On My Mind Today

Sometimes there is nothing better than a nice hot cup of coffee and a fresh baked cookie. This recipe combines two of my favorites - pumpkin and chocolate. Now that we have moved into fall, it's a great time to fill the house with the aroma of cookies baking in the oven. These are sure to become a family favorite! Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies 1-1/2 cups canned pumpkin 1-1/2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 cup vegetable oil 3 cups flour 1-1/2 teaspoons milk 3 teaspoons baking powder 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 - 12 ounce package chocolate chips 1 teaspoon salt Mix ingredients in the order given. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes on a greased cookie sheet. Enjoy!

Seven years ago, I wrote this blog with great hopes that society would take steps forward in the years to come, recognizing that we are all in this together and unity is the only way to a better world. Unfortunately, as witnessed by world events over the last several years, that is not the case. Sadly, things are worse so once again I will share this with a hopeful heart that three years from now our world will look a little brighter. "If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?" ~ William Shakespeare - The Merchant of Venice Strip away race, color, religion, politics, gender, etc., and underneath it all we are the same. We are human beings. We have the same needs, wants and desires. We want a good life for our families; a good community to live in; friends and neighbors we can trust. We want to be treated with dignity and respect, and to feel comfortable voicing an opinion, without the threat of being attacked by some...

On our way to El Puerto De Santa Maria, we made a detour to see the Rock of Gibraltar. If you have ever seen a Prudential Financial advertisement, you will recognize the Rock of Gibraltar which is their logo. The Rock of Gibraltar is a single large block of stone 426 m (1,398 ft) high. It is a limestone peninsula and mountainous rock that jets out of the end of the British territory at the southwestern tip of Europe. It is home to a network of caves, including the famous St. Michael’s Cave, which is open to the public. At the top of the Rock, visitors can enjoy amazing panoramic views of the surrounding area, including Morocco on a clear day. Seeing the Rock from below is quite a sight, however, taking a tour to the top tells a much bigger story of how impressive it truly is. We headed out in a small 6-passenger van to make the climb up to the top of the Rock. The road is quite narrow and winds back and forth along the edge of the Rock. For someone like me who is afraid o...

Many years ago, I decided I was going to make lasagna for dinner. His reaction was priceless. He said that I was not Italian, so I did not know how to make it right. As if being Italian was a prerequisite to accomplish this task. The recipe I use is a combination of a few that I have come across and is really very simple. Not only was he willing to admit that it was very good, but I have had other guests say it was one of the best they have had. I hope that you and your family enjoy this too! Lasagna 1 box lasagna noodles (I use oven ready) 2 pounds ground beef (or 1 pound each ground beef and sweet Italian sausage) 1/2 cup diced onion 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 2 - 24-ounce tomato basil pasta sauce (not chunky) 15 ounces ricotta cheese 2 cups shredded mozzarella - divided 1/2 cup shredded parmesan - divided 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tablespoons dry) Brown the ground beef with the onions and peppers, drain grease. Add the sauce ...

Early on one would never know, that memories are fading away. A tiny slip up here and there, normal forgetfulness they say. Time goes by with subtle changes, friends and family do not seem aware. If they only see them now and then, what is missing is not clear. As time passes the ones at home, will notice what others do not. They see more things forgotten, bringing sadness and concern. Many may notice a repeated story, from memories of long ago. Not aware that these old tales, are the ones that remain crystal clear. In time the recent memories, become more elusive as days pass by. Questions that are asked and answered, will be asked again and again. What we can see in our loved one, is what others cannot see. New memories will not remain with them, so, each day will bring something new.

As we were planning our trip to Italy, he mentioned that he would like to go to Spain for our next big vacation. When he was in the Navy, he had spent time there and always wanted to go back. Considering the cost of airline tickets, I suggested we incorporate it into this trip and spend the last week there. After all, three weeks away makes for an amazing trip. After landing in Palma, de Mallorca, we picked up our rental vehicle to make the short trip to Palma Nova. We took some time to settle in and relax before heading out for dinner. We took a short walk to check out the area and find somewhere to eat. We were fortunate that there was an Indian restaurant close by and the food was delicious. An enjoyable meal, listening to the sound of many languages blending together, and taking in the reality that we were on an island in Spain. With only two nights in Palma Nova, we decided the next day to drive around the island and take in the beauty of the landscape. We headed to Soller which i...

 Several years ago, I found some healthier options for desserts made with pumpkin in First for Women magazine. They cited some facts regarding the benefits of pumpkin: It prolongs satiety - one cup of pumpkin contains only 83 calories but has 8 grams of fiber which is almost a third of your daily need. Per a USDA study, people who increased their intake of this filling nutrient decreased their overall calorie intake by 10%. It balances blood sugar - Pumpkin is rich in beta-cryptoxanthin, which reduces the risk of insulin resistance by 51% (per Japanese scientists). This makes pumpkin a great way to prevent fatigue, belly fat and cravings that can come from insulin resistance. Half a cup of pumpkin contains 100% of the RDA of vitamin A, which revs the body's production of sickness-fighting T cells. Plus, once ingested, the squash's alpha-carotene converts to retinol, which spurs skin-cell renewal and collagen production. Here are some great new ways to make your favorite dessert...