Year: 2017

This Past Week

/ Jodi / 59 Comments

This past week I received a surprise bouquet of flowers
from a generous friend named Gary
who grows the most beautiful dahlias.

This past week I also learned I lost a dear blogging friend
whose name was Terry from his beautiful husband named Gary
after I spoke to him just the day before sharing my love and admiration.

This past week I worked and I played and I laughed and I cried
in determination and freedom and joy and in sorrow
for family and friends both cherished in my life and those I have lost.

Tomorrow is Labor Day in the United States.
A day set aside to honor the American labor movement and the contributions
workers have made towards the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of our country.

I think about Gary laboring over the beautiful flowers he planted.
I think about Terry laboring to breathe when I spoke to him the day before he died.
I think about Gary laboring to get through the days following the death of his love.

I think about those who labor to provide comforting care to hospice patients.
I think about those who labor in hospitals and emergency rooms and trauma centers.
I think about those who labor to protect our country’s freedom.

I am grateful for a weekend of respite
and the opportunity to work
this past week.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

On Being an Uncle: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 35 Comments

On Being an Uncle:  A Charlie Guest Post.

As many of you may recall, I became an uncle about nine months ago.

I gotta tell you, this job just gets better and better every week.

“We” are now eating some “solid” foods by “our self” sitting in the “high” chair.

It is very important for me to stay close by during mealtime to catch anything that hits the floor…  or happens to be shared by a swinging hand.  (And I must say, blueberry puffs with purple sweet potato are quite scrumptious.)

“We” are also now getting much more mobile, and “somebody” likes my squeaky toys, my ears, my tongue, my paws, and my nose.  “She” even takes my bones right out of my mouth.

But that’s okay.  It’s all in a day’s work of being an uncle.  And as long as she tosses me a blueberry puff or two, I’m totally fine with the rest of the havoc!

Mom says I am a really good uncle.  I like when she tells me that.  It is usually accompanied by a chin scratch or an ear rub or possibly a treat!  She really, really likes being a grandma, so I guess its a good thing I like being an uncle…

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, Jaeger the neighbor dog, 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.

Be Soft

/ Jodi / 44 Comments
The Softness of Early Morning - Mars, PA August, 2017

The Softness of Early Morning – Mars, PA August, 2017

Be Soft.

Don’t let the havoc
make you hard.

Don’t let the hurt
make you hate.

Don’t let the struggles
steal your joy.

Don’t let the bitterness
steal your sweetness.

Be kind.
Give love freely.

Be soft.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The BEST Summer Sammie

/ Jodi / 43 Comments
Fresh Tomato and Basil Sandwich - Best Summer Sammie

Fresh Tomato and Basil Sandwich – Best Summer Sammie

The BEST Summer Sammie.

My tomatoes
are FINALLY
ripening!

We planted
a bit late
this year.

But
it was well worth
the wait.

I can now
eat my FAVORITE
summer sammie…

For breakfast,
lunch,
or dinner!

Fresh tomato slices,
fresh sweet basil,
and toasted ciabatta slathered with mayo.

Who needs a burger?
Who needs a dog?
When these rubies and golds have finally arrived!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Broken

/ Jodi / 45 Comments
"Broken" - Abstract Watercolor 11x14 140lb Saunders Waterford Cold Press

“Broken” – Abstract Watercolor 11×14 140lb Saunders Waterford Cold Press

The broken
will always
be able
to love harder
than most.

Once you have been
in the dark,
you learn
to appreciate
everything
that shines.

–Zachry K. Douglas

Embrace
the brokenness
and let
your light
shine.

Cheers & Hugs
Jodi

"Broken" - Abstract Watercolor 11x14 Matted and Framed

“Broken” – Abstract Watercolor 11×14 Matted and Framed

 

The Right Path

/ Jodi / 38 Comments
Backyard Path - Mars, PA August 2017

Backyard Path – Mars, PA August 2017

The Right Path.

If it was done with kindness,
It it was filled with love,
If it took humility and courage,
If it made you laugh,
If it made you jump out of bed in the morning,
If it brought tears of joy to your eyes,
If it caused a lump in your throat,
If it made you sweat,
If it required sacrifice…

You are likely on the right path.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Quick and Easy Peach Puff Pastry Tartlets

/ Jodi / 39 Comments

Quick and Easy Peach Puff Pastry Tartlets.

This Sunday, we had the family over for dinner.  Hubby made the most amazing BBQ spare ribs, which we served with grilled sweet corn on the cob, cowboy baked beans and a caprese salad.  A fresh peach dessert seemed the perfect ending for this BBQ, but I didn’t feel like fussing much.

Knowing I had a package of puff pastry in the freezer, I quickly googled “peaches and puff pastry” and found this wonderful recipe at Natasha’s Kitchen.

These only took about 10 minutes to throw together and 15 minutes to bake for a beautiful and super delicious dessert.

