On My Mind Today

The dreamers of the world believe that this is not the only time they have been here on earth. 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 it is because they have been here in another life. We have to wonder if they might be right. When we hear music from many years ago and it feels warm and familiar like arms wrapped around us. Did we once dance with a lover to these melodies? When we are deep within ourselves, and our thoughts take us to a memory that surely did not happen in the life we are currently living. Memories that may take us 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 we try to tell ourselves it is just our imagination. Or is it? There are many who believe in past lives and are certain they have experienced at least one, if not more. And then th

Our journey in life takes many paths and we never know where we may end up along the way. What we envision is not always what happens as we know all too well. There are many times of great joy and exhilaration that we encounter. Our first day of school, our first kiss, learning to drive, going to college, getting married, the birth of a child and so many other firsts that if we lined them all up, they would reveal what a good life we have had. The times of our life that we are forever grateful for and wouldn't trade for anything. There are also times of sadness and pain that we would like to forget, or wish may not have happened at all. The small things like falling off our bike, the bully at school, and our first broken heart. Or something much larger that we think we will never recover from, like the loss of a loved one. Life goes along quite smoothly most of the time, but just when we think our life is on track and figured out, we are thrown a curve. We've all heard that old

If you are a lover of Snickerdoodle cookies, then you will be a fan of this quick bread recipe from  The Cookin Chicks . Filled with cinnamon-sugar flavor, this sweet treat will be great for dessert, a snack or any special occasion. It is so delicious you may need to make two loaves if you are having company. Snickerdoodle Bread 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup sour cream 2 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup mini chocolate chips (or cinnamon chips) 3 tablespoons sugar 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease 5 mini loaf pans or 1 large pan. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add in the eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. Add in the flour and baking powder stirring until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips (optional). Pour batter (it will be thick) into the prepared loaf pan(s), filling about 2/3 full. In a small bo

It is difficult to believe that another year is coming to an end. The question going through my mind recently is, how did we arrive here so quickly? Funny how time passes so much faster as we age. Sometimes I dream of going back to when I was younger, and it seemed as if time moved at a more leisurely pace. Of course, we did not have the worries and responsibilities of our parents, which made it easier to enjoy whatever life brought our way. As I look back to the beginning of 2021, I recall being optimistic about what the new year would look like. Never would I have imagined that we would still be held captive by a pandemic that started almost two years ago. And yet, here we are. In spite of this virus, and the limitations it has put on our lives, we have endured and continued to push through. The human spirit is amazing and resilient. Regardless of what we are faced with in life, we have the tendency to search for the things that make our days brighter. As I focus my attention on 2022

Holiday season is upon us again, stirring memories of years gone by. Our senses of sight, sound, and smell awaken so much that our mind had left in the past. Early years with wide-eyed wonder,  and belief in the miracles of Christmas magic. Cookies and milk left out for Santa, all the while wondering what he will leave under our tree. Waking Christmas morn' with excitement and anticipation of what we will find once Mom and Dad arise. Squeals of glee as we discover flying saucers, sleds, trucks, or the latest baby dolls. Although we still are still eager for Christmas to arrive, the teen years take away our awe and wonder. Our desire for the latest and greatest takes hold, and we are unable to see our parent's sadness as they grieve our loss of believing in the magic of the season. Then we become the parents with children, and they are filled with the same wide-eyed wonder that we once felt. We encourage their belief in the magic of the season, hoping it will last a lifetime but

For a recent gathering I needed an appetizer, so I went in search of something that would be different from the usual offerings. Taste of Home contributor, Roxanne Chan from Albany, California had shared her Tuscan Truffle recipe which had an interesting mix of ingredients, and her description of melt-in-your-mouth creamy made it the winner. These truffles are very easy and filled with an amazing mix of flavors, and truly melt in your mouth. Impress your guests with these easy Tuscan Truffles - they will be a winner at your gathering. Tuscan Truffles 2 logs (4 ounces each) fresh goat cheese 1 carton (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 3 garlic cloves, minced 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil 1-1/2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar 3/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) chopped prosciutto 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) chopped dried figs 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup pine nuts, toasted and chopped (I used cashews) Directions

