Year: 2016

Very Variegated Violet

/ Jodi / 53 Comments

Purple violet watercolor tulips

Who knew shades of violet could vary so greatly?!

Before we went away on vacation last week, I had some fun playing with purple in this super loose vase of violet tulips.   I have done tulips in shades of reds and oranges  in this style, but was excited to try purple.

I decided to mix Winsor Violet (WN*) and Quinacridone Violet (MG**) – two VERY different violets –  and touch in some Quinacridone Gold (WN), because I always so love how it moves!

I used Green Gold (WN) for the foliage and a touch of Cobalt Teal (MG) for drama.  I shook it, and I splashed on it.

This large 10 x 13 in. painting is done on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper.

I wasn’t sure if I liked it when I finished it, so I just set it aside.

I don’t know whether it is the “curing” of the paint or the “stepping away” that changes a painting so often, but…. when I came home after a week away and looked at it again, I decided I rather liked it.

It’s loose.

It’s kind of wild.

It’s unique and distinctive and venturesome.

It’s Very Variegated Violet!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*WN – Winsor Newton Professional Grade Watercolor Paint
**MG – M. Graham Watercolor Paint

What a difference a day makes

/ Jodi / 103 Comments

PC9

Last week Hubby and I went on a little week-long vacation to paradise.   (And it’s not a vacation to the beach unless I take a toe picture)

Away from a week of rain and unseasonably cold weather in Mars to a week of sunshine and warmth and sand and sea at a lovely resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  (And yep – this is what my hair looked like the entire week- curly and blowing in the sea breeze …  I gave up trying to do anything with it after about two days.)

PC2

Riu Palace Bavaro was a lovely treat.  (The pool basically flowed toward the beach and into the ocean like magical liquid.)

PC16

The colors of turquoise and teal and blue and green against the white sand might be the most beautiful I have ever seen.  (I can’t wait to find time to try to paint them!)

PC6

We found the most perfect spot on the beach that was on a bit of a perch under a few palm trees where the breeze made even 84 degrees feel cool and comfy.  (And our little flamingo clips from our daughter-in-law before we left held our towels on the chaise lounges and made it easy for us to find our “saved” seats.)

PC7

My view looking UP…

PC18

PC17

It was fun to come back to the room each day to see what the staff had created out of bath towels (and fresh flowers ever day!)

PC8

And the food was so magnificent!  (some healthy…)

PC21

(and some just delicious!)

PC 4

If we walked far enough down the beach, we found some fun little shops (that seemed to just continue right into the ocean.)

PC 3

We ventured away from the resort for a couple of excursions.

PC1

We loved the Outback Safari Adventure with Angel as our funny, informative, and engaging tour guide and Leo as our amazing driver who took us through tiny villages (this was an elementary school)

PC15

and up into the hills of the “real” Dominican Republic to experience the culture.

We toured a home.  (the natives love colorful homes)

PC20

The main part of the house had a living room (shown below), two bedrooms – one for the parents and the other for the five children, and a storage room.  (bathrooms are outside of the house)

PC24

Of course I was interested in the kitchen.  (It was a separate building in this home)

PC12

This family grew coffee and cacao and made their own coffee and cocoa butter (which I bought some of).  This is how chocolate begins…

PC19

We also got to see a gentleman who hand rolled cigars as his profession for the past 30+ years (bought some of these for my boss).

PC13

We saw beautiful flora  (bird of paradise plant below)

PC11

and fauna (I think this Peacock is the REAL bird of paradise!)

PC14

and experienced some of the natives and other creatures… (Hubby is a brave one – eh?!  Brave or CRAZY…. or possibly full of rum! wink!)

PC5

As if the snakes weren’t enough…. Yes – that is a TARANTULA on this man’s FACE!

We ended this tour with a visit to a beach that was NOT occupied by resorts and where the natives hung out.  (It reminded us a bit of Hawaii)

PC10

Another excursion took us out on a party catamaran boat which began with snorkeling in a small spot off shore with sting rays and nurse sharks!  (this time I was even brave!)

and ended with (more) rum and music and laughing (and extremely bad hair – thank goodness for this hat!).

ViviLnk

There are more stories…   but some things that happen in Punta Cana – need to stay in Punta Cana!  (or only be told in person… 🙂 )

It was an amazing week and wonderful vacation, but there really is no place like home.  (even though we left at noon in 84 degrees F sunshine and arrived late afternoon to 44 degrees F and SNOW showers in Mars!)

It was especially wonderful to come home to celebrate a belated Mother’s Day with Jake and Nick and Colleen who made a lovely Sunday brunch for us, brought plants and flowers (in real life AND in a surprise Debi Riley painting!)

debi riley painting

What a difference a day makes (or seven!)

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

Eva’s First Birthday

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

Eva Birthday 1 Card

Some of you might remember little Eva from some photos I shared several months ago.

