Playing with porcelain and enjoying the clean contrasts & shadows of the stamping.
Trimming & handles coming soon…

More construction on the new sculpture. So far, I’m not a fan.

I keep thinking Don Quixote… or maybe a slight Jesus reference… either way, not my favorite.

But the bright sun, the shining reflections and the sea grass silhouettes more made up for it.

So when we did the basic bowls demo last week for my class, I also explained to them the benefit of throwing on a plastic bat. Better pots. More “round” bowls. Less squishing. No need to “pick up” a freshly thrown bowl. Easier to move around on the bat. Who knew that they would take my advice to heart?! They got their act together and ordered well over 50 plastic bats online!!! Most of them now have their own bats to work with… and such a great green color. Mine are basic boring brown. Must say I’m kinda jealous!!!

Thank you Katie for coordinating the class order.
Now I can’t wait to see what they all make on their new bats!!!

Clear skies early on. With a few crashing waves.
What a great way to “finally” clean my wheels?

Plus a new sculpture being installed. Right on the tip of land by the south entrance to Belmont Harbor.

And then the clouds moved in. A busy morning. Lots to see.

What started out as dark, cloudy & moody,..
turned into a beautiful sunrise while the waves gently crashed ashore.
Waves, clouds & reflections… oh my.

Purple shamrocks with pretty little flowers. Pretty & petite

It was another “breezy” morning. and by breezy, I mean windy!!!
The ride south was fantastic… the ride back?… not so much.

 

So it was fun to stop & watch the huge clouds quickly move across the morning sky.

With the day turning out to be so beautiful, I decided to continue my outdoor birthday adventures at Rock Cut State Park in Rockford, Illinois. The fall colors were ablaze, the weather was perfect, and I had a wonderful time hiking around the park enjoying Nature’s beauty.

At the center of Rock Cut is Pierce Lake… and when there’s a Lake, why not hike around it?!
Twice!!!

Love the patterns. Love the symmetry. Love the natural details all around.

Oh, hello… found a little visitor laying on the path sunning himself.

And a large wasp nest hanging out in the maple tree.

This large moss-covered tree had great textures & colors…
and for some reason, it was also over-populated with lightning bugs?!!!