The final assignment for #Writing101 is to write about something we treasure, and the twist is to experiment with longform and push to write more than usual.
So for anyone that has faithfully followed along, I did miss a couple of the twenty assignments, but all-in-all, this has been such an amazing journey. One of deep thinking and thoughtful process. One of stretching myself out of my comfort zone. One that has certainly challenged me. One that is teaching me to not only be okay with myself, but to start liking myself for me just the way I am, and learning to love myself. Love comes very easy for me… When it comes to others…
I feel I have grown through the process, and I know I still have a long way to go, but guess what? That is what it’s all about Alfie – this thing called life. Growing and stretching and challenging yourself and learning and doing new things. But most of all, sharing it with those we love, and experiencing the joy of love. Yep – at life in between. So hear goes my final assignment for #Writing101. (But no fear – or “oh no!” – I think there may be a #Writing201 in my future…)
There is no material item I can fathom or imagine treasuring more than I treasure my family – and friends that are like family – that bring such joy and love to my life.
I know it sounds so cliche’, but I truly cannot think of an item that I treasure more dearly.
And at the top of that list is this awkward young man I met 35 years ago. He was 20. I was 16.
He’s not so young anymore – but neither am I.
And the most awesome thing I can say about that is I know without a doubt that I love this now sometimes grumpy but whose laugh melts my heart, gray-haired but more handsome than ever, still sometimes awkward but ever-so intelligent, opinionated that I don’t always agree with, kind-hearted but doesn’t want anyone to know, talented, dependable, logical, level-headed, big lug of a guy with a ‘derriere’ that can still make me blush more than I did all those years ago.
How sweet is the longevity of a lifetime of love? It’s truly not about mushiness or goobiness or googly eyes or butterflies. It’s about a sacred bond. It’s about feeling confident and secure and comfortable and simply loved.
“I believe in love, Alfie.”
So, Merv, after all this, do you still “think I’m cuuuuuute?” I guess this turned into a love letter just for you…
xo
With love,
Jodi
A variety of squash is plentiful this time of year.
I love butternut squash, and I love to make it this simple way that I did this week for dinner.
The hardest part is “peeling” the squash.
Here is how I make it:
Roasted Butternut Squash
1 Butternut squash halved, seeded, peeled.
5-6 Tbsp butter
1/4 c brown sugar
1 sprig fresh rosemary, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Cut butternut squash into cubes and spread onto baking dish/stone. Melt butter, add brown sugar, and mix well. Drizzle over squash cubes. Sprinkle rosemary and salt/pepper over all. Roast in 400 degree F oven for 20-30 minutes, until tender and brown.
ENJOY!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
One Christmas holiday season about 15 years ago, some dear friends, Jan and Mike, showed up at our front door on a snowy, blustery day with a warm loaf of this amazing Dill Bread.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
After sharing with my family devouring this luscious loaf, I quickly begged for the recipe. Jan sweetly obliged, and I have been making this bread at least once a year ever since.
This bread is so right up my alley of flavor fiestas! Sauteed buttery onion flakes and dill seed baked into this dense, no-knead bread and topped with a sprinkling of coarse sea salt. A cup of cottage cheese in the dough makes it moist and dense.
Yesterday was a bit windy and rainy and seemed a perfect day to let an easy loaf of bread raise and bake for dinner to accompany a beef pot roast and caramelized butternut squash. A perfect Fall feast.
Here’s the recipe for “Jan’s Dill Bread”
1 pkg dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 c olive oil
2 Tbsp minced onion flakes
2 Tbsp butter
1 c cottage cheese
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg
2 Tbsp dill seed
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 c flour
Soften onion in butter over low heat and let cool.
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add all ingredients except flour, and mix well. Then stir in flour to make stiff dough.
Let rise until doubled (an hour or so). Punch down and place in greased 2 qt casserole or baking stone. Let rise 40 min. Bake for approx. 30 minutes at 350 degrees F until well browned.
Brush top with butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
ENJOY! (and thanks Jan!)
Cheers & Hugs
Jodi
I try to take a walk most every day. It’s a good thing for me, and Mikey loves it too!
Working from home allows for my walk to sometimes be first thing in the morning, sometimes during a “lunch break,” and sometimes just a random “need some fresh air and a stretch” time of the day.
My walk is usually the same 2-4 mile stretch depending on the amount of time I have.
As I was walking this beautiful Fall afternoon, I noticed how different the trees and leaves looked compared to just a day ago. I noticed how different things looked when it is cloudy compared to when it is sunny.
I am fortunate to live in a place on this beautiful earth of ours that enjoys four very distinct seasons. Western Pennsylvania’s weather ranges from as high as 90-100 degrees F in the summer to as low as 0 degrees F (and occasionally even below zero) in the winter. Springs are typically wet and lush. Fall is crisp and colorful.
So even though I typically walk the same “path,” the look and feel of it varies dramatically depending on the time of year, time of day, weather, and/or the people or things I encounter along the way.
And what I’ve learned while carrying my camera is there is something new to be discovered every time I walk.
So this section of my blog will be devoted to sharing random shots caught on my daily walks with my camera.
I hope you will enjoy and provide feedback, tips, suggestions, and help me learn to not only hone my self-taught photography skills, but also my outlook on life.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I recently made and sent this card as a sympathy card for dear friends.
I really enjoyed just sponging and layering and creating the background and using one of my all time favorite SU stamp sets, Lovely as a Tree.
When I saw the SUO Challenge this week was Out in the Woods, it seemed a perfect card to enter. The challenge is to make a card featuring something you’d find out in the woods.
This card also reminded me of our great day at McConnell’s Mills on Sunday out in the woods.
Hope you get to enjoy some time out in the woods or just outdoors wherever you are and whatever season it is in your part of the world. It’s always good to get fresh air whether warm or cool and enjoy the beauty nature provides us.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#Writing 101: Your Personality on the Page: Today’s Assignment – We all have anxieties, worries, and fears. What are you scared of? Address one of your worst fears. Today’s twist: Write this post in a style distinct from your own.
Well – this assignment is a SUPER easy one.
You know why?
Because I’m afraid of everything…
I want to be brave, but truth be told – I’m a big scaredy-cat. Afraid of the dark, afraid of stepping higher than three rungs on a ladder.
I want to be a daredevil, but I’m afraid to ride a motorcycle, afraid of super high speeds, deathly afraid of heights.
I want to be a thrill seeker, but – alas – afraid of roller coasters, wouldn’t even think about sky diving or bungee jumping.
I want to be one of those people who run INto catastrophic situations and help people (like my Marty), but my initial reaction is to run away scared….
But rather than write a Debbie Downer post about my miserable anxieties, let’s go with the twist and make it fun and silly in a “different style.”
So in David Letterman Top 10 style – – –
Here are the TOP 10 Reasons I am Afraid of Heights:
10. If you fall, you can break your arm(s).
9. If you fall, you can break your leg(s).
8. If you fall, you can break your neck.
7. If you fall, you can break your back.
6. If you fall, you can bust your head open and suffer severe brain damage.
5. If you fall, you could become paralyzed.
4. When you are up high, you can lose your balance and fall.
3. If you fall, you could land in an awkward looking position causing extreme embarrassment.
2. If you fall, you can look really ridiculous during the process, causing extreme embarrassment.
And the #1 Reason I am Afraid of Heights………. (drum roll……)
1. If you fall, you could die. Death=OK – Pain Dying=Not OK
Do you agree? Why isn’t everyone afraid of heights?!
Cheers & Scaredy-Cat Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 