Christmas

 Wishing everyone the Merriest of Christmases on this frosty morning.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………..*s*

Bread

I have been baking bread foremost sixty years, but I have never been happy with my decorative scoring.  I made this loaf trying to follow several ideas I have gathered.

Let it knead long enough to 'window pane'. 

Paid attention to how I formed the loaf, being sure to make it tight and smooth and gave it a long warm rise.   

Dusted flour over the surface before I scored it and used a sharp ceramic knife for the cuts as I don't have a lame. 

Started it at 425ºF with hot water in the bottom of the oven. Turned it down to 375ºF after about twenty minutes.  Baked for another thirty minutes or so. I took it out of the pan and turned it over to get the bottom nice and brown for the last five or six minutes.  This made the flour get a bit darker than I liked.  Next loaf I'll either make a cap or just turn it in the pan.  I baked this one in a cast iron frying pan.

 

I bake all our bread. About a year ago I bought a Bosch heavy duty mixer.  I have the small size which is perfect for our little family.  It's been my wrist saver!

 Proge says he has a personal baker.

We have had flu shots and Covid boosters; have you?

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by.................*s*

Christmas Dragons

 The Christmas Dragons arrived last night.  Ordinarily they don't show up until the middle of December.  I think they were hoping to avoid storms and such. 

Rain and wind today, so glad it isn't snow.  I can't imagine flying through a blizzard!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Cranberries.......anyone????

 Bought two bags of cranberries at the market Monday; then found more in the freezer.  Which asks the question, what do I do with three pounds plus of cranberries?  Was not up for plain cranberry sauce, so I Googled a look around for Cranberry Chutney.   Oh my!  Ask and ye shall receive.  Finally decided to look closely at David Lebovitz's recipe, which of course I altered.

I took all the cranberries fresh and frozen, probably about forty ounces, and threw them in a large soup pot.  Added about a cup or so of date paste, juice and zest of a large orange, a grated Granny Smith apple, chopped up dried pineapple, cherries and a fig. I added about a cup of apple cider vinegar, and monk fruit sugar.  Let it cook until the berries began popping them added cinnamon, five spice, ginger, two tablespoons of my home made vanilla, a pinch of salt, and a pinch or two f chili peppers.  I let it simmer until it was nice and thick.  I also added a bit more vinegar.  Filled jars to go in the freezer and kept some for use.

It's quite tasty, but I think it would be better with f some lemon or lime juice, raisins, pinch or two of clove, and perhaps some green tomatoes  Now I wish we hadn't eaten them all.

We'll see grasshopper.........we'll see.........

The birdie is a male house finch of a pair visiting the feeders this morning.  Not a great photo as I took it with my iPad through my glass slider.  It's so nice to see at least this one.  We used to have them in the dozens.  Not sure what happened to them and the gold finches, but nice to know there are a few about. 

I wish every one a very Happy Thanksgiving. Celebrate in good health!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by................*s*

Happiness

Wednesday morning I ordered tea from Upton Teas.  By 2:00 PM yesterday I was enjoying a cup of my favorite Finest Russian Caravan,  This morning I am drinking Mincing Lane, a relatively new morning blend which I enjoy at any time of day.

Being in Massachusetts they are not that far from me here in RI, but it still lovely to have such prompt service when I have been reduced to tea bags!

Realized last night that I never brought in the bamboo that sits in the top of the pond filter.  I'll bring it in this morning and see if I can save it.  It's not too much of a problem as I have three pots of cuttings.  It is not in my nature to toss a cutting or shoot!

Toes crossed everyone has a great week end.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by...............*s*

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………….*s*

First Pot Friday

 This is the very first pot I ever made, way back in 1965.  Only potted for about six months before life got in the way.  Twenty years later I did a beginner class because the professor I had intended to return to uni to work with was on sabbatical. (Knew I had to do something as Proge was going away for high school.)

The eeriest thing was that as soon as I put my hands n clay my body remembered how to center and pull up.  A lot of really bad pots followed!  Within two weeks I was wondering why I ever stopped,

Through all the ups and downs of my life, I always kept this first pot.  Guess it was trying to tell me something.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………….*s*

P.S.  Blogger is still giving me grief about replying to comments.  Please know that I read and enjoy them all……………*s*

Wordless Wednesday

 

As always,  stay safe, and thanks for stopping by…………..*s*

Aloes

 My aloe farm:  

Two years ago my first aloe had babies. So I carefully potted them up.  Then my original plant got so unwieldy that I cut it off, trimmed it down and gave it a new pot.  I forgot about the stump until it started sprouting new growth.  Originally there were five; one fell off so it too got a new pot.  This summer what were the original five baby plants became too rambunctious so they each got a trimming and repotting.  There were also new babies which I potted up.  I stuck all the old stumps in a large pot…..just because.

