Expect Surprises.
Around the bend…
on the other side of the bridge.
Along the edge of the road…
after the rain.
Before the “main event”…
in simple places.
In between the drops of rain…
when the sunshine peeks.
Look closely…
and pay attention.
Expect surprises.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This photo was taken on the property of a country wedding we attended this past weekend. It was a several-hour, stay-overnight kind of trip to a remote place that was full of happy, special, loving surprises.
Grandma’s Bleeding Heart – A Mother’s Day Flower
The Best Mother’s Day Gift.
When I was a young, extremely naive, stay-at-home mom
to two energetic and spirited little boys,
the perfect Mother’s Day “gift” would have been
an hour or two of peace and quiet all to myself to do whatever I pleased.
But now that I am an older, experienced, working-outside-the-home mom
to two amazing and independent young men,
and have gained two “daughters”
and a granddaughter too…
the perfect Mother’s Day “gift” has become
an hour or two of time together
to love and laugh and appreciate
the greatest gift of all…
The gift of
being a Mom!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Be a Mermaid
Makes Waves!
A friend recently asked if I could paint a mermaid for her for a baby shower she is going to where the baby girl’s nursery theme is mermaids.
What fun it was to paint this in watercolor! What a fun nursery theme too!
This painting makes cute cards, so I added prints and cards to our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop. I thought the prints might be fun for little one’s rooms or nurseries and the cards for birthdays or just “under the sea” fun!
And why not be like a mermaid, and make waves!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Bridal Shower Money Gift: A Champagne Bottle Wedding Dress.
Money is always a welcomed gift – right?
But it is also BORRRRING to give.
When going to a bridal shower, one of the main events is the gift opening, so I often try to figure out a creative presentation.
My daughter-in-law hosted a bridal shower this weekend for her sister. What an amazing job she did, and what a beautiful day we were gifted with.
I created this champagne bottle money wedding dress as my gift. It was so easy to do, and I had everything to make it on hand.
I took a bottle of champage and wrapped it in white tulle and lace. I embellished it with paper flowers, pearls, and crystal gems and created a veil with additional tulle. Everthing was glued on with a hot glue gun or Tombow glue.
I then pinned the money on with straight pins all around to form a layer of the dress.
Several years ago, I made a Happy Birthday Money Cake for one of my sons. It has been the most popular blog post ever here at TheCreativeLifeinBetween.com. Seems lots of folks are looking for creative ways to give gifts of money, so I hope you all enjoy this one too.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Taking a Blogcation.
Hi Friends! On May 18, 2014, I published my very first blog post.
Almost four years later, I’ve been blogging daily or at least five days a week.
I’ve never taken a blogcation – even when I was on vacation!
So I’m thinking I deserve a little break.
I hope you understand.
I am going to take a week or two off as I focus on a few other things going on in my life right now, including a new full-time career.
I’ll try to check in on occassion and may even have a chance to post a time or two, but forgive me if you don’t hear from me for a little while. Know I am well… very well and happy!
Looking forward to connecting again soon here at “life in between!”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
“From a Distance” Abstract Acrylic 12×12
Free-Flowing Fluid Art.
This past weekend, I experimented with another form of art using an acrylic pouring method to create these abstract pieces.
These are my first efforts, and there is so much more you can do with this technique using different tools and surfaces and colors. I’m longing to find time to try again and create “cells” in the pour by adding oily products to the paint and pouring medium.
The main objective is to create a pouring texture of paint using an additive like Floetrol (used by house painters to improve performance and reduce brush marks as well as allow latex paint to spray like oil-based paint, and ultimately to save money by “stretching” the paint). You can also purchase pouring medium products from many acrylic paint companies like Golden or Liquitex. Some people use Elmer’s glue! Water will even do the trick (though may dilute the paint a bit more).
“The Heart of the Stream” Abstract Acrylic 8×8
These are done on artist quality canvases and sprayed with a gloss varnish to seal the paint and make them shine.
What a joy to let loose and create magical mysteries.
Wishing you a day ahead that is sprinkled with magic and mystery.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Lightened Up Vinaigrette Broccoli Salad.
I love broccoli – cooked or raw.
And I love broccoli salad.
The traditional version has a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, and it is delicious!
But I was looking for a way to “lighten it up” a bit when making dinner one day this week, so I tried it with a vinaigrette dressing instead.
And it is DELISH too!
It is lighter and fresher tasting, and it is about half the calories of the traditional version!
This really is a nice twist on a classic that is healthier and just as yummy.
Here is how I made it.
Ingredients:
Directions: Combine first seven ingredients in large bowl. Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over salad and toss to coat well. Refrigerate for several hours before serving.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
You May Hear Me Being Called… A Charlie Guest Post
My mom calls me “Char.”
My niece calls me “E!”
My brothers call me “Chuck.”
My dad calls me “Buddy.”
But at different times,
and in different circumstances,
you may hear me being called….
“Bed Hog” in the middle of the night.
“Mooch” when someone is eating.
“Bad” when I steal food from the table while nobody is looking.
“Pest” when I want breakfast at 6am on Sunday mornings.
“Good Boy” when I allow my niece to take a bone from my mouth.
“Silly” when I chase my own tail.
“Noisy” when I want to play with my squeaky donut while Dad is still sleeping.
“Stinky” when I roll in something wonderful in the yard.
It’s a wonder I even know my name – huh?
You really can call me anything you want,
but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
don’t
ever
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 the UPS 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: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
Lemon Lavender Loaf.
Fresh, bright, tart lemon zest and juice mixed with sweet, flowery, fragrant dried lavender buds in a beautifully glazed loaf.
I couldn’t decide if this should be considered a bread or a cake, so I am simply calling it loaf. Plus I love the alliteration of a name where all the words start with the same Lovely Letter!
A dear friend gifted me a bag of dried lavender recently, and I have been dying to use it. I finally found some time early Sunday morning to bake this beautiful loaf to enjoy on a beautiful Spring day.
It is light and soft and such a perfect Springtime treat.
Here is how I made it.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Prepare two loaf pans with shortening and flour. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Cream butter and sugar in electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, and continue mixing until mixture looks like buttercream frosting.
Gently mix in salt and baking soda.
Add lemon zest and juice to buttermilk, and set aside.
To batter, alternate adding flour and lemon buttermilk in three additions, and mix just until incorporated. Stir in lavender.
Pour into prepared pans and bake approximately 45 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool loaves 10 minutes in pans. Remove and cool completely.
Once cool, prepare glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, lemon zest and juice, and lavender. Pour over loaves.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*Original recipe slightly adapted from FudgeRipple
Ballet Slippers Watercolor 8×10
Dancing into a New Week.
Happy Sunday.
Happy New Week.
Dance into it like you mean it –
whether pirouetting, plieing, or pencheing.
No matter your move,
make it meaningful. Make the most of it!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Thanks to Sam Allen at Peacock Poetry for posting a photo and poem that inspired this painting.
PS This original painting as well as prints and cards are available in our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy Shop.
the creative life in between 