I had planned

to sit down and bore you all with my life here at Whynot but I picked up email from Tracey who wanted us to meet her in Asheboro to listen to a friend of her's and Jerry's who was playing music and off we went.
It is not often that we just walk in from a long day and say yeah, let's go.
Well truth be told we always want to go some where and grab a beer, but even Asheboro is 20 minutes up the raod and usually we can talk us out of going.
We were glad that the voice of reason did not win.
It was great to finally meet Gerry, Tracey's husband, and their friends and guitar player Jeff Brown.

We were sitting in Asheboro, outside, drinking a beer and listening to music. For some of you I know you are thinking so what, but I never thought we would have such things here.

Did I get pictures? No, but I think Tracey did.

Instead you get a picture of my morning view as I have coffee and anticipate the day.
I love sitting here and looking out at the yard and the studio just a walk away.
I just have to get there.

I am still fascinated by the butterflies that have always been here I am sure but that in my haste to hurry past them for many years I just missed them.
I am positive I was too busy protecting the parsley and dill from them  that I was not allowing them to be.
Now that I am fully aware of them I look all the time.
This past week 7 caterpillars on the parsley.
Seems like a lot for their great appetite and yesterday there was one looking for something else to eat.
Note- put in more parsley.

    Yesterday it was survival of the fittest:

 Yesterday was also glaze away day and I am close to my tile load while Mark is exploring the pots for Ms. B.
Tiles get fired first and then we will see what we can do with Ms. B.
You know she can be a bit of a pain.

All is still on for our 30th and we are really excited to have Four Saint's here with their beer. We have become (old) groupies and tend to look them up to see where they will be next, showing up like stray puppies for yet another chance at their beers. Everything we have tried has been good.
 The one they are unveiling on the 13th at our 30th Celebration is a new one and sounds great.

Best get cracking on some pots- the commute to work is so hard.
M

Laughing with the girls

It has been really quiet since school started and the lateness of summer has taken over.
You can feel it in the air and you can hear the sounds of summer gone as the kids go back to school and the air hangs with quiet.
It is not like Mark and I can not have a lively conversation it is just hard to do that and work at the same time.
We find that when we are working it takes all our brain cells to focus on the task at hand.
You know if you make pottery for a living and spend countless hours working that there are days you really need to get your self out and see people.
So yesterday I ran away for a few hours and had lunch with Tracey and Susan.
They did great post with great pictures.
It is funny how someone else can give an eye to something you look at everyday and make it look different.
Make it look good like I want to be there, hey I am there!
THen we went over to the NCPC to see the show.

 Here are those two oohing over some of Donna Craven's pots at the NCPC

And while they were snapping  pictures of old pots I had to get some pictures of my neighbor Carol's work.
Amazing......
I must admit I am not always clear or what collector's collect and why they buy some of the things they do.
A pot really has to call to someone and there seems to be someone for every type of work out there. I think that is what makes this show interesting. As we walked through there were pots that we just did not gravitate to at all, others that caught us all and some that did something for one of us and not the others.
A diverse group of opinions, I like that.

I can see why someone would buy Carol's work.
Her work is full of interest without being over done and each piece has a story that goes with it that only adds to the work.

 If you can get there this show is worth a look.

Meanwhile back at the ranch.
We are almost finished glazing, loading starts today.
I am thinking of all the  folks hit by the storm and hope that  life returns to normal for them all as soon as possible.

Cheers,
M

Stop in, we do lunch around here.

