Dog Days of Summer: A Charlie Guest Post

Charlie dog days of summer august 2016

Mom told me the other day we are in the “Dog Days of Summer” here in Mars.

It’s pretty darn hot around here, but what does that have to do with dogs?  (I mean…. I know I’m pretty “hot,” sexy, handsome, charming, and all that… but not ALL dogs are are quite as lucky as me – eh?)

So I asked Mom to “google” what the heck dogs have to do with hot summer days, and guess what?!  We discovered a story of astronomical proportions!

Contrary to common conjecture, the “dog days of summer” does NOT get its name because the heat is so extreme it drives dogs mad or because dogs lie around panting in the heat (Sheesh!  Really people?!  How dare you think such disdainful thoughts!)

The actual background of the phrase refers to the one-to-two month period when a particularly bright, shiny, snazzy, jazzy, super-amazing, georgeous, “hot” star named Sirius, the Dog Star, or Alpha Canis Majoris (Latin for “Greater Dog!”), rises and sets with the sun, shining during the daylight hours and staying hidden at night.

So you see, it’s really about us dogs being the STARS in your life.  (Right Mom?)

That’s why I’m smiling in my photo here.
(or……. it might have been because my Mom was holding a treat while asking me to “stay.”)

Either way…….
I like to be thought of as a Star.  So you can call feel free to call me “Great” for short.
Or Char…
Or Chuck…
Or Buddy…

but pleaaaassseee don’t call me late for dinner!

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.

 

Source:  Dictionary.com

Around the Bend

Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks - Mars, PA - August, 2016

Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks – Mars, PA – August, 2016

When the fog is so thick
you can’t see round the bend,

do you take a chance
or allow a dead end?

Our minds can get foggy too,
and we don’t see as clearly as we usually do.

The intriguing thing, though,
is if we take a slow go

with thoughtful steps in confident faith,
we might be surprised at what awaits.

Go forward my friend
around the bend.

The further you go,
the clearer you’ll grow.

Cherish all the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Blueberry Shortbread Tart

blueberry shortbread tart 2

I thought it would be nice to make a sweet treat this past weekend for the guys since I had been away for awhile.  I didn’t have enough blueberries to make a pie, but I had a nice amount to make this yummy blueberry shortbread tart.

blueberry shortbread tart 1

What could be bad about a shortbread crust, some jam and blueberries, fresh lemon juice and zest, and a crumbly topping?!?!

blueberry shortbread tart 3

It went together easily, only took 30 minutes to make, and was a hit!  (Hubby said it reminded him of a toasted blueberry Pop-Tart (and that was meant as a compliment – lol!)

I can’t recall the last time I bought Pop-Tarts, but this is a tart, and it is filled with fruit, and it is baked, so I guess that pretty well qualifies it to taste a bit like it.  I can imagine this would also be great with many other fruit fillings (aka Pop-Tart flavors) –  Cherry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Peach, Apple & Cinnamon, Strawberry, or Peach – to name a few.

My guys topped theirs with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, because, well…. just because!

It was a great dessert to end a hot summer day and meal of grilled sausage sandwiches with onions and peppers on hard rolls, fresh sweet corn on the cob rolled in butter and sprinkled with Old Bay Seasoning, and a cucumber and tomato salad fresh from the garden drizzled with tangy red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.

Hungry yet?!

Blueberry Shortbread Tart

Ingredients:blueberry shortbread tart 2
  • 2 sticks butter,  room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup blueberry preserves or jam
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease 9-inch tart pan.

Beat butter, sugars, lemon juice and zest with electric mixer approx. 3 mins until well incorporated.  Add flour and salt, and mix until well blended and forming clumps.

Press 2/3 of the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and going up sides.

Spread with the blueberry preserves or jam evenly over the dough, leaving a ¼-inch border.  Sprinkle with blueberries.

Crumble the remaining dough into large crumbs and  sprinkle evenly over filling.

Bake 30 – 40 mins. until lightly browned.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*recipe slightly adapted from Erren’s Kitchen

Come Fly Away

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 1

Come fly away with me

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 2

to a place we want to be

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 3

up high in the cottony clouds

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 4

where anything is allowed

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 5

where soft winds blow

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 6

and spirits glow

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 7

where life is free

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 8

for he and she and me

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 9

we’ll take flight

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 91

toward the light

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 92

and smile and laugh and sing

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 93

in a basket tied with string

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 94

we will float

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 95

in our air-filled boat

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 96

with the utmost ease

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 97

in the gentle breeze

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 98

and leave behind

Hot Air Balloon WPA Balloonfest 99

the ties that bind.

A couple of weeks ago, Hubby and I spent a Saturday evening watching a multitude of hot air balloons lift off and fly away at the Western Pennsylvania Balloon Quest in New Castle, PA.  The weather was a bit “iffy,” and take-offs were delayed, but Mother Nature cooperated, to our great fortune, and we were able to experience this beauty.

