Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Oops

Ever have one of those days when you're going along, happy and busy as can be, and all of a sudden life throws you an "Oops"?  This happened to me recently when I was making a batch of Banana Bread - using my favorite kitchen tools. My oops was that one of my long time favorite kitchen tools 'bit the dust'. How sad! Although my son was eager for me to 'throw it away' and reduce the count by one, I wasn't inclined to move so fast. I wanted to do something - to reflect on the happy times that I've had with this favorite 'kitchen toy'. Tonight I finally made the time to reflect .....

11 comments:

Kathy A. Johnson said...

I love that you did this with your broken kitchen tool. I hate to lose something I like and use all the time, and this is a great way to memorialize it. RIP, green-handled spatula! I think this type of sketchbook entry will bring you lots of pleasure later in life, because without it, will you really remember the spatula and all you've been through together?!

Cheryl Gebhart said...

It's sad to lose a favorite tool, but what a great way to remember it once you do dispose of it. I agree with Kathy that the page will remind you for years to come how much you used and enjoyed this spatula.

ArtbyBernadette said...

What a sweet way to preserve all the memories associated with this!

john.p said...

You document it well. That's what I like to do, too. Glad you saved it for posterity. We all get attached to our tools. I should send you a couple replacements. wilma got a half dozen of these for Xmas at a family gift exchange. Keep up the good work.

Mermaid's Palette said...

Claire- as usual, I love your sketch and the final farewell was fun to read!

Sarah Melling said...

Wow...this is a perfect example of the fact that one doesn't need a fancy, "picture perfect" subject to draw/paint...it's all in how you approach it. I find this piece, and your remarks about your spatula, to be very charming!

Claire M said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog this year. I'm off to a slow start and hope to get my sketching engine rev'd up and going.

Although my son was eager for me to toss this spatula as soon as it snapped, I resisted - wanting to capture it somehow. I'm glad I made the time and now I can toss it. I do enjoy sketching simple ordinary things...

Hope you all have a nice day.

Unknown said...

Hi Claire,
this is my first visit to your blog. My spatula broke while I was mixing banana bread a few weeks ago, but I never thought about documenting it in my journal. What a wonderful journal entry. I love how you laid out your page and incorporated the writing around your painting and i like your calligraphic Oops. Stop by my blog sometime www.barbararoth.blogspot.com

Timaree said...

Love the story and the picture. Nice job on getting that "white" to read 3D too. I drew and colored with colored pencils, a clothes hanger my granddaughter accidentally broke. My mother had brought it home from work when I was about 11 years old. She died too young so keeping it all these years helped me feel close to her. Now I feel like I have a connection through the generations. Simple items can carry powerful memories. I am so glad you took the time to treasure your favorite tool rather than just toss it!

Claire M said...

Hi Barbara - thanks for dropping by. What a coincidence that you recently made banana bread ... and broke your spatula. I stopped by your blog and added it to my reading list. Keep in touch.

Timaree - Thanks for sharing your story about the special clothes hanger from your mom. Yes, it does surprise me how touched I can be with simple items that bring so many memories to mind. P.S. I've missed seeing you and others in the classes we've taken together.

K said...

I just had this happen to me too, had to toss what seemed like an old heirloom kitchen tool - a porcelain-enameled colander that started to rust. Unlike you, thought I did not get a chance to sketch it first, so I made sure I got plenty of photos so one day I will be able to sketch it.