Today Is Just the Beginning

It's not a perfect time in history, but it is a "turning" point in life. The situation is world-wide and basically, no matter the country, color, age, or lifestyle, we are all facing a very major change - in some ways for the better.
Here in the United States, we did find out that we don't have to "drive" to the corner for the paper, and that our children can walk to events and school. While saving at the pump, we found a healthy excuse to use our feet and find out just how exhilarating walking with our kids can be. They even enjoyed it which was no surprise. Kids are resilient and they appreciate the "time" not the "method" of getting from here to there.
We now find that the metal box holding the morning newspaper just might become a part of past history as newspapers find readership slowing and advertising money fading away. However, meeting the neighbors and "getting the news" from your area is more pleasant, more personal, and gives you a "heads up" to what is going to affect your area. In the process, you begin to bring together friendships and acquaintances that were "missed" as you sped by with your to-do list in hand every morning.
Now we come to stores closing and major chains locking their doors for the last time. This is sad for the workers but this also eliminates the excuse for that "quick" gift or card that you grabbed, probably never reading it, but knowing it was important only in the fact that you sent it. Not so in today's mindset. Everyone has boxes of "supplies" whether they are sewing, scrapbooking, or just plain a little of this or that. It is a perfect setting for meeting with family, friends, or neighbors and "creating" your own invitations, birthday cards, anniversary remembrances, or even "sunshine" tokens, such as Get Well, and "We are here for you" type of cards. When someone has suffered a major mishap or just let the economy and world situation hit them like a brick wall, going to the mail box and finding a "strange" envelope there is a bright beginning to healing. It is, of course, hand made but so creatively done and signed by the neighborhood, your church, or a group of friends that only knew each other by name but never by heart. Now things are different - meeting for coffee is not "gossip" time but a chance to share and find out how a bit of "give and take" will make children's parties a combined effort and really more fun for the kids. It is welcoming the holidays as "home and family" time and making sure that fun, and togetherness are the active ingredients in your festive undertakings.
It is looking around your home, taking note, and realizing that your pillows on the sofa need a bit of refurbishing and curtain tie-backs that are "seasonal" would give your windows a lift. Don't grab your purse with the charge cards in it, that's a big no-no today. Grab your library card and head out to that impressive building with the walls filled with books. Ideas are between two covers, and pages are just waiting to be turned as innovation and creativity practically grab you by the hand and lead you down a path of "I can do this."
Whether your new found excitement is in gardening (to save on food bills), on sewing (even an apron for when you begin baking again) or scrapbooking (making memories that won't be put on a shelf but in a picture frame or card that will not only highlight an event but give it a lasting, pleasant impression), it is time to use your "natural" resources and make-do, make-new, and make-it-better abilities.
No time is better than now to dust off the cobwebs that may have gathered because "convenience" was easier. It never was quite right and you know it. Hand made or better known as heart-made is the mantra for today and it has so many strings attached to it. There are strings of accomplishment, completion, enjoyment, and togetherness. Not bad for getting up in the morning and realizing that life does go forward and so can you. It is seeing the sunshine and ignoring the storm clouds for a bit. It is looking at your hands and realizing that yes, they are the finest tools this old world ever had - and that yes, you can do it, but you need to get started. Something to think about
©Arleen M. Kaptur March, 2009

Springtime Is Just Around the Corner

About mid-February, everyone starts thinking about spring -

warm breezes, flowers beginning to blossom for Easter table

centerpieces, and all the scents of nature coming to life.



Surprise your table with this "springtime" basket when your salad

course comes to your mealtime plans. Fit two lettuce cups together.

Fill with tossed salad of your choice and use split green pepper rings

for the handles. Top with dressing or serve the dressing on the side,

depending on your family's preferences. Top with a bit of shredded

cheese. Trim with some springy "marigolds" - just notch thin slices

of carrots - and you have a really wonderful fresh touch to take you

and your family from the winter doldrums to springtime freshness.



Another way to bring a brand new season to your table is to serve

Sunshine Fresh Fruit Baskets - somehow baskets and spring just go

together perfectly.

Slice top from a large orange. With paring knife, remove orange sections

and any white membranes as these may be bitter. Combine orange

sections with banana slices, strawberry halves, blueberries, raspberries,

or whatever fruit you may enjoy. Refill orange shell with your fruit

choices and sprinkle some chilled ginger ale over the fruit. Trim with

mint sprigs and be ready for wonderful thoughts of springtime knowing

that your recipe is not only very pleasant to look at but is healthy, and

tasty.



When dessert time rolls around, try our Winter is Over dessert idea.

Start with 1 pkg. (8 ozs.) cream cheese softened, 3/4 cup confectioner's

sugar, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 cup whipping cream, 2 quarts fresh

berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. Blackberries

work well too, 1 carton (8 ozs.) frozen whipped topping, thawed.

In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually

add the cream; beating until thick. Spoon mixture into 10 mounds on a

waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Using the back of a spoon, shape into

3" cups. Freeze overnight.

To serve - just fill each cup with fruit and garnish with whipped topping

and chocolate curls. Aw, the luscious fruits and cream, made for a royal

meal indeed.



However you decide to start celebrating the "change in seasons" have fun

and enjoy what nature begins to tempt you with and you will have the

ingredients for some of the best meals available.

©Arleen M. Kaptur

February, 2008