Month: September 2015

Connected

/ Jodi / 23 Comments
connected storm drain NOLA

Sidewalk Storm Drain Grate, Warehouse District, New Orleans, LA

No beginning…

No end.

Infinitely intertwining the past, the present, and the future,

the physical and the spiritual…

all plants and animals and minerals.

Eternally merged…

Continuously connected.

Life.

I recently captured this close-up photo of a storm drain grate on a sidewalk in the Warehouse District of New Orleans.  It was beautiful!  So much lovely architecture and  structural elements in NOLA!  It reminded me of the Celtic Knot and the inter-connectivity it represents.  This week’s WordPress Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge is ‘Connected’.  I had to share this photo.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Almost-Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken

/ Jodi / 39 Comments

Almost Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

Gotta love “almost-homemade” recipes – right?

And what is better than a crockpot recipe for those busy days when we need it?!

And WHO does not love General Tso’s Chicken?  Please don’t tell me if you don’t?!  It will shock me beyond belief.

Almost Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken 2

This recipe turned out so yummy that I have to call it yet another……

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

A winner because it is YUMMY…

and a winner because it is EASY!

Here is how I made it.

Almost-Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

Ingredients:Almost Homemade Easy Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

  • 2 1/2 lbs fresh or frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bit-sized pieces
  • 2 cups corn starch
  • 1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 15-oz bottle Iron Chef General Tso’s Sauce and Glaze (this yummy sauce is what makes it “almost” homemade and VERY easy!)
  • 1/4  cup oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions

Directions:

  • Mix corn starch, salt, and pepper in a gallon-sized Ziploc Bag
  • Add chicken to corn starch mixture and shake to coat well.
  • Heat oil in a stir-fry skillet.
  • Add corn starch coated chicken, and fry 3-4 minutes until lightly browned and crisp.
  • Pour entire contents of skillet into crockpot.
  • Add bottle of sauce.
  • Cook on LOW for 4 hours
  • Add green onions
  • Serve with steamed Jasmine rice

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

A Sprinkling Can Doodle Wash

/ Jodi / 31 Comments

sprinkling can watercolor card

Today I am celebrating my dear, sweet Joyce.

Today is her birthday, and I made this little card for her that I hope she receives in time!  (Yikes – just sent yesterday – so she may see it here before she gets it in the mail!)

Joyce is my second cousin by family, but she is also one of my dearest friends by choice.  She and her adorable hubby, “Oh Rob,” are some of our besties for so many reasons.

Joyce and Rob are true inspirations in the way they live their lives.  They truly CELEBRATE life!

They are creative and soulful and kind to others.

They are respectful of the environment.

They are generous with their time and money and gifts.

They are teachers, and they also love to learn.

They share their home (and their friends) in a way like no others.

They cook and preserve and eat with gusto!

They have open minds and open ears and open hearts.

They give REAL hugs – the kind where you really squeeze and hang on like you might not have another chance and like you really, genuinely mean it!  And they give kisses too – right on the lips!

And they have helped me through a lot of “stuff.”  (you know that kind of stuff we all have but don’t always talk about…)  Joyce and her family really helped me get through a tough time and period in my life, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

It’s funny how a post about Joyce turned into one about Joyce and Oh Rob…. but they are such a perfect pair and complement each other so beautifully, it is hard to  think of one without thinking of the other.  And that is a compliment and tribute to their marriage and the kind of people they are.

So please join in in wishing one of the world’s best a best birthday!

Joyce is, among so many other things, an avid gardener, so her card is a little “doodlewash” of a sprinkling can that I was inspired to do from a painting I saw by an amazing artist that I want to learn more from, RoseAnn Hayes.  Joyce is also an amazing watercolor artist, so I hesitate to even send my humble, feeble attempt to her, but she will love it anyway just because it was handmade for her from me.  🙂

On the inside, I wrote:

Thank you for sprinkling my soul with your kindness
and feeding my heart with your love.
You have helped me to blossom.

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays with lots of love, my Joyce!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Doodlewashing for Draw a Bird Day

/ Jodi / 43 Comments

september draw a bird day cowbird art journal

Happy Back to ‘whatever it is you do on a regular basis’ after a nice long holiday weekend!

I recently did some “doodling” in my new art journal for Draw a Bird Day…

september draw a bird day rose breasted grosbeak art journal

Then “washed” it with some watercolor.

#Doodlewashing is a fun word and “movement” that Charlie O’Shields and friends created that describes sketching and watercoloring.  Charlie’s blog inspires me daily.

And Laura at Create Art Everyday is one of my bestie bloggin’ buddies who puts the call out monthly for #DrawaBirdDay.

