Misty Morning – Mars, PA – January, 2017
Oh misty morning…
with your subtle and mellow beauty,
You are like a soft veil creating the illusion
of a world that is blemish and scar free.
You are a gentle beginning
to the realities of the day.
Oh misty morning…
will you please just stay?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Freshly Sprouted Broccoli Sprouts
A Shout Out for Sprouts!
Are you a sprout lover? I’ve always enjoyed them, but they are not always readily available in my local grocery stores.
I was reminded of them when I recently read Deep Run Roots: Stories & Recipes from My Corner of the South by Vivian Howard and blogged about how to make The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg. Vivian recommends serving hard boiled eggs for breakfast on a bed of fresh sprouts (broccoli for her). I didn’t have any fresh sprouts the day I made my “perfect” hard boiled eggs, so I put mine on canned bean sprouts (which was NOT a good choice by the way).
Freshly Sprouted Green Pea Sprouts
So wasn’t I surprised when a new blog follower here at The Creative Life In Between, RCollab, commented on one of my posts, which made me curious about their blog, and the first post I saw from them was called DIY: Sprouting Sprouts! It was as if the blogging gods sent me a gift of inspiration. Check out their blog for the complete, easy instructions.
RCollab is an abbreviation for Our Collab or Our Collaboration where Colleen and Raphy, a sweet young couple, share their passion and adventures.
Sprouting Seeds Day 1: 1 Quart Mason Jars and Cheese Cloth
Did you know there are many health benefits of eating sprouts? The impressive list includes the ability to improve digestion, boost metabolism, increase enzymatic activity throughout the body, prevent anemia, help with weight loss, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, prevent neural tube defects in infants, protect against cancer, boost skin health, improve vision, support the immune system, and increase usable energy reserves.* That’s quite a list – eh?
Additionally, sprouts contain a significant amount of protein and dietary fiber, as well as vitamin K, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamin, vitamin C, vitamin A, and riboflavin. In terms of minerals, sprouts contain manganese, copper, zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium.*
Broccoli Sprouts Day 6
So I was excited to find a sampler pack of certified organic non-GMO sprouting seeds from The Sprout House. It contains a dozen 2-ounce packages consisting of Alfalfa, French Lentil, Kamut, Mung, Daikon Radish, Clover, Green Pea, Garbanzo, Adzuki, Broccoli, Hard Wheat, Black Sunflower, and Green Lentil sprouting seeds.
My first try was the broccoli and green pea, and I love them both. It was so easy to do, and the price is so right! I am currently soaking the alfalfa and lentil seeds and can’t wait to try them.
Chicken Breast on Rye with Broccoli Sprouts
When our youngest son came over on Saturday to help my husband with a project he is working on – an art/photography studio for ME in our home (woohoo!) – I made us some yummy grilled chicken breast sandwiches with muenster cheese, fresh broccoli sprouts, romaine lettuce, tomato slices, and a smidge of Dijon Mustard on rye bread! They were delish!
Sprouts are not only great to add crunch and flavor and nutrients to sandwiches, they are delicious in salads, in wraps, with hard boiled eggs and to just eat plain!
Sprout House Assorted Organic Sprouting Seed Sampler
If you want to give them a try, here is a link to where I ordered them: Sprout House Assorted Organic Sprouting Seed Sampler. There are simple directions right on the bag similar to RCollab’s instructions.
How do you like to eat sprouts? Which ones are your favorites? Can’t wait to hear!
Happy Sprouting!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Charlie’s Dog Lessons for People
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 the UPS 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.
red-abstract-floral-watercolor-11×14-140lb arches
Seeing Red…
Not in the usual way we think of “seeing red,”
but in a happy, loose, free, floral kinda way!
What color are you “seeing” today?
Hope it is a happy one.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Watercolors: Daniel Smith Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Hansa Yellow Medium, Perylene Violet, Sepia
Paper: Arches 140lb Cold Press
BEWARE: This Cinnamon Pecan Crumb Cake is only for the most serious crumb cake lovers! Are you one like me? Do you love more buttery, sugary, nutty crumbs than cake? If so, this is the cake for you! And I dare say it should not be consumed without a large steaming cup of coffee to wash down the “crumby” goodness. Be still my coffee crumb cake lovin’ heart!
Let’s take a closer look at all that “crumby” deliciousness…
Don’t say I didn’t warn you. This is a seriously “crumby” cake!
With buttery, nutty, cinnamony wonderfulness, this cake is a serious indulgence justified as breakfast when served with coffee…. but Hubby discovered it works very well as an evening snack when topped with a scoop of Vanilla Caramel Gelato!
