Different?

October 15, 2016October 13, 2016 / Jodi / 30 Comments

krautfest-2016-tools-of-the-trade-stompers

Tools of the Trade – Sauerkraut Stompers – Krautfest 2016

It may be a different color…
a different size…
a different shape.

It may be old…
It may be new.

It may be made of a different material…
or put together in a different way.

But it still does the job…
it still has purpose.

Tools of the trade
can be as diverse and unique
as the people who use them.

Why, though, is it so easy to accept and embrace different “things,”
but difficult, for so many, to accept and embrace “different” people?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The Empty Nest

October 14, 2016October 13, 2016 / Jodi / 52 Comments

The Empty Nest

Today you stretch your wings
and show us how we taught you to fly.

Today you pack up all the things you have and need
to make your own life and home.

Today you say good-bye and I love you when you walk away,
but you don’t come back to stay.

Today you take my love with you
and know it will always be here.

Today you leave the nest.
and memories are sneaking out of my eyes and rolling down my cheeks.

Today and always, I am so very happy for you… so very proud…
but I can’t help feeling a little emptiness in the very core of my soul.

Today you begin creating your own nest
but please don’t forget you will always be a part of mine.

Wishing you the best… today and always
from my full momma’s heart..
and empty nest.

Cheers & Hugs NCM ❤

Love,
Mom

29 Years Ago

October 13, 2016October 12, 2016 / Jodi / 44 Comments

29 Years Ago…
I learned the true meaning of unconditional love the moment I held you in my arms.

348 Months Ago…
my life’s purpose was discovered and fulfilled all at once.

18,096 Weeks Ago…
I knew there was nothing you could ever do that would make me stop loving you.

126,672 Days Ago…
my heart doubled in size when two became three – our little family.

3,040,128 Hours Ago…
the sun grew brighter, the grass greener, the sky bluer, the clouds puffier, the air sweeter.

182,407,680 Minutes Ago…
I became your #1 fan, and for a couple thousand minutes… I was yours.

10,944,460,800 Seconds Ago…
was the first second of the best moments of my life.

Happy Birthday JRM ❤

Love you,
Mom

Time

October 12, 2016October 11, 2016 / Jodi / 31 Comments

sun dial and hydrangeas, conneaut lake, pa, october 2016

Time…

Can fly or crawl,
is free yet priceless,
is forever or an instant,
can be treasured or wasted.

Can be measured by clocks or by moments,
can be traveled in dreams or books,
can be stopped by a kiss or a look or a touch,
can be managed, but never recovered.

We all have the same
seconds in a minute,
minutes in an hour,
hours in a day.

But none of us know
how many days
or hours or seconds
we will have.

Cherish the moments
not measured by clocks
or sundials or calendars
or schedules.

Cherish the moments well spent
with people you love,
or with yourself,
doing the things you love.

Cherish all the moments…
every single moment…
at life…
in between.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Krautfest 2016!

October 11, 2016October 10, 2016 / Jodi / 48 Comments

This past weekend was one of my favorites of the year! Time for the annual Brugnoli Family and Friends Krautfest Party!

Those of you who have been hanging around here awhile, might remember Krautfest 2015 or even Krautfest 2014.

The festivities kicked off this past Saturday in the beautiful Autumn weather at Conneaut Lake, PA with our dear “Oh Rob” welcoming guests and instructing newcomers on the sauerkraut-making process.

It starts with cutting…. 800 lbs of cabbage cutting!

The cut cabbage goes to the shredders, where experienced cutters teach newbies on equipment passed down through generations from grandparents…

and taught to new generations – where Moms teach sons…

and sisters show brothers….

and families do together.

It then gets measured,

and salted,

and pounded…

while friends and family chat,

and laugh,

and hug.

Old friends meet up after decades.

and new relationships bloom.

There is plenty of fun for kids of all ages!

From Jumbo Jenga…

to pick up sticks…

to lawn bowling,

and searching for bones and candy and money in hay.

There was pumpkin painting…

and t-shirt painting.

There was apple picking…

and apple pressing.

The kids loved learning how to turn apples into fresh apple juice!

and so did some of the parents and grandparents!

There was lots of food.

I made Grandma’s halupki – another Krautfest tradition served up next to hot dogs and kraut and homemade pierogies and cheesy polenta and fresh smoked ham and lots of other yummies.

There was an entire dining room table filled with desserts.

and of course plenty of wine.

There was tire swinging,

and bonfire-building.

There was Marty (hubby – on the left) and Martin.

There were quiet moments from afar,

and lots of singing and music after the sun went down and drew us indoors.

Even dogs of all sizes made friends!

Can you imagine a better time?

Thank you Joyce and Oh Rob! We love you! We ALL do!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Ahoy for Baby Boys!

October 10, 2016October 7, 2016 / Jodi / 38 Comments

Prussian Blue, Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Gold Watercolor Whale 8x10

Prussian Blue, Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Gold Watercolor Whale 8×10

After all the pink love last week, I had the pleasure of creating something blue and nautical for a sweet little boy we are preparing to welcome.

