On My Mind Today

"Twas The Night Before Christmas," was written in the early 19th century, and is one of the oldest and most popular Christmas poems. There is a dispute over the author, and the poem has been attributed to both Clement Clarke Moore and Henry Livingston, Jr. over the years. It was first published on December 23, 1823 in the  Troy Sentinel  newspaper in upstate New York. It is also referred to as "A Visit From St. Nicholas" or "The Night Before Christmas." Today I want to share with you the original lyrics to the poem. Hope you will enjoy sharing this with your children and grandchildren. 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,  In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,  And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,  Had jus...

With Christmas less than a week away, here is a great appetizer for your special gathering. I have never been a mushroom lover, but a good friend gave me a container of beautiful large mushrooms. Not wanting to waste them I went looking for a stuffed mushroom recipe. I discovered this one from Taste of Home and gave it a try. They were absolutely delicious! I hope they are as big a hit with your family and friends as they were in my home. Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms 12 to 15 large fresh mushrooms 2 tablespoons butter, divided 2 tablespoons chopped onions 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon dried basil salt and pepper to taste 4 ounces bulk Italian sausage 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1. Remove stems from mushrooms. Chop stems finely; set mushroom caps aside. Place stems in paper towels and squeeze to remove any liquid. 2. In a large skillet, heat 1-1/2 teaspoons butter. Cook stems and onion until tender. Add the l...

What if we were to look down on earth, from high above the clouds. When we gazed down on the suffering, would our hearts break from what we saw. Brutal wars scattered here and there, lives lost to the evil savagery of men. They tell lies to justify their deeds, but we know they have power hungry hearts. Jealousy fueling racism and hatred, pointing fingers at friend and foe. Claiming that what is wrong in our lives, is the fault of anyone but ourselves. We have used and abused our resources, wiping out all of the natural safeguards. When bigger catastrophic disasters arise, we struggle to bring them under control. Ultra wealthy making more and more, never thinking of anyone else. While so many in the world are suffering, they laugh and say it's all mine. Corporations making record profits, all the while cutting jobs without a care. Their gluttony and greed are disgusting, without any regard for their fellow man. In every country and corner of the earth, homelessness is growing every...

From the pages of Woman's Day and the Casserole Queens, this recipe is perfect for your Sunday brunch. You can prepare it the day before and just keep it refrigerated until you pop it in the oven the next morning. Your brunch guests will think you have spent hours putting it together. Sure to become a favorite in your recipe file.   Breakfast Bread Pudding   2 Tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the dish 1 medium onion, chopped Salt and Pepper 1 bunch Swiss chard, stems thinly sliced and leaves cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces 8 large eggs 2 cups whole milk 8 ounces country, French or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch pieces 14 ounces can artichoke hearts, patted dry and chopped 6 ounces leftover or thick-cut deli ham, cut into 1-inch pieces 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan   1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 2-1/2-to-3-quart dish. 2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and ...

One thing is certain in life – eventually we all run out of time. This truth is much clearer with each passing year. That feeling of invincibility from our youth fades ever so slightly with each decade. Nothing can bring us face-to-face with our own mortality more than the loss of a loved one or dear friend. Even if we are aware that their time with us is slipping away, we are never prepared. As they leave behind all that binds them to the earth, our hearts feel like they have been crushed by a heavy weight. Grief is a natural response to losing someone that is important to us. Processing a loss is different for each person, and grief is never experienced in the same manner. While some can allow themselves to feel their grief and release it, others hold it in and keep it hidden from the world. Losing someone is difficult at any time in our lives but can be even more heartbreaking and traumatic if we are facing difficult times. Our ability to accept loss when life is good is never easy ...

We have once again reached that joyful time of year. Decorated trees, Christmas lights, candy canes, stockings hung by the fire and so much more. The look of wonder in a child's eyes and their innocent belief in the season is contagious. There is something magical about the Christmas season, and in challenging times we need this magic in our lives. If we open our hearts up to all that comes with the holiday, it will lift our spirits and bring an abundance of joy. There are those who will try to steal our joy; the ones who refuse to see all that is good about Christmas. They do not look at the true meaning of the season or try to give joy to others. They believe it is about spending money and are not aware that a simple act of kindness is a true gift. If you are one who loves to start early and wrap themselves up in the season, do not be discouraged by others. Dive in and spread Christmas cheer wherever you go.  Decorate early. Listen to Christmas music. Smile at a stranger and comp...

