On My Mind Today

With activities limited, we have done a lot of online research looking for things to do in our area. On our state website I came across information regarding covered bridges in New Hampshire. I knew we could not see all of them in one day, but this past weekend we took the better part of Saturday to find as many as we could in the Dartmouth-Mount Sunapee area. We chose to drive over the back roads to find these treasures, some hidden and others not. The country roads meandered through dense lush trees, past hills overlooking mountains, and up mountain roads. The views along the way were breathtaking and made us forget about the everyday stresses of life. At times it made me wonder what life was like before all these country roads were paved. Below I have shared photos and a bit of information on the bridges we did see on our journey. We attempted to see the Blow Me Down Bridge in Cornish, NH, but this covered bridge never appeared. Unfortunately, the area the GPS directed us to did...

With the heat of summer upon us, cool summer side dishes are just the thing for your dinner or family gathering. This recipe from Diane Haun was found on Just a Pinch. The addition of Granny Smith and Macintosh apples to traditional coleslaw makes for a delicious and unique flavor. Sure to be a hit with children and adults! Apple Coleslaw 1 bag coleslaw mix (14-16 ounces) 2 Granny Smith apples, diced 2 Macintosh apples, diced 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar 3/4 cup mayonnaise salt and pepper to taste 1. Place coleslaw mix and apples in a mixing bowl. 2. Add mayonnaise, sugar, salt and pepper. Then add the apple cider vinegar. Mix all ingredients. 3. Chill for at least 1 hour (or overnight) and serve. 

In a short time, another year will have passed, and all I can think of is how fast it has gone. When I started this blog in 2012, I could not imagine that I would still be writing it eight years later. I guess it has become a way to escape, and to share the joy, sadness, and thoughts on life and events that have occurred along the way. When I look at my grandchildren, I am quickly reminded how many years have passed; it seems like only yesterday that they were young children, and now all but one has reached the tween & teen years. So many wonderful memories have been made along the way with many more to come. I hope that these memories will stay with them and bring a smile to their face as they grow into adults.  There have been many wonderful vacations and I have seen things that I never thought I would. Some places have been closer to home than others, but all were wonderful adventures. The trips to England and Scotland, and later to Austria, Italy and Sicily opened my eyes t...

Today, too many of us spend our time in regimented schedules, never allowing deviation from the must dos. Our lives have become so filled with work, daily chores, and activities for our children, and we feel compelled to complete everything; even when we reach the point of total chaos and exhaustion. We need to get better at letting go of the normal everyday responsibilities and set an example for our children as to what a healthy lifestyle can be. If all they see is a rigid routine without any spontaneity, then they will believe that this is how life should be. This also teaches them that they must be on the run every waking moment; never being able to accept that every hour of the day does not have to be filled with some activity. Before we can change our children's perception and expectations of what life should be, we need to change our own. This is certainly not an easy thing to do after so many years of running on the same treadmill. How do we retrain our minds so we can allo...

Anyone who follows my blog knows that I am a big fan of Betty Crocker's Cookbook. My copy is over forty years old, with well worn pages covered with spills and a binding that is falling apart. It is held together not only by it's spiral binding, but also tape to hold that spine together. Whenever I am looking for something different I return to her pages as I know that every recipe is well tested and a winner. Recently I decided to make an apple pie, but wanted something other than the traditional pie. This recipe was very simple and took no time to have ready for the oven. Obviously this is not for calorie counters; it's very rich and the flavor is amazing! French Apple Pie 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon I also add 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice dash of salt 6 cups (I use 8) peeled and sliced tart apples Crumb Topping 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup firm margarine or butter 1/2 cup packed brown sugar Preheat ov...

As we age, we have a greater appreciation for time alone. We are not as eager to be surrounded by constant noise and chaos; we have had plenty of that in our younger years. We need time to ourselves every now and then to reset our emotional barometer. Daily life (especially more recently) can be filled with stress. The emotional toll that this stress can take on our mind and body can create havoc not only for us personally, but for those around us also. For me there is no better stress reliever than to be alone in total silence; nothing but peace and tranquility to soothe my weary soul. The only thing that I will allow to enter this sanctuary would be the sounds provided by the living world. Wind, waves, birds, and other music from nature can inspire calm at our most difficult times. There are many ways to enjoy time alone even if we are in the midst of others. I have had some very peaceful moments when surrounded by strangers. We can be sitting on a sunny beach with the sounds of chil...

I recently came across pictures from this adventure with my daughters, and it brought back such great memories that I decided to share it with you once again. I hope that all mothers and fathers have an opportunity to have such a great day with their children at some point in their lives!! From the Sunday, July 9, 2017  Rutland Herald By Gordon Dritschilo, Staff Writer "KILLINGTON — Pink tutus and giant grins adorned numerous women as they slid into a puddle of mud Saturday. They arrived in the puddle via an inflatable slide, the final obstacle in the Dirty Girl Mud Run. “This is our third year coming to Killington and every year it gets bigger,” organizer Alena Han said. “You have groups and groups of girls. We have people who come by themselves and these groups suck them in. … It’s all about ladies having fun in an event where they don’t feel pressed.” A portion of the proceeds is donated to breast cancer charities, and breast cancer survivors are given free registrations. Han s...

From my favorite go to for something new, Food Network Magazine once again shared an amazing recipe. This garden pasta with lemon ricotta is filled with flavor and is sure to be a hit with family or guests. It calls for sliced radishes, but I omitted these and added 1 pound of ground sweet Italian sausage for the meat lover in my house. It was absolutely delicious and will be a repeat in our household! Garden Pasta with Lemon Ricotta Salt 12 ounces gemelli or other corkscrew pasta 2 cups sugar snap peas, trimmed and sliced into 1-inch pieces (about 8 ounces) 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 cloves garlic, chopped fresh ground pepper 6 radishes, sliced (about 1 cup) 1 small yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce) 2/3 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs (parsley, chives, basil) 1 cup ricotta cheese 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, adding snap peas during the l...

All humans are born with free will which gives them the right to say, think and do what they choose; however, all of these decisions carry consequences and are linked to our concepts of responsibility, praise, guilt, and sin. Philosophy and religion have debated for years whether free will exists or not. Throughout our lives we are faced with life events and situations which require us to make choices. The choice we decide to make in these circumstances will alter the path our lives take, and in the process can temporarily, or permanently, alter our destiny. Many things have an impact on our choices, some within our control and others not. The people in our lives at a given time, or events impacting us, will have a huge role in what we decide to do. What may be the "right" choice for us could be something we are not ready for so we choose to stay in what we may see as a safe place at that moment. It can also be that our current responsibilities compel us to continue with the ...