Written by During the middle of the winter months, I do often find myself longing for spring to come. But, if I pause to look around a bit, I’m always fascinated by the beauty that this chilly time of year has to offer. My favorite thing to appreciate are the glistening trees coated in a layer of ice with icicles glinting in the sun. It’s a wondrous site and makes the world seem impossibly sparkly and magnificent. For today, I decided to sketch a little female cardinal in just three of my favorite colors, enjoying the view. It’s currently not a totally icy scene where I am, but there are a few icicles here and there. Philippe and I have been enjoying the books and games we received for Christmas and are being generally lazy. I’ve no idea how he does it, but Philippe has managed to eat most of the chocolate out of my stocking as well as his. I never actually see him eating them. The only evidence comes in the form of little colorful bits of balled of foil. These can been found throughout the house, so it’s rather convenient as if I need to find him and ask him something I can just follow the trail like Hansel and Gretel.
Tonight, Philippe is going to try one of the pieces of cookware I bought for him. It’s a cast-iron gratin baking dish that was a rather sly move on my part because it’s primarily used for things covered in cheese as well as fruit crisps. So, tonight, he’s making his yummy mac and cheese! This is the gluten-free version that he included in our DO Cook! cookbook. It’s delicious and so I have no shame that I bought him a gift that might inspire its return. And it’s certainly not as rich as the food we enjoyed at Christmas. A couple of days ago, I ate almost nothing as my body nearly screamed at me that it was quite full, thank you very much. This was annoying, as the holidays are simply not suitable for dieting, but thankfully I feel much better today and ready to celebrate again properly! We also have a bit of panettone for dessert, so the holidays are not completely finished yet. I hope each of you are spending these last few moments of 2018 with equal bits of cheer and happiness. It’s been an incredible year and I’m thrilled to see what the next will bring for all of us!
For his part, our dog Phineas is sitting on the floor in the kitchen next to Philippe watching his every move. He’s already had his dinner as well as a treat, but that doesn’t stop him from hoping there’s maybe just a bit more to enjoy in his future. He’s truly the sweetest dog in the world, but I have to admire his tenacity. Nothing ever seems to dispel his sense of hope. I aspire to be just like him. Tonight as the sun was setting, there was a beautifully pink sky that smiled brightly behind the trees. I had to stop and admire it and while doing so I was overcome with a lovely feeling of thankfulness. Life doesn’t always deliver dreams exactly as planned, but if you have a bit of tenacity, like Phineas, life can always produce something extra that you never expected. I’m also thankful that another gift I gave Philippe seems to be working. Featured guest artist Ron Stocke just published a gorgeous new watercolor book that has inspired Philippe to start painting again! Yay! That’s the best gift I could ever hope to receive! I’ve always felt so much joy from promoting other artists and watching their art journeys unfold. Having one of them inspire my an artist in my own home is an incredible bit of icing on the cake. And so, as the sun finally disappears and that incredibly pink sky fades into the darkness, I’m still quite tickled pink. Lost in the hope and serenity that comes from that sparkling winter beauty.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Vermilion, Yellow Ochre, and Cobalt Blue. 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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Thankfulness is a wonderful word to start the new year and to end the old. Yay to mac and cheese (a personal favorite) and congrats to getting a paintbrush in Phillips’ s hand again!!!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m thrilled that Philippe is picking up a paintbrush again. That’s even better than mac & cheese… and that’s saying a lot! 😉
I love that Mac & Cheese recipe! I don’t blame Phineas for being hopeful. I’m looking forward to having some Hoppin’ John for New Year’s Day. Patrick won’t eat rice very often (and shouldn’t being diabetic), but he does like that dish.
Yay! Glad you liked the recipe, Sandra! 😃💕Oh my gosh, I had to google Hoppin’ John as I wasn’t familiar with that one. Looks delicious!
Icicles are magical – I wish I had the chance to see them more often. LOL Philippe eating your chocolates. I thought he had more self control.
hehe! You have the perfect weather, Sharon! 😃💕 And yeah, I know right? Who knew Philippe just couldn’t control himself. Wait… I did… must remember to hide the Christmas chocolates… lol
Hubs usually stays up later than I do. There are many mornings that I get up and make my coffee then go to get the treat I saved to have with my coffee. Let’s say a brownie😀! I look under the foil that I used to cover the pan, and it’s gone. Since it’s just the two of us, I know who took my breakfast. When he gets up I accuse him of the crime. He doesn’t look the least bit guilty. And, he is a bit cheeky when he says, “You snooze, you lose!”
Your female cardinal is lovely. Their beauty is more subtle than the male, but still a gorgeous bird.
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 And thanks also for making me feel like I’m no alone as I also live in a snooze or you lose household! LOL But I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Such a beautiful scene. I like Spring, but I’m not ready to start working in the yard! It takes away from my play time. :< I do appreciate nature's magic. We had one of those days yesterday where the sun was out and it was pouring. That mixture however always produces rainbows and we had one beautiful one. Enjoy your last day of 2018!
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕Yay to rainbows!! That’s awesome!! And yeah, I can enjoy spring since I don’t have a yard to deal with! hehe… same with fall leaves. Hope you have a wonderful few last minutes of 2018!
Charlie said, “It’s been an incredible year and I’m thrilled to see what the next will bring for all of us!”
It is clear that Phineas has taught you all about the wonder of hope and faith. (Good boy, Phineas) That is a beautiful outlook. Even more beautiful is the fact that your
attitude of gratitude makes it a self-fulfilling prophecy that spills into the lives of all
your followers. Thank you…May the New Year bring you unexpected blessings.
You’ve always managed to make me feel like my words matter, Sarah! 😃💕 And that is the greatest gift I could ever hope to receive! I hope you and yours have a perfectly amazing New Year filled with beauty and hope!
Charlie, this painting takes my breath away – truly one of my most favorite of your Doodlewashes. It expresses the chill of the season with the sense of hope for the future, just what you wrote about so beautifully in this post.
Happy New Year to you, Phillipe, and Phineas. May you celebrate with good health and much love.
Oh wow! Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 I’m so thrilled you enjoyed this one so much! That makes me so happy! And a VERY happy New Year to you and yours my friend. I hope 2019 makes all of your dreams come true!