Prussian Blue, Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Gold Watercolor Nautical Anchor 8x10

Prussian Blue, Cobalt Teal Blue, Quin Gold Watercolor Nautical Anchor 8×10

How lucky am I that one of my BFF’s had a grandson about six months ago and another BFF is having one within weeks of our granddaughter’s due date. Seems it will be one of the greatest joys in life to share motherhood and then grandmotherhood with life-long friends.

So yesterday was the “Ahoy It’s a Boy” shower, and I made a couple of watercolor paintings for this little guys’s nautical themed nursery.

I matted the 8×10 paintings with navy blue matting and framed them with white 11×14 frames.

It’s hard to take photos of paintings under glass without reflection and in good light, so these photos are a bit off in color, but I thought they turned out really cute, and I hope they will go well in this sweet little guys’s new room.

I thought it would be fun to make them into greeting cards too.

Can’t wait to meet you Baby Boy Griffith!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Go Pink Chex Party Mix

October 9, 2016October 6, 2016 / Jodi / 21 Comments

I made this fun pink chex snack mix for our baby shower last week, but it is very also appropriate this month for Pinktober.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I have a few people very near and dear to me who are survivors – as well as the memory of a very special sister-in-law we lost at the age of 50 to breast cancer.

So Go Pink!

Celebrate… remember… create awareness… enjoy… by sharing this yummy treat with people you love.

Go Pink Chex Party Mix

Servings: a crowd
Print

Ingredients:

6 cups rice Chex cereal
6 cups corn Chex cereal
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
3 cups pretzels
2 12-oz bags Wilton Pink Candy Melts

Directions:

Mix cereal, peanuts, and pretzels in a large bowl.

Place candy melts in microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on High for one minute. Stir. Return to microwave for one more minute. Stir. Microwave for additional 30-second intervals if needed until completely melted. (My microwave only took two minutes total to completely melt.) Pour over cereal mix to coat evenly.

Spread in single layer onto waxed paper or parchment paper, and let cool completely.

Once cool, break into pieces, and store in airtight container.

I made a triple batch for our party. I made one with white candy melts, one with light pink, and one with bright pink, then mixed all together.

You could also make this with milk chocolate, dark chocolate or any other color candy melts to match your party theme or celebration.

It is really yummy…. and really addictive!

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Best Show in Town

October 8, 2016October 6, 2016 / Jodi / 28 Comments

The Old Dogwood in Autumn – October, Mars, PA

The Old Dogwood,
in her Autumn crimson cloak,
steals the show again this season
on the green carpet.

Nature….
the best show in town.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Chicken Lazone

October 7, 2016October 3, 2016 / Jodi / 30 Comments

Another week – another way with chicken for dinner.

And – OH what a way this is!

Have you ever heard of Chicken Lazone?

I believe it is a fancy word for “lazy,” but doesn’t it sound so classy and special?

And that is how this chicken dish tasted! Rich and creamy and spicy and classy and special!

Yes – it is another Five Star, Two Thumbs Up, Winner Winner of a Chicken Dinner!

Give it a try! You are going to love this one!

Chicken Lazone

Servings: 4
Print

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
2 tsp. smokey paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp crushed chipotle pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp coarse black pepper
1/4 fresh basil, chopped finely
1 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp butter
1 lb pasta or noodles (I used Winternacht Spaetzle Swabian Egg Noodles I found at our local Aldi Market)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups Half and Half
Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

In a large Ziploc bag, combine chicken with seasonings (paprika, garlic, onion, chili powder, chipotle, oregano, salt, pepper, basil) and oil. Allow to marinade for several hours.

When ready to serve, prepare noodles or pasta according to package directions.

While noodles are cooking, prepare chicken and sauce.

In a large skillet, melt 2 Tbsp butter. Add chicken breasts, and cook 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Add remaining 2 Tbsp butter to skillet. Allow to melt. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in Half and Half, and cook for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in cooked noodles/pasta, and toss gently to combine. Add chicken. Garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Funsy Onesies

October 6, 2016October 6, 2016 / Jodi / 40 Comments

Book My Reservation – I’m Going to Grandma’s Onsie

Does any baby ever have enough onesies?

And why not make them funsies?!

For a fun little shower gift, I made these two little funsy onesies
for our soon-to-arrive baby girl.

Can you tell we are very excited to be grandparents?!

Pap Pap’s Perfect Princess Onsie

Just a little fabric paint, time and creativity, with a heaping scoop of love.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

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the creative life in between

cherishing the moments and exploring my passion for creativity… through art, photography, food, and writing

Different?

The Empty Nest

29 Years Ago

Time

Krautfest 2016!

Ahoy for Baby Boys!

Go Pink Chex Party Mix

Go Pink Chex Party Mix

Best Show in Town

Chicken Lazone

Chicken Lazone

Funsy Onesies

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