Written by For our prompt of “Grape Jelly” today, my mind went right to the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I enjoyed as a kid. Though I did have them with grape jelly sometimes, my favorite was with strawberry jam instead. It’s been ages since I’ve had one of these sandwiches and even longer for other types of snacks and treats that I enjoyed back then. Even today though, it doesn’t take much to amuse me with little treats of any kind. During this time of social distancing, Philippe and I have tried lots of new things that we’ve never tried before, mostly because we’ve been having groceries delivered and marked the order to allow all substitutions. This makes for a fun sort of grab bag when it comes to seeing what we get each week. On the last order, a single fresh baguette was substituted for two bags of brioche sliders. This not remotely similar, but Philippe used them to make a French toast casserole this morning and it was delicious!
Though many things have begun to reopen here, both Philippe and I won’t be returning to our work offices until sometime in June. And though our local zoo reopened, which we normally enjoy visiting this time of year, we’re likely to just be staying at home rather than visit any places with people. Though we renewed our membership to help support them. In truth, being in public venues is just not fun anymore and exhausting to constantly be on one’s guard while jumping out of the way when someone comes near. For a couple of introverts like us, staying home hasn’t proven too terribly awful, though I also miss going to the theaters. Yet, enjoying brand new releases of movies at home has been really fun. What I’ve realized during this time is that I don’t require much to be happy. Though there were many things I thought I couldn’t live without, the truth is, there’s only a few things I really ever need. Yes, art supplies are on the list of essential things, of course!
I don’t require many art supplies to keep me happy either. As long as I have my pencil, pens, watercolors, and sketchbook then I have everything I ever really need to keep sketching stuff. But, even though I have all of the things I need, there are always little extra things that I want. These serve no purpose except to keep life interesting and mix things up a bit. Indeed, not having little extras would make life terribly dull and not ever wanting for more would mean I’ve stopped dreaming. Yet, that bag of lightly salted potato chips I snuck into the last grocery order thrilled me like I’d just gotten gold. Stupidly simple things like that change my day from something monotonous to something almost glamorous. It’s just takes a little something new that feels a bit special. Or, some lovely relived memory of childhood that makes me feel young again for a moment. Nothing particularly extraordinary, but instead, just the wonderful glow of happiness that comes from enjoying simple treats.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Gold Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Terra Cotta and Ultramarine (Green Shade). Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black 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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Not fond of peanut butter but totally understand..I have found also its the little things that matter most…and although some things I do miss(hugs,church and family)..I also have enjoyed the time to work with my art and just have fun with the little things that come out…Have a blessed day!
Philippe doesn’t like peanuts at all, but loves peanut butter! lol I have no idea how that works. Yay for having time to have fun with art! 😃💕
Fantastic Charlie.😊
Thanks so much, Stephen! 😃💕
Fantastic Charlie! Grape jelly is the only one my husband will eat but I prefer seedless raspberry. I agree with you that it is very unnerving to be out and about with people and I am not sure when those feelings will ease. Art exhibit opportunities are slowly becoming discussed and I am being very cautious about what I am agreeing too. Still trying to be upbeat and create. Stay safe!
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 I’m with you… seedless raspberry sounds way better! Things will all work out as they should. Stay safe and upbeat and create!!
Just the right amount of peanut butter and jelly….nice Doodlewash, Charlie! Brings back lots of good childhood memories.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Glad ya liked this one!
My husband has been going in to work each day, and I’ve been doing grocery shopping every couple of weeks, and we’re both going to continue with that being our only outings for a while. We’re both content and haven’t felt like we’ve missed very much. As the weather gets better, we’ll probably do more scenic drives on the week-end and that’s really all we’ll need. And peanut butter and jam sandwiches? The only thing better is peanut butter and jam on toast!
Yeah, we’re not heading back into the world yet. Might be post-vaccine at this point. But we’ll be taking that drive as well soon I’m sure! 😉
That’s my favorite sandwich ever… And eat it with a banana and a hot chocolate!!!!!! Mmmmmmmm.😋😋😋
Glad you enjoyed this Walt! 😃💕 Oh wow… with banana and hot chocolate? hehe… that’s some sweet tooth! 😉
Brilliant doodle Charlie. I love peanut butter. Don’t think I’d like it with jam (jelly) though.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s actually way better on its own!
Pb&j isn’t for me. In fact I don’t like either of those on anything but toast. Funny how people’s tastes are so different. I snuck Oreos into our grocery shopping. But my favorite treat during this time is an order of iris plants I made the other day, and a sycamore tree I ordered. It occurred to me that I really bought the tree for the next generation that moves into this house after we are dead, but that’s okay. I always wanted one, and I still have time left on the planet to watch it grow.
Okay, now you’ve got me wanting to sneak Oreos into our next grocery order! lol 😃💕 Yum! And yay for watching the tree grow. Trees are always wonderful gifts for the next generation!
Wonderful and beautiful painting!!
Thanks so much, Danai! 😃💕
Lovely! This is scrumptiously inviting!
Thanks so much, Brenda! 😃💕
Wow! Your sketching has really increased these past few months. More to them. I am reminded of pb&j every time I make one for my hubby’s lunch. It’s usually after dinner when I make it, so it doesn’t sound that great. When I make it before I eat, I always think, “Oh this sounds really good. Maybe I’ll have one for lunch tomorrow.” You know how our little peabrains work……forgotten in a matter of hours (or even minutes). Tee Hee!
Aww thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕I have a coworker who only ate pb&j every day at lunch as well! hehe It sounds good, but I don’t know if I’d like it as well as I did back then!
Hooray for PBJ! I also like it with strawberry preserves. When there is nothing in the fridge for lunch, this humble sandwich saves the day.
hehe! yes! 😃💕 I remember this sandwich saving my life many times as a kid! These days, I don’t want the sweet, so it ends up with just peanut butter! hehe
Great doodle of jelly charlie!
Thanks so much, Fatima! 😃💕
Fantastic Work! reminds me of when I was working as a professional in a nonprofit, I loved going out for lunch but still my husband would make me a bagged lunch every day , he made me a peanut butter and jelly/ jam sandwich… the only variation being the type of jam. Every day it sat in my car uneaten or eaten for breakfast or became life savers on the days we were strapped for time . I never told him to stop with making the sandwiches because I knew they were an act of caring and love… now we are both retired together I miss those “P&J” ! I still get my morning coffee made for me so can’t complain!
Thanks, Susan! 😃💕 Aww I adore that story! Love that he made you pb&j and fun that you both miss them now!