Year: 2016

Wisdom in the Wind

/ Jodi / 66 Comments
wind in acrylics

Abstract Wind in Acrylic – 6×6

Wisdom in the Wind

Wherever you go…
carry seeds that spread and plant joy and beauty.

Recognize that some seasons call for soft and gentle whispers…
while others call us to blow strong and loud and bold.

And the same breath that creates a cool and gentle breeze
can also fuel a fire.

Realize that adjusting your sails
will allow you to sail smoothly and dance freely.

And when you aren’t sure what the question is,
consider that the answer just might be blowing in the wind.

This is my third and final in the series of Lessons from Nature.
It follows Reflections from the River, and Truths from the Tree.

The “art” above is my first attempt with Acrylic Paints after about a year of watercolor adventures.  I am still learning to master watercolor, and it is still my first love, but I’ve been itching to try Acrylic after seeing so much beauty created by other artist friends and the encouragement of Laura at CreateArtEveryday.    For this piece, I simply wanted to feel the paint and see how it moved, so I decided to create “Wind.”  It is done on a 6×6″ Aquaboard, and the beauty of that is, I can just wash it off and create something else over it.  I must admit, it was fun to be able to “over”work with acrylic paint and even add white!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

#NatureDoodlewash

Truths from the Tree

/ Jodi / 52 Comments
truth from trees nature lessons maple tree mars pa

Maple Tree, Mars, PA

Truths from the Tree

Stand tall and proud,
and reach for the sunlight.

Grow deep roots where you are planted,
and you will be braced and secure from threatening winds.

When those winds do blow,
bend and be flexible, and you will survive.

Stretch out your arms far and wide,
and welcome those that rest in your shade.

Delight in sharing with nature’s creatures
with nests and burrows and nourishment.

When your life is over,
give back to what gave life to you.

This is in follow-up to yesterday’s post – Reflections from the River – and a continuation in Lessons from Nature.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Pure

Reflections from the River

/ Jodi / 60 Comments
Kiskiminetas River lifeinbetween.me

Kiskiminetas River, Pittsburgh, PA

Reflections from the River

Still water grows stagnant…
keep moving.

Enjoy the journey…
it’s not always about the destination.

A single rock thrown…
can cause a ripple effect far beyond its initial target.

Sometimes what is reflected back from us…
is bigger and better than we are – so shine on.

It is hard work to traverse against the current…
but it is possible, and it is often worth it.

Hubby and I took a little boat ride Friday evening down the Kiskiminetas River – a peaceful little body of water that flows into the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh, PA.   With the sweet scent of honeysuckle still in my nose, I’ve been reflecting on the many lessons we can learn from the river.  Nature has so much to teach us if only we take the time to listen.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Pure

Cream Puff Cloud

/ Jodi / 62 Comments

cream puff cloud coconute cream recipe 2

This heavenly cream puff cloud dessert has been a family favorite for a long time.

My sweet father-in-law used to request it every year for his birthday, and Hubby loves it too!

So when we had my Dad and Mom II over yesterday to celebrate Dad’s birthday, I made this special dessert that I made the first time we celebrated Dad’s birthday together (again) six years ago when we reunited.

Cream Puff Cloud Coconut Cream slice recipe

Dad loves coconut cream just like Hubby does and Pap did, so this is something I love making for my special guys.

Dad ate his first piece, and then asked for a second “little” slice.  He sure knows the way to my heart! 

And if you are not a coconut cream fan, this cream puff cloud DELIGHT is wonderful in a French Vanilla or Chocolate version too!

It is light, simple, and amazingly delightful!

cream puff cloud coconute cream recipe

Years ago, when my boys were young and I was a stay-at-home mom, I sold Pampered Chef kitchen tools as a little side job that got me out a bit, helped me make some extra money for the family, and provided Hubby and I with some amazing FREE trips that I earned for achieving sales bonus levels!  This was one of the recipes I made at cooking shows I did in people’s homes, and it was ALWAYS a huge hit.

