Written by One of the absolute best things about having a birthday when I was a kid, was getting to eat cake. Or, Happy Birthday Cake as I used to call it. Sure, there might have been cakes of certain kinds served on other days, but that delicious frosting-covered, layered goodness of a birthday cake was extra special. In fact, it was what made going to other kids’ birthday parties and watching other kids get to open gifts more bearable. As an adult, it’s what makes going to weddings more bearable, so very little has changed. This little doodlewash version of cake was created on the very first page of a brand new sketchbook as I managed to complete the one I bought back in Paris in October. This is another of the same variety, since I really love the format, and I luckily grabbed a couple more on the trip after that one. I like that each of these sketchbooks begins with not only a food illustration, but an illustration of a dessert. It says much about me and reveals my true cravings, so it feels more personalized that way.
Even though I love birthday cake and it was what was served at my parties, I still loved that my mother would make me a peach cobbler around the same time each year. This was just for us and we didn’t have to share it with a group of kids. My birthday is actually the exact same day as Peach Cobbler Day so it’s rather fitting. These days, that’s the dessert I get for my birthday and I have to wait until Christmas to get my slice of cake. The other times I get to indulge in dessert is when I’m at a restaurant. That moment when we’re incredibly full, couldn’t eat another bite, but tell the waiter, “it doesn’t hurt to have a look.” Looking turns to finding something and then you eye your partner as if to say, “I could, if you really want it” so the blame falls roughly in the middle. The best part about dessert is that it’s so delicious, it’s impossible to experience guilt while actually eating it. That all comes later, of course, but the immediate experience is always perfection.
And that’s a wrap for our Childhood Memories Adventure. Next up, is the February Doodlewash Adventure called Natural Beauty, celebrating all the natural things that exist around us from flowers to fossils! And as always, I’d love you to join me and paint along! If you’d like prompts, you can find those here. And since it’s not actually my birthday, I’m dedicating this particular slice of cake to those of you who are lucky enough to have a birthday at this moment (like my friend Jacob! Sorry there isn’t a zonkey or a seal on top). I wish all of you birthday boys and girls all the best. Honestly, I think every day should be celebrated like a birthday. Another milestone achieved in this little journey we call life. It’s been a long time since childhood, and we’ve all come a long way. So, that’s certainly worthy of celebration and, yeah, I’m just trying to justify treating myself to a little slice of Happy Birthday Cake!
Join us for the February Doodlewash Adventure: Natural Beauty,
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Cobalt Turquoise, Red Orange, Opera Rose, Dioxazine Purple, Phthalo. Green Light, Quinacridone Gold, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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What a delicious looking piece of cake! <3 Peach cobbler sounds really good right now, too. 😉
Thanks, Teresa! 😃💕 I want ALL of the above!! Lol I don’t know why I torture myself with these. Just makes me want to eat cake all day!
Congrats on starting a new sketchbook, Charlie. Tell Phillipe that it calls for a celebration with a piece of cake that looks as scrumptious as your doodlewash! 😄
Thanks so much, Carol! 😃💕 Yes! See? I thought so too, but when I told him, he just sort of smirked at me. I’m still not taking that as a definitive “no” though. 😉Lol
In my opinion, a little something should be celebrated each day, but I guess if we had cake to go along with that, we’d be in a heap of trouble. I guess Phillipe is the voice of reason on this one. 😉
ooo yum ! That’s great that you’re changing your theme because you’re killin me smalls ! All I do is crave sweets after I read & see your decadent treats!
hehe… Thanks, Jenn! 😃💕 This month is “all natural” so the food will probably be a little healthier. Though… sugar is very natural! Lol
Nice story!
Thanks so much, Syna! 😃💕
Diving straight into that nice slice 😀 Cheers Charlie
Hehe… thanks, Rebecca! 😃💕 Lets dive in together! I SO want some cake today now!! 😊
Yippeee, fork at the ready 😀
Fabulous cake! Well done for finishing your sketch book, what amazing doodles you will have to look back on, a very special keepsake.
Thanks so much, Georgie! 😃💕 Yeah, I’ve finished several sketchbooks, but this one felt special because it has the most pages and kind of freaked me out when I started it! Lol But I conquered it, and started another of the same!
I’m trying to glue my butt to the chair so I don’t get up to see what’s in the kitchen. Thank heaven there’s nothing in there resembling birthday cake. Your Doodlewash is festive and yummy looking – I love cake, especially the icing. Wouldn’t turn down peach cobbler either. Glad you got a few more of the sketchbooks that you love, Charlie. What would we do each day without you tempting us with delicious food we shouldn’t be eating?
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, I seriously need to watch it on sketching desserts. I spend the next day with a horrible craving! Lol But this month’s theme of Natural Beauty looks like it might not have any decadent options in it. But who knows… the prompts can be pretty broadly interpreted! hehe 😉
Birthday or UnBirthday, always a good time to celebrate! (K)
I love the way you think!! Indeed!! Thanks for the permission, Kerfe! 😃💕
Woooo! Well it may not be a seal or zonkey, but it still looks incredible! Aw, and thanks for the birthday shout-out! <3 I actually had a generous hunk of Madeira cake last night, which was jolly good (I didn't get a real zonkey, but I suppose there's always next year.) There really is something different and special about birthday cake – I think it's always been my favourite thing of the day!
Thanks, Jacob!! 😃💕And yay! Glad you had a happy birthday. Madeira cake?? YUM! I love that you described is as a generous hunk of cake… anything smaller is just silly on a birthday! Lol
Exactly. Thankfully it was pretty large, so there were generous hunks all round!
A birthday fille with generous hunks? 😉What’s not to love about that! Lol
Thanks for the delicious birthday cake, Charlie! My birthday is later this week and since gluten makes me quite ill, I will celebrate with your wonderful Doodlewash!
Yay! Happy early birthday, Ellie! Glad you liked doodlewash! 😃💕 But I seriously hope you’ll be treating yourself to the real thing! hehe
That cake Charlie looks delicious! Wow another month has passed I am sure that you’re ready to welcome February <3 and the new adventure! 😉
Thanks so much, Caroline! 😃💕 Yeah, January went my quick! Almost wasn’t ready to start another one! hehe But the next one will be fun!
Hmmm, I’ll have mine with ice cream. Both the cake and the cobbler 😄
Hehe… Yes please! Especially with cobbler… it just needs ice cream!! 😉
My son calls it Happy Happy Birthday cake, I love it!
awww cool!! hehe… glad you liked this! 😃💕