Amy and I decided to get up early and go hiking before the Northwoods Art Tour.
So we set the alarms and bundled up to head out into the frozen morning air.
Bundled up, we set out on the McNaughton Trail for some early morning beauty.

And then we made our way around to a smaller lake where the morning mist
had not dissipated yet. And to make the morning even more magical, the mist had
frozen and “frosted” all of the beautiful plants along the lake’s boardwalk.

And then it was back to Amy’s… for another day of the Northwoods Art Tour!

For more photos of my time in the Northwoods… check out my Facebook page.
Do a search for “Fire When Ready Pottery” and click the LIKE button. Then check
out my photo albums for a whole lot more photos!!!

Thanks to Amazon.com… my package came today… and…
I could finally erase all of the episodes of “LOST” Season Six off my TiVO!!!
Yes, I know it’s sad… I’ve “saved” all of the episodes. But I’m still suffering
from “LOST-separation-anxiety.” And am now ready to start over from the
very beginning with Season One’s original plane crash! But for now, my “LOST”
DVD collection is complete!  4 – 8 – 15 – 16 – 23 – 42… pathetic, I know…

Also in my Amazon package…
the latest “500” book from Lark Publishing… “500 Plates & Chargers.”
Sadly, I totally spaced out applying for this one?! Watching for their application deadlines
used to be a high priority… but somehow it fell off my radar this time?! But… luckily I have
been published in three of their other books… “500 Cups”, “500 Pitchers” and “500 Tiles”!
Check out this older blog post on “My Lark Trifecta.”

And a little guilty pleasure… also from Amazon, my favorite movie from third grade!
It’s a little short film by Albert Lamorisse called “The Red Balloon. A sentimental flick
about a lonely little French boy who is befriended by a Red Balloon! A saw it in 3rd grade
and still remember it to this day… check it out!!!

Natural inspriations… from another beautiful morning bike ride!

After riding to the Chicago Botanic Garden again this afternoon,
I was impressed by this stand of aspen trees as their silver leaves
glistened in the sun with great contrast to the brilliant blue skies.

I also loved the crusty green mosses & lichens growing on the sides
of some of the aspen trees. Love the colors. Love the textures.