Written by For our prompt of “Giraffe” today, I sketched a mother giraffe and her little baby. There’s just something so sweet about seeing any animal interact with their newborn. For many of them, it’s simply an exercise in instinct, but I always like to view it as it appears. Like true love. And, there’s really nothing better in this world than love. This time of year is my favorite because I always end up getting to spend more time with friends and family. It’s a time to relive old traditions and sometimes even start new ones! I’m excited to see my own mother in less than two weeks when I travel to Texas to visit my family there. Though, unlike these giraffes, the mother and son positions are reversed. I actually tower over my mother by almost a foot. We always make jokes about that with each other. Sometimes, I will walk toward her like I’m about to hug her, miss entirely, and end up hugging myself. She smirks and makes a crack about the weather up there in the clouds and then we hug. It’s a ritual that never gets old, even as we both get older. And, I’m thrilled to spend time with her again soon.
Tonight we’re having friends over for dinner. Since our dog thinks he runs everything in our house, we refer to it as attending Café Phineas. It’s actually been a year since this particular restaurant was open. The head chef, of course is Philippe since Phineas doesn’t really know how to cook. This doesn’t stop him from carefully watching every move Philippe makes as though he does know exactly what’s happening and is ensuring the quality of the meal. For my part, I don’t cook, so I do the cleaning. This involved “finding” our dining room table. It was still in its usual place, but had various things stacked on it, since we never use it when it’s just the two of us. For the menu, Philippe decided on French onion soup, chicken cordon bleu, and potatoes. We’ll be starting with a cheese plate and champagne, so it really will feel like going out to a restaurant. And best of all, we’ll get to spend some quality time with our good friends.
These are the things in life that remind me I always have everything I need. It doesn’t take much to be happy in life. Sure, more money would always be nice, but I’ll always find myself enjoying the things money can’t buy much more. And as I cleaned house today and tried to make things presentable for our friends, I found silly little trinkets we’d acquired. Each time I grabbed one to try to figure out where the heck it should go, memories flashed back to me. It was magical to remember that fun trip to California or simply that fun find on a regular trip to HomeGoods. That’s part of the reason for the accumulation of things. For Philippe and I, nearly anything can be made valuable simply for the reminder of a moment. Not even a big or notable moment, just a moment spent together or with a friend we adore. And as I shuffled each little thing into its proper place in the house, I found myself actually enjoying cleaning. It wasn’t a chore, it was just a lovely trip through all of the little things that remind me of the love we share.
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Okay, I want to come to cafe Phineas because dinner sounds awesome! Since we are having Thanksgiving company, I’m not doing much cooking before hand. A big pot of goulash will last two or three days, and then it’s turkey all the way. Since I’m still in recovery from my crushed vertebra, I’m paring t-day down to the essentials: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy. And pie because some people would call that the most important thing of all.
hehe! We’d love you have you over to Cafe Phineas, Lisa! 😃💕Hope your recovery is going well and that sounds like all of the essentials. Especially the pie! 😉
I’m having leftovers for dinner – your’s sounds much better! I always feel a little sorry for people who always have to be doing something. They must never slow down enough to just enjoy the basic blessings in life. Enjoy your meal and the visit with your friends!
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, I know some people who are just booked all of the time. Always something on the calendar. I couldn’t do that… but it’s fun to make a date with friends!
There’s something especially wonderful about a mama and baby giraffe….maybe it’s just that it’s not something we see everyday? Dinner sounds wonderful and even more so for being shared with friends. Enjoy your evening!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah, I think that’s definitely it with a mother and baby giraffe. And I hope you’ve been having a lovely weekend!
Love your giraffe family, Charlie! Enjoy your evening with friends.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 It was a lovely evening! Hope you had one as well!
So precious!!!! Awesome, you found some treasures today!!! 🙂 Hope you have lots of fun with your friends!!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕We had a blast! Hope your weekend has been fun!
Beautiful writing and painting! So glad you enjoy and cherish the little things – that’s the secret of life.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕It truly is the secret to a happy life!
That’s beautiful. So well drawn.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one!
Charlie says, “I found myself actually enjoying cleaning. It wasn’t a chore, it was just a lovely trip through all of the little things that remind me of the love we share.”
There is peace and beauty radiating from those words, and from the loving interaction
of Mama and Baby Giraffe.
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕 It was fun to relive those memories. And bittersweet as not everything made the cut and some ended up in the bin. 😉
A great meditation to begin the week. We all have much to be thankful for. (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this!
I love giraffes almost as much as elephants. I think it is the size thing. They are so tall and I am so short. I think I would love you too if ever we meet. I would probable love your mom, because I also love minature things. The tinier the better. Amazing job on this pair!
Aww that’s so sweet, Lori! 😃💕 I think I’d love you back! And if you didn’t love me, I’m 100% certain that would indeed love my mom. She’s miniature and awesome! lol
Love your mom and son story. My son’s hugs are almost rob cracking yet worth the risk. Your giraffes are lovely.
Thanks, Bonnie! 😃💕 Aww I love that those hugs are worth the risk! Hugs are always like that!
Gorgeous Charlie
Thanks so much, Linda! 😃💕
Looks very affectionate Charlie. Nice way of rendering! good work!😊
Thanks so much, Jerson! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed my giraffes!
I love this warm sketch, Charlie🥰. When I’ve seen your sketch, I haven’t painted any Giraffe yet, so I thought : Awwwwee, Charlie painted this beautiful moment already hehhehhe, and it’s beautiful 🍀Then the other pose of Giraffe was born hehe.
Thanks, Loan! 😃💕And a beautiful giraffe you created indeed! Loved it! That’s the fun of painting and sketching together! ❤️