I hope you will add this recipe to your collection of “special occasion desserts.”  It is so wonderful to have recipes that are easy, but delicious and impressive.

Happy Birthday Dad!  It was so wonderful to celebrate with you.  I love you!

Cream Puff Cloud

Ingredients:Cream Puff Cloud Coconut Cream slice recipe

  • Cream Puff Shell
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
    • 1 cup flour
    • 4 eggs
  • Filling
    • 1 small package Instant Coconut Cream Pie Filling (or French Vanilla or Chocolate or your Fave!)
    • 1 1/2 cups Milk (any kind you prefer from Skim to Half and Half)
    • 1 12 oz. Cool Whip
  • Garnish
    • Toasted Coconut – for Coconut Cream Pie Filling
    • Fresh Strawberries and/or shaved chocolate for French Vanilla Pie Filling
    • Shaved Chocolate for Chocolate Pie Filling

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

For Puff Pastry Shell:  Microwave or boil water and butter.  Once boiling, remove from heat and add flour.  Stir until batter comes away from sides of bowl/pan.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating with whisk until batter looses shine.

Spray a Deep Dish Baker or 10 inch quiche pan with Pam cooking spray.  Spread batter on bottom of pan and slightly up sides.  Bake for 20-30 minutes.  Shell will puff up and then shrink back when cooled.

Cool completely.

For filling, combine pudding and milk in large bowl, and chill to set.  Fold in 3/4 of the Cool Whip.  For coconut cream version, I also add 1/2 cup toasted coconut.  For chocolate, I add a 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.

When shell is cooled, pour filling into shell.  Garnish with remaining cool whip and any additional garnishes you prefer.  Chill until serving.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Life and Hope

/ Jodi / 64 Comments

Lane

My son snagged this amazing shot with his iPhone down the lane to our home one evening this week when the clouds were rolling in.

I love the beauty of the lush green “life,” the bright blue sky of “hope,” and the looming “sadness’ in the darkness under the puffy white clouds.

It reminded me of a dear friend who has been on my mind constantly lately who is going through a difficult period while she tends to her parents’ needs at her father’s journey at end of life.

It made me think of life and hope and sadness and how we all deal with all of it every day – –  often every moment of the day.

The lyrics of one of my all-time favorite songs came to mind, and I want to share them here for my sweet friend, Bub:

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep you head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you’ll hear me knocking at you door
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again

 

May we all find cherished moments of life and hope in times of darkness and sadness.
And may we all find comfort in friendship to get us through.

We may not be close enough in geographic proximity to literally always show up and knock on the door, but we can reach out in so many other ways to be there for each other.

Be life and hope in someone’s darkness today.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Bloody Mary Beef Pot Roast

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

bloody mary beef pot roast 1

Last weekend was unseasonably rainy and chilly here in Mars, so comfort food was in order for Sunday supper.

I had recently read a recipe KR posted on AnotherFoodieBlogger for Bloody Mary Beef Stew and was inspired to use up a bottle of Bloody Mary Mix I had in the fridge that I bought on a whim a while back when in the mood for that particular cocktail I only hanker for occasionally.

bloody mary beef pot roast

Here is what I came up with, and it was a definite HIT with my guys here.  Served with some homemade mashed potatoes (which I haven’t made in forever) just sealed the deal.  Enjoy!

Bloody Mary Beef Pot Roast

Ingredients:bloody mary beef pot roast 1

  • 2 1/2 – 3 lb. beef chuck roast
  • 2 cups bloody mary mix (your favorite)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • A shot of two of vodka (or not – whatever you like)
  • 1 head (or bunch) celery, chopped, including some of the leaves
  • 1 large sweet vidalia onion, chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
  • 1 Tbsp horseradish
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

In a large skillet, saute celery, onion, and garlic (the heavenly trinity!) in olive oil for a few minutes until softened and turning translucent.  Add salt and pepper to taste, rosemary, and horseradish, and continue sauteing for a few more minutes until you start to get some little brown bits.

Make room for the beef roast in the center and brown on both sides along with the veggies.  Once the meat is browned, pour all into crockpot.

