Written by My favorite part of this time of year is that when the weather gets warmer, the treats get colder. When I was a kid, our family picnics in the spring and summer would always come with the best treat in the world: homemade ice cream. This was the hand-cranked kind where everyone would take turns cranking until the ice cream was finally ready to serve. We’d also add various toppings, like chocolate syrup, which was one of my favorites if I had to choose. If I didn’t have to choose, I’d add bits of whatever toppings were available, creating a huge sticky mess. It was amazing. But many times, I would forgo it all and just dig into a bowl of plain vanilla. That’s still the kind I prefer most today. And even though I’m normally not allowed to use most kitchen appliances, for fear I’ll actually try to cook something, ice cream is the one thing I’ve managed to make. Yeah, so I don’t make the kind you have to heat, as that would qualify as cooking, but it still tastes really delicious.
I think there’s some vanilla Häagen-Dazs® in the freezer, but I haven’t brought myself to check yet as I’d be terribly disappointed if I were wrong. None of this is on the diet I’ve told myself I’d start, but since I haven’t officially started it’s all fair game. I’m not sure when something like that becomes “official” and I’m using my ignorance to just by those thoughts aside entirely. And every time I think back to my childhood, which is often, sweet treats always pop into my head. I’m an American boy who was raised on sugar. Philippe is French and was raised on actual food, but I have fond memories of all these sugary desserts. I don’t eat very many of them now, and find the burst of sugar too overwhelming, but I love thinking back to the time when I did. Devouring all those insanely sweet treats was fun! Sure, the sugar coma was a bitch afterwards, but it was a small price to pay for all that sweet goodness.
But the sugar isn’t really the reason I remember. It was that the sugariest times in my life were also wonderful gatherings of friends and family. From birthday celebrations to family picnics, it was always about spending time with the people I loved. That’s why the memories have endured. So, yeah, I’m going to sketch a lot of desserts. It’s paying homage to those beautiful times when life was just about having fun together. Sharing quality times and having a treat to seal the deal. These days, I’ll often find myself happy about some little thing that just happened and use it as a reason to celebrate. Honestly, I’ll take any chance I can to smile and be happy about life. I feel lucky most days to just be living it. I figure adding a little sweet treat to mix is just living it that much better. And so, I like to think that no matter what time of year it might be, it’s always a good time for ice cream season.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Pyrrol Red, Permanent Green Pale, Gamboge, Quinacridone Rose, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al-Star Fountain Pen – Extra Fine,
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with Platinum Carbon black ink in an A6 
More than even your wonderful art, I love your joie de vivre, sweet Charlie! 💙But, thanks for nothing: you’ve made me crave a sundae now…LOL!
Thanks Teresa! 😃💕 I’m sorry and you’re welcome!! LOL
This ice cream sundae is fantastic. And family is definitely the best treat of all.
But let me know when you cook ice cream. I think we all want to see that Doodlewash!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Haha… yeah… I don’t see the cooking part ever happening, but if it does, I’ll definitely sketch the aftermath.
The sweetness of family and friends…nothing better. Hope the ice cream was indeed in the freezer! (K)
Thanks, Kerfe!! 😃💕 It was… but only enough for one, so I let Philippe have it. He owes me now. I like it that way. 😉
Some things are best left in childhood 😉 I have to say this now, you understand. But it’s a fabulous doodlewash, and well, I suppose there’s no better day for it! I hope there’s a treat in the freezer for completing another month of challenges!
Thanks, Jacob! 😃💕 Yeah, your weird distaste for ice cream is still a complete mystery to me! LOL But to each his own. I really wanted cake… seems better for such a celebration! hehe
Ice cream rocks!
Yay! It does! hehe 😃💕
Yum yum, I agree Charlie, it’s always ice cream time, any time of year 😊
Yep… I think ice cream should always be a part of every healthy diet! hehe 😊💕