Year: 2015

Easy Rustic Apple Tart

/ Jodi / 17 Comments

apple tart

We had some friends and family over yesterday for a winter “picnic.”

So often we have people over for the holidays and then don’t get together much until Spring and Summer because of the cold, snowy weather.

Well – heck with that.  I say celebrate it.

So while the snow fell to the tune of another 6 inches or more, we lit a fire, Marty plowed the driveway, and I made a big pot of creamy loaded potato soup, some fresh baked bread, and this super easy rustic apple tart.

We had a great time enjoying simple food and sharing stories of love and friendship.  Such cherished memories!

apple tart 2
If you are looking for a quick and easy, but beautiful dessert, here’s the recipe:

Easy Rustic Apple Tart

Ingredients:

1 Sheet Frozen Puff Pastry, thawed
2 large apples, cored and sliced paper thin (with a mandolin is easiest)
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 415 degrees F.
In a bowl, mix together sliced apples, lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon. Let set for 5-10 minutes.
Place puff pastry on baking stone (or baking sheet).
Curl up edges a bit and for circle (or simply leave in rectangular shape.
Place apples on top and bake for 18-20 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
Immediately remove to serving platter.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve plain or with whipped cream, ice cream, and or drizzle with caramel sauce.
Enjoy!

Happy Monday friends!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Grandma’s Easy Poppy Seed Cake

/ Jodi / 24 Comments

poppy seed cake

As a child, my Grandma made me a poppy seed cake every year for my birthday.   Sound odd?  Well – my birthday is on New Year’s Eve, and who isn’t sugared out by then after all the Christmas cookies and holiday treats?

So this poppy seed cake was always just right – not too sweet – no heavy, sugary icing – just a fun old-fashioned bread-like cake that speaks love to me.

poppy seed cake slice

Marty used to make it for me sometimes through the years; but the older we get, the more I just don’t want anything sweet by my birthday. (Red wine, however, is ALWAYS welcome!) 🙂

So I have had a hankering for poppy seed cake lately, and when I passed a package of poppy seeds in the grocery store yesterday, I just threw them in the cart and came home and baked it!

poppy seed cake 2

Don’t be surprised if it reminds you more of a sweet bread – more like banana bread or zucchini bread. It is yummy for breakfast with coffee or just as a treat.  (And of course it goes well with red wine.  What doesn’t?)

Here’s our recipe:

Grandma's Easy Poppy Seed Cake

  • Servings: One Yummy Cake
  • Print

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup vegetable oil
1 can evaporated milk
1/4 cup poppy seeds
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour 10 inch tube or bundt pan.
In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients.
Make a well in the center and add eggs, vanilla, oil, and milk.  Mix well.
Fold in poppy seeds.
Pour into prepared pan, and bake for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.
Cool 10 minutes in pan, then turn onto rack to cool.

When cool, sprinkle generously with sifted powdered sugar.

ENJOY!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Reward

/ Jodi / 29 Comments

reward

This week’s WordPress Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge is “Reward.”

There are so many things I could think of to post that represent “reward” in a photo, but I decided upon this one that brings so much joy to my heart and such a huge smile to my face – e v e r y single time I look at it!

As a baker, there is no greater reward than for someone to completely and thoroughly enjoy what you baked – right?

Have you ever seen greater enjoyment over eating a sweet treat than this little guy eating a chocolate Thanksgiving Turkey Oreo Cookie Ball I made this past Thanksgiving?

I snapped the photo from across the table trying to freeze the joyous moment in time.

This is REWARD to me!

Can you look at it without smiling?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Come On Get Happy

/ Jodi / 10 Comments

hello you thinlits circle framelits so social happy birthday card

A very special little lady reminded this past week that her birthday is coming soon, so I wanted to come up with a fun, unique card for her.

I was inspired by a cute idea I saw done using circle framelits in fun colors with a die cut greeting by Mayuri at Candles in the Garden.  Once I made my card and checked the link to credit, I realized I hadn’t even come close to doing Mayuri’s design justice!  She used a beautiful inlaid technique on her card which I may have to try some time.

For my card, I cut multiple sizes of circles using the StampinUp Circle Framelits and layered them on top of each other on black paper.  I then cut out two layers of the word “happy” from the StampinUp Hello You Thinlit Set.  I covered “happy” with a glossy layer of Crystal Effects to give it a little more pop.  I then stamped “@birthdaygirl” from the StampinUp So Social Stamp set and added a few sequins for embellishment.

For some reason this card reminds me of the song, “Come on Get Happy” with the psychedelic Partridge Family bus colors, and it makes me smile.  (I know – sometimes I’m living in my own little happy place…)  🙂

I hope the birthday girl will enjoy her card.