I’m a bit of a ninny poo poo when it comes to daring adventures of height like this, but oh how I wish I were brave enough.  Maybe some day.  For now, it was lovely to experience from the ground and dream of far away places that can only be reached by going where the gentle wind blows us.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Pittsburgh Rainbow Cityscape

Pittsburgh CityScape Watercolor

Pittsburgh Rainbow Semi-Abstract Cityscape 9 x11 Arches Hot Press CBT WV QG

Today is the last day of #WorldWatercolorMonth, and I am proud to say I was able to post an original watercolor every day this month.  To celebrate the last day, I’ve been itching to do a semi-abstract cityscape, so here is my version of the Pittsburgh Skyline in a rainbow of Cobalt Teal Blue, Winsor Violet and Quinacridone Gold.

I have lived in the Pittsburgh, PA area my entire life.  Though I have moved from suburb to suburb growing up and then after getting married, I have always loved this beautiful, “most-livable” city.

We live in the “country,” but it is only a 30-minute drive to all the wonderful things our city has to offer for arts, entertainment, business, restaurants, sports, rivers, and shopping.

In fact, that is just where we went yesterday to look for bridal gowns, and oh what fun we had!  Well, we actually passed through town and went to the “South Hills,” but it was a successful venture, and Liz said “Yes!” to the most beautiful dress!  I gasped, then I cried.

I feel so fortunate that both of my boys have found such wonderful young ladies to share their lives with.

Want a sneak peak of the dress????!!

Liz said yes to the dress

You didn’t think I’d actually show you, did you?  But it is under there and in the hands of the beautiful, glowing bride-to-be!  A big thanks to Chelsea and Greg and the wonderful folks at Anne Gregory for the Bride for such an amazing experience, we didn’t have to go anywhere else!  More time for toasting champagne and celebrating with  Liz and her sisters and mom!

Happy Sunday, and happy last day of #WorldWatercolorMonth!  I hope you’ve had as much fun as me.  (Or maybe you are as relieved as my son Nick that it is over!)  Whichever the case, thanks for spending it with me here at lifeinbetween!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Watercolor Floral Experiments with Color

pink and orange watercolor flower 5x7 sakura koi
Today’s super quick little watercolors were made the same time as my little sailboat yesterday during my time at Girlfriend Camp (#GFCGeneva2016) this past week.

They are really just experiments with colors mingling and using inexpensive Sakura Koi Watercolor Field Travel set (which, by the way have really sold me on the case to buy artist quality watercolors for artist quality results.  I’m not very happy with these, but I did have fun playing with limited supplies while away.  I really should have left them without painting flowers on top and done something abstract.

I didn’t want to miss out on a single day of #WorldWatercolorMonth, however, so  this is all I have to offer today.

yellow green with purple flower 5x7 sakura koi

I get to go wedding dress shopping with my soon-to-be daughter-in-law and her mom and sisters today!  What a great event to come home to!

Happy Saturday, and Happy Weekend!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Come Sail Away

sailboat 5x7 sakura koi

In honor of our last day at Geneva on the Lake for #GFCGeneva2016, my watercolor for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a super quick little sailboat on the lake done with my inexpensive Sakura Koi Watercolor Travel Field Set.

I painted a few backgrounds late one night and then added the boat the next day since the random mingling of dark blue and teal reminded me of our beautiful view this past week of the lake.

Come sail away with me… to the lake… or the ocean… or the sea.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Red Red Wine

Red Red Wine 5x7 Watercolor Arches 140lb Rough Sakura Koi Pocket Field Watercolor Sketch Box

I’m at “Girlfriend Camp” (#GFCGeneva2016) this week.

Yesterday we went on a little winery tour.

We had some wine flights alfresco at one winery.

image

And guess who had the red one amidst the fruity whites?

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And by the third stop, we were getting our “wine shine” on.
Okay – maybe the guy at the table next to us at the second stop said we were already there at Stop #2….

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But my sweet Bub told him I don’t need to have wine to shine.  (See why I love her!?!)

The next evening was Prosecco Sangria on our balcony for happy hour.

proseco fruit punch

So today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth painting is

Red Red Wine…

Goes to my head…..
makes me forget…
(the rest of the lyrics!) 

Which just so happens to be the “ring tone” on Bubby’s cell phone for us three chicas!
(wonder why that would be – eh?)

Wishing you a day to forget the bad
and remember the good.

Cherish the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

And the Mountains Echoed

mountains echo

I have begun reading a beautiful book….

It is called “And the Mountains Echoed” by Khaled Hosseini.

It is a tale exploring the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

The cover of the book is so beautiful, I decided to try a quick watercolor of it, so this is today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth Painting.

Has anyone else read it?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Simple… Bold… Love

Abstract Watercolor 5x7 Arches 140lb Rough Cobalt Teal Blue Raw Sienna Cadmium Red

Abstract Watercolor 5×7 Arches 140lb Rough Cobalt Teal Blue Raw Sienna Cadmium Red

It’s really simple…

Just be bold….

and Love.

Today’s painting for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a simple abstract done with bold strokes of cobalt teal blue and raw sienna and embellished with some tiny hearts in cadmium red.  A simple, yet bold expression of the power of love.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi