The Rusty Old Bridge

Rusty old bridge

The Rusty Old Bridge

Your shiny metal has weathered to shades of orange and brown
like skin that has worked and played and laughed in the sun.

Your concrete pillars are beginning to crack under pressure
like wrinkles of worry from the stress of supporting such a heavy load.

You connected two sides – one with the other
as if you had open and outstretched arms.

And now,
though your original purpose is abandoned,

you still serve,
but in subtler ways.

a shady spot for respite from the heat
or a lazy day of fishing.

It’s time to rest Rusty Old Bridge.
You’ve earned this time.

Enjoy it
while I admire you.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Bloom Where You are Planted

bloom where you are planted

Bloom where you are planted.
There’s no better place to be.

Right exactly where you are
is where you’re meant to be.

Bloom where you are planted
for all the world to see.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Orange

Orange Maybe Tulips Watercolor

Orange is…

Energetic,
Optimistic,
Bright and Bold and Brave.

Orange is…

Spontaneous,
Sunny,
Outrageous, Outgoing and Outspoken.

Orange is
the HAPPIEST color!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Making the Bed: A Charlie Guest Post


Making the Bed with Charlie

Before I came to live here about 8 months ago, my mom used to think making the bed was a chore.

She is really glad I am hear now, because I make it a fun game!

I play “jump on the bed” when she is pulling up the bedspread or sheet or blanket, so I get a fun “ride,” and she gets a little extra upper body strengthening workout.

When she is changing the sheets, I jump on the mattress so she can fluff the sheet over me and I have to wiggle my way out.

I love to try to bite the pillows while she is trying to stuff them into fresh pillowcases.

And when it is all done, it’s a BLASSSST to grab my donut, get a really fast running start from the living room, and jump up on the bed and skid across it to the other side and jump off.  This fluffs things up a bit more comfortable than having the bed covers being all flat and tucked in.  That’s NOT comfortable!

It’s great fun, and there is nothing like playtime FIRST thing in the morning, before Mom has her coffee or has time to get dressed or brush her teeth.  Morning is PLAY time!  Well – after MY breakfast of course.  But then… it is all about playtime.

Isn’t my mom lucky to have me to turn a mundane chore like making the bed into a really fun game?

She’s not so sure, but you get it – right?

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

 

For More Posts by Charlie, simply type Charlie into the search bar, and enjoy his antics 

Hope Thistle

Hope Thistle Watercolor

Thistle Watercolor

Hope Thistle bring a smile to your lips.

Hope Thistle bring joy to your day.

Hope Thistle help you see the beauty in nature.

Hope Thistle encourage you to create.

Hope Thistle brighten your day.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

National Healthcare Decision Day – Choices for your Journey

forsythia fence

Forsythia Growing Around a Split Rail Fence on a Country Road

Today is National Healthcare Decision Day.  This is something quite near and dear to my heart and something I am passionate about.

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) exists to inspire, educate and empower the public about the importance of advance care planning. NHDD is an initiative to encourage individuals to express their wishes regarding healthcare and for healthcare providers to respect those wishes, whatever they may be. The theme for 2016 is “It Always Seems Too Early, Until It’s Too Late.”

The National Healthcare Decision Day website has a multitude of resources that I highly recommend you check out at this link.  I also recommend a project that I helped work on called the Journey GPS (Getting Plans Started) Guide.  You can download it free at this link.  It is a great resource for starting the conversation and carrying out your wishes for the way you want to experience your journey at end of life when that time comes.  The #NHDD theme this year is so poignant and true:  It always seems too early, until it is too late!

Take some time today to consider your choices, and let your loved ones know.  You deserve to have the right care at the right time in the right place no matter where you are in this crazy journey we call life.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Jodi’s Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

I created and started baking this super yummy cookie years ago by taking my old reliable base cookie recipe and adding dried blueberries and white chocolate chips.

Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies 2

It has become a favorite of hubby’s and some of my other cookie-lovin’ friends.  I was surprised to realize I had not posted this recipe here yet, so I’m excited to share it with you.

If you are looking for a unique and delightful treat, you really should try this cookie.  I have been hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t like these!

Dried blueberries can be a bit pricey, but Trader Joe’s is a great source of delicious and reasonable ones.  And they are sooooo worth it once you’ve taken a bite of this cookie!

Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies 3

Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

4 sticks (1 lb.) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
5 cups all purpose flour
1 12-oz bag Nestle Premier White Chocolate Chips (or your favorite)
1 8-oz bag Trader Joe’s dried blueberries (or your favorite brand)

Directions:

With electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until completely incorporated. Add vanilla and eggs, and beat until light and fluffy. Add baking soda and salt, and mix another minute. Gradually add flour and beat until well incorporated, but do not overbeat.

Fold in white chocolate chips and blueberries. Refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. With your hands, form a cookie dough ball about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.  Place on baking stone. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Do not overbake. Allow to cool on baking stone for 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Opening Up

white tree blossoms

Open your eyes.
Close your narrow views.

Open your ears.
Close your inner negative thoughts.

Open your mind.
Close your ignorance.

Open your heart.
Close your hate.

Open your arms.
Close them in a hug.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Pink Tulips to Celebrate

pink tulips impressionistic watercolor 9x12 matted to 11 x 14

Pink Tulips Impressionistic Original Watercolor 9×12 matted to 11×14

Painting tulips and unwinding last evening…

splashing loosely and freely
allowing the paint to create
flowers
to celebrate…

April 13, 2016,
Wednesday – Hump Day,
Spring,
Sunshine,
Warmth.

4 days down, 6 to go on my Spring head cold,
Happy 43 years to Dad and Mom II,
Happy Birthday to Charlie O,
Happy National Grilled Cheese Day (a day late),
Happy Peach Cobbler Day.

Happy 24 days until Punta Cana R&R Vacation,
Happy “It’s a Perfect Day for a Perfect Day” Day,
Happy Anniversary Month Marty and Jodi.

Happy day to cherish the moments,
share a smile,
spread joy,
experience happiness,
give love,
encourage peace
hug someone.

What are you celebrating today?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

A Pansy for your Thoughts

pansies

Can you remember
who you were
before the world
told you who
you should be?

Be brave
and be that person.
It is undoubtedly
the best you
you can be.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi