On My Mind Today

I love vegetables and look for new ways to prepare them to spice things up a bit. This recipe is a variation from a Food Network Magazine offering. They used edamame for their dish, but I am a fan of sugar snap peas so decided to use them. The garlic and red pepper flakes give them a nice kick, and the fresh lime juice is the perfect flavor to top them off. This will be added to my recipe file, and I may try other vegetables in the future. Chile-Garlic Sugar Snap Peas 1 pound sugar snap peas 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 cloves garlic, sliced Cook the peas in salted boiling water until crisp tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Heat olive oil, red pepper flakes and garlic in skillet over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the sugar snap peas and season with lime juice and salt.

  Hope - to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true. To wish for · dream of · hope against hope for. What would life be if we had no hope for things to be better? If all we expected were for everything to remain the same, then what words of encouragement could we give to our children for a better world? Recent events have given us a glimpse of it would feel like without hope. We all have hopes, dreams, and desires; some of them on a personal level, and others that pertain to our communities, our country, and the world. All of them equally important when it comes to what we foresee for the future. A desire for a better life keeps us moving forward, it makes us feel alive. The dreams and aspirations that we have not only for ourselves, but for our children, are the catalyst to strive for better. Hope should come from a positive place; never from a desire for bad things to happen for personal gain. If we obtain something from someone else’s loss, the...

Respect: A feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way. Compassion: Sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Kindness: The quality or state of being kind; a kind act. Three simple words that hold much power. Either by the use, or lack of use, in our society. Unfortunately, today, there seem to be far too many not practicing the meaning of these words. Have we become that apathetic? Is this the cold world we want for our children? Respect - We should treat our family, friends and members of our community with dignity and respect. The use of sarcasm, or saying whatever we are thinking, displays a total disregard for those around us. We don't have to agree with someone, but we should respect their opinions and beliefs. Social media has made it too easy to disrespect someone as we hide behind a computer screen. At times it appears that some forget we are all ...

Fresh strawberries are in season! If you're looking for a quick, delicious dessert for last minute company, then you're in luck with this berry tart. From Food Network Magazine this recipe couldn't be any easier and can be ready in less than an hour. This calls for fresh strawberries, but you could change it up by adding raspberries, blueberries or apple slices. Shortcut Berry Tart 1 thawed frozen puff pastry sheet fresh sliced strawberries 2 tablespoons melted butter sugar 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slightly roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. 2. Score a 1-inch border around the edges with a knife. Brush the whole sheet with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. 3. Arrange sliced strawberries inside the border, sprinkle with more sugar. 4. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve with whipped cream.

What right do you have to invade their home? It is not yours to take by brutal force. Attacking like a thief in the night, showing your cowardice and cruelty. Telling the world your lies in order to justify your actions. No one, not even your own citizens, believe your fabrications and protest against you. Brutally killing innocent people, and labeling them as the aggressor. Forcing families to leave their home, traveling far and wide to protect their children. Men of all ages, and many women, staying behind to protect their homeland. Using their bodies and weapons to block the destruction from tanks. These brave souls will always be the true heroes. You, with your powerful army and weapons, attacking a small country living in peace. If you succeed, you will always be the pariah who has isolated his country from the world.   The world is watching your aggression with sadness and tears. They all see you for the brutal oppressor that you are. This will not end well, as wars neve...

Music, the universal language that can bring people together in times of joy, and in times of great distress. Even if you don't understand the language the music speaks to your soul. As far back as I can remember music has been a part of my life. Our parents enjoyed listening to music, so we grew up with the sound of country melodies. As a teenager I can't say I was a big fan of country music; I grew up in the 60's so when the Beatles came along, and then the Rolling Stones, rock and roll became a part of my life. In the 80's and 90's I was raising my children, and as my parents did, I introduced them to music as infants. As they grew up, we enjoyed much of the same music, but it's funny how they too were not big country fans as teenagers. Perhaps it has something to do with rebelling against parents. Over the years I have come to appreciate many genres from country to classical, rock, soul and much more. I learned that good music comes in many forms and if you ...

When we get to the hot and humid days of summer it is hard to think about cooking. This is a great alternative to a hot dish, and you make it ahead of time so all you have to do is pull it from the refrigerator and serve. For those who don't want meat, you can add your own choice of fresh veggies such as green and red peppers, spinach, onions, cucumbers, etc. for the meat layers. Ham and Turkey Muffaletta  1/2 cup drained sliced pimento stuffed green olives 1 jar (6 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (reserve 1 Tbsp. marinade) 2 Plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 round loaf (1 lb.) crusty Sourdough bread 8 oz. deli sliced cooked turkey 4 oz. deli sliced Black Forest ham 4 oz. deli sliced provolone cheese 1 cup fresh basil leaves 1 cup black olive tapenade In a bowl mix together sliced green olives, chopped artichoke hearts, chopped tomatoes and reserved 1 Tbsp. marinade. Cut off top 1/4" bread, reserve. Pull soft bread from inside loaf, leaving 1/2" thi...

As I look out at an absolutely breathtaking day at the lake, it is nice to see people relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends. We need to do this more often as it becomes so clear as we age that the years go by in a flash. One day you are a child playing hide and seek, and in the blink of an eye (or so it seems) you are moving into retirement years. Where did all those years in between go? I know that when I was young I was like everyone else. I could not wait to go to school, become a teenager, learn to drive, to be out on my own, to get married, and to have children. All that time spent hurrying my life away unaware that some day I would be wanting all those years back. If I had only known how precious all that time was perhaps I would have slowed myself down and enjoyed it more - and perhaps not. I guess when we are young we feel that we will live forever so no need to go slow. There will be plenty of time tomorro...

I see a world sick and suffering, beseeching us to heal the wounds. We must do our part to help one another, and bring harmony and peace to all. The world is filled with chaos today, no peace to be found it seems. Everywhere we look the sights and sounds, bring a heaviness that is hard to bear. Conflicts and wars linger on, with nobody willing to step back. Fueled by tyrants who want to take, with the victims trying to save what they have. Hatred being spread far and wide, there seems to be no end in sight. The instigators pushing every day, telling you who to blame. Media coverage twenty-four hours a day, it is difficult not to become numb. We must persevere to ensure, that none of this becomes the norm. Social media has become all consuming, and the children suffer the most. Bombarded with images of what they should be, and bullied by many of their peers. In spite of all of these troubling things, that are trying to destroy the world. There are many people we see each day, helping ot...