Month: August 2016

Slinky

/ Jodi / 77 Comments
Slinky Watercolor 10x12

Slinky – Watercolor – 10×12 on Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Press

A dear friend and co-worker recently lost her beloved dog of 12 years.

My heart broke for her knowing how difficult it is to lose such a faithful, loving family member.

I sent her a little card to express my sympathy.  I thought my Charlie Dog card was fitting in this situation.

When my friend received it, she asked me if I would paint her sweet “Slinky” (named after the toy dog in “Toy Story“) so she could give it to her son to hang in his room.

I was honored that she would ask me and believe that I could do it.  I was also a nervous wreck!  I am not a professional artist.  I have never been “commissioned” to replicate such an important family member.  I am not good at “realistic” watercolor art.

But I do love my friend.  And I do love a challenge.  And I wanted to be able to do it.  So after trying once with the same abstract technique I used to create Charlie Dog and failing to achieve the love and life that drew me to Slinky in the photo my friend sent, I attempted to paint Slinky more realistically – not realizing black dogs are likely the most challenging to paint!  Painting #2 was another fail.  I really didn’t have much time invested, so I decided to give it one more go.  Third time is usually the charm – right?

I asked a few questions of a sweet, talented, artistic blogging friend from the UK who creates AMAZING paintings of animals, Rebecca at ReCreate.  She gave me a few pointers (and generously provided a few photos of her beautiful Cassie – a similar looking black adopted dog), which was just enough to give me the confidence to try again.

So here is the painting of dear sweet Slinky.  A smart girl who loved her family more than anything.  A sweet girl who drew you in with her loving eyes.  A faithful companion to two young boys who loved her as much as they love each other.

Rest in peace sweet Slinky.  Know that you are missed, that you are still loved dearly, that you can never be replaced, that you taught your family so much about love and happiness and what is most important.  Your memory will live on forever, and this is my tribute to your life.

Sweet dreams, cheers and hugs,
Jodi

Slinky was an adopted dog    If you would enjoy a companion like Slinky or our sweet Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

Here is the real, beautiful Slinky in the photo I used to create her painting from:

013

A Beautiful Question or A Beautiful Answer?

/ Jodi / 56 Comments
queen anne's lace

Queen Anne’s Lace – August, 2016 – Mars, PA

I wandered
and I wondered

surrounded by the intricate
delicate
complex
beauty of nature.

Did “the queen”
strive to achieve her beauty…
or did she just
allow it to happen?

Did she recognize her beauty
in the complexity…
Or did it
even matter?

Was she
a weed…
Or was she
a beautiful flower?

Is it a
beautiful question…
Or is it
a beautiful answer?

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Reflecting…

/ Jodi / 41 Comments
Geneva on the Lake Rocks at Sunset 07 2016

Geneva on the Lake, OH – Rocks at Sunset – Summer 2016

Reflecting on the day
And contemplating life

A kaleidoscope of color
Evoking variegated memories

Discovering along the way
Acquiescent acceptance

Sometimes distancing ourselves
to ultimately save ourselves

Healing comes in waves
Crashing, splashing, breaking

Sometimes hitting the rocks
Other times reflecting the light

Remembering to pause
Remembering to cherish

Time spent reflecting
Time spent sharing

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

 

 

Pink Flamingo

/ Jodi / 65 Comments
Pink Flamingo Watercolor 8x10

Pink Flamingo Watercolor 8×10

Happy #DrawABirdDay!

On the 8th day of every month, many of my fellow artistic blogging friends and I enjoy sharing our drawings and paintings of birds.  Thanks Laura at CreateArtEveryDay for hosting!

I painted this pink flamingo a week or so ago and have been saving it to share for today.  I have to admit, I think this is my favorite watercolor painting I’ve done to date.

And I have to thank Laura again for calling my attention to a tutorial on the Artist Network done by one of my favorite watercolor artists, Jean Haines, who inspired this flamingo.

I just couldn’t wait to see what it looked like framed.  Doesn’t it make such a difference to see it matted and framed?

pink flamingo 2 original watercolor 8x10 matted and framed to 11x14

Pink Flamingo in Watercolor -8×10 matted and framed 11×14

I also thought it would make beautiful note cards, so I printed some up for our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop.

pink flamingo 2 watercolor card set

Pink Flamingo Watercolor Card Set

I love pink….
I love birds….
I love watercolor…
So creating this painting was pure joy for me.

Wishing you a day filled with joy and love and moments to cherish!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Paint

Brown Eyed (or Black or Purple Eyed!) Susan

/ Jodi / 54 Comments
Brown Eyed Susan Watercolor 5x7

Brown Eyed Susan Impressionistic Watercolor 5 x 7

Work and life have been very busy and exciting around here.

