Written by For our prompt of “Herbs” today, I thought about food first, but then I thought about a little craft project I saw recently on how to make a holiday wreath out of rosemary. I didn’t have the materials to make one myself, so I sketched a little raccoon creating one instead. I love the festive decorations this time of year and still have several to put up myself. I don’t really make any of the decorations, as I’ve better with a pen and brush than nearly any other type of crafting. My mother and sister are amazing at all sorts of crafts, but I never really inherited their talent on that front. Though, a few years ago, I did manage to create a wreath out of various parts and pieces that currently hanging on the front door. I remember being so proud of myself when I made it, and now I’m just rather amazed that it’s managed to hold up after all of these years.
Philippe gets lots of magazines that have all sorts of recipes and crafts in them. We look at them together and make cooing sounds when we see a really cute craft project or a particularly well-decorated cookie. Since I barely have time to sketch, I just admire all of the creative crafting ideas. Though, I did ask Philippe if we could decorate cookies this year. He paused for a moment as if considering it, and then I added imagining what he was thinking that, “using that much food coloring once a year, probably won’t kill us.” He nodded, but didn’t seem completely convinced. In truth, it was really just a ploy to get him to make cookies in the first place. He always talks about doing so, but then never quite manages to make them. It’s certainly for the best from a calorie standpoint, but counting calories during the holidays is never a good thing.
We’re still waiting for the lights for our Christmas tree and they are expected to arrive any moment now. I’m so excited to see the tree lit up in all of its shining and magical glory! Also, there’s several different effects with this string of lights and a remote so we’ll likely spend part of the evening playing with all of the features. This year has been quite a challenging one as we spent most of getting through a pandemic. But, I’m not going to let any of that affect the wonderful days ahead. There’s much to be thankful for this season, and so I’m excited for everything that’s coming up next. We still have to place our order for all of the food Philippe will be cooking on Thursday. And, I’m off work most of the week, so it will be a nice break indeed. And a chance to finish adding more things to our little holiday display of sparkles as we celebrate our traditions and our own special ways of making things festive.
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I painted three pine trees in snow today to send away to friends who have sent me gifts. Now my fingers and dress have gauche snow on them! Lol. I was thinking about Xmas cookies. I bet you could use a very soft brush and watered down food coloring and do a watercolor on a white frosted cookie. Two birds, one stone!
Hehe! I’m so happy to know that I’m not the only one who ends up covered in white gouache when I use it! 😃💕 And that sounds like a great cookie decorating idea indeed!
Sweet little character and what a wonderfully fragrant wreath that would be. It is time to start thinking about making Christmas cookies. In past years I’ve made 9 or 10 different varieties to put in boxes and give as gifts but I think this year I am cutting back a bit; so many of the people I’ve given cookies to in the past have moved away and that many cookies in the house is just too much of a temptation. 😍
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 hehe… Yeah, I don’t think I’d do well with that many cookies in the house. They would be devoured! lol
Oregon has just required that workers who do go into work must wear masks at all times even if no one else is in the room. Hubby doesn’t want to wear a mask all day when he’s the only one there, which he mostly is, so he’s going to be working at home for a while. It will be interesting to see how we get on. I’m looking forward to it but it will mean I’ll have to change some of my art habits!
Oh wow! Masks at all time even when alone would be a little oppressive indeed. Glad he can works from home! 🙂
It does have some health hazards too – you breathe in carbon dioxide when wearing a mask. It isn’t much over a short period, but wearing one for 8 hours 5 days a week would add up.
Adorable Charlie! Enjoy your decorating and hope your lights arrive soon.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Lights arrived and look so beautiful!
So cute, Charlie! My neighbor has a huge rosemary bush and doesn’t know what to do with it. I never thought about a wreath. I bet it would smell wonderful so I would hang it inside the house. 😂😂 I absolutely LOVE to decorate for Christmas! Like I told you, I have always been in charge of decorating since I was a little girl. My father liked me decorating, but his only contribution was getting my tree out for me. It was about the same size as I was so I could manage it easily. My mother always checked out at the holidays so the decorating fell to me. I was left to make my own Christmas. My father liked how I would decorate and would compliment me. Luckily, I like to decorate or learned to like it so I always got so excited and felt so happy at the thought of the Christmas season. I especially love to make my Christmas cards and decorate the envelopes. I don’t make that many, but still. When I got injured, I couldn’t make any. 🎄🎄🎄 Charlie, for years now, I have been stockpiling for the day when I have my own home and can celebrate with Mister Man. I have so much stuff stored away, just waiting for the day when I will have my own home and life and can be free to do as I wish. I don’t think I will decorate my home like Clark Griswold, but maybe close. haha haha One thing is certain, though: No bitter and/or toxic people will be allowed in my life and home, Charlie. Not a single one. I have already had one too many of those.
Such a cute painting, Charlie. I will have to remember the rosemary wreath idea. 💜
Thanks so much, Marisela! 😃💕 Yay for decorations! I love that you’re good at it. I’ve no idea if we are, but everything sparkles so I consider that a win. lol And yay to no toxic or bitter people. There’s never a need for that!
Time off, Charlie! Yes you deserve it and have fun with that tree and the lights. I am sure Phillippe will make cookies and likely enjoy those too. I am going to make Scotch shortbread. I bought half a pumpkin pie in October and no other dessert since last Christmas so I am giving myself a good girl treat. It isn’t the calories, it’s the fats and cholesterol you gotta watch. Have fun!