Yesterday Tracey was out and about over in Star picking up some much needed clay to get herself back to work. She has many projects coming up this year, it is exciting to see how things have taken off for her.
While she was just 10 minutes away she asked if she could stop in.
I said yes and come for lunch.
Mark and I are like old farmers in that we go to work rather early and like to stop for lunch at noon.
I know that many folks don't have lunch at high noon but this has been going on here since we opened. We have found that if we start lunch it a. brings a customer or two and b. if we wait and it still brings a customer or two than it could be 1 or 2 before you have lunch.
We like to take our hour...sometimes hour and 1/2.... and then get back in the studio for the afternoon.
Neither one of us is that late night owl potter. We prefer to get out and get it done and then have some non-pottery time for other things.
Oh,lunch..
I had made a feta and spinach quiche,bread, fruit ,add in pimento cheese, rice chips,pumpkin bread from Tracey and we had a great lunch.
Mark ate with us and then went back to work while Tracey and I opted to make hot tea and just chat away.
And if your ears were burning it was because we talked about you!
 Well nothing bad.... we both are fascinated by some of the wonderful,bright, talented and sharing bloggers out there.
We still feel that this diary of sharing is vital to ourselves and others.

I think we could have talked all day, but we both had lives to get back to.
As Tracey left I thought how important it has been to me to take many of the on-line relationships past the reading stage to another place.
I know it has opened up my world and made it bigger and better.

Then today a good friend stopped in to share some good news with us.
"Tea", I asked and she said yes if you have time.
Well I have learned that you have to make time and not give up some time with friends just because there is work waiting.
The work will always be there.
So to the house and the next thing you know we are pulling out all the leftovers from yesterday, heating quiche, slicing bread, pimento cheese, rice crackers, and having lunch and chat all over again.
I love January.... just for these reasons.
So we will feed you lunch and talk just tell me when.

Feta and Spinach Quiche:
slice up some onion and red pepper and as many mushrooms as you like- saute in oil and butter,add salt and pepper-set aside.
Cook spinach fresh or frozen, I used frozen, squeeze dry -set aside.
Beat 6 eggs with 1/2 cup milk and 1/4 cup flour, if you don't use flour use whatever works for you.
To the eggs add sauteed veggies, spinach, about 6-8 ounces feta cheese, about 1/2 cup cottage cheese and about 1/4 th cup Parmesan cheese.
Pour into a baking pan that has been buttered and bake at 325 for about 30-40 minutes or until brownish and cook through.
let set and serve room temp.
Or goggle up Spinach quiche....
This will serve 6 as proven by 2 lunches times 3 people per lunch.
And pots- are being made but with no camera you will just have to take my word for it.

and this picture- 2 winters ago- can you see why I am digging this winter?
This is a winter that I need, a winter that still brings sunshine and warm days.
19 tonight- so what----60 degrees is right behind this....ahhhhh.
Cheers!
M

Slow Sundays and Blue skies makes one want to

travel even if it is just up the road.
When I woke up this morning I asked Mark what he wanted to do today, a much needed day off, and he said what do you want to do?
I say I want to go here.

and I want to see Tracey...

and I want to see her work and buy a few gifts.

It was as much fun as a new puppy!
Only better!
Love you and we loved our trip to your neck of the woods.
M

It is December, don't you know?

The weather here the past week has been a great reminder of why we live in the south.
We have been having 70 degree days.
How can you beat that!?
I know a change is coming and winter will be on us soon , but it is hard to beat these days of still warm days or as I love to call the , "the flue days".
We have been catching up on other things besides pottery, but are getting back in the swing of things pottery wise as well.
The bisque kiln was loaded yesterday, after a trip to buy a new microwave and put the car in the shop, and today we are back on the wheel.
It always seems that December is a month where we catch up on all things ignored.
The car goes in the shop.
A closet gets cleaned out.
I pay attention to the dust and the corners in the house.
I look at the pile, I mean really look, of the year's worth of paper work.
You all know what I mean.
We all tend to shove this stuff aside while we are busy and then the next think you know it crawls out like a forgotten long lost cousin that you always knew was there but no one wants to talk about.
Now I still need to finish fixing the blog, catch up on the piles and corners and figure out what is happening for next year.
And don't even say Christmas shopping...
There it is out there as well.
We find that we are so busy making sure that our customers have their gift shopping done that we get a bit behind...and the family after 30 years does not want more, or sure they do---pottery?!

