On My Mind Today

Sometimes it appears that we are never happy with what we have or the way things are. If it is cold we want hot, if it is dry we need rain, if it is raining we want sun, etc., etc. We always want the opposite of what we have, or feel that we do not have enough. Just the nature of the beast or so it seems. I'm not sure why people are not content with their life as it is. Perhaps it comes from the never ending desire to do and have more than those that came before us. Or maybe the constant onslaught of commercials telling us all the latest and greatest things we just need to have to make our life complete. Whatever the reasons are, we are short changing ourselves from living in the moment and truly enjoying the life we have. If we slow down and take in our surroundings then the realization may come that we truly do not need more. More things will not make us happy and they won't necessarily improve our life. If we look at the things we have acquired over the years we will fin

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate - never can get enough chocolate! I am always looking for new combinations to enhance the flavor and this cake punches up the chocolate with cinnamon. With Marshmallow Fluff in the frosting you will want more than one serving. Mexican Chocolate Cake 1-2/3 cups all purpose Flour 1-1/2 cups Sugar 2/3 cup Cocoa 2 teaspoons ground Cinnamon 1-1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda 1 teaspoon Salt 1-1/2 cups Milk 1/2 cup Shortening 2 Eggs 1 teaspoon Vanilla 1 cup mini semisweet Chocolate Chips Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 round layer pans. Beat all ingredients in large mixer bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds. Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 3 minutes. Pour into pans. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool. Frost with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (below). Chocolate Buttercream Frosting 2 sticks (1 cup) Butter, softened 1/2 cup unsweetened Cocoa Powde

Bullying is a big issue today with children and we have all seen the ad campaigns trying to educate them on how wrong it is. The scars left from being bullied as a child will last a lifetime, and can also produce an adult that is a bully. The old saying of "actions speak louder than words" is very appropriate to this situation. We have all either seen ads for, or actually may have watched shows featuring children in competitions such as beauty pageants, dance or cheering competitions, and a new one that appears to be "teaching" young women to be ladies. Although I have not watched them the promotional commercials show the adults exhibiting behavior that can only be called bullying. They are yelling at the kids to push them to be "winners" or the "best". Reducing a child to tears does not say "healthy competition" to me. I can only imagine what is being done to their self esteem in the process. There are other competitions that are

Found this recipe recently and all I can say is....amazing! I never had hominy before, but know it will become a favorite. Great taste and texture - I can't imagine this Bean Posole without it. Easy to make and full of flavor it is sure to be a favorite for many. Zesty Bean Posole   2 each 15-16 ounce cans Hominy, rinsed and drained 2 each 15-16 ounce cans Red Beans, rinsed and drained 1 - 32 ounce container Chicken Stock 1 - 16 ounce jar Thick and Chunky Salsa (I used medium for a little kick) 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano, crushed 1/2 cup Half and Half 2 tablespoons all-purpose Flour Sliced Scallions Shredded Cheddar Cheese   1. in a slow cooker combine hominy, beans, broth, salsa and oregano. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4 hours.   2. With 30 minutes of cooking time remaining, increase to high-heat setting if necessary. In a small bowl stir together half and half and the flour until smooth; stir

Murphy is our Exotic Short Hair Persian Cat. If you have not had the pleasure of spending time with this breed then you don't know what you are missing. They have a unique look and personality which grows on you quickly. When people meet him their first comment is always about his flat face. Where most cats have a longer nose the Persians is flat to their face. Once we got used to Murphy's unique look, all other cats appeared strange to us. Mr. Murphy - as many of our family and friends refer to him - has many funny habits that started when he was a kitten. The first was his insistence on drinking from the faucet. Not sure why he decided that is what he needed to do, but it is a habit we could never break. And when he is thirsty he will sit at the sink and meow until you get up and turn on the faucet. When he is feeling especially indignant he will walk away once you turn the water on, just to prove that he is in charge. His latest thing is to sit in the sink and look at the

From the time our children are born the one thing we want is for them to be happy - to have a good life. I'm sure it is what my parents wanted as it is the same thing I have always wanted for mine. If they are happy then we are too. When they are babies and small children ensuring this happiness is much easier. Their needs are few and even the smallest things can bring them the joy that only children seem to embrace so easily. They are happy knowing that we love them and will take care of them. If only these years would last forever. As they grow into teenagers they need us less, and need the approval of their peers more. Trying to fit in can bring much anxiety and the happiness once so easily found can become a struggle. As much as we would love to "fix" things for them we know that is not possible, and also that they do not want us to. We are no longer the ones that can guarantee their happiness, as it is now up to them to determine their path to this destination. W

Fears, phobias, anxieties, terrors, trepidations, apprehensions or whatever else you may want to call them - we all have them. Sometimes we know the basis of their origin and other times we have no idea. It really doesn't matter as they are very real to us. I have three. Recently as I talked to a good friend I was looking out over the frozen lake. There were people driving ATV's and snowmobiles across the lake and she and I both commented on how we would not dare do such a thing. Just watching them makes me a nervous wreck. The thought of falling through and being stuck underwater raises a fear in me and I have to turn away from this vision. I'm not sure where my fear of the water began, but I do know where it became a permanent fear of mine. I was around 11 and we were camping on a lake during the summer. My sister swam out to a raft, and instead of resting for a minute she began to swim back immediately. She got tired and thought she had come in close enough so she co

Even after the holidays a good meal should be followed by a great dessert. My sister has been making this one for many years. Light, delicious and hard to resist even after a big meal. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Chocolate Éclair Pie   Crust: 1 stick of Butter 1 cup Water 1 cup Flour 4 Eggs (room temperature)   Filling: 2 packages Instant Vanilla Pudding 2-1/2 cups Milk 1 (8 oz.) package Cream Cheese   Topping: 1 (1 oz.) square Unsweetened Chocolate 2 Tablespoons Water 1 teaspoon Butter 1 cup Confectioners Sugar 1 large container Cool Whip 1 jar Cherries (or sliced strawberries)   Crust: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt 1 stick butter in 1 cup water. Mix in 1 cup flour; let set 10 minutes. Beat in 4 eggs, one at a time. Spread onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool.   Filling: Mix 2 packages pudding and 2 cups milk. In another bowl mix cream cheese and 1/2 cup milk. Blend two bowls together. Spread o