Month: June 2014

You Overwhelm Me with your Awesomeness

/ Jodi / 6 Comments

flower patch awesomeness with kinda eclectic

I had SOOO much fun making this card.

I stamped

and I punched out

and I glued

and embellished

and got a bit carried away…

A little overwhelming???….

I think the sentiment matches the card perfectly – a little overwhelming…

a little awesome….

flower patch awesomeness with kinda eclectic 3 inside

I can’t wait to share this card with someone who deserves to know how awesome and BeYouTiful they are.

Happy #FreebieFriday!  Hope you have an overwhelmingly awesome weekend!

flower patch awesomeness with kinda eclectic 2

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

PS   For my SU friends, I used the new Flower Patch and Kinda Eclectic stamp sets for this card, and it was inspired and CASE’d from Nance Leedy.

My Good Fortune

/ Jodi / 3 Comments

GF Mars 5This past Saturday morning, after Mikey and I got back from our regular Saturday morning walk with our buddies Tracy and Halo, I started doing laundry and some other usual chores around the house, when the phone rang.

On the other end (much to my good fortune), was my buddy Janet letting me know she was meeting up with a couple of old school friends for lunch at Jimmy Wann’s and asked if I wanted to join them.

Well, I thought about it for about – oh – maybe – two and a half seconds – and said, “You bet I do!”

Heck with laundry.

Heck with the chores.

They will be there when I get back.

First of all, I LOVE any time I get to spend with my Janet.

Secondly, I LOVE Jimmy Wann’s!

Give me a bowl of Eight Treasure Rice, a Volcano Sushi Roll, a nice glass (or 2!) of Chardonnay, and some friends to catch up with….

Not too tough a decision.

Lunch with friends – that’s what Saturdays are made for – right?!

GF Mars 1

L-R: Val Danner, Judi (Stanko) Wahl, Janet Adams, Jodi (Rodgers Towle) McKinney

We had the patio practically to ourselves, and it was sunny and bright with just the perfect breeze.

What fun it was to catch up with these girls I went to school with back in 7th and 8th grade at Mars Middle School.

You see – my family only lived here (in the Mars area where I returned and my boys graduated high school from) for a few short years while I was growing up.

It was one of the six different homes I lived in, and one of the five different schools I went to, so I only spent a couple short years here with these ladies (who all went on to graduate together).

But – what I realized was that my good fortune came true… (you see my fortune cookie above?)

These ladies are lifetime friends.

We ate, and we drank some wine, and we talked…

and talked…

and talked,

shed a few tears,

and laughed…

and laughed…

and laughed.

Then we got silly with our fortune cookies (after asking the sweet and ever-so-accommodating waiter who must have filled our – ahem – water glasses a half dozen times during the several hours we sat there) to take our picture by the bamboo bushes.

GF Mars 2

Yep – I’d say it is my good fortune…

to have these lifetime friends….

Thanks Judi.

Thanks Val.

Thanks Janet!

Love ya!

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

A Bevy of Butterflies – Sheer & White or Bold & Bright

/ Jodi / 3 Comments

sheer white flourishes and butterflies

I’ve been trying to capture some photos of butterflies lately, but have not had much success – – – YET that is – stay tuned!

So instead, I decided to create some butterfly cards..

I think this sheer white one might make a pretty wedding card.  (And it is that  time of year!)

It is done with white paper stock and white embossed SU Flowering Flourishes on clear vellum and vellum-punched out butterflies. with some pearl accents.

I think it is sheer and delicate and dainty.

sheer white flourishes and butterflies closeup2

And this is one of Nick’s favorites that I’ve ever made (he tells me).  I’m kinda partial to it too.

Though I made it months ago, I haven’t mailed it to anyone yet.  This one is made using SU’s Best of Butterflies with a water coloring technique.

best of butterflies

These butterflies are bold and bright and glittery and sparkly.  The colors just spoke “JOY” to me.  I’m saving it for something and someone special someday.

best of butterflies close up

Which one do you like better?