I did go do something fun Sunday and went off with a group to make a wreath.

I had never done anything like this before and it was fun to just lose myself  in the process.
I did not think I just did.
It was relaxing and there was hot chocolate and nibbles... Mark stayed home to fish and watch football.
I bet he would pay real money to send me off again.
Hummm
Well pots are calling.
M

a few pots got listed on the etsy shop- our favorite mugs.
It was great to see one being used by Tracey at her end of the day, blow out weekend.
Note to self- change her blog feed to The Fifth Floor.....

Work and Play

Mark and I are invited to participate in an Exhibition being held at the North Carolina Pottery Center call Tea Time.
We will both be sending two Tea Pots along with some cups.
Yesterday I made 4 of the bodies and lids.
I put them all under tight plastic last night because Tracey and I have been trying to find a day to just run around, have some lunch and ride the back roads in search of old buildings and barns.

Tea Caddies

Today was a day we picked out of the hat weeks ago and even though I needed to make spouts I went.

Pisgah Covered Bridge

And I was happy to have gone.
Happy to have had the time to spend with someone who has become a friend over the past year.
Talk and laughter came easy while we rode the back roads.
The sky was blue and the weather tripped its way up to 60 degrees, a perfect January day in the south.
We peeled a layer as we rode around and laughed about the fact we might need the a/c!
We did not- just kept riding. 

Sweet and snug on the hillside

It was fun to show Tracey some of the barns and buildings I like when I drive from Seagrove to Asheboro.
I love the fact that I can get all the way there and back without 4 lanes of traffic.
I also love that these buildings and barns stand proudly, many of them still used.
I look at the houses that litter the road ways with all their newness and then I marvel at the old wide planks and the softness of the boards I see on these old buildings, some of which you can almost see through as though they are turning themselves into paper.

One of my favorite barns over near the NC Zoo

I love when you see the care taken of one of these old barns, painted, used and loved.
I also wonder if there will come a time when someone removes that barn to put a house in its place.
There use to be many old tabacco barns around as well but most of those are gone.

I can't wait to see how some of these pop up in Tracey's work.
She was seeing lines and details that she liked.
But I will let her tell you about that.

Tomorrow I will get back on those Tea Pots.
Today I just plan to savor the rest of the day.
M

2 days and counting

Linda
sent me a smile award yesterday and it does make you think about the pleasure you can get from reading people's blogs. Making one person smile in a day can go a long way.
There are many different reasons I read someone's blog.
I read some for the thoughtful way they share their information and thier lives.
I read others purely for that smile or laugh out loud moments.
We all need more of the smile and laughter so here goes some of mine.

Drum roll please....
The first person who made me laugh out loud and just enjoy his out look at life was Gary Rith
The other that always has a good story and makes me laugh would be Jim Gottuso
 You have to read both of these blogs and I am sure you will find something to smile about.


Then there is Julia over at Henhouse Pottery.
and who could not start their day with out a bit from  Tracey!
(tell us what you really think Tracey!)
So for all of you - you make my day in some way or another- otherwise I would not be here spending my time reading your bogs and picking up lots of information and many, many smiles.

Now about the Etsy shop.
It has been a learning curve and I think I am getting the hang of how best to handle the time to list and get things up and out. I will continue to put energy into it in the coming year.

Two days is all you have left before we draw out 5 names for the generosity chain.
Get your name in!
I am pleased with the interest and curious to see it plays out for me and forward to the next crew.

We have just about decided to fire the kiln after the holidays.
There are just so many little details left to put in place this week.
We have order a new electric kiln.
And wait its arrival.
There are more presents to wrap.
I am heading off tomorrow to check out doing 4 tile murals for a friend's business.
And always- always- finishing up that bookwork!
It would be nice to have it done before the new year.
Cheers and don't forget the lunar eclipse!
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.

Goldilocks and the Three bears, or who's been sleeping in my bed?

