Special thanks to my friend Cory McCrory and my cousin Kim Wicks for giving me a lot of beautiful vegetables. They each have wonderful gardens that are producing a lot of vegetables… and this “City-kid” doesn’t have room for a garden. But definitely more than willing to accept “donations” from those who do!!! Yummy, and good for me too!!!

Yesterday we all “played hookie” and spent the day at Six Flags Great America. A wonderful day of roller coasters, ear-piercing screams and theme park food. This was our third “annual” excursion with my niece Taylor. Each year she gets a free ticket for reading a certain number of books in school. And with the new school year right around the corner, we needed to squeeze this in quickly. So Monday was the day!!!

Taylor is now tall enough to go on EVERYTHING!!! Once she was measured and given the coveted red wristband, she was ready to tackle everything… first up, the “Superman” roller coaster. They hook you into you seat and then rotate it forward so you’re “flying” face down just like Superman. So yes, the track is above you so you can’t really see it while you’re riding it. And yes, Taylor was quite the trooper… a few hysterical ear-piercing screams along the way… but all smiles at the end.

Then we calmed it down a bit with a spinning, rotating “lobster” ride. The perfect time for a quick photo shoot of Taylor and her mom Jen… my sister. But once the ride got started, my cousin Kim wasn’t quite so calm any more?!!!

Sure, who am I to pass up a foolish photo-op?!!!

Next up it was the “Batman” roller coaster. Taylor started out a bit more determined… kind of enjoying the fact that this is a regular sitting roller coaster. Okay, sure there’s no floor and your feet kinda dangle over nothing, but still better than flying face down!!!

Whew… made it… bottom lip still quivering just a little…

Next a quiet ride along a lazy river in the “Logger’s Run” boat ride. We got a little wet when we made the big splash – and it felt great as the day was warming up as the sun kept popping out more & more.

And then “Goliath.” The newest roller coaster at Six Flags Great America. Hyped as the tallest, steepest & faster wooden roller coaster. I’d say it was good, but not great. Always fun the first time, but I doubt it will hold up to the test of time. And I must admit… I expected taller. I expected steeper. I expected faster. What I DIDN’T expect was so many upside-down flips!!! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE flipping upside-down. I just didn’t expect it.

Then we tackled a few more rides like “The Revolution” and “American Eagle.” Taylor conquered The Eagle two years ago, so this time it was no big deal. A little more rickety than any of us remember, but still a lot of fun. Followed by lunch and a little relaxed time eating in the Pavilion.

Next up was “The Viper” – another older wooden roller coaster wit a lot of pop-out-of-your-seat-hills. Which I love. And quickly enough, “The Viper” became Taylor’s favorite roller coaster of the day!!!

Mom & Taylor both enjoyed their trip on “The Viper”… a little exhausted, but fun.

A little post-ride selfie with my cousin Kim.

Looming on the horizon was my FAVORITE – “The Raging Bull.”

Locked in and ready to go… clickety-clacking up that first big hill approaching the big drop. It was at this point that we saw Taylor having a little melt-down. A little anxiety kicking in as she was trapped, go upwards and not too pleased with it… as a single tear ran down her cheek. We were all concerned that maybe we had taken her one step too far??? But she knew it was “may favorite” and I think she knew that she just “had to” go on it!!!

Soon enough the ear-piercing screeches began again… shrieking over every hill & twist…

Relieved that she made it to the end…

Whew…

Thumbs up if you liked the ride!!!

And yet “The Viper” was still Taylor’s favorite… so why not do it again?…

This time she was ready. She knew what to expect. She was ready…

And then the screaming kicked in once again…

But still lovin’ “The Viper.”

Our last ride was “The Condor” as our day was all too quickly drawing to a close. We all assumed the park was open until 10:00pm. We were all surprised to find out it closed at 7:00pm. So a fond farewell from Kim…

And some “glamour shots” of the park as the sun was hitting everything just right.

And there it is, another year under out belts. Another great trip to Six Flags Great America. And Taylor was a trooper… as was her Mom. The deal was that Jen would go on any roller coaster that Taylor went on. And I think this was probably the most roller coasters that Jen has EVER done in one day!!! It was a great day for everyone.

