If I had to choose
a color
to describe
Bliss,
I believe it would be
the color of maple leaves
in the Autumn sunshine
dancing in the breeze.
They delight my senses
with their bright
and joyful display.
Until Spring…
when the color of Bliss
is again the color
of the maple leaves
even though that color has changed.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Focusing on peace.
Tranquil Trees & Peaceful Mountains – A Serene Scene Watercolor in Prussian Blue & Panes Gray – 7×9
Today I wanted to paint and share something peaceful…
tranquil…
serene.
On a day in the U.S. that is likely not to be.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
What a fun evening we had with friends this weekend when we had the privilege of enjoying a private dining experience at Merante’s special upstairs kitchen where “Mamma” Maria and her long-time assistant, Linda, made us feel like family around the Sunday supper table!
What a unique experience this was! Merante’s is a quaint Italian gift shop in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where beautiful gifts from pasta bowls and fine ceramics (and even the game of Italy-Opoly) are sold and cooking classes and Italian-themed events are hosted.
My sweet, long-time (Italian!) friend, Mary, found this little gem and invited a group of friends (several months in advance, which is necessary due to its popularity) to bring a few bottles of wine and dine Italiano style (complete with clear plastic covered dining table cloth!).
Are you ready to see all the amazing food?!
A special thanks to Mary and Jill for sharing their iPhone photos with me to feature here.
I may have forgotten to bring my camera…
my iPhone may have been down to 3% battery…
and I may have been a bit too tipsy on red wine and sweet red sauce to take clear photos, but they were awesome to share!
We arrived at 6 pm and climbed the stairs to the “apartment” above the shop. We were escorted to the parlor where wine glasses and cork screws awaited our unloading of a “few” bottles of BYOB wine.
An amazing array of appetizers was served…
Seriously enough for a meal, and we could have been done!
There were stuffed mushrooms…
and stuffed tomatoes (MY FAVE!).
There was succulent shrimp…
and there were spicy meatballs.
There was a cheesy quiche…
And the most divine version of Caprese with sweet roasted red peppers and plump mozzarella.
But this was only a teaser of what was to come!
After a few cheers and intros, we moved into the kitchen where we began with the most amazing bowl of Stracciatella – an Italian soup that is made from a simple but flavorful chicken stock kept at a delicate simmer until a creamy mixture of eggs, Parmesan cheese and Italian parsley are whisked in to form the “little threads” that take the place of pastina. Grandma’s polish version was called “Egg Drop” soup.
This may have been my favorite course, if it weren’t for the next, which was the pasta course! Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is Maria’s handmade ricotta gnocchi gently turned with her creamy, dreamy red sauce and topped with tiny bits of fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. THIS was absolutely my favorite course!
As if we weren’t absolutely full-bellied by now, the main course was served next. Mary chose the juicy, tender roast tenderloin of pork, which was surrounded by a ring of seasoned roasted root veggies. My favorite was the fresh beets!
And because you get to also pick a vegetable (since cauliflower, beets, butternut squash and green beans are not enough!), we also had rosemary roasted potatoes.
In true Italian style, the salad was served next (last before dessert), which is completely opposite of how most American restaurants serve salad first. And this salad…. OMG…. if I weren’t so full, this may have won for my favorite course! We had the most amazing Apple, Pecan, and Gorgonzola Romaine Salad with tart dried cranberries drizzled with tangy balsamic vinaigrette – a perfect combination of sweet, salty and crunchy…Yum!
It was then time for dessert.
First, Maria placed an overflowing tray of Italian cookies in the center of the table.
And, as if that wasn’t enough, a beautiful parfait of chocolate hazelnut gelato, shipped fresh from Italy, was served to each of us with a cup of freshly pressed and sweetened Espresso.
I still can’t believe we ate all that food…
I can’t believe how sweet Maria and Linda were…
I can’t believe how reasonable the whole experience was!
And all of the leftovers were packed up in “to go” containers for us to continue to enjoy!
I couldn’t even bring myself to each a cookie that evening, but oh how glorious did the chocolate dipped biscotti taste the next morning with my coffee!
The only thing better than the amazing food was the wonderful fellowship of friends! If you live in, or are ever planning to travel to the Pittsburgh area, what a treat it is to enjoy this special dining experience at Merante’s!
One day, I will actually get to visit Italy…
Until then, I will visit Maria at Merante’s and experience a little taste of Italy in the “Burgh!”
Cheers and Ciaos,
Jodi
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Hi Friends –
Happy Sunday! It’s me – your buddy, Charlie – back with a guest post. I hear some of you have been missing me! 😉
Let’s talk laps today.