Mark and I went to blowing Rock for a show this past weekend.
I was very worried about who I could leave here to run things while I was away.
Then I came up with a thought....one that I hoped could work out for two potters.
For me potter number 1, who has plenty of studio space to share and potter number 2, who could make use of our space in exchange for keeping us open and staying here while we were gone.

Well of all the potters I could not think of I could not think of  anyone better to try this with then Tracey Broome.
So- on Friday Tracey showed up here bright and early from her house ,which is about 45 minutes from here,to get a quick low down on the studio, the sales shop and the house.
This goes here- that goes there- here are towels, sheets and pillow- a/c instructions, here's how to run a charge, take a check and work the cash register, wrapping paper, masking tape, bags................ blah, blah,blah... and we were on our way just going up the road after throwing Tracey to the bears.
We had just hit Blowing Rock when we received a very exciting call from her.
Tracey had just made the biggest sale we have made in the store  this year.
She was blown away and so were we- it was exciting for her and us.
We have been in a real drought this summer with just enough sales to pay one bill at a time.
With Tracey's exciting news it looked like we might have a good weekend.

On Saturday I had made arrangements with Laurie Abela, our favorite soap maker, to be here to run the shop for the Potter's for Peace weekend.
That would, we had hoped, free Tracey to just work in the studio.
But- Tracey was in for a second adventure this weekend and I would rather she get a chance to tell you all about that herself.
Meanwhile, back in Whynot Laurie was busy running the shop, selling pots and her wonderful soaps with a %  to benefit The Central Asia Institute.
We have a few mugs and soaps left over.
If you are interested and would like a mug, a tumbler or some of the green tea soap contact us:
info@whynotpottery.com.

Blowing Rock was better for us this month then it was back in June.
We did start out the morning with a moment of regret when we looked at the mud hole that was our space.
It was a big mud puddle that someone had thrown an old rug in.
I was ready to head home when Mark asked for another space.
We were quickly given a new space that was perfect.
Level and much dryer.
It did throw us and the crafts people on either side of us in a tailspin as we were all trying to unload and put up tents.
We all just jumped in to help one another- first getting the other tents up and then ours.
Then everyone could get their work out.
I just love when 3 booths  work together to help one another out, no muss-no fuss!
Despite the overcast sky their were some buyers out.
We had two down pours but still managed to come out mostly dry.
Note the attractive blue tape keeping the lid down- I found it is better to tape the lid then to have it fly off while being picked up.

We are back home, unpacked and very happy with Goldilocks- seems she found just the right pace to sleep and leaft hardly a trace behind her.
(except some tea I am sitting here enjoying...)
I can't wait to see if she was able to get some work made and how her second adventure of the weekend went for her.
Thanks Tracey and Laurie job well done!

Thanks Tracey!

Well today at lunch Mark brought back a package from the mailbox.

"Are you expecting anything from Tracey? “He asked.
No, but there it was a nice package and I was excited to see what Tracey had sent me in the mail.
I opened the box and found this wonderful, rich green Raku star.
I had noticed them on her post not that long ago and asked about them.
Lo and behold here is one at my house.
The card attached says, “you are a Star."

Well darn Tracey, Thanks!

I am looking for somewhere to hang it so I can see it everyday.
I never thought of myself as a Star, but the thought that some one else does
warms me.

Tracey is one of the bloggers who will join us in the Show

Clay and Blogs; Telling a Story.
I can't tell you at this time how I found Tracey's blog.
But she was one of those Blogs I found myself checking back to pretty often.
Then the next thing you know we are both making communications with each other.
 First on the bog and then later by email.

You might remember that Tracey and her tall, talented and now driving daughter came out and had lunch with us.

This is why I continue to read and connect through the bogs.

It has opened up a world of folks I would never had met if I had not stepped out and typed a few words in a box.

I love the Star and back at you!

You too are a Star, one of those special people who thinks about others and shares who you are with us.

Thanks Tracey!