Happy Leap Day!
What are you going to do with your extra 24 hours this year?
Leap in!
Do something you love…
be with people you love…
spread some love!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Month: February 2016
A Peaceful State of Mind
Abstract Cobalt Teal & Inka Gold (inspired by Debi Riley)
Wishing you waves of peace
richness of gold
and a world of happiness
this Sunday and always.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This abstract piece I created was done on a 5×7″ sheet of 140 lb. cold press shizen professional grade rough texture rag watercolor paper that is 100% recyled from post consumer waste. I love the texture of it and bought a package of 100 sheets through Blick. I’m curious to know if others have tried it. I typically use Arches, but am loving this paper.
I began by slathering on some Inka Gold acrylic paint with a palette knife leaving it thicker and lumpier in some places. After it dried, I added some cobalt teal blue watercolor to one side and then mixed a bit of lemon yellow into it for the green on the other side. Before it dried, I placed a crinkled up piece of saran wrap on it, which I did not remove until the paint dried. It is really beautiful in person, and I am even making card prints from it for our ETSY Shop.
Cauliflower & Fennel Au Gratin
I had never cooked anything with fresh fennel before and really wanted to try. I picked one up at the grocery store having no clue what I was going to do with it.
The other night, when trying to decide what vegetable I was going to serve with dinner and knowing I still had this fennel bulb in the fridge along with a fresh head of cauliflower, I decided to “google” and see if there was a recipe combining the two.
I came upon this one, and oh what a winner it is!
This would be a lovely vegetable to serve for company, take to a potluck, or just enjoy for dinner. The fennel (which smells like anise and is kind of licoricey) is mild, yet full-flavored and holds up nicely in the dish. Don’t be afraid to try it, even if you say you don’t like licorice. It is a lovely vegetable that I’m looking forward to using again in other dishes – cooked and raw.
I’m sure you could make this with just the cauliflower too, but I loved what the fennel added to it. And just a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg made it really sing.
I hope you’ll give it a try. Enjoy!
Cauliflower & Fennel Au Gratin
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1 head cauliflower, broken into florets
1 large fennel bulb, cored, trimmed, and cut into 1/4-inch slices plus 1/2 cup chopped fronds (the green ferny part)
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup whipping cream, half & half, or milk (even skim milk is fine)
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Swiss cheese (or your favorite)
2/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450º F. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add cauliflower, and sauté 4 min. Add fennel slices, and sauté 4-5 more min. or until tender. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with flour, salt, and nutmeg; add fennel fronds, and lightly toss together.
Spoon into a prepared 2-quart baking dish. Pour cream over mixture. Sprinkle with Swiss cheese, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 450º for 20 minutes or until top is browned and crispy.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The End of the Rainbow
An unseasonably warm day in February this week
started with bright sunshine,
drenched us in refreshing rain showers,
and ended with the brightest, most colorful rainbow.
Right in our very own back yard.
If you cannot find me,
look deep in the woods
amidst the moss and twigs and fallen leaves.
I’m searching for the pot of gold,
dancing and celebrating with the leprechauns.
It is the Season of Magic.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Mud Cake
Do you every just get a “hankering” for something? Something you don’t usually have, but you just get stuck in your mind that you really, really, really want?!
That’s how I was feeling this past week about chocolate cake. And chocolate cake is not something I usually make/eat/crave.
But – there was no getting it out of my head, so what’s a girl to do?! Bake cake!
And when I found this recipe for a “boozy” chocolate cake – well – even better! But dang, it was in metric measurements, and try as I could to search for it in U.S. equivalents, no luck. So I postponed doing it the first day I thought of it, but then just bit the bullet the next day and converted it myself. I’m not sure if I converted exactly or correctly, but it turned out absolutely amazing!
Oh Dear Me! This is a real treat for the hankering! It is rich and dense and chocolately and smothered in a decadent Bailey’s chocolate ganache! I only needed a few bites to satisfy.
Hubby loved it too!
After our couple of bites/slices, however, I decided to put it in the freezer to save for special occasions or special guests. I’m guessing it will freeze well (as all cakes do), and be just the thing to pull out and slice when “needed!”
