It remained that way for many years, but then things changed. All of a sudden it was not the Friday morning after Thanksgiving that the stores were open and started the "big" sales - they were now open at midnight on the day after Thanksgiving. And from there retailers d

In a few short days we will be celebrating Thanksgiving - a day to give thanks for the blessing of the harvest. When many of us think of this holiday we are brought back to grade school and lessons of the "First Thanksgiving"  with the Indians and Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1621. As President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nation-wide thanksgiving celebration in America, marking November 26, 1789 as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. The date that Thanksgiving was observed varied from state to state until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed in 1863 that all states would observe it on the same day - the last Thursday in November. A joint resolution of Congress, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on December 26, 1941, changed the national Thanksgiving Day from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday, where it has remained. Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday of mine as it is a day for exactly that - being thankful for what w

I recently took a day trip to Vermont so I could spend time with a dear friend. It was a beautiful, sunny November day and the ride to Athens was so peaceful and enjoyable. The long ride seemed to pass quickly, and arriving at her home in the country was like going to a retreat for a few hours. An amazing, picturesque spot in the country. Over the years we have been in and out of touch as we each traveled down the paths of our lives. As we raised our children and moved to different parts of Vermont and New Hampshire we connected from time to time. Even though we were not always in touch I know that we thought of each other as the years passed. She has been fighting cancer for several years, and her strength in this battle has been amazing. I am honored to know a woman with such will and determination. We spent several hours talking about all the things that have happened over the years. Sharing stories of our children and grandchildren, and talking about our parents. She has lost b

A while back I met a good friend for lunch and was introduced to Mulligatawny Soup. It was so incredible that I had to come home and find a recipe. What follows is quick and easy, and I hope you enjoy every mouthwatering bite as much as I have.   Mulligatawny Soup   4 ounces onion, chopped 1/2 garlic clove, chopped 4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons. flour 1 tablespoon curry powder 1 tablespoon tomato puree 32 ounces beef stock 1 ounce apple, chopped 1-1/2 teaspoons ginger 1 tablespoon mango chutney 2 tablespoons coconut flakes salt to taste (optional) cooked rice   1. Lightly brown the onion and garlic in butter. 2. Mix in the flour and curry powder; cook for a few minutes, browning slightly. 3. Mix in the tomato puree. 4. Gradually mix in the stock until smooth. 5. Add the remaining ingredients except for the rice. Season to your taste and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Soup will thicken as it cooks. 6. Add rice to serving bowls and pour hot

Today is Veterans Day, and we are reminded to thank those who are serving our country. However, this is something we should do on a daily basis - not just one day out of the year. There are so many that are serving, or have served this great country of ours. Some have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives while others return wounded. These wounds are not only physical, but also psychological. The things that they have seen and been exposed to we can only imagine. Things that they can never erase from their memories which can affect the rest of their life, and that of their families. I do believe as Americans we are proud of our country, but then there are those who feel a strong desire and obligation to serve. Those that go to foreign soil to protect our rights and freedoms. Answering the call of our government, without hesitation, to do what they feel is their duty. Putting any of their fears aside to complete the mission given to them. Their families wait at home, praying

It seems impossible that another full year of seasons has passed us by. Wasn't it only yesterday that I was talking about last fall? How could we have already come full circle to November? November (and March) my two least favorite months of the year. Darkness in the morning when we rise, and darkness by the time dinner is served. Gray and gloomy days so much of the time that make it difficult to feel energized. I am thankful that it is only 61 days that these months come across our door, and know that occasionally we will get one of those bright, sunny days mixed in to boost our spirits and feed our souls. On the lake it is hard not to embrace each day, no matter what season is upon us, as we gaze at such beauty. The seasons with open water speak to my soul and I feel as if my spirit flows with it to new horizons. Opening my mind to dreams and aspirations that all seem possible. Spring brings back my Loons and the ducks, and warmer weather in which to open windows and breathe

The Old Port area of Portland, Maine is unique, quaint and a great place to spend some time. With dozens of wonderful places to choose from for a great meal and an evening of entertainment, you will want to return many times. We recently headed north to Portland on a Friday afternoon to meet up with his daughters. Being a big fan of ghosts tours, he had been planning this adventure for several months in order to go on the Portland ghost walk. With no particular place in mind for dinner, we walked along the waterfront and came upon Andy's Old Port Pub http://www.andysoldportpub.com/about.html . The staff was very friendly, and the menu and daily specials offered a number of wonderful selections. We started with a Maine Potato Pizetta - hand tossed pizetta crust topped with rich mashed potato, cheddar and bacon. Definitely a dish new to us, and very tasty. I had a bowl of Roasted Corn Chowder which was delicious with a slight kick, followed by Blackened Haddock. He had Lobster Bi