There is magic in the wind,  and her wings bring enchantment as they fly. Some days they will envelop us in warmth, and others the bitter cold will cut through us like a knife. March winds come in cold from the north, and become gradually warmer as spring arrives. As they rush through, they cleanse away the weariness of winter, preparing us for new growth to come. Summer days her wings will feed our soul with a warm southerly breeze, bringing much needed contentment. Its warmth reaches into our bones and eases daily worries for a time. We cling to this warmth for as long as we can, as we know these days will be shorter than our heart desires. The magic of fall arrives on cooler winds that still have a hint of warmth. Her wings carry that distinctive smell of autumn, a mix of drying leaves, wood fires, and spices from homemade apple pies  awakening memories from the past. As fall begins to fade, the wind whirls falling leaves for one final dance. Winter winds can be so harsh and brutal,

  "If it were all truly known and planned and determined, life wouldn't be worth living, just a giant to-do list waiting to be crossed off." ~ Helen Mirren Fear of the unknown is probably the biggest reason we don't take chances.  How many opportunities have been put before us, and how many have we taken over the years? I'm sure that most of us would say that we let many pass us by due to fear of taking that chance. Not knowing if it will make our life better can leave us frozen and unable to move in a different direction than we have always gone. There are so many times in our life that we zig instead of zag. The zig is the choice that keeps us on our current path; the zag is the alternative choice that would have led to a different outcome.  The reward for taking the unfamiliar path might be well worth it. I have always enjoyed taking photographs of nature and dreamt of one day sharing these with the world. Trying to find the right opportunity to do so is not ea

A frittata is one of the simplest breakfast foods to master, and uses ingredients that are normally in the fridge. From Southern Living, this Hash Brown Frittata transforms plain eggs and hash browns into one tasteful dish. Once you are comfortable making frittatas, you can make them your own using additions such as bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach and cheese. No matter what your preference is, be sure to watch the eggs carefully as they bake as overcooking can make them chewy. Hash Brown Frittata 5 large eggs 1/2 cup half-and-half 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion 1 (20 oz.) package refrigerated shredded hash browns 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill Preheat oven to 375°F. Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 10-inch nonstick oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Add onion; cook, stirr

We have once again reached that joyful time of year. Decorated trees, Christmas lights, candy canes, stockings hung by the fire and so much more. The look of wonder in a child's eyes and their innocent belief in the season is contagious. There is something magical about the Christmas season, and in challenging times we need this magic in our lives. If we open our hearts up to all that comes with the holiday, it will lift our spirits and bring an abundance of joy. There are those who will try to steal our joy; the ones who refuse to see all that is good about Christmas. They do not look at the true meaning of the season or try to give joy to others. They believe it is about spending money and are not aware that a simple act of kindness is a true gift. If you are one who loves to start early and wrap themselves up in the season, do not be discouraged by others. Dive in and spread Christmas cheer wherever you go.  Decorate early. Listen to Christmas music. Smile at a stranger and comp

Growing up we learned about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving held in 1621. Although there are many versions, the story many of us know is the one we are taught in school. The first American Thanksgiving was held in celebration and thanks of the harvest that the Plymouth Colony was blessed with after a very harsh winter. The colonists celebrated the day in the spirit of traditional English harvest festivals. The Native American Indians Samoset (Abenaki), Squanto (Patuxet-tributary of the Wampanoag), and Massasoit (Leader of the Wampanoag) were the honored guests of Captain Myles Standish, and were asked to bring their immediate families along for the feasting and celebration. Standish had no idea that their immediate family consisted of nearly one hundred members of their tribe. Standish and the Pilgrims did not have enough food to last three days for so many people, so Massasoit sent his men home to bring back more food and supplies. His generosity provided the majority of the