Well – at least that is what I hear…. You’ll have to take my family’s word for how delish they were as I didn’t get to try one.  They’re gone (which is always a good sign).

When your sons ask for a second (or a third), you happily feed them and drink a glass of wine instead <wink>!  I can make these anytime I want again, but feeding my guys and daughter-in-laws and granddaughter and a bestie – – – seeing smiles, hearing yums, and getting hugs – – – well – that’s all this momma needs.

I’m pretty sure I’ll be making these again!  I’m betting sliced apples and walnuts would be a wonderful Autumn version as well as loads of other fruit and nut combinations.

Here’s Natasha’s recipe as I made it.

Quick and Easy Peach Puff Pastry Tartlets

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed 20-30 mins.
  • 1 egg
  • 2 large fresh peaches
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400˚F.

Cut thawed puff pastry into 9 equal sized squares and place on parchment lined baking sheet or baking stone.

Beat egg in a small bowl and set aside.

Slice peaches and place in a medium mixing bowl. Sprinkle with sugar,  flour, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Gently fold together.

Place 3 -4 peach slices in the center of each pastry square. Avoid getting peach juice on pastry edges. Brush edges generously with beaten egg. Sprinkle sliced almonds over pastry and peaches.

Bake at 400˚F for 15-18 minutes or until puffed and golden on the edges.  Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes.

While cooling, make the glaze by stirring together powdered sugar, vanilla and milk in a small bowl or measuring cup. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.   Drizzle over cooled tartlets.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

#Natashaskitchen

Alive

/ Jodi / 41 Comments

Alive.

“She was
sweet chaos
hiding behind
a delicate soul
and a vulnerable smile.
She loved like
the rage of a storm,
the heat of a wildfire…
And looking into her eyes
she always
reminds you
what it’s like
to feel alive.”

-n.r. hart

Be delicate.
Be chaos.
Be vulnerable.
Love.
Feel alive.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

Cantaloupe Margaritas

/ Jodi / 37 Comments

Cantaloupe Margaritas.

Summer is coming to an end, but there is still plenty of time for celebrating!

And what is more summery than melons…. and margaritas?

Combined…….. they create heaven in a glass!

We were invited to friends’ house for dinner one evening this week, and I was asked to bring wine.

Well – I love my wine (and took a bottle with us), but I thought something a little more creative was in order for our little get-together, so I decided to make a pitcher of this amazingness!

We LOVED them!  (and can I admit I actually doubled the recipe provided below… which is already doubled from the original I found?)

Sooooo worth it!  Even if you don’t think so the next morning! <wink>

Create this beautiful sunshine in a glass before summer is over.   You will be the hit of the party!

Cantaloupe Margaritas*

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 medium cantaloupe, seeded, skin removed, and cut into small pieces (to produce 2 cups of strained pulp)
  • 1 cup Triple Sec
  • 1 1/2 cups Silver Tequila
  • Coarse Salt or Raw Sugar for rimming glasses
  • Cantaloupe balls and lime wedges for garnish

Directions:

In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring water and sugar to a boil.  Stir until clear to create a simple syrup.  Remove from heat and add the lime juice.  Set aside to cool.

In a blender (or food processor), blend cantaloupe chunks into a fine pulp.  (You may need to do in small batches.)  Pour pulp into a fine mesh strainer set over a large measuring cup or small bowl and strain, lightly pressing the solids until you get 2 cups of liquid.

Combine syrup and lime juice with cantaloupe in pitcher.  Add triple sec and tequila and stir.  Chill.

Pour over crushed or cubed ice into glasses rimmed with salt or sugar.  Garnish with melon ball and lime slice if desired.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*Recipe Source:  The Brewer & the Baker

Power and Strength

/ Jodi / 52 Comments
"Power" in Perylene Scarlet - Watercolor 8x10 140lb Artistico Fabriano Cold Press

“Power” in Perylene Scarlet – Watercolor 8×10 140lb Artistico Fabriano Cold Press

Power and Strength.

“Power isn’t
doing something
terrible
to someone
who is
weaker
than you…
It’s having
the strength
to do something
terrible,
and choosing
not to.”

– Franz to Reiner in The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

When I came upon this statement made by one brother to another in the book I am reading, I knew I wanted to paint something that represented Power and Strength, and this painting was born.  It is done using Daniel Smith Perylene Scarlet as I wanted an intense red.  Then the real drama (I hope) is created with a unique rich color made by Daniel Smith called Piemontite Genuine.  It is a shadowy red violet ground from a scarlet-streaked mineral from the hills of Italy that produces lovely violet-brown granulation with a carmine tone.

The color red is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, and determination as well as passion, desire, and love.

Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. It has very high visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights, and fire equipment are usually painted red.  It is a color found in many national flags.

Other colors used:  Daniel Smith Yellow Ochre, and Cerulean Blue.

I hope you feel the power and strength and intensity I wished to express in this painting, and I also hope the quote resonates with you about the true meaning of power.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi