Jelly Fish – Georgia Aquarium
It magically floats
creating beauty
and light
in the depths
and darkness.
Glowing
with hope
and inspiring
the possiblility
that magic
can be created
and can happen
anywhere
Seek the magic.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Two possibilities exist:
either we are alone in the Universe
or we are not.
Both are equally terrifying.
-Arthur C. Clark
Deep thought to ponder isn’t it?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Mom and Baby Elephant Watercolor 10×12 Fabriano Artistico 300lb
I think I must have an African Safari on the brain…
Oh how I would LOVE to do that! Maybe some day.
But for now, I’m just painting my Safari.
I had so much fun doing Genevieve the Giraffe in watercolor last week, that it gave me a desire to try elephants.
I wanted to try a different technique, so I followed some techniques that Lian Quan Zhen masterfully executes and I feebly attempted here.
For this painting, I drew my elephants from a reference photo, used a bit of frisket to save some white, and I then actually poured and splashed some watercolor paint on, blowing it and pushing and smooshing it around with my finger to form a colorful abstract background. After that dried, I detailed in the elephants.
I used only three colors in the entire painting: Prussian Blue, Pyrrol Scarlet, and Hansa Yellow Light. Purples and greens and shades of black and gray and brown and pink and orange are all achieved by the blending of these three colors.
It was fun, and I’ll have to enjoy the elephants this way until I get to go on the safari in real life some day.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
We found yet another way to make an easy and oh so delicious chicken dinner this past week. My son, Nick, actually made this from a recipe he found and we adapted slightly.
He’s been practicing cooking more, and is getting really good (at breakfast and chicken at least!).
He will soon be moving out, and I am trying very hard not to be sad. I am trying to focus on the fact that we have done a great job in raising our boys to be independent, competent men who have found wonderful partners to share their lives with.
Both of my boys know how to cook and are very handy. They are smart and kind and generous. (I’m not partial at all – right?!) They both have found amazing women who are just right for them, and who we love dearly.
I digress….
Back to the point…. Chicken!
Here is another Winner Winner Chicken Dinner we hope you will try.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Season chicken with salt and lemon pepper. Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add chicken and sear until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 mins. per side depending on thickness. Transfer chicken to a plate and make the sauce.
Add butter to pan drippings and let melt. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add lemon juice and zest and half and half. Bring to a simmer. Add cherry tomatoes and basil. Simmer until thick, about 5 minutes. Add chicken back to sauce and coat. Serve over rice.
Enjoy!
I’m sure we will be making this one again.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Charlie and Jager
Did you know?
I’m sure YOU did!
Seems everyone knew!
It was all over Facebook and Twitter.
Seems everyone knew…. (sigh)
Except Mom.
Not sure how she could have overlooked the most wonderful day of the year…
Yesterday was National Dog Day!
August 26 – EVERY year! DUH!!!
You knew – right?!!??
And as much as I hate to admit – I do need Mom’s opposable thumbs to help type as I dictate my – err- “regular” blog posts here.
So thank you, Debi, for asking about me to remind my Mom I am missed by our lifeinbetweener friends here!
Sheesh! What is a dog to do?
Well – anyway – how did you spend National Dog Day?
Even though Mom overlooked this important day, I have to admit – I had a glorious day! My day included breakfast, naps, treats, donut time, jump on the bed time, a walk, dinner, some ear scratches and belly rubs, and a visit from the pizza delivery girl (it was Friday after all!).
What more could a dog want – right?
Here is a picture of me with one of my dog friends. This is Jager.
Jager is just a puppy – not even a year old – (even though he is quite a bit bigger than me already!) – so I have a lot to teach him since I am already 2. Jager can be a little bit annoying, but Mom tries to remind me that I was a pup once too (and annoying to older dogs – Really??!!). And puppies are really “exuberant!” They don’t quite understand when it is time to just “walk” versus time to “play.” They don’t quite know when it is time to “quit.” Pups don’t always understand boundaries and seniority and whose toys are whose, but I’ll teach him. That’s what older dogs do with younger dogs. It’s my job. I like jobs. It’s important to have a purpose.
We all have a purpose. Isn’t that great to know?
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike theUPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: https://lifeinbetween.me/. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
Abstract Fern Watercolor 5×7
It’s that time of year
when the colors and smells and heat of summer
with lush greens and fragrant flowers
and thick, heavy air
are making way for
the colors and smells and chill of autumn
with vibrant reds and scorching oranges and deep hues of yellow
and a refreshing “nip” in the air.
It’s that time of year –
a change in seasons
A time for new beginnings
and a time for sweet endings.
It’s that time of year
that wonderful, lovely, sweet time of year.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
My sweet friend Janet found a recipe for this amazing summer vegetable tart, and I told her she had to come over so we could make it together and enjoy.
And that we did one evening this week.
