On My Mind Today

Vacations...we all take a vacation from time to time. It can be a long weekend, a week, or maybe even two weeks if we travel to further locations. However, the type of vacation can vary depending on who we are going with. There is the family vacation with children. This might be camping, renting a cottage at the beach, or maybe even a bigger trip to a place such as Disney. Always a great time, especially for the children, but parents often come home exhausted. We will cherish the memories made with our children, and they will never forget the time spent with them in this fun, family adventure. It might be a group vacation with friends. These are usually at a rented vacation home where we can share in the costs including food for meals prepared by everyone. These vacations are jam-packed with activities and little relaxation or sleep. At the end we are scurrying to ensure our place of retreat is left clean. Much like being at home. Perhaps it is a couple's getaway to take time from ...

Fruit compote is a great dessert any time of year. Below are two recipes that are good on their own, or as a topping for frozen yogurt, ice cream, or angel food cake. They also can be used for a brunch on pancakes or waffles. Both recipes are easy to make and delicious - enjoy!! Easy Mixed Berry Compote From Alphafoodie.com Serves 3 1-1/2 cups mixed berries (or individual berries - blueberry, raspberry, etc.) if preferred 1 Tablespoon maple syrup (or another sweetener - can be increased/decreased to taste) * 1/2 lemon, juiced (can be increased/decreased to taste) * In a medium saucepan, add the berries and lemon juice and heat over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly and heat for 2-3 more minutes. Occasionally press the berries, so they release more juices (though there is no need to mash them fully). Add the maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice) towards the end of the cooking time and stir well. Feel free to adjust the amoun...

Morning begins with calm and quiet, with only the sound of nature breaking through. Our soul is at peace with no worries, and our mind has not been filled with noise. Cling to these moments for as long as you can, you will need them to take you through. In no time at all, the day will begin, and your peace will fade quickly away. Voices start seeping into the calm dragging your thoughts into the day. Someone looking for answers or help, pulling you out of your quiet place. Inevitably the buzz of the television will start, with the latest news headlines of the day. Although we want to be informed,  the reality of it all can be more than we can take. Whether at home, work, or venturing out in the world, the constant chatter and noise do not end. At times we find time to escape sitting quietly  behind a closed door, or even in our car. Noise, noise, it never seems to end, and we grow weary as the day goes by. What we wouldn't give for a moment or two to shut out the constant din....

Every day it seems more and more hatred is being spread in every country around the world. As an adult, it creates anxiety in my life; I can only imagine how stressful it is for children. Children do not come into the world knowing hatred - it is taught. There are two kinds of parents; the ones who contribute by teaching hate, or the ones who spend a lot of time trying to shelter their children from it and teaching them why it is wrong. I often wonder if those talking the loudest ever stop and think before they spread hatred and fear. Do they ever think about the impact on their families, friends and neighbors, or how this hatred they hang on to keeps them in a cloud of negativity? Do they really believe that people from a different ethnic group or religion than they are should be hated? Is a world where everyone is exactly the same, with the same beliefs, a world worth living in? I would like to challenge everyone to take a close look at who they are and where they come from. The trut...

From Taste of Home contributor, Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York, this meal in a bowl is a great dinner on a busy day. It is quick to put together and can be ready for the table in about 30 minutes and serves 6. A few ingredients, a little bit of time, and you have a delicious, flavorful dinner for your family. Mediterranean Pork and Orzo 1-1/2 pounds pork tenderloin 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 quarts water 1-1/4 cups uncooked orzo pasta 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 package (6 ounces) baby spinach 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese Rub pork with pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add pork, cook and stir until no longer ink, 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, bring water to a boil. Stir in orzo and salt; cook, uncovered, 8 minutes. Stir in spinach, cook until orzo is tender, and spinach is wilted, 45-60 seconds longer. Drain. Add tomatoes to pork, heat through. Stir in orzo mixture a...

When we come into this life our minds are free from negative thoughts of ourselves. We laugh, play, and dance each day thinking we are the greatest in the world. For many years we are protected at home, and society has not yet taken hold. Our mothers and fathers tell us all the time that we are more beautiful and precious than gold. School days begin with lots of new friends, and everyone is nice as can be. We could never imagine that any of them would be someone to say something mean. The sadness of reality sets in over time,  and those we once trusted seem to turn. Their words that were always kind before have now become insults to cause us harm. Our mind that once filled us with kindness, now questions if we are as good as we once thought. Being battered by bullies, and those who hide on social media  makes us question if they are right and we are wrong. Don't listen to all who say that you are not enough, as they are only putting their insecurities on you.  Either the...

Over the years I have pondered what words of wisdom I want to impart upon my children and grandchildren. Now, reaching the latter part of my 60's has made me pause and reflect on what message I want to give them. So.....below is the list I have started and want to share with them: Love your children and let them know how important they are to the family no matter what happens. As I have always told my girls, I may not always like what you do, but I will always love you. Encourage your children to learn as much as they possibly can - with knowledge you can do anything. Never tell them they can't or that is what they will learn to tell themselves. Encourage them to try - even if they are not successful at least they had the courage to try.  Teach your children to have respect for themselves and others, and to speak with intelligence and kindness. When you do so it will be returned to you. Find out what your passion is and try to make it your life's work. If you can do this, i...

For those looking for something different for their family summer cookout, this summer salad takes advantage of the fresh vegetables available this time of year. The recipe comes from  prouditaliancook.com .  The salad is very easy to make, and it doesn't use mayonnaise so it can sit out for a longer period of time. Filled with a great blend of flavors and it makes a large salad so there is plenty left to enjoy the next day. Summer Chopped Veggie Salad 1/2-pound green beans, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 1/2-pound yellow wax beans, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 1/2 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1 cucumber, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch pieces 2 ears fresh corn (I used 1-/2 cups frozen corn, thawed and well drained) 1 yellow pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch pieces 1 red pepper, seeded and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces 1 small red onion cut into 1/4-inch dice 4 or 5 tomatoes, seeded and diced into 1/4-inch pieces (I used about 20 grape tomatoes cut in half) A handful each of fr...

So many things have been gathered over the years, and so much if it has been forgotten. Open a drawer or closet door to discover long lost collections. Too many pictures, some just a blur, that never made it into albums. If left like this no one may ever know which family members are reflected? Oh, the fashions we tried from young to old, so many we could not just let go. Whether too big, too small, or no longer our style, we have hung onto them as if they were gold. Those times we felt we did a good cleaning, we were only fooling ourselves. The minimal space we seemed to free up was quickly stuffed full again. We think our belongings are priceless, and want to pass them onto those we leave behind. The truth of the matter is in front of our eyes, to our children they don't seem to shine. Clear things out, let go of what doesn't matter, and leave them the precious memories. Let them spend time reminiscing over old photos, and not sorting through what you did not.