These were just really quick little sketches done in roller ball pen late one night and then painted early the next morning (for some reason I got up at 4:30 am that day, so took advantage of some free time).  If they look a little bit familiar, I drew them from two photos I had posted from the birds that visit our backyard:  The Rose Breasted Grosbeak and the Brown Headed Cowbird.

I’m looking forward to seeing all the fun and truly artistic creations everyone shares!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

PS  In honor of Laura and in memory of her recent loss of her beloved Penny, I sketched my first cat in my new art journal the other day.  Laura was on my heart as I was thinking of her grief and loss.  I just used a No. 2 pencil and followed some illustrative instructions from a new book I got called Drawing for the absolute beginner by Mark and Mary Willenbrink.  This is my first try at this book, and I look forward to doing more to better understand techniques and values and perspective, etc.  I’m such a jump-iner!  I need to slow down and learn!  Love ya Laura!

penny laura createarteverday

Fried Egg Burger ala Marty

/ Jodi / 16 Comments

fried egg burger

Happy Labor Day!

It’s a day for barbecue…

A day for burgers and hot dogs and family and friends…

A day for picnics or just relaxing…

A day to celebrate the end of summer.

Here’s a photo of a burger hubby recently made.

We love to mix Lipton Onion Soup mix in with our ground beef to make the burger patties.

For this yummy sandwich, we topped the grilled burger with a fried egg, sauteed peppers and onions, an heirloom yellow tomato, a greens mix of arugula and spinach, and some smoked Gouda cheese sandwiched between some toasted sourdough bread.

What your favorite way to to enjoy a burger?

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Lunchbox Love – Notes for Kids

/ Jodi / 29 Comments

PP261 Cheerful Critters Schoolhouse DSP

Happy Sunday!

It’s time for another Paper Players Design Team inspiration card.  This week’s challenge (PP#261) is a theme challenge:  Lunchbox Love – Notes for Kids.

It is back-to-school time for many, and how sweet is it to put a little note in your child’s lunch box or bag to brighten their day?

I recall writing little notes on napkins or cutting out heart-shaped pieces of papers on occasion when my boys were little.

That time flew by so fast.

My boys are grown, but they still get handmade cards.  And oh how I love when I receive a handmade card from them – even now!

So here is my design team card, and I can’t wait to send it to a sweet little one that needs some encouragement or a congratulations on a job well done.

For this card, I used the StampinUp Cheerful Critters Stamp Set and Schoolhouse Designer Series Paper.  I purposely offset my “framing” to show our kiddos that they don’t have to be perfect or “stay in the lines” (since I obviously didn’t!).  A silver metal button and white baker’s twine bow finished it off.

You know – no matter how old we are – any of us would appreciate a little “lunchbox love” – eh?   I hope this will encourage you to send a little note to someone you love.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

 

Loolie: Passages and Card Stock

/ Jodi / 11 Comments

Source: Loolie: Passages and Card Stock

Wedding Day for a Perfect Pair

/ Jodi / 39 Comments

CJ Candace Wedding Card hello life simply wonderful bird punch

It’s wedding day for C.J. and Candace!  (You might remember photos from Candace’s shower a few weeks ago.)

I couldn’t wait to make a special card to celebrate these two cute lovebirds.  They are a Perfect Pair.

My youngest son is a groomsman in the wedding, and we are looking forward to celebrating this special day.  Nick and C.J. were “roomers” in college and have remained good friends.

CJ Candace Wedding Card hello life simply wonderful bird punch 2

Candace is a country girl at heart and their wedding has a rustic theme, so I loved using some leftover burlap ribbon and lace from Jake and Colleen’s (my oldest son and daughter-in-law’s) wedding two years ago for this special card.

I had recently seen Dawn at Petals. Paper. SimpleThymes make a twine wreath and loved the look.  Thanks for the great idea to CAS Dawn!  (You’ll be seeing another card next Sunday for The Paper Players Challenge #262 using this twine wreath too on a completely different card).

I used the StampinUp Bird Punch for the leaves and love birds and the Hello Life Stamp Set to heat emboss the “love” sentiment in gold.

Looking forward to celebrating love today!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic, Bacon & Blue Cheese

/ Jodi / 23 Comments

Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic, Bacon, & Blue Cheese on fork

Can you imagine any more amazing way to make potatoes?

Garlic, Crisp Smokey Bacon, and Creamy Blue Cheese?!?!

If you are looking for a SIMPLE, but KNOCK-OUT potato dish to serve for special company, with a steak for dinner, or to take to a potluck, get ready to make a lot of new friends with this dish and make your tummy VERY happy too!

Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic, Bacon, & Blue Cheese

My friend Janet came over for dinner the other evening, so I wanted to step up the potatoes a little and thought of this.  We had them with marinated grilled London Broil, Sauteed Fresh Green Beans and Fresh, Sweet Cantaloupe.  YUM!

