Pink Floral Heart Original Watercolor by Jodi McKinney 11×14
Let Your Dreams Blossom!
Sprinkling a little pink love after a weekend of splashing in the art room.
Just what this heart and soul needed for some January nesting time.
Embracing the muse.
Going with the vibe.
Happy Monday friends! Let’s make some magic this week! Let’s create some beauty!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Original watercolor, as well as prints in all sizes and cards, available at McKinneyX2Designs and Berry Vine Gifts.
Homemade Cherry Pie.
On a recent visit to an awesome new grocery store that opened up near us called Fresh Thyme, I discovered they carried big 2.5 lb bags of red sour pie cherries. I was so excited! This is something hard to find where we live. You can find dark sweet cherries everywhere, and they are delicious for eating, but to make a good old-fashioned homemade cherry pie, you have to have the sour cherries.
I snagged a couple bags and was excited to get to make a cherry pie for hubby for Valentine’s Day last week.
If you are lucky enough to find sour cherries, here is the simple, old-fashioned recipe I use to make a classic cherry pie.
Bake a little love!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine cherries, sugar, tapioca, and almond extract. Mix well, and let sit while preparing pie crust.
Prepare crust and place bottom layer in pie plate. Fill with cherry mixture. Top filling with dabs of butter followed by top crust, being sure to cut slits or a shape to allow bubbling and steam to escape. Spread a small amount of milk or water on top crust, and sprinkle with an additional tablespoon of sugar if desired.
Place pie in oven. Cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Bake approximately one hour. Remove foil and continue baking until filling bubbles out of top and crust is beautifully browned.
Allow to cool completely to set. Serve with scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Paper Cut-Out Hearts.
Paper cut-out hearts,
X’s and O’s,
Handmade cards,
Love notes…
These are the things that truly melt my Valentine heart.
Cheers & Happy Valentine O’s,
Jodi
Red Velvet Oreo Chocolate Truffles (or Cookie Balls if we’re being less “fancy!”).
If you are looking for a simple, sweet, but festive little treat to share with friends or neighbors or with those you love, these little Red Velvet Oreo Chocolate Truffles might be just the ticket.
They are so simple to make, but turn out so elegant and delish!
You simply crush red velvet (or your favorite flavor) Oreo cookies in the food processor, mix with a block of cream cheese, and make into balls that you dip into chocolate.
Easy Peasy!
Sprinkles make them even more fun! (always!)
I gave little bags to neighbors with silly notes like “You are a SWEET neighbor” and “We LOVE having you for our neighbors.” I shared others with friends and family. They were a big hit!
Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:
Directions:
Crush oreo cookies in food processor to fine crumbs. Add softened cream cheese and combine until “dough” forms.
Roll dough mixture into approximately 30 one-inch balls. Refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate. I put mine in a tall, microwave-safe cup for one minute, stir, and then microwave for 30 more seconds.
Dip balls into melted chocolate with a fork, allowing excess to drip. Place on parchment paper. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Allow to set approximately 30 minutes.
Enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Heart Bouquet of Love Watercolor
A Bouquet of Love.
If I could pick the perfect bouquet,
I’d pick a bouquet of love.
It would be filled with memories of special kisses…
a first from a shy young man who I still get to kiss goodnight each evening before falling asleep,
a first on the forehead and nose and cheeks and mouth of each of my baby boys the day they were born,
a first on the forehead and nose and cheeks and mouth of my granddaughter the day she was born,
the last one I gave my grandma when we said our final goodbyes,
the ones I watched each of my sons give to their wives on the days they said “I do.”
It would be filled with memories of special hugs…
that one my dad gave me when we first saw each other after almost 40 years apart,
the one his wife gave me the day she met me and told me my dad always promised her a daughter, and now she had one,
the ones I receive and give upon greeting and saying farewell to friends and family I love so dearly.
It would be filled with memories of cherished moments…
those every day moments –
a text, a Snapchat, a phone call, a visit,
walks with Charlie,
sunrises, sunsets, snowfalls, birds tweeting,
a card or letter or package received.
