So apparently there was a little pottery “mishap”
on Christmas Day… I’ll let Allison tell the story…

“Tragic end to Mamma Molloy’s mug before she even opened it. We hosted at our home for Christmas and my brother Ryan and his wife Sarah and Reed came over for a meal and presents with our Mamma who lives down around the corner from us. We were all enjoying Reed, our nephew, being a 14 month old after our meal, stomping around and being curious when he grabbed the bag Mamma’s mug was in (padded mind you), Ryan lifted him up, and then he dropped the bag and I heard CLUNK. And was like, “Oh no. What was that? Was that the bag?” And sure enough, she opened the bag first and it was IT WAS HALF A MUG.

Sarah felt so bad and was apologetic and I felt bad but then thought what would Gary say, “It’s just clay.” She said at least she didn’t have time to get attached. I did investigate it after they left and your centering is VERY good sir. Perfect walls. Quite thin, so it’s light, and apparently very breakable.

Sad for the Christmas chaos this year!! As Sarah says, it’s a very “interactive and fun” time with him but the hands grab EVERYTHING.”

A couple happy pottery peeps… celebrating yesterday with some new pottery! Excited about their red “ornaments” holiday mug… but I think even more excited about the stamped aubergine vase that they got as a gift from Dad! Thanks for sharing your holiday Allison & Michael.

One of my friends stopped by my SECOND HOLIDAY HOME SHOW this past weekend & purchased a little cactus in one of my little pots. He sent me a picture of its new home… it’s kind of the “Where’s Waldo?” of houseplants! Thanks Eric!!!

And just in case you’re wondering… this is what “Waldo” looks like.

Looks like another yummy one… a Peoria Pumpkin Pie!!! Homemade pie in a handmade pie dish… the perfect combo!!! As we know everything tastes better in handmade pottery! Thanks for sharing Kristy!!!

Looks like someone was captured making quite a feast!!!
But it’s really the fine mug collection in the background that caught my attention!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!

So yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family… and I made the pumpkin pies. It was the first time I have ever “blind baked” the crust first so it would be nice & flaky… no soggy bottoms. Thanks to my friend, former student & baking show winner Martin Sorge, he “coached” me through the process… crust, crimp, chill, poke, line with foil, fill with dry beans, bake, fill & bake again! And it WORKED!!! Yummy pies with nice crispy bottoms! Thanks Martin!!!

So it seems as though I might have a little Christmas Elf wreaking sweet havoc in my world?! It started with some goodies randomly appearing on my Teacher Shelf at Lillstreet. And then more sweet treats appeared at my condo this weekend!!! You know I love a good OREO & a good Scavenger Hunt. I’m not quite sure who the Elf is… but they obviously know me too well… and I’ve narrowed it down to two Elfish suspects!!!

Here’s Allison & Michael possibly having a little “too much fun” with their new holiday pottery items from my HOLIDAY HOME SHOW!!! Not that there is such a thing as “too much fun!” HA!!! Thanks for sharing… thanks for playing!!!

Another fun night of bingo at IKEA!!! I had lots of numbers & lots of dots… but none that ever got me a BINGO! Luckily, my friend Tiffany scored with a BINGO & won an owl “basket” filled with goodies… and a cool IKEA bucket hat!! She kept the hat… but ended up trading her prize with an other bingo winner! Followed with some fun IKEA shopping… I mean, we were already there… how could we not?!!!

First there was the check-in ChiTri Expo… always fun with my friend Tracy!

But then it was race time…

It was another hot & sweaty day down on the lakefront… but this time there a good reason! Today was the CHICAGO TRIATHLON… swim, bike & run! The weather started out nice with still waters & a cool breeze for the swim… which I must admit was surprisingly “calm” considering it was my first time swimming in the lake since the last Triathlon!!! And by swimming, I mean “flailing about in a forward direction”!!! HA!!! The bike is always fun – although the headwinds heading back south were pretty strong until you get to go underground to ride on Lower Wacker Drive… which is my favorite!!! It’s like riding through the BatCave!!! But by the time I made it to the run, the temps were reaching the 90’s with blazing sun for most of the route through Museum Campus along the lake! Tough… but we finished… finally… all hot & sweaty! Another one done… always fun playing at the ChiTri with my “racing” pal Tracy Wanatowicz… and our annual post-race photo-shoot at Buckingham Fountain!!!