On My Mind Today

Cell phones – I am not sure if they were the greatest invention or the worst. Guess it depends on the day.   I love my cell phone as much as anyone, but they have taken over people’s lives to the point of distraction. We see it every day as they have their face glued to the screen ignoring the world around them. We have a whole generation of young adults and children who are losing social skills, or not learning any at all. I believe it’s time to set some boundaries regarding cell phone use. Parents need to start teaching their children now, or eventually nobody will know how to communicate face to face. Or even worse, they will lose their ability to feel a connection to a real human. I know that sounds extreme, but looking at what is happening today, not an impossibility. So – I have come up with my own Cell Phone Etiquette list. I’m sure that after reviewing many of you will have some you would like to add. Anyway – here we go: Cell Phone Etiquette 1.        Your cell

From the pages of Cooking Light, this casserole will be a great addition to your brunch menu. Andouille sausage, two types of cheese, and a splash of hot sauce add flavor and a bit of a kick to this casserole. It's sure to be a big hit with your guests. Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole 2 teaspoons olive oil     10 ounce diced chicken Andouille sausage 2 cups sliced green onions 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 4 garlic cloves, minced 4 1/2 cups fat-free milk 1 1/2 cups uncooked quick-cooking polenta 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup) 1.75 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated (about 1/3 cup) 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce 4 large eggs, lightly beaten Cooking spray 1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add sausage; sauté 3 minutes or until browned. Ad

"Twas The Night Before Christmas," was written in the early 19th century, and is one of the oldest and most popular Christmas poems. There is a dispute over the author, and the poem has been attributed to both Clement Clarke Moore and Henry Livingston, Jr. over the years. It was first published on December 23, 1823 in the Troy Sentinel newspaper in upstate New York. It is also referred to as "A Visit From St. Nicholas" or "The Night Before Christmas." Today I want to share with you the original lyrics to the poem. Hope you will enjoy sharing this with your children and grandchildren. 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,  In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,  And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap

We all need our family, even if we don't want to admit it. They give us a sense of security and belonging, something that all humans need. Unfortunately it seems more and more people are spending far too little time with family. Many years ago it was common for people to grow up in a town, and remain there after they grew up, got married and had their children. Families got together for Sunday dinners and holidays, or just to stop in and say hello. It was easy as they lived close to one another. Over the years society became more mobile and people's dreams of living in other parts of the country became reality. Families that once maintained a close bond from being near one another were now scattered in the wind. Connected most of the time only by a phone call (or now by social media). The closeness that once included a hug or a kiss no longer exists. Unfortunately this close bond that we have allowed to disappear, has robbed our children of that sense of security and belo

With Christmas only a week away, it's time to plan the menus for holiday gatherings. I am not a big mushroom lover, but a good friend gave me a container of nice large mushrooms last year. Not wanting to waste them I went looking for a stuffed mushroom recipe. I discovered this one from Taste of Home and gave it a try. They were absolutely delicious! I hope they are as big a hit with your family and friends as they were in my home. Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms 12 to 15 large fresh mushrooms 2 tablespoons butter, divided 2 tablespoons chopped onions 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon dried basil salt and pepper to taste 4 ounces bulk Italian sausage 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1. Remove stems from mushrooms. Chop stems finely; set mushroom caps aside. Place stems in paper towels and squeeze to remove any liquid. 2. In a large skillet, heat 1-1/2 teaspoons butter. Cook stems an

Giving to others less fortunate is a noble gesture. Thousands of people do this every day, and the majority do so without anyone ever knowing. That is how it should be. If you are doing something for someone only for the accolades, or for what you may get in return, then you are missing out on the true meaning of giving. Our society has changed drastically in the last 20-30 years. The media showcases the famous (or infamous) who all want to be in the spotlight, and social media allows anyone to proclaim what wonderful things they have done. It seems that there are many who don't want to give unless they can tell anyone listening that they have done so. If you give anonymously to others who are less fortunate, you will be amazed how much you receive. There is no better feeling than knowing that what you have done may change someone's day or even their life. Feeling like a guardian angel is a wonderful thing, and it fills your heart with joy. And this is the greatest reward.

This rich, creamy and delicious pie would be an excellent addition to your holiday gatherings. Easy to make and sure to become a favorite of family and friends. You will find it difficult to eat only one piece. Chocolate-Orange Mascarpone Pie Cookie Crust: 24 chocolate wafer cookies (I used Nabisco Famous) 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1/3 cup orange marmalade Filling: 10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, broken up 3 tubs (8 ounces each) Mascarpone, at room temperature 1/3 cup  over cooled crust.confectioner's sugar 3 Tablespoons orange liquor or orange juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 large seedless orange (optional) Crust: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. You'll need a 9 inch pie plate. 2. Pulse cookies in processor until fine crumbs; add butter and process until blended. Press mixture evenly into bottom and sides of pie plate. Bake 12 minutes; cool on wire rack. Spread marmalade over cooled crust. Filling: 3. Microwave chocolate in glass bowl,

I love Christmas not only for what it represents, but also for the time spent with family and good friends. There is no better feeling than sharing time and great food with those we love. I also enjoy preparing for Christmas. It is so much fun to decorate the tree and once again see those familiar ornaments that have been collected over the years. Each one with its own memory attached. Dressing up the table with something new and putting candles in the windows. There is something so warm and inviting about our home when it is adorned for Christmas. Then there is the baking, and I love to bake. A day in the kitchen making special treats that everyone enjoys so much is good for my soul. There is nothing better than baking all day while I watch a few feel good Christmas movies. A great way to get into the spirit of the holiday. There are many things about Christmas that can stress you out, but only if you allow them to. I choose to remember the true meaning of Christmas, and will do

Looking for warm winter foods, I cam upon this recipe in my crock pot cookbook. It is an excellent addition to your cold weather foods. A nice change from traditional beef stew it will soon become a family favorite. Pork Stew 2 pounds boneless pork roast, cubed 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 cups water 1 small bay leaf, whole 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut in 1/2 inch slices 2 small onions, thinly sliced 3 to 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered 1 10-ounch package frozen petite peas (or mixed vegetables) 1/4 cup quick tapioca to thicken stew (optional) Season cubed pork with salt and pepper. Place in Crock-Pot altering layers of meat, carrots, onions and potatoes. Add remaining ingredients except peas (omit tapioca if you don't want gravy thickened). Cover and cook on high for 1 hour, then turn to low for 10-12 hours. Add peas during the last 1 to 2 hours of cooking.