Last week I was doing errands when this photo unexpectedly popped up on my cell phone screen. My initial reaction was relief! Relief that Cranberry Cheesecake had arrived safely in Fayettesville, Arkansas.
With all the storms and post office delays, I was a bit concerned about shipping it halfway across the country and arriving in one piece – even though I had carefully packed it in several layers of bubble wrap. I had read too many recent shipping horror stories.
Then came the realization that my long time friend Carolyn (looking younger than ever!) and I will always be connected by this Cranberry Cheesecake painting!
I was also happy she sent the photo so I can see where it’s hanging in her home off the kitchen. It’s always fascinates me to see in situ photos of my work, and often gives me new ideas.
Then my mind ricocheted to another cheesecake painting, Blueberry Cheesecake, which is hanging close by in the Connecticut home of my friends Carin and Steve.
This half eaten cheesecake originally came from a huge bakery case in Cafe Lalo in Manhattan. Cranberry Cheesecake (from Magnolia Bakery) and Blueberry Cheesecake, as well as Macarons (from DelRey Chocolatier in Antwerp), are from my January, 2017 Challenge, so each painting has its own blog post.
When I visited Carin and Steve, I was delighted to see these little paintings hanging in a beautiful setting off the marsh. I was lucky enough to be invited for lunch on this porch with its stunning panoramic view.
I wish I had this delicious salad that Carin made that day right now!
Just like I know I’ll always be connected to Carolyn, I know I’ll be connected to Carin by a cheesecake – and so much more. We met in business school and have been friends for over 40 years (yikes!).
It’s a good example of synchronicity since Carin, Carolyn and I all worked at Kraft General Foods at the same time. Carolyn and I met in the Maxwell House Division post-business school (a bit under 40 years ago) , and Carin worked in Post Cereals, where I was transferred after Maxwell House.
All three of us marketed food products for a big chunk of our careers. And apparently we are each drawn to cheesecake, which is not a total surprise since we’re foodies, each in our own way personally and professionally.
Now the three of us are re-connected to each other by cheesecake paintings. How fitting is that?