The upshot is That I now have an aloe plantation.  I will probably move some of them to  my bedroom when I bring more plants in.

We’ll see, grasshopper…….we’ll see……..

As always stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………..*s*

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday

My darling KikiLaSois died yesterday.  We adopted her when she was somewhere between two and five years old so she was probably in the vicinity of eighteen, a good age for a kitty who began her life living out of a dumpster.

 She had the quietest purr and mew I have ever heard.  We used to say that Aloysius , the other half of the dumpster duo, was making up for it by being a very loud boy.  

Sleep sweetly my little girl.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Wordless Wednesday

 As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………….*s*

Wordless Wednesday

 

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by…………..*s*

Wordless Wednesday

 As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by……………*s*

Hares and Rabbits!

A fortunate September to all!

 As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by…………..*s*

Remember Wordless Wednesday?

 It’s the day when we post photos with no title or explanation.

I’ll go first.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………..*s*

International Dog Day

 Winter is wishing all the doggies a Happy International Dog Day!  

Cookies all around!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by...................*s*

Refurbishing the Ho Tai Garden

 I raked out all the dead stems of the white bleeding heart and moved in planters with petunias in various stages of growth.  These are all grown from collected seed.  I don’t want to invest in buying plants this late in the summer, but I do enjoy continuing to plant and replant various small areas.  With any luck we will have one of our long, mellow autumns.  We could have blooms into November!  Toes crossed!

  I am also digging up the orange day lilies that have manages to become ensconced here.  I will plant lilliums when I get it clear enough.

Thr big clay pot is the one I knocked on the floor and cracked.  So far the many coats of sealer that I put on it seem to be holding up.  The smaller bowl is one of the first purchased terra cotta pots I experimented with. It’s held up well over the years.  I do bring glazed pots in for the winter.

It started raining a little while ago.  Looking at radar we may actually have some real downpours.  We need rain badly.  The spring was wet enough that forest is still in goof shape.  But forest fire is a real danger.  So!  We’ll see, grasshopper…………..we’ll see.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………….*s*

Majolica Monday #12

 Only now it's Tuesday.  Posted the picture and then got called away and never came back.

This is another purchased terra cotta planter I painted at least a year ago.  Never fired it because I felt it needed something more.  I decided to add a bunch of bees as I want to use them on other pots.  These look slightly demented.  Toes crossed I improve as I continue to paint them. 

Google is still being strange about letting me answer posts.  Rest assured that I do read and enjoy comments.

Majolica Monday #11

Hares and Rabbits

Wishing all a joyful Lammas

Sometimes you’re the bug; sometimes you’re the windshield!

This is the fourth of the purchased terra cotta planters I have been working on.  Somehow I managed to knock it off the table onto the cement floor.  I can't even blame a cat!  My hopes for a miraculous okay were quickly dashed when I found a hairline crack from rim to foot.  One thing I have learned about purchased pots is to never, ever fire a pot that has a crack.  It could just come through the firing with the crack opening a bit.  More likely it would split completely, fall onto the shelf and destroy the pot and shelf.  There is no need to explain how I know this!

Fortunately I had only done one section and not the whole thing.  I wiped the undecorated glaze off and brushed on three coats of Liquitex clear acrylic varnish over the entire pot.  It will be usable, although not in the manner I intended.

I have tomatoes in pots and a lot of basil growing on the deck.  I am thinking of ways to grow more stuff next summer.  Gone are the days of my huge gardens, but I am feeling more energetic this year.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by................*s* 
 

Hey Summer! Slow Down!

 It’s hard to believe that we are heading into the last week of July.  This is my favorite time of year, so I am doing my best to practice presence of mind and savor the days.  There are early mornings of working out in the garden.  Lazy afternoon of lazing by the pool with a jug of iced tea, a good book, and some music.    Evenings on the deck grilling and puttering around with the deck plants.

My gardens have been in disarray this year, but I do have planters.  My petunias are all from seed that wintered over.  Some just sown in planters; others I brought in and stuck in the back of my refrigerator.  I don’t think it makes a lot of difference as I can’t remember which is which.

The sunflower grew on it’s own which was a happy surprise.  It’s getting ready to set seed.  If the birds don’t get it I will dry it and put it out for a Christmas treat.

