Number 5

by sssmahh303, posted in Reviews

Atomic Habits

Mary Ann

If you recall, last year I wrote a blog about the six books that have most influenced my life. This is a feature in the magazine, The Week, where they ask famous writers what 6 books influenced them.   However, I only had 4.   Well, lo and behold, I just found Number 5! 

Atomic Habits by James Clear is my Number 5.  Insert fireworks!! It has appeared on several non-fiction best books and people began mentioning Clear’s work on podcasts or in news article. It was published in 2018 and has been on the New York Times Bestseller list for 260 weeks – 5 years!  How did I miss this?  Better late than never!

 Since Covid, I have done a non-fiction book club with my friend, Lisa, so we added Atomic Habits to our list of books.  We have a healthy pile of to-read books, but we decided to move it to the front of the line. This was our first book of 2025, and we were both totally in love with it.  

Not only does this book tell you how to break a bad habit but also how to start a new habit.  Some of his suggestions you have heard before.  However, it is how James Clear presents his ideas.  The book is very well-organized.  There are four laws that are fundamental to his program – Make it Obvious, Make it Attractive, Make it Easy, and Make it Satisfying. For each of these laws, he gives relatable examples and provides you with small techniques and tools to build, stop, or change a habit.  At the end of each chapter, there is a concise bulleted summary of the chapter’s focus, and at the end of each section, there is a chart that builds throughout the book with clear steps to stop a bad habit or begin a good one.  Everything Clear presents is rooted in scientific studies.  From tiny steps, great things happen. 

Personally, I gained a better understanding of why I do what I do.  For most of my life, I have been preparing to do something. For example, I say I want to write a book.  I read.  I attend classes.  I learn. I attend workshops.  I join writing groups.  It is prep, prep, prep!  James Clear calls this being in motion, and that has been what I have been doing for many, many years.  I just needed to write – just do it!   That is why writing the Silver Sage Sisters blogs has been such a blessing to me.  I have deadlines.  I must write.  Why did it take me 70 years to figure this out?  What was I waiting for?  Especially at the time of life.  

Atomic Habits is one of those books that you want to keep close by to refer to.  It is funny that both Lisa and I both decided to do this as we completed the book.  However, I found a podcast on Atomic Habits – Cheat Sheet that has nice discussions on the materials presented in the book.  The pod cast run about 10 to 25 minutes.  There are two seasons.  This is an easy way to review the laws and is a short pep talk to keep you going with better habits.  I also checked out James Clear’s website – atomichabits.com.  It is full of all kinds of ideas and products.  You can sign up for his free weekly newsletter, 3-2-1 Thursday.  It is short and sweet giving you 3 ideas from James Clear, 2 quotes from others, and 1 question for you.  Check it out.  It is excellent!

I have given Atomic Habits to several people, and I think it will be my go-to gift for future graduations and the like.  What a gift for young people!  It echoes for me The 7 Habits of Effective People by Steven Covey.  Both are timeless and can change your life.  

Wonderful Yous

by sssmahh303, posted in Lifestyle

Mary Ann

It is that time of year when you need to start thinking about Mother’s Day gifts. For many of us, it becomes harder and harder to think something original to give.  Our older mothers seem to have all they want or need, yet we want to remember them on their special holiday.  This idea can be used for birthday, holidays, or I am just thinking of you gift for someone who needs encouragement or get-well wishes.  It is very personal and unique to the recipient. 

The idea came to me one Christmas when I didn’t have much money to spent on gifts, and I had to get creative with something unique to give that year.  So, I got little baskets for the women decorating them in ribbons and silk flowers and little brass containers for the men keeping them plain for a masculine feel.  I called them Wonderful Yous.  Each basket or container is filled with statements about the person being honored and special quotes or Bible verses that he or she might like. Comments from other relatives can be added as well. Grandchildren’s comments can be especially meaningful with the Mother’s Day Wonderful Yous.

Here is what you do to make the Wonderful Yous.  On small pieces of paper, you write something about the person; for example, you have beautiful blue eyes, or you always have a kind word for everyone.  Then you roll them up and tie with a ribbon.   Then put all the scrolls in the basket or container. The following is a little poem, I would attach to the basket that gave instructions about what to do with it. 

                                                      Whenever you are blue, 

                                                      This little basket is full of Wonderful Yous.

                                                      Just pick one out, read, and remember 

                                                      How very special you are!

This is not a hard gift to make.  You can type on your computer using a pretty font or write the comments on white or colored sheets of paper.  It just takes some time and thinking about the person you are making the gift for.  

