On My Mind Today

Time again to share one of the new recipes I recently found. As of today I have served it twice to rave reviews. This one is for all the pasta lovers. Hope you will try this and let me know what you think.   Pasta with Peas and Prosciutto   3/4 pound Gemelli Pasta, uncooked 1 tablespoon. Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 teaspoons Butter 1 Large Shallot, thinly sliced 1-1/2 cups fresh Peas or frozen Peas, thawed 3 tablespoons Dry White Wine 1/3 cup fat-free, low-sodium Chicken Broth 1/4 teaspoon ground Black Pepper 1 ounce Prosciutto, chopped 1/2 teaspoon Salt (optional) 1/4 cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese 1 ounce Pecorino Romano Cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup)    1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup liquid; keep warm.   2. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and butter and swirl until melted. Add shallot and cook 5 minutes or until shallot is tender and translucent, stirring occasional

Today is one of those beautiful New England spring days with sunshine, temperatures in the 60's and a light breeze blowing across the lake. The type of day that you need to forget about work, chores, and worries for at least a little while and take it all in. Get outside and free your spirit. We get so busy with our lives that we tend to lose touch with the world around us. I am not talking about the people in our world - I am talking about Mother Nature. Taking the time to just stop, breathe, and look at what is around you in silence can open up your soul to her treasures. Feel the sun warm your bones, feel the wind blow across your face and through your hair.  Doing this can open up your mind and release the clutter that has built up from your every day routine.  Clear out the cobwebs that have woven their way into your body and mind over the winter months. Sit and watch the birds that have returned as they build their nest and get ready for the babies that will soon arrive.

As I get older I have become more aware of what effect the breakdown of the family unit has on our children, and society as a whole. Divorce, a more mobile society, and the struggle to make a living all have had an impact. Hard to keep a solid family bond with all of these changes. Forty plus years ago family members were more likely to remain in the communities they grew up in which kept them connected. Divorce was on the rise, but still not at the level of today, and the economy was good enough so people did not work 6-7 days a week. I am divorced and the one thing I do regret is the break-up of the family unit. Even if the divorce is not ugly, children are impacted in some way. Their sense of security and self-esteem all take a hit, and they may look to others to fill these needs. They may get the attention they need from others, but it is not the same as the deep feeling of belonging that family gives. The ability to move so easily from one part of the country to another has

I have been fortunate to have my 9 year old grandson with me for the last several days. He is a very busy young man who keeps me on my toes, but we do have fun together. Yesterday Nanu, Anthony and I took a journey down to Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA. The day started out a bit gray as we left NH, but by the time we arrived in Plymouth the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous day! We had a nice lunch at the Water Street Café before we started our tour at the plantation. We walked along the dirt path to the Wampanoag Homesite where we learned how they lived back in 1600's. There were Native Americans weaving bags by hand, another burning embers slowly inside a tree to hollow it out for a boat. There was a winter hut where stories were being told, and the summer hut for viewing. So many things to learn of how they worked the land, and made clothing out of deer hides. Walking further along the dirt path we arrived at the 17th century English Village. Along the street ther

It seems to be taking forever for the warmer weather to arrive this spring. Although most of our snow is finally gone, and the ice is melting off the lake, it is still very cold with the north wind blowing through. Cuts to the bone and makes your mind believe it is still winter. There is hope however as the ducks are starting to return. Awoke this morning to see them on the small bit of open water on the lake. They must be a bit confused as to why there is not more water for them to float upon since their internal clocks have sent them back. Mother Nature playing one last April Fools joke before bringing forth the sun, buds, blossoms and more. The sun is rising higher in the sky and brings my mind to things to come in the next several months. Memories of spring and summers past with the boat in the water, and my grandchildren playing and having the time of their life. Begging Nanu for a ride in the boat one more time before they have to leave. These things bring so much joy and rem

So much truth in this statement, and anyone who has had to make that hard decision knows it all too well. It would be so easy to take the path of least resistance and go with the flow, but in the end you are still in the same place and nothing has changed. What is it they say? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. Humans are given free will - the ability to make their own choices in life. We try to make the choices that we think are right for us as an individual and for our family. Along the way we find that sometimes the choices we made were perhaps not the right ones, or they do not turn out the way we had envisioned or planned. Even if it was well thought out at the time, and should have succeeded, it does not. Many times for reasons out of our control like timing. When this happens the hardest thing, and right thing, then become the same thing. Admitting this and taking that very difficult first step may seem impossible, but not t