My daughter shared this recipe from tastefulventure.com with me, and I figured it would be a nice change from our usual dinner menu. Living with a Sicilian, I wasn't sure how he would react to spaghetti squash. I did add ground sweet Italian sausage as he doesn't feel it's a meal without meat. Much to my surprise, he actually thought it was great. Filled with a mix of great flavors, it is a dish that will grace our our dinner table again in the future. Italian Spaghetti Squash Boats 1 large Spaghetti Squash 1/2 Red Pepper chopped 1/2 Sweet Onion chopped 4 cloves minced Garlic 1/4 cup chopped fresh Basil 2 1/2 cups of Marinara Sauce 1/2 cups shredded low fat Mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp black pepper Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and cut Spaghetti Squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Place squash halves cut side up on foil lined baking sheet. Brush 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil over insides of squash

Most days it is easy to find the good in our lives and to be thankful for what we have. Then there are the days that we are discouraged and must dig deep to find the positive.  We all have times in our lives when we are faced with obstacles that can make it difficult to approach our days with a positive attitude. It can be something very personal, or it could be from the negative messages that we are bombarded with every day. Both have the same impact and will take over if we allow them to. It is not easy to change how we think and approach our daily lives even if we know it would be the best thing for us. It takes significant effort, and the path of least resistance can seem much simpler. Unfortunately, that does not do anything for our physical and mental health.  When we focus on looking for the positive in the world, there is one thing that stands out every time; people who do good things for others. Their focus is on what they can do to make another's life better. In doing so

With all the negative stories and images being spread through the news and social media, it's difficult at times to see beyond it. A sense of hopelessness can take over if we don't seek out all the positive and uplifting stories taking place every day. Instead of being caught up in the negative rhetoric, we need to say no and shut it off. It can only spread if we participate; even if it's only by watching. A change in attitude can start with one single act of kindness. Most of us are not unwilling to do for others, but sometimes feel we don't have the time or financial resources to do so. In reality, it doesn't necessarily have to take a lot of either to do a good deed. If you have time to volunteer, or the financial resources to donate, then share those with others. However, if you are overwhelmed with a busy schedule, and don't have the money to give, there are many other things you can do. Smile and say hello to a stranger, and wish them a good day. Hold the

This traditional Apfelkuchen is one of Germany's favorite sweet treats, and a great dessert to impress family and friends for special occasions.  It is light and not overly sweet, and delicious dusted with confectioners' sugar and topped with whipped cream. For a taste of Germany, follow this easy recipe and then make a pot of coffee and enjoy warm from the oven. Apfelkuchen 5 medium apples, peeled and quartered 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 cup milk 1-3/4 cups flour 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Garnish: Confectioners' Sugar; Whipped Cream Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Slice apples thinly without cutting all the way through. In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, lemon juice, almond extract and milk. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into egg m

  November Darkness Once again you grace our door, bringing gray skies and gloominess. Your darkness can cast shadows across our souls making cheerful days harder to come by. We struggle to rise each day, and are slow to greet what lies ahead. It would be easier to bring the covers up over our heads and remain sleeping. Sunshine becomes increasingly evasive as it hides behind dark clouds. Every now and then its rays peek through, and we praise and cherish each precious moment. At times we envy the woodland  creatures who hibernate through these dreary times. They have no worries of facing the dismal days of November as they slumber, peacefully dreaming of summer days left behind. The gathering of family and friends near months end helps to lift our spirits, pulling us up from the long dark days. One day that easily washes away the dismal weeks we have recently endured. November; dark, dreary, and dreaded materializes as we are trying to enjoy the last vestiges of fall foliage.  The lon

Women always struggle with the aging process, and the media only reinforces the insecurities that we feel. Although I have become more comfortable in my skin as the years have passed, I still have that voice whispering in my ear when I see “those” ads on TV or in magazines. The ones that tell us women that we are not enough as we are. The never-ending commercials by actresses who lead you to believe that you can look as youthful as they do just by using the products they are selling. Anyone over the age of 60 will not look better than they did in their 30’s by using face creams. I, for one, am insulted by their arrogance for thinking we will believe their claims. If you are over the age of 40 and have skin as smooth as a baby's behind (as the old expression goes), some work has been done. A plastic surgeon can make your skin that tight and smooth, but not a face cream. Moisturizers are important, and can improve the look and feel of your skin; however, you will still have lines fro

