On My Mind Today

Soon I will face another year 'round the sun, where did all that time go? Seems like yesterday I celebrated this, perhaps it was only a dream. Each year time seems to pass more quickly, is this true or just an illusion? Spring turns to summer, then fall is here, with winter rushing quickly in.   I look in the mirror and see changes, and know that decades have passed. But the image that greets me most often, is that young girl from so long ago. My mind sees things as it did years ago, but at times the body tells a different tale. They say that you are as young as you feel, which story will each new day bring? This year seven decades have come and gone,  this reality boggles the mind. I know that just yesterday the big 30 arrived, how could 40 more have slipped by? Take each decade in stride, cherish the time, for each one passes by more quickly. It will do no good to lament and worry, for that will only steal all of your joy. There will be time enough in years to come, to look back

  "Legends say that Hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The Hummingbirds delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning, and that laughter is life's sweetest creation." ~ Unknown A few Hummingbird facts: They are native to the Americas and are among the smallest birds measuring 7.5-13 cm in length. Their name comes from the fact that they flap their wings so fast (about 80 times per second). They can fly right, left, up, down, backwards and even upside down. They can hover by flapping their wings in a figure-8 pattern, and fly at speeds up to 49 mph. They live for 3 to 5 years. Their bright radiant color comes from iridescent coloring like on a soap bubble or prism and are used to attract mates. Out of the more than 300 species, 12 of them summer in North America and winter in tropical areas. Hummingbirds migrate individually and only during the day. Their migration ca

Fresh zucchini from the garden is in abundance right now. After making several loaves of zucchini bread, I decided to look for some other options. I found this recipe at Tasteofhome.com  that is quick and easy to make. Filled with zucchini, onion and parmesan cheese, every bite is sure to please. This would be the perfect addition to your Sunday breakfast or brunch. Family and friends are sure to love its savory flavor. Zucchini Pie 3 large eggs 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup canola oil (or your favorite oil) 1 tablespoon minced parsley 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 3 cups sliced zucchini 1 cup Bisquick/baking mix 1 small onion, chopped In a large bowl, whisk the first 7 ingredients. Stir in the zucchini, baking ix and onion. Pour into greased 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or 9-inch cake pan. Bake at 350℉ for 25-35 minutes or until lightly browned.          Enjoy!

After leaving the beautiful landscapes and vineyards of Villa San Nicola, we made our way to Rome. Checking into our Airbnb in Rome was an adventure. The streets are narrow and there is limited parking. Our host met us and helped find a parking garage down at the end of the block, then drove us and our luggage to the apartment. Needless to say, the car did not leave the garage until we left Rome.  After settling in and taking a rest, his cousin and his wife picked us up for dinner. We did a little bit of sightseeing, then enjoyed a nice meal while getting reacquainted and making plans for the next day. We made a stop for gelato before parting ways for the night. On Sunday, the four of us traveled to Ostia to have a nice relaxing lunch with more of his cousins. Along the way we stopped in Ostia Antica, which is an ancient Roman city and the Port of Rome. We had been here on our prior visit, but this time looked at a few other historic sights. We enjoyed an amazing lunch at a restaurant

If you are looking for another way to prepare pork chops other than grilling or baking, then this recipe from Katie Workman at  https://themom100.com  may be just the thing. These pork chops are smeared with an easy rub that gives them a wonderful Spanish flavor. From prep to table, you can have a great meal in about an hour. Serve them with sauteed vegetables or roasted potatoes.  If you end up with leftover rub, toss it with some cubed Yukon Gold potatoes and some olive oil, and roast the potatoes at 425 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes to go with your pork. Spanish Pork Chops 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon paprika or pimentón, sweet, spicy, or smoked 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme (optional) Pinch cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil,  plus more for cooking the chops 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar 4 bone-i

 Living on the lake offers the opportunity to watch wildlife not only on land, but also on the water. One could spend hours observing as they go about their business on sunny summer days. There is something peaceful about nature; it's as if their beauty and sounds are speaking to your soul. In the backyard the trees are filled with a multitude of colorful birds flying from one place to another, all the while singing their songs or chattering about some hidden danger. Hummingbirds swoop down to take a long drink from the feeder and quickly dart back to their nests. Chipmunks scurry around checking out the garden for any treats of interest; in the end preferring the neighbor's berry bushes. The front flower bed plays host to the honeybees and butterflies. These later days of summer they are in their glory with all the blossoms bursting with pollen. The bird bath is a busy gathering place for the birds as they quench their thirst or linger to splash in the water to cool off. It

After our time in Tuscany, we looked forward to spending time with cousins in Villa San Nicola. What can I say about Villa San Nicola? A quaint old Italian village that still has a few cobblestone streets and is away from the hustle and bustle of cities. The minute it comes into sight, you exhale, and it feels like you have arrived home. We were filled with excitement and anticipation about spending time with cousins we had not seen for five years. The warmth and love they give wraps around you like a big hug. Their family has grown since our last visit, and they now have three grandchildren with another on the way. Needless to say, they are very busy with their expanded family. Since their house was full, we stayed in the old home that he remembered from his childhood. He and his brother used to stay there when they visited Italy with their mother. One of his cousins from Rome has an apartment in the house and offered it to us for our visit. It has an old world feel and was very comfo

Growing up I always loved Snickerdoodle Cookies. These Snickerdoodle Cooke Bars are soft like the cookies from our childhood and packed with the cinnamon flavor we love! This simple recipe is made in a sheet pan and sliced into bars. It serves 24 so it is the perfect dessert for your summer gathering. Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars 1 cup butter softened to room temperature 1 cup sugar ⅔ cup brown sugar 2 eggs 3 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups flour ½ tsp salt Topping ½ cup sugar 4 tsp ground cinnamon Instructions 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 cinnamon together and sprinkle over the top of the dough. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a

What is this life I have come into? There is nothing familiar to what once was. Have I walked into someone else's life, or perhaps it is all a dream? So many things we used to do, so simple and without much thought. These same routines have now become much more effort that requires a plan. The one we care for never thought they would be in a place where they would need such help. If asked I'm sure they would tell their loved one that they wished for what used to be. We did not choose this role we play, and never believed it would be ours. It is something that others must do, how could it permeate our life? We ask God to give us patience, as we go through every step and phase. Although we always give our best effort, there are days where we may fall short. We want to be the angel and savior, that makes their life good every day. Running through our mind always seems to be,  "What could I have done better today"? We must remember we can't do it all, even though we b

The next stop in our journey was in Montespertoli.  Montespertoli is a village in the Metropolitan City of Florence (Firenze) in the Italian region of Tuscany, located about 20 kilometers southwest of Florence.  It is surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves, with stunning views. The Airbnb we had reserved was off the beaten path at the end of a dirt road and driveway. It was a small, rustic house on a farm, located behind a locked gate. Our hosts were an amazing couple, who were very knowledgeable and kind, and eager to offer suggestions during our stay. The first evening they recommended a restaurant that was a short distance down the dirt road at the Equestrian Center. We were seated at an outdoor patio that was exactly what we expected from a restaurant in the Tuscany countryside. The atmosphere was peaceful, and the food was amazing. An evening that was perfect for our first night. The next day we drove into Firenze to walk around the  Piazza della Signoria  and su