Year: 2017

Smile

/ Jodi / 38 Comments

smile-perylene-green-watercolor

Smile…

I know that this may sound cliche,
but won’t you give it a try today?

When you see someone whose eyes are dim,
greet them with a wide, happy grin?

Show those dimples and pearly whites,
it may just be their day’s highlight.

A smile is contagious and fun to spread.
Just do it, you’ll see – full speed ahead!

It could be the cure that heals the blues,
maybe even the common cold and flu.

It’s easy, and it is free to give.
it can even be a kind forgive.

A simple smile can spread some light,
and be the way to make a day bright.

It’s a gesture, it’s a gift,
it can be a huge lift.

If everyone tried this once per day,
imagine how lovely… imagine how gay.

You can turn the world on with your smile
You can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

RIP Mary Tyler Moore – Your smile will be remembered

 

Everyday Heroes

/ Jodi / 34 Comments

homeless-bags-from-everyday-heroes

Everyday Heroes
are everywhere.

I was talking with a friend/work colleague
on the phone just yesterday.

She was driving into town for a meeting,
and we were discussing the agenda.

All of the sudden, she interrupted our conversation,
“Hold on…. Hold on!”

And then I heard her shout in a friendly tone,
“Sir!  Sir! Here you go?”

“My hands are so cold!”
I heard a male voice say.

“There are gloves in here
and some food and a little bit of money.”

My friend – an everyday woman on her way to the office –
swerved to the side of the road to hand a homeless man a bag.

You see, she carries several with her in her car at all times
and hands them out when she sees someone in need.

Everyday hero –  that’s what you are!
My friend, you never cease to amaze me.

And we can all be heroes…
everyday heroes…

It only takes one small act of kindness
to spread a great amount of love!

What can you do today?
What WILL you do today?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

These Little Piggies

/ Jodi / 51 Comments

claras-toes-9-weeks-old

These Little Piggies

When I kiss them
and rub them
and tuck them in
her little jammies,

I think about
the first wobbly steps they will take and then the walks that will follow holding mommy’s or daddy’s hands and later with a beloved friend or pet or me.

I think about
the times she will stand tall and proud on them for important things she believes in.

I think about
the times when she will vehemently “put her foot down” about something important to her.

I think about
her skipping on a hopscotch game chalked on the pavement or into the house with her heart fluttering from her first kiss.

I think about
her jumping rope in the playground or jumping off a diving board or from a plane.

I think about
her dipping them in and splashing at the edge of a pond or kicking them in the vast ocean.

I think about
her marching in a band like her mommy and daddy or in an important protest that could change the world.

I think about
her putting them gingerly on top of her Daddy’s trusting, sturdy feet learning to dance.

I think about her slipping them gracefully into delicate ivory wedding shoes to dance with the love of her life.

But for now,
I just kiss them
and rub them
and tuck them in her little jammies.

And I am thankful
for these little piggies.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Canon EOS Rebel T5

Freedom

/ Jodi / 55 Comments

swing-freedom

Freedom

Remember when
freedom was
being able to pump your legs
on your own
instead of being pushed
so that you could swing so high
you felt you could kick the sky?

You felt the wind
in your face
and butterflies
in your stomach
and you felt
like you were flying.
It was freedom.

And then you would choose
just the right moment
when you would leap
and let go
and truly fly
if only for a moment.
It was freedom.

My hope…
my prayer…
my wish…
my longing…
my yearning…
to the world
and to the universe

is that everyone…
no matter your
gender,
race,
religion,
sexual orientation,
or ethnicity

is afforded the right
and the privilege
to recall that feeling
and to achieve
the reality
of that freedom
we all deserve.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Foggy

/ Jodi / 35 Comments

foggy-early-morning-back-yard-012117

Foggy

When life gets foggy,
and my thoughts are foggy,
and my eyes are foggy early in the morning,

I step outside
and look to nature
and listen to how she handles it.

