On My Mind Today

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 doin...

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....

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...