Happy Friday friends!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Shrimp & Vegetable Lo Mein

/ Jodi / 27 Comments

Lo Mein

Anyone who has followed along here at LifeinBetween.me for any length of time might be wondering what an ole’ Hunky Polish chick that loves baking cookies and cakes and breads and makes halupkis and haluski and pierogies is doing trying her hand at Chinese comfort food….

Well – why not?!

And oh YUMMMM!

Lo Mein 2

Who knew how easy and healthy it could be without buying it from the local Chinese take-out?

And is there anything more versatile?!

The sky is seriously the limit with all the things you can mix into this!

Change up the protein from shrimp to chicken or pork or even beef.

Almost any vegetable works too!

Can’t find Lo Mein Noodles at your local grocery?  Spaghetti noodles work just fine!

lo mein prep

I used inspiration from the real experts like the gang at The Woks of Life and  Chungha at Damn Delicious.

Here’s my version.

Homemade Lo Mein

  • Servings: Enough for a Hungry Family
  • Print

 Ingredients:

1 – 1.5 lbs Thin Spaghetti (or Lo Mein noodles) – cooked al dente
1 lb Cooked, Deveined Shrimp, Tails removed (or chicken or pork or beef)
5 cups spinach leaves
1 cup shredded julienne carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup thin asparagus tops
1 cup green onions, cut into 2 inch lengths
1 cup sugar snap peas
2 red peppers, cut into strips
2-3 cloves minced garlic
3 tsp. Olive Oil
Sauce:
5 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
2 Tbsp Sugar dissolved in 2 Tbsp hot water
1 tsp Salt-Free Asian Spice Seasoning
1 Tbsp freshly minced ginger
1 tsp Siracha Sauce

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large wok or skillet. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add rest of vegetables, except spinach (any of the above or any that you like) and cook for 4-5 minutes. Stir frequently. Add cooked shrimp (or protein of your choice or simply keep vegetarian). Cook 2-3 more minutes. Add spinach and cook 1-2 more minutes. Stir in noodles and sauce mixture. Gently toss.

Serve and enjoy!

Need to see it again?

Lo Mein 2

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Iridescent Ice Bubbles

/ Jodi / 40 Comments

icicle droplets

I was talking with a friend yesterday who asked how I was doing.   You know… just the usual small talk.

She commented, “I’ll bet you wish you were back in Florida with your friend in the warmth.”

And yes – I do wish I was back there, especially with my dear friend.  And especially because our high temperatures have barely reached double digits for the past two weeks let alone get above freezing….

Yet, as I explained to my friend, if it weren’t for these bone-chilling temps, I’m not sure I would appreciate the warmth of Spring and Summer or trips to Florida as much….

I truly love the beauty of the four distinct seasons we are fortunate to experience in my part of the world –  life here in Mars.  It always amazes me that our yard can look so differently in the different seasons, and the snow and ice I tromp through in the Winter to get to the mailbox is the same yard I lay in and walk through in bare feet in the Summer and pile leaves on in Autumn and watch life burst through in Spring.

And though the temperature was a mere 9 degrees F yesterday, the sky was a deep azure blue and the sun was shining so brightly and reflecting on the snow that I needed sunglasses.

It was melting the icicles on the back of our house, and they were glistening and sparkling like bright diamond shards against the clear sky.  And the crystal droplets created a beautiful sheet of frozen iridescent ice bubbles on the deck beneath.

Through the lens of my camera, there is so much beauty to be found.

Thanks for the reminder, Lori, and your continued support and friendship.    🙂

ice bubbles on deck from icicles dripping

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS  My top photo is another entry for the WordPress Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge Rule of Thirds with Bokeh

A Star was Born

/ Jodi / 39 Comments
Stella Star

30 years ago – Grandma (Stella Star) 72 – Jodi 22

A Star was born
on a warm summer’s eve
destiny’s daughter
Stella Louise.

A Star was born
in a coal mining town
a new life, a new country
her parents danced round.

A Star was born
It was 1913
Her parents worked hard
but life was still lean.

A Star was born
when Stella turned nine
with three little brothers
and Dad in the mine.

A Star was born
when her mom passed away
and Dad shared the news
she must now the role play.

A Star was born
to cook and clean and no longer play
for Dad had work and brothers school
Stella took over the chores each day.

A Star was born
that raised brothers so dear
they all grew in love
and days turned to years.

A Star was born
that married my Pap
She laughed and sang and chattered
while I sat on his lap.

A Star was born
that taught me about life
the meaning of love
what’s wrong and what’s right.