Sheer & White?

or

Bold & Bright?

 

Wishing you a day filled with Joy – – – and maybe a few beautiful butterflies too.

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

 

Crazy Addictive Homemade Caramel Corn

/ Jodi / 6 Comments

Caramel Corn bowl

Sometimes I like to fuss and make fancy schmansy appetizers and snacks for company or to take somewhere.

Other times, I rely on tried and true no-fail crowd pleasers like this A M A Z I N G  homemade Caramel Corn.

No matter when or where I serve it or what else is on the table, there is rarely, if ever, a kernel left.

I originally got this recipe from one of my very dear friends, Pam (aka Bubby or the Bubster as I affectionately like to call her – have you noticed a trend in nicknaming with me??!!…) who brought it to our house one holiday season years ago.

I have made this stuff (that is literally like CRACK it is so addicting!) to give as gifts, take to parties, or just serve when having a crowd over many, many times over the years since Bubby first brought it and got us all hooked.

You have got to try this.

And then you have to let me know if you have any leftover.

I dare you – even double dare you – to resist this stuff.

You start with 2 bags of Snyder’s Hulless Puff’n Corn Popcorn.  (You know – that melt in your mouth puffy kind that doesn’t have the kernels that get caught between your teeth).  Dump them in a large roaster pan, and turn your oven on 250 degrees to preheat.

Caramel Corn 1

Then you melt 2 sticks of BUTTER and 1 TBSP of peanut butter in a saucepan.

Add 2 cups of packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup Karo Light Corn Syrup, and boil for 5 minutes.

Caramel Corn 2

Remove from heat, and add 1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp baking soda, and watch the crazy chemistry work.  (Not sure why – maybe some of you that paid a bit more attention in high school chemistry class know why – but it just completely grows and changes consistency after that little bit of baking soda.)  And if you didn’t start out with a large enough saucepan, you can easily overflow, so be prepared!

Caramel Corn 3

Pour this mixture over the popcorn in the roasting pan and stir well.

Caramel Corn 4

Then bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour (stirring every 15 minutes or so).

Caramel Corn 5

I made this along with about 10 zillion (ok I exaggerate) other things for our Father’s Day Picnic Celebration this past Sunday, and it is the only thing that I did NOT have any leftover of…..

Just saying……  You gotta try this stuff!

And let me know if you have any leftover…

Caramel Corn bowl

Cheers and hugs,

Jodi

SMILE – It’s Time to Wake Up!

/ Jodi / Leave a comment

alarm clock
Marty laughs at me because he says I am the only person he knows who wakes up singing to their alarm.

(I’m not sure how valid his point is, because I don’t think he’s woken up with (ahem) that many other people in his life….)

So – tell me – is it really that weird….. ya know…. to wake up singing to your alarm?

My “alarm clock” is my iPhone and my “alarm” is the song “Smile” by Uncle Cracker.

Now isn’t that a great way to wake up?!

Happy Monday!

Let Your Smile Change the World…..

Don’t Let the World Change Your Smile!

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

A Father’s Day Tribute – I AM the LUCKIEST!

/ Jodi / 5 Comments

Many are blessed with a great dad in their life.

Some sadly never know their dad.

I, however, have been blessed with FOUR great Dads in my life.

Well – really three that I call Dad…        …and then a great one I call “Merv” or Marty or Sweetie – my hubby….

the best dad of all – to our amazing sons.

The reason for more than one dad in my life is probably a story for another time or another place.
But I do know that to everything there is a season, a time, a purpose, and a reason.
I started out with one dad…  (I wish I had more photos, but here is one with my dad and brother and cousins and aunt and grandparents – and though I look like a G R U M P – I love this picture!  Thanks Aunt Gwen!)

