This morning I scanned the next six of Charle Keeping’s illustrations to ‘Dombey and Son’ – each one an example of the artist’s mastery of of mood in portraiture.
‘Mr Dombey, leading Mrs Dombey by the hand’
‘A stoical gentleman in a shaggy white greatcoat’
‘She sat down upon a heap of stones’
‘ ‘Let go, mother; let go’ ‘
‘She could not have taken a bird more tenderly and gently to her breast’ occupies a double page spread.
‘There was a throng in the state-rooms up-stairs’
Joined by G-Ma Elizabeth, Danni and Ella brought new baby Jack for lunch.
Our great-niece wanted to go straight into the library where her hamper of toys are kept. She was confused and delighted to find that they had already been brought into the sitting room ready for her
to unpack them all and tell Jackie all about them.
While feeding Jack on the sofa, Danni demonstrated multi-tasking by carrying on a conversation with her daughter who informed us that brother Jack couldn’t hold his head up yet.
Elizabeth took a turn at doing it for him;
while Danni moved closer to Ella who has not lost her pointing technique.
Jackie produced her usual lunch melange of cold meats, salads, and fresh crusty bread. Ella saw nothing awry with eating Tunnock’s teacakes and sausage rolls with alternating bites.
Jack, of course, had to flop this one out, which he did on his G-Ma’s lap.
We had given Jack a pack of nappies and a Boot’s voucher; Ella’s present was a set of Play-Doh which she put to use with Elizabeth.
A final feed, a comparison of noses, and one more story completed a very enjoyable afternoon.
Later, Danni sent me a photograph of Jack, sporting his penguin outfit, suggesting he might be suitable for Christmas dinner.
Speaking of dinner, tonight Jackie and I finished her wholesome winter stewp with fresh crusty bread and butter. She drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Malbec.
Either ýou posted later than usual, or I am up earlier. I have ne er been the first one 5o read, like and comment on your offering.
I enjoyed coming along for a visit with the young ones. They are just adorable.
I think you are up earlier, Yvonne. Thanks a lot
PS I am attempting to type with my thumbs like a teenager. My next skill may be to edit before posting.
How they do that I don’t know
Bet everyone was tired from a happy busy visit. How would your cook and serve a baby penguin?
Thanks very much, Pat. I was nearly asleep, and Danni looked really tired. Puffin’ probably.
LOL on the puffin.
So pleased you got that
haha, Jack looks quite comfortable laying out on the table. (a lot more so than a real penguin would be!)
Thanks a lot, GP 🙂
Oh, my goodness! Ella has a baby brother! How exciting! He’s beautiful, as are the rest of his family. Ella is such a cutie with her curls and her bright eyes. Lunch looks wonderful and Elizabeth looks smitten. <3
Thank you so much, Jodie X
<3 <3
That penguin outfit!!! Hahaha, so cute. And what an adorable toddler, too.
Thank you very much, Luanne
Absolutely love the pics. Such undiluted delight!
Thank you very much, Sofia
Brother Jack is utterly adorable, as is Ella. Sweet, sweet, sweet!
Thank you so much, Laurie
Such a beautiful family <3
Thank you very much, Donna
I love the family photos! Congratulations on the new addition to the family!! Ella looks quite pleased with the luncheon spread.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Such wonderful times with a new model for your family photographs. Jack and Ella are adorable.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Loving all of your family photos today Derrick … they are making me feel relaxed and comfortable ..
I’m pleased about that, Ivor. I hope you will soon be back to normal
I knew the baby was due but somehow missed the big event.
Congratulations to all the family and welcome to the newest member. 🙂
Thanks very much, Sue. Danni had sent pictures on the day – but I thought she should have the pleasure of announcing to the world – four weeks ago on Monday.
That was kind of you to hold back.
Thanks again.
So wonderful to see an new addition to your family circle dear Derrick and so enjoyed all of your photos…
The book and sketches were also a bonus to read and take in the fine detail of the drawings…
Sending thoughts your way to both you and Jackie… Nothing beats a warming stew… We had one that lasted two days last week…
Sending Hugs and best wishes dear Derrick.. So pleased to be back among WordPress and friends here again.. <3
Thank you very much, Sue X
Love the penguin
Thanks very much, Sherry
A delightful family album . . . and I do like those Keeping illustrations.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Delightful photos of Ella and baby brother Jack 😀
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
I loved this, Derrick! I can’t believe how much Ella has grown! The photo of the “penguin” was adorable. Thanks for sharing with us, Derrick!
Much appreciated, Jill
I don’t know about the illustrations, but you’ve certainly reminded me how good Dickens’ writing is. I’ve never read Dombey & Son!
Wonderful family shots, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Mike. I hadn’t read it before, either. It is certainly not what I expected.