Combine bloody mary mix, water, and vodka and pour over all.  Cook on high for approximately 6 hours or until beef begins to fall apart with the touch of a fork.  Break apart and stir shredded meat into sauce.  Cook on low another hour if time allows.

Serve with mashed potatoes and a salad or vegetable side dish.  It also tastes yummy on buns as a sandwich (which we had the next day).

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

I Have Officially Become a Bird Nerd

/ Jodi / 88 Comments
purple finch

Curious the Purple Finch, Mars, PA

I have to admit I have officially become a “bird nerd!”

After sharing Happy, My Blue Bird of Happiness yesterday (well officially an Indigo Bunting, but I like to give most everyone a name), and sharing what a stand out he is among the crowd, I thought I’d share some more of my feathered friends with you today from our little backyard sanctuary.

From hummingbirds that are only about an inch and a half long…

hummingbird

Hummer the Hummingbird, Mars, PA

to Woody, the Pileated Woodpecker who is about a foot and a half long…

pileated woodpecker

Woody the Pileated Woodpecker, Mars, PA

our backyard is just chirping with charming chatterboxes.

Here is where we all hang out.  I took a few pictures very early yesterday morning, while the dew was still dancing and the sun was just summoning its presence for the day.

backyard deck

Our back deck is southern facing, so it is warmed up quickly when the sun rises and is shaded by late afternoon when the sun is hottest.

backyard deck 2

I am still patiently waiting for the birds to discover they can bathe in the bird bath.

backyard deck 3 birdbath

And when the sun gets too hot, we can round the bend to the side of the house for shade…

rocking chair and fern

side porch

where it is undercover, and we can sit in cushioned comfort.

backyard deck 3 side

porch rules

Even Charlie likes a break from the sunshine sometimes.

backyard charlie

The birds come out rain…

male cardinal

Male Cardinal, Rainy Day, Mars, PA

or shine.

female cardinal

Female Cardinal, Sunny Morning, Mars, PA

Mr Rose-Breasted Grosbeak always dresses for breakfast and dinner in his finest formal wear…

male grosbeak

Male Grosbeak, Mars, PA

and carefully watches over the little Mrs.

female grosbeak

Female Grosbreak, Mars, PA

There are many more – the sparrows and cowbirds, the bluejays and the goldfinches, the warblers and the nuthatches. There is a wide variety of woodpeckers and a huge extended family of mourning doves.  An occasional blackbird stops by, the robins romp about, and we are always excited to see a Baltimore Oriole hang out for a while.

baltimore oriole

We sure love our winged wanderers and welcome them with wonderment.

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse before you fly away to go about your day.

female grosbeak in flight

Cherish the moments!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS – If you too flock to the flight of fledglings, check out my blogging friend, Kathy’s site: Backyard Bird Nerd.  Kathy regularly posts photos of the birds that are lucky enough to call her backyard home.

Blue Bird of Happiness

/ Jodi / 54 Comments
blue bird

Blue Bird, Mars, PA June, 2016

One lovely, bright blue bird
has chosen to make our backyard his home.

Oh how happy he makes me
with every appearance.

Amidst your brown and white and black and red and yellow-feathered friends,
you truly are the blue bird of happiness.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Blue Heron with Purple Feathers

/ Jodi / 74 Comments
blue heron with purple feathers original watercolor 9x12 arches 300 lb cold press

blue heron with purple feathers – original watercolor-  9×12 arches – 300 lb cold press

Why be simply an “ordinary” Blue Heron
when you could have Purple Feathers too?

It’s #DrawABirdDay!  Why not?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

#NatureDoodlewash

That moment…. right before

/ Jodi / 48 Comments
peony blossom

Pink Peony bud ready to bloom, Mars, PA – June 2016

That moment….

right before

you open up
and come out of your shell…

It is when you reveal

your true colors,
your full potential,
your ultimate possibilities,
your complete self.

It is a defining moment,
when you reveal your vulnerability,
and step out of your comfort zone.

There is such beauty
in that moment….
right before.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi