Owning our story can be hard, but not
nearly as difficult as spending our
lives running from it. Embracing our
vulnerabilities is risky, but not nearly
as dangerous as giving up on love
and belonging and joy – the experiences
that make us the most vulnerable. Only
when we are brave enough to explore
the darkness will we discover
the infinite power of our light.
One of my favorite Christmas gifts (heck – every gift is my favorite), but this one really speaks to my heart and was from the heart of someone who really gets me. It is a quote from a favorite book – Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown.
It is hanging in a place where I will read it every day, and this will be my mantra – to own my story, to embrace my vulnerabilities, and to not be afraid to explore the darkness, so I can discover my authentic light.
Will you make a New Year’s Resolution? Do you have a mantra or a life verse? Do you choose One Little Word each year?
I stole away early Saturday morning before the day got too busy and allowed myself some time to paint.
Everything seems to get so busy and stressful this time of year. Work schedule… holiday shopping and preparations… All wonderful things, but busy nonetheless.
And it seems my painting is one of the things that takes a back seat in times like this. Understandably so – but still something I miss.
So I’m trying to allow myself at least once a week to stow away in my art room for an hour to relax and do what I enjoy so much – watercolor painting – something – anything – as long as I can put some paint and water to paper.
This week, I painted this cozy little cabin in the wintry woods… maybe wishing for the coziness and relaxation that it evokes.
When finished, I thought it would make a lovely Christmas or Holiday Card or even thank you note for holiday gifts, so I’ve added this painting and prints and cards to our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop.
We were away this past weekend and awoke Sunday morning to a beautiful blanket of snow. When we returned home, however…. no snow.
So I’ll just pretend, for a while, that I’m snuggled under a fleece blanket by a fire in this cozy cabin while the snow is falling outside, and then I’ll go about my busy work and holiday schedule – feeling thankful for it all!
You know – we all have wings… Some are flashier than others… Some are easily seen… some are tucked in and hidden.
Let’s wear them magnificently?
I haven’t had much time for painting lately, but I was really in the mood the other evening. I really felt like I needed to. So I decided to try something different, and this angel evolved. I think I will be doing more.
Watercolors used: Daniel Smith Quinacridone Gold, Raw Sienna, Lunar Black, and a splash of Cadmium Red. (Because every painting should have at least a hint of something red! Right Joyce?)
Well, my daughter-in-law, Colleen and I thought we would get in on the action too by offering a 10% discount on anything available in our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy Shop as our little holiday gift to you!
P.S. Speaking of Daughters-in-law and specials, my DIL Liz offers FREE 15-minute Nutritionist Phone Consultations to those local to the Mars/Pittsburgh area who are interested in learning about healthy decisions for eating well. Her areas of expertise include: digestive health complaints including SIBO, IBS, IBD (Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s), and GERD, Autoimmune conditions, Natural Hormone Balance, and General Health and Weight Management. Check out Nourish & Flourish for more details.
With Jodi’s kind permission I’m sharing some of my favourite posts from her fantastic blog, of which you could say that I’m a devoted follower. If you enjoy beauty, art and inspiration (not to mention mouth-watering food recipes) then Jodi’s blog simply has it all! I feel honoured that Jodi so generously allows me to […]
I was so honored by this beautiful post created by Liz at Exploring Color, I had to share. Thank you my sweet friend Liz from the other side of the world in New Zealand!
I hope you enjoy this beautiful post she created about the Four Seasons from my blog. My heart is so touched. I hope you will check out her lovely blog.
Four Seasons with Jodi
Autumn
I’m starting with Autumn because this recent post of Jodi’s prompted me to do ‘Four Seasons with Jodi’. It touched my heart…
Let the Rain Fall
Goldfinch in the Rain – Autumn, Mars, PA
I watched you as you sat proud and beautiful
while the rain fell on and around you.
You didn’t need
the sun to make you shine.
In fact,
you stood out even brighter in the cloudy drizzle.
And I was reminded
true beauty comes from within.
It can’t be soaked or drenched
or washed off.
It can’t be dampened or doused
by the storms of life.
Let the rain fall.
Let the storms crash.
And continue to shine
your authentic beautiful self.
How stinkin’ cute are these old-fashioned, rustic, sugar-free, no-calorie, cheerful, colorful candy canes – all packaged up to make them even more adorable?!
My DIL, Colleen, made them (and I’m secretly hoping there are some left over so I can buy them to decorate my tree!)
We’ll have these and lots of fun rustic pallet signs and decor as well as some of my holiday original and print watercolor art framed or not, holiday cards, and copies of Klaus the Mouse!
Yep! That’s where you will find us today if you are anywhere near Mars, PA! We’ll be smiling and celebrating with 260 other vendors spread out between the high school and the middle school with shuttle bus service between.
Love Heart Abstract Watercolor 11×14 140lb cold press
LOVE is all you need.
In these days of…
terrorism,
war,
shootings,
suicide,
drug abuse,
social pressures,
revelations of sexual abuse allegations,
fights over politics,
disagreement over religion…
Can’t we simply
seek
Love?
Why is it so hard…
to just Love?
Today is Sunday.
Our family will be gathering
to watch football
and eat together.
To me – that is love…
being together,
being there for each other,
spending time together,
supporting each other.
Let’s seek love
for ourselves,
for others,
and for the world.
There are those that believe the meaning of 11-11 (or 11:11) is a sign that angelic beings are close by. They come with love and protection, and they want to bring you clarity and guidance.
Not sure if I believe in angels being especially near at 11:11 or that making a wish will come true, but it is a pretty awesome number….. 1111…
and a fun opportunity to paint angel wings with glittery numbers and count my many blessings.
the creative life in between 