Chinese lantern flower – Phipp’s Conservatory – Spring 2017
So small.
So delicate.
So intricate.
So powerful.
So bright
without a light.
Nature’s symbol
of life’s joy.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#cherishthemoments
#onebeautifulthingeachday
Easy Skinny Zucchini Pasta Caprese.
I bought a few zucchini recently itching to use my Spiralizer again, and I created this super easy, wicked fast, uber healthy, gloriously delicious lunch that came together in 10 minutes. Seriously!
I spiralized two small/medium zucchini to create the “pasta” and tossed them in a skilled with some minced garlic and a dash of red pepper flakes sizzling in olive oil. After just a few minutes. I tossed in some chopped fresh basil, chopped campari tomatoes, and some grated Parmesan cheese.
After I poured it from the skillet to my bowl, I sprinkled it with some fresh black pepper and flaked sea salt. That’s it!
And it was absolutely amazing! You will seriously question if you are eating fresh pasta! I can’t wait to make it again and again this summer when I am able to pick the fresh produce right from my yard.
Here’s the simple recipe I came up with:
Ingredients:
Directions:
Spiralize zucchini.
Heat olive oil in stir fry skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. After about a minute when oil begins to sizzle around garlic, add zucchini. Cook for 3-4 minutes, tossing every minute or so. Add chopped tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan. Cook and toss for about 2 more minutes.
Pour into bowl or on plate. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Partly cloudy?
Partly sunny?
Sunshine on a cloudy day…
What could be more divine?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Do you happen to have A SONG in your head about right now?
One New Beautiful Thing – Along My Daily Walk
One New Beautiful Thing.
As you walk along life’s pathway –
which often seems to go the same ole’ way,
Challenge yourself to find
just one new beautiful thing each day.
Open your eyes and open your heart –
it is right there in front of you if only you look.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Friendship Hummer Watercolor – 8×10 140 lb Saunders Cold Press
One of my besties is on a well-deserved vacation. It is her first extended vacation away in two years from being a full-time caregiver to her parents who she loves so dearly and takes such wonderful care of.
In her travels through Oregon, she visited a gift shop where she discovered the amazing art of Dean Crouser. She sent me a photo of a wall of his artwork with a friendly “challenge” to create a similar piece for her.
So here is my attempt. It was fun creating it with the love I feel for this special friend. And though it is nowhere near the artistic genius of Dean Crouser, I’m hoping she will love it since it was made especially for her full of love and admiration and gratitude for her friendship.
Love you Janet!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
In case you forgot to remind yourself this morning…
It’s a new day ready for fresh beginnings.
Your smile can light up a room.
Your beauty is way more than just your appearance.
You alone are more than enough.
You are doing a pretty awesome job at this thing called life.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS – I also need to remind myself of this, and these maple tree seedpods I fondly remember as “helicopters” from my childhood spring days at Grandma’s remind me of the hope each day brings and the beauty and potential we all have within just waiting to be shared.
Cherish the Moments!
Sizzling Lemon Butter Scallops in Skillet
Lemon Butter Scallops.
If you are looking for a super quick and easy and even more super delicious scallop recipe, I’ve got a winner for you!
I picked up a 12oz bag of “Specially Selected Premium Jumbo Scallops” at Aldi the other day to make something a little different for dinner for hubby and me.
As a quick side note – I am such a super fan of Aldi. I am a bit late to the game and was really not sure about it at first, but now…. every time I go, I love it more! I swear it costs half of what I pay at our other local supermarkets. I am always astonished when I walk out with a cart full of food for $100 or so. And not only is it so greatly priced, but the quality is amazing. The produce is fresh, the selection is nice, and I feel like I am being environmentally conscientious when I pack my own bags instead of coming home with 20 more plastic bags.
These scallops were absolutely delicious, and if I recall correctly, they were less than $10. I didn’t realize what a great source of protein they are. A 4-ounce serving has 19 grams of protein, 100 calories and 1 gram of fat (0 saturated fat).
So here is the way I made them. (Enough rambling – right??!!) Simple yet delectable. We had them with some butternut squash risotto (which I also picked up at Aldi) and a fresh green salad. (And no I am not being paid by Aldi – though I should inquire! wink!)
