Written by When I was a kid, one of my favorite dishes was spaghetti and meatballs. While spaghetti with red sauce was rather common, the special and very rare nights that my mom would make meatballs instead were a thrill. The rareness was due to both the extra work involved in creating the meatballs and the meat itself, which was more expensive and we didn’t have a lot of extra cash to spare. I remember when they were large, I’d get only three, which created a sort of face on the plate with two eyes and nose surrounded by blonde spaghetti hair. At least that’s what I imagined. For some reason it was always fun to find something smiling back at me on my plate as a kid. Whether it was a happy pancake with blueberry eyes and a strawberry smile or a hot dog made to look like a little man with a mustard grin. Even today, I’ll still get a little thrill when I see a happy plate, though these days it’s accidental and only my imagination at work with no clever mom trying to make me laugh. When I think back to those days, I’m reminded that life is far more fun when you don’t take it too seriously. And though I don’t still partake in many of the dishes I had as a child, I can still look for a bit of happy on my plate like I did those many years ago.
I’m excited to be heading into an Easter weekend because Philippe has been inspired and told me he is planning on making some lovely treats. The first is carrot cake, which was an Easter family tradition when I was growing up and I loved it. So, I’m excited to see his version, which I think is going to manifest itself as cupcakes. The second is a large chocolate chicken using a mold we received from Philippe’s father. His father was quite the chef and so all of the wonderful chocolate objects at Easter were created at home. This was not at all something that ever happened in my own childhood, so the entire experience seems rather magical to me. Though my father-in-law is no longer with us, he’s left a legacy of wonderful things behind including fabulous culinary traditions and even my new blue glasses that I now wear with pride. Family is the most important thing in the world! And, when you marry and blend families, you get even more people to love and honor in the process. That’s a pretty amazing thing. And, yeah, when you marry a Parisian with a chef for a dad, you get some truly amazing food to enjoy and I feel both lucky and thoroughly spoiled all at once!
And I hope that all of you out there enjoy a lovely weekend with your family as well. I think any weekend is a cause for celebration, so enjoy every lovely moment! My family on both sides, lives miles away so my own weekend will be the usual trio of the aforementioned Parisian husband, myself, and our surly yet lovable basenji dog, Phineas. The latter is quite sure that when we tell him chocolate is poisonous to dogs, we’re just making it all up to keep all the treats for ourselves. At this very moment, we’re listening to a bit of French music and though I can still only understand every other word, it’s quite lovely. And Philippe is taking the night off from cooking, so we ordered pizza, which is definitely something I remember from childhood. However, the Philippe-approved pizza now comes from a restaurant with an award-winning chef and is delivered by Uber Eats, so things have definitely changed a bit. The one thing that hasn’t changed, nor ever really changes, is my love of family and food. There’s nothing better than when you find that perfect combination of happy, like spaghetti and meatballs.
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Spaghetti and meatballs look and sound yummy! When my mom made sauce with meatballs, I would always get a meatball in a chunk of Italian bread as my after school snack.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 And YUM! That sounds like the yummiest after school snack ever!
Joe’s sister and family are coming for the holiday. I’m cooking a Mexican feast. Including guacamole! Laura’s bringing the dessert. Don’t know what it is, but how bad can any dessert be? Our little great niece and nephew will be here and we are planning on hiding baskets! Have a great Easter!
Awesome, Lisa! 😃💕 Hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter!!
When I was much younger, I’d make spaghetti with meat sauce and add insult to injury by including pepperoni. It was hubby’s favorite dinner. As time went on our meals got healthier, but he still asks for it from time to time.
Oh wow… that’s inspired!! 😃💕 I wouldn’t mind a little pepperoni as well… that sounds delicious!!
One of my husband’s favorite meals was spaghetti. It is delicious for sure and one we
both enjoyed as kids and as young adults.The homemade version was much better than Spaghetti O’s that was the rage with so many
kids. Your plate of spaghetti looks delicious but the pizza sounds even better. Happy Easter to you and your family.
Thanks, June! 😃💕 Yeah, I never liked Spaghetti O’s… always though it tasted weird. hehe Hope you have a very Happy Easter my friend!
Charlie what are you doing. It is 7 AM and I have a appetite in spaghetti with meatballs. Wonderful tasty watercolour. Have a good Easter.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 hehe… nothing wrong with meatballs and spaghetti for breakfast in my book! Hope you have a good Easter as well!
You said it all… comfort food that reminds us of our childhood and family traditions. Love spaghetti and you will probably think I am a little off… but I love a tall glass of milk with my spaghetti. My friends think that’s weird but when I was a kid there was no exception to not have milk with your meal. I guess that one stuck caused it’s the best. Happy Easter off to the tulip festival today
Yeah, comfort food is the best for sure! 😃💕 And milk, eh? hehe I don’t think that’s weird at all. Hope you have a wonderful time at the tulip festival. Happy Easter!
Have a wonderful Easter weekend! My mom made the best meatballs, afraid I am not following in her footsteps when it comes to meatballs or pies. Maybe a good thing, lol?
Hehe… yeah, from a nutritional standpoint… maybe! 😉 Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend as well! 😃💕
still am absolute favorite of mine, gotta have my sketti once a week!
Those blue glasses are about fav. I’m telling you, they make me smile every time I see them.
You know, I might just have to have some of those.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Glad you liked the sketch and thrilled you like the new glasses! That makes me so happy! They were my father-in-laws, now passed, so they’re quite special to me.
well now, that is really special, I love it that they were your father in laws glasses!
Wow! This plate of spaghetti is so detailed. My late father made the best spaghetti. I don’t make real spaghetti like he did, my boys aren’t big fans spaghetti. So why waste me time and I difinitely don’t need to eat a whole pot of it!
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 Yeah, drawing lots of spaghetti can make your eyes cross. I take my tips from tangle artists when I make something like this. 😉 And awww… you should come over here to have some! hehe
Charlie says, “Family is the most important thing in the world! And, when you marry and blend families, you get even more people to love and honor in the process. That’s a pretty amazing thing. And, yeah, when you marry a Parisian with a chef for a dad, you get some truly amazing food to enjoy and I feel both lucky and thoroughly spoiled all at once!”
There is wisdom and joy and love in that saying. Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this! I’m totally spoiled, but I think when we all stop and look at what matters in our lives, it’s clear we’re all delightfully spoiled! 😉