Autumn

Pumpkin it up around the House

/ Jodi / 53 Comments

Pumpkin it up around the House.

The heat wave finally broke yesterday around here, and it is beginning to feel like Fall!

This year I added a few new pumpkins to my collection in the form of pillows with my watercolor artwork on.

I decided to add a few of my art pieces to a McKinneyX2Designs Society6 shop to see how it would turn out.  I’m pretty thrilled with the quality of the pillows and pouches I ordered.

Besides that are some of my collection through the years, including signs and rustic pumpkins made by my DIL for our McKinneyX2 Etsy Shop and on display at Berry Vine Gifts in Bradford Woods (which by the way is holding a Fall Festival this weekend where I will be working this afternoon!)

I have pumpkins at the front door…

and at the back door.

There are pumpkins here..

and there…

and everywhere!

I’m hoping to add a few more to my collection today at the Fall Festival,

because I still have some pumpkin-less spaces!

If you would like to see more of my art on pillows and pouches and cups and mugs and notebooks and iPhone cases, and even furniture, check it out here:  Mx2 Society6.   There’s even a great Fall sale going on.  We also have some super new stuff added to our ETSY shop so you can Pumpkin it up around the house!

Happy Fall Y’All!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Painting Pumpkins

/ Jodi / 67 Comments

Abstract Pumpkin Watercolor 11×14

Painting Pumpkins.

Lest you think I just skipped over Autumn and Pumpkin time to Christmas from my last post, know I have pumpkin on the brain!

Last weekend, when I found some time to spend in my art studio, I painted the below painting first….

I thought it was “Mehhh…”

Pumpkins & Sunflower Watercolor 11×14

Then I let loose and painted the first one.

Simple….
but powerful
and satisfying.

This is my favorite way to paint.

Let loose!
Express yourself…
in bold, but simple ways.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Roasted Carrot Soup

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

Roasted Carrot Soup.

One day last week I woke up with a sore throat.

And even though the temps lately have been in the 80-90 degrees F range, there is a feeling of Autumn in the air.

In the mood for soup, I decided to create a roasted carrot soup with some vegies I had in the fridge.

It turned out SOOOO good!

I mean – how can you go wrong with roasted vegetables that include onion and garlic and fresh rosemary pureed into a creamy, warm, soothing soup?

You could add some greek yogurt or cream to make it even creamier, but I loved the freshness and healthiness of this soup that tastes like it is loaded with calories, but instead is low-calorie and loaded with flavor!

Hope you will give it a try.  I loved how it turned out!

Roasted Carrot Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. bag organic short cut carrots
  • 1 stalk celery, cut into chunks
  • 1/2 large sweet onion, cut into chunks
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 large ripe tomatoes, chunked
  • 1 large sprig fresh rosemary, minced
  • Maldon Sea Salt Flakes * (which I purchase through Amazon)
  • Freshly Ground Pepper
  • Olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • Croutons for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Layer first 8 ingredients in a large stoneware bar pan or shallow roasting pan.  Drizzle liberally with olive oil, and toss to coat.  Roast 30-40 minutes.

Transfer roasted vegetables to a pot.  Add chicken broth.  Blend with Immersion Blender or in food processor or blender until creamy.  (I love using an immersion blender as it is quick, efficient, and easy to clean up.)

Ladle into bowls, and top with croutons if desired.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*I have become such a huge fan of Maldon Sea Salt!  I’ve always been a salt lover, but these soft, flaky sea salt crystals have a clean salt flavor without the bitter after taste that table salts I’ve always used in the past leave.  It truly provides a freshness that enhances the flavor of food.  I so highly recommend it!  It not only tastes wonderful,  but it is also beautiful to season with.  AND, as a watercolor artist, I love it to use to create textures in my artwork!  I keep mine in a cute little bamboo salt box on the kitchen counter next to the stovetop for ease of grabbing pinches of for cooking.  Bravo Maldon!!  (and this is not a paid promotion in any way, shape, or form – I just seriously love this stuff!)

First Snow

/ Jodi / 53 Comments
First Snow - 11/19/17 - Mars, PA

First Snow – 11/19/17 – Mars, PA

First Snow.

There’s just something
about the first snow of the season…

That first snow that sticks to the ground and trees –
even if just a briefly passing dusting.

Especially when it happens on
a late Sunday afternoon.