One of the sweetest things that my friend, Mary, did for me was making a Wonderful Yous basket in the very basket I gave her some years back.  It was so precious to me.  It always brought a smile to my heart while opening the little scrolls.  It made any day happy.  Now it is your turn to make someone happy with their very own Wonderful Yous! 

Jello Salads

by sssmahh303, posted in Uncategorized

Mary Ann

Do you remember when you were little and going to a family holiday dinner, and there was an array of Jello salads jiggling on the table?  It was very 1950s and 60s.   Every woman there had their one special salad that they brought to such occasions.  Once tasted at dinner, all the other women wanted the recipes.  These shared delights would continue for future dinners, and everyone ended up with a rainbow collection of Jello recipes. 

My mother was no exception, and her magnus opus was a pink chiffon dish that we loved as a family, and it could be counted on for holiday events.   Here is the recipe.

  Pink Salad

1 20 oz can of crushed pineapple

Small Cherry Jello 

Small Pack of Cream Cheese

Small Jar of Maraschino Cherries

Small Can of Evaporated Milk (Chilled in Refrigerator for several hours)

  • In a saucepan, bring the pineapple to a boil.  Add Jello.  Let it stand.  Add cream cheese and blend.  Add cut up maraschino cherries and blend. Allow the mixture to cool.
  • In a separate bowl, add chilled evaporated milk and whip using an electric hand mixter.  It will foam up, and you will want it to peak.  However, on a very humid day, it may be difficult to make the milk foam.  
  • Combine both mixtures and refrigerate. 
  • Variation: Can substitute Lemon Jello for the Cherry and fruit cocktail instead of pineapple. 

Once made, you would bite into the soft pink mixture and hope that you also got a maraschino cherry with it.  So yummy!  My mother would kick up the recipe for Christmas and make a green salad using lime Jello instead of cherry.  The red cherries looked festive with the green foam giving you a feeling that you were eating Christmas.  

Somehow, our family continued making Jello salads when they fell out of favor.  My brother always makes a Jello salad with his meals – just a touch of sweet!  He loves Ambrosia with little marshmallows, pineapple chucks, coconut, maraschino cherries, mandarin oranges, whipped cream, and a touch of sour cream – what would be do without maraschino cherries?   He often will make a frozen strawberry salad that was a specialty of our Aunt Elaine’s.  I guess when we serve Jello salads, it is like visiting with these special people again.  You could close your eyes and time travel to a different moment and place in your life.

My go-to salad is a Watergate Salad that can be made in 10 minutes – easy, pretty, and tasty.  It could be a dessert! Here is the recipe if you need a quick treat. 

                                                                        Watergate Salad

1 22 oz can of crushed pineapple

1 small package of Pistachio Jello Pudding 

¼ cup of miniature marshmallows

¼ cup of chopped Pistachio nuts 

1 Container of Regular Cool Whip

  • Mix the pineapple and the pistachio pudding together.  Add the Pistachio nuts and marshmallows (you can add more). Blend mixture with the Cool Whip. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.  This can be made ahead of time.  At Christmas, you can add, of course, maraschino cherries for a festive look! 

Maybe it is time to explore the family cookbooks or recipe boxes to find your relatives’ favorite Jello recipes.  I am sure there are a few.  Let’s hope that it will not be a lime Jello ring with shredded carrots.  I think that is more of a past nightmare than a sweet remembrance.   Who ever thought that combo was a good idea?   Let’s get busy and make some rainbows!

Taking Care of Me!

by Cynthia, posted in Wellness

Typically as the new year begins our thoughts turn to our health. We resolve to eat right, exercise, read, and who knows what else? And for some of us, we actually follow through. Here we are at the beginning of the second quarter of 2025. How are we doing with our health goals?

Mary Ann mentioned once that her social life is attending doctors’ appointments, physical therapy, and wellness visits. I am now experiencing the same. Physical therapy twice a week and then every day at home. Blood tests for triglycerides and cholesterol and all the vitamins that should be floating through our bodies. Riding the stationary bike and taking walks.  Meeting with a dietician. Things we should have been doing all along now seem to be higher priority.

Younger people get it.  The Gen X-ers and younger are almost obsessed with exercise. Eating properly is important too, but doing so means driving by, not through, the fast-food restaurants.

I pondered the approach. Is it because we are getting older? Possibly. Yet I believe it is partially because now I have time to focus on me.  Being a professional and then a caregiver for so many years, I failed to take time to listen to my own body. All of the sudden I found myself somewhat alone and my body called out to me.

My philosophy includes the belief that our bodies will tell us exactly what they need. We simply need to listen. Much as we need to listen actively when others speak, we need to hear what our body has to tell us. It is wise.

