Gratitude and Guests

Today's Quote:
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it."-William Arthur Ward

I spoke with Walter Green today in the "Book Nook" segment. Walter has writtten a very powerful book, "THIS IS THE MOMENT". He recorded his year long journey (victory lap as he calls it), contacting 44 individuals who impacted his life. The book is divided into three sections: how and why he chose to make this voyage, his life story and the final section gives the reader helpful hints and tips on how to arrange your own "journey". You don't have to contact 44 people. Just start with one. His website can get you started and in this season of "Thankfulness" ...why not give it a try.
His website is www.thisisthemoment.com

We also implemented a new feature on the show-"Morning Blend with Marsha". Marsha Egan is a business efficiency expert and she will be my guest every 3rd Monday to discuss topics that will help us all achieve our best personal, professional and organizational goals.
For more information on Marsha, check out her website: www.InboxDetox.com . Today, Marsha gave great tips on email.

• Avoid using reply all.
• Copy fewer people-copy only people in critical need of the info.
• Stop using BCC. Blind copies are secretive.
• Avoid one-word responses. You don't need to reply "Thank-you" or "Great" or "OK".
• Resist forwarding. You don't need to send it on to clutter up someone else's email box.
• Don't send email when angry or emotional.
• Pick up the phone. Sometimes messages need to be finalized with a quick phone call.

And if you are expecting holiday guests (for either Thanksgiving or Christmas), keep these tips in mind...

• Test drive the guest room. (Sleep in the bed. Is it comfy? Fix drafty windows, make sure the room is dark enough for sleeping). Get an alarm clock that works and have enough blankets
• Create space. Free up areas in the closet and dresser
• Jazz thins up. Add some magazines or books you think they might be interested in.
• Take inventory. Do you have enough towels, sheets, air mattresses, etc. Don't buy-borrow from a friend.
• Lay out entertainment. T.V. remote, board games, movies, etc.

Folk Music, Fall and Fun

I love October! It's the best part of the autumn season (plus it's my birthday month!). The leaves are really showing their colors, the air is crisp, fresh and exhilarating, wood smoke wafts through the air and it's more fun to be in the kitchen testing recipes and baking. What is your favorite month?

I had a chance to speak with the Grammy Award winning musician George Winston today. He is performing at the Schauer Center in Hartford tomorrow, Saturday, October 2nd at 2pm. What a great guest! I love his style of music. He's been creating music for over 40 years and got started on organ music because he heard "The Doors" and was hooked. Since then, he's played "stride" piano music but I think he's most well known for his "folk piano" solos. George said that his goal is to play everything that his three most admired artists have done.

(The Doors, Professor Longhair and Vince Guaraldi-and he's well on his way to doing just that).

His latest album features the works of Vince Guaraldi. If you grew up in the 60's and 70's you may not recognize that name, but you would instantly know Vince's music as he did all the instrumentals for the "Peanuts Gang" T.V. shows. George's latest solo piano release "LOVE WILL COME" is available now. You might want to pick up a copy. You will be enchanted!

Today's Quote: Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can!"

Wine and the Weekend

Today is Wine Day...

Did you know that moderate wine consumption, (defined by the American Heart Association as one to two four-ounce glasses a day), may help you live longer.

If you don't always know how to select a great wine, relax! You're not alone. Pick up a copy of "HOW TO BUY WINE" by Jonathan Ray ($15.95). You'll find out which wines pair best with different foods, the correct way to store wine, a road map for deciphering labels and an invaluable pronunciation guide.

This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season with the Memorial Holiday Weekend. We spoke with Cooper Munroe, spokesperson for "Planning the Perfect Picnic" and I shared these tips, if you're going to be getting together with family and friends this weekend:

• Make getting to the picnic a “scavenger hunt”. Leave clues or a “treasure” map for your family to find their way to the picnic destination.
• Bring along a board game, bocce ball, softball and catcher’s mitt, Frisbee or football for some outdoor fun
• If kids will be joining you, try to pick a park with a playground nearby.
• Plan a hike and bring the picnic with you. Stop when you get hungry or find a scenic spot to eat.
• Avoid mayonnaise and ice cream-based dishes that can turn bad or melt in the sun
• No basket? No worries! Load your goodies into a sturdy cardboard box, plastic bin or even a backpack.
• Set the mood with a sunset picnic. If it’s allowed, bring a few votive candles and a small bouquet of flowers to add to the ambiance.
• Consider packing a picnic for others, whether it’s for your kids in the backyard, your neighbors or even a coworker in need of some lunchtime fun.

