Geneva on the Lake, OH – Rocks at Sunset – Summer 2016
Reflecting on the day
And contemplating life
A kaleidoscope of color
Evoking variegated memories
Discovering along the way
Acquiescent acceptance
Sometimes distancing ourselves
to ultimately save ourselves
Healing comes in waves
Crashing, splashing, breaking
Sometimes hitting the rocks
Other times reflecting the light
Remembering to pause
Remembering to cherish
Time spent reflecting
Time spent sharing
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sunset – Geneva on the Lake, Ohio – #GFCGeneva2016 – Girlfriend Camp
How many sunsets will it take….
until I grow tired of watching sunsets?
until I stop gasping and gazing in wonderment?
until I realize the power and size and magnitude of this beautiful star?
until I appreciate each and every moment given to me in the day that preceded it?
How many sunsets will it take?
How many sunsets will I be given?
Cherish the moments.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
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
Come fly away with me
to a place we want to be
up high in the cottony clouds
where anything is allowed
where soft winds blow
and spirits glow
where life is free
for he and she and me
we’ll take flight
toward the light
and smile and laugh and sing
in a basket tied with string
we will float
in our air-filled boat
with the utmost ease
in the gentle breeze
and leave behind
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
Tomato watercolor 5×7 arches 140lb rough DS Pyrrol Scarlett Hanssa Yello Green Gold Sap Green
Oh fresh, sweet, vine-ripened ruby red tomato…
How I love you from my head to-ma-toes!
It is tomato time of year around here, and there is nothing finer than a fresh-picked tomato right from the vine to the dinner table.
For today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth painting, I give you …. the Tomato…. in Daniel Smith Pyrrol Scarlett, Hansa Yellow, Green Gold, and Sap Green.
And to celebrate, here is a recipe for what we had for dinner the other evening – Brushetta Chicken. A plump grilled chicken breast smothered with fresh mozzarella cheese and topped with sweet, juicy tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
Oh the yumminess!
And even better – oh the easiness!
Hope you’ll give this winner winner chicken dinner a try. We had it with some brown rice and quinoa and a fresh spinach salad. How will you serve yours?
Bruschetta Chicken
Ingredients:
Directions:
Prepare Bruschetta by chopping tomatoes and combining with chopped basil, minced garlic, salt, olive oil and vinegar. Let sit and flavors mingle while you grill chicken breasts.
Top grilled chicken breasts with slices of mozzarella cheese, if desired, for last few minutes on grill and let melt.
To serve, top grilled chicken breast with large spoonful of fresh bruschetta and enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Cashew The Cactus Looking Sharp Watercolor 5×7
My son, Nick, has a cactus plant.
His name is “Cashew.”
He put Cashew out on the deck recently
to give him some bright sunshine and warmth.
Cashew used to be quite overgrown,
but after several months of neglect, he is being revived.
On Sunday, when he was outside
grilling the burgers for dinner
and my camera was set up ready to take a photo
for the Guacamole Burger blog post,
Nick decided to shoot some “glamour shots” of Cashew.
After all, Cashew was looking pretty Sharp!
Yep – Looking Sharp Cashew!
I’d really say you do!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#WorldWatercolorMonth
Day 20 Silliness
Happy Fourth of July to the USA!
We are relaxing today after a fun-filled weekend
at the Second Annual Lake Park Bash
hosted by the the best ever “hood”
in Conneaut Lake, PA…
Look at this crew in their red, white, and blue
from Lake Park Way!
Whether by land or by sea…
a fun time was a guarantee!
A photo booth welcomed guests
and hosts alike.
Some of us were silly…
an others were very pretty.
Friends and family
and my most specialiast of all ladies. ❤
There were refreshing drinks
because the cutest mixologists/most generous hosts/sweetest family ever made sure!
There was food galore…
with lots of meat…
and of course there were also
plenty of treats!
To work play it off
there where games a plenty… Like Twister
and life-sized Kerplunk
and Jenga
and corn hole
and Bocci Ball to name a few.
There was also music
and young ones to make life bright.
All were winners
on a gorgeous Saturday.
And when the sun set
the bonfires lit and the sparklers twinkled
while fireworks glowed and banged and shined.
And then since one day was just not enough…
there were bloody marys and screwdrivers with the next morning’s coffee
and a shared breakfast of pancakes with blueberries and chocolate chips
and scrambled eggs and bacon and sausage.
The Lake Park Bash was a real holiday treat! Thanks to all that made it so sweet!
Hope you are enjoying –
wherever you are –
the special moments to cherish.
Reach for a star!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Dreaming of ruffles and lace and ribbons and bows,
of tutus, tiaras and shiny, bright toes,
pig tails, tea parties, and flowery prose.
The pink slide of life…
My heart overflows.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
“Out beyond ideas
of wrongdoing and right doing,
there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.”-Rumi, 13th Century
I took a walk this past weekend.
Not the usual path…
Not the usual road.
I took a walk in the woods
behind the house
where I rarely go.
It made me wonder
why I don’t spend more time there
out beyond the daily routine.
Beyond right,
beyond wrong.
I’ll meet you there.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Oranges and Yellows…
Citrusy shades of tangerine and lemon,
Sunrises and sunsets,
Joy and warmth.
The colors of summer…
Sweet summertime.
Happy Summer Sunday!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 