On My Mind Today

Cheesecake, coconut, chocolate and almonds - what a great combination! Just in time for the upcoming holidays, these cheesecake bars from Philadelphia Cream Cheese are sure to be a big hit at your holiday parties with family and friends. The preparation is easy, but they do need to be refrigerated for at least 4 hours. A good recipe to make the day before an event and just keep refrigerated until serving. Coconut Joy Cheesecake Bars 25 chocolate wafer cookies, finely crushed. 2 Tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 4 packages (8 ounces each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup coconut milk 4 eggs 2 ounces Baker's Semi-Sweet chocolate broken into small pieces 1 cup Cool Whip Whipped Topping (do not thaw) 1 cup Baker's Angel Flake Coconut 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted Heat oven to 350 degrees F. 1. Line a 13 x 9 inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Combine cookie c

Every time we are with our grandchildren I am reminded of how fortunate I am. Being a grandparent is even better than being a parent because you don't have the 24/7 worry. Plus, we have lived long enough to know what's important, and what to let go of, allowing us to enjoy these times even more. This past weekend we were going to take our grandchildren to a big corn maze - a great fall activity that they all could enjoy. Unfortunately the weather decided to squash that idea. So after lunch we decided to take them bowling which ended up being a lot of fun. The youngest had never been bowling, but she did very well for a first time bowler and she had a great time. As each one waited for their turn, they had difficulty sitting in one spot and were dancing and spinning around. Carefree with no worries - just enjoying the moment. The next day we went to watch my grandson play his last football game of the season. He is in Junior High and this is his first year of full contact fo

I love spending time with family and friends, and wouldn't give it up for a million dollars. Getting together with wonderful people, having fun and connecting face-to-face is very important. It enables you to feel a part of something bigger and makes for a well-rounded life. However, I can always tell when too much time has been spent on the run. The smallest thing can seem like a major task - one more thing that I just can't bear to take on. It could be something as simple as having to set up the coffee maker for the next day. I feel my body tense up and I just want to run away. I know that may sound extreme to some, but I'm sure that there are others who can relate to this. We all need to turn off once in a while. Even a few minutes will help temporarily. But the truth is, we need to allow some down time where we turn off the phones, TV's and other distractions, and even go off by ourselves if we can. There is something to be said for complete silence where you ca

A few years back we were in Maine and had lunch at a small town restaurant. I tried the squash and apple soup they offered, and it was amazing. As I always do when I find something new that I love, I went home and did some research and came up with my own recipe. With all the fresh squash available this time of year, it is a great time to make this delicious soup. Bon appetit! Squash & Apple Soup 6 cups (about 2 large) Butternut squash, seeded and cut into 2 inch chunks Melted butter for brushing 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 cups vegetable stock 4 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon ginger 4 ounces light cream 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 2 apples, peeled, cored and cut into small chunks Preheat over to 400 degrees. 1. Brush the flesh of the squash with a little butter and season with salt and pepper. Put on a sheet pan flesh side up. Roast for about 35 minutes or until the flesh is nice and soft. 2. Scoop the flesh from the skin and eithe

Looking out over the lake today with clouds in the sky and a light breeze sending ripples across the water, there is a hint of what's to come in the next several weeks. The trees still have colorful leaves, and although we are in for warm temperatures this week, many of the birds have started their journey to warmer climates and only a few brave ones remain. We have a pair of Loons and a duck gracing us with their presence. They take turns sitting on buoys near the docks. A Loon will sit for a while, and when the duck approaches it will raise its wings to move the duck back. Eventually the duck will jump up on the buoy and the Loon will give in and float on the water for a bit, allowing the duck to get out of the cold water. Living in harmony yet both knowing who is in charge of the buoy. The sky looks different, there is a change in the way the air feels, and your senses know what's to come. The aroma of fall with leaves starting to dry on the ground and the breeze bringin

Whether we want to admit it or not, there is a conflict (usually unspoken) between working moms and stay-at-home moms. An underlying resentment for what each perceives the other's life is like. As with many things in life it is human nature to believe the grass is always greener on the other side. Working mothers not only have to get the kids up and ready to go out the door, but need to make sure they are ready and make it to work on time. God forbid one of the children is sick, because you then need to have someone that will take them for the day or you miss work. Not something that goes over well with employers or co-workers. After work you pick up the kids and rush home to cook dinner, make sure homework is done, and that they are bathed and in bed at a reasonable time so they have enough rest. Once they are sleeping you put the house in order and prepare lunches for the next day. In the midst of all of this chaos there is the unbearable guilt you feel for not being home with

So many wonderful things about fall in New England - beautiful foliage, fresh picked apples and of course apple cider. It's also a great time to make homemade doughnuts, and this recipe has the bonus of apple cider adding great fall flavor. Prepare them just before your brunch to serve fresh and warm, or they can also be made ahead of time. Your guests will fall in love with these flavorful doughnuts! Apple Cider Doughnuts 2 cups sugar 1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1-1/2 cups apple cider 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 large eggs, plus 1 large egg yolk 6 cups vegetable oil, for frying 1. Line baking sheet with parchment. Line large plate with paper towels. In a paper bag, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon; shake to mix well. Set aside. 2. Bring cider to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cider has reduced to 1/2 cup, about 20 mi

The dreamers of the world always believe that they have lived another life. Their imagination has the freedom and wings to take them to another time and place. There is that feeling of déjà vu and they wonder if perhaps that is because they have been there in another life. You have to wonder if they might be right. When you hear music from many years ago and it feels warm and familiar like arms wrapped around you. Did you once dance with a lover to these melodies? When you are deep within yourself, and your thoughts take you to a memory that surely did not happen in the life you are currently living. Memories that may take your across oceans to another country, another time and another life.  An aroma that triggers both visions and emotions. Perhaps creating a strong image and a physical response, and you try to tell yourself it's just your imagination. Or is it? There are many who believe in past lives, and are certain they have experienced it. And there are the others who

I wrote this blog almost two years ago and truly hoped that society would soon head in a more positive direction. Unfortunately things seem to be even more negative, and I'm not sure what will make people wake up and realize that we all have to be part of the solution. Anyway - I felt this was worth repeating: With the very hectic lifestyles people tend to lead today, it would be easy to disengage from the world around us. And there are many who do because the alternative can be a daunting task. Negativity and apathy are rampant, and difficult things to break through, but as a society we need to persevere. If not then we will continue down the slippery slope we are on. Pointing fingers, blaming others and not being a part of the solution is non-productive. The media continuously reporting about those who prefer to cause chaos than be a part of the solution does not help. It only encourages others to jump on the negativity bandwagon. Very easy to complain and protest - much ha