Part of yesterday’s adventure was celebrating the New Year… while spreading some “good fortune” along the way. Again this year, my second time, I took several of my own textured fortune cookie rattles and hid them all throughout the state park for random people to find in the days to come! Twenty-two to be exact… celebrating 2022!!! Get it? So the next time you happen upon Illinois Beach State Park… keep your eyes open while you enjoy your hike!

Yesterday I made a quick escape out-of-town for some festive Christmas Lights!!! I went down to Peoria to visit friends and to see the East Peoria Festival of Lights… a former winner of TV’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight.”

Apparently, these light installations have all been handmade by Peoria volunteers, and it all starts with a parade through town closer to Thanksgiving! Now they’re all set-out in a park for a beautiful drive-through light display… just to brighten your already sparkly holidays!!!

It was a dark & cloudy start to my morning ride… kinda cold & gloomy… but my mood quickly improved when I found some Christmas lights that were still on to lift my holiday spirits! Loving these new sidewalk “arches” that seem to be popping up around the neighborhood.

So funny… watching a cake decorating contest show on The Food Network… and they just used a Brent Potter’s Wheel as the turntable for a piece of their cake showpiece! Brilliant… apparently not just for clay any more!

So excited to add two new Cory McCrory ornaments to my Christmas tree this year! Such an adorable addition to my handmade ornament collection! Cory makes amazing pieces handbuilt with paper clay, great textures, fun colors… and always a dash of whimsy!!! I mean… who doesn’t need a chicken and a bunny on their tree?!

And they’re BELLS too!!! That Cory McCrory thinks of everything!!!

My Talented Friend & amazing metalsmith Sarah Chapman is back in town this weekend and showing her artistry at the ONE OF A KIND SHOW. Starting tomorrow at the Merchandise Mart, the art fair continues through the weekend. Sarah is in Booth 2118… and I’ll be helping her there on Saturday & Sunday. Be sure to swing by to say “Hi”… and to see Sarah’s amazing metal & gemstone masterpieces!

After a fun day at MAURIE’S SUGAR SHOPPE last Wednesday, I came home with a bunch of “sweet” snacks for myself & to share… caramel apples, chocolate fudge, caramel bites, FrankenPops, and more! Although some of them didn’t even make it halfway home!

I mean, homemade candy from Maurie’s makes for a great late-night road trip snack… burp!!!

Special shout-out to Katelyn who did the wonderful window display at MAURIE’S SUGAR SHOPPE. So cute, so festive, so creative! She made all of the “candy” out of actual pumpkins! Candy apples, popcorn balls, candy corn o’lantern, wrapped mints & even bubble gum!!! Such a great way to set the Halloween tone… and show off some of the goodies to be found inside!

While hanging out at MAURIE’S SUGAR SHOPPE all day Wednesday, we sold candy, caramel apples & pottery…. but still found time to make some fun Halloween treats in their candy kitchen!!! We had a great time making green FrankenPops, orange Pumpkin Pops, Zombie Krispy Treats, and even a Werewolf Pop!!!… and “maybe” doing some quality control testing along the way!

While I know they’re not “real” mugs… we’re still celebrating another MUGSHOT MONDAY with these fun paintings by Robert Sedestrom currently hanging in the Lillstreet 2nd Floor Gallery Annex. Robert’s studio is kinda across from mine… but it’s great to see what he’s been working on in there when they’re displayed properly on the white gallery walls.