Honestly, I feel better – energized – when I work out. Granted my workouts are not very strenuous, yet simply running through my lower back and upper body exercises takes about an hour out of my morning. Then, a twenty-minute walk around the neighborhood and I am set for the day. Once I developed a little routine, it became second nature.  Knowing I would feel so good upon completion, encourages me to keep moving.

Exercise is good not only for the physical body but also for the mind and spirit. Body, mind, and spirit are connected, without a doubt.  Our intricate system is an integration of seemingly disparate components. Yet all together, it embodies our presence. Thus, we need to take care of ourselves.

Someone once told me, to take care of others, we need to – no we must – take care of ourselves first. I have always known that intellectually. In fact, I have even suggested this to friends and co-workers. Only now am I internalizing this reality for myself. Now it is time to take care of me.

A Planner’s Gotta Plan!

by Cynthia, posted in Taking Care of Business

I have always been a planner. While I would like to be much more spontaneous, I find solace in the little bit of control I get by planning ahead. Not that things always work out exactly as planned, but at least I have a sense of where I am heading. One such planning activity is menus.

As a young professional and single mother, time was not abundant. Once a month I would sit down and plan what we would eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the month. Often, I used cookbooks as I wanted to ensure I was providing healthy, nutritious, tasty meals for my daughter while taking full advantage of all the groceries I purchased. At that time I would buy large packages of individually frozen chicken breasts, which saved time and money.

Developing the practice of menu planning at a young age served me well. I learned to be creative in my cooking, not wanting to waste any food. Fast forward to today and I still want to use everything I purchase.  The old wives’ saying “Waste Not, Want Not” holds true as grocery prices continue to rise.  Of course this only works if one actually cooks. Which I do.

When planning a menu, I peruse one or two cookbooks. I have so many that it becomes too confusing to use several at a time. While jotting down lunch and dinner ideas, I note ingredients I will need to pick up at the grocery store. I use an app on my phone called “To Do” which is free from Microsoft.  It is actually a list-making app, but I use it mainly for my grocery needs. When I open the last of something I use often (mayonnaise, for example) I immediately add it to my grocery list. Otherwise I won’t remember when heading to the store. I don’t like to run out of necessities.

The whole point of menu planning is not to be rigid. I always have standbys such as stir-fries on rice or quinoa, vegetable soup, enchiladas of all kinds, and pasta. But I like variety, too. When it’s time for dinner, I look at my menu for the week/month and select the dish that calls to me, knowing all the ingredients are on hand.

The bonus of menu planning is taking the list to the grocery store.  I stick to my list, for the most part, and avoid picking up items that then go bad before I figure out how or when to use them.

After dinner if there is enough left over, I carefully prepare it for the freezer. In that way, I have food prepared when I am not in the mood to cook. Therefore, I often shop my freezer while menu planning, too!

Planning ahead takes the question out of what’s for dinner. And having all the components on hand makes for smooth sailing … er, a … easy cooking.

Chief Inspector Gamache

by Cynthia, posted in Reviews

I was first introduced to Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache of the Surêté du Québec a couple of years ago when my book club read The Madness of Crowds.  A different kind of murder mystery, the story was set in the Canadian town of Three Pines.  The Chief Inspector is knowledgeable while kind and caring. He sees what others do not. He reasons, never jumping to unfounded conclusions.

I learned at that time that Penny had written a series with the characters Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, his second-in-command Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and another trusted team member Inspector Isabelle Lacoste. Residents of Three Pines were introduced in the first book and continue to be characters in subsequent books.

A few weeks ago one of the ladies in my book club suggested reading The Grey Wolf, a new book by Louise Penny. I did not have a clue what it was about but trusted my new friend’s opinion, so I picked up the book after our meeting at our local Barnes and Noble. I was delighted when I started reading and found familiar “friends” on the pages. Upon finishing the book, I decided to start reading the series from the beginning.

I hadn’t yet acted on the decision to read the entire series. However, I made it to a hotel without a book. Luckily, a lovely outdoor mall was nearby, and I noticed a Barnes and Noble there. This would be the perfect time to dig in from the beginning! So I went to inquire about the first book in the series.  That night I began reading the book. (I read in bed; it helps me relax and fall asleep easier). Within two days I had read the entire book, Still Life. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  While a murder mystery, it is “light” reading. The characters are inimitable and engaging, each with his or her unique personality.

On the Gamache Series website, Louise Penny writes: “These books are murder mysteries, but they’re not about murder. They’re about love and belonging, about loyalty and choices. And the courage to be good.” I think this is much of the reason I enjoy the books.

