They sure raise them small out here! HA!!! My favorite little farm out here in Dover that raises miniature horses… not ponies, miniature horses!!! Slightly larger than a German Shepherd dog! Adorable!!!

So while it rained most of the day today, we didn’t have a lot of customers out shopping… but we did have a LOT of cicadas to keep us entertained at the Hinsdale Fine Arts Fair. Even Rhonda & Maria were getting into the buggy fun!!!

Even cats need a beautiful water bowl. Perfect for a fun Feline Friday!

It’s that time of the year… the pollinators are busy getting everything they can!
Pretty flowers now… spreading pollen & making yummy honey later!

So I made a couple “friends” today while I was playing along the lakefront this afternoon on my bike. While I know one is a typical seagull… err, Ring-Billed Gull to be specific. But I’m not quite sure what the other bird is?

Anyone…

UPDATE :

Okay… so we have confirmation from Karen… an avid birdwatcher…
“Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron. One of the last Illinois breeding colonies is at Lincoln Park Zoo.”

This Saturday morning before returning to the Pottery Tour, I met up with two of my students who were also touring. But we made a little “detour” to the “Shepherds Harvest : Sheep & Wool Festival” on the way up from the Twin Cities. There were all kinds of sheep, a few llamas & sheep… and plenty of people shopping for wool, yarn & felting supplies! Very fun, but we kinda stood out like a sore thumb… as we’re pottery people… NOT sheep people!!!

And our new best friend… who rocked the llama hat better than Katie!!!

Looks like Rhonda’s little puppy is going to be enjoying his food & water more than normal these days… with a set of custom dog food bowls. He’s got four of them… some even if two are in the dishwasher, he can still eat & drink in style!

In a field of beautiful goldenrod, there are plenty of bees enjoying the flowers & pollen… and a cool praying mantis basking in the sun!

So while our adorable little Pottery Puppy has been hanging out at our Tuesday night class, we missed him this week… and fear that with the summer session ending he might not be back?! However…

This little cutie has moved in to the condo next to me! So now I get to be the best “Uncle Gary” to this little pup! Officially named Michigan Blue… but going by “Michi”... this little German Shepherd ain’t gonna be little for long! Can’t wait to play with this little guy… especially when he’s hanging out on my back porch!!!

Always nice to see some bees enjoying their afternoon meal.