From the pages of Woman's Day magazine, this rich, creamy and delicious pie would be an excellent addition to your holiday gatherings. Easy to make and sure to become a favorite of family and friends. You will find it difficult to eat only one piece. (Photo below is from Woman's Day as we finished the pie before a photo was taken.) Chocolate-Orange Mascarpone Pie Cookie Crust: 24 chocolate wafer cookies (I used Nabisco Famous) 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1/3 cup orange marmalade Filling: 10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, broken up 3 tubs (8 ounces each) Mascarpone, at room temperature 1/3 cup Confectioner's sugar 3 Tablespoons orange liquor or orange juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 large seedless orange (optional) Crust: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. You'll need a 9-inch pie plate. 2. Pulse cookies in processor until fine crumbs; add butter and process until blended. Press mixture evenly into bottom and sides of pie plate. Bake 12 minutes; cool on wire rack. Spread marmal...

These last several weeks I have felt the urge to travel solo on back country roads to seek some peace and solitude. There is nothing better for the soul than to escape the everyday chaos and take yourself to another time, even if only in your imagination. With that in mind, I once again share this blog from several years ago that brings me back to one of those days. "I shall be telling this with a sigh - Somewhere ages and ages hence; Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." ~ Robert Frost ~ In the last few weeks, I have traveled to the southern NH/MA border several times, been to Andover, MA, and most recently to Boston, MA. Being on the highways with such a high volume of traffic can be a bit overwhelming and stressful. It's no wonder people feel exhausted if they are dealing with this on a daily basis. Not something I have any desire to do. Today when I headed out, I decided to take a more peaceful ro...

Growing up we learned about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving held in 1621. Although there are many versions, the story many of us know is the one we are taught in school. The first American Thanksgiving was held in celebration and thanks of the harvest that the Plymouth Colony was blessed with after a very harsh winter. The colonists celebrated the day in the spirit of traditional English harvest festivals. The Native American Indians Samoset (Abenaki), Squanto (Patuxet-tributary of the Wampanoag), and Massasoit (Leader of the Wampanoag) were the honored guests of Captain Myles Standish and were asked to bring their immediate families along for the feasting and celebration. Standish had no idea that their immediate family consisted of nearly one hundred members of their tribe. Standish and the Pilgrims did not have enough food to last three days for so many people, so Massasoit sent his men home to bring back more food and supplies. His generosity provided the majority of the fo...

From Just a Pinch Recipes, this was submitted by Brenda Watts. The original family recipe was for pumpkin pie, which later became sweet potato streusel. Her daughter then decided to become creative and changed the recipe to acorn squash streusel. I have not had the opportunity to try this one yet, but I have no doubt it will become a favorite. Any pumpkin or squash pie usually gets my stamp of approval. If you decide to make this one, please let me know what you think. Acorn Squash Streusel Pie For Pastry and Filling: 1 refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box (or you can make your own pie crust) 2 cups cooked and mashed acorn squash (or one 17 oz. bag of frozen acorn squash, thawed) 1/2 cup sugar 1-12/ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup evaporated milk or dairy sour cream For Streusel Toping: 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1/3 cup firm butter or margarine 1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans or wa...

"The groans of nature in this nether world, Which heaven has heard for ages, have an end. Foretold by prophets, and by poets sung, Whose fire was kindled at the prophet's lamp, The time of rest, the promised Sabbath, comes: Six thousand years of sorrow have well nigh Fulfilled their tardy and disastrous course Over a sinful world; and what remains Of this tempestuous state of human things, Is merely as the working of a sea Before a calm, that rocks itself to rest; For HE, whose car the winds are, and the clouds The dust that waits upon his sultry march, When sin hath moved him, and his wrath is hot, Shall visit earth in mercy; shall descend, Propitious, in his chariot paved with love; And what his storms have blasted and defaced For man's  revolt , shall with a smile  repair ." Cowper's Task. Humans have spent thousands of years abusing the earth; stripping her natural resources, dumping trash into her waters and onto the land, and spewing toxins into the air. And...

Built on the backs of our ancestors, who arrived from places far and wide. Searching for hope and opportunity, with the promise of prosperity for all. Anyone who comes is welcome here, new citizens to make democracy strong. Traveling from east and spreading west, claiming land for their new homes. Over the decades America stood strong, a beacon of strength to the world. Sending our soldiers to war many times, to help our allies fight evil abroad. Americans worked to achieve their dreams, enriching the country with hard work. Off the backs of immigrant citizens, we became the richest country in the world. Decades have passed and much has changed, generosity and compassion have waned. The greed of billionaires drained any wealth, from the citizens who work every day. Those who are supposed to serve us, seem to only serve themselves. The rest of the world looks upon us, as a threat to democracy for all. Our gift from France many years ago, the Statue of Liberty stands tall. With words eng...