And even though it is all good, sometimes the busyness can be stressful.

When I need or want to unwind, I have truly found peace and joy in watercolor painting.

A year ago, I would have told you I enjoyed it, but I sometimes found it stressful as I wanted to be so good and realized what a truly challenging medium watercolor is.

About a year and a half into this new artistic love and hobby, I can truly say I now enjoy it for what it brings to me…  The way it relaxes me watching the water and paint flow and mix and mingle…  The joy in creating something completely unique and original…

And I no longer stress over perfection (well – most of the time!).  I am an artist (finally calling myself that!) who finds more joy in painting than sketching, so drawing before painting is tedious to me.  I can’t wait to get to the paint, so I would so much rather just skip the sketching stage.  Don’t get me wrong, though…  I GREATLY admire those that can sketch and draw creating almost exact likenesses to objects!  I marvel and appreciate it so much!

I now realize I want to create things for my own joy…  my own impression…. my own interpretation… and if someone else likes it – good.  If not, that is okay too.   I  have developed my own little style, and though I will never be Vincent Van Gogh, I enjoy my painting.

So here’s one of my latest – a simple study of a single brown-eyed susan – Jodi’d up with a purple center, loose strokes and a few splatters!

Here was the photo I took of the flower from our front yard garden.  As you can see,  I didn’t try to replicate it exactly as is, but used it as a reference to create my impression or interpretation from.

brown eyed susan flower

I rather like this one, and I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like framed.

brown eyed susan watercolor 5x7 matted and framed to 8x10

I think I’ll add this one to our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop.  I love it as a print and think it will make lovely greeting/note cards too.  It still amazes me that people have bought my original artwork, prints and cards.  Every time the “ding” of the cash register alerts me that someone has bought something from our Etsy shop, I get so excited to see what they liked.  Whether it was a beautiful rustic sign or piece of home decor made by my daughter-in-law and partner in artistic fun, Colleen, or a piece of artwork or set of cards that I created, it is such an honor, and I feel such joy.

brown eyed susan watercolor card set

Tomorrow I am going to be sharing what I think might be my very favorite painting I have done to date.  I am excited to share it.  You may or may not like it, but that’s okay.  Thanks for traveling along this journey with me…. cherishing the moments… at life in between.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Paint

Easy Homemade Chicken & Vegetable Lo Mein

/ Jodi / 25 Comments

chicken and vegetable lo mein 3

I love chicken and all the versatile ways you can prepare it.  I try a new chicken recipe almost every week.  I also love Asian-inspired dishes, so I really enjoyed trying a take on Chicken and Vegetable Lo-Mein.

chicken and vegetable lo mein 2

Like most recipes I make, almost everything can be substituted with any ingredients of your choice.  And though I provide measurements, I rarely measure anything exact myself.  In this recipe, you could use shrimp or pork or even beef if you prefer  instead of chicken.  You could also substitute any vegetables you prefer.  And if you don’t have lo mein noodles on hand, thin spaghetti will work too!

chicken and vegetable lo mein

I really believe the ingredient that seals the deal with this recipe is the addition of a lot of fresh spinach in the end that you cook only long enough to wilt.  It adds such great texture, color, taste, and nutritional value.  I also very highly recommend using low-sodium soy sauce.  I am a salt lover, and it has taken me a long time to realize this, but most soy sauce is way too salty.  The low-sodium version gives you just enough saltiness, but the full soy sauce flavor.  And the sesame oil is a must.  This cannot be substituted with corn or vegetable or canola or olive oil.  To get that great Asian lo mein flavor, the sesame oil is key.

Hope you will give this yet another winner winner of a chicken dinner a try.

Enjoy!

Easy Chicken & Vegetable Lo Mein

Ingredients:chicken and vegetable lo mein 3

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
  • 10 ounces lo mein egg noodles*
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup red, yellow, orange bell pepper, julienned
  • 1 large carrot, julienned or 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
  • 1 cup sliced celery stalks
  • ½ cup green onions, sliced
  • 2 cups baby spinach

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce, or more, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha, or more, to taste

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger and Sriracha; set aside.

In a large pot of boiling water, cook noodles according to package instructions; drain well.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add chicken, and cook thorough for several minutes.  Add garlic, bell pepper, celery, carrots, and onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in spinach until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.

Stir in noodles and soy sauce mixture, and gently toss to combine.

Serve immediately.

