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!!!

My uber-talented metalsmith friend Amy Taylor is here again today… also replenishing & restocking … but might have a little “untangling work” to do before she’s all set-up. Ahh… the life of a traveling metalsmith!

Spent the day today hanging out with my uber-talented metalsmith friend Sarah Chapman at the ONE OF A KIND SHOW today. She makes such beautiful jewelry with amazing designs, textures, stones & craftsmanship. If you have a chance tomorrow, be sure to swing by the Merchandise Mart to say hello! I’ll be down there helping Sarah again tomorrow in Booth #2118.

Such a wonderful surprise today when an old high school friend surprised me at my HOLIDAY HOME SHOW! She traveled from St. Louis with her husband to say hello, buy some pottery… and to give me this amazing handmade crocheted throw blanket. Beautifully crafted… and in all the right colors! Such a wonderful surprise visit & beautiful keepsake from my longtime friend Anna! We’ve shared some tough times recently over the phone… so the in-person hugs were best!

Looks like a little brothy soup is warming up my friends up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin as they were getting snow this morning! Thanks for sharing your yummy lunch with us in one of my bowls Kristy!!!

So my friend Pam has a “slightly unhealthy obsession” with Chapstick… and you already know of my “ever-so-slight-addiction”… so imagine my laughter & surprise when our mutual friend Judy gave this to me last night!!! Like an unhealthy love-child of Pam & mine!!! HA!!!

Well, my “Birthday Week” started with a Marathon… and ended with this yummy monstrosity!!! Yummy ice cream & hot fudge at Carl’s Ice Cream with friends!!! It’s been a great week!!!

My friends Keith & Julie recently moved for central Illinois to Ohio… and it looks like they finally got around to unboxing some of their pottery collection! What better way to “feel at home” than with a freshly-baked pineapple upside-down cake, fresh-cut roses from the garden & the warmth of a candle… and some of my stamped pottery to pull it all together!