Turkey Day by Charlie O'Shields
By Charlie

Turkey Day

Written by Charlie O'Shields

In the States, today is Thanksgiving, a day originally about giving thanks for the harvest, but often a day to be thankful for anything you like. It’s commonly referred to as Turkey Day, because that’s the traditional main item on the menu. More often, it’s a day of binge eating that results in a blissful food coma and a promise to oneself not to do it again… until Christmas. After that, is the obligatory New Year’s resolution to exercise more and generally stop eating like a grizzly bear.

For those of you who are anti-turkey, you’ll be happy to know some are celebrating Turkey Free Thanksgiving. Technically, Philippe and I will be celebrating this one as we’re just having a piece of farm-raised chicken instead. We don’t eat that much meat so a single turkey would outlast our ability to consume it. If you are not in the States today, or simply don’t care about turkeys one way or the other, it’s also Cake Day, so you might try that one!

Several years ago when my dad was still alive, he and my brother-in-law tried to deep fry a turkey. I say tried because while they were sitting next to the huge vat of scalding peanut oil, they were also consuming beers and chatting. By the time they rescued the poor turkey it was black as night and roughly the size of a quail. My mom wasn’t pleased, but calmly mashed some extra potatoes and moved on with the meal.

I rather like the idea of giving thanks for anything and everything in your life. Though we should probably do this every day, it’s a nice reminder to stop and think about what really matters most in life. I am, of course, thankful for Philippe, who’s currently cooking while happily singing along to Spotify’s Thanksgiving playlist, and our dog Phineas, who marched upstairs earlier rather pissed off because he was told he couldn’t have any of the food he smelled.

Beyond this, I’m thankful for all of you . Your support for Doodlewash has been amazing over these past few 4 and a half months since the site launched! It’s truly a labor of love and it’s very challenging some days to paint and write, but knowing you’re out there watching and reading my silly stories keeps me going.

And I’m tremendously thankful for all the fabulous Guest Doodlewashers who have shared or are about to share their personal stories and phenomenal art on this site. Very soon, there will have been 100 of you featured on doodlewash.com, sketching and painting all over the world – on all 7 continents! (still pretty cool that Antarctica made the list. Thanks again, Lucia!)

No matter where you are in the world, I hope you too are thankful for everything good in your life and are celebrating each and every day with the people you love.

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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43 thoughts on “Turkey Day”

  1. And I am so very grateful to have you in my life! I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for 4.5 months…seems like everyone knows and loves you!

    Big hugs, my friend! Thank you for making me laugh, dazzling me with your talents and broadening my world! ❤️💙❤️

    Reply

    1. Awww shucks, Teresa! Now you’ve gone and made me blush!! 😊😊I’m also smiling, though you can’t see that either. It feels like much longer to me too! There’s been so many posts so far with this daily doodlewash business! But the best part is making friends like you! Thanks for everything! ❤️😃

      Reply

  3. I forget how I found you Charlie, but I’m very thankful that I did. Not only because of the stunning doodlewashes (as demonstrated once again!!) but because you manage to be entertaining and endearing *every day*.

    I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, and I hope Phineas is less pissed off now 😉 we don’t want him slipping into drunk Scot mode again 😉

    Reply

    1. I think it’s too late for that…he’s passed out in the bed and snoring loudly. I’m not sure when he got into the liquor but he seems content now at least. And thank you so much for the kind words! 😊 I’m so happy we did find one another as the blogosphere is far more rewarding when you have friends to play with. It would be even more so with Citrus Polos, but as we know that dream is dead 😥

      Reply

      1. Oh, the little rascal – too cute, liquor or not!

        Yesss… I feel bad for telling you tales of such a thing when they’re no longer available for you to try. Perhaps I should e-mail Polo and force them to make you a tube. Or concoct my own – that can only go well! 😉

        Reply

          1. Haha! Neither did I! I actually went to school dressed as him once… for a ‘book day’, I hasten to add, not just cos I fancied looking weird. Top hat and everything!

          3. Oh, I don’t know – I think my mother might have some. I was about six at the time. All I remember is spending the whole day fending off people who thought the golden ticket attached to my jacket was real.

  4. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your hubby! We bought turkey parts – a breast and drumsticks and it was so much easier to cook. Instead of cake, we had pie and fat free vanilla ice cream (cherry pie!). Your turkey doodlewash is GRAND.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Cynthia! ❤️😃Sounds like a lovely and delicious Thanksgiving! Hope you’re enjoying your new digs! We were going to try turkey parts, but our butcher was already sold out. Philippe doesn’t “trust” supermarket meat he says, though I’m not sure why or what that means. But our chicken part was delightful! And he made a cranberry upside down cake that was fantastic (the ice cream was full fat though…😊🐽)

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  8. What a GRAND turkey, Charlie! 💕💖😊 Enjoyed your story about overcooking the turkey into a Quail! Lol! 😄 I like cooking a turkey breast – a lot less meat. We usually cook it on the BBQ. Since we spent this year at my hubby’s sister’s house and have no leftovers – the best part IMO, I think I will try cooking one in the crock pot. 🍗🍴🍷 I’m thankful for you too my friend! 😊 Happy you got to spend the day with those you love. 💜

    Reply

    1. Thanks Jill! 💕😃hehe…glad you liked this post! I totally agree about the no leftover thing…I’m not a big fan of them. Except dessert…that’s perfectly fine! Lol 😊 And I’m so thankful for meeting you and for all you do to spread happy Jill! 🎨❤️😃😃

      Reply

  9. I am also grateful we found each other! Thank you for this wonderful blog as I have gotten to know wonderful artists here and they are also terrific people!

    I am currently in that food coma after consuming more carbs than I’ve done the last 6 months. But it was worth it! I often cook with my earphones on singing and dancing emabarrisingly (according to my kids). I think you have to experience joy in everything you do.. Your turkey is fabulous!!

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  10. Your turkey is outstanding and I love his pointed posing toe. Thank you Charlie for wonderful posts and platform to host so many wonderful artists. I don’t how you can keep up with your daily posts, but it is remarkable and appreciated. If you decide you need a day off, we will all understand. 😍💕

    Reply

  11. I hope you all had a lovely day 😊 As a vegetarian Brit I didn’t celebrate turkey day but I do have lots to be thankful for, one of them is finding your fabulous blog and your heartfelt words of encouragement 😊💕

    Reply

  12. I hope you all had a delightful Thanksgiving. Your blog, pictures and words are certainly something for the rest of us to be thankful for – there’s always something to enjoy. Today, as well as the splendid painting of the turkey, I shall take away the image of your Dad deep-frying the bird. He was clearly a man who liked to push the envelope…

    (By the way, isn’t every day cake day?)

    Reply

  13. Ah Charlie, I’m a day late but ever so thankful for you and your blog! You are a gem of a discovery and so dedicated to your daily double header posts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dedication, talent and charm! Everyday is a joy with you! And Mr. Tom is very impressive!

    Reply

  17. Happy Belated Turkey Day! 🦃 Thanks for starting this community of Doodlewashers because I learn so much and I look forward to seeing the new work of artist.

    I plan to give my art a jolt to share. Thanks again 😊👍🏼

    Reply

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