365 days behind me. Joys. Sorrows. Accepting all. Gratitude. Boldly and bravely stepping into a New Year. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
‘Tis The Season
A steady stream of orders since Thanksgiving. Each piece of my handmade pottery securely wrapped and boxed. Shipping labels printed. Boxes secured. Tracking numbers noted and sent to each customer. Then off to the post office. Unboxing and unpacking Christmas decorations. A sense of nostalgia of Christmases past. Trying to remember where Christmas gifts are... Continue Reading →
A View From My Back Porch
I've been scurrying around cleaning out garden beds and prepping the yard and back porch for winter. Pottery wheel, kiln, clay and tools have been put away for the season. My pottery has been photographed and listed in my shop. Traded my clay covered hands for mud of a different kind. Our resident squirrel has... Continue Reading →
The Blues
My blue glaze finally arrived after being on back order since August. I have been using this delightful blue glaze for over 15 years. My customers nor I have ever been disappointed. So . . . I opened my new jug of blue glaze with great anticipation of glazing a set of custom made bowls... Continue Reading →
End of September: Peak Season
Much has been going❗️ I have yet had the time to blog. I have been glazing, firing, photographing, listing*, glazing, firing, photographing, listing, aaaannnnnd glazing, firing, photographing. (*Listing: writing descriptions and pricing of my new handmade pottery for my BackPorchStudio shop on Etsy.) In the meantime, enjoy our neighborhood hawk who frequently stops by! 😍... Continue Reading →
Run Grandma! Run!
“Grandma! Grandma! There are snakes in the pine trees!” our grandson shouted excitedly as he was running to the back porch. Knowing that we do have at least one snake I thought to myself, “Drat, that snake had babies!” So, I grabbed my camera and asked our grandson to show me the snakes. (Yes, I grabbed my... Continue Reading →
Glazed,Ready and Rain
Over the weekend, I started glazing some small bowls, cups and spoon rests that I made and bisque fired over the past few weeks. My glazing techniques vary from dunking pots into a bucket of glaze to brushing glaze onto pots. For my pet dishes and bowls, I stamp a paw print in the center... Continue Reading →
Pop! Spring!
Hooray! Spring sprung! The much anticipated warmer weather, blue skies and tons of sunshine has arrived. Nature rejoices and so do I!!! Spring training on my back porch studio. Warming up with a small lump of clay (about 1/2 pound) this week. Spring training on the soccer field. Our grandson behind the ball and me... Continue Reading →
Meanwhile
Back home. . . These two are waiting for warmer weather and long sunny afternoons to return to the back porch. Who needs fancy store bought cat beds when a good old box will do. Notice they are plugged in. Because both are elderly cats, the warmth from the heating pad beneath the blanket makes... Continue Reading →
Incredible Views
Traveling. A window seat is a must. The view never fails to take my breath away. “How sweet to be a cloud. Floating in the blue!” - A. A. Milne
December
We have survived husband's first year of retirement! His retirement started off with a bang when we both came down with covid this time last year. I barely remember last December but we have pictures to prove that we, indeed, celebrated Christmas. Wow! The lawn and building a new deck kept husband busy spring... Continue Reading →
In The Clouds: An Oasis
“Once you have tasted the taste of sky you will forever look up.” – Leonardo Da Vinci Trying to regain my footing after the passing of my Aunt last month. The volume of work that needs to be attended to after a death is far greater than I imagined. I found refuge in the clouds... Continue Reading →
Bitter Sweet
Last week began on a sad note with the passing of my Aunt as a result of a fall. The week ended on a happy and joyous note celebrating the marriage of our son to the love of his life.
Seize The Day with Coffee
Up early this morning. Firing my last kiln load of the season. These two are up to something. I'm not even going to ask. Wedding bells for our son soon! Much deep cleaning, baking and merriment ahead. But first, coffee ☕️
Extra! Extra!
I need extra hours in the day and extra energy to complete all that needs done. Planting Mowing and weeding Weeding and mowing Soccer Baseball Each and every day, I wake up, thank goodness, and seize the day clay! Oh yeah . . . ...and laundry!
Squirrel!
Would you look at that! It's mid-October. And here I am running around like a squirrel gathering nuts before the snow falls! Instead of gathering nuts . . . I'm glazing and firing. Glazing and firing. Repeat. Mugs, after their 1st firing, waiting to be glazed. Glazed mugs drying. When I'm not glazing and firing,... Continue Reading →
What did I do on my summer vacation?
Originally posted in September 2018! Not much has changed in our backyard. We are a little older and hopefully a little wiser. Summer vacation? Well, I really didn't have one but I sure enjoyed my summer! I enjoy summer, vacation or not. Summer is my favorite season! Being on our back porch throwing things,... Continue Reading →
Where The Wild Things Are Part II
Life has completely turned upside down since the changing of the clocks back in March of 2020. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the dinosaurs returned. Today, the dinosaurs have, indeed, returned much to our grandson's delight! I am delighted the dinosaurs prefer lettuce over sunflowers!
Checking In
Happy whatever day it is! With dear husband working from home since mid-March, it is as if every day is Saturday. Not that he works from home on Saturdays but he is home. Every day. Both of us in the house through the week has taken some getting used to. I think we will survive.... Continue Reading →
Was That Spring I heard?
Deep in the earth I woke, I stirred. I said: "Was that the Spring I heard? For something called!" "No, no," they said; "Go back to sleep. Go back to bed. You're far too soon; The world's too cold For you, so small," So I was told. But how could I go back to sleep? I... Continue Reading →
Hello! It’s Winter!
Hello from the blustery and snowy arctic tundra! Okay. Maybe not THE arctic tundra but from my back porch. Brrrr! Though it is winter, I have been playing in the mud inside where it is warm. I am looking forward to sharing with you my latest clay projects. Happy Friday!!!