On My Mind Today

Turning 60 - this milestone is just around the corner for me. I have never been one to worry much about age as the years have passed and time has been spent with family and friends making memories, laughing and sharing. I am very aware that I have been aging, since my children are now grown and I have grandchildren. It's just that the years tiptoed quietly by unnoticed. I tell myself it is just a number, but this one seems different. As it approaches my emotions run from one extreme to the other. Most of the time I am fine with this - other times I find my anxiety level rises at the thought of this birthday. There has been much reflection on why there would be any anxiety over the approaching annual change of age. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons is the fact that as each year passes we become more cognizant of how fragile life can be. Our health, which we tend to take for granted when we are younger, can change in an instant. We have al...

Summer is moving along and the garden is beginning to give us all the fresh veggies we have been waiting for. Although zucchini can be used in many ways, one of my favorites is in bread - with chocolate chips of course. This recipe is my favorite and makes 2 loaves so there is plenty to share. Can be served cold or warmed up slightly to soften the chocolate chips. Enjoy! Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chips 2/3 cup shortening 2-2/3 cups sugar 4 eggs 3 cups shredded zucchini 2/3 cup water 2 teaspoons vanilla 3-1/3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1 cup chocolate chips 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom only of 2 loaf pans (9x5x3 inches) 2. Mix shortening and sugar in large bowl. Add eggs, shredded zucchini, water and vanilla. 3. Blend in flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and cloves. Stir in chocolate chips. 4. Pour i...

As we age, our memory of what was can sometimes appear to be remembered as though we are wearing rose colored glasses. Although others may think that we have blocked from our memories things that were not so great, I do believe that we are honest enough with ourselves to know not everything was rosy. Each generation endures their share of hardships along the way. I know that our parents and grandparents did not always have an easy life, but I'm sure if you asked, many of these people would have stories to tell of all the good things of that time. I know as I look back to my childhood it is the good that I remember first. Although we have come a long way in the last 50 years, and technology has made life easier, I can't say that it is always necessarily better. With knowledge and new discoveries we sometimes lose sight of the things that may not need "improvement". Call me nostalgic, but a simpler life is more appealing as each year goes by. What matt...

When we get to the hot and humid days of summer it is hard to think about cooking. This is a great alternative to a hot dish, and you make it ahead of time so all you have to do is pull it from the refrigerator and serve. For those who don't want meat, you can add your own choice of fresh veggies such as green and red peppers, spinach, onions, cucumbers, etc. for the meat layers. Ham and Turkey Muffaletta  1/2 cup drained sliced pimento stuffed green olives 1 jar (6 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (reserve 1 Tbsp. marinade) 2 Plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 round loaf (1 lb.) crusty Sourdough bread 8 oz. deli sliced cooked turkey 4 oz. deli sliced Black Forest ham 4 oz. deli sliced provolone cheese 1 cup fresh basil leaves 1 cup black olive tapenade In a bowl mix together sliced green olives, chopped artichoke hearts, chopped tomatoes and reserved 1 Tbsp. marinade. Cut off top 1/4" bread; reserve. Pull soft bread from inside loaf,...

We are very lucky to have three grandchildren that we get to spend time alone with. It's nice when they come with their parents, but better for us if the parents are not here. Any grandparent will understand what I mean by this. We have had Anthony for the past four days - he is almost 11 and a very busy young man. I do see changes over the past year and know that he is no longer the little boy we welcomed into the world over a decade ago. And even though he is moving quickly to the teen years, I am fortunate that he will still come and give me a big hug from time to time. On Friday Anthony went out fishing on the boat with Nanu and caught a fish. He enjoyed telling me the story of how the jaw ripped off the fish when he tried to take the hook out. Even though he felt bad about this it is a story he will be able to share for days to come. That evening we took him to the race track in Loudon to visit friends who were there for the big Nascar race weekend. We enjoyed dinner and t...

Summer is here and so are all the juicy and delicious fresh fruits. Our entertaining increases during this time of year and I am always trying to think of something new and different to offer our guests. Hope you enjoy this light addition to your weekend brunch.   Fresh Fruit and Greek Yogurt Trifle   Approximately 1/2 of a 10 oz. Angel Food Cake, cut in cubes 2-1/2 cups Fresh Strawberries, sliced 1-1/2 cups Fresh Blueberries 1 - 32 oz. Container of Vanilla Greek Non-fat Yogurt   (Reserve 1/2 cup strawberries and 1/2 cup blueberries for top)   Layer 1/2 each of the cake and remaining strawberries and blueberries in a 3 quart glass container. Cover with 1/2 of the vanilla yogurt.   Repeat layers of cake and fruit. Top with remaining vanilla yogurt.   Place reserved strawberries and blueberries on top. refrigerate for at least one hour.   Serve with toppings such as granola, shredded coconut, nuts, or dried fr...

After months and months of waiting for summer it is finally here. Time for all those warm weather gatherings with family and friends that will create memories to carry us through the next long cold winter. The 4th of July weekend is winding down and it has been a beautiful one! Not quite half way through the summer, but it does seem to be flying by. So many more events to take place it seems there will never be enough time to fit them all in. So many people we want to connect with and know that not all of it will happen, but it won't be for lack of trying. I would not give up any of the time I am able to spend with family or friends. The connections warm my heart, give me hours of comfort and laughter, and leave indelible imprints in my memory that I can recall in times I feel disconnected. And even though these times are priceless, there is something to be said for a bit of solitude. With so much fun in the sun, and running from one event one weekend, to anoth...

So......traveling on the roads anytime these days is stressful, but even more so when a holiday is approaching. Everyone in such a hurry to get to a destination to "relax". Seems ironic since they may not arrive unless they slow down. As I was out doing my usual weekly errands yesterday I was unsure if I was going to return home in one piece. You certainly need to have eyes not only in front of you, but in back and to the sides to ensure you can find an escape route in case someone is approaching too fast or swerving out of their lane. In view of this I have come up with a few rules of the road for bad drivers: 1. If you are not able to talk and drive at the same time...PULL OFF THE ROAD TO TALK ON YOUR PHONE. 2. If you do not have a hands free device...PULL OFF THE ROAD TO TALK ON YOUR PHONE. 3. I don't care how talented you think you are - nobody can drive, and type or read at the same time. If you want to send a text or read a text...PULL OF THE ROAD. 4. If...