On My Mind Today

Another year, sixty-nine years old, and although many things have changed, much remains the same. In my mind I feel the same as I did last year and the year before, but one look in the mirror and I can see the passing of time. I may not have necessarily become comfortable with it, but I do accept what I see. Overall, I have a very good life. We have reached retirement and have been fortunate enough to experience an adventure or two. We have a comfortable home, wonderful children, and grandchildren who are well on their way to adulthood. I am fortunate in so many ways. However, we all know that no life is perfect, and there are always ups and downs. The life we planned does not always end up being the hand we are dealt. What we saw as our future takes a complete 360 and we must adjust to what is. With time the unknown becomes more familiar, and we accept the life we are now living in. With a good sense of humor, we can enjoy whatever life brings our way, and be grateful for the memories...

It's that time of year when zucchini is plentiful. There are many options available for finding new recipes, and I found this one on social media. I thought it was worth trying and I'm glad I did as it is amazing! I love zucchini and find that there are always new ways to prepare this versatile vegetable. Give it a try - I'm sure it will become a favorite for you too. Zucchini Boats 2 medium zucchini, stem end cut off and sliced in half lengthwise olive oil minced garlic salt and pepper grape tomatoes plain or seasoned breadcrumbs small mozzarella balls grated Parmesan fresh basil 1. Scoop out center of zucchini halves. Mix olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper, and brush on the zucchini. 2. Cut grape tomatoes in half and place on the zucchini, then sprinkle breadcrumbs over the tomatoes. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until just turning tender. 3. Remove from oven and place mozzarella balls on top of each zucchini half, then broil until melted. Brush with a ...

If we close our eyes and turn off the noise, we will hear the change coming. Very subtle in these late summer days, but the air whispers lightly in our ear. The days ever so slowly begin to shorten, and sunrise creeps in a bit later each morning. There are still plenty of daylight hours to enjoy, and we savor each moment we have. As weeks go by one more gathering ends, and we look forward to those left to come. Whether family or friends grace our home, much laughter and joy will unfold. The air has a hint of autumn now and then, and the aroma brings so much to mind. The cool, crisp nights, and warm days of fall, with changing leaves on the horizon. Apple picking and fresh baked pies, bring delicious aromas to the air. Cinnamon, nutmeg and a bit of clove remind of us childhood memories and home. So, close your eyes and hear the change coming, let the air whisper in your ear. But remember there is still much summer left, and we must savor every remaining moment.

When it comes to weeknight meals, I am a big fan of things you can put together in a slow cooker and leave it while you move on with your day. From Tammileetips.com , you can create a delicious meal for your family or friends with little prep. Serve this with noodles or rice and a side salad for a delicious meal. Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken 1 lb. Chicken Breast, cubed 1 bottle Teriyaki Sauce 20 oz Pineapple chunks liquid drained and reserved ½ Onion small and chunked, chunks separated ½ red bell pepper medium, chopped bite size ½ Orange pepper medium, chopped bite size 2 Tablespoon Cornstarch 2 Tablespoon Water to taste Seasoned salt Garlic Powder to taste Ginger powder Combine cubed chicken, peppers, and onion in a bowl. Season with the seasoned salt, garlic and ginger powders. Place mixture into the slow cooker and add ¼ C of water. Cook on high for 1.5 hours or low for 3-4, stirring occasionally to mix flavors and prevent sticking. After cooking time is reached, add the pineapple and...

I remember when each of my grandchildren were born. We think that our hearts could not love anyone as much as we did our children at their birth. Little did I know that my heart would feel this great love again for each of my grandchildren when they were born.  The wonderful thing about grandchildren is you can hold them, love them, play with them, but do not have the full-time worry. I have always told people that being a grandparent has many perks that motherhood does not. We can spoil them in a way we could not our own children. We have taken our grandchildren to spend time with us since they were barely toddlers. We have had wonderful experiences and taken them to so many places over the years. Of course, the first grandchild went to many more places than the others as he arrived five years before his sister. When she arrived, and then his cousin, we took them each for time of their own, and all of them together. What we have done with them has changed as they grew, but their a...

This blog from 2021 is worth repeating... Welcome to the caregiver club! No application or membership fee required, and the rules are slightly different for everyone. The only thing we can guarantee is life as you know it changes forever. Although this is not a club anyone expects to be a part of, many will be at some point in their life. As our population ages, more caregiving is being provided by people who are not health care professionals. A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need, such as an ill spouse or partner, a disabled child, or an aging relative. Caring for a loved one can strain even the most resilient people. If they are working outside the home the caregiving role becomes even more difficult. In our role as a caregiver, we want to be there to ensure our loved ones receive the personal care that only we can provide. We know them better than anyone else and will make sure that they are comfortable and have what they need. We have their best interest...

Recently we were hosting a family summer gathering and needed a dessert offering that would serve several people. Cookie bar recipes are a quick and easy solution. In my online search I found this Snickerdoodle cookie bar recipe from  familycookierecipes.com . Filled with cinnamon flavor, they are soft, moist, and absolutely delicious. Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars Prep Time 10 minutes - Cook Time 20 minutes - Serves 24 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 3 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups flour 1/2 tsp salt Topping 1/2 cup sugar 4 tsp ground cinnamon Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 10X15X1 pan with non-stick cooking spray and then line with parchment paper. Cream the butter and sugars together for 2-3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and mix for another 2-3 minutes. Add flour and salt and mix just until combined. Distribute the dough evenly in the prepared pan and use a knife to spread evenly to the edges. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and ground ci...

Work, cooking meals, homework, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping; the list goes on and some days seems like it will never end. This does not even include any extra projects that may come up. The pressure that we put on ourselves to accomplish "everything" is unrealistic. Somewhere along the way from childhood to adulthood we came to believe that we must complete all these tasks every day. Much of it is learned behavior from watching our parents. What we neglect to take into consideration are the many ways things have changed over the past couple of generations. We need to look back to understand why our grandparents, and even some of our parents, were able to do some of what we cannot reasonably accomplish in our day. When our grandparents came into adulthood and were raising children, our grandmothers usually did not work outside the home. Their work was taking care of the house and raising the children. They cooked, cleaned, shopped, helped with homework, and strived to c...

We arrive in the world tiny and soft, our bodies just beginning to move. So much to learn as we grow, not knowing what lies ahead. First, we crawl, and then we walk, stumbling with our first steps. It seems so hard when we start, but soon it is done without thought. Childhood years filled with games, we run, jump and skip with ease. Our young bodies are strong and agile, there is nothing we cannot do. From teen years to adulthood, we challenge or bodies along the way. School sports, learning to ski and more, Our strength continues to build. As we begin to slide into middle years, we give little thought to aging. Our bodies remain strong and able, as our children keep us on the move. Time passes quickly before our eyes, like magic we reach a new stage. Our younger bodies once limber and agile, surprise us they begin to transform. Try as we might, the day will come, when things are not as easy as before. We walk, stretch and push ourselves, to be as strong as we once were. In disbelief w...