Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: family, food

Looks like my cousin Kim is enjoying her bountiful harvest of homegrown strawberries this morning! They look scrumptious on those pancakes… and those pottery side pieces look pretty yummy too!

Categories: family, flowers, garden

While I haven’t started my new “zinnia seed project” yet… my cousin Kim reminded me that it was also time to start my dahlia tubers indoors. Since I didn’t do a good job of digging out & saving the ones from last summer… I had to buy some new ones. So here are the three varieties I’m trying this time around. Can’t wait for them to start growing… can’t wait for warmer days… can’t wait for Summer Blooms!!!

Categories: family, inspiration

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!

So my niece Taylor is turning eighteen today!!!
And I thought it might be fun to do a little flashback to when she was a youngster in grade school doing a class project about a family member. Turns out she picked ME!!! So cute… funny the things that “stuck” in her head back then? Hard to believe she’s turning 18 already… where has the time gone?!

Categories: family, friends, mugs

Celebrating another Mugshot Monday… with a purple mug & these sweet words from my long-time friend Kelly…

“This is how you and I hold hands… sometimes over a warm cup of hot tea, this morning coffee.” so sweet Kelly!!!

Categories: family, food

Looks like Kim & Don have cooked-up a little “hot dish” tuna casserole for a chilly Saturday evening’s meal. Although from what I’ve heard… it’s mostly for Don, as Kim is not a big fan of “hot tuna fish.” And yes, I’m kinda right there with ya’ Kim!!!

But the casserole dish looks great!!!

Categories: bowls, family, food

Who knew that I could feed my Thin Mint “addiction” even when the Girl Scouts aren’t in cookie selling mode?! NOT ME!!!

At least until I received this great “care package” Christmas gift from my cousins in Minnesota! They knew it would be a hit… as their daughter Caroline used to be my “Thin Mint Hook-up” back when she was still a Girl Scout!

Categories: family, friends, holiday

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful day with your family & friends… sharing time together & making new memories. The best gift ever!

Categories: family, holiday

Well, all of the ornaments have made it onto the tree… twenty-four days of adding ornaments to my Christmas Advent Calendar.

A beautiful heirloom created by my Grandma Kitty… stitched together one sequin at a time! Always full of fond family memories as Christmas draws closer through the month of December! And it’s finally here…

Categories: family, food, platters

Sure, we had pumpkin pie & my cheesecake for dessert yesterday… but who doesn’t want some chocolate brownies too?! My niece Taylor made a batch of brownies to add to the celebration yesterday… just one more yummy platter on the table!

Categories: family, mugs

After years… literally YEARS… of trying to get Don to give up his jumbo Pyrex measuring cup for his tea cup… yes, he drank his tea out of a measuring cup!!!… my cousin Kim bought her boyfriend a large mug of mine today! And it looks like he might just be willing to “convert” to pottery! Sure, it was supposed to be a surprise Christmas gift for Don… but I guess Kim couldn’t keep her own secret?!!!