Written by For our prompt of “Banana Split” today, I made a sketch of one with two spoons. When Philippe and I were first dating, he took me to a place on the outskirts of Paris where we shared an amazing banana split. I still remember the moment and even the taste of each heavenly bite. This is one dessert that certainly fits into the category of indulgence. Indeed, I rarely have more than one scoop of ice cream in a sitting, so even sharing a dessert like this means more ice cream than I usually get. Add in toppings, a banana, and lots of whipped cream and it’s one calorie bomb that’s actually super delicious and feels like it’s worth it. Philippe and I always share dessert when we eat out once a week, and it’s usually a fraction of the size of this sweet monstrosity. My dream would be to take just a small bite out of every dessert on a restaurant’s menu. I love a treat at the end of a meal, but I hate making a choice. I always wonder if there’s an even better option out there that I failed to choose.
Our favorite dessert is le café gourmand, which is a sampling of multiple tiny desserts served with espresso. Mostly, I love that everything is chosen for me in advance. I’m surprised more restaurants haven’t discovered this particular option. It’s a great way to get rid of extra bits of dessert, like all of those leftovers my mom would cleverly use up when I was a kid. Of course, when a server comes to our table at the end of a meal, they always seem to arrive with the same question, “Did you save room for dessert?” While it seems straightforward, it’s actually a rather troubling question. In truth, I’m often rather full by the time dessert comes around. So, in order to actually get dessert, I’m forced to lie. Well, as lies go, it’s definitely smaller and harmless. But I can’t reveal that I didn’t actually save room for dessert and then ask to see a menu, so I always answer with a resounding “Yes!” even though it’s not quite the truth.
I sometimes only take a couple bites of our shared dessert, leaving Philippe to devour the rest. More than once he’s blamed me for the bloated feeling he had to endure later in the day. I tell him that he could have just taken a couple bites as well, but he said that he didn’t want to waste it. I see the logic, but only if the dessert is truly exceptional. Otherwise, it’s just not worth the extra calories and a bite or two is more than enough to satisfy my cravings. Actually, thinking about it now, the last time I had a banana split was on that date in Paris over a decade ago. I think in some ways I knew that without the magic of a date night overseas it might not taste quite as good. That’s what I love most about those two glistening spoons. They’re simply props for a lovely experience between two people. Food has a way of making lasting memories and there’s something extra special when it comes to sharing dessert.
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About the DoodlewashSketching Stuff Coloring Set – Da Vinci Watercolors: Charlie O’Blue, Hansa Yellow Medium, Opus (VIvid Pink), Yellow Ochre, Gold Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Terra Cotta, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with Sepia ink, Princeton Aqua Elite Travel Brushes, in an A5 Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Watercolour Book. |
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I miss sugar, we broke up so many years ago!😭 I’ve grieved my losses and I thoroughly enjoy seeing your enthusiasm for dessert😋😄🍨 🥧 🍦 It really is a joy to share in yours!🤗🤗
Aww thanks so much! 😃💕 I’ve already broken up with “added sugars” in any type of savory food, so I’m hoping that will prolong my occasional desserts just a little bit more! hehe
I never have room for a dessert anymore, so hubby and I don’t buy them. The exception is when we decide to drive to a favorite place half a day away just for the joy of the drive, and the dessert once we get there. So many of our favorite places are gone now, so it doesn’t happen too often.
Yeah, I’m always sad when I’m too full and it happens way more than I’d like. But the dessert definitely has to be special and worth it! 😃💕
Yummy-looking banana split! And thank you for sharing fun memories. My husband & I split dessert, too, when we have dessert.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 yeah, I think desserts just taste better when shared! hehe
No dessert here Charlie except for Thanksgiving pumpkin pie and the odd baking of choc chip cookies. Sounds great though!
Yeah, I’m not sure I’ll ever have the appetite for a banana split, even shared, these days. I like the fancy desserts at nice restaurants most because they’re stupidly small and a couple bites are all you get! lol 😉💕
What a wonderful story and painting, Charlie!!! I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten a banana split; they just always seem way too overwhelming!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 They are totally overwhelming! It’s more like something that should be shared by six people. I think that’s why I haven’t had one in more than a decade.
I don’t share desserts. There. It’s out there. My ugly truth. I will scream it from the rooftop so that everyone knows not to ask me for a bite. I will growl, if necessary. 😂😂😂
Hola, Charlie! I just had ice cream!!! What a great painting! I doff my hat to you, great sir, because you show such great restraint when eating dessert. Unheard of in these here parts. Okay, mainly my house and me. 😂😂😂
Many years ago, a news report was featured on the national news that researchers were studying why people, who are full from their meal/food, suddenly lose that “fullness” sensation and are able to down dessert with no problem. Weird, huh? 😂😂😂
My days are all confused and it feels like a Friday today. 😲😲 I hope you have a beautiful day, my sweet friend. Sadly, my fingers started to hurt again after two weeks of peace and calm. I was so happy, Charlie, so I was sad that the pain came back. 😔😔😔
Hola, mi amiga! 😃💕 Hehe… I’ll remember to never ask for that bite of your dessert! lol That is interesting how we can make room for dessert even when there’s really no room to be had. Sorry your pain came back… hopefully it will pass again soon. Much love to you! ❤️
Somebody’s birthday is coming up. 54…. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Happy early Birthday!! 😃💕 I think it’s week from Friday, correct? The 15th? Or I could just be making up dates in my head! lol
Aww, you remember! Yes, it’s the 15th. Still no plans yet, but we’ll see. Thanks, Charlie. You’re sweet! 💜💜💜
That’s a wonderful doodle, Charlie. I spoons really look metallic.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
Hellllooo Charlie,
First off, many many apologies for not having been very chatty these past few weeks. I’ve had an eventful past couple of months but I have read and enjoyed every post. I love love love the banana split you’ve painted and now I’m craving it. You’re so right about food creating memories and I recently experienced something that instantly became a funny memory for keeps. My Dad’s mother passed away a few weeks ago and towards the end of a long fortnight of rituals, we hosted a prayer-meet-cum-lunch for extended family and friends. Traditionally the ritual involves the bereaved family being served something sweet to symbolize the end of the mourning period and beginning of normal life anew. Well, it seems an accident happened in the kitchen and someone ended up adding too much nutmeg to the sweet. With several people feeding us a small bite each, we had sugar rushes but the nutmeg made us so drowsy – would you believe it?! My uncles and I fell asleep during the prayer bit. It was so embarrassing🙈 Imagine the gossip we provided for the guests!
Love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 And, no worries! I’m just so happy to see your comment! I’m sorry to hear about your Dad’s mother. But, that’s kind of an awesome story… I’m sure the other guests were just jealous and wished they could take a little break as well. hehe I hope you managed to dream a bit on that sugar rush nutmeg high… I bet they would be so interesting. Much love to you! ❤️
What a great painting and engaging story! I haven’t had a banana split in quite a few years but this looks so delicious and I could see it all happening in my mind. Wonderfully done! Thank you for taking us with you on your outings.
Thanks so much, Chris! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this story!!