So Taylor… keep reading so we can go again next summer!!!

 

Here are some quick details about the specialized pottery aprons:
* Durable & washable heavy broadcloth fabric
* Lower section splits into two panels to cover each leg as you sit at the wheel
* Patch pockets on the back of each hip
* Straps actually go over the shoulders to avoid neck strain & fatigue
* Three buttons for height adjustments
* Three buttons for width adjustments
* One size fits all….for the most part

Listed below is the current pottery apron inventory.
If you are interested in purchasing an apron please send me a quick e-mail
to “secure” your choice… gary@firewhenreadpottery.com

They are $50 each which includes shipping & handling in the contiguous United States.
They are first come, first serve! Don’t miss out.

APRON C – GIDGET JEWEL
Navy blue with a small pattern of green, red & light blue across the apron.
SOLD to Zoe in California.

APRON G – NORWALK GRAPHIC
A mind bending pattern of black and white.
SOLD to Cyndi in Grand Haven, Michigan.

APRON H – MUSIC EBONY
A retro-vibe with a musical flair.

APRON J – GEO GREEN
Green background with geometric pattern and multicolor striped accents.

APRON K – STRIPED NAVY AND GREEN
Striped navy and green with contrasting bib and pockets.

APRON L – DIMONA SANGRIA
Waves of rust and gold with a touch of brown.

APRON M – DARIO PANORAMA CYPRUS
Green, yellow and light blue fireworks on a deep blue background.

APRON N – SEEING SPOTS COCOA
The name says it all!

Again, just let me know if you would like to purchase an apron.
Send me a quick e-mail to “claim” your apron… gary@firewhenreadypottery.com
First come, first served!!! Grab’em while you can!!!

My Mom would be thrilled to  sell some more of these custom pottery aprons…
which then means she can make some more!

With an extended holiday weekend, I had a great time playing with my family for the past three days. Exhausting, but fun. All of my cousins from both Minnesota & Ohio (and here in Illinois) were in town with all their kids! We spent our time swimming, playing mini golf, snacking, playing games, eating pie, flea marketing, more games, more pie, watching fireworks and a great campfire… complete with s’mores!!! Of course.

After some fun in the park, the sun finally set and we were ready for the fireworks to start. Wonder if that water tower is going to get in the way?… Hmmm…

A little bit, but not too bad… the fireworks were spectacular!

After the fireworks, we returned to my Aunt’s house for a campfire in the backyard. Okay, so she didn’t have a fire pit a few hours ago… but leave it to our Eagle Scouts to make an impromptu pit for our flaming fun!!! And not a little fire either… we had a full-fledged inferno going on. And some great coals in the making – perfect for s’mores!

Yesterday, on the Fifth, everyone was packing up and getting ready to head home. So we squeezed in some quick family photos… including this one with my Aunt Marilyn with all of her kids & grandkids!!!

And my cousin David from Ohio with his family. Including Clark in the center who will be headed off to college in the Fall.

Cousin Kim with her Mom… my Aunt Marilyn.

Three longtime friends in Red, White & Blue… Aunt Marilyn in red, Liz in blue & Betty in white.

Unfortunately… I somehow made it home without a picture of the Minnesota Wicks family?! I got plenty of their goofy kids, but not a nice “family portrait”? Sorry. Guess we’ll have to get one next year…

All in all, another wonderful Fourth of July. Lots of fun with the kids. Always good to play with the family for an extended weekend of fun!!!

So I’ve posted about my Mom’s handmade pottery aprons before…
but then I must admit that I got distracted, overwhelmed & slid right into holiday frenzy mode! I know some people expressed interest in them then… so I’m posting them again! This time I am not so busy… I promise to follow through this time!!!

It was a bit reassuring to see that there weren’t really any good pottery aprons at the NCECA Expo. Not that we’ve “invented’ the apron or anything… but I do think we’ve designed a pretty sweet apron. It “works” in all the right places! Many of the potters at Lillstreet are already rockin’ a durable “Mom original” apron.

