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!
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!”
Pine Squirrel in the Spring Snow – Mars, PA – April 7, 2018
If you
can’t stop
thinking
about it,
Don’t stop
working
for it.
This little cutie is an American Red (Pine) Squirrel that hangs out in our back yard with the birds and other bigger squirrels (and chipmunks and turkey and deer and Charlie of course). These little squirrels only stand about 6 inches tall, being just a bit bigger than a chipmunk, and weigh about a half of a pound (200-250 g).
Saturday morning, we awoke to another Spring snow with two or three inches on the deck railing. This little bugger was not giving up on his quest to get to the (ahem) “bird” feeder for breakfast. I caught him burrowing full force through the snow that was taller than him when on all fours, but he was determined…. and he got there.
He reminded me not to give up and not to stop working on what we want and where we want to go.
Crossroads Original Abstract by Jodi McKinney 11×14 140lb Cold Press
Crossroads.
When we arrive at a crossroads,
it is an opportunity to let go of the past
and who we have been.
Which way will we go?
Who will we decide
we want to become?
This recent acrylic abstract painting I created is called Crossroads.
Lately, I am driven towards abstraction and experimenting with acrylics.
It is fun to try something new…
An opportunity to discover who I want to be.
And my art is helping me find me…
the direction I want to go
at a crossroads of life.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS This original painting as well as prints and note cards are available at McKinneyX2Designs on ETSY. Hope you will take some time to browse our watercolor paintings, original art, and handmade rustic signs and decor.
A post every day for close to four years – sharing and “cherishing the moments.”
Posts with photography, poetry, stories, musings, recipes, watercolors, arts and crafts – all the “stuff” I love to do “in between.”
I feel so honored to have 4,000+ people following along here with me, and I greatly appreciate those who take the time to write notes and comments that encourage me so immensely.
It is becoming a bit of a challenge to blog every day, so I am going to allow myself a bit of a break and take Fridays and Saturdays off from posting. I will continue on Sundays through Thursdays.
I hope this will keep my content fresh and my passion engaged.
So Happy Friday!
Cherish the Moments….
Know I’ll be cherishing mine immensely with my granddaughter, and I’ll be back Sunday!
This past Thanksgiving weekend, I received the sweetest note, along with this adorable picture of 5 year old Eli, from my blogging friend Jenna at The Painted Apron.
Eli – besides the fact that you are handsome enough to be in movies,
you surely warmed my heart hearing these words and seeing your photo!
And I have to admit….
Rooty is one of my faves too!
Thanks for sharing with me, Jenna, and making my day!
I love hearing about my little book being shared and bringing smiles from Mars to Alabama.
And if you love reading about new recipes, fun decorating tips, and creative art, you will so enjoy Jenna’s blog. I hope you will check it out and follow along with me. Tell her “Jodi sent you.” 🙂 She also has a great Society 6 Shop where she sells her artwork in fun, creative ways.
If you would like your own copy of Klaus the Mouse or would like it for holiday gift giving, it is now available at Amazon with two-day shipping for Prime members! I tested it out and it works – came in two days!
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.
the creative life in between 