Written by As further proof that there’s a day to celebrate for just about everything, Happy Salami Day! Yes, it’s time to try some of that delectable cured meat made extra popular in the Middle Ages where preserved pig products like these were so important they actually became a form of currency. This celebration is relatively new as it was started in Henrico, Virginia in 2006 by the Salami Appreciation Society. There are many different versions of salami around the world, a concept I only learned as an adult. As a kid, there was just one kind, pre-carved into perfectly round slices within a little yellow plastic package. Later, I would learn about real salami and the difference is everything. To celebrate tonight, Philippe and I are enjoying a little Neapolitan pizza with a bit of soppressata on top. Yeah, as a kid these words used to describe dinner would have completely confounded me. As would Philippe’s version of salami that he introduced me to in Paris several years ago called “saucisson sec.” The type that here in the States we refer to as “artisanal” because it’s not so wildly mass-produced. It’s absolutely delicious!
In truth, I can only take salami in very small doses, so having the artisanal form with just a few small little slices is perfect. Too much more than that and I feel a bit sluggish and ready to nap for the rest of the day. But that’s one of the things I love about going to Paris. Food can be a touch decadent, but it’s almost always served in appropriate portions. Here we have a phrase of getting “too much of a good thing,” while still happily serving ridiculously oversized plates of food. It still makes me giggle remembering back to when Philippe first went out to eat here and dutifully ate everything on his plate. He was in pain for hours afterwards and completely confused as to what had just happened. Since that time, we only go out to lunch once a week to pre-approved places. These are, of course, places where everything is artisanal, so the cost is the reason we can only enjoy it on a weekly basis. But it’s really quite fun! Enjoying something truly wonderful on rare occasions is one of the best experiences in the world.
This is always how I feel with my daily painting and sketching. While I would love it if everything turned out exceptional, it’s really rather hit or miss. My portions of time are typically very small, so I have to do what I can in a very brief period. Yes, sure, I could work on a painting slowly over several days, but I think most of you who know me by now realize I simply don’t have the patience for that. So I do what works best for me. I’ve created a routine that doesn’t mimic that of others, but instead, perfectly fits me so I’m assured that I’ll at least show up to paint each and every day. It’s about finding the right portion of a good thing that works best for you. When I first started sketching and painting I was nearly crazed with ambition and would paint for hours. I was actually in between jobs and had a few extra hours to paint. Today, I have the typical hobbyist lifestyle that leaves me only a small bit of time each day. But, I devour it like the treat that it is and celebrate each precious moment like I’m celebrating Salami Day.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Leaf Green, Quinacridone Red, Terra Cotta, 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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I love the still life of dinner! It’s amazing how much you accomplish in just a short period of time each day.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 hehe… I really appreciate the compliment! Thrilled you enjoy these. They are definitely quick, but I hope still enjoyable!
A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou. Omar Khayyam. So he forgot the salami. I figure it’s implied. You know when you’re from Wisconsin, meat products are always implied. Why else would they name the football team the Packers?😁😄😯😄
haha! So true! 😃💕 I spent a lot of time in Wisconsin and if there’s not meat and cheese, it just doesn’t feel like the same place. 😉
I’m not a big salami fan myself, but it is good for the occasional picnic setting. Yours look positively yummy!
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, I have to take it in small doses. Good for a nibble now and then. hehe
As have no idea of it due to vegi. But the bottle bread every thing s remind me a Hindi film, Umar Khayyam ki Rubaiyan.means .poetry.long story.in short fabulous.os.
Thanks! 😃💕Glad you enjoyed this! Yeah, we rarely eat meat in our house, so these are just occasional bites! 😉
It reminds me a a long lunch we had in Paris. We were settled at our table and this group of around 6 businessmen came. They ordered saucisson sec for starters, after we had completed our 3 courses and were waiting for the bill, they finally finished talking and eating the sausage, and moved on to their main courses! LOL
haha! Love that story! Yeah, Paris is all about the long lunch. And business lunches are even longer! lol 😉
Lovely Doodlewash! Can’t say that I ever developed a taste for salami…but will happily try “saucisson sec” if I’m ever in Paris :-).
Wow i love it !!!
Thanks, Kana! 😃💕
Thanks, Mary! 😃💕Yeah, you should totally try it, and let me know what you think!
I’m not a meat eater, but your painting makes me hungry. It spells camaraderie,
and relaxation. I love walking through a bazaar and smelling the mingled scents.
Salami is one of the dominate aromas. I did not know there was a day to celebrate it
or about the finer artisanal. I love the experiences this grand site offers. Thank you
again.
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕Yeah, Philippe and I aren’t big meat eaters, but occasionally have some in this form because of Philippe’s Parisian upbringing. I can only have a couple bites… it’s good… but a bit too much for me!
Everything looks yummy. I am not much on salami either although it always looks so put together with cheese and wine. However, I may like the “saucisson sec.” Yep, I think I could eat everything you painted. You definitely have more hits than misses, if any!!
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕 That’s so sweet of you to say! Glad you enjoy these. They’re always done quickly and I’m never sure what will come out! You should definitely try saucisson sec if you get the chance… it’s really wonderful!
Nice painting…Yes…I am also reminded of my trip to Paris looong time back…Such a beautiful city…!
Thanks, Anita! 😃💕 And yay! Glad this brought back good memories!