So as I spent just a teensy bit of spare time last evening
doodling and splashing paint to create a simple, inspired* Valentine,
I created a bouquet of love.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*Pinterest inspired watercolor – source unknown
Love & Valentine’s Day
When I was a young girl
and dreamed about love,
it was dreamy and romantic
and dizzying and sweep-away, fairy tale-like.
Now that I’m not such a young girl,
but a woman who has loved
and who has also been loved
for many more years than not…
I know that love
is not just a feeling.
It is an action… It is a verb.
It is a choice, and it is a decision.
It is giving just as much as receiving.
It is safe, and it is secure.
It is not always dreamy and romantic and dizzying,
but it is so much more.
So from the once 16-year old girl
who fell for that 20-year old boy,
I’m so thankful for your love,
and I love you more now than then.
Happy 38th Valentine’s Day!
May we have that many more.
Love,
Me
This past weekend, a gang of our bestie couple friends got together to celebrate love and friendship.
My McHendy “sister,’ Jill, and I collaborated to plan what we called “Valentine’s Couple Camp.”
Those of you that have been hanging around here at TheCreativeLifeinBetween for a while might remember our first Couple Camp Weekend Retreat that I posted about here.
Unfortunately, we missed a year… I guess weddings, babies, life… got us too involved. But when Jill called a couple weeks ago and said we should do another Couples Camp for Valentine’s Day, I was all in and offered to host at our home.
And so we did.
Bubby and Glenn were assigned appetizers, and boy did they rock the theme! Check out all the ways you can make food into hearts!
I created a special “Love Potion” cocktail to toast the beginning of our time together. I mixed 1/3 Grand Marnier Signature Collection No. 2 Raspberry Peach with 2/3 champagne and garnished with a fresh red raspberry. Yum!
Jill is our illustrious “camp” activities director. After a silly group photo,
Jill and I sent the rest of the gang to the bar, while we laid out the all the materials for everyone to create their own “Love Shack” out of chocolate graham crackers and candy (a Valentine gingerbread house of sorts). Everyone was given a flag to name their Love Shack and 20 pennies to distribute into shot glasses after everyone finished and presented their masterpieces to vote on the best.
We had some serious creativity going on. Check it out!
Hubby made his into “Camp Happy Beginning” reminiscent of the early days of love and not having much but feeling like everything is a rainbow …. or something like that… if you can imagine…
Mary made hers into “Mary’s Cozy Cottage” decorated with a comfy couch and chairs and a big colorful outdoor patio…
I was much busier laughing and taking pictures under the guise of “hosting” to focus too much on mine, but came up with this pretty lame “McKinney Love Shack.”
Bubby lovingly created the “McKinney B&B.”
and her Glenn created “Glen’s Gang Bang Getaway.” No explanation here. You can use your own imagination.
Jim cracked us up with his creation. Simple, but with a funny and politically-inspired statement. His “American” themed love shack had three characters involved… “I’m a Russian” on his way to the love shack, “Himalyan” in the love shack, and “He’s a Finnish” leaving the love shack…
Jill’s was a fabulous “Jill’s Sweet Shack” with a candy paved lane.
But Todd stole the show with his outhouse-themed love shack complete with cut out crescent moon doors.
We assigned Mary the entree knowing she would make all of our tummies happy, and she did not disappoint! In fact, we were so into her amazing stuffed shells, meatballs and spare ribs in homemade Italian sauce, I forgot to photograph it! Thankfully, she left a few for us to enjoy for dinner the next day, so I took a quick photo of our leftovers. Which, by the way, tasted just as magnificent! Thanks Mar!
I made a simple salad and sliced up some fresh bread to accompany Mary’s entree,
and we gave another toast to friendship!
I had fun preparing for our guests by tidying up the guest rooms,
including a quick convert of the nursery with an air mattress bed,
and placing heart-shaped Dove Red Velvet Chocolates on pillows.
I set the table with red plates and chocolate heart treats…
and even little heart shaped spoons!
Aren’t they adorable!
I was assigned dessert, so a chocolating I went. You already know about my chocolate-dipped wafer cookies and Ultimate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies which I had out, but I also made a bouquet of chocolate-dipped strawberries,
and the most amazing and simple No Bake Chocolate Ganache Cookie Crust Tart I saw on another blog.