Besides being so great to see her and spend time in the kitchen slicing and chopping and chatting….
O. M. G. – this turned out so delish!
With summer coming to an end and the abundance of zucchini and red-ripe tomatoes and eggplant and squash, this recipe is a must-do for a hot August evening dinner or Sunday lunch or brunch – or anytime really!
Anything smothered with Parmegiano Regianno is a winner in my book, but this savory summer vegetable tart is seriously a new favorite. Dare I admit I had 4 pieces?!
I think you are going to want to try this, so here is the recipe.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll out puff pastry or pie crust or crescent rolls on a baking stone or cookie sheet to rectangle or circle to form “pizza” tart crust.
Thinly slice vegetables with mandolin or sharp knife. Lay out on parchment paper or paper towel. Sprinkle with salt, and let set for 15 minutes. Pat dry with paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
Spread tomato sauce on pastry. Layer with vegetables. Drizzle with olive oil. Top with Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until crust is golden brown, vegetables are tender, and cheese is melted and browned. Let set for 5-10 minutes, cut, serve, and enjoy!
Happy Eating!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Genevieve the Giraffe – Watercolor 10×11 300lb Fabriano Artistico
I’ve been wanting to do a watercolor painting of a giraffe.
Not sure why.
I’m hankerin’ to do an elephant too…
Must be all this back to school reflection and memories of field trips to the zoo….
Unless you can think of a better reason!
Anyway, I went in search of an image on the web to paint from, and I ended up coming across a nice little tutorial from Alison at Eastwitching, and gave it a go. Here she is. I’ve named her Genevieve.
Genevieve the Giraffe. Isn’t that a lovely name?
Alison does lovely whimsical animals that many of you may enjoy.
Thanks for the tutorial, Alison! It is so lovely when artists share their tips and tricks and talent. I appreciate you!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
It’s that time of year…
that bittersweet time.
You can just feel it…
There’s a nip in the air.
You can hear it…
The crickets croon.
You can smell it…
Drying leaves and withering grass.
There’s that knot in the stomach…
not sure if it’s nervous or excited.
It’s an ending…
but it is also a beginning.
Carefree days are left behind…
Structured schedules begin.
It’s brand new shoes…
and choosing just the right first day outfit.
It’s shiny new binders…
and backpacks with lots of compartments.
It’s one-subject and three-subject and five-subject
multi-colored spiral notebooks.
It’s freshly sharpened pencils…
and pens in red, and blue and black.
It’s fresh new crayons and assorted colored pencils…
and highlighters in neon shades of yellow and pink and green.
It’s the anticipation of seeing old friends
and the hope of meeting new ones.
It’s new teachers, new subjects, new classrooms…
It’s squeaky clean blackboards with fresh sticks of chalk.
It’s time to secretly pass notes
with important messages
like “Do you like me? Yes or No
Circle One”
It’s waiting with the neighbors at the bus stop
and sharing seats times three.
And then growing old enough
to be too cool for the bus.
It’s apples for teachers
and pictures with bus drivers.
It’s back to school time –
Can you feel it in the air?
And even though it’s been
quite a few years
since I sent my boys off
with ambivalent feelings of sadness and pride
and even more since it was me as that little girl
with butterflies of anticipation, fear, and excitement
I still get that feeling
this time of year.
Sweet joyful memories…
sprinkled with a dash of melancholy.
I can’t be the only one
that feels this way.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Last Sunday, I was in the mood to be creative in the kitchen, so I decided to tackle the rack of lamp chops I recently purchased and do something interesting with a head of cauliflower I had.
For the lamb chops, I rubbed them with a simple mixture of fresh rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper and marinated them for 4 hours in the fridge. When we were ready to eat, I simply pan seared them about 2 minutes on each side in a hot skillet with olive oil. They turned out amazing!
Here is the recipe for the Creamy Cauliflower Risotto. I have to say… I absolutely LOVED it! A little more work than simply roasting cauliflower or mashing russet potatoes, but if you have the time and the inclination, it is SOOOO worth it!
Add some fresh greens, and you have a meal fit for royalty!
Hope you will give this a creative cauliflower recipe a try! You won’t be sorry.
Directions: Finely chop cauliflower florets until it reaches approximate size and texture of rice. (You can use a food processor if you like, but I did not.) Set aside. Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan. Saute onions, peppers and garlic until caramelized. Add white wine, and cook for 1 minute. Add cauliflower “rice” and chicken stock. Cover and cook on medium for about 10 minutes. Add butter, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes without lid, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate. Stir occasionally. Once the cauliflower “rice” has thickened, stir in the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. (There really is no substitute for this BEST Parmesan cheese!) Remove from heat and add Greek yogurt or sour cream and salt and pepper to taste. Blend with immersion blender to desired creamy consistency. Creamy Cauliflower Risotto
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*Recipe slightly adapted from GlutenFreeFix
the creative life in between 