A short while ago I harvested the last of my cucumbers, and found this recipe for refrigerator bread and butter pickles online at browneyedgirlcom . It is an easy recipe, and a great way to use up the last of the cucumbers from your garden with no canning equipment required. Many years ago I canned bread and butter pickles, and these taste just as good without all the work! Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles 5½ cups - about 1½ pounds thinly sliced (about ¼-inch) pickling cucumbers 1½ tablespoons kosher salt 1 cup thinly sliced sweet onion 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup white vinegar ½ cup apple cider vinegar ¼ cup light brown sugar 1½ teaspoons mustard seeds ½ teaspoon celery seeds ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric Combine cucumbers and salt in a large, shallow bowl; cover and chill 1½ hours. Move cucumbers into a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Drain well, and return cucumbers to bowl. Add onion to the bowl and toss with the cucumbers. Combine the granulated sugar, white vin

It is easy to lose ourselves in the midst of daily routine. By the time we get done with the must dos, and perhaps a few of the should dos, the things we would like to do seem to always be left behind. When we are young, we believe that there is an endless amount of time, and we look forward to enjoying everything we imagine our future will hold. We do not see any limitations when it comes to time as we have so many years ahead of us. However, when we reach our senior years, time becomes elusive, and we struggle to find enough of it.  The most elusive of all is time for ourselves. One would think that when we reach retirement there would be an abundance of time, and surely enough to have time alone. Unfortunately, as each year passes there is a greater chance of facing health issues which can rob us of the precious ability to pursue solitary time. It may be our own health, or our partner's, but either one can fill our days with the must dos which are priorities. Without the capabil

Fall in New England - a time to enjoy the beautiful colors of the foliage, feel the sun warm our face on a cool day, and smell fresh baked goods wafting through the house. All of these things bring to mind memories from my childhood. My mother is a great baker, and there were always fresh baked goods in our home. Growing up we knew that even after a tough day at school we would arrive home to the delicious aroma of cookies, pies, cakes or whoopie pies. All of our friends loved coming to visit because they were not used to having these treats at home and thought we were the luckiest kids in the world. I'm sure that we tended to take all of this for granted as it was commonplace in our home. Every Saturday night my mom would make homemade pizza and our closest friends would try to make sure they were present for this weekly indulgence. Fortunately I learned from watching my mother as she created all of these great homemade treats. Once I had my own family they too would come home and

Once again Food Network Magazine has shared another great recipe! Courtesy of Steve Jackson for Food Network Kitchen, these pull-apart sandwiches combine the great flavors of chicken parmesan and garlic bread. The bread slices have a nice thick layer of garlic butter, and are filled with breaded and fried chicken tenders, tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Once they come out of the oven just pull apart and enjoy the amazing flavors!   Chicken Parmesan Pull-Apart Sandwiches 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for frying 6 cloves garlic, 4 thinly sliced and 2 finely grated 1 - 28 ounce can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, crushed 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano salt and freshly ground pepper 6 chicken tenders - 8 ounces each (I used frozen chicken tenders and baked them in the oven) **If frying the chicken tenders you will need: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1 cup breadcrumbs** 1 each 14-inch loaf semolina or other crusty Italian bread 6 tablespoons unsa

Technology is great, but there is something to be said about writing a letter. Not only can it bring a smile to the recipient's face, but also allows the author of the letter to share their thoughts, hopes and dreams with someone they care about. To release all the things that have been running around in our minds just waiting to be shared with a confidant. I remember growing up how excited I would be to receive a letter from a family member or friend - anticipating what they had to say as I opened the envelope. After reading every word carefully I would sit down and send a reply. And so it would go as we shared our feelings and thoughts back and forth over the years. Somewhere along the way we have lost this art of writing letters and the joy it can bring to write and receive such a letter. In 2012 I decided that I was going to start writing letters to my grandchildren who were then ages 9, 4 and 2 (yes even the 2 year old). I wanted to make sure that they knew me in a way that co

