Just two months from today… so I guess it’s time to get back into the studio to start making some new pieces…. and quick!!! I’ve enjoyed the holiday break, but it’s time to get back to work. Especially with this big show right around the corner with my talented friends Sarah Chapman, Darlys Ewoldt & Robin Kittleson!

March 3rd, 4th & 5th, 2023 in Evanston… more details to come!

Looks like Tina found the first TWO fortune cookies this afternoon while hiking out at Illinois Beach State Park! She was so excited since last year she found NONE!!! So today was her lucky day… and someone else’s too! Tina was so nice that she left the second one for another lucky person to find on another day!

Looks like the fortune cookie anticipation has been building… a little text message conversation between Ashley & her husband this afternoon!!! Too cute! They randomly found one last year & apparently Mark wants… err, needs… to find more!!!

… or just an AMAZING COINCIDENCE?!!!

So I was hiking through Illinois Beach State Park yesterday… headed back towards my car in the North Unit of the park. I had already hidden the first half of my fortune cookies. I decided to take a little side path back to the parking lot instead of along the lake… as I had a done that headed the other direction. The park is always pretty secluded – not a lot of people around. So it was kind of surprising when I ran into these two… Heidi & Steve who live up in the area. Steve even joked about there being no one else out there!

So we talked for awhile about Illinois Beach State Park… and how I “found it” as one my Covid excursions during quarantine. They kept telling me about other areas I need to check-out up there… parks, boardwalks, sweet shops, etc. They were the nicest… and only... people I chatted with all day. Like I said, Illinois Beach State Park is pretty isolated without a lot of people!

And then as we continued to talk, I told them that I would let them “in on a little secret”… I told them that I was a potter… and then I told them that I was there hiding my clay fortune cookies! Twenty-three for 2023!

Hold on… wait for it…
Then Heidi stopped me in the middle of my story and said that she found a fortune cookie like that two years ago at the Sand Pond fishing area of the park. She was even impressed that they rattled! I think it took her a second for it all to come together… but what a randomly strange coincidence that I would run into a random new friend out there… who just happened to randomly find one of my fortune cookies TWO YEARS AGO in a random state park covering over six random square miles!!! Crazy coincidence, right?!

We continued to chat on our way back to the parking lot. When we crossed a little wooden footbridge, I pointed out to Heidi that someone else has been hiding things out there too. Like this little Christmas Tree painted rock… that I had seen earlier while I was headed the other way!!! Heidi was so excited… another fun find for her collection!

We’ve been saying for awhile that their orchid would be happier in a handmade ceramic flower pot. Kristy & Matt have killed every orchid prior… so we figure it “must” be the pot, right?!!! Unfortunately, I think they’re going to need a larger flower pot! That little cutie-patootie just isn’t going to do it!!! HA!!!

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

Looks like Rosene has been busy in the kitchen making pie for the holidays! Looking extra festive in a stamped pie plate!

Some of my favorite pottery pieces from my Matthew Metz pottery collection… and a cute handmade Santa from my good friend Nancy. It was Nancy’s “fault” in the first place when she suggested we take a pottery class together so many years ago during a bike ride. And look at me now… collecting pottery & making a LOT of pottery too!!!

Looks like Matthew has been busy picking out pomegranate seeds! Beautiful color & shiny texture in a green stamped bowl. Personally, I’ve never quite figured out the “allure” of the whole pomegranate seed thing… but they sure are pretty! Thanks for sharing Matthew’s hard work Kristy!

One of the “hidden” benefits of hosting a Holiday Home Show is when people bring you gifts! As a non-coffee & non-tea drinker, I may be late to the Stroopwaffle craze?!

But my friend Tracy brought me a package knowing that I would have hot apple cider for my Home Show. Apparently the idea is you put one of these Stroopwaffles on top of your cup of hot beverage… which in turn melts the yummy caramel layer inside! And yes, now I see what I’ve been missing!!! Thanks again Tracy for the yummy treat… for the non-caffeinated potter!!!