Mom is always trying to coax me to sit on her lap in the evening.
She begs…
she pleads…
she bribes…
she pretend cries…
PUULLLLLEEEEZZE! Sheesh!
I’m just not a fan!
I much prefer to sit in my own seat – especially when it is lined with my favorite soft, chenille blankie. I am, of course, within close enough range where Mom is very welcome, and even highly encouraged, to scratch my chin and belly and rub my ears.
I do, however, like to sit on the laps of guests that come to our home…
especially those that aren’t particularly fond of dogs and don’t understand how amazing doggie kisses are.
These are the laps I am particularly drawn to…
so I do choose to jump into those laps.
Even when they push me away.
Even when Mom says “Down Charlie!”
Even when Dad says “No Charlie!”
A dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do – right?
I wholeheartedly believe my purpose is to teach all humans that dogs are wonderful and doggie kisses are the best!
We all need a purpose – and until someone comes up with a better one. This is mine!
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: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
Autumn’s Golden Glow in New Gambouge and Cadmium Yellow – 9×12 Watercolor Painting
Along our usual lunch time walk, Charlie and I pass a house we refer to as the one ‘where the kids live. ‘
There are not many little ones that live on the street we walk on (much to the dismay of the sweet kiddos that recently moved into this home).
But when we do pass this home, if we are lucky and the kids are home and out playing, they come running to visit us. What a joy that is for both Charlie and me.
When the family first moved in and Charlie was newly adopted, he would cower when they came running. These day, he looks for them with anticipation when we pass. What a difference a year makes.
This watercolor painting is my very loose interpretation of the beautiful trees that line the street in front of “the house with the kids.” It was such a beautiful sight this past week that I had to take a picture with my phone as I knew I wanted to paint it.
Soon all the leaves will be gone, but this day they glowed golden in the Autumn sun.
Wishing you a day that is bright and golden and glowing.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
When I look at this photo
I snapped along my walk the other day,
I realize how grateful I am
to have such a place of beauty
so close by
to be able to walk by
every day I can.
There is so much beauty…
so much to be grateful for…
if only we open our eyes
and look with our hearts.
Do you see the possibilities?
Do you wonder about the mystery
that is just a few steps further
along the path
and around the bend?
Open your eyes
and look with your heart.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Is there anything better this time of year than pumpkiny, cinnamony treats fresh from the oven?!!
I’ve discovered a way to make a FABULOUS Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Cookie that is like no other pumpkin cookie you’ve ever had! These are crispy on the outside, chewy and gooey on the inside, and they are seriously BURSTING with cinnamon!
Most pumpkin cookies are “cake-like,” which is fine, but when you want a “cookie” to sink your teeth into, you have got to try these!
I had some pumpkin and was trying to decide what to make. I perused some recipes on Pinterest and came across a recipe that reminded me of my standby cookie recipe I use to make chocolate chips and blueberry white chocolate chips and so many other of my family and friends’ favorites. I decided to tweak it up a bit and found if I use my standard recipe, but substitute pumpkin for the eggs, change the ratio of sugars to a bit more brown, up the vanilla a tinch, and add a zip of cinnamon, I get these amazing Chewy Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Cookies.
Make some to share with your family and friends. They are sure to bring smiles. They would make a great addition to a Thanksgiving cookie tray or even a new one to add to your holiday cookie faves. Go stock up on you Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips and get baking!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cream butter in electric stand mixer about 2 minutes. Add sugars and continue beating. Add vanilla and continue beating. Add pumpkin and slowly mix in to incorporate. Next add the baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually mix in the flour on very low speed and just until all is incorporated. Stir in cinnamon chips with rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Scoop dough with 1/4 measuring cup and roll into a golf ball sized ball. Place two inches apart on baking stone or prepared cookie sheet. Bake approximately 15 minutes until golden brown on the outside with crisp edges. Allow to cool on baking stone/cookie sheet for 15 minutes before removing to cooling rack.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Red Autumn Leaf on Rusty Spring – Mars, PA
Spring or Fall?
The things you find on an Autumn walk
that resonate with your thoughts….
Like the old rusty box spring
that has been sitting for years
against a pile of well seasoned cut and split firewood
on a path I pass frequently on my walk.
It sits there as if its purpose
is purely to create artistic beauty
A paradox…
a contradiction.
Just like a crazy 74 degree November day
in the little town of Mars, PA.
Is it “Spring” or is it Fall?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
In one breath, I think…
How could it be November already?!?
In another, I anticipate…
Can this month move more quickly please?!?
November is always a time of year
when I think about gratitude and thankfulness.
There is so much to be thankful for…
Let’s celebrate the month of gratitude.
Happy November!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 