#WorldWatercolorGroup - Day 21 - Pumpkin Pie - Doodlewash
By Charlie

Pumpkin Pie

Written by Charlie O'Shields

With Thanksgiving Day approaching fast, a prompt of pumpkins made me think only of dessert. When I was growing up, a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream was the best part of the celebration. Sure, there was the turkey along with all the “fixin’s,” as some of my family referred to it, but the real star came at the end. Much like anything topped with cheese, I do have to admit to having a penchant for things topped with whipped cream. In the case of pumpkin pie, if there’s no whipped cream, it’s a disaster. No matter who was in charge of bringing the Cool Whip that year, others would end up bringing some just in case to avoid a tragedy of unparalleled proportions. Of course, now, as an adult, I’ve tasted real whipped cream and there’s really no comparison to something in a tub that barely contains milk, much less cream. But back then, as long as a bit of sweet fluffy white stuff was atop that pie, I was ready to grab a fork and greedily dig in.

Actually, pumpkin pie isn’t even on the menu this year as I think Philippe is making some sort of apple pie instead. Don’t worry, I just confirmed that there will definitely be whipped cream so a potential crisis has been averted. Though with apple pie, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is equally satisfying. Oh dear. Now I’m getting hungry and my inner glutton is already making ugly yum yum sounds, ready to overindulge. But that’s the beauty of Thanksgiving. We enter it with all the thankfulness in the world and end up stuffed like the turkey itself, craving a nap, if not a bit of liposuction, with just a hint of regret. But it’s not the regret of doing something we feel we shouldn’t, it’s a kind of wonderful regret of doing too much of everything we should. It’s such a beautiful thing to enjoy a big meal with family. Throwing a diet out the window, and just allowing yourself to enjoy every bit of those moments is the only way to do it right.

Last year at this time, we were in Paris with family, but this year, we’ll just be the three of us: an all-American guy, a native Parisian, and a bitchy basenji. An unconventional little family, to be sure, but a very happy one. You can’t choose your extended family, though mine are wonderful, but your immediate one came with a few key decisions. I chose very wisely and, for that, I’m truly thankful. Not everything in life may go as planned or envisioned, but knowing I have those other two in my life makes it all rather perfect and complete, no matter what happens next. And I’m certainly thankful for all of you, those who read my little rambles that I make each day. I wrote posts for nobody at all when I first started painting, barely saying a word for fear I’d just say something stupid. You showed up and asked for a bit more and that’s what my blog has become today. Oh, I’m still rather likely to say something stupid, by the way, but I’m not afraid to DO it thanks to you. So, I just want to take a little moment to say, thanks, to everyone who reads and comments my posts. You’re definitely the whipped cream on my pumpkin pie.

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Terra Cotta, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book.
 #WorldWatercolorGroup - Day 21 - Pumpkin Pie - Doodlewash

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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40 thoughts on “Pumpkin Pie”

  6. You need another dollop of whipped cream on that pie of yours, Charlie! 😉 hehe! One can never have too much whipped cream! In fact as a child, I did just that – more topping than pie! 😂 Happy Thanksgiving Charlie! 🦃💜

    Reply

  7. Beautiful painting once again! How do you always keep/choose such a limited palette with so many colours available to you? I love mixing colours and never had an issue when I was using only 3 primaries, but after I contracted the Art Supply Acquisition virus I now have more colours than I know what to do with and find it difficult to choose which to use. But at least I can admire the look of my palettes in lieu of paintings 😉

    I used to love Cool Whip too, especially with fresh strawberries! Imagine my shock in reading is ingredients as an adult! Now only real whip cream for our family 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Hans! 😃💕 hehe… yeah… those ingredients are horribly shocking aren’t they? As for painting palette… I just love mixing color so I choose unexpected primaries. I start with 2 complementaries and then add a third related to the color missing. For example, Terra Cotta and Cobalt Blue are sort of like Blue and orange, and Terra Cotta has a bit more red, so the only thing really missing is Yellow… which is required for cream anyway (unless it’s fat free, and then why bother! lol). I chose Yellow Ochre since it’s less dominant… and could give just a touch of yellow. 😉

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  9. I like your painting but, as a Brit, have no idea what pumpkin pie tastes like. I make soup out of butternut squash, and stuff vegetable marrow (both savoury dishes) but, have never tasted this American delicacy which I assume is sweet. I really must look up a recipe some day (but not while I am on my diet) and give it a try.

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Rod! 😃💕 Oh my… you simply must try it at least once! hehe… as for the sweet… my family didn’t make it very sweet and let the whipped cream topping add the rest. But some versions are sweeter than others.

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  14. Looks scrummy! Apple pie sounds a decent compromise, and you can help yourself to all of my whipped cream, ’cause y’know 😉 Have a good one all! (“Bitchy basenji” LOL! He won’t be happy with that!)

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Jacob! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, I can compromise as long as whipped cream is involved. That sounds odd, but you know what I mean. And the basenji isn’t truly happy with anything in the end, that’s why he’s bitchy, and I think… proud of it! LOL

      Reply

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