Time and Drying

Drying.  I sometimes forget how much time it takes.  And then when I think about when to do kiln firings I sometimes forget that I schedule them for days when I am out of my home, which can't happen.  So, my upcoming kiln firing schedule has changed.  It's good to be flexible with pottery when you can and anytime an order comes your way, to make sure to create some cushion days.  Thankfully, I have a good plan B for kiln firing figured out! All is well.

Meanwhile, these tumblers (6 inches high) are at various stages of drying as you can see.  (Wet ones up front and darker).  Am a bit ready for something new- a new surface design and look so I will experiment with a blue transparent glaze in the next firing and maybe use some wax resist too.  Hmmm.

I must admit that it's easier to etch words onto bowls than onto other forms.  Tumblers are challenging.  Hard to keep the words straight (or at least somewhat straight in a line) so I'm bunching them up together in groups instead of in one continuous line.  Hard to explain.  Will post a picture of one when it's finished.

Enough rambling.

Long day!  Am exhausted.  Hopefully will spend some time glazing some pieces tomorrow.  Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Remember When?

 Remember When?  That's the title of this puzzle- one I used to put together with my siblings when I was a teenager--.  Rescued it from the barn at my parent's house and brushed the dust off it.  Will post a pic when complete.  It does have gumballs and all.  I love nostalgic things like this puzzle.

 Remember when you were this age?  4 3/4, 4, or 2 3/4?   I have sweet memories of those days- the good ole' life where there was hardly a care in the world.  My sweet nieces and nephew having a grand time these days at Grandma and Poppi's Summer Camp.  Time goes by fast and well, they are growing as fast as weeds.  I'll give this pic the title 'Two Princesses and a Prince.'  Notice the prince is holding onto a piece of wood.  :)

 Remember when you were at a place that you wished you could jump to at the snap of your fingers?  That's a retreat center out in the North Cascade Mountains.  Was there in May but that seems like too long ago.  These Rainer cherries weren't ripe in May and now well, they are.  Found them at a Target store in Raleigh, NC.  All the way from Wenatchee, WA.

 Haven't posted about pottery because it's been too humid and hot to make much of anything.  I have one order coming up so this weekend it's supposed to be 83 tomorrow and less than 90 for the next week.  Now THAT is good pottery weather.  Decided to get this fan which helps, but the mosquitos were horrible yesterday even with repellant on.  4 pm on is high mosquito time.  :(
More pottery pics to come.

In the meantime, I made these yummy zucchini and corn fritters- sautéed.  Semi-used a recipe I found online--- they have 1 egg, some flour and zucchini and salt and a bit of parm cheese and that's all!  Perfect for summer instead of using an oven.  :)  I remember when my mom used to make corn fritters.
Thanks for reading!   Does this get you thinking down memory lane?
p.s.  there's another evening storm coming as I type.  Don't mind the rain, but all this lightning and stuff is a hassle--- I have to unplug everything like my tv, etc... so it won't get struck by lightning.  :( wish the storms wouldn't be so strong at times!

Animals I Don't Want, etc.....

 Before the animal talk, any tomato recipes (simple) to share?  This big one was a gift I received today and as you can see, is ready to be eaten!   BLT, maybe?

 And, it is too warm to be in my studio- my garage studio most of the time.  Here's the temp at 10 pm tonight.  Was gone most of the day and watered flowers late tonight.  Am so ready for 80 degree weather!  Can you tell I'm from the north?  Don't have the $ for a window air conditioner.... if I was a full-time potter, I'd have to take out a loan and get one.

 Ready to plant these- but will wait until it's a bit cooler.

 Okay.  Onto animals.  What kind of insect is this?  It is huge!  Found it in my studio yesterday and tonight saw two more near my garage.   Oh, and I'll spare you the picture but I found a dead--- yes dead frog near my tennis shoes and door inside my garage.  It was turned over and completely dry and it so scared me.  Usually am not scared but I could've stepped on it!  :(  Took a broom and swept it away- far away!

 Meanwhile, the flowers are okay as I water them most nights.  I am praying for rain.  The ceramic pot with a z crack in it doesn't seem to mind the heat, of course.

 Zinnias from seed!

The butterflies seem happy too.   Stay cool- unless you're in New Zealand-- then stay warm!

Charlotte Market, Gallery, and Saving Plants

 Went to Lark and Key and of course, loved time there.  Decided to walk away without a purchase and wait for a Sandy Snead piece of jewelry.  Met her while there and saw lots of great art- like these new plates by Jennifer Mecca.  Sorry for the pic, but these were amazing!  Decorative or functional... Click HERE for more about the gallery.

 Also went to Lowe's and did what I love to do there- head straight to the clearance section and find plants to rescue.  Found four perennials!  :)  Lucky me.

 Two dianthus, 1 lady speedwell, and 1 beard tongue; they're now drying out from all this rain and I'll plant them in the next couple days.   :)

 Discovered Atherton Market too.  Can't believe I missed this place when I lived there!  Ended up buying a small piece of this cheese which was kinda like a soft gouda.  Delicious!

 Lots of organic food there.  They have a facebook page HERE.   Discovered it because I heard King's Kitchen, a non profit restaurant downtown now has a bakery but the bakery is at the market on Saturday.  Bought a loaf of ciabatta bread too.  :)  Look here for more about King's Kitchen.  Incredible southern food there too.

 Okay, so that was on Saturday and one of the small vendors had fish.  This black sea bass the vendor said, was alive on Thursday.  I loved this market!

 Back to Lark and Key as my pictures are a bit jumbled.  I really like Julie Covington's work too- there is an upcoming opening featuring here on the first Friday of August.  Will try to go!  :)  I like how she uses wax resist in her glazing to make the designs.   So inspiring to be here!

Back to the market- here's the King's bakery.  (ugh, blurry pic).  I so like buying local food especially when the proceeds go back to the community to help those in need as is true with King's Kitchen and Bakery.
Ended the day with a good run in one of my favorite spots in Charlotte.
Tomorrow will reclaim clay.  Thanks for the inspiration for that, Meredith!
Tracey, thanks for the running inspiration!