And when it appears suddenly –
as if it wanted to be a special surprise.

And when you are settling in by a warm, crackling fire
in comfy home sweet home.

Cherish the Moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Kindness Day….(s)

/ Jodi / 38 Comments

Kindness Day…. (s)

Every Act
of Kindness
Grows
the Spirit
and
Strengthens
the Soul.

–Anonymous

November 13 is World Kindness Day.
Can’t we make every day be World Kindness Day?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Falling for Fall

/ Jodi / 32 Comments
Falling for Fall -Mars, PA - November 8, 2017

Falling for Fall -Mars, PA – November 8, 2017

Falling for Fall.

The days may grow shorter with darkness coming earlier….

but then we get to enjoy the warm glow of candlelight,
and breathe in the scents of pumpkin spice and cinnamon.

The air may grow crisp and the temperatures colder….

but then we get to wear flannels and hoodies and knit sweaters,
and sit by crackling warm fires under fleece blankets.

The leaves that once brought shade may turn dry and fall from the trees….

but then we get to kick and roll in the heaped, crunchy piles
and wait for sparkling white snow to stick to the bare brown branches.

The change of each new season…

brings opportunities for us to Fall for each one,
and embrace the joy and blessings it brings.

Fall for Fall!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi*

*A Born-Anew Autumn Lover!

 

On this Road called Life

/ Jodi / 62 Comments
Early November Morning Walk after the Storm - thecreativelifeinbetween.com

Early November Morning Walk after the Storm – thecreativelifeinbetween.com

On this Road called Life.

There will be ups and downs…
There will be twists and turns.

There will be sunshine and rain…
There will be seasons of change.

But straight roads
don’t make skillful drivers.

And flowers can’t grow
on smoothly paved roads.

This road called life
is your path to choose.

And if you don’t like the one you are traveling on….
pave a new.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

We had an unseasonably strong thunderstorm this past Saturday night, but Sunday morning brought shiny, clean beauty on my morning walk with Charlie that was made even sweeter by the extra hour of sleep gifted from “Falling Back” from Daylight Savings to Eastern Standard Time and the gorgeous colors of Autumn leaves.

Double Crumble Apple Crisp

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

Double Crumble Apple Crisp.

Nothing says Autumn like the taste of sweet, tender baked apples layered with cinnamony, nutty, crunchy oat crumble in a divine Apple Crisp.

Right?!

So of course I had to bake one with a bunch of apples I was gifted with from a local farm market.

Hubby likes his warm with creamy vanilla bean ice cream melting on it for dessert.

I like mine refrigerator cold for breakfast with steaming coffee flavored with Italian Sweet Cream.

However you like it, this is a classic worth making at least once each Autumn – just because!

Here is the recipe I like best, which is slightly tweaked from a recipe found at Creations by Kara.

Double Crumble Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 Tbsp + 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 7 large apples, peeled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

Combine oats, brown sugar, flour 1 Tbsp cinnamon, salt, and butter to crumble consistently.  Add chopped nuts and combine.

Press 1/3 of the mixture into the bottom of a round or square baking dish (9-11″).  Spread peeled, sliced apples on top.  Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.  Top with remaining crumble mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes until apples are tender and crumble is browned.

Serve warm with ice cream or cool whip or cold for breakfast (wink!) – however you prefer!

Enjoy

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Autumn Reflections

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

Autumn Reflections Watercolor 11×14 140 lb Cold Press

Autumn Reflections.

Looking back….
I wonder why

it took me
so long

to realize
the beauty

of Autumn’s
brilliant transformation.

Looking forward…
I appreciate the journey

that got me
to this place

where I embrace
the inspiration

of Autumn
reflections.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Sticks and Stones: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

Sticks and Stones:  A Charlie Guest Post.

I know you humans have a rhyme that says:
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones….”

And I get it….
It’s a good lesson about name calling…

But I LOVE sticks and stones!
They are nature’s toothbrush and toy all in one!

Even ask my baby niece!
She knows who to watch and learn from.

When Mom brings her outside,
she brings a blanket and toys for her to sit on and play with.

But she watches how her Uncle Charlie has fun!
I romp through the leaves and play with the sticks and stones.

And then she does the same.

I’m such a good uncle!
Don’t you think?

Woofs and 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, Jaeger the neighbor dog, 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.