I’m in my studio tonight and the folks down the hall are still working hard
getting ready for tomorrow. In honor of Pi Day, the First Slice Pie Cafe
is offering slices of pie at buy one, get one FREE!!

I think I may need to take advantage of that special offer… at least once!!!

It’s going to be a long night working in my studio… and smelling pies baking!!!

Last night in class, one of my students brought in another flavor of Oreo’s!!!

Another odd flavor combination… odd, but still yummy.
And after careful and “repeated” flavor analysis, I have two words for you…

CRUNCH – BERRIES.

Anyone?… Anyone?… remember Cap’n Crunch cereal with Crunch Berries???
Same flavor. Same smell. Same childhood memories. Just sayin’…

One more flavor to put to the test. While we still wait for the S’mOreos to come out,
it now looks like we may have another new flavor to look forward to!!!

Oreos have been around for 102 years. And since 2012, they’ve put out 35 different variations. We’ve tried a LOT of them over the years… and always ready to try a new one!!! Like S’mores… or Cotton Candy!!!

Click here for a great video where some “news correspondent” taste tests eighteen different flavors… after separating them into three groups. Classics. Fruit flavors. Dessert flavors… which is oddly redundant as Oreos are typically a dessert already?!

Of the one’s he taste-tests, we’ve had most of them!!!
Still looking for Limeade, Watermelon, Banana Split and Root Beer Float.

But of the 35 variations since 2012… WHICH FLAVOR IS YOUR FAVORITE???

Look what was waiting at my front door when I got home… a yummy care package from my favorite Girl Scout up in Minnesota!!! Let’s “hope” this is enough cookies to curb my cravings. Thank you Caroline!!!

We had a very “sweet” pottery class tonight with the new flavor of Oreo’s!!!
RED VELVET.

In a word… YUM.
But c’mon Nabisco, why are the packages so much smaller?!
I needed to buy three packs of yumminess for my class!

And, oh but await there’s more… Nabisco has already announced the next new flavor.
S’MORES!!! And you know how much I love those gooey, melted marshmallow treats!
They claim they’ll be out in the next few months.

But even “sweeter”… one of my pottery students returned from her three-week vacation
through Southern Asia with souvenirs for me. OREO’s from THAILAND!!!
Thank you Patty for importing some more Oreo goodness!

Let the “addiction” continue… and let the “search” begin…
Coming soon and I can’t wait!!!

According to Nabisco…
Oreo has announced the latest twist on its best-selling cookie: red velvet. The red velvet Oreo is dyed dark red and is filled with a cream cheese flavored center. The limited edition cookie will hit stores on February 2 – that’s just in time for Valentine’s Day. They will be available in stores for six to eight weeks.

Tonight is the first night of my new Beginning & Advanced Beginning Wheelthrowing class. And it looks like I’ve got more returning “Advanced Beginners” than newbies this time ’round. I’m going to try my best, but if I don’t win them over with clay, my demo’s & my snappy wit… then I’m prepared to get them with the sweets!!!

As a functional potter, it warms my heart to know that my pottery is being enjoyed.
To see that my work is actually being used on a daily basis or for special occasions.
I love hearing how my work has made someone’s day brighter or in some way happier.
Thank you to everyone who shares their photos & stories…
like this one which made MY day today a little brighter!

“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I had bought a platter from you earlier this year in Schaumburg and we finally inaugurated it over Christmas dinner. So I just wanted you to know that there was a lot of praise for you that night! I’ve attached a few photos of your work… we really love the piece!”    – Ria

…now if she could just share some of that cheesecake too!!!

So if you want to make this humble potter a little happier, please take a second to e-mail me a photo or two. gary@firewhenreadypottery.com. I’d love to see how you’re using my pottery in your everyday world. Thank you!

It’s been cold for quite some time now.
And it sure “feels” like winter. Dark. Gray. Cold.
But today is the “official” first day of Winter. Lest we all celebrate accordingly…

Maybe a quick dunk in some hot chocolate would be appropriate?!
Stock up now… it’s going to be a LONG Winter!

Thank you to Colossal.com…
In this fun series of photos titled Thanksgiving Special, San Francisco-based artist Hannah Rothstein imagines Thanksgiving dinners as plated by famous artists throughout history. Gravy, corn, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, and even the plate itself is used as a medium for edible artworks in the style of Jackson Pollock, Georges Seurat, Vincent van Gogh and more!

Vincent van Gogh

Piet Mondrian

Pablo Picasso

Jackson Pollock

Rene Magritte

Georges Seurat

Andy Warhol