Looking for answers to life's questions

Phil’s Christmas

12 23 21

I mentioned before that we had hoped over the last year or two that this would be a more international trip than it has been. While watching all the episodes of “I’ll have what Phil’s having” and “Somebody feed Phil” on Netflix we got caught up in Phil Rosenthal’s childlike wonder at every city and country he visited and the food he tasted. It was our happy place during the Pandemic. A hopefulness that enveloped us when the days seemed too grim to bear. Phil made us laugh and feel his joy.

A Phil mug for each of us.

It was not to be. Everywhere we wanted to go got tighter and tighter restrictions and we understood. So, we confined out trip to just memory lane with a little added bonus here and there.

My daughter-in-law was caught up in our wonder herself. She decided that a joint Christmas gift for my daughter and I would represent the idea of global travel. She did extensive research and pulled together foods from everywhere possible and labeled their origin, wrapped them beautifully and placed them in two baskets for my daughter and I. My son supplied encouragement.

Each package labeled where the food originated

I wanted to share just a bit of our fun at opening each and every one of these dozens of packages before we left on our trip. We all sampled a few and the rest are awaiting our return. I’m not expecting to do more traveling but never say never. I’m wishing you an adventurous heart to your Christmas and sending lots of love and hugs to each and everyone that has sent en-courage-ment as we trek through the country of my birth. We are celebrating a quiet thoughtful Christmas and New Year as we delve into the unknown future that awaits.

There is so much here

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for going on this journey with us.

My daughter’s water color for her brother.

From my heart to yours,

Marlene Herself.

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My thoughts about things

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Comments on: "Phil’s Christmas" (53)

  1. Missy said:
    12/23/2021 at 8:37 am

    Marlene, you have a very special and thoughtful daughter-in-law! I love your sense of wonder and excitement. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 💚❤️💚

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 9:25 am

      Thanks so much, Missy. It’s the best way to look at things. Being in another country can make you see everything ordinary, differently. Yes, the DIL is very special and thoughtful. Very rare these days. Marry Christmas, Missy. Have a good one.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. arlingwoman said:
    12/23/2021 at 9:01 am

    What a great set of gifts! I have wondered about Phil, but never watched the show, so I may check it out now. I imagine Omicron just squeezed the options out of your travel and I’m sorry for that. I have hopes it might end the pandemic, but we’ll see. Stay safe and best wishes for a merry Christmas and a very happy new year!

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 9:22 am

      No worries, Lisa. We are still having a grand time meeting new people and having new experiences. Being very safe about it though. If you need a day brightener, Phil is your guy. We are hoping for more of it and they are working on it. Maybe in this next year. You can’t be blue with Phil around. Merry Christmas and thanks for the visit.

      Like

  3. Liz Gauffreau said:
    12/23/2021 at 9:11 am

    How wonderful that you will have so many goodies to look forward to upon your return from your travels! I hadn’t heard of “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having.” It sounds like a lot of fun! I love your daughter’s watercolor painting for her brother. A Merry Christmas gnome/elf/fairy? going incognito! I hope you and your daughter have a good Christmas together in Germany.

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 9:18 am

      You can only see Phil on Netflix and maybe get some of them online. We watched all of them…twice at least. His exuberance is contagious. He produced the series “Everyone Loves Raymond” His younger brother produced “Somebody Feed Phil” too. DIL went to a lot of trouble to put that together and it was so fun.. They watched all the shows too. I think they are trying to get another series like it together. Yes, he’s a gnome. She sends him a new watercolor each month with her car payment. 🙂 Merry Christmas, LIz and thanks for stopping by.

      Liked by 3 people

  4. Deb said:
    12/23/2021 at 9:46 am

    Lucky you managed to come out in one piece from behind those gifts- they’re huge! What fun though, to anticipate trying more of the foods once you return to the USA. Merry wishes to you and your daughter Marlene, as you enjoy the holidays. I hope for a wee bit of snow for you somewhere soon. I always find snowfall to be calming, peaceful and contemplative, and the beauty of fresh, untouched snow is awesome.

    Liked by 2 people

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 9:54 am

      I love snow too, Deb. When I don’t have to get in a tiny rental car and go anywhere in it. 😉 I used to drive my Suburban all over in the snow and it never moved out from under us. We are enjoying a very laid back holiday which is rare for me. My daughter will get all the Asian foods and I get the more local type foods. 😉 It will be fun. Wishing you a peaceful snowy Christmas, Deb. My sister said Portland will start getting some on Sunday. Hugs.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Jill Weatherholt said:
    12/23/2021 at 10:13 am

    Your daughter-in-law is quite creative, Marlene. What a great gift! I love the photos! I guess I’m not with it because I don’t know Phil. 🙂 Maybe because we don’t have Netflix! Wishing you and your daughter a safe and Merry Christmas! xo

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 10:54 am

      He’s worth getting it for a month or just for a free trial. I don’t watch much else there but I LOVE Phil. He wrote “Everybody loves Raymond” His sense of humor is delightful.