Penny is a good writer. The stories are easy to read. I find it fascinating to read the clues along with the investigative team and try to figure out who the culprit was.  While each book can be read stand alone, I am enjoying solving murder mysteries along with Chief Inspector Gamache and his team … and the people of Three Pines.

I encourage you to check out Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache / Three Pines books if you enjoy catching clues and solving puzzles. And following the lives of quirky individuals whom you begin to include in your list of friends.

Bento Boxes

by sssmahh303, posted in Lifestyle

Mary Ann

I recently read an article that a good way to eat lunch was to graze by making a plate of a few vegetables, fruits, some protein, a few carbs, and a treat.  I would often do this not realizing I was grazing, so I started to think of ways of making this easy, interesting, and healthy. 

Other countries graze in their own unique ways such as smorgasbords or tapas.  In the United States, we supersize foods which end up supersizing us.  So, I set out thinking about how I could incorporate grazing into my life in an orderly fashion. It came to me that Bento Boxes might be a good direction to go.

I ordered a set of five Bento Boxes from Amazon that were dishwasher safe and made of all the safe plastic materials.  You can get boxes that have various size sections. I thought I could make the boxes up on the weekend and have lunch prepared for the next 5 days.  Of course, I would have to shop for food first and have everything ready to go on Sunday.  These are some of the ideas that I found that worked and a few lessons learned about grub that didn’t.  I am still developing menus as I go along.  

The Bento Boxes I used each have five individual sections.   I tried to use one for fruit, one for vegetables, one for proteins, one for nuts and seeds, and one for carbs. These are some of the ideas for the lunches.

Fruits– grapes, cherries, melons (fresh), apples (pre-sliced packs), clementines, kiwis, berries, and bananas (cut to fit the section; the end will turn brown, and you will need to cut it off before you eat).  You could buy a precut fruit tray that offers pineapples and melons to make the prep even easier.  Small containers can be included that might have peanut butter or cream cheese to enhance the fruits.  Another possibility is using dried fruits. 

Vegetables – carrots, celery, raw cauliflower, raw broccoli, peppers, and raw asparagus and beans, and snap peas.  Again, precut vegetable trays would cut prep time. You may have noticed that I didn’t include cucumber.  I found that they are fine early in the week but get soggy as the week progresses.  You can find small containers to put a dip in such as Ranch Dressing. 

Nuts and Seeds – cashews, almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.  I mixed them altogether and used a quarter cup measuring cup to put into one of the sections.  I used the nuts each day.  

Proteins – One of our area groceries stores makes chicken, egg, and tuna salads in small containers that make a perfect and tasty portion for a section.  You, of course, could make your own.  This, however, makes it easy.  You could roll a piece of ham and a piece of cheese around a sweet pickle for sandwich without bread.   This is a perfect place to use a hard-boiled egg.  These can be purchased already cooked and peeled – easy!  Other  possibilities – there are little brie cheese bites from Supreme and Babybel cheese rounds that are both tasty with crackers.  

Carbs –Any seedy, whole grainy crackers (Crunchmaster or Raincoast Crisps by Lesley Stowe) or even a few chips for a treat.  The crackers are great to have with your protein.  

Once the boxes are assembled, put them in the refrigerator ready to be eaten each day of the week.  You are done fixing lunches for the week in a relatively short period of time.  If you are working, your lunch box is ready to go.  Bento Boxes easily go in the dishwasher once you are done eating.  I did find that it was almost too much food.  However, that is a good thing because you have your afternoon snack already to go.  You can graze away your day! 

I am sure you will have some great ideas of your own.  As I said, I am still learning, but as you apply the things you do learn, the easier it gets. There is always room for exploring new ideas and adding tasty items to your menus.  Bon Appetit!    

Thank You!

by Cynthia, posted in Friends and Family

Why is taking compliments so hard? Do we really not appreciate when someone notices how we look, something we have done, a gesture, etc.?  For many years I found myself downplaying a kind remark from others.

“That dress looks great on you!” “Oh this old thing? I have had it for years”

“You are a wonderful hostess.” “It was no trouble; I just took the easy way out.”

“Your hair looks lovely.” “I just had it styled. It won’t look like this when I do it myself.”

“I enjoy your blog.” “We are still learning how to navigate the site.”

You get the picture. We make excuses, unable to imagine there is anything worth complimenting. Or are we attempting to be humble?

Several years ago I complimented a friend who retorted “I just can’t seem to get things right.” It hit me.  Was she discounting my observation? Was my opinion not worthy of her respect? Did she not feel worthy of being noticed? I began to understand that the correct response is a simple Thank You.

