Snow

 It's snowing in a rather half-hearted way.  It's what my mother, and thus I, called a 'sugar snow' because it looks like a ton of icing sugar had been dumped on the world.

It's. pretty to look at, but I am oh-so-glad I don't have to go out in it today.

Probably everyone has read, heard of the shooting in Providence at Brown University.  I am having a lot of trouble thinking that this could happen in an area I once lived in. Right now I cannot say more. We live about forty miles south, so are not in any danger.  

My heart is with students and their loved ones.

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

More Snow

Yes, we did have a goodly amount of snow all day yesterday into the early hours of this morning.  So of course Aloysius had  to go out for his yearly snow expedition!  It was a lot deeper on the deck than he thought it would be.  I wish I had been able to catch the expression on his face when he landed in the snow bank!

The picture below was taken mid afternoon.  This is what it looked like until I went to bed.

And this is what the deck looked like when I went out around 9:30 this morning to clear a path to the bird feeder.  They are flocking to eat.  It is so important to keep feeders filled when the ground is covered.

We got between eight and ten inches.  Fortunately it's very light and fluffy so it should be easy to get out the driveway.

I've been hearing snow plows out on the road.  This is definitely a good thing.

Today is going to an indoor day.  If I can warm my studio up I want ti make some more forms for handbuilding.  I recommend indoors to one and all.

As always thanks fir stopping by.....*s*

More Fun?

More water works.  I had a helper who offered to water plants in my sunroom, not realizing  that the plants over my computer table always get taken down for watering.  I went to use my computer about an hour later and found the keyboard flooded with water.  After drying and all the keyboard appears to be shot, so at present I am using a Microsoft keyboard.  I will, however, be getting a new MacBook in the near future! Tell me again how much you love Microsoft, because I think their keyboards suck dead monkey meat.

On a happier note I have not yet shown the glaze tests I did.  The whites look and feel so much alike that I am confident that I can combine them, which will give me about a gallon of glaze that is good for both dipping and brushing. 

The two below are Taffe on the left and Ian Symmons on the right.  I painted my designs over the glaze for this test, but I think I can get some interesting effects with underglazes.

It's snowing!  It has hit the whole east coast, and is not expected to stop until early Sunday morning.

I took the picture of the cardinal yesterday.  I am not sure why he is looking at me with that expression, but we did put more seed in the feeders.

The feeders have been busy all day.  Sparrows are bullies!

Here's to staying warm and dry and safe inside.  Toes crossed that everyone has all the bread, milk, and beer they need!

As always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Weather.....or Not!

Yesterday it was cloudy and warm.  The fish were swimming happily in the pond.

Today we woke up to this!

Needless to say we are staying inside and going nowhere.  Even the mail will have to wait.

If a tantrum would do any good I would have one.  Alas, such is not the case!

  I am sure there will be people who will not listen; please don't be one of them!  Stay inside and don't drive!

Have a terrific week end, and as always, thanks for stopping by..............*s*

Shot Glasses

I've been making shot glasses for our NCECA Clay Buddies Shot Glass Exchange.  This has been a terrific way to explore some new forms.   I remembered to take a picture before I put them in the kiln.  I find 'before and after' photos helpful.

The size makes them good for a used teabag, matches, cotton swabs in addition to holding whisky!

Happy First Day of Spring!  HAH!  We are expecting snow this afternoon!

Make snowmen!

As always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*

Really? More Snow? Really!

HAPPY MARCH 1. 2015

More snow is coming!  Aren't we supposed to be seeing signs of spring?  The sun is moving, or rather the earth is moving, so that the early sun hits to tree tops outside my southern windows.

Daylight Savings begins next Sunday!  Just when we were getting brighter earlier dawns!   At least it will be staying light late enough for us to start doing dinner outside on the grill.

Things are getting warmer.  It was 68 in my studio yesterday, without the heat going.  We blocked a small area off well enough that I have been able to use it all winter, barring a few extra cold days.  It's much nicer than having to move stuff upstairs!

I've been making shot  glasses or cups  for an exchange we are doing at NCECA.  It's practically in my back yard so I will be there.  Is anyone else going?

Enjoy the week ahead.

As always, thanks for stopping by.........*s*

Well It's Tuesday.....So....

It's TIME FOR TEAPOTS!

This came out of the kiln about a month ago.  It's two sides of the same teapot.  When I tried it out the pour was terrible with water running down the spout to the foot.  Not optimal for tea!  Upon closer inspection I saw that a blob of glaze just was inside and spilling onto the outside of the pouring lip.  I had already decided that it would be a keeper, so I said "Why not?" and took my trusty Dremel to it.  I ground down the inside and reshaped the lip, et voila!!  It's not perfect; it still has an occasional drip, but it's definitely usable.  It holds about 16 oz. which is a perfect size for my afternoon tea.

