Photography

The Light

/ Jodi / 31 Comments
Chandelier at Omni William Penn Ballroom, Pittsburgh, PA - 11/2017

Chandelier at Omni William Penn Ballroom, Pittsburgh, PA – 11/2017

Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I was at a meeting this week at the beautiful Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA.    The Omni is a gorgeous historical classic that was built in 1915 and hailed as the “Grandest Hotel in the Nation” when it opened in 1916.

During a tour in preparation for an upcoming conference I’ll be part of, I couldn’t help but snap a picture of one of the gorgeous chandeliers that hangs in the ballroom.  I thought of all of the galas and weddings and celebrations that took place under their sparkling light.  I thought of all the love that was shared….  all the victories celebrated…  all the accomplishments recognized.  And the chandeliers became more significant.  They represented over 100 years of “light.”

May we all shine as bright.
May we all be the light.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Kindness Day….(s)

/ Jodi / 38 Comments

Kindness Day…. (s)

Every Act
of Kindness
Grows
the Spirit
and
Strengthens
the Soul.

–Anonymous

November 13 is World Kindness Day.
Can’t we make every day be World Kindness Day?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Falling for Fall

/ Jodi / 32 Comments
Falling for Fall -Mars, PA - November 8, 2017

Falling for Fall -Mars, PA – November 8, 2017

Falling for Fall.

The days may grow shorter with darkness coming earlier….

but then we get to enjoy the warm glow of candlelight,
and breathe in the scents of pumpkin spice and cinnamon.

The air may grow crisp and the temperatures colder….

but then we get to wear flannels and hoodies and knit sweaters,
and sit by crackling warm fires under fleece blankets.

The leaves that once brought shade may turn dry and fall from the trees….

but then we get to kick and roll in the heaped, crunchy piles
and wait for sparkling white snow to stick to the bare brown branches.

The change of each new season…

brings opportunities for us to Fall for each one,
and embrace the joy and blessings it brings.

Fall for Fall!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi*

*A Born-Anew Autumn Lover!

 

On this Road called Life

/ Jodi / 62 Comments
Early November Morning Walk after the Storm - thecreativelifeinbetween.com

Early November Morning Walk after the Storm – thecreativelifeinbetween.com

On this Road called Life.

There will be ups and downs…
There will be twists and turns.

There will be sunshine and rain…
There will be seasons of change.

But straight roads
don’t make skillful drivers.

And flowers can’t grow
on smoothly paved roads.

This road called life
is your path to choose.

And if you don’t like the one you are traveling on….
pave a new.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

We had an unseasonably strong thunderstorm this past Saturday night, but Sunday morning brought shiny, clean beauty on my morning walk with Charlie that was made even sweeter by the extra hour of sleep gifted from “Falling Back” from Daylight Savings to Eastern Standard Time and the gorgeous colors of Autumn leaves.

Butterscotch Haystacks

/ Jodi / 59 Comments

Butterscotch Haystacks

Butterscotch Haystacks.

It’s a cookie?
It’s a candy?
Not quite sure what you call it….
but it is a scrumptious little treat!

Does anyone remember these little gems from their childhood?

A simple mixture of crunchy chow mein noodles, butterscotch chips, peanut butter, and dry roasted peanuts make a treat that looks like a tiny little haystack and is just the right mixture of sweet and salty, crunchy and creamy.

I made these for a “Wizard of Oz” party, thinking they were just the thing to do with the leftover “straw” that fell out of Scarecrow.

There are a variety of ways people have made them through the generations…

With our without the peanuts… with or without the peanut butter.
Some add a bit of vegetable oil.
Some add a a mixture of chocolate and butterscotch chips.

How about you?

Here is how I made them.

And if you haven’t tried them, they are definitely worth a try!  Super easy and super yummy!

Butterscotch Haystacks

  • Servings: approx. 3 dozen
  • Print

Ingredients:

Directions:

Melt butterscotch chips in a large microwavable bowl in microwave on high for 1 minute.  Stir.  Microwave an additional 30 seconds.  Stir again.  Add peanut butter.  Microwave 30 more seconds, and stir well.  At this point, mine is completely melted.  Add 30 second increments if necessary according to your microwave’s power until all is melted and smooth.  (If necessary, you can add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to create a smoother texture, but do not overcook or it will create a thick, gunky texture that will not work.)