A Star was born
that died too soon
but is always with me
like a warm cocoon.

A Star was born
as my memories reveal
the best, greatest gifts of love
for me she made real.

A Star was born
on that warm summer’s eve
My Grandma, my hero
Her memory my reprieve.

Grandma & Grandpap, Johnny & Jodi - 1968

Grandma & Grandpap, Johnny & Jodi – 1968

This poem is dedicated to my Grandma, my hero – Stella Star, and done in response to the WordPress DailyPost Writing 201 Poetry Challenge:

Prompt:  Hero(ine)
Form:  Ballad
Device:  Anaphora/Epistrophe

Grandma died 20 years ago at the age of 82.  I was 32.  I still miss her every day, but I try to live each day carrying out her legacy and making her proud of the person she helped mold me into.  She will always be my guiding star.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Celebrate Today

/ Jodi / 22 Comments

celebrate today pp233

I had so much fun making this birthday card, and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.  I must give credit for the inspiration to Justin Krieger at jkcardsonline.com.

I knew I needed a birthday card this week, and I was anxious to get back to playing in The Paper Players Challenge.  When I saw Jason’s watercolor confetti balloons card and the sketch from Sandy at The Paper Players Challenge #233 this week…

pp233… this was the result.

celebrate today pp233 flat

I even carried the theme to the inside.

celebrate today pp233 inside

So here are the details for my stampin’ friends:

Supplies:

StampinUp Whisper White Cardstock for the Base
Watercolor paper
Vellum Paper
StampinUp Celebrate Today Stamp Set
StampinUp Balloon Framelit Die
Jim Holtz Distress Inks: Broken China, Salty Ocean, Peeled Paint
Versamark Ink
White Embossing Powder
Silver Embossing Powder
White Linen Thread
Foam Adhesive Tape, Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive

Directions:

Cut the Whisper White Card Stock into 4 1/4 x 11 and fold in half at 5 1/2
Cut watercolor paper to 4 x 5 1/4
Brush with clear water, then watercolor with distress ink colors
When dry, sprinkle with droplets of water, dab dry
Cut Balloon Shape out with framelit die, and reserve cut-out for inside of card
Adhere foam adhesive tape to back, and affix to card base
Cut three balloons from vellum
Emboss with Celebrate Today stamps
Adhere to card using glue dots discretely behind embossed dots and words
Stamp Happy and Birthday with VersaMark and heat emboss with silver
Adhere balloon strings
Adhere balloons and strings to inside of card

Wishing anyone with a birthday today or this week a very happy day!

Celebrate Today!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Weekly Photo Challenge: Rule of Thirds with Bokeh

/ Jodi / 12 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge Rule of Thirds with Bokeh

This week’s WordPress Daily Post Photo Challenge is to use the Rule of Thirds with a Bokeh Effect.

It’s been snowing non-stop here in Mars this weekend, but I took this photo a week ago when in Florida.  I always love the way flowers look after a rain shower.  I thought this photo was a good example of the challenge effect, and it also reminds me of warmer sunny days and wonderful memories with a dear friend.

Happy Sunday!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Chocolate Chunk & Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

/ Jodi / 17 Comments

chocolate chunk and peanut butter chip cookies

Some days just call for baking cookies…  Like when you wake up and it is 13 degrees BELOW ZERO F!…  What a great way to warm up the house – right?

chocolate chunk and peanut butter chip cookies 3

And besides, my son, Nick, has been whining for requesting some chocolate chip cookies for a couple of weeks now.  I’m kind of “famous” for my chocolate chip cookies, but I hate doing the same old thing.  I’m a change junkie.  So instead of the usual chocolate chip cookies, I kicked it up a notch by mixing chocolate chunks and peanut butter chips in my classic recipe.

chocolate chunk and peanut butter chip cookies 4

They taste pretty awesome…  with a glass of milk…. coffee… hot chocolate… red wine (LOL!  Everything goes with red wine – right?).

chocolate chunk and peanut butter chip cookies 2

Chocolate Chunk & Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

  • Servings: 5 dozen large cookies
  • Print

Ingredients:

1 lb (4 sticks) butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 bag Nestle’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
1 bag Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips

Mix softened butter and sugars with mixer until well blended. Add vanilla and eggs and mix until creamy. Add dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda) until well incorporated. Fold in chocolate and peanut butter chips.

Refrigerate dough for several hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Shape dough into 1 1/2 – 2 Tbsp balls and flatten slightly. Bake on baking stone for 8-9 minutes. Let cool on stone for approximately 5 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Cookies freeze well in Ziploc bags.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi