Photography

Look Inside

/ Jodi / 43 Comments

February Morning – Mars, PA 2018

Look Inside.

The tiniest drop of water
hanging on the edge of the limb

that might not last
longer than a few moments

holds a glimpse of life.

It tells a story.

Look inside.
Ignore the blurred surroundings.

Squint hard.
Look closely.

Search deep

into this beautiful thing.

Search deep…
inside of You.

Like the tiny drop of water
that reflects the trees trunk and limbs.

Look inside your heart

to see what branches inside of you.

What is growing and stretching
and feeding your soul.

What is reaching
to grasp your happiness.

Look inside

at the beauty of you.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

In Search of the Little Things

/ Jodi / 61 Comments
Daffodils Popping out of the Ground - February 20, 2018 - Mars, PA

Daffodils Popping out of the Ground – February 20, 2018 – Mars, PA

In Search of the Little Things.

Sometimes we need to get down low,

Forsythia Buds on Branches - February 20, 2018 - Mars, PA

Forsythia Buds on Branches – February 20, 2018 – Mars, PA

or look extra closely,

Grape Hyacinths Emerging - February 20, 2018 - Mars, PA

Grape Hyacinths Emerging – February 20, 2018 – Mars, PA

or push some other things out of the way,

Bleeding Hearts Emerging - February 20, 2018 - Mars, PA

Bleeding Hearts Emerging – February 20, 2018 – Mars, PA

or look for tiny changes.

Irises surfacing - February 20, 2018 - Mars, PA

Irises surfacing – February 20, 2018 – Mars, PA

The little things are there…
Little signs of change…
Little hints of what is about to happen.

As I walked around the yard late yesterday afternoon in bare feet on a record-breaking warm day for February in our area (we hit 80 degrees F!), I searched for little things.  I searched for tiny changes. I searched for little hints of Spring.

And they were everywhere!  Daffodils and hyacinths and irises popping through the earth.  Buds developing on forsythia branches.  Intricate formations of future bleeding hearts.

And it made me think…
Again…
On a topic that has not left my mind or my heart…

The mass shooting in Parkland, Florida last week where a 19 year old boy/man killed 17 innocent children at school.

As the days pass, details are being revealed.
Little hints of issues.
Little signs of change.

Didn’t anyone notice?
Wasn’t anyone paying attention?

Why was this troubled young man able to purchase military grade assault weapons?
For that matter – why is any civilian legally able to purchase military grade assault weapons?
That is certainly one important issue I feel needs addressed.

But we must also be diligent.
We must also be watching.
We must be paying attention
to our children.

We must be searching for and noticing the little things…
The little changes, the hints, the signs
happening with our children…

Before it is too late.

It is up to us.

Hugs,
Jodi

The Misty Morning Fog

/ Jodi / 44 Comments

The Misty Morning Fog.

Arising to the misty morning fog
that beautifully softened what could have been a bleak view
caused me pause and made me think.

It made me think how a bit of fog
might help the way we critically look
at different people and different situations.

Ones we think are clear,
and we think are bitter,
but we really don’t understand.

Maybe a little spritz of magic mist
is what we need
to spray on our hearts

to prevent us from
so harshly judging
the things we believe.

A magic mist
of understanding
to soften our views,

to soothe our souls,
to unlock the love
that lives

in the
misty
morning
fog.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
May your day be filled with peace and love.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

A Snowy Blanket

/ Jodi / 46 Comments

A Snowy Blanket – Mars, PA – Winter 2018

A Snowy Blanket.

Winter’s blanket
of snow

is soft
and fluffy.

It’s cozy
and fuzzy.

But oh
snowy blanket…

you are not
warm.

What kind
of blanket is that?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

That Moment

/ Jodi / 54 Comments

That Moment.

That moment when a drip of water
crystallizes into ice with a single degree drop in temperature.

That moment when your eyes meet
and you truly see, and you immediately understand completely.

That moment when a song comes on
and memories and long-forgotten feelings flood your heart and soul.

That moment when the ringing phone
brings startling news that suddenly changes everything.

That moment when a single spark
ignites a rip-roaring, intensely scorching, blazing fire.

That moment of quiet wonder amidst the clamor
that reminds us that blissful peace is within reach.

That moment…

just one of the many…

that define our lives.