Dad1

I gained another Dad in the middle part of my childhood who I am eternally grateful for that was by my side during the difficult pre-teen and teenage years and that walked me down “the aisle” and supported me and helped to shape who I am today…

dadwedding

Father-Daughter Dance – April 3, 1982

And then I was so fortunate to have my birth father re-enter my life several years ago…  Who I talk to almost every day… Who has brought a whole new family into my life – who I love so much – and who all love me!

Dad3

Father’s Day 2012 – Dad, Jodi, & Marty

On top of that, I was given the gift of one of the all-time-greatest father-in-laws, who I affectionately called, “Poops.” Those that knew him know why, and oh how we all loved Pap (who we lost a little over a year ago, but think about everyday).  He loved me like his very own, and I know I am also who I am today because of him.

Dad4

Pap’s Last Father’s Day – 2012 – with Nick, Jake and Marty

So as I think about all the wonderful dads in my life, I know that I AM THE LUCKIEST!

And I want to share with you one of my all-time favorite songs (that I first heard at the wedding of a couple of cuties that I love DEARLY and am forever grateful to – and they know why!  Nikole and Michael) and for My Merv – a Great Husband AND Father.

Ben Folds’ – The Luckiest – I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

There’s a Peony Thief on the Other Side of Our House!

/ Jodi / 10 Comments

peony after rain

Oh how I waited
and Waited
and WAITED
for my peony bush to bloom.

Remember this post from last Saturday when this gorgeous miracle of nature was just a bud?

My peony bush had only two blooms on it this year.  (Anyone know why?  What causes more or less flowers on a peony bush?)

And…  I used to have TWO (2) – not just ONE peony bush,

but one has disappeared – completely – gone – just dirt there!

Do any kind of animals eat peony bushes???

So anyway – I’ve been waiting E V E R Y SINGLE day for those two little buds to bloom already.  Going out each morning camera in hand.

And finally this morning, after a torrential downpour and thunderstorm last night, they decided to make their appearance (or did I forget to look yesterday??)

Maybe I didn’t check EVERY single day……

….because my poor peonies were BEAT UP!

They were downright DROOOOOPY – and looking very sad.

But no worries – I cut them off and brought their beauty and amazing fragrance to the porch where I often sit, and I know I will enjoy them even more than where they really live – on the “other” side of the house.

peonies on the porch

Do you have one of those “other” sides on your house? – the side you rarely go around?

SHEESH!  I better go round that way more often or that rotten no-good scoundrel peony thief might get this one too!

PEONY THEFT (get it? get the play on words?!)  Or am I getting confused? Penny Theft or Petty Theft?  Or are there both?

No matter – around these parts – it’s PEONY theft!

Happy Saturday!

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

 

 

Hello Friday! Friday the 13th

/ Jodi / 2 Comments

Hi There Gorgeous Grunge and Kinda Eclectic

Oh Friday – How we look forward to you each week – so Hello!

Hello Friday!

And it’s Friday the 13th!

And it’s a Full Moon!  (also called the Strawberry Moon and the Honey Moon – which is not supposed to occur again for 5 years – so check it out!)

Woooohooo – what excitement may come our way?!

Friday is #FreebieFriday in the StampinUp Where the Rubber Hits the Road Group I belong to.  It’s the day we all share a card we made this week to inspire each other.

I love seeing all the creativity and crafty, artistic inspiration from my fellow stampers.

This week, I’m sharing this Kinda Eclectic/Hi There/Gorgeous Grunge Card  (those are the names of the three stamp sets I used, but funny how they “kinda” name the card!)

I had a BLAST making and seeing how this turned out.  A little off my usual path, but I just kept adding…

Lots of bright colors combined with the contrast of black inked on vellum….

A silver embossed ray of sunshine…

A cut-out starburst cog to go under it and lift it off the paper….

Some gold cord swirled under that and on top of the sliver sunburst…

Then topped it off with some sequins.

I saw something done with some similar techniques on Pinterest and couldn’t wait to try.

I hope it made you smile…

Or brightened your day…

Hello to you – and Hello Friday!

