On My Mind Today

Several years ago, I found a recipe for an Apple-Anise Galette. It was very good, so I decided that using the base and adding different fruits would work for those who are not a fan of anise. It is a quick and easy dessert to make, and you can use either a pre-made pie crust or use your own favorite recipe. With many fresh fruits still available it is a great time to give this a try. It will be a big hit with family and friends. Apple, Peach & Blueberry Galette 1 round refrigerated pie dough (or make your own) 1 peeled, slice apple 1 peeled, sliced peach (Sprinkle apple & peach slices with lemon juice) 1/3 cup fresh blueberries 1 egg 1/4 cup sugar 3 Tablespoons flour 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest 4 Tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla Place pie dough on parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with the apples, peaches and blueberries leaving a 1-1/2 inch border. Fold in the edge of the dough. Whisk the egg, sugar, flour and lemon zest until smooth; set aside. Melt butter and vanilla. Slowl...

Our trip from Colmar, France to Koblenz, Germany to embark on the sister ship was a long day. Fortunately, we were able to spend time in Mainz and Speyer Germany along the way. Mainz is located in the heart of the Rhine wine region at the mouth of the Main River near the Nahe River. As we made our way along the old brick sidewalks, we came upon a Stolperstein (stumbling stone) embedded in the sidewalk. These Stolperstein were placed there to honor the Jewish people who were victims of the Holocaust. Seeing the name and dates on the stumbling stone was a very solemn and humbling moment. One of the Upper Rhine's most dramatic cathedrals is the Mainz Cathedral which has six towers. Within the cathedral are Marc Chagall's world-famous stained-glass windows. Mainz's most famous native son is Johannes Guttenberg, inventor of movable type and book printing. Our visit to Mainz included a tour of the Guttenberg Museum. Within its walls, you will find printing techniques, topography,...

Life has a way of shaking us up every now and then and redirecting us down a new path. Our vision of what the future holds can suddenly disappear like mist rising from the surface of a lake. The question then becomes how do we adjust to the new "normal" and move forward from here? When confronted with this new future, emotions will run from acceptance and compassion to frustration and feelings of hopelessness. We will do everything we can to understand, and to be there to ensure a good and safe life; however, it does not mean that there will be no discontent. Many of us dream of pursuing forgotten passions when we reach retirement, and it never occurs to us that this will not happen. There is the wish list of the trips that are yet to be planned. So many places to see and experiences to share with one another. As we face reality, and watch passions dwindle and fade, there is a sadness. How could life be so cruel to take these things away? Each new day will bring both normalcy...

Previously I mentioned that we were in for a ship swap along the way. When we reached a point where the water level on the Rhine was too low for our ship to pass through, the cruise line had to adjust and make a change in plans. While we were traveling north on the Rhine, a sister ship was traveling south. To make sure that everything was in place for the ship swap the next day, a tour of Colmar, France was added to our itinerary. Located in northeastern France, it feels as if you have jumped into a fairy-tale once you step into Colmar. It is one of the quaintest places in Europe and is known for its beautiful historic districts which feature buildings that date back about a thousand years. The city is renowned for its well-preserved old town, its numerous architectural landmarks, and its museums. The museums not only feature serious pieces of historical information, but also toys and chocolates. Colmar is the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor and painter who d...

This simple yet delicious recipe comes from LeitesCulinaria.com . The shrimp, smoky sausage, garlic, Chile, and lemon come together for an amazing burst of flavors. It can be prepared in about 30 minutes and can be served as a main meal with a side of rice, or as an appetizer with crusty bread and lemon. I have made this for our main meal several times. Shrimp with Chorizo 3-4 Servings 5-1/2 ounces Spanish chorizo, cut into 3/8-inch slices 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 14 ounces large raw shrimp 1 teaspoon Chile pepper flakes juice (3 tablespoons), and finely grated zest of 1 lemon 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley Crusty bread and lemon halves (chargrilled if desired), to serve Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook until crisp and the oil is released, 4 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove chorizo to a bowl. Add the olive oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook the garlic unti...

Growing up we were taught the basic skills we would need in order to take care of ourselves, and our families, when we became adults. It seems the generations that have followed are not as well prepared; parents have done too much for them. We all want to take care of our children, but there are many times we coddle them. We are not doing them any favors if we don't ensure they are able to perform the basic skills needed to be successful adults. With this in mind, I have come up with a list of things they need to know; there are many others that will come up along the way to adulthood.  Budgeting and saving: Start by giving them an allowance for doing chores and explaining the value of saving vs spending it all on impulse purchases. If they want something of greater value, and save at least half of their weekly allowance, in time they can afford something bigger. An added bonus - as they see their savings grow it may encourage them to save more rather than spend it.  Using a c...

Strasbourg, France is the largest port on the Upper Rhine, and the cultural center of France's Alsace region. Located on the border of France and Germany, it boasts a warm mix of cultural influences. The Old Town is well preserved and enclosed on all sides by the little Ill River, and the "island" is easy to explore by foot. With its half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, adorned canals, and flower-filled squares, Petite France is part of Strasbourg's Grand Ille UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strasbourg Cathedral, officially called the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, was built between 1015 and 1439, and is known as one of the world's most beautiful examples of high or late Gothic architecture. With a spire 466 feet high, it is the world's sixth tallest church and can be seen across the plains of Alsace as far away as the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains. The pink sandstone exterior has beautiful intricate detail, and the beauty of the interior sculpture...

One of our favorite recipes is for a Ham and Turkey Muffuletta, so I was very interested when I found this recipe from Betty Crocker Kitchens for a Muffuletta Egg Bake. It incorporates the flavors of a muffuletta sandwich, ham, olives and provolone, in a breakfast casserole. It is ready for the table in just over an hour and serves 8. I have not had the opportunity to prepare this for guests yet, but it will be on my next brunch menu. Muffuletta Egg Bake 1-1/3 cups chopped cooked ham 1/3 cup coarsely chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives 1/2 cup roasted red bell peppers (from 7-oz jar), drained, chopped 1/2 loaf (1-lb size) unsliced Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 5-1/4 cups) 8 eggs 2-1/2 cups milk 6 slices (about 3/4 oz each) provolone cheese 1 tablespoon freshly shredded Parmesan cheese Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with butter or cooking spray. In small bowl, mix ham, olives and roasted peppers. In baking dish, toss bread cubes and half...

We boarded our ship with anticipation, and visions of the life of leisure and luxury we were waiting for. After settling into our stateroom, we explored the different areas of the ship from the lounge to the library area, and the beauty surrounding us on the upper deck. We began to see a glimpse of what ship life would be. Not long after boarding, we were invited to the dining room for lunch. The tables were beautifully set, and we felt as if we were in a five-star restaurant. The servers were all dressed in crisp black and white, and ready to make our meal one to remember. Each day there were regular items to choose from for lunch and dinner, and then special items on the dinner menu that were created for the region we were visiting that day. Every meal was beautifully presented and of exceptional quality and taste. What a joy it was to be taken care of in such a manner. I'm sure you will notice that there are no pictures of the dining room or food included. I didn't feel that...