Thanksgiving - the holiday that brings to mind a day full of family, friends, good food, and no expectations for anything more. We all know that Pumpkin Pie is one of the most popular desserts for this holiday.  I have two recipes that could become new favorites for Thanksgiving dessert. They are light, creamy and filled with the pumpkin flavor we all love. Pumpkin Supreme (no photo available)   1-3/4 cups Graham Cracker crumbs 1-3/4 cups Sugar, divided 1/2 cup melted margarine 2 Eggs, beaten 1 - 8 oz. package Cream Cheese (room temperature) 12 oz. container Cool Whip 3/4 cup Milk 2 - 3-3/4 oz. packages Instant Vanilla Pudding 2 cups cooked, mashed Pumpkin Dash of Cinnamon and Nutmeg Chopped Pecans   Combine crumbs, 1 cup of sugar and butter, mix well, press into 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish; set aside. Combine eggs, remaining sugar (3/4 cup) and cream cheese - beat until light and fluffy. Pour over crumbs and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes - oven cool. C

Growing up we were taught what our priorities should be, and how to work hard to ensure they were met. We saw our parents work hard to put a roof over our heads, food on the table, and clothes on our back. They drove a modest car, my father went to work every day, and my mother took care of us and our home. Anything over and above these everyday things were extra and a luxury. That is what I learned and what I have tried to pass on to my children. If you look around today, you know that some people's priorities are turned upside down. Many young adults feel they should have everything their parents do, without recognizing their parents worked years to obtain what they have. They want the latest phone/tablet/e-reader/television, feel they need to drive a new car, and have as many clothes as their closet will hold (or more). Their children are involved in every activity they can possibly get them to, and wonder why these children expect to be entertained all the time. I know they f

Although I do love my meat dishes, I also am a big fan of vegetables and new ways to prepare them. Anything that is unique and offers a blend of great flavors is sure to go on my list of dishes to try. This one is delicious and will become one of your favorites if you love butternut squash. So from the pages of Woman's Day.......   Rustic Butternut Squash Tart  1 Medium Red Onion, thinly sliced into rings and separated 1/4 small Butternut Squash, (about 1/2 lb.), peeled, seeded and very thinly sliced 6 sprigs Fresh Thyme 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil Kosher Salt and Pepper 4 oz. Extra-Sharp Cheddar, grated (1 cup) 1 Rolled Pie Crust (refrigerated or homemade) 1 large Egg, beaten   Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl toss the onion, squash, thyme, oil, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper; fold in the Cheddar.   Working on a piece of parchment paper, roll the pie crust into a 14-inch circle. Slide the paper (and crust) onto a baking sheet. Spoon the squash mixt

"Friends are kisses blown to us by angels...Author Unknown"  Over the years I have been blessed to meet some wonderful people that I am fortunate enough to call my friends. It takes me time to let people in and share my life with them, so I can count my close, dear friends on two hands, and they are all lifelong friends. In the last two months we have been fortunate to spend time with some of these friends. Labor Day weekend my friend who has been in my life the longest (since we were two years old) came to spend the long weekend. The weather was very hot and humid, but it did not stop us from having a great time. One day we went to Portsmouth, NH and had lunch and did a tour at Red Hook Brewery http://redhook.com/ . The food was good, the company great and we enjoyed the tour and sampling of beer. A bargain for the tour and samples at $1 per person - how can you go wrong? From there we went down to Lawrence, MA to enjoy some Italian treats, Crispellis and Rice Balls, a

If only our passion and our career were one and the same. Self actualization - a term that theorist Kurt Goldstein introduced to describe our motive to realize our full potential. With Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs the term became well known. We strive to reach this in many ways: expressing our creativity, pursuit of knowledge, the desire to give back to society, the quest for spiritual enlightenment and many other ways. It is our desire to spend our life doing what we love. Not always easy to do. I'm sure that I am no different than the majority of people. I have always worked and over the years have had different careers - some that I enjoyed and others not so much. I have spent most of my career as an Administrative Assistant and I became very good at this. One of the people I worked for called me Radar (like on Mash), because I usually knew what he was looking for before he had a chance to ask. Other careers along the way included selling real estate, and insurance