So here it is – the Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Mud Cake – converted for us U.S. bakers and also in Metric equivalents.
Are you craving chocolate cake yet?! Grab that bottle of Bailey’s and get baking!
Baileys Chocolate Mud Cake
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 1 1/3 sticks butter (10.5 Tbsp) or 150 grams
- 3.5 oz or 100 grams dark chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup or 100 grams sugar
- 1/2 cup or 100 grams brown sugar
- 1/2 cup or 50 grams cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup or 180ml Baileys Irish Cream Whiskey
- 1 1/3 cups or 170 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsps baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 eggs, room temperature
Baileys Ganache:
- 7 oz or 200 grams good quality dark chocolate, chopped
- 3/4 – 1 cup or 200ml Baileys Irish Cream (you can also do 1/2 cream and 1/2 Bailey’s if you don’t want it quite so “boozy,” but what the heck?!)
- pinch of salt
- 1 – 1 1/2 Tbsp or 15 grams butter, softened
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325° F (160°C). In a pan over low heat, melt the butter, chocolate, sugars, cocoa powder and Baileys. When chocolate and butter has melted, whisk together to combine making sure to get rid of any lumps of sugar or cocoa powder. Remove from heat and leave cool for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, grease and line an 8″ (20-21cm) round cake pan.
Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside. Add the eggs to the slightly cooled chocolate mixture and whisk to combine. Gently fold in the sifted flour mix until free of lumps.
Scrape into cake pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean (Be cautious, however, as this is one cake you don’t want to over-bake so better to be a little under than over). The top of the cake will have some beautiful cracks. This is normal for a mud cake, and you will be covering it with a lovely and oh so concealing ganache anyway!
Remove cake from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing and cooling completely on wire rack.
To make the ganache, heat the Bailey’s and the salt to a simmer in a pan (be careful to not get the heat too high and catch the alcohol on fire like I did!). Remove from heat and add the chocolate. Stir until completely incorporated, and then stir in the butter.
Set aside at room temperature and cool until it is thick enough to spread over your cooled cake (or if you are as impatient as me, put in the freezer to cool more quickly). Gently stir the ganache occasionally as it cools to keep the temperature even and the ganache smooth.
When it is cooled and thickened, spread the ganache on the top of your cake and let it drip down the sides.
Enjoy!
Recipe found at: Runcible Eats (www.leaandjay.com)
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sometimes you just have to Bark: A Charlie Guest Post
I’m usually a pretty laid back, easy-going kinda guy. But yesterday, I couldn’t take it any more.
Mom was busy with her job. I don’t know what she does all day. Seems she just stares at the screen of that computer thing or furiously taps on the keys or is talking to other voices through it. Sure seems rather boring to me.
But I put up with it.
While she is doing that most of the day, I can usually keep myself pretty busy. I might be doing any number of these great, fun things while she is working:
- napping
- playing donut (I especially like to squeak it loud when she is on what she calls a “conference call.” If I do it enough, she give me a bone, because then I am much quieter. Ha ha – who is the winner there?!
- chewing on some old bones in my toy basket
- emptying out my toy basket
- going in and outside through my doggie door to explore what is going on in the yard
- daydreaming out the window and watching for friends to come and go
- chasing my tail
Don’t you agree that is a much better day than looking at a computer?!
One of the highlights of my day, though, is an afternoon walk. Mom and I usually do that around what she calls “lunch” time. She gets to eat AGAIN during the day for lunch. I only get breakfast and dinner. What is with that??!! But – if I get a walk, I am pretty happy. And besides, I almost always find things on the ground to eat along the way!
So yesterday, noon passed and one o’clock passed (I know this from my internal doggie clock) and then two o’clock passed. Mom was still staring at that computer, and we had not gone for a walk. I knew my friend, Kitty, was probably worried and wondered where we were, and I was getting a little “antsy.”
I started to pace.
Mom ignored me.
I licked her bare foot.
She shooshed me away.
I jumped in her lap!