"Time may pass, places change but memories...they are forever. " ~Wisdom Dictionary ~ As the years go by we become keenly aware of the elusiveness of time. What appears as an infinite amount of time to see and do, suddenly becomes almost impossible to find. When I was younger I took for granted the good times with family and friends. It never crossed my mind that these gatherings filled with fun and laughter would some day be gone, and all that would remain would be the ghosts of memories in my mind. That is the folly of youth. The wisdom of age lets us know every moment is precious; to be enjoyed to the fullest. We hang on to every moment trying to stretch it out for as long as possible; as if we can make it last forever by wishing it so. Every hug from family and friends; each funny memory shared filling a room with laughter, and each photo taken thinking it will freeze time. We hold these close and try to ensure we have as many of these moments as possible. I am blessed to

For a recent dinner with friends I was asked to bring dessert, so I searched for something different to share. I cannot remember where I found this, so I have had to put the recipe together from memory. I can tell you that it was delicious and a big hit. I hope that my memory has served me well, and that you and your family or friends will enjoy it too. Mixed Berry Crisp Filling: 5 cups mixed fresh berries of your choice (blueberries/raspberries/strawberries/blackberries) ** If you use frozen berries - see note below ** 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon lemon zest 2 teaspoons corn starch 2 tablespoons orange juice, apple juice, or water Topping: 2/3 cup old fashioned oats 2/3 cup all purpose flour 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut in cubes Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 ½ inch deep dish pie plate or similar sized baking dish. Set aside. Topping: In a large bowl, combine oa

Regardless of the path life takes us on, there is always one place that feels like home. We may travel the world and live in many other areas, but that one place we return to comforts our soul. Perhaps it has something to do with family and memories, or maybe it is simply the beauty of our surroundings making us feel like gentle arms are comforting us. Although we may never know exactly what draws us there, we will always be pulled back to feel the peace and contentment only it can provide. For me that one place is Vermont. This is where I was born, and where I lived for many years at various times of my life. Each time I return my first thought is how much it feels like home. Her beauty is breathtaking, and even though I have seen many beautiful places in my travels, nothing compares to the beauty of Vermont. The changing of the seasons ensures there is always something new and different to see. Just as we begin to tire of the cold snowy winters, spring arrives on our doorstep with hi

I wrote this blog back in 2015 and being naïve I was hopeful that things would not deteriorate further; unfortunately, I was wrong. When I hear about incidences of not only professional people being harassed and bullied, but also young children and teens, it breaks my heart. I will never understand how anyone can feel that it is acceptable to hide behind social media to make someone feel horrible about themselves, or to destroy their lives. I ask myself, what kind of monster are they? The truth is they are cowards who become brave when hidden behind a computer screen. With all of this in mind I am sharing the blog once more. Engage your children in conversations about this topic, monitor what they are doing on social media, and make sure they let you know if any of this behavior is being directed at them. We need to make this stop, and it is our responsibility as adults to ensure it does. Respect -  noun   \ri- ˈ spekt\ 1.  :  a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation 

This recipe is courtesy of Eli Mathews from Scottsdale, AZ. He won Food Network's America’s Best Kid Cooks Contest, which he said takes him one step closer to his dream of becoming a chef and owning his own restaurant. His bacon, egg and cheese bread pudding is delicious and filling. You make it the day before and put it in the fridge overnight. The next morning just pop it in the oven for a great brunch offering for family or friends. Breakfast Bread Pudding Butter or cooking spray, for the pan 1 pound bacon 8 large eggs 2 cups half-and-half 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 pound cheddar cheese, grated 2 loaves sliced Hawaiian sweet bread, end pieces and crusts removed, cut into 1-inch cubes 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives Directions Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lay the bacon side by side on the pan. Cook the bacon for 18 to 20 minutes, or until crisp