Written by Today is meant to be a day where you can take a break and spend some festive time with your family. It’s actually held at different times of the year in different parts of the world, but a day like this deserved to be celebrated every time it happens. Philippe and Phineas are my only family here, but we worked today so we’ll have to celebrate Family Evening instead. Phineas didn’t work today, to the best of my knowledge, but I’ve really no idea what he does all day when he’s home alone so I can’t be entirely certain. Perhaps he’s going to wow us with a novel he’s been writing. This is a bit far-fetched, I know, as a novel about dental treats and pork is probably not going to make the bestseller list. But stranger things have likely appeared there, so who knows? And in truth, we usually spend each evening in a roughly similar way with me painting before dinner while Philippe cooks something and Phineas paws at us both for whatever thing he thinks he’s entitled to get next. A simple ritual, to be sure, and nothing terribly exciting, but it’s my favorite part of each day.
For today’s doodlewash, I landed on a fruit tray because this is what always appeared at larger gatherings with my extended family. Well, this and a “veggie” tray. My family avoids the word vegetable like it’s a curse word. And a bunch of mixed fruit seemed like the perfect metaphor for family in general. No matter how much we have in common by being related, the differences are what keeps things interesting. When Philippe first attended one of my family gatherings, his plate was filled with only fruit and veggies. When I asked him why he didn’t try more things, he just asked me, “What exactly was in that slow cooker?” To be honest, I had no idea either, but that, of course, didn’t stop me from trying it anyway. After trying it, I still wasn’t completely sure of the ingredients, but it tasted great to me! I love family gatherings like that and all of the food that appears. Some of it is the requested favorites that an aunt has become almost legendary for creating, and some are brand new recipes tried for the first time. I love and admire the daring involved in attempting something like this. And I’m always the first to try it!
Of all of the dishes from those gatherings when I was young, I think a certain strawberry pound cake still wins first place in my heart. It’s been years now since I had it, but I can still remember it like it’s yesterday. I loved those days when I was growing up, but they don’t really happen any more. Times change, people move, and the world tilts in a different direction. And these days, we only see our families once a year or going on two years now for our family in Paris. But each time we see each other, it’s like no time has passed at all. That’s the bit I cherish most. No matter where in the world my family might be, a visit always feels like coming home. So I’m super excited for December and January when we will have a chance to be reunited with them. Until then, you’ll find me here at home with my French chef and African basenji. And though we may not require an entire fruit tray for an evening’s snack, we can still enjoy each little moment that we spend together in our own special way. And, I always end each evening feeling really lucky. Even in the bits of normal routine, it’s wonderful when you live like every day is family day.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Benzimida Orange, Leaf Green, Quinacridone Red, and Indigo. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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Thanks! 🙂
Your family gatherings sound a lot like ours used to be. These days the family is spread all over the world – England, Australia, Ecuador, Africa and both the West and East Coast of the U.S. It’s pretty rare that many of us get together all at once, but I’m lucky that they all try to get here every few years. I actually prefer it that way. You get to spend more one on one time with every one. I love your fruit tray, and I actually have some grapes available so I can go munch on some.
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕And I totally agree! I live for one on one time, so I’m fine with how things have a way of working out in the end!
gotta love how you twist a story of family day to your routine to a dog book to a fruit tray and strawberry pound cake. only you – wonderful you charlie O! 🙂
You’re so sweet! 😃💕 Thank you Jodi! Hugging you! hehe… I’m horribly random I know, but I hope it all somehow comes together in the end! lol
Yay! Family time is the best. I love how you’ve conveyed the love in your immediate family of 3 through these blog posts.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, we’re a tiny family, but large on love and we have a blast together!
A very yummy looking doodlewash…It reminds me of indian fruit chat that we make at home …sprinkled with roasted cumin seed powder, black salt, black pepper powder and ofcourse a little lemon juice…
Thanks, Anita! 😃💕 And YUM! That sounds perfectly delicious!
“Phineas didn’t work today, to the best of my knowledge, but I’ve really no idea what he does all day when he’s home alone so I can’t be entirely certain. Perhaps he’s going to wow us with a novel he’s been writing.” I love it beyond all words…mainly because I think we limit our pets by our lack of imagination. I have no trouble at all picturing Phineas leaned back in a beach chair, a tall glass with an umbrella in it beside him, tablet in paw, nose to the air, sniffing out the next scent-ence. I so wish I had a modicum of artistic talent because I would love to paint the picture as I see him. It is so absolutely vivid in my mind. (no talent at all in that direction. : (
Charlie says, “Times change, people move, and the world tilts in a different direction. ” (my pick for today.)
Aww see?? That’s precisely why we are friends, Sarah! 😃💕 hehe… you can totally picture Phineas doing that, can’t you? lol And thank you so much for choosing your favorite words. That means a lot to me. I often feel these are just rough rambles, but when you show my words back to me, they seem a bit more special. 😊
They are very special!!
Love your fruit tray and your memories of family gatherings. I remember family reunions at my uncle’s farm…spending time with cousins, uncles, grandparents, aunts and uncles, fishing in the pond, picking and eating fresh sweet corn…ah, the memories. Times certainly do change.
Thanks, Mary! 😃💕 yeah, those are some wonderful memories! And sweet corn?? Yes, please!! Yum!!
I don’t know how I missed this yesterday. But thought I’d share that one of the first times I was at Joe’s mom’s house for Thanksgiving I brought a wonderfully tasty sweet sour cabbage side dish. I’m afraid I took a lot of it home. But it was delicious!
hehe! “sweet sour cabbage side dish”… hmmm… I’m quite sure I’ve never tried that! I’m sure it was delicious! 😃💕
Beautiful artwork on your blog!
Thanks so much! 😃💕 So happy you enjoyed it!
Such a flow with words! And imagination I was reading and reliving memories of big family gatherings when I visit my family!
Thanks so much! So thrilled you enjoyed this post! 😃💕