I inadvertently did a good thing with my day lilies.  I planted varieties that will bloom in succession so I have a long season.  The ones below are blooming away.  I have two plants that are just seeing their buds.

Not sure why the above photo is left aligned; such are the ways of Blogger!

I am decorating pots, will post some photos tomorrow.

I am not sure if Blogger is letting me reply to comments.  Rest assured that I read and appreciate them all.

I just read that I am in a unique category in that I am 79 (what?!!) had covid shots and two boosters and have not had  Covid.  Keeping our President Biden in our hearts for a quick recovery.

As always, stay safe……..and thanks for stopping by…………*s*

Naughty Deer!

• One of my favorite lilies has bloomed.  Unfortunately this will be the only one as the Dee have gone to town on the buds.  They must have discerning palettes since they have only eaten the true lilies, and have not touched the dayliliy buds.  I am going to move them into the garden by the house on the next cloudy day.
• I’s no wonder that Winter has been going berserk at night!
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• 
  
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Meanwhile I have been painting more flowerpots.  I waxed the sunflowers before painting the leaves.  It prevents the color from smearing and keeps green off the petals.

I also wax the leaves after I paint them.  Again this is to prevent colors from smearing when I am working on the rest of the pot.

 Wishing  all the best this Independence Day.  It’s a day for considering what this country is all about.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by……………*s*

P.S. Blogger has gotten very strange about letting me sign in.  Yes, I am reading comments, even though I am unable to reply………….*s*

Majolica Monday #10

 I have finished a whole bunch of sippers.  There are even some glaze tests in the back row.  Now I have to make another bunch so I have them available for future tests.

I have spent most of the last month moving plants around.  I put these out several weeks ago,  I cover them in the middle of the day so they don’t get sun scald.  So far, so good.  They are just about ready to go out by the pond and pool.

Finally we are seeing inclinations toward summer!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by…………*s*

Majolica Monday #9

 More little whisky sippers.  I am still doing major studio clean up before I move back downstairs to my real workspace.  Meanwhile these little guys are a good way to keep my hand in decorating, although they are not speedy.  They make great kiln fillers.  Majolica glazes are extremely stable so thes can be tucked into all sorts of nooks and crannies.

Today I go for my Covid test which is required by my hospital.  On Thursday I go for my two-year follow up colonoscopy after my surgery in 2020.  Various docs  are not expecting any problems, but there is always and element of uncertainty in any follow up.

Besides, now that winter is over, trees are leafing, and stuff beginning to bloom I have to have something to obsess and be anxious about!  It’s always sumthin’ 🤭 

We’ll see, grasshopper……we’ll see……… 

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………..*s*

P.S. Google logged me out and is not letting me sign in again.  Just want all to know that I am not ignoring you!

O grasshopper……..

Belated…..or….

 My that was fun!

This was supposed to be posted for Earth Day  But we spent the better part of Friday hassling.

Went to Job Lot in Westerly instead of Hope Valley.  Big mistake!  Couldn’t find half of what I wanted.  Then when I got to the check-out line there were at least ten people waiting with only two cashiers open.  So I left!

Then the bank.  Another big mistake!  As we were leaving I hit a pot hole and blew out a rear tire.  (This is not uncommon in Rhode Island.) Fortunately Proge was with me so I didn’t have to call and wait for AAA.  Went immediately to my Very-Wonderful-Auto-Repair-Guys.  Who agreed that the tire would have to be replaced.  Wonder of wonders, they were just about to return a tire that fit our car that had been ordered for someone else who decided not to take it.  Changed it and we were so frustrated that we came home and flaked out with wine and cheese.

It’s always sumthin’!

This is a more or less final sketch for a large platter I am doing.  I rarely post my prelim sketches, but I felt this was appropriate for the day.

Toes crossed everyone was able to celebrate in some small way.

 I have fifty-two little yellow marigold seedlings and started some basil. And the catnip is already coming up.  It’s going to be a plantation this year!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………….*s*

Majolica Monday #8

 Two views of the little handbuilt teapot from a while ago.

Ready for the kiln, but not thrilled with the grapes.  I need a lot mor practice.  We’ll see, grasshopper……we’ll se……….

As always,  stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………….*s*

Majolica Monday #7

 I’ve been cleaning my studio so I can move back downstairs soon.  Meanwhile I have been painting sippers.  I used to make them much smaller. Now I make them big enough to hold a jigger of whisky and, for us heathens, an ice cube.

