independence day

Independence Day

/ Jodi / 25 Comments

Abstract American Flag Watercolor by Jodi McKinney 11×14

Independence Day.

“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”

– Peter Marshall

Independence Day* (the Fourth of July) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain and were now united, free, and independent states.  The Congress had voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2, but it was not declared until July 4.

In honor of this special day, I painted a very abstract version of the American Flag in watercolor for #WorldWatercolorMonth.

Have a fun, free, righteous, independent day!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*Wikipedia

Amber Waves of Grain

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Amber Waves of Grain - America the Beautiful

Amber Waves of Grain – America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

America the Beautiful.

Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire.

Happy Birthday America!  Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

On our way home from dinner out one evening a week or so ago, I convinced Hubby to pull over when we drove by fields of grain growing as far as the eyes could see as the sun was setting.   Amber waves of grain glowing in the sunset caused me to pause and rejoice in the beauty of the country we live in.

And lest you be fooled by the gloriousness of the moment… To get the right angle, I tried squatting in the field when my leg decided to cramp up, so I ended up on the ground with muddy knees and bum, and Hubby asking if I fell as he saw me rolling on the ground.  Thank goodness nobody else saw!  Just keeping it real here….. at life in between.

 

Lake Park Bash 2016

/ Jodi / 49 Comments

flags and roses

Happy Fourth of July to the USA!

flags

We are relaxing today after a fun-filled weekend

flag centerpieces

at the Second Annual Lake Park Bash

flag pallet

hosted by the the best ever “hood”

da hood

in Conneaut Lake, PA…

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Look at this crew in their red, white, and blue

lake park gang

from Lake Park Way!

lake park way

Whether by land or by sea…

lake park landing

a fun time was a guarantee!

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A photo booth welcomed guests

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and hosts alike.

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Some of us were silly…

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pb 3

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an others were very pretty.

pb 2

pb 10

pb 7

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Friends and family

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and my most specialiast of all ladies.  ❤

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There were refreshing drinks

beer

sangria

wine

greenhouse drinks

because the cutest mixologists/most generous hosts/sweetest family ever made sure!

Nik and Mike

There was food galore…

food line 1

food line 2

with lots of meat…

meat

food chicken

food chicken 2

food line 3

and of course there were also

food desserts

plenty of treats!

food desserts cookies

food eating

To work  play it off

hot rod

there where games a plenty…  Like Twister

twister

and life-sized Kerplunk

kids noah kerplunk

and Jenga

jenga

and corn hole

corn hole

and Bocci Ball to name a few.

bocci

bocci 2

bocci 3

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There was also music

music

kids music

and young ones to make life bright.

kids

kids mason

kids running

All were winners

twister winner

on a gorgeous Saturday.

eating

And when the sun set

greenhouse night

the bonfires lit and the sparklers twinkled

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while fireworks glowed and banged and shined.

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And then since one day was just not enough…

there were bloody marys and screwdrivers with the next morning’s coffee

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and a shared breakfast of pancakes with blueberries and chocolate chips

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and scrambled eggs and bacon and sausage.

morning after breakfast

morning after breakfast 3

morning after breakfast 2

The Lake Park Bash was a real holiday treat!  Thanks to all that made it so sweet!

aerial

Hope you are enjoying –
wherever you are –
the special moments to cherish.
Reach for a star!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Hope Your Fourth of July is a Splash!

/ Jodi / 32 Comments
watercolor fireworks 5x7 fourth of july

watercolor fireworks 5×7 fourth of july

Happy Independence Day!

Not much time for painting this weekend since we are busy celebrating, but had to at least splash a little red, white and blue (with a touch of quinacridone gold too) for #WorldWatercolorMonth!

watercolor abstract fourth of july flag 5x7

watercolor abstract fourth of july flag 5×7

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Fresh Red Raspberry Puff Pastry Tart

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

red raspberry puff pastry tart 1

If you are looking for a fresh, light, simple, yet surprisingly impressive dessert to take to a holiday picnic or serve for a simple weekend dinner party, I’ve created this quick, but scrumptious and beautiful fresh red raspberry puff pastry tart using fresh fruit combined with the convenience of frozen puff pastry.

red raspberry puff pastry tart

For the Memorial Day holiday weekend (or Fourth of July or Labor Day), you could use some blueberries in this one too for a red, white, blue theme.

red raspberry puff pastry tart 2

Here’s my easy peasy recipe that is bound to to get rave reviews!