I’ll share this recipe soon. It is seriously amazing and uses only a couple simple ingredients!
We talked the guys into playing Couples Scattegories and had fun staying up late drinking and talking until later than any of us ever stay up.
Hubby made omelets to order the next morning after we all awoke… later than we usually get up.
What a joy to have such wonderful friends to share time and our home with!
And quoting Jill from last time, I once again share:
“I recommend that all of our friends coordinate a Couple’s Camp weekend. Great fun. Lots of laughter. Many life stories shared. And the realization that life long friends and connections are priceless! So go make some memories!”
Thanks for the memories dear friends!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Landscapes in watercolor painting are a new challenge for me!
To date, my largest watercolors have been 5 x 7, and I’ve dabbled in trying to recreate the amazing abstract landscape art of Debi Riley in small card-sized pieces, but I really wanted to surprise hubby with an original landscape piece from me for Valentine’s Day this year.
No pressure!! Right?!
Sheesh! I had no idea what a challenge it was going to be!
Every evening after he went to bed for about a week, I tried again and again and again. I started by watching some great tutorials by Shari Blaukopf on Craftsy. She does gorgeous landscape sketches in pen, ink and watercolor. I’m not the best at sketching…. Yet! But I did learn a few pointers from Sheri about plein art and sketching. The best thing I learned, however, was about some brushes she recommended that made such a difference in my painting! The Raphael Squirrel Mop and Escoda Versatil are my first experience with professional brushes. Oh the way the mop holds and spreads water and the precision point of the Escoda! Up until now, I struggled with cheaper brushes not holding water enough to carry across a larger piece of paper or the flexibility of a large brush with a point to do large washes as well as small details. Shari also has a blog called The Sketchbook where she posts art every day from her hometown in Montreal.
I also watched some Youtube videos, and tried some landscapes from various artists there. I especially enjoy watching Alan Owen, an artist from the UK with over 70 years of painting under his belt who shares so generously of his talent.
This was my best attempt (in 11″ x 14″), and though it is extremely far from what I intended, he loved it! Phew! I guess that is why they say love is blind. Actually it is why love is so sweet. He thinks it ranks up with some beautiful art he took me to see at a local exhibit in Cranberry. I know it isn’t. I know exactly what I’ve done wrong and want to improve. I know what it took to produce some of the masterpieces we saw at that exhibit. But to his sweet eyes, he saw art, he saw beauty, and I love him for it.
Maybe next year I can replace it with a better one, but this year, my Valentine said “This is just what I would like our backyard to look like!” And if we squint really, really, REALLY hard, we can imagine that our little stream and woods do! (wink wink!)
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Wishing you many hugs and kisses!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Are you looking for a really yummy treat to give to your sweet for Valentine’s Day that is not only super delish, but also healthy?
These amazing blackberry banana oat bars have NO sugar and NO flour! How about that?
They are packed full of wholesome, nutrient rich fruits and superfood ingredients, while tricking your brain and tummy into thinking you are eating something decadent.
Give them a try! Heart healthy, hearty, and from the heart for your sweetheart!
(adapted from recipe found here)
Ingredients:
Blackberry Chia Jam Filling:
2 cups fresh (or frozen) blackberries
2 1/2 Tbsp. honey (local if possible)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp chia seeds
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
Banana Oat Crust:
2 ripe bananas
2 cups oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
To make the jam fruit filling, add blackberries and honey to a saucepan and boil over medium heat for about 10 minutes until fruit is mostly broken down and has released a lot of juice. Add the other ingredients and boil for another 5 minutes until it thickens. Allow to cool.
Next, make the crust. Blend up 1 cup of the oats into a fine powder (I used the Ninja). Stir all ingredients together.
Spray an 8×8 baking stone or dish with Pam and then line with parchment paper. Spread 2/3 of the oat crust mixture on the bottom of the pan. Spread jam fruit filling mixture evenly over crust. Use the rest of the oats to sprinkle over the top.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes until the oats are golden brown.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 