Next Vacation?

Okay, I'm back from vacation but I must admit that the thoughts of it still linger.

For starters, the weather is so humid here. In Washington state in the Cascade Mountains in August it was this cold one Sunday morning- it got down to 48. It's also much drier there; way less humidity. I like the colder weather. :)

And, the views? Here's a pic of me on the hart lake trail. This is one of those National Geographic pics. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

I did go all the way down to Hart Lake and put my feet in the water- where the river meets the lake... freezing water-- but it was so fun! Hiking in chaco's is a great thing.

I'm so thankful for vacation memories. Next time I return to the Cascades, there will be snow! With that said, I won't be able to travel all the way to Hart Lake. Too much snow.

Okay, back to life here. I'm counting down the time till I'm at the wheel again. Just a few more days...

16 + Waiting

These days have been filled with one thing---- waiting, waiting, waiting, until the studio re-opens officially and the next wave of classes begin. I'm reminded of Dr. Seuss' book (is it this one?) The Lorax as there's at least one page that talks about waiting and standing in line... ? Can't remember. Anyway, it would also be fitting that the 16 pieces who were planning to be fired in the gas kiln on Friday are now joining me in waiting, as that firing was delayed. The lighter three in the front are either salt brine soaked or soda ash soaked. Here they are, waiting with me. I think they're more patient.

'In the meantime' (great song by Peter Mayer too), as I stopped by the studio briefly, Julie told me about the Fourth Annual Potters Market next Saturday at the Mint Museum. Looking forward to the inspiration I'll get in going there.

I've also paid more attention to my home, which is now cleaner than ever. My plants are happier too as a few have been re-potted and several more rescued from the clearance rack at Lowe's. Here's a new addition, a Jade that was a great buy, potted in a piece I made awhile ago.

It has been hard to be away from the wheel. I've also been encouraged that in the waiting that college football season has begun. Yesterday, I wore blue and one of my alma maters won (Kentucky vs. Louisville)! Today, I'm wearing orange (from the other alma mater) hoping that Tennessee will win against UCLA. :)

In the waiting, it also helped yesterday to meet Minke and Cindy for lunch. Brixx Pizza continues to be one of my favorite places to eat. We talked about the upcoming barrel firing and are still trying to figure out what works and doesn't in terms of color, etc. Maybe that's half of the fun- the mystery of it all!

Finally, as I've been watching Hurricane Gustav coverage on TV, I've wondered to myself which pieces I'd take with me if I was stuck in a hurricane. First, I'd limit myself to 4-5... and these would be two of the five, both of which I made at Holden Village.

Even in the midst of this waiting, why does this long weekend have to end, anyway?

Go West

What a vacation! It's always been a win-win thing for me to go out west. Loved being in WA state. And now? It's taken me awhile to adjust to life back in NC (time change and all) after being gone for almost two weeks. Best thing to help with returning was heading back to the studio. :)

While at Holden Village, at the wheel and experienced with a clay that was part porcelain and loved that! Here are six pieces I made in a couple of days that were fired on Wednesday. Had a new observer too. Check out the deer in the distance.


The studio itself was beautiful, nestled in the Cascade Mountains.

At the last minute, I stayed up past midnight to make one more tumbler for the kiln, here shown as the third on the left of the pieces on the fence with the gorgeous backdrop which turned out to be one of my favorite piece. I really like that form and the blue glaze on it. The glazes at Holden Village had to be painted on with the exception of the blue; which was different for me. I painted them on too thick; it was disappointing. The backdrop is beautiful, though. I don't think there is a more beautiful place to throw pottery.

So, all in all I had a refreshing and relaxing time. The weather in WA state is the best; dry and not too hot. Read two books in a week... and loved being in the Cascade Mountains.

Only thing I would have wanted to change about vacation was to make it longer. :)

Also spent some time in Seattle, briefly before I flew back east. Went to Bainbridge Island and visited galleries there- and my favorite quickly became
The Gallery- Bainbridge Arts & Crafts.

And, it's always so peaceful going back and forth to Bainbridge Island on the ferry. I recommend the trip highly. Here's a pic of me on the way back to Seattle.





And to top it all off, I got a free roundtrip ticket on the way home as the plane was full during one of the legs. So, I'm already thinking of when to go back out to WA state again. :)

It was also a wonderful surprise to see these two finished pieces from Barrel Firing #3 at Clayworks. One is my first handbuilding piece, thanks to Elaine's teaching! After putting a little Murphy's Oil Soap on them, some more colors came out. Thanks Becky, Elaine, John, and Minke for including them in the 'Model T' barrel.

Here they are... this pic doesn't show as much color as there really is. Oh well....

These days? I'm awaiting the beginning of the fall class and counting down the days until Barrel Firing #4 in late September.

Closer to the Equator

Just returned from traveling with a group of 16 youth and adults from my church to Costa Rica for a week. During our trip, we just ‘happened’ to visit a potter--- that encounter somehow worked its way into our itinerary, and it was a joy to watch him shape the Costa Rican earth into forms. I bought one of the blue crosses—the blue seems to be my favorite glaze color. The youth were amazed, and I was too--- as they can be seen looking at his wheel from all sides. What a crowd crammed smugly into his tiny studio. Evidently, he learned from a north American potter too!

Time with the children was a highlight… yet I wanted to take them all to Target (although there was no Target) and buy them clean clothes that fit. Yet, they had such a joy about life—and we learned so much from them and their families and their strong, deep faith and boundless generosity and love. The team loved their time there so much that some didn’t want to return.

The flowers were gorgeous; here's one that was growing outside the church where we were sleeping and working. I tried to capture them on camera as much as I could.

One of the best parts for me was time with Maureen, a teenager that I brought to the US as part of an exchange program while at my former church. Hadn’t seen her in two years; it was a joy to share dinner with her and her boyfriend, Jose. She’s had a tough life; her courage and sweet spirit inspire me. How I wish things were different for her. Here’s the three of us.

Also went zip lining in the rainforest canopy (picture hopefully to post soon) and white water rafting! It was a great trip--- incredibly exhausting and it is refreshing to be back where there is less humidity. My clothes don’t feel wet or damp anymore and I don’t have a layer of bug repellant on my skin.

I read The Shack book by William Young during the trip. It was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I recommend it highly. It reminded me, amidst other things that life is hard, yet God is good. If I could give five books to everyone, it would be one of the five. A must read.

Finally, here's a group pic in front of a beautiful painted mural that includes some of the flowers and animals found in Costa Rica. Several in our group are wondering when we'll return. It was a privilege to be a part.