The end of the season and moving into December

Living here in the greater Seagrove area has always been a bit of a different season for us. Where retail stores add more employees for the extra shopping we are at the point of planning for the spring. We have a full store for our December shoppers and there is really not enough weeks to fire a big kiln load. We do plan on getting out a firing on the small one, who will get a name as soon as she settles her self down. For now we shall refer to her as Wild Child.
This brings me back to thinking about December.
It is a good time for us to wind down and reevaluate the past year.
What worked.
What did not work.
What are our plans as we go into 2012?
This will be our 30 year anniversary in October and you would think after 30 years we would have this down.
But, customers change, tatse change, situations change, clay bodies change, chemicals change.
We are going into December with some new relationships for the next year and what we hope is a plan that will keep us both in the pottery this year.
Last year, truth be told, Mark worked 4 days a week elsewhere through June.
It is hard to take a two person operation and then send one person off to work some where else and then ask that said person to produce at the level he usually does.
I know many of you are gearing for the Holidays but in my mind I always hear one of the older potters who use to say, "if don't have it made by August then it's too late..."
August mind you.
But in many ways he is right in that a person should take the slow months to grind away and stock pile some work.
This year that is the plan.
That is the plan if the universe allows us a year without as many interruptions as we have had the past 3 years.
We are going to go for it.
We are pretending that all is going to work its way out and we are going to be able to keep ourselves working and paying the bills.
I am still thinking no shows as I want the studio here to be full of pots for customers.
And if the new things work out that just might cover the cost of the time it takes to go away for shows.
The other day I thought one should never have their eggs in one basket, how true.
So I am separating the eggs into 4-5 baskets.
Let's see how that works.

While we were in Va. I was walking around my mother's house.
My parents were great supports of the arts.
I snapped a few pictures.

The vase on the left and pitcher- early Whynot

above the microwave-back left Jugtown, front left Tom Gray- the rest Mark and the small one mine.

The down stairs bathroom with a mural down my Lee

The only painting that I know of that my father did- I studied this while I was there. As a kid I found this very scary and now I wish I could ask he about it....

  So off for some breakfast and a list of pots to be made.
Cheers,
M

Just say no to dried leftovers...and a story

Its Sunday after a holiday and you just need to stop beating yourself up over what to do with that leftover Turkey.
So here is a favorite dish we like here at the Heywood house.
( you know I am cheating- since we did not have turkey... but I am just trying to save you!)


Picadillo
Recipes for picadillo vary with each country and or region in Latin America.
This one is from my mother Anna Henderson and was her favorite.
I have made some changes and so can you add more hot or less- add more spices if you like.
You can use this in tacos, burritos, or chilaquiles.
We like to make it and serve it with rice, black beans and corn or flour tortillas.

2 pounds of good ground beef- we use our locally raised grass fed beef- or you can use ground turkey or 1/2 pork
2 onions chopped
1-2 cloves garlic
1- apple peeled, cored and chopped
1 red bell pepper sliced
1 yellow bell pepper sliced
1 pound (about 3 medium) tomatoes- or canned- or homegrown frozen.
1-3 jalapenos
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup pimiento olives, cut in half
1/8 tsp. cinnamon and cloves
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
salt and pepper

Saute onions, peppers and garlic in 2 tbs. oil.
cook and drain meat and add to saute
add all the rest and simmer 20-30 minutes.
enjoy!

On another note- we are thankful to be here today after almost being hit by a fool who ran a red light  from the right as we entered into the intersection on our way out to dinner last night. Thank you anti-lock breaks and Marks quick reaction as the fool went right in front of us. We hit just enough to scrape his car, we have now added black to our front bumper, as he continued on his way. I saw him stop just for a second and them take off.
Needless to say we ordered a drink as soon as we sat down and tried to figure out what just happened. The light turned green as two cars were running the light- you fools. There was no one in the intersection as we pulled out. I was doing my wifely thing by talking to Mark, blah,blah,blah and then he said I said "Car" and he saw it coming and hit the brakes hard.
I don't know who you were, where you were going and why you would run a full on red light doing at least 65 or if you have a death wish, but we are happy to be here and you fool just get on down the road and remember to watch out because karma is a bitch and she is looking for you.
To all my  readers, family and friends,
Be safe, share the road and think when you drive.
M

and they were off!