      Like

  6. Lou Carreras said:
    12/23/2021 at 1:14 pm

    Have a wonderful, and safe (!!!) Christmas and New Years Marlene!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Forestwood said:
    12/23/2021 at 2:04 pm

    Now that is an ingenious and fun Christmas gift especially for the person that cannot travel for some reason. You got to travel and “eat your cake too.” It is lovely to see you looking well and happy, Marlene exploring Germany to the extent possible atm. It is quite amazing that you got there in the first place, beating enormous odds. Funny how the expectations and mental images of a destination sometimes don’t live up to the reality of a city. But that is okay too, as it is still a voyage of discovery you are on and so worth going.
    I love the watercolour gnome. He looks like a Scandinavian nisse! Quite a talent for the brush there. Love the idea of sending one a month. A fun idea.
    Merry Christmas to you, and, as there is snow up north in Denmark atm, you may yet see a white Xmas/New year in Germany.
    Whatever it is, it will be very special. Hugs from a very hot and humid Australia.

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/24/2021 at 12:45 am

      Christmas is the one thing that keeps me in the northern hemisphere. I’ve done Christmas in the tropics and it just doesn’t feel right. I wouldn’t mind a little snow but not until my daughter and I get to our respective homes. Oregon is expecting snow this weekend, according to my sister. It’s pretty if you can stay home. My daughter spouts “the Universe loves me and wants me to be happy” every time I see a road block. Somehow the blocks disappear. So we keep moving on. Hope you are having a happy Christmas, filled with fun and family. Thanks for the visit.

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  8. katechiconi said:
    12/23/2021 at 4:09 pm

    Oh Marlene, “from the bottom of my heart” is a long, long way down, because your heart is HUGE and filled with love for everyone. Even bigger than those stunning gift baskets! May your Christmas season be filled with fun and surrounded with love. Stay warm and safe, with love from hot and sweaty North Queensland.

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    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 10:42 pm

      Thanks so much, Kate. I do have a lot of love to share and want to spread it everywhere. Those gift baskets were really something!! She put so much into them. We are definitely warm and safe. Weather has been so kind so I guess winter is not a bad time to travel. 😉 Hugs and love to you.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Val Boyko said:
    12/23/2021 at 4:13 pm

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Marlene. May 2022 bring new experiences and wonder 💕🙏🏼😊

    Liked by 1 person

  10. JackieP said:
    12/23/2021 at 4:23 pm

    Merry Christmas my traveling friend! Wow! Those baskets are truly awesome! So nice to see someone’s family that is so loving and thoughtful. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 10:37 pm

      They were quite something. She put months of time into it. My son is lucky she puts up with him. 😉 We are a lucky family considering how far off the rails it could have been. I hope you and your fuzzy family have a Happy Christmas too. We are getting breakfast served downstairs in the hotel. Then rest of the day is on us. Looks like KFC might be open. 😉 It’s very different this year. Hugs and love to you my friend.

      Like

  11. Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog said:
    12/23/2021 at 8:55 pm

    Hoping your Christmas is most magical and wonderful! 🎅🤶
    (That watercolor is awesome!)

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 10:24 pm

      Thank you, Tom. It has been magical as we travel through Germany. I’ll let my daughter know you liked her watercolor. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

      Like

  12. Nice Piece of Work said:
    12/23/2021 at 9:29 pm

    I haven’t heard of Phil either but he sounds like a fun guy! I’m a bit hooked on BritBox right now but when I get back to Netflix I’ll check him out.
    I hope you and your daughter have a wonderful Christmas (and your lovely daughter-in-law and son too, obviously) and wish you safe, happy travels xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/23/2021 at 10:21 pm

      Thank you so much, Jill. I did a bit of time on BritBox myself. I’ve run out of things to watch and of course the TV has not been on in a month since we have been traveling. Other way too interesting things. Maybe you can do a free trial just to watch his series. I love his sense of humor. I hope you have wonderful Christmas season.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Gallivanta said:
    12/23/2021 at 11:48 pm

    What a great gift idea. I do have Netflix but I haven’t watched Phil. Sounds like a lot of fun.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. nanacathy2 said:
    12/24/2021 at 2:09 am

    What a fabulous gift. Not heard of the TV programme but it sounds fun. Merry Christmas.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. LB said:
    12/24/2021 at 4:05 am

    Well, now I have to hunt up Phil! I adore that photo of you with the basket of wrapped gifts on your lap ❤
    Merry Christmas and many, many wishes for health and happiness in the coming year. You are a treasure!