I decided to keep it as I am not happy with my brushwork!  It just isn't right for this pot.  Also, when using commercial glazes you still have to be careful about getting them too thick, particularly in the little nooks and crannies.  There are several small crawls where the glaze collected.

What I do like about it is the handle and the spout.  The handle was deliberate after I bashed the spout while I was attaching it.  I like the way the dent in the spout gives it a more fluid feeling. For me this is a pretty funky handle on a thrown pot.  I generally save the funkiness for handbuilding.

We've had many birds coming to the feeders since the snow started.  The goldfinches have been abundant in their dull winter coats.  Today I have been very happy to see what is either a purple or house finch visiting us.  I haven't been able to get a good view of its back to make a better identification.  Purple finches are rosier with color going down their backs to the tail.  Just got a look, definitely a purple finch, although I am not convinced that they are truly two distinct species.  They have become quite rare in this area.  We used to have masses of them so it's nice to see a comeback.

It's a warm sixteen degrees out so of course it's snowing!  There is not supposed to be too much accumulation and the wind has finally stopped after what feels like weeks of it.

It's a day for staying inside.  My studio is warm enough for me to work today.  It feels like forever since I've been in it, actually three days!

As always, thanks for stopping by............*s*

We Made It!

Through the storm that was!

Technically it was a blizzard, but it was nothing like the Blizzard of 1978 or even 'Snowmageddon'!  It did snow heavily for a while and the wind blew merrily, but we were snug and warm inside.  We spent most of the time watching The Jewel In The Crown.  Local PBS stations have been broadcasting in bits and pieces so we decided to indulge in the complete DVD.  Nothing quite warms like watching hot India in the last days of the Raj!

Primroses have come into all the markets.  Forget groundhogs; these are a true harbinger of Spring.  I always find them so pretty and hopeful!

I've finally gotten over a migraine that has been around since the snow started.  I think it's weather related.  I will always blame the weather for any problems whenever and wherever I can!

Sunny and windy today, not one for going outside.  Poor little Winter is showing signs of cabin fever.  She wants to go out, but after just a few minutes of play she is ready to come in.  I wish I could find some good snow booties for her.

Football tomorrow.  We don't really watch, but do dip in now and then since it's the Patriots.  When Paul was alive it was fun to watch with him, because he was willing to explain everything to me.  Now we will probably watch something like The Hollow Crown and also The Puppy Bowl!

Enjoy the weekend what ever you do.

As always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*

SNOW?

It's been snowing in a very half-hearted way for about four hours.  This little bird is from last year, but the birdies on the rail look just as cold and unhappy.  The ground is warm and wet enough for the snow to melt as it hits the ground.  Not so on the deck and steps.....real back breaker weather.  Careful everyone!

Thankfully we aren't deep in white stuff the way we were last year.  I don't love the squirrels as they will eat everything in sight and destroy stuff if given a chance.  Last lear was so rotten I did put out goat food for them.  The scarfed that down with abandon.

I've got my studio winterized to the point where I can turn the heater on.  Last night I left everything on low; it was 62 F. at 8:00 AM.  That is a bearable temp, but if I can get it up to 65-70 I will be thrilled. It will be interesting to look at the elctric bill when it comes in!  I've had to change my glaze and chemical storage a bit, so I do my own stuff, then sort and reshelf for awhile.  So far so good!

Our Holiday Sale at the South County Art Association continues through December 20.  So far we are doing much better than last year!  Oh frabjous day!  Calloo!  Callay!

As always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*

Wordless? Wednesday

April 16, 2014 at 7:30 AM for Pete's sake!

Stopping by woods on a snowy morning?!

Looking?

I haven't been able to get into my studio much in the last few weeks.  However, I have been  spending time looking at various mugs.  Below are four mugs that I use all the time.  By the choice of the hand critic these appear to be functional favorites.  The criteria seems to be the way they feel in my hand and the way the rim feels when I drink.  A handle has to be large enough to hold, but it also has to work when I cradle a mug in the palm of my hand and loop my thumb through the handle.  

I love the looks of the mug below, but I have never enjoyed drinking from it.  I find the base of the handle feels weak and the lip feels fat.  I don't regret buying it, but I don't think I have ever regretted buying a mug.  It's funny how small differences can make such a huge difference!

I made a spinach and shrimp quiche a few days ago.  I made it from leftovers from a few days before, just added a bit more cheese, milk and eggs.  It disappeared quickly!

I have been trying to take selfies!  I'm not sure about this; I need longer arms!  I need to consult my manual but I think I can do a delayed action on this camera.  Now that I've had it for several years I should begin to explore what it can do!

SURPRISE!!  It's snowing again.  It's supposed to turn to rain later on then back to snow which will make for some interesting driving during rush hour.  I am soooooo glad that I don't have to drive to get to my work!

