On My Mind Today

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...