Good day to you all.
I can only hope you had the best Thanksgiving ever with Turkey and all the fixings of your choice.
Not being the Turkey fan ( keep that on the low down please) I did not miss that in our meal yesterday but we did feast on Black eyed Peas, cornbread, sweet potatoes and collards that were picked right from the garden. Ah- life is good.
Backing up about a week ago I will fill you in on last weekend.
The show was busy and good for us.
I went over Saturday morning just before 9, after telling Leslie to take her time....., and was slammed as soon as I turned on my booth lights. By the time Leslie got there I had not stepped past the wrapping stage and she just jumped right in to help me out.
Life is good.
Saturday was the best day for us and Sunday slow but with some surprising results.
I will take it.
After the ups and downs this past year, years, I am ever hopeful.
We unpacked and had to leave Monday morning for Va.
As I have told you all before it is never just about the pots.
We spent some time with Mark's mother who is in a nursing home and still recovering from the 2 broken hips, there will be another operation soon.
Time was spent with my mother who still lives at home and is doing well, thanks for asking.
And we had an afternoon with our daughter and the Grand baby, who is not a baby at all but a toddler with words. She is, as I have said before, so much fun.
Then on the road to travel home yesterday so that we can open the store here today.
Such is the life of a potter with a gallery/store at home.
When you have to work you have to work.
No black Friday here, just good honest pots.
If you are up to supporting handmade, small business then come on out and see us all here in Seagrove.
 If you can't get here then go out in your area and look for those hardworking small Craft/Art Business I know they are there.
I was unable to get pictures at the show so I suggest you read Tom for the more information.
Time to get some tea and get ready for what I hope is a good day in Whynot.
Cheers,
M

The exciting bit...

Thanks GZ your comment was a good post title.
Here are a few exciting bits from the kiln:

A great cookie jar- Mark

and yet- another great cookie jar- Mark

A whole bunch of fresh eggs on the runny side just like I like them!

--Mark

serving bowl- Meredith

Christmas order-spoon rest- shh- don't tell these are getting shipped off...

More jars! Meredith

And now my feet need a break and maybe my feet need a beer- are you in?
Meredith

Come on over we are taking down the door..

There will be more to come....

Out to the kiln with you! Come on, we could use your help! M

Who's gonna keep your feet warm?

The bed was empty and cold this morning as I rolled over and with one eyed looked at the clock it read 3:30.
I figured Mark must have gotten out of bed quite early to light the kiln.
The past week had been full of glorious fall days as you can read from my post below.
There was not even a stir of wind in the air on many of those days until a cold front moved in.
Yesterday as we loaded the kiln we bulked up for a cold day with layers.
With afternoon wind force between 1 and 2 there were times it felt like winter, but it was nowhere near some other November firings that I can remember when we were loading in 20 degrees or rain or sleet or dark...
It made me think of a job poster for potters:
Wanted people who will give up the following.
4 day work weeks, or even 5
Warmth and comfort
Week ends
Families
and a social life.
If you are willing to give it all up for long hours and plenty of days of frustration please apply.
Now we all know that really we have had a good life making pots and that we all give up something for our jobs, but there are times when I could be lured away with the promise of a 5 days a week from 9-5. Throw in a few benefits and weeks ends with paid vacation and I could be yours.

The kiln is firing, we have draped the biggest tarp we have around the open side and that will keep the wind off the burners. All that we need to do is reach a good temperature with a good chimney draw before any winds show up this afternoon.
We once had wind so strong it was pulling down the chimney- I handed Mark bricks as he piled them high enough to get past the wind- that was fun.

One of the posters for the show.

Cool down Sunday and Monday and then the unloading begins Tuesday.
I have lots to take care of since this was our year of no shows, not no shows, but no shows in that we did no shows this year not that we did not show up.
Anyway- we need the list of all those things that must go with you to a show.
Time to put the rusty thinking cap on.
On another note if you have not been for awhile or have never been plan on tripping down to or up to Seagrove next weekend and spending the day.
Leslie and I will be at the cannery while Mark holds down the home front here.
Here is a link to the potters who will be there.
Cheers!
M

It is never just about the pots.

