just a thought

his life, but his brain was deprived of oxygen during his mommy’s medical emergency. The damage to his brain cannot be reversed. He needs special care even for the simplest of tasks, like feeding and physical therapy. Through a simple Facebook post, these children and their stories tugged at thousands of hearts. Complete strangers came to their rescue. The results are astounding.

Facebook was the tool used to connect these hearts. It was the most efficient, economic, quickest, large-scale way to reach out for aid. Through private messages and public posts, our community—and perfect strangers from all over the country—wrapped their arms and hearts around these children. Promotions done solely through Facebook garnered media attention and the public [YOU] responded with mighty force. More than $55,000 was raised for these two families. And the contributions keep coming.

I love the phrase “Kindness is contagious.” It is. And when the cyber-world is used to spread positive, productive messages that lift people, kindness swells. Strangers become heroes and hearts are connected.

Warning: Facebook is a powerful tool. It connects, builds, empowers, inspires, encourages, rouses, authorizes, and invests in people, causes, and messages. But if used incorrectly, it can destroy, invade, squander, misuse, trash, embarrass, bully, spoil, and may cause hives, insomnia, dizziness, or just plain ruin your life. Neither On the Minds of Moms magazine nor this writer is responsible for the trouble you get into using Facebook or any other social networking application. Please use appropriately.

Kathleen is a stay-at-home mom who serves on a number of community boards/committees, is active in her church, kids’ school, and politics and runs to sustain her own mental health! This Philadelphia native is married to a fourth generation North Dakotan, Drew, and proudly considers North Dakota her home. They have three children. Before becoming a mom, she was director for Bismarck’s Child Advocacy Center and was a speech writer. Kathleen received a BS from The Pennsylvania State University and completed her graduate studies at Temple University, in Philadelphia.

Send cloth diapers, worth the school bullies, time. need

• 48 large fresh mushrooms

• 1 pkg [19 oz.] Mild Italian Sausage Links [Johnsonville]

• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

• 1 pkg [8 oz.] cream cheese, softened how to

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

• 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 Parmesan cheese, grated source:tasteofhome.com

2. Remove mushroom stems and discard; set caps aside.

3. Place mushroom caps on foil-lined baking sheets; set aside.

4. Remove sausage casings.

5. In a skillet, cook and crumble sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.

6. Remove from heat. Stir in bread crumbs and set aside.

7. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, parsley, lemon juice, and garlic until smooth.

8. Combine cream cheese mixture and sausage.

9. Fill each cap with sausage and cream cheese mixture.

10. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

11. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned.

sausage & cream cheese stuffed mushrooms

Does the thought of preparing a four-course meal crank up the stress-o-meter in your already overbooked holiday season? Consider serving light and tasty appetizers at your next gathering and your guests will thank you—no one goes home popping a pants button, and finger food lets everyone mingle. Give this easy, mouth-watering app a try.