Aha! Now I have your attention lady!
She laughed and told me to be patient and wait a few more minutes.
So I waited… for what seemed like an eternity (about 20 seconds), and then I just had to do it….
I BARKED!
I rarely bark. No need for such noisy jabber, but sometimes…..
when no other hints or tactics work……
You just have to bark.
Mom laughed. She really did need a break.
And we went for a walk.
And I got to tell Kitty all about how the barking worked.
Kitty is going to see if barking works at Kitty’s house too.
You might like to try it too…
at your house
if all else fails,
and you really need…
a walk.
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Looking back…. looking forward
Sharing my home is still one of my greatest joys. After all, it is the thing I love best about my home – the people I share it with.
My “crafting” phase of late has evolved into watercolor painting (remember my very first ever watercolor – April 4, 2015?!). So many of you have been so encouraging and supportive.
I am having so much fun with my daughter-in-law, Colleen, as we create our new McKinneyx2Design business, and I am so grateful to so many of you who have supported us through purchases and by helping spread the word.
I miss my little Mikey as I remember him through these photos. What a joy he was. He really taught us the love of a pet. If it weren’t for Mikey, we wouldn’t have Charlie, and we would have missed out on so much joy and love.
So here’s the first post (again), and if you wouldn’t mind indulging me……. would you share with me what your favorite posts are? Is it the recipes? Is it the photography? Is it the “art” (watercolor, cards), is it the poetry or writing, family stories, crafts? Should I narrow it to just one of them? Or should I continue this crazy, scattered, who knows what you are going to see tomorrow “lifestyle” blog?
the first post – so how do I begin?
So I have a good idea what I want to write about… for the most part. My BFF’s oldest daughter told me I should start a “lifestyle” blog. I guess she thinks my life is interesting…. or at least enough that one or two people might want to read about things I do…. (Hopefully I’ll have at least one subscriber – Jacyln Rae – hint hint!)
Or maybe she just thinks I would enjoy doing it, and that is enough.
Hmmm…. I think I like that…
You know…. that’s one of the perks of growing – err – older and wiser – you get to the point where you realize you can do things just because you want to. Yes – there are those things most of us HAVE to do – like paying bills, doing laundry, working – you get the gist – but what do you like to do in between all that?
That’s the real “living” part.
“Life in between” can mean so many things…
The main reason I titled this blog with it is because I want to share the things I choose to do in between the things I “have” to do.
It can also be a stage of life that is in between stages – and aren’t they all?!
Right now – I’m kind of in between the mom stage and the empty nester and grandma stage. And Oh I Can’t Wait to be a Grandma! (No hint hint Jake and Colleen – whenever you are ready… well – maybe a little hint hint)
I think I was born to “mother.” And oh poor everyone around me that I “mother” – sorry! It’s just in my DNA – I want to nurture, I want to comfort, I want to make happy. Could be worst things -right?! (clear throat) But don’t ask my boys…
So anyway – the things I love to do “in between” the things I have to do – that’s what I want to share with you here.
I love to bake. I love how it makes the house smell. I love how it makes people feel when they bite into a buttery, chocolately, caramely yummy thing. I love surprising someone with a special treat of something they love. Here is a picture of my first attempt at French Macarons. I was so excited these testy little buggers turned out. Not sure I’ll ever make them again – so much work – so temperamental – and what if they don’t turn out the next time? Was it beginner’s luck? I’ll just believe I’ve MASTERED them…. and leave it at that….
I also love to decorate – my home that is. And it’s not all about it being House and Garden perfect for those of you that know me and are thinking “Jodi – you are NOT an interior decorator!”
My ultimate goal (in decorating) is to create a place that is warm and welcoming. A place where someone can just drop by (no formal invitations needed around here) and feel comfortable and welcomed and loved. No shoes off in my house. So what if the carpet has stains… Those stains represent someone who I shared my home with or that spilled a drink or our dog who came in after a rainy spring day – so what… I grew up in a house that was House and Garden perfect… that meant NO SHOES inside… it meant that you could see sweeper marks in the carpet from the daily vacuum…. it meant that you could literally eat off the garage floor if you were so inclined because it was so clean…. and that’s all good… Mom was an awesome “cleaner”… but it’s not me. I want comfort, warmth, welcoming. I want my house to feel like your favorite worn slippers or most comfortable fleece hoodie or your “go to” black yoga pants. That’s what trips my trigger.