Well – time sure does fly, and Eva just turned ONE!

Eva’s Aunt Liz asked if I would make a special card for her sweet little niece’s first birthday.  The request included incorporating an elephant, so Eva’s baby elephant is glammed up a bit with a purple velvet bow and a tiny pearl.

I had so much fun drawing and painting this card for an exceptional little princess.

Wishing you a day and year ahead as special as you little Eva!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

More or Less

/ Jodi / 42 Comments
coconuts

Jean’s Famous Fresh Coconuts, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

On a beach
far from home this past week,

I marveled at how different
and yet how the same we all are.

And I wondered…
which is better?

More
or
Less?

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

When?

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

when

When is the last time
you did something
for the first time?

Is today the day?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Hanging Out: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

charlie and his stick

Are you looking at me?

What……Don’t you like to roll on your back and chew on sticks in the warm, soft Spring grass?

I LOVE Spring!

I forgot how wonderful it is to hang out in the yard with the birds and squirrels and rabbits and chipmunks and deer.  There is so much going on, I can hardly believe how much time I spent sleeping through winter!

There are so many sticks to chew, so many things to smell and taste and chase.

And there is so much room to ZOOOOOM!  I sometimes just start running – in circles or straight lines – whatever suits my fancy – but I love to RUN…. as fast as I can… and make my ears flap and my eyes squint from the sheer force of the wind!

Running, rolling, smelling, tasting, chewing, zooming…. it’s all in a day’s work – hanging out.  A dog’s life.  My life.  There’s nothing like a dog’s life in Spring.

Jealous?  Sorry!  But don’t be…..take some time to hang out outside yourself… even for a little bit.  I bet you’ll want to thank me.  (doggie wink)

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

PS  My “assistant” is on vacation, so if I don’t respond right away – just know I’m hanging out until she returns.

The Other Side

/ Jodi / 57 Comments
dogwood blossoms looking up

Dogwood Tree Blossom, The Other Side, Mars, PA

As you stretch and reach
and open yourself

to the sunshine
after the rain

I admire your beauty
from underneath

And wonder if its really much different
on the other side?

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge:  Earth

Make a Wish

/ Jodi / 51 Comments

Dandelion Seeds Flower Make a Wish

If only closing our eyes
and blowing fluffy white
dandelion seeds to the wind
could make our wishes come true.

The world would be filled
with buttery yellow “flowers”
instead of pesty “weeds”
and “pretty” lawns would look much different.

It’s all about
perspective.

Go ahead.
Make a wish.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge:  Earth

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Onion and Rosemary

/ Jodi / 37 Comments

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Onion and Rosemary 2

Fresh Brussels Sprouts are so divine – especially when sauteed with bacon and onions and garlic and rosemary and splashed with balsamic vinegar.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Onion and Rosemary

If you are looking for a knock-out vegetable dish for a special occasion or a simple veggie side dish for Sunday supper or a weekday dinner, this recipe rocks it all around.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Onion and Rosemary 1

It takes a teensy bit more time than throwing a bag of frozen corn in a pot, but it is OH SO WORTH it!

I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything Brussels sprouts can’t go with!

Hope you get a chance to try and enjoy this recipe.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Onion, and Rosemary

Ingredients:Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Onion and Rosemary 2

  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed
  • 4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 5-6 green onions, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped finely
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. If sprouts are very small, cut in half; otherwise cut into quarters. Cook the sprouts until barely tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring, until just crisp, 5-6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain on a paper towel. Pour out all but about 1 tablespoon bacon fat from the pan.

Add olive oil to the pan.   Add green onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until soft but not browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in rosemary, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high, add the Brussels sprouts, and cook, tossing or stirring occasionally, until tender and warmed through and beginning to brown, about 3-5 minutes. Add the bacon and balsamic vinegar.  Stir an additional minute.  Pour into serving dish and enjoy!

*adapted from this recipe at Eating Well

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

A Little Birdie to say Happy Mother’s Day

/ Jodi / 61 Comments
goldfinch watercolor drawabirdday

Goldfinch Watercolor Doodlewash for Draw A Bird Day

Some of you may remember the darling little goldfinch I captured in a photo recently as his family has become a regular in our backyard and at the feeders.

I decided to do a quick little watercolor and doodlewash him for today’s monthly #drawabirdday.

I am out of town today, but he is flying by to wish all the Moms out there the happiest of Mother’s Days!

Being a mom has unequivocally been the greatest privilege of my life and has provided me with such joy and love.

Thank you Jake and Nick for all you have given me.  My life would not be nearly as extraordinary if it weren’t for what each of you has given me since the days you were born.

Now that you are grown men with lives of your own, I thank you even more for still allowing me the honor of being a part of your lives and being your Mom.  And thank you for the beautiful ladies in Colleen and Liz that you have allowed me to “mother” too.

I am the luckiest Mom of all!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi