On My Mind Today

The sun rises with clear blue skies, with hope for peace and serenity. I remain still with shallow breathing, careful not to disturb those who sleep. These days quiet moments are rare, they are more precious than gold. Silence is like an elusive butterfly, hiding just out of sight. Noise surrounds me far too early, and sometimes never seems to end. From television to constant chatter, at times it is difficult to breathe. Some days the sensory overload, can exhaust my weary soul. Just a few moments of silence and solitude, a bit of tranquility is all I need. Let me watch the sunrise appear in the sky, and see Mother Nature awaken. Her creatures stir and start the day, a great joy for the eyes to behold. So, give me just a few moments, to soothe my weary soul. The peace and serenity of silence, are far more precious than gold.

Anyone driving on a daily basis can tell you that it seems people have lost their minds behind the wheel. Everyone is either in a hurry to go nowhere, talking or texting on their phone, or just unwilling to follow the rules of the road and be courteous drivers. Traveling on the roads anytime is stressful, but even more so as we head into nicer weather and people are out more. Everyone in such a hurry to get to a destination they don't see the irony that they may not arrive unless they slow down. When I am out doing my usual weekly errands, I am unsure if I will return home in one piece. You certainly need to have eyes not only in front of you, but in back and to the sides to ensure you can find an escape route in case someone is approaching too fast or swerving out of their lane. In view of this I have come up with a few rules of the road for bad drivers: If you are not able talk and concentrate on your driving...PULL OFF THE ROAD TO TALK ON YOUR PHONE. If you do not have a hands-f

When searching for something to satisfy my sweet tooth, this recipe from years ago is a favorite. I'm not sure where it came from, but it is one that I used often when my kids were growing up. They are very easy to make and have always been a family favorite. It calls for chocolate chips, but I have mixed in peanut butter chips. I'm sure M&M's, mint chips and Reese's pieces would work great too! Blonde Brownies 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup butter 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar 2 eggs, slightly beaten 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 cup chocolate chips 1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional) 1. Mix flour, soda, baking powder and salt. 2. Melt butter in saucepan; add sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing well. 3. Spread in a 13 x 9 inch pan. Sprinkle with chips and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees (325 for glass pan) for 30 minutes (until golden brown). Cool in pan. Cut into 24 bars. 

The cool March winds cut, like an ice knife on the skin. As winter begins to exit why  must we endure such sharp cold? A late winter storm blowing through, leaves the ground covered anew. Although it brings nutrients for the soil we impatiently wait for it to melt away. As the daylight hours become longer we become anxious for more warmth. With the sun higher in the sky we are teased with a hint of the heat it brings.  Chipmunks come out from underground, and chase one another across the snow. Robins return and Mourning Doves appear, searching for seeds, insects, and worms. Mother Nature plays her back and forth game, giving us hope of what is to come. Then quickly she pulls it all back, sending us in from the cold once more. In time the games will come to an end, and spring will taunt us no more. The long, sunny days will begin to remain, leading us to even warmer ones to come. So, play your games while you can, mock and tease with your changing ways. In the end we will have the last

I recently became aware of the Swedish word fika and the definition struck a chord with my soul. Such a small, simple word that carries a truly life changing meaning if we take the time to let it sink in. In many European countries they have mastered the art of taking time to enjoy their personal lives. Employers do not require them to work over and above a normal workday, and are generous not only with pay, but also with time for holidays (what we would call vacation). According to Eurostat,  in  2021 average hourly labor costs in the whole economy were estimated to be   €29.1 ($30.96) in the European Union (EU) and €32.8 ($34.89) in the euro area .  European Union legislation mandates that all 27 member states must by law grant all employees a minimum of   4 weeks  of paid vacation. Workers are entitled to 10 days paid annual leave for each complete year of service. Every employee is also entitled to 12 paid public holidays. And then there is the United States. As we all know, our wa

From kensfoods.com , this balsamic beef stew is bursting with a blend of delicious flavors that will fill your home with aromatic delights. A great alternative to traditional beef stew, this is not only good for a family dinner, but will also impress your dinner guests. Bon Appetit! Slow-Cooker Balsamic Beef Stew 2   beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning 1 tsp pepper, divided 3 tbsp olive oil, divided 1 cup red onion, diced 1/2 cup celery, diced 2 tsp garlic, minced 2 tsp dried crushed rosemary 2 tsp tomato paste 2 cups low-sodium beef broth 1 cup red wine, (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot) 1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered 3large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 2 Bay leaves 3 tbsp cornstarch 3 tbsp water 1/4 cup Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic 1/4fresh parsley, chopped In large bowl, combine beef, all-purpose seasoning and 1/2 tsp pepper; toss to coat well. Set programmable multi-cooker to Sauté mode; heat 1 tbsp olive oil

 A very dear friend of mine once told me that with every ten years that pass, you will see and feel a marked difference. I have become more aware of her true words as each decade goes by. I have no problem with getting older; after all, it's inevitable and there is no use in fighting it. What we do, and what we reap from it, determines how we deal with it. We need to do our best to stay healthy and active. As the old saying goes, "if you don't keep moving, then eventually you can't move at all." Getting some exercise each day is a must. We need to keep our minds active in order to stay sharp. Whether we like to read, write, do crossword puzzles, or a myriad of other things, the more we do the sharper our minds remain. Socialization is vital. Stay in touch with family and friends; gather together as much as possible. These connections not only keep us active, but also boost our energy and mental well-being. Plus, connecting with younger relatives keeps us current w

Many years ago, an invitation arrived announcing his upcoming class reunion. We purchased tickets for the event, and he and his twin brother looked forward to attending to find out what their former classmates were doing.  Upon arrival we found there were a large number of his old acquaintances in attendance. One never knows if a class reunion will be successful and fun or a big bust, so I was pleased to find it well attended. As an outsider, I looked forward to watching as they became reacquainted, and we all looked forward to an evening of food, drinks, mingling and dancing. Now, one needs to keep in mind that while growing up the twin's mother led them to believe they were God's gift. Although they did spend time catching up with old friends, you can hazard a guess as to how they strutted like peacocks around old girlfriends to ensure they were aware of their presence. It was amusing to watch as they walked around the room like prom kings. The next morning, I overheard him t

This recipe comes from Amanda Carlisle at afewshortcuts.com . If you are looking for an easy way to feed your family on busy mornings, or serve a larger group for brunch, these sheet pan scrambled eggs are a great way to do so. You can serve them with sausage or bacon and add a side of fresh fruit and muffins. They can also be cut into squares and used for breakfast sandwiches. Any leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Sheet Pan Scrambled Eggs You will need a sheet pan and parchment paper. 12 eggs 1/2 cup milk salt to taste pepper to taste Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line you sheet pan with parchment paper. This makes for easy cleanup and serving. In a bowl whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Pour eggs onto covered sheet pan. If you would like to add additional toppings like cheese, veggies, and more you could do so now. Pop pan into the oven for about 15 minutes or until your eggs are cooked through. Slice the eggs into square