Cynthia Ozick stated “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

If a simple thank you is difficult, there are numerous ways to thank a person. Thank them for being in your corner, always lifting you up. Say “I appreciate that” or “You are very kind to say that.” Even “You just made my day!”

For less formal interactions, “thanks” may be appropriate among friends, family, and familiar co-workers. Thank you, is more formal and may better express sincerity. You will know the situation for yourself and the person from whom you receive the compliment.

Regardless, it is important to accept praise graciously – to treat compliments as the gift they are. Be genuine in your response, maintain eye contact, smile, and never, never downplay the compliment.  In short, be grateful and kind to others.

Finally, I just want to say, “thank you for taking the time to read our blogs. We appreciate you!”

Always Wear Perfume

by sssmahh303, posted in Wellness

Mary Ann

Do you remember when the Avon lady would come to your home?  Talk about customer service – beauty products at your doorsteps.  As a youngster, I loved the visits because I got to try all the new perfumes, and if I were lucky, I was given a sample or two. The tiny lipsticks were so cute.  

Then as I got older, along came Avon’s Daisies Won’t Tell.  It was a women’s cologne that had a perfume version for girls or something like that.  At last, I had my very first perfume.  I was hooked on good smelling things, and there is an actual term for that – CognaScenti is a person who has a passion for perfume. 

Daisies Won’t Tell lasted into teens and by that time I started to wear Rapture from Avon that came in a beautiful green bottle.  I thought I was so sophisticated.  By the time I got to college I was wearing Ciara and Charlie from Revlon.  These were the perfumes I took into my young adult life and wore until I was introduced to luxury perfumes.  For a time, I wore La Panthère de Cartier and Casmir from Chopard- pricey but oh, so lovely. Sometimes it was hard to find them.  This was prior to online ordering.   

Then into my middle years, I used Calvin Klein’s Obsession and most recently, I began wearing CK’s Euphoria.  All the perfumes that I have used over years are florals with exotic hints of patchouli or sandalwood or vanilla.  I guess that is why I am attracted to those fragrances.  They all have these common elements 

 I would say that Euphoria is my signature scent.  It is a fragrance that I love to smell, and I always get compliments from both men and women when I wear it. Little children always tell me that I smelled good – budding CognaScentis. The Calvin Klein Company says Euphoria has stood the test of time, and it is for all ages.  This long-lasting perfume made from high quality materials remains a world-wide favorite.  I guess I will be wearing it to my final days.

Coco Chanel has a famous quote about perfume, “A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.”  She emphasized that perfume is an essential part of a women’s personal expression.  It is a way that women can leave a powerful lasting impression, so you should always wear perfume even if you are home in your sweats.  You never know who will knock on your door, and a lovely perfume can make you unforgettable!  Hoping this blog reminded you of your own perfume journey. We are all CognaScentis at heart!

Perfume Gallery

First Row (L to R) Daisies Won’t Tell, Rapture; Second Row (L to R)) Ciara, Obsession; Charlie; Third Row (L to R) Euphoria, La Panthere de Cartier, Casmir

Fairy Godmothers 

by sssmahh303, posted in Taking Care of Business

Mary Ann

When you think of Fairy Godmothers, you think of pumpkins turning into carriages, white mice turning into horses, and rags turning into ball gowns with the swipe of magic wand.  Those Fairy Godmothers do not exist except in fairy tales.  However, there are real-life Fairy Godmothers just waiting to be found in our lives.

My Fairy Godmother is Mimi.  She is 11 years older than I am.  She is my wise women who I turn to when I have a problem or need some advice about life.  She has helped with health issues like menopause questions or issues I may be having with my children.  She always has some gentle words to guide me, always encouraging and inspiring.  We are friends who share books to read, recipes to cook or bake, or souvenirs from travels.  Mimi is a lady who I look up to and just knowing she is there for me brings peace to my soul.  Her presence is an anchor in my life even though we live a half a country apart. I just hope she know that I treasure her.

I think each of us need to become Fairy Godmothers to younger women in our lives.  They need to have women who they can turn to when life gets challenging.  It is so easy to become isolated today that one thinks that you are the only one having a particular problem.  In years pass, women would talk over their backyard fences to a neighbor to get that sisterly advice about life.  With families living all over the country and even the world, you may not have a mother or an aunt living nearby, so younger women need to find Fairy Godmothers currently in their lives. A problem shared is a problem halved as the old saying goes.  Those relationships with intergenerational women can last a lifetime and enrich both of the parties.  Each of the younger women should in turn become the Fairy Godmothers of the future. The experiences are almost as good as a pumpkin becoming a carriage. There is magic in those special relationships! Put some abracadabra in your life!