Written by For our prompt of “Cardinal” today, I made a sketch of one nesting in the middle of some holiday decorations. As the days get closer and closer to Christmas, my holiday spirit is growing by leaps and bounds each and every day. Though this was certainly a very challenging year, I still find myself full of hope and filled with happiness. Yet, I can’t believe that Christmas is just two weeks from Friday. The days seem to be rushing by, although that always seems to be the case this time of year. My inner child gets completely giddy and I start to act entirely like a big kid. I’m generally like this all year long to an extant, but this time of year I have no qualms about just letting Little Charlie do whatever fun thing he thinks of next. It’s a beautiful reminder to let that youthfulness and sheer joy out all of the time. There’s really no better way to live!
Today I found a couple more little gifts for Philippe that he didn’t actually put on his wish list, so there will be a few surprises on the big day. Actually, for us, it’s Christmas Eve so it’s the big night and it’s getting even closer! Though the gifts are lovely, I’m most excited that Philippe put in our special order of food that we get each year. He came rushing up to me yesterday all excited to tell me that he’d ordered all of it. Then I learned his excitement was because he found a couple of coupons and saved a lot of money this year. I have to admit that it does feel really good to find a deal, but I’m still just as excited about the food that’s heading our way. He mentioned a few new things, but he was talking so quickly I forgot most of them so it will be another surprise to find out exactly what arrives!
We don’t typically do much during the season, but I do miss going to the theatre to watch A Christmas Carol this year. And we won’t be seeing our friends as we normally would, but I just had a zoom chat with one of my best friends on Monday, and it was perfectly wonderful. So there are always ways keep feeling connected to those who matter most. I’m equally looking forward to a long vacation break that I take each year at this time. I save up my days so that I can enjoy a little winter break just like when I was a kid. I can’t imagine going right back to work after getting all of my toys, after all! Philippe and I are bound and determined to enjoy every little tradition we still have and make the most of this wonderful time of year. Yes, everything can always be wonderful with lots of love, tons of hope, and the beauty of the season.
Want To Sketch Stuff With Me? Check Out My NEW Activity Book!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Nickel Azo Yellow, Quinacridone Red, Opus (Vivid Pink), Cobalt Turquoise, Phthalo Blue, Terra Cotta, and Indigo. 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! |
 |
|
Beautiful cardinal, Charlie! I think he’s wondering if there might be something under the tree for him!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Hehe… I’m sure that’s exactly what he’s wondering!
Tis all good Charlie, let’s enjoy the season! I finally finished my Christmas cards. I think. Funny how the last ones are among my best.
What a wonderful cardinal! Your excitement is contagious, thank you Charlie.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 And yay! I hope I’m spreading excitement and cheer!
I have all my Christmas shopping done, wrapped and in the mail, except for Hubby. I don’t think I’ll get his book done before Christmas. I don’t regret switching to a Mac, but now I have to figure out all the logistics for KDP again, and figure out how it all works. It’s a good thing I like learning new things!
Yay for the shopping done! 😃💕 And wrapped? Really? You over achiever you! lol Yeah, switching systems is quite a thing, but you’re gonna love Mac!
Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. Like I said, just when I think I have found my favorite painting of yours, you pull out your own magic trick! What a beautiful Cardinal, Charlie. Simply stunning. You know, they gnaw the dickens out of my succulents, but they are so beautiful to watch and listen to them sing. They are very smart and have their own territory. We had 3 in our yard. A couple, who I named Bonnie and Clyde, for stealing bites of my plants. They built their nest in a tree along our fence and, boy, dad was very protective. The other one I named Chubby Cakes because he was, well, chubby. He was single, though. They were sneaky and would watch me until I came inside before swooping in to eat my succulents.
Charlie, what an emotional moment today. The very first person got vaccinated in England. HOPE, Charlie! Our RESCUE has arrived! Thanks be to the Lord! What a Christmas gift! Young ones like us may have to wait, but not long. HOPE has come during the season that we celebrate when our main HOPE came to earth– Jesus. What a wonderful Christmas season, Charlie! HOPE!
I love all Christmas ornaments, but I don’t do well with the shiny glass ones. They are beautiful, but I break them too easily! Charlie, next year, I am going to celebrate Christmas in true Griswold manner. I truly believe with all my heart that this coming year will be a transforming year for me. I am so ready, Charlie! 💜 Feliz Navidad, my friend! God is good! Let us rejoice that we have a new HOPE!
Thanks so much, Marisela! 😃💕 YAY for HOPE! I feel the same… it’s been a trying year, but there’s definitely a light at end! And yep… I break the glass ornaments all of the time, but I think that’s part of the tradition as well! hehe And I agree! I think 2021 is going to be your year indeed!
Beautiful Charlie! I think he is looking for yummy treats!
I think I have said at one time or another that every songbird is my favorite, but I do love cardinals. I feed birds from a bunch of feeders in my front yard by my big maple tree. When we start to get snow the cardinals start coming in to feed, and they come all at once. One time I counted over 30 of them. They are on the ground, in the feeders, and in the trees. I’ve taken photos, but of course I can never capture all of them at once. I think the most I ever got was 23. It’s such an incredible show. It almost makes me wish for snow.
I remember your photo of those cardinals! That’s so amazing! 😃💕 We’ve never gotten that many at once, just a handful, so that’s indeed quite a show!
Nice doodle, Charlie. I’d never seen a Cardinal until I googled it for the prompt. It’s a beautiful bird. I love A Christmas Carol. A couple of years ago we recorded a version, made by the BBC, starring Simon Callow. It’s a one man show, with him telling the story, doing all the voices. We’ve kept to watch every year. You should watch it if you’re able to access it.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 Yeah, cardinals more of an icon of season over the pond. Oh wow! I’ll have to check out that version of a Christmas Carol. Sounds wonderful!
That is so cute. You and Phillipe sound like you are having so much fun. That’s so awesome 🙂
Thanks so much, Zoie! 😃💕 hehe! Yes! We have a blast this time of year. It’s fun all month long!
Sweet and colourful. I painted a water mountain and water scene for my Mum for Christmas. She said she did not want me to buy her anything. So I decided to do a small watercolour.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Aww I think a lovely watercolor is a perfect gift indeed! She’ll love it!
Yes.
Beautiful cardinal…and painting overall 🙂 Trying really hard to get into spirit..some sadness in our house..we just lost our last surviving cat..my son is going through some problems and I am just feeling sort of out of sorts..so coming here brightens my day to see your lovely paintings and hear your wonderful thoughts about the season ..Thanks!
Thanks so much, Priscilla! 😃💕 Ohhhh… I”m so sorry to hear about your cat, those fur babies can really break our hurts. And I hope things works out for your son. I know what you mean… when challenges start piling on top of on another, things feel dark and smothering and it’s hard to see the light. But, trust me, it’s always there. Even if sometimes it seems like you have to squint a bit to find it! 😉❤️
Cardinals are very colourful in the snow!!and ,look very christmassy. I like how you put him in the Christmas Tree!!
Thanks so much, Shawn! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this!
Wouldn’t it be something to discover a cardinal sitting in your tree, wondering just what you and Philippe are doing with his home all done up in lights and ornaments!
Yeah, I think it would be so cool if a cardinal appeared in the tree! 😃💕 As long it didn’t fly around… that might freak me out a bit! hehe