Sure, they may have a big fallen tree in the middle of their garden right now… but my friends Gerry & Rosene still have an AMAZING GARDEN!!! Lots of beautiful plants & rusty art pieces all around. It’s so much fun to visit at different times of the year to see what’s blooming each time!

After a “sweet” stop in Eureka on Friday, I continued on to see my very first art fair friends in Peoria. They’ve been “locked-down” with a tight quarantine and definitely needed a virtual hug! They’ve had a tough go… remember they’re the ones who have a gorgeous garden… now with a huge tree that fell down in the middle of it all. And if you look close… you might just see my ceramic totem pole that was in the way!

Luckily, they’re going to get a new one!!!…
totem pole that is, not another fallen giant tree!

Expanded my “quarantine-bubble” a bit this weekend with a “socially-distant” roadtrip to central Illinois on Friday… which just happened to be the Grand Re-Opening of MAURIE’S CANDIES in Eureka, Illinois. Two of my friends from college opened a great candy store back in March, only to be closed down a couple days later due to the coronavirus. Well, they finally got to re-open the store Friday… and it was great to surprise Keith & Julie in their own store… plus, I got some amazing goodies… especially THE FUDGE!!!

The best part is that the store is a working location for some of the “challenged” youths that live in a community service house that Keith runs. A great chance for some of the kids with Downs Syndrome to work and make a difference!!!

AS THOUGH THESE CRAZY TIMES COULDN’T GET ANY CRAZIER!!!

Caring thoughts are being sent out to our friends in Minneapolis who are struggling with the riots & protests there. This is a view of the Midtown Global Market and the arson fires that surround it. My friend Emily lives right there across the street… this view hit home and made it very scary & very real for me! She has safely evacuated with her little girls, while her husband is still at the home trying his best to keep their home safe from the fires! This is a terrible situation. I can’t stop watching the news as riots like these are now breaking out all around the country! Please stay safe out there!!!

My friend Tracy was sharing her fragrant Lily-Of-The-Valley blooms with a neighbor for her birthday… and just needed a nice handmade vase to put them in! So glad we could work out a no-contact “delivery”… and a good time to chat & actually see a friend face-to-face for a change!!!

Apparently it’s Monochromatic Monday!!! Who knew?! Yummy red cherries in a red glazed berry bowl. Great combo. Thanks Braxton for sharing!

Looks like my friend Nancy is surviving her quarantine with heart! Enjoying a cute little beverage after getting an espresso maker for Mother’s Day, and a pitcher & latte pen for her birthday to froth all that milk! Looks like she’s “sheltering-in-place-in-style” with that cute little cup too!!!

So this weekend was supposed to be “ART-A-WHIRL” up in Minneapolis… a big studio tour & art sale in the Twin Cities. And I was planning on being the Guest Artist of my friend & amazing metalsmith Sarah Chapman before this corona-craziness shut us all down!

Want to see more of Sarah’s work… click here!

Needless to say, I’m NOT in Minneapolis, and Sarah’s studio is not open for the tour. But she is hosting a “virtual” tour on her website! So if you’re looking for some amazingly cool jewelry to spruce up your “quarantine look” – check-out the link below for more info! Her work is incredible… I just wish I were there in person this weekend to play with Sarah… while we both would be showing off our wares! Maybe next year?!

Click here to shop Sarah’s website of beautiful things!!!

What have we learned in quarantine?…
Eating right from the container with dribbles on the scarf.
Eating from a sweet little ceramic bowl… NO DRIBBLES!!!

I think we all now know that the bowl made all the difference!
If you need to stop YOUR dribbles, just let me know!
Or you can always click HERE to go straight to my online shop!

Thanks Kristy for the photos…
and thanks Matt for being such a good-sport!

Bringing some of Nature’s beauty inside to avoid overnight cold warnings… Tracy was showing off her tulips in her new porcelain vase from my “Quite White Collection.” Love how the colorful tulips really “pop” against the crisp whiteness!

Kinda wondering if I should re-visit this white collection???
It’s been a while.