Autumn’s Grand Decree.
The old dogwood tree
whose blossoms caused glee
when bursting open in Spring
cannot compare
to the colorful majesty
of Autumn’s grand decree.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Photography
Always be Yourself… Unless you can be a Flamingo
Flamingo Pond at the National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA
Advice from a Flamingo.
Wade into life.
Stand tall.
Stand out in a crowd.
Hang out with your flock.
Find the right balance.
Keep your beak clean.
Show off your true colors.
Even the pinkest of flamingos starts out gray.
Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet.
Always be yourself!
Unless you can be a flamingo….
then be a flamingo!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*Inspired by YourTrueNature
Just Do it Anyway
Elvis the Penguin at the National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA – September, 2017
Just Do it Anyway!
It might be scary.
It is probably risky.
What if someone is watching,
and it turns out to be a flop?
What if people laugh?
What if they say, “I told you so.”
There’s a pretty huge chance it won’t work out.
But guess what? That’s the point!
Be brave!
Just Do it Anyway!
This is a mantra I am trying to reiterate to myself. I am taking on new experiences, new challenges, new risks – with my art, writing, self-development….
It might turn out to be a great big flop, but I’ll never know if I don’t just do it anyway!
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do? Pick up a paint brush? Write a book? Travel to a faraway place? Learn a new skill? Begin a new relationship? Record a song? Learn to fly? Heck – maybe it’s even just a new hairdo?
It might not turn out……..
But then it might?
If you don’t just do it anyway, how will you ever know?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Birdly!
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s… Birdly!
Hubby and I made a little visit this past weekend to the National Aviary located in our beautiful city of Pittsburgh.
It’s pretty awesome having America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds in our own “backyard” with a diverse collection of more than 500 birds representing more than 150 species from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild.
And guess what? We’ve never visited it before this past weekend!
Bird lovers that we have become….. meet some of our new friends.
I wish I could remember their names and species, but maybe some of you are better at identifying. I simply found them fascinating and beautiful.
The eagle took my breath away.
But wait….. what is this rare bird?
It’s Hubby as a virtual reality eagle flying over New York City on BIRDLY!
Have you ever dreamed of flying like a bird? BIRDLY has made that possible, and we were able to experience it on our recent visit.
The exhilarating flight simulation experience allows you to fly like a bird while lying on the simulator chest down, flapping your arms using hinged wings, and controlling your direction and speed while a fan simulates headwinds. Motors and actuators tilt and dip your body in response. The sensory-motor coupling essentially tricks the brain, so between the motion, wind, sound and visuals, you are effectively flying!
For me it was exciting and terrifying at the same time. Biggest ninny poo poo of all time, I am deathly afraid of heights. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. It is clearly safe, and oh what a feeling of freedom it was!
So yep – got to experience flying like a bird this past weekend! I’d say that’s a check off the ole’ bucket list for sure! Hubby was so busy telling me how to flap my wings, he didn’t think to take a picture. Does that surprise anyone that knows him!?!?
He really was trying to help me as I was…. [ahem]… let’s say the “most vocal” of all the flyers that afternoon…
If you get a chance, do visit the National Aviary and take a flight on Birdly where you can “Fly Like an Eagle.”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This Past Week
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
Be Soft
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
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
The Right Path
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
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
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
the creative life in between 