This recipe is one that my mother made for many years. It is from Myra Waldo's Chinese Cookbook which was given to her by my great aunt. I always remembered this dish and a short while ago she passed the cookbook on to me. My memories did not deceive me - this dish was as delicious as I remembered! Sautéed Beef with Snow Peas   1-1/2 pounds Sirloin Steak, cut into thin strips 3 tablespoons Dry Sherry 3 tablespoons Soy Sauce 2 tablespoons Cornstarch   Mix the sherry, soy sauce and cornstarch - toss with the beef. (I do this the night before and let it marinate overnight, but you can do it when you prepare the meal)   1 pound Snow Peas 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil 2 cloves Garlic, minced 1 teaspoon Sugar 1/3 cup Soy Sauce   1. Remove the ends from the snow peas and cook in boiling water 3 minutes, or until tender but still crisp. 2.  Heat 1/4 cup oil in a skillet and sauté beef until lightly browned. Remove. 3. Heat the remaining oil in another skillet 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...

  Nov ember Darkness Once again you grace our door, bringing gray skies and gloominess. Your darkness can cast shadows across our souls making cheerful days harder to come by. We struggle to rise each day, and are slow to greet what lies ahead. It would be easier to bring the covers up over our heads and remain sleeping. Sunshine becomes increasingly evasive as it hides behind dark clouds. Every now and then its rays peek through, and we praise and cherish each precious moment. At times we envy the woodland  creatures who hibernate through these dreary times. They have no worries of facing the dismal days of November as they slumber, peacefully dreaming of summer days left behind. The gathering of family and friends near months end helps to lift our spirits, pulling us up from the long dark days. One day that easily washes away the dismal weeks we have recently endured. November; dark, dreary, and dreaded materializes as we are trying to enjoy the last vestiges of fall foliage...

Before too long, we will be moving into the holiday season and will be hosting gatherings with family and friends. If you are planning a brunch during this time of year, you might want to try this recipe from Tasty which I found on social media. Filled with pumpkin, pecans, and caramel, this sweet treat is sure to be a hit with your brunch guests. Caramel Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread 3/4 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons butter, melted flour pizza dough caramel topping Preheat oven to 350℉. In a medium bowl combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pecans, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle. Brush the dough with melted butter. Spread the pumpkin mixture evenly over the dough and drizzle with caramel topping. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough lengthwise into 3 long strips, and widthwise into 6 - creating mini rectangles. In a greased 8x4 l...

As far back as I can remember Halloween has been one of those holidays that was fun for children. How could they not enjoy dreaming up a costume and going out to Trick or Treat for candy. Growing up there were six of us and we spent weeks deciding what we wanted to be and how to come up with the costume. Of course, back then we used what was available in the house to create our vision, and maybe we could get a purchased plastic mask. Then on Halloween night our parents took us out to go from house to house. We would run up to the door, knock, and when it was opened, we would all yell out, "Trick or treat!", then watch as the treat was deposited into our bag or bucket. After saying thank you we moved on to the next house and repeated the process until we felt that nothing had been missed. Once home we would dump our bounty on the table and our eyes would open wide with amazement at what we had collected. I kept that tradition alive with my children, and they did with their chi...

Of all the seasons in New England, fall is my favorite. The warm days and cool nights of early fall breathe life into my soul and energize me. Then October arrives and Mother Nature puts on her fall foliage show with a breathtaking display of red, orange and gold. Truly a vision unlike any other. When late fall arrives the days and nights get cooler; leaves fall from the trees and November arrives. November, one of my least favorite months (with March being the other); gray days with little sunshine to warm our bones and brighten our spirits. If it were not for Thanksgiving at the end of the month, and Christmas in December, it might be extremely difficult to get through the darkness. November can bring gloomy moods if we allow it to, so I try to find some fun and enjoyment even on these days. When my oldest daughter was around two, we happened to be looking out on a cool, gray November day. The wind was blowing hard, and the leaves were falling from the trees. ...

Although it is not always a perfect life, it has been filled with love, hopes and dreams. Places we have gone and things we have seen, forever memories that can be recalled. Years go by giving time no thought, with so much in our future to do. We take for granted the life we have, never imagining what road lies ahead. One day things begin to slowly change, a memory lapse from time to time. Written off as not paying attention, or listening to what has been said. As time passes it is too much to ignore, and a search for an answer ensues. The words they speak too difficult to absorb, will overwhelm and take your breath away. Far too young for this to be true, disbelief at what you have been told. The only thing that can be done, is to try and slow it down. The long goodbye they call it, you have no understanding of what this means. The journey you are about to embark on, is far more than you could ever surmise. At first the changes are minor, everyday life remains much the same. We go and...