Labor Day Weekend has come and gone - summer is over and fall has arrived. We are in the midst of the sunny days with cool breezes that make you want to get out those sweatshirts. When thoughts of picking apples and planning a trip to see the foliage is on your mind. We recently took a trip to northern New Hampshire and went up over the Kancamagus Highway (sometimes misspelled as the Kangamangus). It was a sunny day with bright blue sky above and many fellow leaf peepers on the road. The few areas where you could pull off to take photos were full, and if you were lucky you could find the last spot to park for viewing the mountains and valleys. The view at the top was beautiful, however it had more of the muted gold and rust colors and not the brilliant reds and yellows I had hoped for. Of all the photos I took I loved the picture below of the tree that looked like a heart.   We drove down into North Conway and had lunch with his daughter at the Muddy Moose. After a great

With the world we live in today, it is imperative we teach our children what is truly important. It is not what they wear or whether or not they have the latest technology. These are just things that will not bring them to a place of self-fulfillment as they become adults. Who they are and what they give back will say so much more, and give them the inner peace and self-respect they should have. The first thing we need to do for our children is to tell them every day that they are loved. Let them know they are an important part of the family, and that we will ensure they are protected and safe. If we fail here, then we will destroy their self esteem and lose them as they grow into their teen years. I recently heard a presentation where the speaker made a statement that hit home. Basically, if we do not love our children and make them feel part of the family unit, then there are others who will...drug dealers, gangs, child molesters. That is how they bring children in - by making them

This past spring we traveled out to Wisconsin and spent a night in Toledo, OH. While there we went to El Tipico Mexican Restaurant.  After a great meal we decided to get dessert to go for later in the evening. We chose their Sweet Chimi - a sugar and cinnamon Chimichanga filled with strawberries and cheesecake. It was absolutely delicious! I knew when I came home that I would have to try my own variation to share with others. Below is what I came up with and it was a big hit. Sweet Chimichanga   8" Flour Tortillas Sliced Strawberries or a good Strawberry Preserve Cream Cheese Cinnamon and Sugar Combined Canola Oil     Make sure the tortilla is room temperature so it will fold easily. Spread a generous amount of cream cheese and berries or preserves in the center of the tortilla and then wrap to close. Place the Chimichanga in hot canola oil and cook on one side briefly to brown and then turn and brown other side. Remove from the oil and place on paper towel

We have entered into the most beautiful time of year in New England. The sunny, breezy, warm days and cool nights of fall cannot last long enough for me. They refresh your soul and make you feel full of life with energy that never seems to end. Who would not want that feeling to last forever? Along with this great weather comes the end of our garden and all it's bounty. We have thoroughly enjoyed the fresh vegetables and herbs over the summer. Making so many wonderful meals from the garden to share with family and friends. We are hopeful that we will squeak out a few more weeks before everything is done. At this point we are left with a couple of tomato plants and the herbs. We will savor every last bite of our delicious veggies. One of the many great things about fall is that the crisp, juicy apples are here! The fresh Macintosh are my absolute favorite - crisp, a bit tart and so good to make all the apple goodies we so love. I have a hard time deciding which dessert I want to

The recent nip of cool fall air has put me in the mood for some wonderful, warm comfort foods.  The best are the easy ones where you can throw all the ingredients in a slow cooker, and come home to the house filled with the aroma of great food that brings back memories. This is one of my favorites and I hope you will enjoy it too! Chili 2 Cans (15.5 oz.) Dark Red Kidney Beans, drained 2 (16 oz.) Petite Diced Tomatoes 2 pounds Ground Beef (browned) 2 Medium Onions, coarsely chopped 1 Green Pepper, coarsely chopped 2 Cloves Garlic, crushed 2-3 Tablespoons Chili Powder 1 Teaspoon Pepper 1 Teaspoon Cumin Salt to taste Put all ingredients in slow cooker and stir once. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours. When serving, offer toppings such as shredded cheddar, chopped scallions, cilantro, avocado or sour cream. A great side is homemade Corn Bread or Muffins.    And best of all the leftovers can be used for Chili Dogs or as a topping for a great salad.    

