On My Mind Today

With all the recent wild weather across the country far too many people have been adversely effected in some way. From the loss of homes, to being stuck on highways in a snow storm, or living without power and heat for several days. In the midst of all of this one thing has become abundantly clear - we have allowed our utilities and infrastructure to become severely outdated. There was a time when America was a great nation, with the latest and greatest in terms of roads, bridges and utilities. Its citizens proud to live in a country not only with freedom, but also a front runner in the world when it came to industry and commerce. All of this possible because we had the infrastructure to support it. I am unaware when it started to happen, but slowly over time we have become complacent. When did we decide that we should be content to let things deteriorate? How could we believe that all of these things would continue to work for us if we did not maintain or improve them over the yea

We all have many events that we'll be attending with the upcoming holidays. There are the traditional appetizers that we will see when we attend, but I always like to find something new and different to surprise people with. I came across this recipe a while back and it has been a big hit wherever I go. Hope that you and your guests, or host, will find it a welcome change from the usual. Tortellini Wreath with Pesto Dip   2 - 9 ounce refrigerated  tortellini (such as cheese & garlic, Portobello mushroom, chicken and herb, spinach and cheese) 1 - 8 ounce tub Cream Cheese Spread 1 - 7 ounce jar basil pesto 1 teaspoon lemon juice green and red pepper strips - for garnish Kalamata olives - for garnish   1. Add tortellini to 1 gallon boiling water in large saucepan; cook approximately 4 minutes (al dente). You will want them firm for dipping. Drain, rinse with cold water, then drain again.   2. Mix cream cheese spread, pesto and lemon juice until well blende

It was bad enough that we had to endure months of non-stop political ads. Not sure how things were in your state, but NH literally had nothing but political ads, one after the other, each one worse than the last. Once the polls closed the ads finally ceased, and I was hoping for a brief respite before the holiday ads began. I could not have been more wrong. BAM!! Before we even had time to breathe the first Christmas ad was aired. Commercials may be necessary in order for networks to air programs, but sometimes they seem to take up more time than the show. It appears that retailers can't find enough ridiculous ads to bombard us with in an attempt to have us spend money we don't have. Trying to convince everyone that their family and friends need the latest toy, gadget, fashions or technological breakthrough. And who, may I ask, are the people out buying someone a new car for Christmas? Must have far more money than I do. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, but not b

We all have to purchase food, and most of us dread the chore. With today's busy lifestyles you either have to go at the end of a long day of work, or on a day "off". Which is pretty much a joke as I don't think many people truly have a lot of time off with nothing else to do. It isn't just the time involved in making the purchases, but many other things associated with it. If you are anything like me then you prepare for grocery shopping. Make a menu for the week, make a list and then go shopping. Then we put the bags in the car, go home and take them into the house (mysteriously nobody is ever there to help), and then put the food away . This usually involves washing fruits and vegetables so the things "good" for us will be eaten and not left to rot in the fridge. Of course when you get home there is a good chance that you will find frozen with dry goods or soap in with bread, etc. And when I tell the young person bagging that I don't want the b

Although traditional meat lasagna is great, I am always looking for something new and different. Being a lover of pesto there was no doubt that I would try this version, and it did not disappoint. A great meal for your next dinner guests. Serve with a fresh salad and garlic bread. Enjoy!! Pesto Lasagna   16 uncooked lasagna noodles 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 - 1 pound package baby spinach 1 - 7 ounce container of basil pesto 2 - 15 ounce containers ricotta cheese 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese 1 - 9 ounce jar Alfredo sauce 1/4 cup shredded Romano cheese   1. Cook lasagna noodles (al dente) and drain.   2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 pan.   3. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add onion; cook 3 minutes. Add spinach, cook until wilted. Remove from heat; stir in pesto.   4. In a large bowl combine ricotta cheese, e

Reorganize, restructure, streamline - corporations and organizations use many names for it. They claim it is to ensure things run smoothly without waste, and people are held accountable for their contribution to the business or organization. Nobody is to lose their position and everything will be "better" once they are done. Bottom line is this - people do lose jobs and the ones that are still employed end up doing the work of at least two people.  Money is saved by the corporation, which results in bigger profits for them and their share holders. What I want to know is this - how big of a profit is enough? At what point do they realize that what they are doing will only destroy them in the end? Not all corporations are operating in this manner. There are several large corporations that do what will benefit not only them, but those who work for them. They treat their employees well, and in doing so are able to keep knowledgeable, experienced people. They realize that it tak

Of all the seasons in New England fall is my favorite. The warm days and cool nights of early fall breathe life into my soul and energize me. The beauty of mid fall when the leaves put on a breathtaking display of red, orange and gold is a vision unlike any other. Then we come to late fall when the days and nights get cooler, the leaves fall from the trees and November arrives with its gray days. If it were not for Thanksgiving at the end of the month, and Christmas in December, it might be extremely difficult to get through the darkness. November can bring gloomy moods if we allow it to, so I try to find some fun and enjoyment even on these days. When my oldest daughter was around two, we happened to be looking out on a cool, gray November day. The wind was blowing hard and the leaves were falling from the trees. As I stood staring out the window a wonderful vision came into my mind. I looked at my little girl and said, "Look honey, the leaves are dancing!" She thought i

Over the years friends have shared some of their favorite recipes with me. This one was given to me more than twenty years ago and became a favorite in our house. Recently I was looking for something different to make and rediscovered it. Nothing better than the aroma of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. Still as great as I remember, and I'm sure it will be a hit with your family and friends. Apple Bread   1 cup sugar 1/2 cup shortening 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 cups pared apples, chopped 1/2 cup nuts Topping: 1 Tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon   1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour loaf pan 9x3x5. 2. Mix 1 cup sugar, shortening, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until smooth. Stir in apples and nuts and then spread in pan.   4. Mix 1 Tablespoon sugar and the cinnamon and sprinkle over batter. Bake

Halloween used to be such a fun holiday for us as children. We would dress up in homemade costumes, using our wild imaginations to create them, and go out for 2-3 hours trick or treating to every house we could walk to. Arriving back home with a sack filled with candy and homemade popcorn balls or candied apples, where we would take inventory of the bounty we had gathered. When my children were growing up we lived in a neighborhood full of houses for them to go to on Halloween night. One of us would take them out, while the other stayed home to greet all the trick or treating children that came to the door. Always delighting in the array of costumes, and seeing the smallest ones hold up their bucket for a treat. It was great fun no matter which task we were in charge of. We always had 60 to 100 children come to our house, as those who lived out in the country would drive down to allow their children to take part in the spooky and fun holiday. Halloween has changed so much over the