If you don’t like your cake quite so “crumby,” you could double the cake batter or half the crumb topping. Also – be careful not to overbake and dry the cake out – – unless you are eating it with vanilla caramel gelato or dunking it in coffee. In that case – who cares!
Diet shmiet – this cake is worth the calories! Enjoy!
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325° F. Prepare 8 or 9 inch square baking pan by spraying with vegetable spray and lining with parchment paper so it overhangs sides of pan. Spray the parchment paper with vegetable spray and set aside.
Make topping by combining flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the melted butter. Stir to combine, then add the pecans using your hands to thoroughly mix. Topping should have a loose, crumbly consistency. Set aside.
Prepare cake by whisking milk, oil, egg, and vanilla in medium bowl. Add sugar, baking powder, salt, and flour. Stir until just combined.
Pour the cake batter into prepared pan. Add all of the crumb topping evenly over the batter.
Bake approximately 30 mins. The cake will rise, and the topping will bake into the cake batter.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*recipe adapted from Garlic&Zest
Smile…
I know that this may sound cliche,
but won’t you give it a try today?
When you see someone whose eyes are dim,
greet them with a wide, happy grin?
Show those dimples and pearly whites,
it may just be their day’s highlight.
A smile is contagious and fun to spread.
Just do it, you’ll see – full speed ahead!
It could be the cure that heals the blues,
maybe even the common cold and flu.
It’s easy, and it is free to give.
it can even be a kind forgive.
A simple smile can spread some light,
and be the way to make a day bright.
It’s a gesture, it’s a gift,
it can be a huge lift.
If everyone tried this once per day,
imagine how lovely… imagine how gay.
You can turn the world on with your smile
You can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
RIP Mary Tyler Moore – Your smile will be remembered
Everyday Heroes
are everywhere.
I was talking with a friend/work colleague
on the phone just yesterday.
She was driving into town for a meeting,
and we were discussing the agenda.
All of the sudden, she interrupted our conversation,
“Hold on…. Hold on!”
And then I heard her shout in a friendly tone,
“Sir! Sir! Here you go?”
“My hands are so cold!”
I heard a male voice say.
“There are gloves in here
and some food and a little bit of money.”
My friend – an everyday woman on her way to the office –
swerved to the side of the road to hand a homeless man a bag.
You see, she carries several with her in her car at all times
and hands them out when she sees someone in need.
Everyday hero – that’s what you are!
My friend, you never cease to amaze me.
And we can all be heroes…
everyday heroes…
It only takes one small act of kindness
to spread a great amount of love!
What can you do today?
What WILL you do today?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
These Little Piggies
When I kiss them
and rub them
and tuck them in
her little jammies,
I think about
the first wobbly steps they will take and then the walks that will follow holding mommy’s or daddy’s hands and later with a beloved friend or pet or me.
I think about
the times she will stand tall and proud on them for important things she believes in.
I think about
the times when she will vehemently “put her foot down” about something important to her.
I think about
her skipping on a hopscotch game chalked on the pavement or into the house with her heart fluttering from her first kiss.
I think about
her jumping rope in the playground or jumping off a diving board or from a plane.
I think about
her dipping them in and splashing at the edge of a pond or kicking them in the vast ocean.
I think about
her marching in a band like her mommy and daddy or in an important protest that could change the world.
I think about
her putting them gingerly on top of her Daddy’s trusting, sturdy feet learning to dance.
I think about her slipping them gracefully into delicate ivory wedding shoes to dance with the love of her life.
But for now,
I just kiss them
and rub them
and tuck them in her little jammies.
And I am thankful
for these little piggies.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Freedom
Remember when
freedom was
being able to pump your legs
on your own
instead of being pushed
so that you could swing so high
you felt you could kick the sky?
You felt the wind
in your face
and butterflies
in your stomach
and you felt
like you were flying.
It was freedom.
And then you would choose
just the right moment
when you would leap
and let go
and truly fly
if only for a moment.
It was freedom.
My hope…
my prayer…
my wish…
my longing…
my yearning…
to the world
and to the universe
is that everyone…
no matter your
gender,
race,
religion,
sexual orientation,
or ethnicity
is afforded the right
and the privilege
to recall that feeling
and to achieve
the reality
of that freedom
we all deserve.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Foggy
When life gets foggy,
and my thoughts are foggy,
and my eyes are foggy early in the morning,
I step outside
and look to nature
and listen to how she handles it.
And I hear the owls hoot
and the turkeys gobble
and the birds tweet,
and everything
seems much more
clear.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 