On My Mind Today

My mother was recently looking for a recipe for Lemon Pudding Cake for an event at her church. The woman who had been making it for years was not around and nobody had her recipe. I did an online search and found this recipe from Betty Crocker. Being the owner of a Betty Crocker cookbook for years, I figured that this recipe would be great. Anything I have ever made from my cookbook has been a winner. I have not had the opportunity to make this cake yet, but my mother did and it was a big hit. It's very easy to make, and you could do your own variations such as chocolate, butterscotch or even lime. Lemon Pudding Cake 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist lemon cake mix 1 cup water 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel 3 eggs 2 boxes (4-serving size each) lemon instant pudding and pie filling mix 3 cups milk Whipped Cream 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray (do not use dark or non-stick pan). In large ...

This blog was orginally posted in 2012. Since that time, I can see by observing parents and children on a daily basis, that things have not improved and may even be worse. When trying to put things in perspective, I do believe that most parents are trying to do the right thing by their children. However, the stresses of trying to stay on top of work, bills, healthy activities for our children and everyday chores, sometimes it may be easier to give in to our children rather than fight against them. Unfortunately in the end that is exactly what makes parenting even more difficult. What they learn is that if they push hard enough they will always get their way - not a good lesson for them. Life will not be that way as they mature into adults and then what will they do? So...once again: Lately I am having a hard time trying to comprehend where so many young people got the impression that life would be easy. That growing up, being an adult, working and raising chi...

As a parent, I know how strong the desire is to do whatever we can for our children. Our deeply imbedded need to try and make their life easy is a tough one to fight. Not that we shouldn't give them what they need, but we shouldn't give them everything they want, or do everything for them as they grow up. The greatest gift we can give them is to teach them how to take care of themselves. If we don't do this, how will they survive when we are not around? One day they will have to stand on their own, and we have a responsibility to teach them the skills they will need. They should understand that they cannot expect others to take care of them - they will have to be responsible for themselves, and someday their children. Of course we have to take into consideration their age. Even young children can be taught responsibility and how to take care of themselves. Start with simple things: Dressing themselves. Brushing their teeth. Picking up their toys. Putting away their...

Like many of the recipes I find, I usually make my own adjustments based on what we like. For this soup I added sliced sweet Italian sausage, as I live with someone who doesn't think it's a meal unless it has meat. Whether you add the sausage or not, this is a great soup, and the shredded Parmesan adds wonderful flavor! Spinach, Tortellini and Sausage Soup 1 pound sweet Italian sausage links 2 tablespoons olive oil 1-1/2 cups chopped onion 4 garlic cloves, minced 1-8 oz. (3 cups) sliced mushrooms - (I used Portabella) 4 - 14.5 oz. cans chicken stock (1/3 less sodium) 1 - 9 oz. package refrigerated three-cheese tortellini (I used a bit more) 3 cups fresh baby spinach 1. Brown sweet Italian sausage in frying pan until partially cooked. Remove from pan and cut into slices once cooled a bit. Set aside. 2. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, mushrooms and sausa...

Just when we think we are sailing smoothly into spring, Mother Nature has one last trick to play on us. And even though we know that the probability of a late winter snow storm is high, we are still lulled into thinking we may escape. The warm sunny days in February that brought out spring jackets, and even shorts for some, gave us hope of an early spring. And then bam! March arrives with colder temps than January, bitter north winds, and now eighteen inches or more of newly fallen snow. Oh the cruelty of it all. Travel plans delayed for some, schools closed to create anxiety on working parents, and stress for those driving to and from work on snow covered roads. Then there are the aching backs from shoveling - more than once. I know that this spring storm has a purpose - other than showing us who is in charge. Growing up we heard the expression "poor man's manure". As the snow melts it will enrich the soil to prepare it for planting. Of course it has to melt in order...

It seems that there are many people today who think that children are not listening to what is being said by the adults in their lives. I make this assumption based on the number of adult conversations I hear when children are around. They speak openly in stores, restaurants and when they are on the phone. Not only are children listening, but it has an effect on their minds and emotions. Even very young children take in all that is going on around them. Whether they are talking yet or not they can hear. You may think if they are involved in play, or watching cartoons, that they are not listening. I'm here to tell you that they hear every word, and every emotion that you evoke when you speak. Unfortunately their young minds are not equipped to fully understand, and because of this they may imagine the worst. If your voices are raised they may feel fear, or that something they did caused the argument. A heavy burden for a young child. One they are not emotionally able to deal with ...

My mother recently sent me an email with links to several recipes. Included was this one from Taste of Home. These biscuits are sweet, crunchy and quick and easy to put together. The mix of chocolate and toffee gives them great flavor, and are sure to become a favorite in my home. My granddaughter helped make them, and she gave her thumbs up approval. Chocolate Toffee Biscuits 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed 3/4 cup milk 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I added a bit more) 1/4 cup English toffee bits (or almond brickle chips) Topping : 1 teaspoon butter, melted 1 teaspoon sugar 1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips and toffee bits. 2. Drop by tablespoons full 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Br...

We all have those moments in our lives where we feel overwhelmed or just plain tired. In these moments there can be an urge to run away from it all. Where another place or life seems appealing. We wouldn't be human if we didn't. During times of struggle it's easy to look at someone else and think their life is more exciting or less stressful than yours. But the grass is not always greener. A package may look pretty on the outside, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's pretty on the inside. What you can't see are the things that are truly happening inside, things that may be more stressful and difficult than your own trials and tribulations. What people need to remember when times are tough, are the people and things in their life that are good. If you stop, breathe, and think things through, you will realize that things could be worse. You would remember that it's not what you have that makes your life good, but who you have in it. You would tell yourself...

Last week I helped my daughter out during February vacation by taking my granddaughter for four days. She is 6 years old and always a bit apprehensive about coming to NH without her mother. I just remind her how much fun we will have to ease the anxiety, and soon she settles in. The truth is I'm not sure who has more fun. Although I am exhausted by the time she goes home, I do really enjoy having someone young around. Their wonder and excitement make you look at things in a different way, and raises your energy level, even if only in short bursts. We had four very busy days as I tried to do as much as possible. Not everything went as planned. On the first day I locked us out of the house! Fortunately it was a beautiful day so our 2-1/2 hour wait was not so bad. We went for a walk, and then I let her play a game on my phone. The cat in the game was able to mimic what she said so we had a lot of laughs over that. We went to an afternoon showing of the animated movie, Sing. Only...