For our prompt of “Penguin” today, I ended up with a sketch of one naughty penguin about to start a snowball fight with another penguin. When I was a kid, a snow day was one of the most exciting parts of the winter season. It didn’t really matter how bitterly cold it was outside, I would simply bundle up and head outdoors. Whether it was snowballs, snowmen, snow forts, or snow angels, there was always something fun to do! These days, I find myself wanting to stay indoors snuggled up under a warm blanket instead. Our pup Elliott, however, absolutely adores the winter weather and always wants to play in the snow. It’s fun to watch him and see the joy in his eyes, even when I find myself shivering and glancing at my watch to see if it’s time to go back inside. It reminds me of the joy that I felt when I was a kid, back when snow wasn’t simply a driving hazard and was actually something I would wish for during the winter months. Though, I do enjoy watching the snow fall, as long as I’m sipping a hot beverage while viewing it through a window.
Recently, we had a lovely bit of snow that coated the branches in that gorgeous way that looks like they’ve been carefully outlined by an artist. It’s such a peaceful and tranquil scene. In those moments of such quiet, it’s sometimes hard to remember back to those screams of delight and feigned terror from the snowball fights of my youth. I’ve only Elliott to remind me that the snow is still super fun and best enjoyed when rolling around in it. This is not something I’ve done recently, as I still prefer to enjoy it vicariously by simply watching my dog play. Elliott was playing with another young dog recently and they both suddenly discovered the joys of eating snow, taking big mouthfuls in and then looking at each other like they were laughing. It made me think about my mom making snow ice cream and all of the huge mouthfuls I would enjoy of that particular concoction.
Even if I’m a little less likely to jump in a pile of snow these days, I still love reconnecting with that same joy that I had as a kid. Thinking back to those moments of speeding down a hill on a sled or trying to build an igloo in my backyard creates an avalanche of wonderful memories. These past few days have been so bitterly cold that it’s not possible to be outdoors for very much time. But, Philippe and I have still managed to take Elliott on a few short walks and he’s overjoyed every single time. It’s impossible to be cross about the cold when I see that big tongue flopping out of the side of Elliott’s mouth and the magical sparkle in his eyes. It’s a pure joy that’s often hard to feel when you’re an adult dealing with all of those silly adult things. But, in those moments, if I let myself forget all of that and simply focus on those memories, I can start to feel the warmth of those feelings once more. And then, I have to agree with Elliott. It really is still quite fun to be playing in the snow!
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About the DoodlewashSketching Stuff Coloring Set – Da Vinci Watercolors: Charlie O’Blue, Hansa Yellow Medium, Leaf Green, Benzimida Orange, Opus (Vivid Pink), Terra Cotta, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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I used to love the snow ice cream. I was disappointed in frozen maple syrup though. I’d read some book where people back in the 1800’s were harvesting maple syrup and the kids got to eat the frozen syrup, and man! did I really want to try that. Oddly, it was still just maple syrup. And stuck to my teeth. How spoiled I was even back then compared to the kids who were so delighted with that frozen treat. But I bet they lost a lot of teeth eating it!
I’m pretty sure at my age, I’d lose all of my teeth if I try to eat frozen maple syrup! lol But it still sounds like it would be good in theory, but yeah… probably just cold maple syrup in the end! 😉💕
Fun painting, Charlie, and timely, as we’re suffering with negative temps here in Denver as well. LOVE your mischievous and fun penguins! Looks like they’re thrilled in their element.
Thanks so much, Fanna! 😃💕 Yeah… it’s soooo cold here, but finally going to be above freezing today. That’s going to feel like a heat wave! hehe
This brings back a lot of fun childhood memories. A smile maker for sure.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕
Love it Charlie. Our winters up here in Edmonton were more severe when I was younger. We would have a month or two of -30C weather usually dipping into -40C for a week or two. Certainly alot of days around -34 to -36C but I used to absolutely love being outside. Going for long walks, loving the snow sparkling in the sunlight or moonlight. Once I was a teenager I loved skiing. Looking back at pictures I can’t believe how little I wore. For the last 3 years it has only been the odd day that even gets colder than -20C and this year it has been more between +10C and -10C – balmy for here. Your poor penguins would not be happy. We haven’t had much of a snowfall since December. Now though even at -10C I prefer to be inside lol, sipping something hot and enjoying the beauty from inside 😉 . I love your penguins – they are one of my favourite birds.
Thanks so much, Zoie! 😃💕 It’s funny how times change as we get older. That cold didn’t feel quite as cold when we were young. One day, I’d like to go sledding again, though… just to see what it might be like! hehe
lol – so much fun Charlie. And, guess what I do with the kids – at 70 I still have fun rolling down the hill in the summer. I giggle all the way down and so do the other kids on the hill. I think they are laughing more at me though – they can’t believe that I would do it. Have to fess up though and say that it does make me a little dizzy now, but not so much that I would ever stop.
Yay for stilling rolling down that hill! hehe… when people say “over the hill”… they just don’t really how much fun it can be! hehe 😉💕
What a super cute painting, Charlie! Those penguins are dressed to the 9’s with those beautiful scarves. 😍 The only snowfall that I experienced growing up was when I was a sophomore in high school and we got 13 inches of snow. I was 16. Yikes! Hello, Marisela at 53! 😂😂😂 My friend, Christina, was spending the night at our house so we ran out into the snow to play. Talk about hitting a brick wall! It was so cold! We were totally unprepared in our wardrobe and snow man building equipment, but, boy, it sure was fun! Do I wish for snow now? Uhm, that’s a hard pass. 😂😂😂
Stay warm, my friend. Love you much! 💜💜💜
Hello Charlie,
What a fun Doodlewash this is! And the post is so sweet and nostalgic. I reeeeeaaaalllllyyyyy long to see snow falling Charlie, I long for a walk after a fresh snowfall and yes, waking up to see trees blanketed in white. This week has come with a strange restlessness… like something needs to happen – something good. Keeping my fingers crossed and sending you an extra warm hug my dear friend. 🙂😊🥰
Love,
M
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 Seeing snow is a beautiful experience, even if being in it for long periods is just super cold! hehe I have a similar restlessness stirring inside me now as well. Something new, and good is coming for both of us! Hugs to you and much love! ❤️
Hola, mi amiga! 😃💕 Aww that sounds like you and Christina had a ton of fun! What an adventure that must have been. That’s the beauty of youth, we never worried about being prepared for something before jumping in and actually trying it. It’s finally getting a touch warmer here, so that’s a plus…. soooo ready for spring! Much love to you! ❤️
I love ypur miscellaneous penguin Charlie. A couple of week ago I had a very cold, for these parts, cycle to work. By the time I got there my fingers hurt do much I felt sick. It took me back to being a child, and the pain of my hands warming up after playing in the snow.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 Oh wow… a cycle in the cold sounds like quite an adventure. I totally remember those cold hands… somehow as kids it was always worth the pain! hehe
I like focusing on those memories… They make me feel warm and fuzzy
Aww yay, Milena! 😃💕 Glad this brought back good memories!
So cute.
Thanks so much, Angela! 😃💕
And I thought they were bowling penguins, cute!
Hehe! They could be bowling… though, other penguins are the pins! lol 😉💕
Greetings from Cedaredge, CO at 6,000 feet elevation on the road to the top of the Grand Mesa at 10,000 feet elevation where we Nordic Ski. Sadly there are no penguins; however, I did enjoy seeing yours especially the fuchsia scarf the “in-color” for 2023 spring.
Thanks so much, Jenanne! 😃💕 That does sound like a place penguins would really enjoy, though. Glad ya liked the scarf!