On My Mind Today

I am always looking for new and different meatless meals. Although I do enjoy a great steak, sometimes it's nice to enjoy the veggies. This recipe comes from Naturally Ella and has a delicious blend of flavors. With this asparagus pizza, by shaving the asparagus it cooks perfectly with the pizza. The key to shaving the asparagus is to find a flat-handled utensil to lift the asparagus off the cutting board. Also, look for slightly thicker asparagus which is easier to shave. Shaved Asparagus Pizza with Gorgonzola 3/4 pound of asparagus 6 scallions, diced (both whites and most of the greens) 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided Cornmeal, for dough 1 ball of pizza dough (store-bought or homemade) 1 clove garlic, minced 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 ounces gorgonzola, crumbled 1. Prep asparagus by shaving into thin slices. Toss with the diced scallions and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Asparagus should be well coated

As the holiday season has come upon us once again, we all have begun to feel the stress of trying to do it all. I have seen and heard it from my children, and I try to tell them that they need to stop striving for perfection on Christmas. The best part of Christmas isn't what you give or get, but the joy of being with family. With that in mind, I felt that this blog from a few years ago was worth repeating: Each year the holidays seem to become more and more stressful. Between advertising that starts even before Halloween, the pressure to give gifts that nobody needs, and the obligation to try and get the entire family together on Christmas Day it's no wonder people are getting stressed and cranky. And this doesn't even include friends or work events. Instead of feeling merry and bright, we have the bah humbug syndrome. Everyone needs to take a step back and breathe, and remember that they can't do everything in one day. Gifts should not be expected and what is

Thanksgiving, a day that reminds us how fortunate we are to have family, friends and a bounty of food to enjoy. As we gather around the table to partake in this annual event, we need to remember those who either will not be with family, or will have no Thanksgiving meal at all. Remember the men and women who serve in the military who are far from home. No seat at the family table as they serve in foreign countries to protect our freedoms. Their families missing them, and praying for their safe return before the next Thanksgiving comes around. Remember parents, brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren who live too far away to be with family on the holiday. Take time to call and let them know their absence will leave a void as you gather. If possible, do a video call so your smiles can brighten each other's day. Most of all, remember those who are homeless and may not have family to share the day with. If they are lucky they will have a meal at a shelter with strangers end

The perfect addition to your Sunday brunch, this breakfast casserole is sure to please your family or guests. Flaky croissants with two kinds of cheese, bacon and eggs make for a delicious beginning to your day. If you prefer, you can use sausage or ham in place of the bacon, or try some of your other favorite cheeses. Croissant Breakfast Sandwich Casserole from Darci Juris 6 large croissants, cut open 1 package of bacon 6 slices of provolone cheese 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 8 eggs 2 Tablespoons milk 2 Tablespoons butter 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. 2. Cook bacon and set aside on a plate with a paper towel to soak up the grease. Once cooled, break into i inch pieces (approximately). 3, Place the bottom halves of the croissant in the dish, trying to get them as close together as possible. 4. Spread provolone and cheddar over the top of the croissants. Bake in the oven until cheese begins to

When we are young we can't wait to grow up; then when we get older we wish we were young again. Society's views on aging do not help. It's as if we should be embarrassed that we are no longer youthful. All we need to do is observe those around us and we will see people struggling to look or act young; as if by doing so then others will believe they are. The truth is, everyone knows how old we are (or at least can guess), and in the end it can look foolish. I have never understood why people want to embarrass themselves by dressing too young, or behaving as their children would. Of course it's even more prevalent in the entertainment world where they are led to believe their career is over if they appear or act too "old". Unfortunately, at times they go too far over the line and it's very difficult to watch. Often I feel sorry for them as their insecurities push them to do humiliating things. I also wonder if they have children and the impact it can hav

So here we are at mid fall with Mother Nature giving us a taste of the bitter cold temperatures on the horizon. Somehow they feel even colder, and the north wind stings a bit more, when there is no snow on the ground. The daylight hours are waning, and on the dark and gloomy days seem almost non-existent. I know that I am not yet ready for what's to come. There is still beauty when the sun shines on the rust colored leaves, as they become dry and brittle before falling to earth. Once on the ground they will dance in the wind until they become saturated from rain and snow, and then turn to fertilizer. They will nurture the soil in preparation for the next growing season. Beautiful flowers, once so brilliant, have been taken by the frost. My hearty rose bush filled with blossoms held on for as long as she could, but is soon to head for her winter rest. She will safely sleep beneath a blanket of snow. The wildlife around the lake has either flown off to milder climates, or they

From The Chunky Chef, these pumpkin spice cookies are soft and moist, and are decadent when sandwiched together with a delicious browned butter maple cinnamon frosting. Very easy to make, and the aroma that fills the house while they are baking will have your mouth watering. If you have pumpkin lovers they are sure to be a big hit! Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies with Browned Butter Maple Cinnamon Frosting SPICED PUMPKIN COOKIES : 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves pinch of ground nutmeg 2 cups packed brown sugar 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup butter melted butter, cooled 2 eggs 2-3/4 cups canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling) 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla BROWNED BUTTER FROSTING : 5 tablespoons butter 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wake up members of the human race! There is a negative force in play that is working overtime to turn us all against one another, and the sad part is many don't even realize it. Open your eyes to what is happening in our world: We have become a society of I, me and my, and have lost the we, us and our that hold us together. People who feel their opportunities have been taken away are being drawn into messages of hatred and fear that separate us. The negative forces have cunningly pitted us against each other along religious, political and ethnic lines, magnifying our differences. We have "leaders" who are not leading to unify, but to divide. In that division they become more powerful because nobody is paying attention. Those who swore to serve and represent us no longer do so. Afraid to go against their "party" they are not standing up to the false leaders. The messages of hatred and fear are fueling hate groups making them feel empowered; with that false