On My Mind Today

Each day we are hit with an onslaught, of all that is wrong in our world. As impossible as it seems we gather our strength to rise above it and see the good. Narcissistic leaders unleashing evil in their incessant need for power. With no heart or compassion, they bomb the innocent never looking back with as much as a hint of remorse. Some of our fellow countrymen strive each day to spread hatred, fear and lies. If said often enough their hope is they will eventually turn friends into foes. Misogynistic men calling out like the pied piper, hoping to pull in those easily led. In spite of this we will stay strong and rise above it all, knowing in our hearts that we will triumph in the end. Be diligent and recognize the ones, that try to persuade you to buy the evil they sell. Always remember if we rise above it all, Our love, hope and acceptance will always win.

Grief is the last act of love we can give to those we loved. Where there was deep grief, there was great love. ~ knowyourgrief.org ~ 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 b...

This recipe was found on the Midwest Living website. It was submitted by Karen Cope of Minneapolis who won a blue ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair for this stunning chocolate-and-marshmallow cake, based on whoopie pie cookies. As she says, "It's hard to beat a chocolate cake with a creamy marshmallow filling and chocolate glaze." I suggest making it when you will be having company, otherwise you will have trouble not eating all of it by yourself! Whoopie Pie Cake   1-1/2 cups butter 5 eggs 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 2 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup buttermilk powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2-1/2 cups packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee crystals 1 cup water   Chocolate Glaze   1/4 cup whipping cream 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces   Marshmallow Filling   3/4 cup butter, softened 1 - 7-ounce jar marshmal...

Laughter - noun: The action or sound of laughing; an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement. Syn onyms -  belly laugh, cackle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, horselaugh, snicker, hee-haw. It has become clear to me that people don't laugh enough today; at least not the hearty kind of laughter that makes us feel good. We have fallen into routines where we allow daily stress to dominate our days. Is it any wonder we feel unhappy so often? They say that laughter is the best medicine, and as it turns out, there is some scientific truth to this. Per research by Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University in California, laughter leads to benefits such as:  Reducing stress hormones Working our abs Boosting T-cells Lowering blood pressure Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increased blood flow which can help to protect us from a heart attack. It can also temporarily relieve pain, and it burns calories. Another bonus to laughter - it has been shown t...

Relationships – at best they are difficult. It’s not easy ensuring that two parties feel valued and that they are heard when they speak. We too often can’t open our minds to listen to one another when all we can hear is our own voice saying, “it’s not fair”, “I don’t agree with you”, or “listen to me”. We all like to have our own way but also know that it’s not possible all the time unless we choose to live alone. In a perfect world things would go our way, and our partner would always do whatever we wished.    Not going to happen! As I have always told my children, there is no such thing as perfect. Sharing your life with someone takes a lot of hard work and compromise. Many times, we feel like we’re the only one compromising, but the reality is both parties do. Circumstances in our lives make a difference in how much we are willing to or can compromise. When faced with difficulties we are less open to hearing another point of view, or willing to go along with something that ...

Several years ago, while visiting my mother, we had lunch at a local restaurant. They had a very nice menu with selections I had not seen in other places. I ordered their Vermont Panini, and it was delicious! I made sure I took a mental note of the ingredients so I could make it at home. They used a maple mustard, and I was able to find a simple recipe for this. An easy recipe with a great combination of flavors. Vermont Panini Panini Bread (I used the large oval flatbread) 6 thin slices baked ham 6 slices Granny Smith apple 4 slices Vermont Cheddar Cheese Maple Mustard: 1/8 cup stone ground mustard 1Tablespoons Vermont maple syrup Combine mustard and maple in a small bowl. 1. Prepare maple mustard and set aside. 2. Take two slices of the Panini bread and place one slice of cheese on each. Top with three thin slices of the baked ham, three slices of the apple, and then top with another slice of cheddar cheese. Put the other two slices of brea...