Cherish that moment.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Easy Sausage & Vegetable Quiche

/ Jodi / 41 Comments

 

Easy Sausage and Vegetable Quiche.

For those days when you want a hearty, substantial supper, but don’t feel like putting a lot of time and effort into it, this simple recipe is just the ticket.

It’s full of protein and veggies and could really be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

The secret to it being easy is in the fact that you don’t have to prepare a crust.  You simply use a little bit of baking mix (like Biquick) to create an almost crust-like texture.

And the options are limitless for what you can put in for your protein and veggies.  Exchange the sausage for bacon or chicken or turkey or ground beef.   You could even leave the meat out and just add more veggies.  Throw in any favorite vegetables you have in your fridge – mushrooms, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, kale, tomatoes…..  And use any kind of cheese you love.  Exchange the cheddar for Swiss or muenster or provolone or mozzarella or even blue cheese or feta.

You get the idea…  right?  Toss in whatever you like, and you can have a wide variety of quick and easy meals.

I was recently reminded of this recipe when I came across a version of it at The Speckled Pumpkin.  It reminded me of years ago making all of those “impossible” pies….  Impossible Cheeseburger Pie, Impossible Taco Pie, Impossible Lasagna Pie, Impossible Tuna Pie….  Anybody else remember the Impossible Pie craze?  I may be back in the mood for these!

Serve it with a salad or side of roasted potatoes or even some chunky applesauce.

Here is how I made mine for our Sunday Supper last night.

Easy Sausage and Vegetable Quiche

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb pork sausage, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup Bisquick baking mix (or your favorite)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Put sausage in bottom of stoneware deep dish baker or your favorite 2-quart round casserole dish or deep dish pie pan.  Top with chopped onions, pepper, broccoli, and cheese.

In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, milk and baking mix with a wire whisk until well blended.  Pour over sausage, veggies and cheese.

Bake for approximately 40 minutes until knife inserted in center comes out clean. 

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

Snow at Daybreak

/ Jodi / 53 Comments

Snow at Daybreak – Mars, PA – January 2018

Snow at Daybreak.

I stumble through
the early morning darkness
heading to the kitchen
for that first cup of coffee
to help prop open
my bleary eyes.

On my way,
I flip the switch
that turns on
the flood light
shining out
into the backyard.

What could be
more beautiful
than bright white
fluffy snowflakes
fluttering down
on a cold January morning?

Snow at Daybreak.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

What We Would Miss

/ Jodi / 62 Comments
A Snowy Stroll at Sunset - January, 2018 - Mars PA

A Snowy Stroll at Sunset – January, 2018 – Mars PA

What We Would Miss.

If we didn’t go out
to explore
or saunter
or simply to
unwind,

think of
all the
things we
would
miss.

Walking
isn’t always
just about
the exercise
for our body.

It can
also be
a break
for our
mind.

An opportunity
to commune
spiritually
with oneself
and nature.

If I didn’t allow
myself
the gift
to get out
and walk,

this
one
beautiful
moment
in
time…

Look
what
I would
have
missed.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Dealing with Change

/ Jodi / 46 Comments
Icicle - Dealing with Change - Mars PA January 2018

Icicle – Dealing with Change – Mars PA January 2018

Dealing with Change.

If you
think
you can’t

deal
with
change,

think of
the drop
of water

who froze
in
midair

when the
brutally
cold wind

met
it.

It became
an
intricate flake

that
landed
on the rooftop

and joined
the
others

to form
a
soft

white,
fluffy
blanket.

Then
the sun
came out

and
warmed
it

just
enough

to create
a crystal
clear,

hard,
solid
icicle.

The sun
grew
warmer yet,

and
the icicle
melted.

The
drop of
water

fell
to the
earth

and
watered
the ground

where
the tree
grew

that
provided
shade

when
the sun
grew

even
warmer
yet.

It went
through
all that,

and
remained
beautiful

in
every
stage.

If a
drop of
water

can manage
through
all that,

You, too,
can
deal

with
change.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Happy Endings

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

Winter Sunset, Mars, PA – January 2018 – “Happy Endings”

Happy Endings.

The magical beauty
of a sunset
at the end of the day…

no matter how hard
or cold or uncomfortable
the day…

renews my faith
in the possibility
of happy endings.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi