Things to live by

Someone emailed me these and I thought they were great!

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 41 lessons life taught
me.. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer

rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
13. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
14. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
15. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
16. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
17. When it comes to going after what you=2 0love in life, don't take no for an answer.
18. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
19. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
20. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
21. The most important sex organ is the brain.
22. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
23. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
24. Always choose life.
25. Forgive everyone everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
29.. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
30. Believe in miracles.
31. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
32. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young...
33. Your children get only one childhood.
34. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
35. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
36. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,
we'd grab ours back.
37. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
38. The best is yet to come.
39. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
40. Yield.
41. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

"Pour Out Your Heat To The Lord" Ps.62:8

I am planning for a tea party of 25 ladies in a few weeks. It is so much fun! Planning the food, picking out the tea pots, shopping for extra creamer/sugar sets is a fun hobby for me. So far I've found lots of mis-matched tea cups, antique spoons and linens in shops and thrift stores. Normally I do the teas at my house, but this time I am using a 1780's Southern Plantation which should add to the atmosphere. My friend, Ellen, will be the speaker and talk on "tea time with God".

I love planning teas and have at least 1-2 a year. It's fun to have ladies come, slow down their pace, and just TALK. Tea requires one to stop and wait. Tea is not instant. Nor is the food. I went to a tea room once and a lady actually left complaining that the service was too slow! She had no idea. Tea is about a quiet experience, getting to be with another human being over a pot of tea, serving one another, taking things slowly.

Here is a good tea that women should love: It is CHOCOLATE!

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE MILK TEA

4 cups chocolate milk
4 bags vanilla-caramel tea
1 cup powdered sugar
ground chocolate for garnish

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the chocolate milk, tea bags, and sugar. Cook until the mixture just begins to boil. Remove from heat and steep for 15 minutes. Remove teabags.

Rim cups with ground chocolate if desired. Pour chocolate mixture in cups. Serve with whipped cream.

Greece and Turkey

We had a magical trip to Greece and Turkey, sailing the beautiful sailing schooner, the WindStar. We started in Athens and ended up in Istanbul. Above are the following pictures:
1. Darren and Rochelle in a shop in Istanbul. Shopping is an adventure; the shopkeepers bring you tea, wine, food and entertain you as if you are in their home. Bargaining is all part of the "game".
2. Us standing on the bow of the ship; it was our first sunrise. This ship had 200-foot sails and excellent service. It only held 100 passengers or so; so the ship was small enough to enjoy and get to know people.
3. Rochelle in front of the Acropolis, Athens.
4. Rochelle Drinking turkish coffee. It is VERY strong!

I Love You, Mom Brownies

I LOVE YOU MOM BROWNIES
Brownie Layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 1/4 cups granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Mint Layer:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

1 - 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract or 1-2 tablespoons creme de menthe

green food coloring (optional)

Chocolate Glaze:

3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Heat oven to 325 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven. Have ready a 9 x 9 inch square baking pan that has been lined with aluminum foil across the bottom and up two opposite sides of the pan. Set aside.
Brownies: In a stainless steel (heatproof) bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the butter and chocolate. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and vanilla extract. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well (with a wooden spoon) after each addition. Stir in the flour and salt and beat, with a wooden spoon, until the batter is smooth and glossy and comes away from the sides of the pan (about one minute). Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the edges of the brownies are just beginning to brown. A toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies will come out almost clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to completely cool.
Mint Layer: In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat all the ingredients until smooth. Add a few drops of green food coloring if you want the frosting green. If the frosting is too thick, add a little extra cream. (The frosting should be just thin enough to spread.) Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownie layer. Place in the refrigerator for about 5-10 minutes or until firm.
Chocolate Glaze: In a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter. Spread over the mint filling and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate glaze starts to dull.
To Serve: Remove the brownies from the pan by lifting with the ends of the foil and transfer to a cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut into 30 squares. It is a good idea to wipe your knife between cuts with a damp cloth. These brownies can be stored in the refrigerator for several days or else frozen.

Makes about 30 1-inch squares.

Happy Mother's Day

I SAID A MOTHER'S PRAYER FOR YOUI said a Mother's Day prayer for you
to thank the Lord above
for blessing me with a lifetime
of your tenderhearted love.

I thanked God for the caring
you've shown me through the years,
for the closeness we've enjoyed
in time of laughter and of tears.

And so, I thank you from the heart
for all you've done for me
and I bless the Lord for giving me
the best mother there could be!

~Author Unknown~