Today's Quote: "Not everything that is faced can be changed.
But nothing can be changed until it is faced."

Attitude and Asparagus

One of my favorite quotes is :

"The way choose to see the world, creates the world we see"


It's all about attitude. If I surround myself with negative thinking and negative energy, that's how I will view everything. It's easy to get down, depressed and feeling sorry for myself. If I choose to be optimistic, look on the bright side and decide to make lemons from lemonade-my day will go much better, my outlook will improve and everything will run more smoothly. I'll be able to adjust to the bumps in the road.

I have not been keeping up with my blog, of late. I plan to change my attitude and to make time to share my thoughts and the interesting things I learn and share with my listeners.



Fresh fruits and vegetables! There's nothing better (well, maybe chocolate, but that's another story!) This is the time of year for sugar snap peas, spinach, mushrooms and asparagus...

My Dad, who is a very "particular" food connoisseur-loves asparagus. I served it at Easter dinner and was suprised that he would even try it. He shared the story of how as a young boy, he and his father would pick the vegetable as it grew along the side of the road. Food can be very powerful in invoking memories and emotions. I'm sure my Dad remembers those great times with his father whenever he tastes the great flavor of this wonderful spring vegetable.



If you haven't tried it lately here are a few tips:
Wash well to remove sand and grit. Trim by snapping the bottoms. Take several spears at a time and bend them an inch or so from the bottom until the woody, dry sections naturally break off.

Choose your cooking method:
Steamed: Pour 1" water into a 12" skillet with a tight fitting lid. Insert a collapsible steamer basket. Bring water to a boil over medium high heat. Add the trimmed asparagus, cover and steam until fork tender (about 4-6 minutes, depending on thickness).

Roasted: Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss trimmed asparagus with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and 1/4 tsp. of both salt and pepper. Roast until tender, about 8-10 minutes-depending on thickness.

Grilled: Heat outdoor grill or indoor grill pan. IN large bowl, toss trimmed asparagus with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and 1/4 tsp. each salt & pepper. Place spears flat across grill top in opposite direction of grill grate. Grill 3 minutes. Using tongs, rotate spears and cook until tender, about
2-3 minutes longer.

Careers and Crockpots

Another great book interview today with author, Harvey Mackay. Fortune Magazine refers to him as "Mr. Make Things Happen". He talked about his new book, "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door".

If you are looking for a job or know someone who is unemployed this is a great career resource book. Harvey will help you prep for the interview with a chapter that highlights a 44 question checklist. He discusses attitude, how to create a job application video (a very interesting concept), how to constructively think about your next job while you are still employed and maybe the most interesting concept: the invisble web. We all know that it's important to do research on the company you are going to be interviewing with. This technique will "humanize" your interview and create a more personal connection if you can search out "personal" information about your prospective employer (hobbies, interests, etc.) before the interview. Harvey did his research. He had checked out my blog and knew my interests and hobbies and introduced them into our conversation. His comprehensive book covers everything you need to know AND he offers a money back guarantee! You can access his website at www.harveymackay.com and click on the "job secrets" toolbar.


I found another great website that I'd like to share. www.50plusfriends.com If you like to use your crockpot this is a "must bookmark" site. You can find recipes for any category-appetizers, meat, fish, desserts-almost anything you can think of. All you need to do is click on the appropriate category and it brings up the recipe! Very easy and the recipes look good, too. Check it out and if you try one of the recipes, let me know the results.

Great guest line up for next week's show.
On Monday, 2/22 we'll talk with Pamela Yellin about her book: "Bank on Yourself"
On Thursday: 2/25 we'll have Sue Frederick. Her book, "I Can See Your Dream Job" generated a lot of fun and excitement when I spoke with her last fall. She will be taking calls so if you would like her to give you a quick overview of what you REALLY should be doing she will just need your birthdate. Should be another facinating interview!
And then on Friday, 2/26, we are going to talk to Tracy Trivas about her new book "The Wish Stealers". Fiction that is geared toward pre-teens but a fascinating story with a great lesson.

I am a big believer in quotes. From time to time I will pass some of my favorites on to you. Today's quote comes from Mark Twain:
"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything"