THE WAY PEOPLE TREAT YOU

By Vernalee

You can only control your behavior and actions; not those of others. You may receive undeserved and hurtful treatment from others. You can’t change them or their inflicted actions for those are tasks that only they can do. Don’t blame yourself for their actions. By no means, should you become a contributing party to bad conduct. Stay on guard as you constantly monitor your own conduct. You are not a prisoner of their war. You have options; exercise them. You never have to subject yourself to bad treatment. You can always leave!

Photo Credit: pininterest

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

By Vernalee

Happy Thanksgiving! As we cook, bless the food, and enjoy the day off, it is a joyous time of reflections. Oh yes … Thanksgiving is more than a day of the huge feast – turkey, ham, dressing, cakes, and pies. Though the delectable food is yummy to our tummies! It’s more than a day of parades and countless football games. It is a day to be thankful – thankful for life, loved ones, family, friends, blessings, and the amenities of living! Recognized as one of the busiest travel times, many people travel near and far to be with and share time with people that they love. Kindred spirits are the order of the day. On the flip side, the holidays can be a lonely time for some! There are some folks who are not as fortunate as others. The bread of loneliness they may eat. Regretfully, some may even spend the day alone. So this holiday season, let’s work on a project together. Let's share our fortunes of love, kindness, and resources with others. Let not our love be selfish and superficial; ignoring the needs of others. Turning our heads should not be an option. It’s amazing how a simple gesture - a note, call, text message … will bring joy to someone’s heart. Let our love be overflowing like a cornucopia. I am sure that the recipients of our generosity will be thankful! For certain, we would have left them better than we found them! That feeling should fill our souls as much as the Thanksgiving meal filled our tummies! Blessings! Photo credit: www.catholicism.about.com

HAND ME DOWNS -A FAMILY TRADITION

By Vernalee

There has always been a tradition in our family of passing down possessions. It is funny how the little things in life mean so much! Allow me to share a cooking story. Lemon juice can be used to jazz up many dishes. Its tartness enhances the flavor. Squeezing those tiny lemons can be a chore to say the least. Not anymore! I inherited the perfect kitchen utensil that makes the job spontaneously effortless. Using my Mother’s recipe, I made a delectable cherry cheese cake utilizing an old fashioned lemon squeezer (pictured above). The squeezer belonged to my Grandmother Eleonora. It worked perfectly! I never knew my Granny. She died when I was two years old. I have always heard family recant stories about how she had me “spoiled rotten” by holding me continuously, picking me up when I fell, and gingerly wiping every tear away from my crying eyes! Go Granny! I love it! Emotionally and ironically, my Granny and I cooked together yesterday when I used her vintage appliance. It was as if she was standing in my kitchen looking over my shoulders! Imaginatively, I could hear her say, “Dash a pinch of vanilla flavor to liven up the taste. Grating a tad bit of the lemon peel won’t hurt!” Those Southern cooks who knew how to put a meal on the table from scanty ingredients are something else! Aren’t they? Perhaps, you could say that my Grandma’s hands guided mine. Some folks say “too many cooks in the kitchen” will never work. Well I beg to differ. With this cooking experience, I had it just right - the memories and the ingredients! Enjoy the virtual taste of my pie … I hope you agree that it's flavorful! Photo credit: www.gritsandmagnolias.com