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