On My Mind Today

Recently as I was looking for something different to make for dessert, and I found this recipe from long ago. A friend gave this to me back when my children were young and I had not made it for many years. Now that we are into spring it seemed to be the perfect time to make this fun and creative dessert. Who wouldn't love a creamy and chocolaty combination that also looks like a pot of flowers. Dirt Cake   2 - 1 pound packages of Oreos (crushed) 1/2 stick of margarine or butter 1 - 8 ounce package of cream cheese 12 ounces Cool Whip 2 packages instant vanilla pudding 1/2 cup confectionary sugar 3-1/2 cups milk   1. Cream together margarine and cream cheese. Add sugar and set aside.   2. Make pudding with 3-1/2 cups of milk and as it thickens add cool whip. Add this mixture to the cheese/margarine mixture.   3. Line the bottom of flower pot - start with cookies and alternate with pudding mixture, and end with cookies. Chill for at least one to two ho

Memorial Day weekend strikes up images of the beginning of the summer season for many. The first big cookout and outdoor fun with friends. We have waited for this through the long hard winter. However, we all know the true meaning of Memorial Day. It was originally known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War. It began as our country's way to commemorate soldiers who died in the Civil War. As years went by Memorial Day became our day to honor all who died while serving in the military. The traditional date is May 30th, but in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which moved four holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday. Memorial day is now observed on the last Monday in May, although many feel it should be returned to its traditional date. On this day we pay our respect to those who have given their lives so we don't have to sacrifice all that we love and hold dear. Some of them returned home to be laid to rest by famil

It has become abundantly clear to me that over the last decade or more society has been headed into a downward spiral towards negativity. A place that makes our heart and soul feel heavy with the burden of that dark place which seems to have no hope of better things to come. For our sake, and for our children's, we cannot let this spiral continue. We need to diligently fight to bring our country (and society as a whole) back to a healthy place of positive images and hope for a brighter future. The media can, and should, play a big role in leading us in the right direction. Currently they dwell on the negative stories and play the events over and over until we are almost numb to what is on the screen. Giving air time to the wrong people, allowing them to say negative things or show what terrible thing they have done. We need to turn this off to protect our children  - so they do not end up believing it is acceptable behavior. Each network news program does show positive things t

I love the Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscana! From the first time that I tried this soup, with each bite I would work on breaking down the ingredients. Knowing that eventually I would master my own version. I finally found a potato and leek soup recipe that I used as a base and then adjusted and tweaked until I came up with the right combination of ingredients and flavor. Mongiare e godere! Zuppa Tuscana   Put in a soup pot: 1 large Leek, sliced very fine  3 tablespoons butter Cook about 10 minutes stirring constantly.   Add: 1 cup water Cover and cook 10 minutes.   Add: 2-1/2 cups diced potatoes Water to cover Cover and cook 5 minutes longer.   Add: 3 cups milk 8-10 ounces chopped kale or 1 pound baby spinach 1 pound ground Italian sausage, browned  (you can use sweet, hot or a combination of both) salt and pepper to taste I also add red pepper flakes for a bit more spice. Cook until potatoes are tender.   Top with shredded Parmesan o

I am fortunate to have a lifestyle that allows me to spend time alone with my two beautiful granddaughters. The joy of hearing their stories (real or imaginary) and watching them embrace life is such a gift. As their grandmother I want them to know they will always have special time with me, and that they can count on me no matter what arises in their lives. Everyone should grow up having a special person they can turn to at any time. My grandson, who is now almost 11, has been spending time with me since he was 2. He never has been afraid to come by himself. The girls would be spending their first time with us alone and I was not sure how things would go. I prayed for the best since it is a 2-1/2 hour ride to take them home. In April my 5 year old granddaughter, Emily, spent a couple of days with us.  She was funny shooing her mother and brother out of the house so her time with Grammie could begin. Emily has a smile that lights up a room and she loves to talk. She's also a gr

Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated in many parts of the world, most commonly in the spring. First a little history from Wikipedia: The modern American holiday of Mother's Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia. Her campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her beloved mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Anna’s mission was to honor her own mother by continuing work she had started and to set aside a day to honor mothers, "the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world." Anna's mother, Ann Jarvis, was a peace activist who had cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the Civil War and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. Due to the campaign efforts of Anna Jarvis, several states off

From the kitchen of Better Homes and Gardens, this will be a great addition to your Sunday brunch. The recipe calls for 9 oz. of frozen cut asparagus (thawed and drained), but I prefer fresh so have adjusted the recipe accordingly. This can be prepared the day before and kept in the refrigerator until ready to bake.You will be certain to get rave reviews from your guests when you treat them to this delicious strata. Bacon-Asparagus Strata   8 strips bacon, crisp cooked, drained and chopped** 3/4 - 1 pound fresh asparagus, cut and blanched 3/4 cup roasted red peppers, drained and chopped 12 slices dry white bread (I prefer sourdough), cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 8 cups) 3 cups shredded Swiss cheese (12 ounces) 8 eggs 3 cups milk 1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard or 3 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper     1. To blanch asparagus put cut pieces into small microwave safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons water and microwave on hi

As a young woman I began to use makeup like all the other girls I knew. We felt so grown up and just knew it made us beautiful like the models we had seen. We believed what the magazines told us, and strived for that perfect look that we saw stare back at us from the pages. Unfortunately we were unaware that the magazines touched up any imperfections that these young women might have so attaining that look was impossible. We still tried to get there and our self esteem dropped when we could not. Through my teen years, and into adulthood, I could not imagine leaving home without putting on my makeup. I just knew that I must look terrible without it and feared having anyone see me that way. Like others I tried so many of the latest and greatest products that were sure to help you attain that "perfect" look. So hard to believe that even as an adult we can be convinced we are not beautiful without altering what we were given. I'm not quite sure when It happened, but somet