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
Photography
I’ll Meet You There
“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
The Colors of Summer
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
Life’s Curve Balls
Life’s Curve Balls
They often sneak up or crash in on us,
and they can try to trick us up.
but if we know how to respond,
and if we ready ourselves for them…
they can result in home runs!
Embrace life’s curve balls.
Father’s Day makes me think of the curve balls life can throw us,
but it also reminds me of how special life can be
if we take that swing – in a leap of faith – and give it our all.
Happy Father’s Day Dad – What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life! ❤
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Truths from the Tree
Maple Tree, Mars, PA
Truths from the Tree
Stand tall and proud,
and reach for the sunlight.
Grow deep roots where you are planted,
and you will be braced and secure from threatening winds.
When those winds do blow,
bend and be flexible, and you will survive.
Stretch out your arms far and wide,
and welcome those that rest in your shade.
Delight in sharing with nature’s creatures
with nests and burrows and nourishment.
When your life is over,
give back to what gave life to you.
This is in follow-up to yesterday’s post – Reflections from the River – and a continuation in Lessons from Nature.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Reflections from the River
Kiskiminetas River, Pittsburgh, PA
Reflections from the River
Still water grows stagnant…
keep moving.
Enjoy the journey…
it’s not always about the destination.
A single rock thrown…
can cause a ripple effect far beyond its initial target.
Sometimes what is reflected back from us…
is bigger and better than we are – so shine on.
It is hard work to traverse against the current…
but it is possible, and it is often worth it.
Hubby and I took a little boat ride Friday evening down the Kiskiminetas River – a peaceful little body of water that flows into the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh, PA. With the sweet scent of honeysuckle still in my nose, I’ve been reflecting on the many lessons we can learn from the river. Nature has so much to teach us if only we take the time to listen.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Cream Puff Cloud
This heavenly cream puff cloud dessert has been a family favorite for a long time.
My sweet father-in-law used to request it every year for his birthday, and Hubby loves it too!
So when we had my Dad and Mom II over yesterday to celebrate Dad’s birthday, I made this special dessert that I made the first time we celebrated Dad’s birthday together (again) six years ago when we reunited.
Dad loves coconut cream just like Hubby does and Pap did, so this is something I love making for my special guys.
Dad ate his first piece, and then asked for a second “little” slice. He sure knows the way to my heart!
And if you are not a coconut cream fan, this cream puff cloud DELIGHT is wonderful in a French Vanilla or Chocolate version too!
It is light, simple, and amazingly delightful!
Years ago, when my boys were young and I was a stay-at-home mom, I sold Pampered Chef kitchen tools as a little side job that got me out a bit, helped me make some extra money for the family, and provided Hubby and I with some amazing FREE trips that I earned for achieving sales bonus levels! This was one of the recipes I made at cooking shows I did in people’s homes, and it was ALWAYS a huge hit.
I hope you will add this recipe to your collection of “special occasion desserts.” It is so wonderful to have recipes that are easy, but delicious and impressive.
Happy Birthday Dad! It was so wonderful to celebrate with you. I love you!
Cream Puff Cloud
Ingredients:
- Cream Puff Shell
- 1 cup water
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 1 cup flour
- 4 eggs
- Filling
- 1 small package Instant Coconut Cream Pie Filling (or French Vanilla or Chocolate or your Fave!)
- 1 1/2 cups Milk (any kind you prefer from Skim to Half and Half)
- 1 12 oz. Cool Whip
- Garnish
- Toasted Coconut – for Coconut Cream Pie Filling
- Fresh Strawberries and/or shaved chocolate for French Vanilla Pie Filling
- Shaved Chocolate for Chocolate Pie Filling
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
For Puff Pastry Shell: Microwave or boil water and butter. Once boiling, remove from heat and add flour. Stir until batter comes away from sides of bowl/pan. Add eggs, one at a time, beating with whisk until batter looses shine.
Spray a Deep Dish Baker or 10 inch quiche pan with Pam cooking spray. Spread batter on bottom of pan and slightly up sides. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Shell will puff up and then shrink back when cooled.
Cool completely.
For filling, combine pudding and milk in large bowl, and chill to set. Fold in 3/4 of the Cool Whip. For coconut cream version, I also add 1/2 cup toasted coconut. For chocolate, I add a 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.
When shell is cooled, pour filling into shell. Garnish with remaining cool whip and any additional garnishes you prefer. Chill until serving.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I Have Officially Become a Bird Nerd
Curious the Purple Finch, Mars, PA
I have to admit I have officially become a “bird nerd!”
After sharing Happy, My Blue Bird of Happiness yesterday (well officially an Indigo Bunting, but I like to give most everyone a name), and sharing what a stand out he is among the crowd, I thought I’d share some more of my feathered friends with you today from our little backyard sanctuary.
From hummingbirds that are only about an inch and a half long…
Hummer the Hummingbird, Mars, PA
to Woody, the Pileated Woodpecker who is about a foot and a half long…
Woody the Pileated Woodpecker, Mars, PA
our backyard is just chirping with charming chatterboxes.
Here is where we all hang out. I took a few pictures very early yesterday morning, while the dew was still dancing and the sun was just summoning its presence for the day.
Our back deck is southern facing, so it is warmed up quickly when the sun rises and is shaded by late afternoon when the sun is hottest.
I am still patiently waiting for the birds to discover they can bathe in the bird bath.
And when the sun gets too hot, we can round the bend to the side of the house for shade…
where it is undercover, and we can sit in cushioned comfort.
Even Charlie likes a break from the sunshine sometimes.
The birds come out rain…
Male Cardinal, Rainy Day, Mars, PA
or shine.
Female Cardinal, Sunny Morning, Mars, PA
Mr Rose-Breasted Grosbeak always dresses for breakfast and dinner in his finest formal wear…
Male Grosbeak, Mars, PA
and carefully watches over the little Mrs.
Female Grosbreak, Mars, PA
There are many more – the sparrows and cowbirds, the bluejays and the goldfinches, the warblers and the nuthatches. There is a wide variety of woodpeckers and a huge extended family of mourning doves. An occasional blackbird stops by, the robins romp about, and we are always excited to see a Baltimore Oriole hang out for a while.
We sure love our winged wanderers and welcome them with wonderment.
I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse before you fly away to go about your day.
Cherish the moments!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS – If you too flock to the flight of fledglings, check out my blogging friend, Kathy’s site: Backyard Bird Nerd. Kathy regularly posts photos of the birds that are lucky enough to call her backyard home.
Blue Bird of Happiness
Blue Bird, Mars, PA June, 2016
One lovely, bright blue bird
has chosen to make our backyard his home.
Oh how happy he makes me
with every appearance.
Amidst your brown and white and black and red and yellow-feathered friends,
you truly are the blue bird of happiness.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
That moment…. right before
Pink Peony bud ready to bloom, Mars, PA – June 2016
That moment….
right before
you open up
and come out of your shell…
It is when you reveal
your true colors,
your full potential,
your ultimate possibilities,
your complete self.
It is a defining moment,
when you reveal your vulnerability,
and step out of your comfort zone.
There is such beauty
in that moment….
right before.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 