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/24/2021 at 10:41 am

      Thanks so much, Laurie. Phil is extra special if you are having a rough day. He’s worth the visit. Merry Christmas and have a good slide into the new year. May it bring you all things good.

      Like

  16. cedar51 said:
    12/24/2021 at 4:44 pm

    The basket of treats relating to a show/movie looks like real fun – and when you get home, you can eat the rest. As to your trip away, that’s great that you were able to do it and at least make new memories and so forth.
    Happy Holidays to you from Catherine in NZ

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/24/2021 at 8:25 pm

      That was quite some to do, wasn’t it. Nothing expensive in there, just a lot of time and effort. I love trying new things wherever I go. My daughter realized that it was now or never for this trip with me. I’m at the end of a 2-5 year life expectancy and we can both see that the future will hold no more travel. We are obeying all the rules and being exceedingly careful. But… I intend to fully live until I’m no longer able. Keep taking care of yourself, Catherine and hope you are finding a way to enjoy the holiday season yourself.

      Liked by 2 people

  17. Jennie said:
    12/25/2021 at 2:03 pm

    What a wonderful idea with the different foods! Marlene, you are my hero, my poster for courage and positivity. Thank you for that! You inspire me. Merry Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Born To Organize said:
    12/26/2021 at 8:33 am

    Marlene, you’re one of the bravest women I know. I’m glad you made this journey, difficult though it’s been. It’s a gift to your daughter in many ways, regardless of the hoped-for outcome. Omicron has tossed another wet blanket on holiday festivities, but you’ve made the best of it in both countries. I know you’re ready to come home in the sense that home is where you will settle, reducing the burden of material goods, a large house and garden in exchange for peace and privacy. Perhaps we can carve out a visit, too.

    Liked by 2 people

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/26/2021 at 9:15 am

      We will definitely carve out a visit. It has been very lovely here and enlightening as well. A lot of good has come out of all of this. Just keep listening to my instincts. I’m looking forward to it however it happens.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Marlene said:
    12/26/2021 at 11:53 am

    I’m so happy you are able to go back to your homeland. It has been many many years since I have been back. Merry Christmas and hope you have a Very Happy New Year. Love lil m.

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/26/2021 at 11:57 am

      Thanks so much, Marlene. It’s more for H than for me. It’s been 15 years for me since I went with my sis. 21 with mom. New Years in Frankfurt and then home. My German at least still works. 😉

      Like

  20. Crystal M. Trulove said:
    12/27/2021 at 9:45 am

    I’ve been Christmassing with my people, and this is the first time I’ve sat in front of my computer for days. I’m so happy to see a new message from you. That gift basket from your DIL is brilliant! What a thoughtful, thoughtful gift. What a delight. That is really special. I don’t think I knew H painted, and her card for TS is great! Well done. I love Alys’ comment that you are the bravest woman she knows. I can say the same thing. Your courage and heart and enthusiasm and spirit just makes the rest of us pale by comparison. I am so grateful for your friendship.

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/27/2021 at 10:32 am

      You make me laugh, Crystal. I don’t know about being brave. I’ve got nothing left to lose and maybe easily manipulated. 🙂 They are so darn careful here compared to at home that I worry so much less. H took watercolor classes at Gladstone community ed until the damnpendic shut them down. Yes, that was intentional. I haven’t lost it just yet though it’s on the way. She pays him each month for the car and includes a painting on the card. Makes her keep practicing. Next month’s card is cute too. The Sort of DIL went way over the top this time. She always tries real hard. Usually nails it better than most.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections said:
    12/29/2021 at 8:06 am

    Truly a wonderful gift. Food throughout the world is one of the aspects that brings people together by sharing a part of themselves with other – especially with visitors. No wonder food shows are popular! I too love travel. In what part of the world are you located? I’m in Cincinnati Ohio USA.

    Liked by 1 person

    • insearchofitall said:
      12/29/2021 at 8:29 am

      I’ve just finished 9 years in the Portland Oregon area and will be moving back to the White Mountains of Arizona as soon as we return from out month long trip to Germany. I’m a wanderer. 🙂 Food speaks volumes in so many ways. I don’t watch most food shows. Phil’s was just such a spirit lifter that we kept watching over and over for his exuberance. Thanks for the visit, Frank.

      Like

  22. mommermom said:
    12/29/2021 at 7:58 pm

    This is all so marvelous! Wishing you the best on your travels and in the new year!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Luanne said:
    01/03/2022 at 10:24 am

    What a wonderfully creative and special to you gift your DIL gave! I love that. XO

    Liked by 1 person

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