Abundance.
Abundance to some
is about wealth and possessions.
A truly abundant life
is about love and joy and peace and contentment.
It is about knowing
We are enough.
We have enough.
We do enough.
It is about cherishing the moments
that ultimately add up to an abundant life.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Fireplace Makeover.
Hubby and I built our current home about 17 years ago. It is the second home we’ve built, and it is the tenth place I’ve called home.
Growing up, I lived in six different homes. Since being married, this is our fourth home.
So 17 years is a long time in one home for me. The longest I’ve ever lived in one actually!
We’ve redone and updated things along the way, but one of the things I haven’t done much with in a long time is our fireplace. It was in need of a makeover.
Our fireplace is a bit of a focal point in our home. It is 9 1/2 feet tall and 6 1/2 feet wide. It is one of the first things you see when you walk in the front door.
We burn fires in our fireplace every night from the first nip of Fall to the first warmth of Spring. It is a place where friends and family enjoying sitting. Being raised about 18 inches from the floor, it makes a great warm seat for a few people when a crowd is gathered.
I’ve been following a few home decor instagrammers and loving the clean look of white, so when my oldest DIL recently asked if I wanted to go to Hobby Lobby with her and my grandie girls, besides screaming, “YES YES YES” to a field trip to my favorite store with some of my favorite peeps, I knew just what I wanted to look for – home decor pieces for the fireplace makeover.
I found some pieces I really love – including this little white chipped mirror, artichoke on a pedestal, bird, cotton stems in a clear jar, and metal and wood arched window piece.
I love this new natural cotton wreath, which I placed over the only old thing I left from previous decor – an old chipped metal tile I snagged a while back at another of my favorite field trip shopping destinations – Construction Junction – a warehouse full of used and surplus building materials. Some fun candlestick holders, another bird and a super cute bird cage that I filled with natural and white spheres in a variety of shapes and sizes finish up the mantel decor.
A serious statement piece now sits on the hearth in this awesome 3 foot tall vase filled with puffy white pussy willow stems.
I had so much fun choosing some new pieces (especially since there was a 50% off home decor sale), and am really enjoying this cozy new creative space in our home.
As I type this, a warm fire is crackling, the snow outside is fluttering down. Hubby has his nose in a book and one eye on the television from his cozy chair. Our bellies are full from a Sunday supper served early – a lemon garlic pork tenderloin, roasted herbed spaghetti squash, and a beet salad.
I’m cherishing the moments – simple and satisfying – from my little space in the world I call home. And no matter where it is, how it is decorated or what is served, the thing I love best about my home is who I share it with.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Reflections of Thanksgiving.
Babies growing too quickly.
A loved one’s final day.
Family time together.
Thoughts of family apart.
Sons have become men
that make us gleam with pride.
Daughter in laws grow dearer
with each passing year.
Hubby’s smoked turkey
woos the crowd again.
Granddaughter’s first apple pie
sweetens meal’s end.
Pumpkin pie for breakfast
with a bestie and “our” mom.
Cocktails with our faves
to consummate a just-right day.
Waists growing thicker.
Hair becoming greyer.
Embracing the vulnerability.
Loving fiercely.
Reflections of Thanksgiving.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Blossoming Love.
It wraps itself around you
like vining tendrils
clinging tightly
sprouting delicate buds
that unknowingly unfurl
into beautiful blossoms.
Love.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I took this photo at a beautiful outdoor wedding reception I attended this past weekend. This vining white clematis seemed so symbolic of the blossoming love of a new marriage. It also made me think about the blossoming love I have for my newest granddaughter – only a few weeks old – but who is so tenderly wrapping herself around my heart.
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
White Floral Abstract Watercolor 11×14 140lb Cold Press
Time to “Art”
It is the week following Christmas…
a time I once used to feel “let down.”
After all the busyness
of the weeks leading up to Christmas…
The checklists
and shopping lists.
The writing and signing…
The sealing and stamping and mailing.
The sifting and stirring…
The separating and straining and sugaring.
The ripping and wrapping…
The taping and twisting and tying.
The fluffing and folding…
The scrubbing and setting and shining.
It’s all so exciting
leading up to the celebrating!
But there is something special also
about the days “after” that I have truly come to appreciate.
I am fortunate to be able to take time off from work
the week between Christmas and New Year.
And this year is especially special
as I get to spend extra days with my granddaughter.
We are snuggling and tickling…
We are reading and singing and laughing.
We are napping and relaxing…
We are twirling and tumbling and kick-backin’.
And yesterday, during an especially long nap,
I had a chance to escape to my art room
for some much-needed “arting”
that I’ve been longing for.
I had no idea what I wanted to paint –
it’s been weeks since I’ve gifted myself with the time.
But it was as if the paper and water and paints
decided to give me a gift…
And this is what emerged…
A white floral abstract of sorts.
A celebration of time graciously granted
at “life in between.”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Daniel Smith Watercolors: Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Quinacridone Gold.
Frozen Grapes in Pinot Grigio
Chilling White Wine.
I recently learned about this great tip for keeping your white wine chilled without watering it down.
Freeze a bag of grapes, and use them as “ice cubes.”
At the end of your drink, you have a wonderful treat of wine soaked grapes to enjoy! And your wine stays full flavored to the very end.
I am definitely more of a red wine girl, but I sometimes enjoy a light Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp, buttery Chardonnay in the summer.
Dropping in a few frozen grapes makes it even more of a treat.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Odessa the Barn Owl in Watercolor – 8×10 140lb Cold Press SaundersOdessa the Owl – A Wise Old Barn Owl in Watercolor.
A blogging friend, Carolyn, at Nuggets of Gold, challenged me to paint an owl in watercolor. But not just any ole’ owl…
This had to be Odessa the very wise barn owl who is a character in a book she is collaborating on with another blogging friend, Colin, at A Dog’s Life.
I’m not sure if this is how she pictured Odessa, but this is how I do, so this is a little surprise for her.
If you want to learn more about the wise (and wise-cracking) Odessa and her friends at MoonBeam Farm, check out Carolyn’s blog to read the continuing saga that is soon to become a book!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
For my penultimate wedding cookie table cookie recipe, I present….
Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies.
I was so excited to find this simple recipe that uses Bisquick baking mix and creates such beautiful and delicious cookies.
Won’t they look pretty next to the Lemon Crinkles?!
Red velvet lovers rejoice!
Ingredients:
Directions:
In large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla, eggs, and food coloring. Add Bisquick and cocoa just until combined. Gently stir in white chocolate chips.
Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on baking stone or cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Do not overbake. Cool on stone/sheet for 5 minutes. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
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.
Ingredients:
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
the creative life in between 