watch this space

We are enjoying some girl time.
We will be back.

Our new worker... child labor watch out!

"Places to go, people to see."

Mark and I just returned from a jaunt up the road a piece to see family and celebrate the grandchild's 3rd birthday.
We had a great  time at the party watching all the kids and grown-ups enjoying themselves.
There were bubbles.
What is a party without bubbles?

There was dancing and music by; Atumpan-The Talking Drums

There was a special dance around the birthday girl.
She was a bit confused at first since no one was in the middle with her.
But it all worked out .

And, there was cake.
When asked if she wanted to open presents she said, "No, thanks."
She was having too much fun.

Happy Birthday Mara!

Open house next weekend and a birthday girl

Kiln opening here next Saturday 10-5 come out.

We opened the kiln today and there was a real mix in the mix.
There were some good pots.
And there were some not so good pots.
We are still pondering the firing and the only thing that comes to mind is that we placed the cone packs on a shelf higher then last time and that pyrometers lie.

After the brilliant iron reds of the last fire we were faced with muddy reds and not melted wood ash, again, yes, again.
Back to the drawing board.
And I am too blue to post pictures.
Instead you get one of the grand daughter who is getting ready for her 2nd birthday.
And she is way more important to me than some stupid clay.

Happiest of Birthdays to this sweet girl of ours.

  Juice pops make life all better!
M

What makes me smile

I have a post in my head but am in a poor time management predicament. So stay with me while I share one of me other passions.
The Grand daughter- seems time for a visit.
This is where I go when I have a bad day- I go look at her pictures of  "life is good moments" and I will share a few with you.
More post and pottery coming. M

At the zoo with Mama and Friend...water...

playing with cups

Mara with one of the family friends--so cute it's a crime.

What's shaking?

Whew- we have just gotten back from one of those whirlwind tours of seeing family.
Raleigh, Norfolk, Raleigh and home.
There were moments of grand fun and moments of those things that needed to be done.
But we had some baby time and you know we loved that.
The Grand baby is crawling and ever so active which makes for loads of fun and loads of quick moves.
She's fast!

the smile is for her Mama who she thinks can rescue her from Opa

She is getting ready to launch into action!

I won't pull out the 100 photo's but here are two from the recent trip.
I also won't bore you with tales of really good Thia food that we enjoyed, but know we were not, I mean, we were thinking about you all as we ate...( little lies are good right?)
Back to the pottery today and getting ready for our spring kiln opening weekend.
Like I said- whew!
Cheers!
M

A cold one and.....

First off- when Tracey was here last weekend she did not come empty handed. ( she is southern you know, we can't go without a gift even if we are doing you a favor!)
She wanted us to take this to Blowing Rock with us and enjoy and instead we stuck it in the fridge and enjoyed it last night with the help of friends.
Oh, my it was a very good beer.
Very crisp and oh- so- tasty- it really hit the spot.
So thanks Tracey!

Now, while I have your attention, a few folks have said why aren't you sharing pictures of the grand baby?
So could you stand a few?
I mean she is pretty darn cute and getting bigger every day-( her mother keeps feeding her!)
So here are a few that melt my heart.
It really makes my day to get the daily pictures of her.
When I have a down day I just look at them all- but I want make you do that.

At work with Mom today- she loves to play on the floor and hang out at the office.
See she is pretty darn cute.

Some stamping, flowers and a little love

Sometimes things just take you over.
When Mark was working on teapots the other day he did not like this shape for a teapot and instead it just stayed a jar.
As he was fluting and stamping the jar just took over.
Sometimes it is that old in for a penny in for a pound.
But as you can see the panel in the jar has a lot of detail.
The star pattern is made with a stamp Mark made that does an x first then you turn if slightly, stamp again and you get  one of these* .
That means this jar was stamped about 140 times.............
He was laughing at him self- and yet there is that good old OCD thing that just takes over and since you started well- it just has to be done.

The Magnolia trees are in full swing here.
This is the time of year they really shine and the bees love them.
We have to be quick sometime to catch a customer as they drift over and grab one, close their eyes to smell.
I am always a little horrified that one day a bee will be sucked up a nostril.
We love to pull them back to reality, pick one  for them, shake out the bees and tell them to take and enjoy.
Better for the nose that way.
And speaking of the nose... what would my season be if I did not get some moon flowers going?
I saved seeds from last year and have started them in damp paper towels. I looked today and I have at least 12 sprouted, with a nice root going.
I have been know to wait until the first leaves pop out before I plant.
So, yea, you can expect pictures of moon flowers, again.
I do think I will get these in the ground by Monday. 

 Update:
Baby Green is growing and a delight to all!
Brother Jay is safely tucked in at home thanks to his wonderful daughter who stayed with him at the hospital, checked him out and drove him home. She is one super kid and I once was along in the car with her and her Dad and just dank in their chatter of life and music.
It warmed me as knowing she was there for him does now.
We had text messages along the route until the last one late last night.
He amd been seen by a home heath nurse and was all tucked in.
Sweet dreams.
Peace