There is one good thing about all this snow.  The ground will be absorbing a lot of water which hopefully will lessen the chances of drought this summer.  I'll grasp any straw to feel a bit positive this winter!

This is late, but since Kim says it's okay I'm going to link this Sunday Ceramics.  Go over and take a look.

Stay warm and dry or cool and dry....whichever is best.

 As always, thanks for stopping by......*s*

Snow

Yes indeed, it did snow here last night into this morning.  Aloysius always wants to get out so I let him onto the partially (enough to get to the wood stack) shoveled deck.  He looked downright insulted and appears to be over his love affair with snow.  He used to go out and roll around in it.  Not anymore!!!

We got about eight inches of very light, powdery stuff with some but not a lot of wind.  Such is not the case further north.  I heard on WGBH this morning that Boxborough MA got the most at about two feet!

I have the heat on in my curtained off studio.  When the sun is out I can get it up to about 62F;  I'm curious to see how it will work out with the temp down around 9F with some wind.  I may not want to throw at 62, but I can certainly handbuild.  Unlike throwing, I stand and move around a lot when I am handbuilding.

Well see, Grasshopper...........we'll see!

Enjoy the snow, or not, and, as always, thanks for stopping by............*s*

Snow and......

IT'S C.C.C.COLD! 

We spent yesterday afternoon and this morning hanging curtains....well, long strips of fabric to block off most of my studio thus creating a small space that I can heat and work in this winter.  I'm am so over having to move stuff upstairs for the winter.  I decided that if I could make it work today.....hasn't gone above 20 F. all day.....it would work over the rest of the winter......which hasn't officially started yet!  The space has started warming up nicely....particularly after we fixed the latch on the window....3/4 of an inch gap open to cold air does not lead to warmth!

I even found room for my tile.  Proge's father gave it to me for my birthday back when I had just come back to clay and we were still together.  It was collected by his grandparents when they went on a grand tour of Europe and other parts of the world around the Mediterranean.  I know very little about it.  I think it's Persian.  Any way I enjoy looking at it.  It tells me stories.

This is Aloysius sitting on the back of the chair watching the birdies.  Kiki was with him until I picked up the camera.  She like to sit by the glass slider and occasionally try try to penetrate the force field that is keeping her from the deck.

Four o'clock and it's getting dark.  I hope no one is getting snowed in too badly or experiencing any of the fires on the west coast.

As always, thanks for stopping by........*s*

Origins?

I was going through some of my various sketchbooks and notebooks this morning, looking for a croissant recipe.  I came across this sketch in a book dated 7/02 on the spine.   I think it's based on a U-shaped candle...."I burn my candle at both ends..." which I adapted to a holder.  On the other hand I may have seen something along these lines in a catalog.  It was eleven years ago and I made no note of its origins, if indeed there are any.  I suppose it's possible that I dreamt it.  I do note things I have dreamed of, but I have no memory of this one.  If it weren't so obviously done in my style with my writing I might even doubt that I drew it.

I do remember that I had several pairs of hand dipped candles that were this shape.  They were beeswax in soft colors and burned beautifully.  There is nothing like beeswax for a long burning even light.  Plus it has that wonderful scent.

We are a having a spell of cold weather; it hasn't gone above twenty all day.  It generally doesn't get this cold until mid January.....but you never know around here.  It has been snowing softly since mid morning.  I don't think there has been an inch accumulation.  Because it's so cold it sweeps away easily.  I think it's supposed to get heavier and possibly change to rain near morning.  I just hope we are not in for a winter where it starts out snow, turns to rain, then the temperature drops and freezes everything.  Stepping out the door can be treacherous in those conditions.  I can remember at least two winters that we slogged through in that weather pattern.

Meanwhile we have water inside, plenty of wood, a small gas burner and the power inverter if the electricity goes out.

This will probably do in our sales tomorrow.  People in this area tend to stay home even under slightly threatening conditions.  If the roads are bad I'll wait to go over to restock.

Aloysius is sleeping in his favorite box.....he's still in love with the green packing material you sent, Linda.  I think he looks like he was put together without reading the instructions!

I'm going to try to post this to Mud Colony's Facebook page, once I figure out how to do it......that may not happen until tomorrow!

Update:  Did a short post on Facebook....look for Suzi Caswell.  Boy! That thing can really suck you in!

Happy 3rd Advent.  As always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*

Look What Happened!

I woke up this morning to snow!  And tomorrow is the first day of spring.  It's raining now and has half melted everything.  It all looks quite bleak!

This is a zeppole, or zeppoli, or zeppola.  Whatever you call it it's delicious.  There are many recipes using a ricotta based dough, deep fried with powdered sugar.  Around here they are made with a pate a choux  dough, filled with pastry cream, sprinkled with sugar and topped with a maraschino cherry.  For St. Patrick's Day Irish whisky is added to the pastry cream.  We do combine holidays here.