Fresh Red Raspberry Puff Pastry Tart

Ingredients:red raspberry puff pastry tart 1

  • I pint fresh red raspberries
  • 1/4 cup apricot or raspberry or your favorite jam (I used apricot, because it is what I had, and it made a nice combination of flavors)
  • 1 sheet Pepperidge Farms Frozen Puff Pastry (thawed 40 mins. at room temperature)
  • 1 Tbsp Honey
  • Powdered Sugar for Garnish

Directions:

Unfold and place sheet of puff pastry on baking stone or baking sheet and turn up edges on all sides to create a crust edge.  Poke center with fork 6-8 times to prevent center from raising up too high.  Bake at 400 degrees F for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown.

While still warm, spread jam on bottom of baked puff pastry. Place half of fresh raspberries on top and mash with a fork.  Allow to cool completely.

Once cooled, place whole fresh red raspberries on top.  Drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

To serve, cut into 6 pieces and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.  

Hope you enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Cause, baby, you’re a firework

/ Jodi / 16 Comments

fireworks

This past weekend was our local Cranberry Township Community Days.

One of the highlights of this event is the fireworks display that occurs on the last evening of the three-day celebration.

Cranberry Township Community Day used to occur on July 4th (Independence Day) every year, so the fireworks display has become a tradition and symbol of this celebration.

Hubby works for Cranberry Township.   So for the past 15 or so years, we have had front row “reserved” seats for the show.

In fact, we are so close that we have been hit with ash and get to “enjoy” the sulfur smell of the explosives as they light up the sky.

It’s all part of the fun and adventure!

Photographing fireworks is quite difficult.  I should have researched and studied a bit, and I should’ve taken a tripod!

But here is one that represents a snippet of the fun and beauty of the night.

It was a great show, and a great celebration of a wonderful community.

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend – finding time to relax and celebrate – all the traditions, symbols, and activities that make life so sweet – at life in between.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Lake Park Bash Fun

/ Jodi / 26 Comments

signs

What a fun Fourth of July Holiday Weekend we had!

I am just catching up after a great picnic in Conneaut Lake with family and friends…

a couple hours of sleep at the best “Brugnoli B&B”…

then off to Cleveland to to celebrate a wedding with more wonderful friends!

aerial

So today, I’m sharing a little photo journal of the fun festivities we had the great pleasure of being a part of at The First Annual Lake Park Bash!

Group Shot

And I’m guessing, it will not be the last!

group telephoto

I hope you will join me in reminiscing on the fun gathering.

1st Annual Lake Park Bash

We were greeted by an “Uncle Sam” Scarecrow

uncle sam scarecrow 2

and festive decorations in red, white and blue.

table decor

Those who arrived by boat, were greeted by a salute from George himself

 

Lake Park Landing

and directed with arrows to point the way to the party.

This Way

One you got near, the smell of smoking chickens, pork, lamb, and beef permeated the perfect summertime breeze.

 

Meat Truck

chickens

Pig

And an ice cream truck offered sweet treats to satisfy every child….

Ice Cream

and every grown up

ice cream 2

with delectable, cool, creamy yumminess.

ice cream 3

There was plenty of beer…

Beer Station

and “Crappie White” wine

Crappie White Wine

and “Chewed Alive Red,” and even a special Fraternity Brother Blend!

Chewed Alive Red Wine

There were games galore –

like Kerplunk,

Kerplunk

and Bocci Ball,

Bocci

and Corn Hole,

corn hole

and pickle ball,

games

and putt putt.

Putt Putt

There were crafts

 

kids crafts

pennants

and hula hoops

Hula Hoop

and music

band

and dancing.

dancing

dancing al on ground

There were families

families

and friends

ladies

and lots and lots of hugs,

hugs

 

Ella and Marty

and even High Fives!

High Five

Puppies joined in on the fun.

puppy

New talents were discovered…

 

musking hula hoop

and serious discussions were had.

conversations

There were private little chats,

laughs

and twinkle lights when the day grew dim.

 

flags fence lights

bikes

And the day didn’t end until early the next morning

with bonfire songs sung with guitar and fiddle.

bonfire

It was a great Bash on the Lake Park cul-de-sac.

Thanks to the members of “da hood” for allowing us to be a part of it!

da hood

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Happy Friday – Fourth of July!

/ Jodi / 3 Comments

Celebrate Today 4th of JulyWoohoo!  Not only is it Friday, but it’s a holiday – Independence Day!  An extra day off work and a day to celebrate.

celebrate today 4th of july insideI was inspired to make a red, white, and blue celebration card and already gave it to someone special.

celebrate today 4th of july flatI’m having fun with a more abstract look in my card making lately using watercolor paper and spritzing and splotching.  I’m loving white embossed on vellum too – and touches of gold string.  And lately, most every card uses the “Gorgeous Grunge” stamp in one way or another.

Hope you and yours enjoy the long holiday weekend…

and celebrate today…

at Life in Between.

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi