On My Mind Today

  "Friends are kisses blown to us by angels...Author Unknown"  Over the years I have been blessed to meet some wonderful, amazing people that I am lucky to call my friends. It takes time for me to let someone in and share my life, so these precious people are lifelong friends. We have been fortunate over the last few months to spend time with a few of them. It does not matter if we saw each other recently, or if it has been several months or a year, it always seems like it was just yesterday. There is no awkward silence, or any lull in the conversation, we seem to pick up right where we left off. Hours are spent bringing each other up to date on our families and how they have grown. Our children are no longer children, and our grandchildren are growing into adults. Where did the time go? So much time filled with reminiscing of days long ago. Stories that bring much laughter, and sometimes a tear or two. Every one of them a precious memory we are fortunate to keep with us for...

Recently I had some fresh blueberries in the refrigerator and decided to make scones. I found this recipe from Taste of Home that is easy and makes enough to put a few in the freezer for a special treat later on. To go along with the warm scones from the oven, I've included the recipe for a sweet clotted cream that I'm sure everyone will love. Blueberry Scones 4 cups all-purpose flour 6 tablespoons sugar 4-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold butter 2 eggs 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk,  divided 1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries*   1. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a bowl, whisk eggs and 3/4 cup milk; add to dry ingredients just until moistened. Turn onto lightly floured surface; gently knead in the blueberries.   2. Divide dough in half. Pat each portion into an 8-inch circle; cut each into eight wedges. Place on greased baking sheet. Brush with re...

Regardless of the path life takes us on, there is always one place that feels like home. We may travel the world and live in many other areas, but that one place we return to comforts our soul. Perhaps it has something to do with family and memories, or maybe it is simply the beauty of our surroundings making us feel like gentle arms are comforting us. Although we may never know exactly what draws us there, we will always be pulled back to feel the peace and contentment only it can provide. For me that one place is Vermont. This is where I was born, and where I lived for many years at various times of my life. Every time I return my first thought is I am home. Her beauty is breathtaking, and even though I have seen many beautiful places in my travels, nothing compares to, or speaks to me, like the beauty of Vermont. The changing of the seasons ensures there is always something new and different to see. Just as we begin to tire of the cold snowy winters, spring arrives on our doorstep w...

Fall is quickly approaching, we can feel it around the corner. After the heat and humidity of summer, we are ready to embrace this change. Windows open in the night, offering a night of restful sleep. Ready to embrace a new day,  with the cool, crisp morning air. The gardens begin to slowly fade, and we enjoy the last of the harvest. Some flowers blossom well into fall, while others drift into a dried golden hue.  Time for fresh harvested apples, and the pies and treats to be made. Aromas drifting through the windows, bringing memories of younger days. Ducks, geese, and loons prepare to leave, we watch as they practice their exit. For as long as possible we observe their beauty, and hold onto the memories it creates. A hint of fall color is teasing, preparing us for what is to come. Soon Mother Nature will present to us, her spectacular colorful foliage. Fall is just around the corner, we will embrace it for as long as we can. When the leaves make their last dance of fall, we ...

This recipe comes from Food Network star Jeff Mauro's sandwich chain, Pork & Mindy's. It's a Chicago style Italian beef sandwich kicked up with red pepper flakes and hot peppers. Not for the gentle soul afraid of heat, but sure to be a hit with your family and friends who love things hot & spicy. Although it takes a bit of time to prepare, once in the oven it only requires turning to ensure the pot roast evenly soaks in the juices from the jus. We absolutely loved these sandwiches!! "Da Beef" Italian Pot Roast Sandwich For the Pot Roast: 1 - boneless beef chuck-eye roast (about 3-1/2 pounds) Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 onion, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning (I used 1/2 tablespoon basil & 1/2 tablespoon oregano) 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 1/2 cup dry red wine 5 cups beef stock 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/4 teaspoon ground dried thyme) For the Pepper: 4 green bell peppers, cut into...

As I watch the news each day, I become more and more dismayed by what I see. What continually goes through my mind is "what has happened to common decency? Has greed, jealousy and hatred replaced kindness, compassion and understanding?" It would be easy to turn away and try to stay secluded in our own little circle, but ignoring the problems will only drive us faster to an unacceptable end. We all have ownership in some way to what has happened over time, either by contributing to it and perpetuating the issues, or by ignoring it. As if by ignoring it, we will eventually turn and see that the horrific events and behaviors have disappeared. A very naïve view of the world that we cannot afford to undertake. If we don't start treating one another with decency and respect, this will not be a world any of us want to live in. I worry each day what kind of world my grandchildren will be left with. Will they have opportunities to become what they have dreamt of, or will they have...

The summer days bring much joy, as flowers begin blossoming in the bed. The beauty from their vivid colors fill and saturate our senses. This year a multitude of honeybees arrived, so many more than the last few years. This gives me hope for their survival, something I had begun to doubt. As more flowers grew and flourished, my honeybees appeared in full force. They gathered pollen and flew off to their hive, returning to repeat over and over until the sun had set. Like every year I tend to the flowers, while they buzz around my head. Working in harmony we share the space, while we both find a sense of peace. The honeybees will remain into the fall, until there is too much cold in the air. Their hive will be well stocked for the winter, from the abundance of pollen collected. When the cold weather comes, they will go to their hive,  and feed on the honey they have made. I will miss the warm days and my time with them, but will remember the summer memories we made.

Incivility: rude or unsociable speech or behavior; rudeness, discourteousness, disrespect, insolence, impertinence." As the old saying goes: "What you put up with, you end up with." Or, in other words, what you tolerate becomes the cultural norm. I am not sure if I am disappointed, disillusioned, discouraged, appalled, ashamed, or all of these when I look at what has become of our culture. I try to understand when and why society began to tolerate incivility and bad behavior as the norm. Either people are accepting of it, or they have become numb to it; whatever the reason, it is not behavior children, or anyone else, should be exposed to. How can we expect our children to behave in a civil manner if adults are acting like bullies. There is no doubt when you observe what is taking place in society, that incivility is out of control. All those years ago when our government was formed, I am sure there was not a single person who could have imagined we would end up where we...

I don't know if you have had the pleasure of eating a fresh peach right off the tree, but they are amazing! Several years ago we were in South Carolina and my sister brought home some fresh peaches. They are very sweet, and the juice runs down your hand when you take a bite. There is nothing like it here in New England. I have always loved peach pie and ran across this true southern recipe and had to give it a try. It is filled with great peach flavor and absolutely delicious! Peach Praline Pie   4 cups peeled, sliced Peaches (about 4 medium peaches) 9-inch unbaked Deep-Dish Pie Shell 1/2 cup Sugar 3-1/2 tablespoons quick-cooking Tapioca 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour 1/4 cup packed Brown Sugar 1/2 cup Pecan pieces 4 tablespoons cold unsalted Butter   1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. 3. In a large bowl combine peaches, sugar, tapioca and lemon juice. Let stand for 15 minutes. 4. In a small bowl mix flour, brow...