Not great video but the whole thing is visible in its unfired state.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………….*s*

March 20, 2022

Happy Eostre 

We made it through the winter!  Time to celebrate!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by..........*s*

Majolica Monday #6

 Exterior of the sunflower bowl is finished. I just have to brush on a thin clear coat. With this glaze, Spectrum Satin,  coat of clear gives the colors an extra depth.

Two little sippers.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by……………..*s*

Majolica Monday #5

 

Sunflower Bowl in progress.  I have been drawing sunflowers in prep for some flower pot planters I am doing.  Suddenly became appropriate given the times we are living in.

This is the first time actually painting on the raw glaze.  Spectrum Satin white #251 with my own mixed Mason stains. It will have a thin coat of satin clear when I finish painting.  One of the things I have learned is that the glaze cannot be too thick when once firing.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………….*s*

March 1, 2022

 Hares and Rabbits

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by……..*s*

Majolica Monday #4

 Well! It isn’t glazed yet but I have been having fun with making pots from the same form. So far a teapot and a bowl. There are other teapots in the making.

I made the forms out of slop clay and bisque fired them.  One form can provide many variations. 

It’s still Monday in my heart.  Started this yesterday, then was interrupted by a phone call I actually wanted to answer.  Then other stuff  etc.  At least I got something up over on FB.

We are in our usual February weather rollercoaster. In the single digits over the week end, fiftyish yesterday, even warmer today with rain to get cold again at the end of the week with rain or snow, depending on which way the wind blows.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by…………*s*

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday it was so warm and sunny that I put my drying rack out on the deck and dried my clothes.

Alas we were lulled into a false sense of security.

This morning I woke up to this!

It’s New England!  What else can we expect?

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by...........*s*
 

Snow!

Yesterday morning the flamingos were enjoying the snow, a break from the torrid temps we have been so enjoying lately.

Seriously here in southern  RI it was a definite blizzard, cold windy etc.  However we got at most a foot. It's hard to tell because the wind blew so much of it around.

Now it's sunny and pretty cold, but there is little to no wind so it's all quite bearable. I think it's supposed to warm up and rain in a few days. Toes crossed that the rain is enough to melt stuff before the temps drop and refreeze everything.  We probably won't need to go out until Friday, or not if the weather sucks.

This has not really been a bad winter. We have had a few days when it has not gone above freezing and only one or two where it has gone below zero at night. It's not unusual for temps to stay below freezing for all of January.

I am happily realizing that in a few day we will be halfway though winter.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by...............*s*

Majolica Monday #3

 A fish ready for the kiln.  It's in white earth. I have a lot of it that came to via a friend of a friend. I don't like it for throwing, but it works very well for hand building. Think I will make a lot of planters with it.

It's currently pretty cold but not frigid.  The sun is trying hard to come out but I think it's a losing battle.  However, the last night was clear and the moon was lovely.

Oh Fer Duh moment!  Just realized that my Tracfone is going kaput on Feb 1, so I'm off to see what I can do about getting a fairly inexpensive replacement. Toes crossed I can find something with few bells and whistles.

My auto's check engine light came on Friday, the speed control light started blinking at the same time so perhaps it will be a simple electrical problem caused by all the rain we have had lately.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by.................*s*

Needs Must!

 It got down to the very lower digets last night. When I got up to feed the kitties and make my tea Kiki and Grayby were curled up together under the wood burner.  Although they look like they should be related they aren’t even close.  Normally they don’t come within three feet of each other, but cold weather will make many things bearable. 

Actually this was from yesterday morning!  A bit warmer today, but it's supposed to get cold again this weekend.  

This is the most difficult time of year for me.  Just waiting for longer days.

I woke up this morning thinking about making a shoo fly pie.  I really do wonder what I was dreaming about!🤭

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by..................*s*

Majolica Monday #2

Late, but it’s still Monday so it does count.

This is the other side of last week’s mug. 

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by……….*s*

Majolica Monday #1, 2022

It’s a new year so I am starting over with my numbering.

This is a mug in white earth, truly an experiment as I normally work in Terra Cotta.  Terra cotta generally gives a warmer tone to the glaze and colors. But we’ll see, grasshopper……..we’ll see……..

Most of the colors have been over painted with wax resist to keep them from smearing.  Obviously they will be much brighter when the pink wax is gone after firing.

 

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by………..*s*

2022

Never a Christmas morning;

Never the old year ends.

But someone thinks of someone.

Old days, old times, old friend! 

Normally I wold be posting hares and rabbits. This year Mistress Mouse has been residing in our Christmas tree, so she is the welcome for 2022.  If you click on the photos they are a little brighter.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, joyful, and happy new year!  

2021 has been quite a ride!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by……………*s*