Here are some quick details about the aprons…
*  durable & washable heavy broadcloth fabric
*  lower section splits into two panels to cover each leg as you sit at the wheel.
*  patch pockets on the back of each hip.
*  straps actually go over the shoulders to avoid neck strain & fatigue.
*  three buttoned height adjustments.
*  three buttoned width adjustments.
*  “one size fits all”… for the most part.

Here is my friend & potter Greg Schultz throwing a large pot on the wheel…
and keeping his clothing clean all at the same time!

The following shows the current apron inventory. I have them for sale in my studio at Lillstreet. If you are interested in purchasing an apron – please send me a quick e-mail to “secure” your choice. They’re $50 each which includes shipping & handling (within the contiguous US States)… and they’re first come, first serve! Don’t miss out.

APRON A –
From the “Eclectic Collection”, a patchwork mix of gold-brown-earthtone
geometric patterns & textures. SOLD to Pam in Wisconsin!

APRON B –
From the “Eclectic Collection”, a striped patchwork with assorted pattern accents.
SOLD to Nikki in Illinois!

APRON C –
Navy blue with a small pattern of green, red & light blue across the apron.

APRON D –
A blue “denim” background with some printed patterns in yellows, reds & greens.
SOLD to Verna in Montana.

APRON E –
A cool mint green apron with whimsical butterflies flying across the apron.
SOLD to Fiona in Indiana.

APRON G –
A mind-bending pattern of black & white.

APRON H –
A retro-vibe with a musical flair!

Again, just let me know if you would like to purchase an apron.
Send me a quick e-mail to “claim” your apron. My Mom would be thrilled
to sell some more of them… which then means she can make some more!

 

Well, look who stopped by today?!… Stanley!!!

Of course, according to the story, Stanley had to travel here in an envelope… and that’s “why” he’s Flat!!! My Minnesota cousin’s youngest Christopher is doing the Flat Stanley project in school. And decided to send his Stanley to me for a Chicago adventure. Today he made a quick visit in my studio. Checking out some tools… and going for a little spin!!!

So once the dizziness fades away, I’m sure Flat Stanley will be off to other adventures
around the city! Stay tuned…

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…
I’m packing & prepping for tonight & tomorrow! And wishing all of you
a wonderful holiday filled with family & friends… and those special friends
you consider family. Merry Christmas to you & yours!!!

Getting ready for my Christmas at home with my family.
MOst of my presents are wrapped, by nbags are packed and I just finished making my hot fudge cheesecake I’m bringing with for Christmas Dinner. I hope I can wait that long… might look bad if I showed up and there were already a few bites missing. huh!?!

So this afternoon, my next door neighbor told me that I had “a plant or flowers or something” down by the front door. So I scurried down to see what was there… and I found a wonderfully cheery holiday floral arrangement. I unwrapped it and found that it had been sent by my cousin & his family in Ohio. I guess if they can’t be here in person, at least a “surprise holiday gift” makes the distance seem a bit closer!

Yesterday was another great Thanksgiving Day.
I spent the day with several family members at my Aunt Marilyn’s house. Even my cousin Michael and his family came down from Minneapolis. I of course turn into the BEST Uncle Gary ever as his kids were happy to see me, and so quick to play games, cards, piano, and so much more! After dinner, we turned the table to the “main course”… (for me anyway)… DESSERT!!! And of course we can’t just eat dessert… we need to have some fun with it first!!!

So here’s the oldest of the Minnesota kids… Mitchell…

And then Caroline…

And my little buddy Christopher…

And the brothers together…

But don’t blame me… I can honestly say that I did NOT squirt any whipping cream in any kid’s mouths. But some of you might recognize the real trouble-maker. Sure, I may have been “instigating & encouraging” the food fiasco.  But my Mom was the one doing all of the dirty work. I think memories like these are far more important than the adults having enough whipped cream on their piece of pumpkin pie.

And yes, I may not have been the one squirting whipped cream… but I did have a little “something” to do with finishing the Thanksgiving desserts!!!

And I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family & friends…
and had a little FUN with your food too!!!