Summer Sunday Morning Mars PA 2018
Perspective.
Walking back home from my next door neighbor’s
On a warm summer Sunday morning
After wading in a kiddie pool
And sipping pretend coffee
And chasing butterflies
Barefoot in the grass
I paused
And smiled
And gratefully sighed
And put things in
Perspective.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Berry Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing.
Want to really make a statement and add a kick to your next fruit salad?
Mix strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and red raspberries in a bowl.
Add the zest and juice of one ripe lime and drizzle with 2-3 Tbsp of honey.
Stir berry gently, and enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Hanging Basket – Mars, PA
Bloom… Blossom… Grow.
Bloom boldy…
Blossom confidently…
Grow unceasingly.
Be the You
You were meant
to be.
Beautiful, blooming,
blossoming
You.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS If you are local to the Pittsburgh area, be sure to check out JJ McKinney Family Farm, where I purchased this gorgeous hanging basket.
Sour Cream Pecan Coffee Cake.
I’ve been meaning to share this recipe for quite some time. It is my most favorite coffee cake recipe to date.
I can pass on a brownie or a chocolate chip cookie, but put a piece of coffee cake in front of me………. and forget it! I can’t resist.
This recipe was shared with me from a super sweet guy I used to work with. His aunt makes it for him every year for his birthday – at his request – and he was always kind enough to bring it to the office to share.
The recipe card Steve copied to share with me is dated March, 1969. Almost as old as me!
It’s a classic, and it’s definitely a keeper!
The crunchy ribbon of cinnamony pecans that runs through the middle of this buttery, tender cake seals the deal!
Here is the recipe Steve shared with me that I slightly adjusted:
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour 9″ tube pan.
Cream butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Fold in vanilla and sour cream. Fold in baking powder, salt, and flour.
Combine remaining 4 Tbsp sugar, with chopped pecans and cinnamon.
Place half of batter in tube pan. Sprinkle with nut mixture. Top with remaining batter.
Bake 50-60 minutes.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Baked Brie with Candied Bacon.
Need I say more?
Gooey, buttery, melted baked brie smothered with smokey bacon candied with brown sugar and maple syrup and balanced out with tangy rice vinegar, coarse black pepper and a few shakes of hot sauce.
This heavenly appetizer recipe really puts the crack in cracker.
If you are looking for the next must-have appetizer to make or take to a picnic or party, look no further. I can pretty much guarantee this will be a winner! It sure was with my family this past weekend.
Here is how I made it, adapted from a recipe found here.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook diced bacon in a hot skillet until just crispy.
While bacon is cooking, stir together brown sugar, maple syrup, rice vinegar, black pepper and hot sauce in a small bowl.
Drain grease from bacon, and add sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thick and bubbly.
Place brie in small stoneware casserole or baking pan. Top with candied bacon. Bake 10 minutes or until brie is warm and gooey inside.
Allow to rest for 10 minutes or so. Serve with water crackers or your favorite cracker.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Young Fern in Spring, Mars, PA – May 2018
Unfurl.
Spread out your arms
and show your true beauty.
Open up your heart
and show your true love.
Unwind your mind
and show your creativity.
Unpack your burdens
and feel the lightness of hope.
Uncover your inhibitations
and welcome the unknown.
Reach beyond the tightness
and ease into peace.
Unfurl.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Rainbow over Mars – May, 2018
A New Beginning.
After the rain
comes a rainbow.
After the storm
comes the calm.
After the dark clouds
comes the bright sunshine.
After the ending
comes a new beginning.
**********
It is never, ever, ever too late
for a new beginning.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Old Dogwood Blooms Again -Spring in Mars, PA
I Can Only Strive…
Welcome back
from your dormant rest.
Blossom and bloom
and boast your beauty.
I can only strive
to follow your example.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Expect Surprises.
Around the bend…
on the other side of the bridge.
Along the edge of the road…
after the rain.
Before the “main event”…
in simple places.
In between the drops of rain…
when the sunshine peeks.
Look closely…
and pay attention.
Expect surprises.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This photo was taken on the property of a country wedding we attended this past weekend. It was a several-hour, stay-overnight kind of trip to a remote place that was full of happy, special, loving surprises.
Grandma’s Bleeding Heart – A Mother’s Day Flower
The Best Mother’s Day Gift.
When I was a young, extremely naive, stay-at-home mom
to two energetic and spirited little boys,
the perfect Mother’s Day “gift” would have been
an hour or two of peace and quiet all to myself to do whatever I pleased.
But now that I am an older, experienced, working-outside-the-home mom
to two amazing and independent young men,
and have gained two “daughters”
and a granddaughter too…
the perfect Mother’s Day “gift” has become
an hour or two of time together
to love and laugh and appreciate
the greatest gift of all…
The gift of
being a Mom!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 