Gratitude and Thanksgiving.
Be grateful
for the little things.
Because when you are,
you will be amazed
at how they multiply
into the big things.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
blogger
All is Calm
All is Calm – Snowy Winter Watercolor in Blue – 11×14
All is Calm.
We have just begun experiencing frosty mornings
and the flurry and dusting of snowflakes here and there.
It is well past due in our little corner of the world,
and I always look forward to it.
I am dreaming of the beauty of snowy, moonlit winter evenings
curled up with a warm, fuzzy blanket and a crackling fire
When all is calm,
and all is bright.
So I painted this scene in watercolor,
and it takes me to that place and that feeling.
The gift of creating.
The joy of art.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
P.S This painting, like most all of my paintings, is available in our McKinneyX2Designs ETSY shop as an original or in prints sized 11×14, 8×10, or 5×7 as well as boxed greeting cards. It will also be going with me to the Mars Craft Show on Saturday, November 17th!
Golden Beauty
Our Neighbor’s Yard – Mars, PA – November 4, 2018
Golden Beauty.
Most all the trees are bare with
their leaves now carpeting the ground.
Except this golden beauty
who decides each Autumn to make a statement.
It’s a standout amidst the others
in their stripped bare dormant state.
It’s like the late bloomer
who was awkward as a child
But is now the greatest beauty
as its come into its own.
It’s like the last crop
of buttery golden sweet corn
that bursts with the most intense flavor
as if it knows it will be the taste that lingers until the next season comes.
It’s like the brightest sunshine
lighting up the Autumn day
that knows the days are growing shorter,
so it must glow brilliantly while it can.
It’s like the golden rings
worn by the elderly couple
that represent the long-lasting commitment
through richer and poorer, sickness and health, good times and bad.
Thank you golden beauty
for reminding me once more
that hanging on or being last
is sometimes worth the wait.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Light of Dawn
Daybreak – Mars, PA – October, 2018
The Light of Dawn.
They say it is always darkest
just before dawn.
It gives me hope.
It fuels my dreams.
I will not let the darkness
limit my heart and mind
from seeking and seeing
the light of dawn
and the promise of hope
that comes just before dawn.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A Bright Poinsettia
Bright Poinsettia 11×14 Original Watercolor
A Bright Poinsettia.
I so enjoyed painting this bright and happy poinsettia recently.
(And it’s nice to think bright and happy thoughts with all the dark and sad news of the past few days.)
Using my dagger brush (which I need to use more often), it was fun to just let this painting evolve and happen on the paper. The dagger brush is “floppy” and loose, yet also allows for wonderful control changing wide strokes to points.
I’m really pleased with how it turned out! It actually makes me smile to look at.
I’m also thrilled that my new printer is able to produce gorgeous 11×14 prints that look so much like the original, so this option will be added to my paintings in our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop. I also added this design to the Society6 shop, so it can be made into pillows and mugs and other fun stuff.
Wishing you a bright and happy day!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS Only 55 days until Christmas 😉 and only 2 1/2 weeks until the big Mars Craft Show (Saturday, 11/17/18) AND Christmas in the Woods at Berry Vine Gifts (11/16-18/18)
Change
October Autumn Leaves, Wexford, PA
Change.
When the fear of change
challenges your thoughts
and stifles your actions,
look to the leaves of Autumn.
Marvel in their bold beauty,
and allow them to ignite your bravery.
Dare to embrace something new.
Confront your experience differently.
Welcome the transformation.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Dog Days of Autumn – A Charlie Guest Post
Charlie relaxing in the Dog Days of Autumn – October, 2018 – Mars, PA
The Dog Days of Autumn – A Charlie Guest Post.
Who says dogs like summer best?
I say hold your horses…
The dog days of summer
are for the birds!
Maybe it is the elephant in the room,
or maybe you consider me pig-headed,
but I’m going to let the cat out of the bag
and tell you Fall is the cat’s meow!
It just makes me mad as a hornet
and really gets my goat
when folks don’t realize the lion’s share of enjoyment
weasels out in the crisp breeze of Autumn.
Are you like a fish out of water when the leaves start to turn?
I promise Autumn is not a one trick pony.
You’ve got to believe me – I wouldn’t hurt a fly…
Fish or cut bait, and enjoy the beauty.
So when summer’s gone to the dogs
and I get ants in my pants,
I watch like a hawk
for the smoldering heat and humidity to quit cold turkey
And I head out on a wild goose chase
and let sleeping dogs lie
for the red herring is truly
the Dog Days of Autumn!
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.
Under the Sea
Under the Sea – Dolphin Watercolor 11×14
Under the Sea.
It seems like such a magical place to me.
So when I was trying to decide what I could see
in the splashing I created so free…
A fish… a dolphin… a magical creature came to be.
I recently bought a new printer – A Canon Pixma Pro-100, and I was anxious to see how it worked creating prints and cards. I am so pleased! Above is a shot of the original with a mat and frame loosely placed on it to see what it might look like framed, as well as an 8×10 print and cards I printed on my new printer.
If you are looking for me…
under the sea is where I’ll be dreaming to be.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A Krautfest Rhyme
A Krautfest Rhyme.
Once upon a time
in a neighborhood by a lake,
a group of friends gathered.
There was saurkraut to make.
500 pounds of cabbage
was cleaned and quartered and chopped.
Then young and old, expert and new,
sliced it down – they couldn’t be stopped.
Once sliced it went
to the station to be weighed.
Salt was added.
It’s how you make homemade.
Into crocks and buckets
it went to be pound.
It starts the fermentation
and keeps it safe and sound.
No krautfest could ever
be quite complete
without hugs and laughs and games
and plenty of treats to eat.
There was a tub of apples
waiting for kids to bob.
While others were pressed into juice,
which many found to be a fun job.
After working and eating and drinking
away the day,
evening arrived,
and instruments were brought out to play.
Singing with friends,
(only some truly in tune)
is surely the best way
to end a krautfest afternoon.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Thanks so much and mostest
to our amazing hosts and hostesses.
Love you Joyce and Rob and Nikole and Michael
for continuing the annual krautfest cycle!
If you would like to see previous years’ Krautfests, feel free to click HERE and HERE and HERE.
What’s Stopping You?
What’s Stopping You?
The best built,
longest lasting,
chained and locked gate
can’t block
the sun
from shining brightly through.
What’s
stopping
you?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 