The Family Mom Built

Mom never stops
being your mother

As we leave the old and begin the new, please, let's remember what's important. Little things. Like when the family’s basic pattern started with breakfast?

Mom set breakfast on the table for her children. She smiled as happy faces spooned cereal and grabbed the jelly to spread on their toast.

She’d remind  her “chicks” to come straight home from school. “Don’t talk to strangers,” she’d repeat like she did so many other times. Some mom's might add, "don't spit on the sidewalk, don't smoke , don't drink, be polite and above all "always love each other." That’s a simple snapshot of morning in an all America home.

Mom’s kitchen moves at a more hustle bustle pace. The family may or may not share the breakfast table at all. It often feels as if every pair of feet in the kitchen hurry in a different direction.

Little Johnny has a half eaten piece of toasted bread hanging out of the side of his mouth.  Susie looks for her paper bag lunch.  The baby sits in his highchair with a happy face smeared withbreakfast. No one realizes that they are all living a "happy family memory" that will stay with them until the day they die. Don't ever forget what make living life good and safe.

DF: Pumpkin Biscotti

Here's one of the best quick & easy dessert recipes out of a cookbook of cakes, pies, cupcakes, tarts, cheesecakes, brownies, cookies. It's the exclamation point on dinner recipes.

Dessert doesn't have to be elaborate to compliment your main meal entree. Even a simple last bite like a fruit compote or a pudding recipe topped with whipped cream can make a wonderful last-statement sweet.

Meatless Monday: Vegetable Cassoulet

It's Meatless Monday. This recipe mimics the classic French cassoulet with onion, garlic, baby carrots, peppers, beans and tomatoes.

Go Meatless Monday is recognized by cities and countries all around the world. It's a day people unite around food.

This dish is named after its traditional cooking vessel, the cassole, a deep, round, earthenware pot with slanting sides.

Affirm Happy Thoughts

I honor my integrity in all that I do.

ICYDK  In case you didn’t know, this is a positive affirmation. This simple statement can make you feel happy. It’s true. The right words can produce “Happy Thoughts,” and make you realize how amazing you are.

Life is precious and wonderful, but it's common sense that some days are not always filled with joy.