Trip Pics, etc...

 A few pics from my time in Bolivia.  The San Francisco Church in downtown La Paz.

 A few mugs for sale in one of the shops in the (artesania) handcrafts.

 A ceramic Nativity scene in the Santa Cruz airport---  interestingly, Jesus doesn't have a halo!  

 My dad (has his back to the camera) inside a musical instrument artesania store in La Paz.

 So good to be home.  My shelf in my studio is basically empty, so this weekend I will be at the wheel again, this time making several bowls for commissions and then under virtually no pressure, trying new forms.  :)  Can hardly wait for this!

 Even my wedging table is mostly empty.  That's new clay in the bag on the right, ready for the wheel!  Even though it will be colder, I have a space heater nearby.  All will be well.

Matthew and Vanessa--- the suet feeder that you gave me is up!  Easy to fill the holes.  Am confident the birds will discover it soon as they like the other one.  Will post more trip pics soon.  Oh, and the next post will show pics of cracks in two big bowls--- that have now become flower pots.  You'll see why!   Thanks for reading...

Back Again

Here is a vase that I made- the design inspired from Clary Ilian's book.  I think I'll make more of these.  One of the few vases sold it this past weekend at a show I did.  Photo taken by a friend who posted it on facebook.

It's wonderful to be back again after a long time away!  Ugh... I wish I didn't do this so much.  Here are my excuses.  

Went on a 12 day trip with my father to Bolivia, his homeland.  Saw lots of family there- including everyone on my dad's side.  Got back mid-last week and it was a wonderful trip, yet so exhausting!  Pics from my trip to come. 

Meanwhile, two days after I came back home I went to an Annual Episcopal Diocesan Convention where I had a booth and sold pottery.  It was quite busy and I was amazed at how many of the bowls found new homes.  It was so busy that I didn't take the time to take pictures.  :( 

It was also the easiest sales experience I've ever had.  Put all my pottery on a 6 foot table in a simple display and it sold!  Best sales ever.  

Now I'm home recovering from a nasty cold.  I'm also on pretty strong medication from my trip-as I got sick on the way home.  I often get sick when I travel to a third world country as the water there isn't safe to drink and well, that means that the food isn't often cleaned with the safe water and well, travelers often get sick.  

Thankful for good medicine! 

I'm also wishing I can see some snow in person this winter.  I'm not sure that will happen.  :( 

This is from time in WA State last June after a long hike.  Think I've posted it before, yet it is one of my favorite pics!  Next I will work on some administrative stuff and experiment with some new forms--- plates, vases, and mugs!  More soon.  Thanks for reading and for all your comments!

Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Here's the Baked Oatmeal recipe- thanks for asking!:

1/2 c brown sugar

2 eggs

3 cups oatmeal

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix brown sugar and eggs together. 

Add oatmeal, baking powder, and salt and stir.

Stir in milk.

Pour into greased casserole. 

Bake until set- about 30 minutes.  Serve hot with milk. 

(Raisins, dates or dried apricots may be added to the mixture). 

It's one of my favorites!   So easy to make...

Thanks, Mom for the recipe! 

Enjoy!

Resolutions, Motivation, and Downton Abbey

 Today was one of those catch-up days; I slept in and woke up real late.  Paid bills and did other organizing stuff--- a peaceful day!  Even went running in the dark tonight which is always such a freeing and peaceful thing.  Need to do that more often.  Didn't even mind the cold.  Made this---- one of my favorites, so breakfast for the next couple days is ready!

 Still into making bowls.  This is the largest ever.  Made with 8 lbs. of clay.  It actually was easier to do than I thought it would be.
Found one of the bowls that was drying had cracked a bit in the center near the foot... was disappointed yet I think it's cause I tried to fast-dry some of them.  Or, I didn't compress the bottom enough.  Still, this is all about learning and thankfully, I still love it.

Bought a big suitcase and it arrived in this box.  Only potters look at things like this and think--- wow, that can be something; I can use that!
It will be a spray glaze guard--- or whatever it's called to keep the glaze from getting all over the wall of the studio.
And then there's motivation.  I've read several posts that say it's so hard to be productive in January.  Yes.  How true.  I have always found it hard to get out in the studio in the morning and now with the cold, it's even harder.  Still, I managed to make a few bowls this afternoon.  It's not that I don't want to; it's that I just need time or something.  I hope to make some more pieces tomorrow, after some good sleep tonight.

And then there's resolutions.  I have a few.  Well, there's hopes and dreams and then there's resolutions.  Hope to find a mug form that I really like---and make LOTS of mugs.  Hope to experiment with other forms too.  So mugs are one of my resolutions.  And well, to continue to build this small business that I love.  What are your resolutions in the pottery world, if any?  Well, and then there's Downton Abbey.  Can hardly wait for season 3 to start on Sunday evening at 9 pm.  MY DVR is already set. :)  Am watching season 2 again this weekend to get ready.....  :)