And if you don’t like Blue Cheese (I realize some people do have an aversion for this cheese that I absolutely ADORE), you can substitute Cheddar or Swiss, or Monterrey Jack, or your favorite cheese – or – you can even eat them without cheese.  They are good that way too.

Here’s the recipe.  I dare you to not like this!

Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic, Bacon & Blue Cheese

Ingredients:Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic, Bacon, & Blue Cheese on fork

  • 3 lbs Baby New Potatoes – I used 1.5 lbs of Yukon Golds and 1.5 lbs of Red
  • 8-10 Strips Thick Sliced Bacon – I used Peppered Slab Bacon
  • 4 Large Cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 2-3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 4-6 oz. High Quality Blue Cheese, Crumbled

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Dice bacon into small bite-sized pieces and fry in skillet until cooked well, but not too crisp as it will continue to cook and crisp when you roast the potatoes in the oven.
  • Drain the diced bacon on paper towels, and remove all but 1 Tbsp of bacon drippings from pan.
  • Add Olive Oil, Garlic and Potatoes.  Mix to coat potatoes.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir fry for 3-4 minutes.  Add bacon back in, and stir.
  • Place all in a shallow baking dish and roast at 450 for 20 minutes or until potatoes are done.
  • Remove from oven and crumble blue cheese over all.  Stir to coat, and ENJOY!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Thursday Chuckle with Charlie

/ Jodi / 68 Comments

Charlie 090115

Hi Friends –

We gotta talk!

Can you believe my new Mom and Dad, who I was just getting comfy with and falling in love with after three weeks together, LEFT ME HOME while THEY went on vacation last week?!

I wasn’t sure what the heck happened to them, but thankfully my new brother was here to take care of me.  Problem is – he goes to work all day, and I was left home alone for 8 hours ALL BY MYSELF for the first time ever ever ever – here in Mars.

It was kinda scary, and I didn’t know what to do.

The first day I did find a cute little teensy weensy little wooden lamb, which is part of one of my Mom’s little Noah’s ark displays in the dining room, that was really tasty.  You guys like lamp chops – right?  It kinda tasted like that, except a little bit more splintery, so I spit most of it back out.

The second day, I was really missing my Dad, so I decided to just chew a tiny little bit on his shoe.  It smelled good and made me feel better like as if I was with him.

By the end of the week, my brother must have really missed being with me as much as I did with him, because he got to work from home.  YAY!

We had fun – well – I did anyway.  I kept bugging him to go outside and play.  The bonus of it was that he learned he could trust me outside in the yard ALL BY MYSELF while he worked.  I’m a really good boy and stay in the yard.  (You guys have seen those nasty red flags – right?!  As long as you don’t go near them – life is grand!)

Charlie 090115 2

My Mom kept calling my brother to see how I was.  She was worried about me, because, after all, I am her baby (HAHA Nick!).  I kept trying to tell him to tell her to get home, but I just couldn’t seem to communicate it to him.  I tried mostly at night…. in the middle of the night mostly…. (Isn’t that when you get the loneliest?)

Like at 1:30 am…

or 2:15 am…

or 3:45 am…

Finally, my brother would get out of bed at like maybe 5:30 am and stay up.

Those other times, he would take me out and think I had to go potty or something.  I didn’t. DUH!!  I just wanted to play!  Heck – I slept all day…  (and I did keep my Dad’s chair warm and smelling nice so it would really be perfect for him when he FINALLY got home!)

Charlie 090115 3

When Mom and Dad came home – after a LOOOOONG week (You guys know how long that is – right?  Seven – that is S-E-V-E-N  DAYS!),  I thought I was seeing things!  I looked at them…. I wanted to be excited, but I thought maybe I was just hallucinating – maybe delirious with grief.  But… when I got a little closer and sniffed and then jumped into the air onto them, I realized it REALLY was them!  They were HOME! Finally HOME!

I’m not straying too far from my Mom’s side this week.  Maybe if I watch her very carefully, she will not do that again!

Thanks for listening, friends, and sorry to whine a bit, but it was a heck of a week!

I’m doing really great now (with the exception of a little accident here and there – SHEESH – I am still kind of a baby and this is still kind of new!).  My Mom keeps telling me she loves me and what a good boy I am :). I know this, but it is nice to hear a couple thousand times a day – right?!

And she sings me my favorite song:

I love you – 
a bushel and a peck…
A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.

She sings SO Beautifully!  Even though my Dad says I’m the only one that thinks so.

Thanks to so many of you for asking my Mom if I can be a regular here!  If you keep urging, she may let me continue!  <doggy wink!>

Woofs & Hugs,
Charlie