Ingredients:
Directions:
Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a 12-inch skillet, add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add scallops in a single layer to hot oil in skillet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Brown 1-2 minutes and then turn. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper. Add butter and allow to melt. Add lemon juice, and flip scallops again to coat with lemon, butter, and garlic. Sprinkle with freshly minced rosemary, and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
An Upcycled Bookstore Bookshelf.
Upcycle… DIY… Recycle… Repurpose – whatever you call it – I am thrilled with the job Hubby did (with a teensy bit of help from me in the painting department) taking this used bookstore bookshelf and converting it into a beautiful matting and gift wrapping station for my art studio.
This old bookshelf is one of the few items I received of my brothers after his passing recently. It was from his bookstore, and his life’s passion was books.
This is what it looked like when we got it.
Hubby sanded it down and patched it up. He added wheels to the bottom so it could easily be turned around since it was a double bookshelf on both sides, and he made a beautiful top for it. I painted it with red chalk paint to fit into my art studio.
I put my mat cutter on top and boxes of matting board on one of the shelves. It makes a great spot to cut and frame art work or photos.
I filled a bin with ribbons and bows and buckets with gift tags, tape, and scissors.
When turned around, I loaded the shelves with a variety of gift bags – plain, all occasion, birthday, wine, and holiday. An old canning pot sits beside the bookshelf filled with rolls of kraft and wrapping paper as well as old maps (which make great wrapping paper too.)
I’ve long been wanting a special place to store supplies and have for wrapping gifts, and I am thrilled with how this turned out. It is a great addition to my Creation Station/Art Studio not only for its purpose but for the memories and special meaning this piece has.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there today! Enjoy your day – doing the things you love – with the ones you love – at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
8×10 Watercolor Dachshund Puppy on 140lb Saunders Cold Press
A Birthday Dachshund Puppy Watercolor Painting.
I have to say I was a bit taken aback when we received a message on our McKinneyx2Designs Etsy page from a sweet lady named Sarah telling us (my daughter-in-law, Colleen and I) that she loved our shop and asked if I could paint a dachshund for her best friend’s birthday.
My first reaction was to immediately decline. Then I decided to wait a day before responding and secretly give it a try… just for fun… to see if I could even do it.
I seriously allowed myself to have fun with it. Not worrying if she would like it or not. I had recently picked up a tube of Daniel Smith Lunar Black just for kicks recalling Debi Riley mentioning a while back, and thought this would be a great opportunity to give it a try.
For this painting, I used only three colors: Daniel Smith Lunar Black, Yellow Ochre, and Permanent Deep Red, and I painted loosely and quickly.
I’m happy to report Sarah loved it!
And don’t tell Charlie…. but it makes me want want one of these cute little Dachshund puppies!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Jenna’s Roses in Impressionist Watercolor 8×10 Saunders 140lb Cold Press
Jenna’s Roses in Watercolor.
My super-talented, creative, artistic blogging friend, Jenna at The Painted Apron reached out recently to ask if I was interested in a “crazy idea.”
Jenna asked if I would be interested in both of us doing a floral watercolor from the same photo and sharing them to show how every artist interprets differently and has their own unique style.
I immediately said “Yes!” Initially honored and excited, then doubtful and nervous, I waited for Jenna to provide the photo.
When Jenna sent this photo of gorgeous roses, I said “Let’s do it!” Then I thought…. what did I get myself into?! Roses are so complex and intricate. And look at all of the detail in this photo. My first painting was an effort to replicate. It was ok, but it wasn’t “Jodi.”
I then decided to just create the beauty I felt from the photo, and I came up with my version. Still not sure I love it, but I like it… and I really, really enjoyed creating it. I painted it this past weekend during a sunny afternoon on the deck. It is fun and completely different painting outdoors when the air and sun dries the paint much faster than while inside in the studio.
Here is Jenna’s painting of the rose photo. Isn’t it beautiful?! She is a real artist!
Jenna is my blogger “soul sister” in so many ways. We both enjoy being creative with art and recipes and decorating and entertaining. Be sure to check out her blog, The Painted Apron. I’m sure you will enjoy! Jenna also sells her art at www.society6.com/paintedapron where her art is made into tote bags and mugs and pillows and iPhone skins and many other beautiful things. Hope you will check it out.
Thanks for the fun challenge, Jenna!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 