And I hear the owls hoot
and the turkeys gobble
and the birds tweet,

and everything
seems much more
clear.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Look Closely

/ Jodi / 36 Comments

pink-lily-center-detail-johnny-bereavement-bouquet

Look closely.
Look deeply.

Is it pretty?
Is it beautiful?

Does that matter?
Do you care?

When you look closely,
and when you look deeply,

Do you feel something?
Does it stir your soul?

Feel it,
Embrace it.

Look closely.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

In Love

/ Jodi / 36 Comments
pink-orange-gold-abstract-watercolor-with-hearts-11x14-on-300-lb-arches-cold-press

Pink Orange & Gold Abstract Watercolor with Hearts 11×14 on 300 lb Arches Cold Press

In love with…

Pink and orange and gold
and dots and lines
and hearts and swirls.

In love with…

Fridays with my little C
and smiles and snuggles
and happy times.

Happy Friday!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Abstract Watercolor done using:  Opera Pink, Quinacridone Rose, Cadmium Orange, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Iridescent Copper Plate Gold, and Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleedproof White, Salt, Twine, and Black Micron Pen.

McKinneyX2Designs

Loose Happy Yellow Flowers in Watercolor

/ Jodi / 61 Comments
loos-yellow-sunflowers-in-vase-watercolor-11x14-300-lb-arches

Loose Yellow Sunflowers in Vase-watercolor-11×14-300-lb-arches

Our January weather has been so unseasonable.

PRO:  Above normal temperatures – one day this week was one degree away from the warmest day on record with temperatures in the 60s!

CON:  Instead of bright, white snow, we are having rain and grey cloudy days.

SOLUTION:  Paint loose happy yellow sunflowers!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS:  This original painting, prints, and greeting cards of this are all available at our McKinneyX2Designs ETSY shop!

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

/ Jodi / 34 Comments

perfect-hard-boiled-egg

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

It’s a age old debate, and there are likely as many methods as there are stars in the sky, but I recently tried this method from a great book I’ve started devouring that was recommended by a friend, Deep Run Roots by Vivian Howard.  This book is as much a story as it is a cookbook and as much an inspiration as it is picture book.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  Vivian also has a PBS Series called A Chef’s Life and a restaurant called Chef & the Farmer.

So I tried Vivian’s method and loved it.  Complete simplicity and success.  A hard boiled egg generously topped with more salt and pepper than seems reasonable and a dab of Cholula hot sauce served on a bed of sprouts drizzled with fresh lemon juice = the perfect quick breakfast!

Here’s how to make them:

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

Place two eggs in a 2-quart sauce pan.  Cover with cool water to an inch above theperfect-hard-boiled-egg eggs.  Bring to a boil and cook for one minute.  Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes.  Drain the eggs, and run cold water over them until they are cool enough to handle.

If you are cooking more eggs, let sit 12 minutes.  

That’s it!  Simple!  Success!  The perfect food.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

A Few Favorites Lately

/ Jodi / 45 Comments

frozen-puddle-on-gravel-road-1

  • A rare Sunday morning when hubby woke up before me and brought me coffee in bed.
  • My granddaughter nestling in and napping in my arms after finishing her bottle.
  • Sunday family dinner eaten in the living room while watching football and carrying on three different conversations.
  • Shower planning for my future daughter-in-law with her mom and sister and chatting for more hours than planning.
  • An air kiss blown in the middle of the night when hubby rolled over.
  • The smell of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue sprayed on even on work-from-home days because it makes me feel happy.
  • The soft, fluffy feel and smell of Charlie’s fur after a much-needed bath.
  • The way my seat on the coach fits just right when I curly my legs up and lean left.
  • Stepping on frozen puddles on gravel roads and creating mesmerizing abstract designs.

You see, when life throws curve balls, like it always does, it helps to consider those lovely simple, favorite things, that make life special.

Cherish the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi