Blowing into spring

 Many, many, many folks will talk about the winter of 2014. This has been a winter for the record books with below average temperatures becoming the new normal, bone chilling cold and  a heck of a lot of snow. And, snow in places that don't usually see snow.
We have not had much snow or ice here, but our families have had their share plus enough to last another winter or two.

As we head into March we are use to seeing the Northerners head our way in hopes of finding some warmth and sunshine. This year we don't have much of either to share with them. It's cold. It does not matter where you are, it's cold.

I feel as if we are stuck in a winter limbo that will not let us go. I just heard that winter is planning to hang on through most of March, bringing even more weather precipitation with it. At least one if not two more storms. I hope not, but could be true.

  

 What does that mean for us?
It is harder to go out and work in the cold.
We are just not as winter savvy as some folks that we know. The studio has heat but not great heat. We can usually get by with our one wall heater. This year that one wall heater is cranked up.
Hot water helps as long as you keep plenty at hand. Layers under and over, wool socks, good shoes all help as well.

It is a good idea to keep as warm as possible to get the job done.
I took advantage of yesterday's heat wave to mask up and stand outside to clean up pots for a bisque firing. It was at least 40 degrees outside. That is better than the single digits that we have been having.
How do you stay warm in this cold?

Years ago we had visiting potters here from Denmark and Helsinki staying with us and working in our studio. It was February and the first day we went out to find our outside water frozen. We thawed it out, heated water, turned up the heat and all went to work.

 Later they complained at how cold our studio and house were. "Cold! But look where you live", I said. "Yes," they said, "but our houses and shops are well insulated and we have heat in our floor."

Heat in the floor.......what I would give for some heat in the floor.

I spent time yesterday moving pots from the last firing over to the shop just in case some of the brave travelers find their way out of the frozen north. We did see a few travelers the last two days making me hope that there are more who are ready for some southern sunshine.
Of course tonight we are under a winter weather advisory, ice.
Ice for Friday.
BUT- Saturday is full of promise.
60 degrees....
I think I am ready.

Salt

 I was playing with this salt pig right before the last kiln load. I threw a form much like my pumpkin jars  with a knob on the top. I cut out a hole, using some of the cut out clay to make a banner on the bottom to write the word SALT.
I am not one for telling anyone what to do with or put in my pottery but this one seems an exception.

 I placed a wooden spoon inside since it is not big enough for your hand to fit in.

 I like the spoon thing and like not putting my hand in since I don't cook for just me.
I am looking for small wooden spoons to place in the salt pigs.
I have a few of my own that I really like.

 Salt also makes a great way to clean the greens before freezing.
I find that all those wee bugs that love greens as much as I do will drop off if I add salt to the water when I am cleaning them.
There there is no ugh factor when you steam them to find all these wee creatures in the bottom of the pan.
This works great with broccoli as well .

And, how could you have bread without salt?

I Hope you have a lovely Monday.
Be just a little sassy and salty...
M