I know, I know, you are getting tired of all these trees, but just think in about a week all this color will be gone and those leaves will just be something we have to get rid of. At least the ones that are right around the house.The treasures of today just become someones trash to deal with later. Hum- better not start down that road today.
This first tree is right out the kitchen window and as I was staring out the window taking in its intense beauty  Mark walks in and says, "I just don't ever remember a fall with colors like this one, just look at this tree." Good Lord after living together for 40 years he can pick up my thoughts through walls, scary right?!
But he was so right- beautiful...

Then he comes in with the camera and tells me he has caught a few fall moments.
This one is just a shot through the woods.
Tasty.....

And then we both know that this tree will be bare as bare can be in just a day or two. There is a cold front coming through with wind and that will just take all this goodness with it.

And now about those pots- the kiln load is glazed, the cone plaques are made, wadding ready, kiln post washed, shelves cleaned and washed, anything else?
It is all in wait for us tomorrow.
We just ran out of steam.
We started glazing Monday and were done by lunch today. We planned to start loading but I feel a need to take a stretch out on the floor and let my back muscles relax.
And the damp mood of the day seems to fit my mood.
I have had at least 3 dreams with my brother Jay in them the past week.
As I get ready for the festival next week end I have to face that Lee will not be there with me.
Although Leslie is coming to help me and that does brighten my mood, she is my rock.
So it is never just about the pots.
So wish us low winds for a good firing.
I will try to post some pottery related pictures soon,
M

The Dog ate my homework or Sunday distractions

Anyone who knows me knows that I love fall. I love it when the trees turn all shades of any color but the reds, oranges and yellows together are my very favorite. I found it very distracting to work on Saturday and Sunday, 'cause that is what potters do this time of year we work 7 days a week, the reds kept finding that corner of my eye and shooting hey go look at me messages to my brain. Finally I had to just give in to some tree looking.
Yesterday morning at the edge of the pond.

The small red Maple in the front yard, who you would think I had enough pictures of, like a favorite child it always stands out. Soon it will drop all it leaves. This tree loves to completely undress all at once. It will have leaves one day and then the next day you will find them all on the ground.
Just a done moment, like a discarded coat from last year.

These two trees I have pictures of from many years as well.
For some reason their colors play well together.
They make me think of old friends, different, yet, always there for one another.
I get to see these on a plot across from the mail box.
Lovely with the green all holding it all together.

Then we stopped over to distract the Luther household and while we were there Chris called out the chickens.
What is it about just watching chickens?
The girls and two guys were a great mix of different colors.
One of the roosters was just brilliant with color.
It made me want to design fabric.

And of course the time change has me off- I wonder what time it really is? I did go out to check a kiln and got stuck in the yard as the sky was full of stars. Clear, cool and crisp out there. Made me think I should get out the books on constellations.
Distraction time is over- back to work today with a big load of pots staring back at us- 21 shelves to glaze, load and fire by Sunday- ugh. It is count down to the Celebration show here in Seagrove.
We will be there booth B-29 back wall, come and find us.
Cheers,
M

Blanks, babies and collards

This week we are finishing up our throwing cycle which we will follow next week with glazing.
Mark has been working on "crown" pots.
Here you see the blanks all freshly thrown.
They were covered and let set up enough to stamp, carve and add handles.

Then I did some what can you do with 10 ounces of clay pots.
Wee bottles nice and fat.
This wee bottle is really nice for those wee flowers that kids pick for you.
You know the ones with no stem.
Grubby faced, smiling and excited kids who shove a flower at you and say "here" then quickly run off....ah, another dandelion from the yard.
You have to have a place to display them and these are perfect size for those stemless beauties.

Then what is fall in the south without collards.
Lord have mercy these were so tasty!
They were so beautiful when I brought them home that I wanted to put them in a vase, but I could not find one big enough to hold them.
I thought of placing them in a bowl to admire, but, why admire when you can eat.
And eat them we did.
Got to have your greens, with some sharp vinegar...
and cornbread- did I even tell you about the cornbread?
It was good as well.

When I was shooting this picture I must have reset my camera wrong and this is what it was doing.
Just like me to only know how to shoot a picture set on auto...
Here is another one it took before I reset it back to auto.

 Have a great weekend!
M