Wishing you all a wonderful Father’s Day weekend ahead.

Enjoy doing all the things you love to do…

with the people you love…

at Life in Between.

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

 

It was one of those days…

/ Jodi / Leave a comment

photo (2)It was one of THOSE days…

I got up early…

I stayed up late…

I never got a shower until 7pm…

And that was because a friend was coming by at 7:30…

You see…. I work from home (most days anyway) – Gotta love that!

But some days (when you are a work from homer), you wonder – – – errr – – – maybe I should say “I wonder”…..

“What did I do to make a difference today?”

“How did I make  an impact on the world… for the greater good… today?

(Thanks Nikole for making me consider that everyday – no matter the “burden” 🙂 )

But you know what?  As I sit here at 12:30 am (knowing I committed to getting up at 4:10am to go to the gym with Nick at 4:20am!)

(Uhmmm – and I wish I could say that is a habit – but this will only be the third time!)

I think I did…. make an impact today…

Although I never left the house, I still think “I was exactly what the world needed today” in my interactions (aka “where I went”)

I feel good about the work I accomplished.

I feel good about my family.

I feel good about my conversation with a friend tonight.

Yep – Brian Andreas (whose Story People work I adore!) – and anyone else that has kindly read this far…

I think I did….

…help where I could…

…and was exactly what the world needed… today.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings – and what magic it holds.

Cheers and hugs,

Jodi

 

A little Kindness goes a Long Way

/ Jodi / 6 Comments

Kinda Eclectic Kindness CASEd ilina crouseBack in January (could that really be six months ago!?), I was all gung ho on participating in the One Little Word project.

“Kindness” was the word I had chosen.

Then I decided to take it a little “deeper” and changed my word to “Accept.” (but that is probably for another day…. another blog….)

I followed the project for a couple months, but for some reason, I just didn’t stick with it.  (I applaud a few friends who I know are sticking to their “reflections,” “choices,” and “moxie!”)

Well – Even though I changed my “one little word”…. and didn’t stick with the program, I am still reminded of my original and “gut instinct” word when I look at something I wrote on the chalkboard in my home office:

“A Hug is a Blanket of Kindness”

Do you ever stop and think how SIMPLE it is to make a difference in someone’s life?

An impact on the world?

Have you thought about how much a real, genuine, T I G H T, last-to-let-go hug means to someone?

I held a training session at work yesterday for one of our teams on one of my favorite topics:  Customer Service – and specifically – how a Complaint is a Gift!  No matter how many times I talk about it, or how many times I present the same topic, I get excited….   I get energized…  I get downright giddy about the endless opportunities at our fingertips and on the tip of our tongues – both personally and professionally – when we simply display kindness.

You see – customer service, handling complaints, and simple acts of kindness – are really such basic concepts.

Why do we try to complicate things so?

Why do we look for magic bullets?

Miracle creams?

Quick fixes?

What happened to the simple act of kindness?

The simple gesture of a genuine hug?

Do you let the world around you affect your day or do you make an impact on others?

I make it my daily goal, even if it is simply with the teenage boy or middle-aged woman working the cash register at the local grocery store, to share KINDNESS with everyone I interact with.

Do you let that “grouchy” checkout lady ruin your day or your shopping experience or your moment? Or do you make it your personal challenge, like I try to do, to make that person smile…? leave them with a positive, kind thought?

It’s kinda fun really.

It’s kinda eclectic.

Hmmm…  That is the name of the new stamp set I used from StampinUp to make this card:  Kinda eclectic

Can’t wait to decide who to send it to and share a little kindness.

Don’t underestimate the power of simple kindness, random acts of kindness, and the value of a TIGHT, last-to-let-go hug.

A little act of kindness goes a LONG way!

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

 

PS   For my stampin’ friends, this card was made using the new in colors, Kinda Eclectic stamp set, and Gorgeous Grunge Stamp set.