Add bag of chow mein noodles and peanuts and stir gently until all noodles and peanuts are coated and ingredients are well combined.

Working relatively quickly before mixture cools, drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper or parchment paper.  Allow to set for several hours.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature or serve.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Daily Stretches

/ Jodi / 41 Comments

Daily Stretches.

Stretch your muscles
to move about with ease.

Stretch your eyes open wide
to see the beauty in this world.

Stretch your mind
to explore new experiences.

Stretch your wallet
to give to those in need.

Stretch your heart
to give more love.

Stretch your imagination
to create art or music or beautiful words.

Stretch your arms open
to embrace in a hug.

Stretch!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

10 Months Ago Today…

/ Jodi / 88 Comments

10 Months Ago Today.

I crossed the railroad tracks today,
like I do so many days.

And I realized, after the fact,
that for the first time in 10 months

I didn’t get a lump in my throat…
I didn’t hold my breath…

I didn’t think of you
and the decision you made

10 months ago today.

It caught me off guard…
Made me both happy and sad.

Only 10 months ago
you were still here…

barely hanging on…
but still there was hope.

10 months later
there is no more hope

and the memory is beginning
to fade.

I want to be happy,
yet that makes me sad.

10 months ago today
you took your life away.

Rest in peace dear brother.
Rest in peace.

Love,
Jodi

Sticks and Stones: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

Sticks and Stones:  A Charlie Guest Post.

I know you humans have a rhyme that says:
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones….”

And I get it….
It’s a good lesson about name calling…

But I LOVE sticks and stones!
They are nature’s toothbrush and toy all in one!

Even ask my baby niece!
She knows who to watch and learn from.

When Mom brings her outside,
she brings a blanket and toys for her to sit on and play with.

But she watches how her Uncle Charlie has fun!
I romp through the leaves and play with the sticks and stones.

And then she does the same.

I’m such a good uncle!
Don’t you think?

Woofs and Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jaeger the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

 

Turkey Kielbasa, Brussels Sprouts, and Potato Skillet

/ Jodi / 31 Comments

Turkey Kielbasa, Brussels Sprouts, and Potato Skillet.

We all find ourselves on those days when we just need to throw something together quick for dinner – right?

We want it to be easy, but healthy and delicious if possible.

The other day I threw this together and really enjoyed it.  We had it with a cucumber salad on the side for a healthy delicious meal in 30 minutes.

I’m sure there are many options for different proteins and veggies and spices, but here is how I made this one.  Do you ever throw together quick “skillet” meals like this?  What do you like to use?

Turkey Kielbasa, Brussels Sprouts, and Potato Skillet

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Turkey Kielbasa, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 lb fresh Brussels Sprouts, cut in half
  • 1 lb petite yellow fingerling potatoes, cut in half (or your favorite)
  • 1 sweet red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 Tbsp fresh minced rosemary

Directions:

Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet.  Add Brussels sprouts, potatoes, red bell pepper,  onion, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for approximately 20 minutes or so beginning with high heat to brown and then reducing to medium and covering with a lid until Brussels are becoming tender and potatoes are almost cooked through (you can test with a fork).  Stir occasionally.

Add additional Tbsp of olive oil, garlic, turkey kielbasa and fresh rosemary.  Cook approximately 10  more minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally until all is cooked and flavors are blended well.

Serve immediately.

Stores well to reheat for leftovers.  

Enjoy!

(I ate leftovers for breakfast the next day and LOVED!)

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

To Notice the Last Glow of Light

/ Jodi / 45 Comments

To Notice the Last Glow of Light.

To feel the softness,
and experience the gentle breeze,
to notice the last glow of light shining through…

Even amidst the things that choked you,
the experiences that broke you,
the storms that turned your world upside down…

These are the blessings of life,
that give us the strength,
and give us grace…

To be courageous,
and brave,
to persevere and to grow….

Into the confident beauty
we were meant to be
and share with the world.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi