So I was just driving home late tonight north along Lake Shore Drive… and I was concerned when I got downtown and traffic stopped to a halt with far too many blue light police cars, firetrucks & ambulances all in one intersection by the Yacht Club. Traffic STOPPED!!! We sat there… and then big plumes of smoke came up!!! Concern increased… something big & tragic must be going on ahead. Several of us carefully turned around and detoured through the City to get back on Lake Shore Drive further north of that intersection.

As I was driving north on Michigan Avenue, I was struck by even MORE blue lights & police cars on every block. I assumed it might be the “new normal” after all the the rioting we’ve had. Sad that THAT is the thought, right?!

But when I got home…
I found out that it was all for a MUCH cooler reason!!!
Kinda exciting… I feel much better now.

Click here to see what was going on downtown tonight!

With the temperatures falling, feels like Fall is here in full force… and it’s time for thick yummy soups! Even yummier when served in handmade pottery! A stamped & soda-fired bowl… and a “vintage” mug from before I started stamping!!! Looking good Rosene!

Another clouded & chilly start to the morning. Beautiful cloud masses blowing through the City. We never quite saw the sun… but we got to see a lot of beauty all around & in front of it!!!

The last of the walking dead… Every year I make a Limited Edition of 40 of a new character to add to The Ghouls Collection. Many people have collected the full series over the years… while others have chosen just their favorites. Well here’s a quick heads-up… THIS is the very last of the Zombies!!!

And he’ll be available only to the first person who clicks through the “official” Photo Album only on my Fire When Ready Pottery Facebook page and puts a comment of “MINE” on this photo! Click fast before he disappears, but not here… only on the “official” Photo Album that goes live at 6:00pm CST.

Click here to go to my Fire When Ready Pottery Facebook page.

Looking for a pumpkin that the squirrels won’t eat through?!
Well these little guys would break their teeth!

Not as large as a full pumpkin, but these cuties will bring a smile to your face all season! The are the last four of the larger pumpkins… all going up for sale in a newly revised “official” Facebook Photo Album to shop from at 6:00pm CST today… so don’t try now! There are more of other characters too… while sadly some creatures have sold out and have now been “retired” forever!

Click here to go directly to my Fire When Ready Pottery Facebook page!

My friend Tracy has created the first-ever GHOUL-A-GO-ROUND!!!
With her Halloween collection of Ghouls finding a place of honor on a lazy-susan on her kitchen table! That way, everyone gets to give ’em a spin!!!

Just in case you missed it the first time… I will be posting a new “official” Photo Album only on my Facebook page for another chance to purchase some Halloween Ghouls in time for the season! The new Photo Album will feature the pieces still available… while quantities are low on a few of the Limited Edition pieces! The Photo Album for shopping will go “live” at 6:00pm CST tonight on my Facebook page. Set a timer now so you don’t forget!!!

Click here to go to my Fire When Ready Pottery Facebook page.

The Ghouls Collection is “attacking” across the country!!!

Noah received his black-widow spider way out in Portland.
And that look either says “This is way too cool to smile”…
or more likely… “Why is there just ONE?”

If you want to add to your Ghouls Collection… or better yet send one to a friend… the remaining Ghouls will go up for sale in a new Facebook Photo Album today at 6:00pm CST. We’re running low on many of the Limited Edition Ghouls… so set a reminder for 6:00pm … and then go over to my Fire When Ready Pottery Facebook page at 6:00pm today!

Looks like Matthew has some new display shelves in the kitchen to show off his ever-growing pottery collection. Beautiful. And sure, there may be a few other bowls & bottles… but I’ve already told him those silver nesting bowls can EASILY stack-up when he adds more of my pottery to his collection!!!

Just a little flashback to calmer days… when we could pedal our bikes through colorful & hilly routes without a care in the world… with thousands of other bikers on THE HILLY HUNDRED. Sadly, this weekend would have been THE HILLY HUNDRED if it weren’t for this crazy corona-thing! It was always my favorite ride of the year… a hundred miles through rolling hills of incredible views & Fall colors down in southern Indiana.

And this flashback photo is even funnier… because it’s with my friend Nancy who I met while biking a “hundred” years ago. And it was actually on one of our many Hilly Hundred bike rides that we decided to take our first pottery class together! And the rest is history… I’ve never stopped working & making pots at Lillstreet Art Center. While Nancy took a short break to start a family but is now back making pots again! In fact, you would have seen us both at Art In The Barn in Barrington last month… if that hadn’t been cancelled too!!! Mwah, mwah, mwah…