Mr. Keeping certainly is a master of mood. A lot of his illustrations scare me. Oh, but what wonderful family photos! It’s hard to pick favorites, but I especially love the photos of Ella and Elizabeth on the floor. I’d still like to play with Play-Doh.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. Ella wanted me to play, too. I had to explain that I couldn’t get down there.
Aw. You play in other ways and will have so much to teach her in the years ahead about flowers, photography, and family history!
🙂
Beautiful family photos
Thanks very much, Gary
What a happy-looking family. Love the penguin costume.
Thanks very much, Judy
The ‘nose comparison’ picture is too cute.
Thanks very much, Bridget
The little ones grow so quickly — I especially love the 2nd shot of Ella!
Yes – I liked that one, Janet. Thank you very much.
Keeping’s fine illustrations show humanity with all their quirks and knobs – your photographs show beauty and love. They are delightful to see. What an uplifting visit for you all.
Thank you so much, Anne. A nice observation on the two different themes
What a delightful visit with family, Derrick and Jackie! Little Jack is a very sweet boy. Ella is growing so quickly!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. It is difficult to remember that Ella won’t be 3 until January
The cherubic presence of Ella and Jack has been captured lovingly. Children are the radiant horizon in the ongoing journey of life.
Charles Keeping’s artistry is brilliant as ever.
Thank you so much, Uma
JACK! what cutie! And surrounded with love! <3 Love the penguin outfit! 😀
Ella has always been a cutie…and now such a good helper, and such a good entertainer! 🙂
(((HUGS))) to all!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I’m so pleased you recognised the entertainer. X
Charles Keeping’s last illustration is very like a crowd of zombies. Some truly horrific human beings there!
There were, indeed, John. Thanks very much
WOW! he’s a cutie. Ella is all grown up and seems like she is going to be a loving and supporting big sister. Those sausage rolls look yummy and is that a marshmallow chocolate biscuit Ella was enjoying? Can’t beat those.
Yes it was a marshmallow chocolate biscuit – far too sweet for me. Thanks very much, Chrissy
Beautiful pics. Both Jack and Ella are so sweet and cute👌👌👌
Thank you very much, KK
The Keeping drawings are wonderful as usual, but the delightful family photos win for this post.
Congratulations on the new addition to your family! (I missed or don’t remember if you announced his birth.) Ella is getting so big. I admire her eating technique.
I’m sure everyone slept well after this visit.
That last photo made me laugh. 😀
Thanks very much, Merril. I didn’t announce the birth, almost four weeks ago, because, although Danni sent me photographs within hours, I thought it was her right to announce it to the world. We certainly slept well.
Oh, I agree. I thought perhaps I had missed it somehow.
Ella’s growing up fast but I’m glad to see she hasn’t lost her rosy cheeks nor her beautiful auburn curls.
Thank you so much, Sheree
Dear Derrick,
what extraordinary pictures, these drawings as well as the photographs of your grandchildren. Your grandchildren are that sweet.
Thanks for sharing.
Keep well and happy
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much, Klausbernd
What a lovely family! Seeing photos of the little ones is a joy!
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
How old is Jack?
Four weeks tomorrow. Thanks very much, Steve
Delightful photos of your family life Derrick!
Thanks very much, Agnes
Curly-haired Ella is a doll, and baby Jack is adorable. Mr Keeping’s exceptional characterization skill is especially evident in group scenes.
Your appreciation is much appreciated, Dolly.
LOL The pleasure, is mine, Derrick.
Looks like a fun visit with the little ones. They do fill a home in a way no adult can. 💞
That is so right, AnneMarie. Thank you very much
What a wonderful day! 🥰
Thank you so much, Ribana
What a selection of lovely pictures, Derrick. The youngest in our extended family has just turned three so no floppy little ones any more. I made a lovely winter stew yesterday too, it is unseasonably cold here.
Thank you very much, Robbie. I hope you warm up soon
Beautiful family photos; I especially like the penguin outfit 🐧
And smiled at the teacake/sausage roll eating pattern.
Just gorgeous.
x
Thank you so much, Melanie
Keeping was quite an artist, but I rather prefer your family photos. I dallied a bit to see if another commenter would catch a funny association with your title. As soon as I read it, I thought, “Well! Back in the 1970s, everyone was trying to learn new ways to keep their heads up!
I just skimmed through the comments attached to the video, and found this one, which made me laugh: “Hadn’t heard this song in YEARS; it popped into my head (in HD sound, too) when I watched my newborn trying to…well..hold his head up.”
Amazing
Great link, Linda. Thank you very much
I smiled all the way through this post! Keeping, Ella and Jack all are mesmerizing! So glad you had such a nice day with family, (((Derrick))) … thanks for sharing!
Much appreciated, Jan X
Thank you Derrick. Your posts are soothing. I hope all is well. 🙂