Coffee And Pumpkin Pie Watercolor Illustration
By Charlie

Imagining A Treat

Written by Charlie O'Shields

For our prompt of “Mug” today, I chose my favorite mug that I use every morning. This was my view this very morning, only the plate was empty as I’d just eaten some scrambled eggs. There were little flecks of egg there, but in my mind I imagined a lovely slice of pumpkin pie. I quickly doodled a simple ink outline, adding in the completely dreamed up slice of pie. With such little ink, splashes of watercolor had to conjure up my dream from there. In reality, I didn’t get a slice of pumpkin pie tonight, but Philippe did make a lovely spinach and goat cheese quiche. So, I did get something rather pie-like after all. I was thrilled and felt like a kid with magic crayon. Even if it didn’t produce the exact drawing, it was delicious and something vaguely similar that I equally adore. In truth, I have to admit to simply loving pastry and pie crust. It’s truly the most amazing thing in the world. And it’s only during this time of year that Trader Joe’s has their frozen puff pastry imported from France. I’ve been getting one each time we go on our weekly grocery trip, until Philippe told me to stop because our freezer was full. This pastry is considered seasonal, because it’s for imagined sweet things, but we love to use it for savory dishes that are amazing year round. So, I’m determined that we’ll be stocked and ready for the coming year.

There are actually lots of foods that only make an appearance this time of year. Last year we didn’t get our Anthon Berg chocolates from Costco because we waited to late and they disappeared. So, this year, we’ve already gotten two boxes. There’s also a bourbon aged maple syrup that only shows up this time of year. Philippe was thrilled to see it, but I had to remind him that he’d already stocked four jugs in our garage. While I love that there’s a comeback of family recipes this time of year, I’m not as fond of the grocery approach. It’s like this is the only time of year that Americans care about food and ingredients so everything gets exceptional overnight. While this may be largely true, it’s sad that these treats aren’t available year round here. Yet, it’s always good to know that more people are having more gatherings and celebrating with extra lovely treats with their friends and family. That’s why I love this time of year most of all. It’s like that little reward for making it through another year in the first place. No matter what you celebrate these last few months of the year, there’s always something beautiful and exceptional happening. It’s like we’re all celebrating a global birthday together.

And indeed, perhaps we are. Another year is coming to a close in just a few weeks. Perhaps, like me, you perfectly failed to DO everything you imagined you might. But I hope also, like me, you had a perfectly awesome time trying! That’s pretty much how I live each day. I start it with a lovely mug of coffee and I end it with patting myself on the back saying, “you did all you could, and yay for tomorrow!” While this almost sounds a bit sad, it’s not at all. I live each day doing all I happily can. I don’t try to do more than feels right in the moment. Everything will work out as it’s intended and I always want to be sure I’m experiencing joy in whatever I choose to do next. That said, I have a lovely habit of stressing myself out by adding way too many things to my plate. But, then I pick through them. Some are just flecks of egg and others have the potential to become pumpkin pie. It’s the world of a dreamer to be sure, yet it’s a lovely world to inhabit. I never try to force things to happen, but there’s never really any harm in imagining a treat.

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Gold Ochre, Cobalt Turquoise, Terra Cotta and Ultramarine (Green Shade). Staedtler Pigment Liners in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop!
 Coffee And Pumpkin Pie Watercolor Illustration Sketchbook Detail

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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27 thoughts on “Imagining A Treat”

  6. Macadamia nut chocolates sold by the local Kiwanis Club every year for Xmas. They are made by Swiss Colony which is a big business here. These particular chocolates are specially made for the Kiwanis and you can’t get them anywhere else. I bought three tins yesterday, but before they were even delivered, I got a phone call that Joe’s three sisters are coming to visit in a few weeks, so luckily when the woman came to drop off, she had three extra tins. Crisis averted!

    Joe accidentally broke my favorite mug last week!! Good thing I plan for just such a disaster and had found and purchased two extra exact same mugs. Crisis averted!

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  8. Nice mug and that pumpkin pie would be a great way to start the day on a happy note.We’re so lucky to have the variety that places like Costco and Trader Joe’s has to offer us. I still remember the small, family owned neighborhood grocery store that was light on variety but big on customer service. How is that even possible…. LOL!!! So many amazing changes in a lifetime! 🙂

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  11. Charlie says, “I start it with a lovely mug of coffee and I end it with patting myself on the back saying, “you did all you could, and yay for tomorrow!” ”

    All I can say, is Charlie sure knows how to live!!

    Reply

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