After the hectic holidays, it feels great to be back in the studio…
getting back into the swing of things.

A simple dinner plate, now with a stamped rim to make it not-so-simple!

I’ve tried my best to be patient… and I may have re-watched a season or two… but I’m SO EXCITED that my current favorite Reality guilty-pleasure TV show is coming back!!! Emmy-award winning THE TRAITORS begins season three tomorrow!!! Amazing host Alan Cumming is back in all of his over-the-top campiness… along with lots of wackadoodle Reality TV stars playing the game. And yes, I watch a LOT of Reality TV… so I already know most of them too!

And I can only hope that if we’re getting a Season Three of the US version… season three of the UK & Australian versions can’t be far behind… and maybe Season Two of New Zealand? And I need to figure out how to see the newest Canadian version!

So yes, there might be a slight addiction problem here?!

My all-time favorite SURVIVOR player is coming back for another run on Reality TV!!! Fresh off her stint on THE TRAITORS season two, my Parvati will now be going for the cash on DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND season two. It’s a weird mix of the traditional “Deal Or No Deal” with the silver metal cases full of money… now blended with Survivor-esque challenges & alliances on a tropical island. I’m sure Parvati will rely on her “black widow” reputation… which will be great fun to watch her alliances. I mist also admit that I watched season one over the break…as it had Survivor’s Boston Rob as a contestant… and he’s kinda brilliant & “good-TV” as well!

NBC tonight… and then streaming on Peacock.

Looks like someone is doing better on their “healthy” resolutions than I am?! Still not a big fan of brussel sprouts… but these are looking a little tastier than normal… must be the bowl?!!! Just sayin’… thanks for sharing Kristy!!!

Celebrating our first Mugshot Monday of the New Year!!! With this sweet shot of a quiet moment together after the holiday craziness. Thanks for sharing Melissa!

One of my students Melanie braved the chill for a winter hike out at Illinois Beach State Park… and found herself a ceramic fortune cookie! I love that people are out there enjoying nature, breathing the fresh air & playing my silly reindeer games!!!

Here’s a beautiful arrangement of flowers with purples & pinks to go along with a new “aubergine” stamped vase… a special holiday gift from Dad. Now honoring Grandma’s memory with a collection of her favorite flowers. Thanks for sharing Allison!

My cousin Kim went hiking at Illinois Beach State Park and found a couple fortune cookies along the way! Braving the bitter breeze & bone-chilling temperatures to play along with my silly little game. So fun to see people enjoying the scavenger hunt & kicking off their New Year searching for fortune… cookies!!!

A lot has been happening around Lillstreet Art Center during the holiday break. Most exciting to many of us… the soda kiln has been torn down & rebuilding will start soon! Very exciting as they’re starting over all the way down to the cement pad with lots of brand new bricks!

Some with a beautiful soda build-up “patina” colors & textures! All found outside in the alley by the dumpster… as some new things are happening inside Lillstreet!