Here’s a little peek at our home – and that’s my little buddy “Mikey” who is never far from my side. After this LONG COLD winter, it was so nice to see the daffodils and grass recently.
And I also love to craft. It’s been various things through the years… I’ve tried knitting and crocheting and cross-stitching, tole painting, slate painting, wood crafts, and ceramics. My most recent crafting obsession is papercrafting – stamping, coloring, cutting, punching, pasting, tying – anything with paper and ink. I guess it feels comforting being that I (and so many of us) spend so much time on the computer. It feels extra special to create and send a special handmade something to someone and hope they realize the time and love you put into it – just for them. Here’s a card I made for a very special cousin and friend – Oh Rob! (I’m sure you’ll hear more about him in coming posts). Oh how I love that guy – and his amazingly talented and loving wife and superhero to me, Joyce. Rob’s “One Little Word” this year is “reflection,” so I wanted to create a birthday card acknowledging and celebrating “reflection.”
And then – I love to photograph it all. Dear hubby got me my first good camera for Christmas this year – and I think he might regret it…. I know my boys do…. but I just love taking photographs of crazy, silly, normal, everyday things. Not a trained professional by any means – not even a class – haven’t even read the whole manual (sorry Patty – I will get there!) – just have fun with it and love seeing what it captures. My BFF, Jill, honored me with the privilege of capturing her daughter, Jackie’s bridal shower recently – oh what fun that was – and even allowed me to do a “photo shoot” with her in-laws (I think George and Alice are going to be more famous than all of us) for a work campaign.
Recently, while Marty (that’s the dear hubby’s name) was cutting grass, I was doing very important things like taking pictures of dandelions and bees on them…. and HE snapped this little gem with his phone while on the tractor…. Not flattering – but yep – that about sums it up. The silly things I do in my life in between…..
So we’ll see how this goes…. I now have my first post under my belt.
And now I have #692 under my belt….
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Spring Splashing
A few days ago, our little corner of the world was covered in snow and ice. This weekend, however, the temperatures rose to near 60 degrees and the sun shone brightly.
It was a little crazy for mid-February when we typically experience some of our coldest, snowiest weather, but we sure enjoyed it.
On Sunday morning, Charlie and I took a nice four-mile walk with our buddy, Tracy. We visited Kitty, and we splashed through some puddles of melted snow and ice.
After breakfast and a few chores, I spent a relaxing afternoon splashing paint at the kitchen table with the sun streaming in.
I painted this bunny that reminds me of Spring and Easter and babies and renewal.
I painted another fun little piece that will be a gift for an upcoming baby shower, and a couple other things before packing up the paint and making dinner.
What a great way to spend a day. Thinking Spring. Enjoying warmth and sunshine. Doing the things I love….
at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A Blink and a Half
I had the good fortune of being invited to visit with this adorable family yesterday and taking a few photos. Sweet little Baby Dean is only a month old. His handsome Big Brother Luke is 3.
They just so happen to be my amazing Daughter-in-Law, Colleen’s, nephews.
Sure reminded me of what seemed like just a blink and a half ago when my two boys were about the same age.
Turns out that blink and a half was 25 years ago…
Seriously?!?!
Don’t blink – ‘cuz just like that…..
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Seasons
Your outstretched branches reach far and wide
as you bear the harsh, cold winds
and weight of frozen snow.
You wait,
and you withstand the torture.
Then,
when the breezes become gentle again
and the sun shines bright and warm,
you peek out
with little buds
that become leaves
and bear fruit and flowers.
You provide beauty and nourishment and shelter.
And when you can take no more,
you let go.
You drop your leaves,
and you welcome the chill.
And the cycle of seasons starts over again.
the creative life in between 