From the always reliable Betty Crocker, this variation of apple pie is absolutely delicious! Think caramel apples and you will know how great this combination is. Prep time is only about 25 minutes, and it's easy enough to make with your children. I know this pie will be one that is made often in our home, and it's sure to be a hit with your family also. Caramel-Apple Pie 1 box prepared, refrigerated pie crust (2/box), softened as directed on the box, or you can make your own pie crust. 1/2 cup butterscotch caramel topping (I used sea salt caramel topping) 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 8 cups baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/2 inch (6-8 apples) Fresh McIntosh work well. 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon milk 2 teaspoons sugar 1/2 cup butterscotch caramel topping Vanilla ice cream , if desired 1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place cookie sheet on bottom rack. Make pie crusts as directed on box for two-...

Life can be exhausting at times. There is too much noise, too much chaos, and an overabundance of negativity coming into our days. It's not surprising that people look back at different eras and think that life may have been easier, or at least simpler with less stress. In thinking about this, I decided to look at a few different eras of days gone by to see what they were like. I wonder if anyone might choose to go back to any of these times? 27 BCE-14 CE: The Roman Empire - a period in Roman civilization that was governed by emperors and large territorial holdings around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, North Africa and West Asia. There were secure borders and a stable central government, and they enjoyed a period of prosperity and technological advancement. If you were a Roman citizen you were entitled to education, military pensions, democracy and welfare for the poor. A non-citizen received protection from invaders, free passage for supplies, and engineering advancements for a ...

Seven decades have passed, which has made me pause and look back on my life. I have a good life and over the years have had few regrets. The one question I do ask myself is "where did that young woman go?" The younger woman had many dreams, goals and ambitions, excited about life, fun and carefree. Dreaming of adventures that she would embark on when stepping out on her own, she was willing to take risks to get there. In her mind were visions of traveling the world and becoming a famous writer or photographer. With a heart filled with joy and wonder, she would share her experiences with everyone so they could imagine being in all of the places she had been. Along the way, life got in the way, and these dreams and adventures ended up at the end of the list. Adulthood brought work, marriage and children, and somehow, she got lost; lost amongst all the daily tasks and routines; lost amongst all that she did to care for those she loved. Prior to this some of my own fears kept me ...

My daughter shared this recipe from  tastefulventure.com  with me, and I figured it would be a nice change from our usual dinner menu. Living with a Sicilian, I wasn't sure how he would react to spaghetti squash. I did add ground sweet Italian sausage as he doesn't feel it's a meal without meat. Much to my surprise, he actually thought it was great. Filled with a mix of great flavors, it is a dish that will grace our dinner table again in the future. Italian Spaghetti Squash Boats 1 large Spaghetti Squash 1/2 Red Pepper chopped 1/2 Sweet Onion chopped 4 cloves minced Garlic 1/4 cup chopped fresh Basil 2 1/2 cups of Marinara Sauce 1/2 cups shredded low fat Mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp black pepper Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and cut Spaghetti Squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Place squash halves cut side up on foil lined baking sheet. Brush 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil over insides of squash. S...

Where did you go with your vibrant soul, that once shined bright as a star. In the midst of everyday chaos, did you lose yourself once again? It used to be easy feeling free to dream, never letting things get in your way. These days so much seems to cloud your mind, that barriers hinder your vision of what could be. Torn between the inherent need to do for others, and the yearning to chase a buried dream. Your heart is filled with a desire to care for the ones you cherish, and your soul cries out, what about me? Balance, you whisper, or everyone will lose, yet balance is elusive most days. Pulled here, then there, to make sure that loved ones thrive, and telling yourself tomorrow will be for you. There is great joy in what you do for others, and their happiness is a true reward. But you are empty when there is no time left for you, and your soul feels the void. Don't lose yourself,  take a breath and step back. Remember the dreams, set time aside, and bring your heart and soul back...

Over the past few months, we have traveled the highways and secondary roads from New England to South Carolina and back, and much more. Our adventures have taken us over 3,000 miles, and one thing I have come to realize is that Mother Earth deserves better from humans. Although there are billboards in some New England states, the further south you go they become even more prevalent. They may encourage people to stop at attractions along the way, or travel off the highway to buy souvenirs, but they detract from any beauty that Mother Earth is so willing to share with us. It is difficult to see wildflowers along the roadway, or family farms with livestock and fields of corn, with huge advertising signs blocking the view. Some states have banned them, and it would be great to see them disappear from the roadside throughout our country. With today's technology we can easily find the places we want or need to go without a big billboard blocking the views. One of the most heartbreaking t...