Written by Last night, Philippe and I enjoyed one of my favorite summer desserts of all, strawberries with whipped cream. With the latter being my favorite absolutely any time of the year, even by itself. A mound of whipped cream is like eating a fluffy cloud of awesomeness. Paired with strawberries, it transforms into a dessert that’s actually half-healthy. You can easily guess which half. As a kid, we often indulged in strawberry shortcake this time of year. Or, to be more accurate, a store-bought angel food cake which we covered in strawberries and topped with whipped cream that squirted out of a can. Perhaps it’s this magical can that made me love whipped cream so much. From the sound to the perfectly formed dollops of goodness, that can was an all-around incredible experience. When mom wasn’t looking, you could also tilt the can up and squirt the whipped cream directly into your mouth. Though doing it was a stealth act, the moment my mother turned around and found her son foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog, my covert action was no longer covert and all of my indiscretions were horrifying revealed.
A few years ago when Philippe and I were visiting family in Paris, we grabbed a can of whipped cream for later in the evening. Not sure why he allowed this, always demanding “it’s so easy to make your own,” but perhaps a vacation mindset changes things for just about everyone. Either way, I was in heaven again as my childhood came flooding back to me. As the evening came to a close, I was desperately trying to think of something to distract him so I could try the whipped cream directly from the can. As it turns out, childhoods are similar no matter where you grow up, and he grabbed the can and tried it before I even could. This was a wonderful thing indeed. That warm and loving moment when you realize you’ve chosen exactly the right person to spend your life with. It’s never something you might expect. Usually just something silly like this that almost turns your little faults into virtues and proves that life is only ever something to celebrate.
Yesterday, of course, the whipped cream was made from scratch, but at the end of the night, there was a moment of pause, while we both stared at the nearly empty bowl with a lone spatula in it. There were no words, just glances, and a subtle nod and sparkle in the eye from Philippe to say that yes, it was mine to finish. Seriously, though, that spatula is amazing… there’s like a complete dollop waiting there in that seemingly empty bowl. And once again, I was warmly reminded that I had indeed married well. It strikes me as funny that these are the things that bind us in a relationship. Such silly and seemingly insignificant moments that should have no importance at all. Yet, when I think about it more, I realize that the very core of life is made up of just these sorts of moments. Though we might find stress in major problems, we can always find solace in the nothing much at all. Those bits of life that remind us only of what is most important. Tiny moments with family and friends and those amazingly special people who always have a way of reminding us that we are loved. Sometimes, it can be something exceptionally grand, but more often, it’s just a silly yet heartwarming moment with strawberries and whipped cream.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Nickel Azo Yellow, Quinacridone Red, 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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This was one of your sweetest posts ever, Charlie, and I’m not talking about the whipped cream. It’s the hallmark of a successful marriage when the couple can recognize that the good moments are happening all the time, instead of hoping for some unrealistic Hollywood grand excess that doesn’t exist. And I love your whipped cream and strawberries too!
Aww thanks, Sandra! 😃💕Glad you liked this! Yeah, real marriage is WAY better than the Hollywood version when you find that someone who just “gets” you. 😉
Yum! I’m hopefully getting fresh strawberries tomorrow unless the weather is bad. Hubs isn’t as huge a strawberry fan as i, but he indulges my love by going out to the local fruit grower and buying six quarts for me to eat some now, and freeze some for January when I really need a fix!
hehe! Yay you can get your fix, Lisa! 😃💕Yeah, that’s the other side of marriage… differences that mean more for you in the end! lol
A heartwarming story. Even though I know I am older than you are, some of your childhood recollections bring to mind long forgotten memories of my own. In this case, I remember the blueberries, freshly picked and cleaned, and eaten with real whipped cream. Sweet indeed!
Thanks so much, Louise! 😃💕That sounds like a wonderful memory indeed! I adore blueberries! We actually have a few each day with our morning oatmeal. Frozen, sadly… not usually fresh!
Making me smile again…thanks Charlie. (K)
It makes me smile to know that, Kerfe! 😃💕 Thank you, my friend! Glad you enjoyed this.
I agree with Sandra! A wonderful story and Doodlewash!
Thanks so much, Mary!! 😃💕 Glad you liked this!
The truth of love is that the tiny but heartwarming moments ARE exceptionally grand, if only we stop to savor them. Your whipped cream looks wonderful!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 So true… it’s always those little moments we can skip over if we forget to focus on them that make love work.
Very light and fluffy Charlie! Lovely
Thanks so much, Rod! Glad you liked it! 😃💕
…so yummy.
and this:
” Though we might find stress in major problems, we can always find solace in the nothing much at all.” so true!!
Thanks, Sarah! 😃💕 I think probably sums up my entire belief system! hehe… and why you’ll always find me just telling stories and sketching stuff. 😉
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Thanks so much, Carol! 😃💕