On My Mind Today

Perhaps it is seeing my children grown up, or watching the years pass quickly with my grandchildren, or maybe even turning 60, but I have been thinking a lot about my younger days lately. When I was a teenager and in my early 20's, and I believed that I would be young forever. We all do have that false sense of never getting older during those years.  I'm not sure how men look at the passing of time, but I know what this one woman sees and feels. Remembering those times as a teenager, still feeling the excitement and joy of times with good friends. All the things we did and places we went that were new. Most of the time things turned out well, sometimes not so much, but is was certainly exhilarating and I would not change a thing. The excitement of youth as they say. Over the years I have made some very good friends - some I have known almost my entire life. I find that since we tend to live far apart, and have full, busy lives with ...

There are so many avenues available to find something new and different to serve your family and friends. This comes form the Samuel Adams website and is very unique and different. Not only do they use their Boston Lager, but also add Coca-Cola to the recipe. Samuel Adams Boston lager Steak Tacos   12 ounces Samuel Adams Boston Lager 2 pounds skirt steak, trimmed 12 ounces Coca-Cola (not diet) 3 cloves garlic 1 onion 2 Tablespoons soy sauce salt and pepper 2 limes, quartered 1 red onion, sliced 1 bunch cilantro, chopped 24 corn tortillas 1 pound Monterey jack cheese, shredded prepared guacamole   1. Combine the following ingredients in blender and puree until smooth: Sam Adams Boston Lager, Coca-Cola, garlic, onion and soy sauce. Then pour mixture over skirt steak and let marinade at lease 4 hours.   2. Dry steak and season with salt and pepper. Discard excess marinade. Grill to medium-rare. Set aside and slice along grain. Heat tort...

According to the calendar we have entered into spring, however if you look outside it still is very much winter. Lots of snow on the ground, and the north wind blowing which cuts to the bone when you step outside. If there were no sunshine I fear that many would lose hope of ever seeing spring. Here in New England it seems to be the winter that will not end, and I'm sure much of the country feels the same. The few warmer days we have been blessed with can't erase the bitter cold days that keep hanging on and threatening not to leave. My boots are left by the door as I don't dare store them away yet - if I do then that one more storm will come through. We all know the spring snow storms will come. The only thing that keeps us from losing our minds is the fact that this spring snow does not last a long time. When I was growing up the wet, sloppy spring snow was called poor man's manure, and there is a reason or this. The snow brings nutrients do...

Such a small word, but one that has a definition that leaves no doubt to the user’s intent. It is used so freely, and most times without thought to its impact. If one thought before using it, I wonder if they still would.   We are not born with hate in our hearts, but with the capacity for love and joy. Yet there are those who teach their children to hate from the time they are born. To hate someone for their religious or political beliefs, or because they look different than they do. Each generation being taught this hatred even if they don't understand why or how it even started so long ago. And there are always those who want to exploit that hatred and push it to the point where people lash out at one another. The instigators and rabble rousers who create explosive environments.   I accept that not everyone will have the same beliefs I have and not everyone will look like me. It would be a very bland and boring world if that were the case. However, I also beli...

If you love bagels with lox and cream cheese then this dish is for you. From the recipe vault of Better Homes and Gardens, you are sure to wow your brunch guests with this quick and easy strata. You can even prepare this dish a day in advance and just pop it in the oven the next morning. Bagel, Lox and Egg Strata   1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 8 cups plain bagels cut into bite-size pieces (4 to 6 bagels) 1 - 3 ounce package thinly sliced salmon (lox-style), cut into small pieces 8 ounces Swiss cheese or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (2 cups)  1/4 cup snipped fresh chives 8 eggs, beaten 2 cups milk 1 cup cottage cheese 1/4 teaspoon pepper   1. Place melted butter in a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish or 3- quart rectangular casserole, spreading to cover the bottom. Spread bagel pieces evenly in prepared dish. Sprinkle lox, cheese, and chives evenly over bagel pieces. In a large bowl combine eggs, milk, cotta...

I'm not exactly sure when the transition occurred, where people stopped being an active participant and observer in their own life, and started to immerse themselves in the lives of people they don't know. Perhaps it took place gradually as technology allowed them to become voyeurs watching through the airwaves of television. Then it truly exploded with the internet and social media where people had the ability to advertise their daily lives looking for fifteen minutes of fame. Posting their every move through words and pictures. I'm sure there are many who could not imagine surviving without these social avenues being available to them. However, as a child of the fifties and sixties I can assure them it is possible. We did have television (which we were allowed to view only for a short time) but the channels were limited and the programming did not include "reality" shows that gave every detail of someone's daily life. Our technological devices were a tel...

Easy and delicious, this great recipe offered by Taste of Home will become a favorite. A dessert that your children can help prepare for some quality family time. Fun to make and just as much fun to eat. Have a great time with your children! Crisscross Apple Crowns 1-1/3 cups chopped, peeled tart apples 1/3 cup chopped walnuts 1/3 cup raisins 1/2 cup sugar, divided 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided Dash salt 1 package (17.3 ounce) large refrigerated flaky biscuits 2 teaspoons butter, melted   1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the apples, walnuts, raisins, 3 Tablespoons sugar, flour, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon and salt. Microwave 2-3 minutes or until almost tender.   2. Flatten each biscuit into a 5 inch circle. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle a rounded teaspoonful of sugar mixture over each. Top each with 1/4 cup apple mixture. Bring up edges to enclose mixture; pinch edges t...

It's very easy to get used to having things given to us without having to work for them. After a while it seems to be just a part of life that people don't think about - something that is "normal" in their daily existence. The unfortunate thing is, we forget that for each thing we accept that is "free", what we give up is another part of our freedom. Nothing in life is free  - there is always a price to pay. Whether you accept things from family, friends or your government, you will pay a price for doing so. Most of the time people don't even realize that they are giving the power to make decisions about their life to someone else as it happens so gradually. If you take help from family or friends during a difficult time, they will feel they have the right to tell you what they think about your decisions. And in some ways they are right. We all have seen it happen and also know the resentment that can develop. When you...