Lat night I wrote this. I am celebrating a non-material Christmas this year, so this is my gift to you.

In my 65 years on this planet, I've noticed a few things I'd like to share:

1. Life is NOT a destination, it is a journey.

2. The world could be a different place, if we all just decided to be a little nicer to each other.

3. Most all successful politicians arrive at their positions of power through the constant, thorough manipulation of others.

4. Each day, it is good to learn something new, all through one's life.

5. The world is a better place when you do something meaningful in the life of another person each day.

6. Children's laughter is an elixir.

7.Civility with others is the ultimate social lubricant.

8. We all just need a little recognition.

9. Gathering friends and family around food is always a good idea.

10. Fundamentalism of any kind defines the world in an immutable fashion that exists only in the mind of the person that holds the fundamental belief.

11. Bankers are never your friend.

12. There is much good in innocence.

13. Walking the world in judgment of others guarantees a lonely life.

14. The horizon was once clear for 50-100 miles, naturally.

15. Never listen to those who talk the talk, always listen to those who walk the walk.

16. Create laughter wherever you go.

17. Smell the roses.

18. There are great aromas in the world, starting with toast, coffee, popcorn, bacon, star jasmine, and rosemary.

19. Watching a campfire for hours, up close, is a meditation.

20. Computers will connect us, or destroy us. The jury is still out.

21. There is a wealth of beauty in the world, if one just opens their senses.

22. There is a beauty in words.

23. Sex is fleeting, and wonderful.

24. Touch heals.

25. Luck is the meeting of preparation and opportunity.

26. You don't need everything you have.

27. Life could be so much worse.

28. Health matters.

29. Water is scarce, we just don't know it yet.

30. Making mud pies is a fundamental right.

31. Jealously both destroys you, and makes you ugly.

31. Trust your instincts.

32. Lifelong learning is a gift we can give ourselves.

33. Strawberries are a celebration, especially with sour cream, and powdered sugar.

34. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each day, is imperative.

35. Define who you are, don't let others define you.

36. Music heals.

37. Friendship is always worth the investment.

38. Fresh tomatoes from the garden are a sacrament.

39. Listen!

40. Smile more often.

41. Care about others, especially when they don't make it easy.

42. If at all possible, live in a house with a porch.

43. Take long walks on a beach when you can.

44. Show appreciation.

45. Experience gratitude.

46. Know yourself, no matter how painful.

47. Smoking kills slowly.

48. Creativity opens you up as a person.

49. Being willing to be vulnerable pays great dividends.

50. You know more than you think.

51. Hurting others, ultimately hurts you.

52. Pickles make you pucker.

53. If you want others to do it right, don't try to control them.

54. Progress starts with a willingness to trust.

55. I have no tolerance for zero tolerance.

56. Anonymity breeds incivility.

57. Rubber bands are weapons.

58. Water bombs are fun for kids of all ages.

59. Breasts are a gift from God.

60. Humor heals.

61. Everyone has a gift.

62. We have it within our power...

Rum Nut Squash Bake

This being Thanksgiving, I wanted a non-sugary dish to replace the traditional sweet potato casserole with the walnuts, butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. Having recently been given some acorn squash, I came up with this.

Acorn Squash
2 ripe pears (or apples)
1/2 cup pecan halves
3 TBS olive oil
1 TBS dark rum
1 tsp onion flakes
1 tsp garlic flakes
1 TBS fresh sage

Take 4 small, or 3 medium acorn squash, split in half, remove the seeds and pulp, Pam a baking pan and place acorns split side down and bake in a 350 degree oven for 1-1 and 1/4 hours based on size. Let them cool. Now remove skins and place in mixing bowl, core and thin slice pears, about 1/8th to 1/4", now add all ingredients, and mix well and place in casserole. Bake in 325 degree oven for 1/2 hour covered, then uncover, and bake an additional 15 minutes, and serve. If there are leftovers, you can reheat it with a layer of grated cheese of choice. In my case, it will be smoked gouda.

Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Curried Cream of Cauliflower

As I've said before, I'm an opportunistic cook, using what I have. I made a creamed cauliflower side dish the other day, called fauxtatoes by some, due to it's low carb nature. I steamed a head of cauliflower for 15 minutes, then added it to my vita mix with 1/4 cup chicken stock, and 1/2 tsp. salt, and blended until it was smooth. Then I added about 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan, and served. It was delicious.

Having about 1 and 1/2 cup leftover, I combined the remainder with 1 cup chicken stock, 3/4 tsb curry powder, and blended until it was soup. Delicioso!

Purple Pears

Many of my recipes are based upon what's in the larder. Last night I was to attend a gathering where I was to bring a dessert. I wanted something lite, post holiday. So I looked around. I found some pears, some blueberries, and a lemon that I wanted to use, so here's what I came up with:

3 15oz cans pears (in lite syrup) drained

1 cup frozen blueberries (defrosted, and drained)

1 whole lemon for juice

1 Tbs. Cinnamon

1 tsp mint leaf

1/2 tsp stevia

*optional 1/2 cup walnuts

Combine ingredients in a bowl, Pam a baking dish, and place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1/2 hour. It turns the pears a deep purple, and to me is blueberry pears, as you have the flavor of blueberries with the texture of the pears. It was served warm last night. Today I finished the little amount left cold, and it tasted even better.