Hi, Linda! I was going to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, but then I remembered. haha haha I drink 3 liters of water every day. On good days, I can swing a gallon. Oh, believe me, I do NOT like water. I had a bad reaction to a RX medication and it caused me insane dry mouth and tongue. I only took it for 6 days, but the dry mouth and tongue lasted an entire year. Let’s just say that I found out that manufacturers cut corners and ingredients to make meds cheaper so that they can get the contracts. ANYWAY, I drank gallons of water in hopes of helping the situation, but it didn’t. However, I noticed that my skin looked FABULOUS! Last December, my eye doctor said I had dry eye. Nothing helped and I was having a hard time adjusting to my new Progressive lenses. So, that was when I upped the ante and started drinking 3 liters. Wouldn’t you know, it fixed the dry eye situation! My eye doctor was so impressed that she started drinking water. I am starting a water revolution! haha haha Our local weatherman was saying that his New Year’s resolution was to drink more water so I reached out to him to tell him my story and to encourage him. 😀 Oh, believe me, I have days when I can’t drink a glass, but it is worth it. Again, I do NOT like water! 🐼🐻🌻🌸 Wow, no dessert since last year? You go, girl! 💜 Have a great week, Linda!
Good for you educating your ophthalmologist! Two litres are what my doc told me and even that is a bit much as far as I am concerned. Making a face helps. Happy Thanksgiving! Take care and stay safe.
Thanks so much, Linda! 😃💕 Well, it’s time off for me as Philippe is still working and I’m just getting caught up on projects. But it’s a nice break. Yay! I’m glad you’re giving yourself a good girl treat. You deserve it!
Nice doodle, Charlie. I’m going to look that up. A wreath made of rosemary would be great. I have a shrub with berries I can add to it.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 Aww cool! Yeah, I thought it seemed fun, but didn’t have the supplies or time to try it!
The idea of a rosemary wreath is appealing. On Thanksgiving break from college I would make huge, very full balsam wreathes to sell. Dad would paint pine cones, Mother would make big bows and decorate the wreathes . A family project. We lived on a farm on a fairly busy road between larger cities and the wreathes would be sold right on the edge of the road. A simpler time.
Aww I love the description of your wreath, Pat! That sounds beautiful and what a fun family project… even better! 😃💕
She is so sweet. Her little expression is almost saying, “I’m sorry for pooping in your yard all year.” My tree is glowing and making me very happy. I’ll finish it up today and start on the rest of the house. I’m happy to hear that I am not the only one who has their tree up!
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 hehe… that’s definitely the expression!! That all we ever get from raccoons here! lol Yay for having the tree and lights up! Why wait? Especially this year! 😉
Hello Charlie,
How are you doing? I’ve been seeing your Doodlewashes but the migraine came back with my allergies playing up and I couldn’t look at the screen for long enough. 🙁 Thankfully all is well again. The rosemary wreath looks wonderful and Ms. Raccoon looks pleased with her creation. 🙂 Am sure the Cookie Fairy will visit you soon and inspire Phillipe to make lots of cookies. Till then, I hope you enjoy your much-deserved break.
Love,
Mugdha
Adorable! My Xmas prep is working in cards I hand paint all morning me and it is going so slow this year think my list will have to be cut back!
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕 Aww that’s wonderful! You can DO it… that’s the best gift ever!
Hi! I just found Doodlewash.com today (it’s about 3am here) but I have fallen in love with your posts and sketching snd I have all three books in their way to me. I am truly excited and terrified as I am an artist by heart but what shows up on paper looks, well my husband says it “could be impressionistic, but that may not be good.” Poor think I think I should have asked him if my dress made me look fat he wouldn’t have been sweating his response so much hahaha. It has been a joy reading your posts and I am so excited to have found my way here. Feel it was meant to be for the start of a fresh month snd soon new year. I love your work and I hope to do some justice to following along!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Bay
Aww thanks so much, Bay! 😃💕 So happy to know your enjoy my work and thanks for buying my books! And love your story! I still show things to Philippe and he says… hmmm… what were you going for there? There will always be critics. It’s all good as all as we ourselves are never our worst critic! Hope you have a fabulous holiday season!
I truly have enjoyed every single thing and I have loved the people here are so friendly and feel a great community here. I cannot wait to get your books. My husband suggested I start with one I said well I get all 3 that’s just that much longer I’m not talking and talking and talking. He would like to know if you have more books on the way LOL! He is now your number one fan :). I truly feel I found a place to learn but also to find me as to what my niche is if that makes sense. I thank you so much for the warm welcome and I’d I do talk too much you can always tell me to go and show Casey my latest hahah it will give everyone a break hahaha!
Happy Holidays and thank you for such a wonderful opportunity to follow a long dreamed of passion!!!!
Lol!! I adore that story!! I have to admit that I write books so that my own husband gets a break from all of my talking and talking and talking. It’s rather like the universe is coming together perfectly knowing that it also helps other husbands as well! 😉 💕 Thrilled you’re excited for the art journey ahead and I hope you and your husband have very Happy Holidays!
I hope the same to you and your husband. That this year will be filled with an amazing holiday season, memories galore, tons of idea for sketching, and most of all time together to enjoy each other!
Feel free to write as many books as you want 🙂 I’d gladly be quiet and read….however I ended up loving some of your posts so much you now have a fan with my husband!! I promised because I got all 3 books to honor my somewhat no talking, but we enjoyed Peppermint Dreams so much we shared memories for an hour. I have found such joy here in such a short time I cannot thank you enough. I’m still learning the ropes on how to reply to others but I broke down and ordered my first group of your art! I cannot wait to attempt something and learn how to post it.
Thank you for sharing your amazing gift and bringing light into lives – I know there are many more than mine!
Aww thanks so much, Bay! 😃💕 I’m just so thrilled you enjoy my work! That makes me so happy. I actually have a brand new book concept that I’m working on now. It’s going to take a little while, but I’m excited because I think it’s going to be super fun!!