Written by When I was growing up there was candy sitting around everywhere this time of year. Here’s a small sampling in answer to today’s prompt. It was more part of the décor than something one was supposed to actually eat. Shiny to a point that made them seem almost inedible as though ornaments had somehow fallen off the tree into a bowl. The ribbon candy was particularly odd as not only did it look like actual ribbon, it was in a shape that made it perfectly impossible to understand how to eat it. It was a clump of twisting clusters that, while beautiful, created no definitive place to begin. We would instead leave it alone and let it shine along the other holiday decorations. In truth, there were often so many cookies and other sweets about that candy almost seemed like a bit too boring in comparison. To this day, I still prefer cookies and cakes, but do enjoy seeing the glistening reminder of my childhood sitting happily in a bowl.
With just a few days to go until Christmas, I’m now officially off work for the remainder of the year and can focus on it properly. Today was the first day of my break and it included a few errands for the upcoming festivities. For starters, Philippe told me that I should, “bury the salmon.” That sounds like an odd euphemism but it really means exactly that. Each year, we make gravlax which is a Nordic dish of cold-cured salmon. The original version was buried in the ground with wood, barley, pine needles, and berries, and produced something far less appetizing. Today’s method is so simple even I can join in the holiday “cooking.” It’s as easy as burying the fish under a mixture of salt, sugar and dill. Well, there’s sometimes a bit of removing bone, so Philippe usually takes over to avoid any nasty surprises before the fish is buried. The result is rather amazing as after a few days you end up with a magically ready-to-eat gourmet treat. The biggest challenge came today when the butcher was out of fresh salmon and I had to go to Costco instead.
This can be dangerous when I go alone as I end up finding things I suddenly think I must have. That’s the beauty of Costco. Not only do you spontaneously discover that you need something you’ve never even thought about before, you suddenly believe it’s perfectly sensible to buy ten of them. A suggestion one would have thought a perfectly insane thing to do in any other store. Thankfully, I made it out with just the world’s largest salmon, a bottle of generic French champagne, and 8 rolls of Scotch tape when I only needed one. I’ll be wrapping gifts tomorrow while Philippe is still at work. I’m just awaiting one last gift that arrives today (this one will be from Phineas) and all will be complete. Santa will likely be placing only chocolates in the stocking, but who knows, perhaps for old time’s sake, while I’m out tomorrow, I’ll pick up some decorative Christmas candy.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Quinacridone Red, Leaf Green, Quinacridone Gold, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
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Your Christmas Candy definitely looks too pretty to eat. I almost always ate at least one, when I was a kid, though I usually gave up before it was completely gone. I think it was out of politeness. I didn’t want the candy to feel unwanted. That’s what I tell myself, anyway, lol. Have fun with your time off!
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 hehe… love that you felt bad for the candy! Yeah, candy needs a little love too during the season!
So awesome Charlie!!!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕
That candy shines and looks delicious! We weren’t allowed much candy when we were children, so that’s one thing I do enjoy. Forbidden fruit! I like to have a bit each Christmas. But yesterday I made some toffee, and I’d trade the ribbon candy for this toffee anytime!
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕 That’s the beauty of growing up! hehe… I say you have all the forbidden fruit you can this season! 😉
Really nice Charlie. I don’t know of Ribbon Candy? The others, we refer to as boiled lollies, the English kind. We didn’t have many of those when I was young, Mum was scared we would break out teeth on them!!!
Thanks, Susan! 😃💕 Yeah, you still find ribbon candy here, but it’s considered old-fashioned candy now. And your mum was probably wise there… those things are hard as rocks! hehe
Beautiful shiny candy..
Thanks so much, Pamela! 😃💕
Lovely job on the ribbon candy – a standard in my childhood home, too. I’m glad Phineas has discovered the convenience of online shopping!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, Phineas is quite a resourceful dog! lol
I laughed so hard at your Costco but that I had tears! I had to read it aloud to my husband! We get it completely! Lol! And btw, I always hated ribbon candy. So pretty, and tastes so bad!
hehe… glad you enjoyed that bit, Lisa! 😃💕 Yeah, Costco is a devil when it comes to that. And I agree… ribbon candy is much better viewed than digested. lol
Delicious 😋
Thanks so much, Meenakshi! 😃💕
Oh gosh, I haven’t seen that ribbon candy in years! I don’t remember eating any tho. 😄😄. You did a great job on sketching this, looks difficult ult with all those curves.
Thanks, Teri! 😃💕 I only tried it once… it’s far better to look at! lol Yeah… those curves were tough, I just kept hoping it was all part of the same thing in the end! hehe
As always, I absolutely LOVE your postings. Each day, I try to picture in my mind what wonders you have painted for us today. Today, I was spot on. :-), just beautiful. I save every email to a file, I just cannot bear to send your inspiring works into cyber-space. Thank you, thank you, thank you Charlie!!
Aww… that’s such a wonderful present of a note to receive!! Thank you SO much, Sheila! 😃💕 I’m thrilled you enjoy my posts!!
Nice looking candy. I love ribbon candy. It was always a staple at our house on Christmas.
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕 It’s really a gorgeous candy. I wanted to get some this year!
Walmart sells it. Walgreens too.
I love your Christmas preparations.
Every day of course a challenge. Fabulous lie.
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m getting very excited for the big night ahead! hehe… like a little boy. 😊
Such a fantastic sketch of shiny boiled lollies. I do not know the ribbon candy, but you did extremely well with capturing the repetitive shapes in it. I must mention that you Charlie and Doodlewash community contribute immensely to my personal joy of the Christmas celebration (which is by default high; now much much higher 🙂 ). A huge THANK YOU from my side!
Aww yay!! So happy to hear that Violeta! 😃💕 Thrilled you’re enjoying Doodlewash and the community! Yeah, it’s been extra fun to see everyone’s paintings. And Christmas is almost here!! Eeeek!!! hehe
Your Doodlewash of the candy is scrumptious, which is good because the candy is not very tasty – and I’m a person who really loves candy. I think this stuff belongs on the tree where it does its best job – looking fine and fancy.
Happy wrapping, Charlie. Now you can call it a wrap!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 LOL so glad you agree… fun to paint and look at, but not the best candy in the world by far! hehe
Yay! You’re off. That must be wonderful, you can concentrate on enjoying all the anticipation and maybe even shake a few presents, do some guessing about what’s under the paper. Have fun Charlie and Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Jennifer! 😃💕 I can’t shake presents because Philippe insists on putting his out the same day. Ugh! LOL
I often forget that shadows do not have to be grey or blue all the time. The use of purple is really eye catching.
Thanks so much, Mia! 😃💕 Yeah, I’ve been playing with shadow colors this month… honestly… as long as they’re darker than can be a range of colors. Just depends on the mood you want to create!
Oh my… I could just see you joyously roaming Costco and filling your cart with massive amounts of things. Cudosbfir only leaving with salmon, champagne and tape.
hehe… thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, I thought I showed a heroic amount of restraint!