I've brought some clay upstairs to do a little handbuilding.  My studio is just too cold.  I guess with age I've become a real wuss.  I was so excited when the temps went up for a few days I got carried away and moved everything downstairs.  I swear by next winter I will rig something to block off the studio and make it feasible to heat it.  Anything above 60 will be fine.

 No peas being planted on St. Patrick's Day this year.  One good thing is that so much rain will keep the well and water supply in good condition for the coming summer.

As always, thanks for stopping by..............*s*

The Groundhog was Right!

Much as it kills me to admit it winter is not over.  It's snowing!  We have had such beautiful weather since the blizzard with sunny days and temps in the forties and even fifties that we were lulled into a false sense of spring.  It will come in its own good time, she said hopefully. 

My studio is too cold to work in for any prolonged period of time, so I have set up a small space in an upstairs alcove.  I'm doing mostly glazing and decoration, but I may hand build a few small things.

I am doing the dragon by a slightly different method.  Normally I would plan this out quite carefully, with notes about detail, color etc.  This time I am laying down some colors and designs and letting them dictate my next move.  We'll see, grasshopper.......we'll see.

The little pot hanger is one I found when I was sorting through an old box.  I think he is a demo piece from the class I used to do when I was working with developmentally delayed adults.  He had lost his eyes so I stuck some on made of paperclay spooze.  These little pieces are throwaways and great for experiments.  He is a light green, which does not photograph very well.

Time to go feed the birds and stoke the stove.

Stay warm and dry, or sunny and cool....where ever you are.

I"m going to try to post this on Mud Colony if there is still time.  Even if I don't get this up, go take a look.  There's always something interesting there.

Enjoy Sunday and as always thanks for stopping by..............*s*

P.S.  WHEW!  I made it!

At Least.....

The days are getting longer.  It's light out before 7:00AM  and yesterday evening I noticed I could see out the window with no outside lights after 5:00PM.  JOY!

I took these photos on Sunday morning pre-dawn when Winter decided she absolutely had to go out.

There was a cold mist in the air which made the pretty halo effect.  I had the lens fully extended to macro which makes it difficult to get a reasonably clear picture.  I generally use a tripod when using macro, but I just wasn't up for getting out a tripod at 5:00AM!

I am rolling slabs today.  Thus the moon shots, as  I think looking at a bunch of wet slabs has all the excitement of watching grass grow!

It's snowing in a half hearted way.....sugar dusting.  I'm not a fan of lots of snow, but enough to cover the bleakness of winter is nice.

This is the anniversary of the Blizzard of '78.  I remember we went to pick up Proge at his school just as it started and told the headmistress she should get kids home. (We were thanked profusely later)  Going was no problem it took us over an hour to get home...17 miles.  The snow was so deep we couldn't even get the 4 wheel drive truck out.  Proge's father and I ended up digging the half mile drive. .....most of it was two paths for the wheels to follow.  I think it took about three days.  It wasn't hard to dig as the snow was compacted enough to carve it in slabs. We were relatively young and healthy and there was nothing else to do.  We kept building snow forts along the way.  That is why people get so crazy around here when any amount of snow is predicted.  Gotta have milk and bread  and beer!

Stay warm and as always, thanks for stopping by...............*s*

My That Was Fun!

We spent yesterday morning doing some last minute clean up in the yard.  We made sure we knew the locations of shovels and blooms.  It started with freezing rain around 1:30 PM and switched to snow a few hours later.  At seven the electricity went out for about an hour, came back on for twenty minutes, went out, came back on after two hours, stayed on for half an hour and then went out and stayed out.  By this morning the power company was promising power would be on by 8:30 AM......this was at 10:00!  The entire southern part of the state was out, which is not big in square miles, but it  has many rural areas and difficult to access roads.....plus stuff that hasn't been totally put back in order since Sandy!

Again I was reminded that waking at 5:00AM, in the dark totally sucks!  I just was not up for going out and hooking up the power inverter to the car battery.  Six inches of snow to be cleared...not fun!  Since Sandy I have been keeping five gallon jugs of water in my studio, so we had plenty of drinking water and the gas burner.   I had tea but Proge couldn't grind any coffee beans.  He's thinking of some sort of emergency hand grinder.  We didn't bother to get electricity from the car as we were hopeful that it would be quickly restored.

We're fine now.  The photo below is of Winter in the snow last night.  I took it with our big flashlight and the flash on my camera.  I'm amazed that I can get photos as night.  It's never too late to learn something new.........I guess! 

I've gotten behind with my Twelve Days entries.  I'll play catch up tomorrow.  I just don't have the energy to do it now.

Stay warm, play in the snow!

As always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*