It was a steamy day for a parade in Chenoa… at least until the clouds moved in for a quick burst of cool winds?! So it was perfect for kids ready to be doused with water from some scary clowns… while others weren’t quite sure why you would want to do that??? Finding comfort in friends & freeze-pops!

While celebrating America’s 250th birthday yesterday… we’re also celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. My roadtrip yesterday took me to Chenoa for fun with friends… and a little roadside nostalgia!

So last night in class we had our usual end-of-session potluck.
But turned it into a little bridal shower for Rachael, one of my students.

In a previous class she had shared her plan to make some “salmon bowls” for herself.
None of us knew what she meant… and the stories went on forever. Turns out they’re just bowls that she & her fiancé Matt eat their salmon out of. First from Costco… then maybe IKEA… had to check with her fiancé? Not that it matters?! But the drama & stories about these dang “salmon bowls” dragged on forever… because it was so funny… and we just wouldn’t let it go!!! For our own entertainment of course!

So when the idea of a bridal shower came up, we all decided to secretly make her a “salmon bowl” as her gift! And last night was the big reveal… she LOVED THEM!!! There will still be a few more that didn’t quite make it through the kiln in time!

But it was an AMAZING surprise for Rachael…
and now she has her own custom “salmon bowls.”
Great fun for all… as “something fishy” was definitely going on!!!

I mean…
it’s not every day that I put coho salmon on a bowl?! But this once I will…

So… I’ve been working on a little “undercover” project for one of my students. Couldn’t give anything away too soon… or she might have thought something was “fishy.” And yes… I put two salmon on my bowl. More story to come…

With almost an hour to spare!!!
This might be a new record for me!!!

Just getting ready for a fun studio evening!
Handles are pulled & the Olympic Opening Ceremonies are about to begin!!!
Giddy-up Milan… show us what you’ve got!!!

So… after a fun week of pottery workshopping, hiking & touring through Alaska… I wasn’t quite sure if I would be prepared for today’s big race. But I was!!! The weather was perfect and I felt strong the whole time! Even though I had only swam in the lake three times this summer… and today was my very first outdoor run of the summer!!! And yet somehow, I made it through the swim, bike & run portions of the race… and then celebrated with my friend Tracy after our annual Chicago Triathlon! Another one in the books!!!

Not only did I provide bone dry bowls for my SURFACE DECORATION class while I was gone… but I also left them a package of Birthday OREOs for two of my students. Happy Birthdays Maryanna & Sara!!!

It was quite a weekend at the ST. CROIX VALLEY POTTERY TOUR. Such beautiful weather to be outside enjoying the Tour, driving from pottery studio to studio. Chatting with the potters, admiring their work & making the tough choices of which pieces might come home with you as souvenirs!!! It was great to run into a few friends & Followers along the way… including catching up with my favorite pottery teacher at Lillstreet so many years ago!!! Not to be a name-dropper… but it was Steve Lee!!!

If you’ve never gone to this pottery tour, you really must add it to your bucket list. It’s hard to fathom how huge this is… with so many tents, so many talented potters… and an endless array of fantastic pottery!!! These photos just show a tiny bit of it… but hopefully you get the idea!

For more information – www.minnesotapotters.com