*If lo mein egg noodles cannot be found, spaghetti can be substituted.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*Recipe slightly adapted from DamnDelicious

How many sunsets

/ Jodi / 41 Comments
Sunset Geneva on the Lake July 2016

Sunset – Geneva on the Lake, Ohio – #GFCGeneva2016 – Girlfriend Camp

How many sunsets will it take….

until I grow tired of watching sunsets?

until I stop gasping and gazing in wonderment?

until I realize the power and size and magnitude of this beautiful star?

until I appreciate each and every moment given to me in the day that preceded it?

How many sunsets will it take?

How many sunsets will I be given?

Cherish the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Dog Days of Summer: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 43 Comments

Charlie dog days of summer august 2016

Mom told me the other day we are in the “Dog Days of Summer” here in Mars.

It’s pretty darn hot around here, but what does that have to do with dogs?  (I mean…. I know I’m pretty “hot,” sexy, handsome, charming, and all that… but not ALL dogs are are quite as lucky as me – eh?)

So I asked Mom to “google” what the heck dogs have to do with hot summer days, and guess what?!  We discovered a story of astronomical proportions!

Contrary to common conjecture, the “dog days of summer” does NOT get its name because the heat is so extreme it drives dogs mad or because dogs lie around panting in the heat (Sheesh!  Really people?!  How dare you think such disdainful thoughts!)

The actual background of the phrase refers to the one-to-two month period when a particularly bright, shiny, snazzy, jazzy, super-amazing, georgeous, “hot” star named Sirius, the Dog Star, or Alpha Canis Majoris (Latin for “Greater Dog!”), rises and sets with the sun, shining during the daylight hours and staying hidden at night.

So you see, it’s really about us dogs being the STARS in your life.  (Right Mom?)

That’s why I’m smiling in my photo here.
(or……. it might have been because my Mom was holding a treat while asking me to “stay.”)

Either way…….
I like to be thought of as a Star.  So you can call feel free to call me “Great” for short.
Or Char…
Or Chuck…
Or Buddy…

but pleaaaassseee don’t call me late for dinner!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike theUPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: https://lifeinbetween.me/.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

 

Source:  Dictionary.com

Around the Bend

/ Jodi / 49 Comments
Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks - Mars, PA - August, 2016

Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks – Mars, PA – August, 2016

When the fog is so thick
you can’t see round the bend,

do you take a chance
or allow a dead end?

Our minds can get foggy too,
and we don’t see as clearly as we usually do.

The intriguing thing, though,
is if we take a slow go

with thoughtful steps in confident faith,
we might be surprised at what awaits.

Go forward my friend
around the bend.

The further you go,
the clearer you’ll grow.

Cherish all the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Blueberry Shortbread Tart

/ Jodi / 56 Comments

blueberry shortbread tart 2

I thought it would be nice to make a sweet treat this past weekend for the guys since I had been away for awhile.  I didn’t have enough blueberries to make a pie, but I had a nice amount to make this yummy blueberry shortbread tart.

blueberry shortbread tart 1

What could be bad about a shortbread crust, some jam and blueberries, fresh lemon juice and zest, and a crumbly topping?!?!

blueberry shortbread tart 3

It went together easily, only took 30 minutes to make, and was a hit!  (Hubby said it reminded him of a toasted blueberry Pop-Tart (and that was meant as a compliment – lol!)

I can’t recall the last time I bought Pop-Tarts, but this is a tart, and it is filled with fruit, and it is baked, so I guess that pretty well qualifies it to taste a bit like it.  I can imagine this would also be great with many other fruit fillings (aka Pop-Tart flavors) –  Cherry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Peach, Apple & Cinnamon, Strawberry, or Peach – to name a few.

My guys topped theirs with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, because, well…. just because!

It was a great dessert to end a hot summer day and meal of grilled sausage sandwiches with onions and peppers on hard rolls, fresh sweet corn on the cob rolled in butter and sprinkled with Old Bay Seasoning, and a cucumber and tomato salad fresh from the garden drizzled with tangy red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.

Hungry yet?!

Blueberry Shortbread Tart

Ingredients:blueberry shortbread tart 2
  • 2 sticks butter,  room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup blueberry preserves or jam
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease 9-inch tart pan.

Beat butter, sugars, lemon juice and zest with electric mixer approx. 3 mins until well incorporated.  Add flour and salt, and mix until well blended and forming clumps.

Press 2/3 of the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and going up sides.

Spread with the blueberry preserves or jam evenly over the dough, leaving a ¼-inch border.  Sprinkle with blueberries.

Crumble the remaining dough into large crumbs and  sprinkle evenly over filling.

Bake 30 – 40 mins. until lightly browned.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*recipe slightly adapted from Erren’s Kitchen