We all have those times in our lives where we feel unsettled - like we are a ship bouncing on the ocean at the mercy of the waves. We know that something is not as it should be, but really can't put our finger on what that actually is. The truth of the matter is that a combination of many things can feed into that unsettled feeling. Our children - if they are having difficulties or are unhappy for any reason we worry. Our grandchildren - if they are sick or having trouble in school we want to fix it. Our husband/wife/significant other - if they are not happy at work or have health issues we feel their frustration and pain. Our parents - as they get older we worry about them being alone and their health. Our brothers and sisters - if their life is in turmoil. Our good friends - when they or their families are having tough times. Our finances - when there is not enough money it weighs heavily. .................and so many other things. Although I have been feeling a bit un

  Nesting -  verb:  to build or have a nest;  to settle in or as if in a nest.   Women are very familiar with the term "nesting". We do this in many ways throughout our lifetime.     I remember when I was carrying my children, as the due date got closer there was the uncontrollable desire to make sure everything was ready for the baby. A burst of energy would take over and like magic things would be settled and waiting for their arrival.   The other nesting so familiar to me may be a bit "old school", but growing up I was taught to do a complete cleaning of the house both spring and fall. In the spring it was to clear out the stuffiness of winter and bring in the clear, crisp spring air. And as winter approached we cleaned out and closed up to make sure we would be cozy and warm. Windows got washed inside and out, closets got organized, and gardens were planted in spring and harvested in fall. It felt good to do these things. With the

Our adventure to Fort Ticonderoga with the grandchildren was such a success, we decided to take them on one more before the seasons change too drastically. This time we made a trip to Burlington, Vermont to the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center http://www.echovermont.org/index.html .    The Aquarium and Science Center is located  at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain which sits on the waterfront. It is an absolutely beautiful location, and the Leahy Center building has windows all around the front where you can look out at the lake. It is a breathtaking view and hard to walk away from, but the kids wanted to see the fish, frogs, snakes and more. There are many things for them to see and interact with, and they ran from one thing to the next with anticipation. So fun to watch their reactions to the different frogs and snakes. One of their favorite things in the entire center was the kinetic sand in the 3D Watershed Sandbox. Although the interactive piece of this exhibi

If you are a chocolate lover like me, then this recipe will make your day!   Death by Chocolate   Chocolate Cake Mix (or your favorite chocolate cake recipe) Extra large Cool Whip 2 Packages of Chocolate Instant Pudding 1 Package of Heath Bar Crunch Bits or 6-7 Heath Bar Crunch Bars - crushed   Make the chocolate cake in 9 x 11 cake pan, remove from pan and let cool overnight. (put on cooling rack and cover with towel) Cut the cake into small squares. Place 1/2 of the cake squares into a large glass bowl or truffle dish. Make 1 package of the instant pudding according to directions and pour over the cake squares. Place 1/2 of the Cool Whip over the cake and pudding mixture. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the Heath Bar Crunch Bits. Repeat the layers and refrigerate.   Hope that you enjoy this as much as I have!   

Birthdays have not had any major impact on me over the years; 30, 40 and then 50 came along and they were just another number. However, this one coming up seems to weigh a bit on my mind. In a very few days it will be 59 and for some reason I am not liking this one very much. Such an arbitrary number which should not provoke these unsettled feelings in my soul. I have spent much time looking within to figure out why this one should be any different than the others. Perhaps it is the reality of how many years have passed and realizing how fast time slips by. Although no "aha" moments have transpired, I have figured out some things I have come to know after all these years: First, and foremost, family is the most important thing in life. We must take time every day to be thankful for the good things in our life. To feel good about yourself you need to do for others. You can't find your happiness from someone else, it comes from within. Laugh as much, and as often a

This past Sunday my daughter, two of her friends and my 3 year old granddaughter came over from Vermont to make a last trip to the ocean for the summer. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day and the water was actually warm enough to get into. That in itself is a miracle in New Hampshire at the end of August. With fall on the horizon the water has started cooling down as we get further away from the hot summer days of July. My granddaughter rode over to the coast with me, and my daughter and her friends followed. Nice quiet time with friends for Mom, and priceless time for me with Natalie. She starts off acting a bit shy, but then before we get too far she is telling me stories and singing to herself. So much fun to hear her precious voice from the back seat. She is definitely her mother's daughter and it brings back memories of when my girls were young. Natalie had the time of her life playing in the sand building walls to stop the incoming waves. Watching her run ou