On My Mind Today

Super Bowl!! When the big game is on, the last place I want to be is stuck in the kitchen, so I love any recipe that tastes great and is easy to prepare in advance. This is one of my favorites - who doesn't love Italian sausage, peppers, onions & garlic with cheese. The Romano garlic bread gives it an extra kick of flavor. This is sure to be a hit at your Super Bowl party. Italian Sausage and Provolone on Garlic & Romano Bread 1 pound ground sweet, hot (or mixed) Italian sausage 1 clove of garlic, minced 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped 1 loaf Italian Bread 1 stick unsalted butter - softened 1 clove of garlic, minced Romano cheese, grated Sliced provolone 1. Cook sausage in pan over medium low heat with the onion, pepper and 1 clove minced garlic. Stir occasionally until meat is cooked and onions and peppers are soft. Keep warm while preparing bread. 2. Mix softened butter a...

The last few Thanksgiving dinners I have attended at my sister's, she has prepared this corn bread casserole. It's creamy and delicious, and has been a big hit with the entire family. I finally asked her for the recipe so I can share it with others. This dish is very easy, and would be a great addition to any meal. Corn Bread Casserole 1 can creamed corn 1 can whole kernel corn ( undrained ) 8 ounces sour cream 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) melted butter 1 box Jiffy corn bread mix Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 1-1/2 quart casserole dish. 1. Mix all ingredients and pour into the prepared dish. 2. Bake at 325F for one hour. Enjoy!!

Growing up there were things we were taught about work ethics and doing a job with pride; even if the task at hand was not something you particularly wanted to do. I have worked since I was 16, and over all those years I have had positions I have liked, and some I have not. One thing that has always been consistent is that I completed every job correctly, and either early or on time. Then, and now, there are many times that my job can't be completed as I have been held up by someone else. There are certain tasks in any position that rely on another person to complete their part first. When this happens, I am reminded of an old saying that I heard many years ago; "poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency for me." I used to wonder why some people couldn't organize and plan their time. We all knew what needed to be done, when it was to be completed, and were there the same number of hours each day. In the end I realized that some procrastinated ...

And so it goes that we have arrived at the in between time. The chaos of the holidays is over, we have reached mid-winter, but are too far away from spring to feel the anticipation of its arrival. There are several weeks of winter left, which is great news for those who enjoy skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling or other winter sports. They would argue that winter does not last long enough. But, for those who don't participate in these winter activities, the in between time seems to go on forever. Winter does have undeniable beauty when the earth is covered in fresh fallen snow, or as the sunshine glistens off the ice covered lake. However, it can also be far too cold, and not as picturesque, when the north wind blows and the snow gets covered from the splash of sand and salt. As one who prefers late spring through fall, I always have big plans to pass the time during the in between. Books to read, photos to organize, closets to clean and so much more. Each year I may achieve so...

One of the new recipes I tried for Christmas was Cranberry-Orange Shortbread Cookies. From Trish at Mom On Timeout, this recipe is very easy and the cookies are delicious. They got rave reviews over the holidays with many requests to share the recipe. I made the dough the day before and refrigerated it overnight, which made them very easy to slice and bake the next day. Another fun baking adventure to share with your children or grandchildren. Cranberry-Orange Shortbread Cookies Yield: About 2-1/2 dozen cookies 1/2 cup dried cranberries (Craisins) 3/4 cups sugar, divided 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour - spooned and leveled, not scooped 1 cup butter, cubed (and cold) 1 teaspoon almond extract zest of 1 orange 1 to 2 tablespoons orange juice additional sugar to coat cookies before baking 1. Combine cranberries and 1/4 cup of sugar in food processor and process until the cranberries are broken down into smaller pieces. Set aside. 2. Combine flour and remaini...

It has become abundantly clear that the adults in our world have lost their way. So filled with hatred and envy over what they see as an injustice blocking the way to what they want, that their eyes are closed to what could be. Consumed by a fire that is intentionally fueled by those who want a line drawn in the sand to divide us. What could transpire from all of this is frightening to me. Then there are the children; born into the world filled with love and not tainted by hate. That is something misguided adults teach. And yet, as I look at children today I believe there is hope. More and more of them are trying to do good things to help those around them. They look at one another and see how much they are alike, and the love that is in their hearts. They do not see differences, and are questioning why adults can't be more like them. As technology has opened up the world for all to see, these children have openly accepted a more global community. They see children in other cou...

I have always been extremely fortunate to enjoy good health, and have made it to 63 without the need for any medications. I am hopeful that this will continue in the years to come. Unfortunately I am not immune to the winter illnesses making the rounds. This has been day 6 with a bout of bronchitis which has knocked me off my feet. A call to the Dr. last week prompted a trip to the ER, which is never a fun experience. Two chest x-rays, blood work, an ECG and one nebulizer treatment later, and they diagnosed bronchitis. I was sent home with an inhaler for my lungs, and told to come back if things didn't improve. No thank you - four hours in the ER is enough for me. As children we catch colds, flu, etc. and seem to bounce back so easily. Of course back then our mothers would take care of us and make sure we had hot soup, cold compresses, a hug or whatever was needed. We all know a mother's love can fix anything. Recuperating from an illness as we age is not an easy task. We...

I love chili! Unfortunately I was not able to make it as often as I would have liked as he does not like beans. I had tried some no bean chili recipes that were not so great, then found this one from The Spruce. It has amazing flavor, and he actually loves it. Best of all it's very simple, and ready when you come home from work. Crock Pot No-Bean Chili 2 pounds ground beef 1 - 8 ounce can tomato sauce 1 - 6 ounce can tomato paste 1 - 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes (I like the ones with jalapenos) 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper Optional: 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the beef with the onion and pepper, breaking the beef up. When the meat is no longer pink drain the grease, and spoon the beef, onion & pepper into the crock pot. 2. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes and chili powder. Mix wel...

As I watched the ball drop in Times Square to ring in the New Year, one thing really stood out. As they panned the crowd I saw a multitude of people taking "selfies" and not engaging with their fellow revelers. A truly sad statement on our society today. It got me thinking about the lack of socialization in "social" situations. Perhaps we need some guidelines to remind us of when we should put our phones aside, and actually talk, or listen, to each other. So, here it goes.......... Put the phone away if you are: At your dinner table. In a restaurant. In a store. Spending time your children. Spending time with your spouse or significant other. At a meeting, seminar or conference. At work. At school. In church. At any social gathering. And if you are walking down the street, pick your head up and watch where you're going. Who knows who you might see if you are making eye contact? I know that our phones are much more than a phone today, and ve...