So here’s the plan for later today… we’re going old-school on this one.
I’m currently taking photos of the chosen pieces. I’m thinking 12 mugs and 12 wheelthrown ornaments. When I get the photos ready, I will post them all on my blog ahead of time so you can see what’s coming up. And then I’ll post the photos again here on Facebook at 7:00pm Central time. The Facebook photo album will be the “official” sale page. First come, first served… and we’ll go by the first to comment on each photo – NOT the entire photo album post. So you can scroll through, see if anyone beat you to it, and if not, tell me you want it. And then I’ll confirm and we can work out the details later! So get ready… and keep checking my blog for the preview photos. And then back here at 7:00pm Central time. Good luck!!!

Happy December!
And to celebrate the first day of the last month, I think it’s time for a little Facebook offering. Many of you outside the Chicago area have asked if I sell work online. Generally the answer has unfortunately been “no”… I just don’t like to pack & ship pottery, and I prefer to see my customers face-to-face as they touch & feel their new purchases.

But that may change later today?!
Stay tuned on my Facebook pottery page… for a one-time online offering!
And here’s a little hint of the fun to come later today….

Here’s a quick link to my Facebook pottery page. Click here, and then click the LIKE button!
www.facebook.com/firewhenreadypottery

And with the big morning splash of color…
a big sky panorama seemed fitting to capture the moment.

And as this is the first day of December…
it also concludes that I have now ridden my bike, once again this year,
during every month of the year!!! Yeah me!!!

It was a very cloudy morning today.
But with a later start time, and less traffic on Sundays, I knew that I would have time
for a nice bike ride this morning before going back to Winter WonderFest set-up
down at Navy Pier.

Cloudy… gray… damp… gloomy… and then the clouds went BRILLIANT!!!
A crazy splash of color across the sky!!! For just about four minutes of splendor…
and then, all too soon, back to gloomy gray.

Minute One… still dark, but the color suddenly beginning to spread across the sky.

Minute Two… full coverage!

Minute Three… bright like the sun is just about to break through… almost… not quite.

Minute Four… colors dissipating… on its way back to gray!

We’re nearing the end of the year… and quickly approaching the Holiday Season!
And it’s hard to believe that Sarah Chapman and I have been doing our Monthly Holiday Ornament Challenge for eleven months now. Only one more to go!!! Unfortunately, Sarah has been a little too busy making work for the coming weekend’s “One Of A Kind Show” here in Chicago. So we may need to give her a pass on the November ornament? And if you’d like to stop by and see here at “One Of A Kind Show”,
click here for a link to get your FREE PASSES!!!

Meanwhile, I’ve been working on my ornaments for November. They’ve been done for awhile… kinda waiting for Sarah’s entry before I posted. But today is the last day of November, so here goes…

This month’s entry is a layered terra cotta ornament.  A simple snowflake on a contemporary textured circle. Here we are in “production mode” making a full batch of ornaments.

When they were dry, I added a thin wash of black underglaze to add some dimension to the textures on the back circle.

Then I painted the snowflake disc with some low-fire white glaze. A single, low-fire electric firing and these ornaments should be done and waiting for a golden ribbon.

NOTE – - – - – - – - – -
So, some of you may have gotten a “sneak peek” at this month’s holiday ornament during my Holiday Home Show. And a few of them may already have them hanging on your tree. Just pretend that these are “new” for this post. Don’t ruin the illusion for the others.

Last night I picked up my re-aligned wheels at the bike shop.
So I was pretty anxious to get out on my bike this morning.
I had no idea how “out-of-true” my wheels really were
until I rode so smoothly this morning!

Double-whammy…
My bike wheels are in the shop being realigned.
And I’m working everyday this week at Navy Pier setting up Winter WonderFest
so I don’t have as much time in the morning for my sunrise bike ride.
Doesn’t mean I need to miss the sunrise though…

Sunrise today over Lake Michigan on my way to Navy Pier on Lake Shore Drive.

Sunset today looking back at the Chicago skyline as I was leaving Navy Pier.

Beautiful… both coming AND going!

Yesterday was another great Thanksgiving Day.
I spent the day with several family members at my Aunt Marilyn’s house. Even my cousin Michael and his family came down from Minneapolis. I of course turn into the BEST Uncle Gary ever as his kids were happy to see me, and so quick to play games, cards, piano, and so much more! After dinner, we turned the table to the “main course”… (for me anyway)… DESSERT!!! And of course we can’t just eat dessert… we need to have some fun with it first!!!

So here’s the oldest of the Minnesota kids… Mitchell…

And then Caroline…

And my little buddy Christopher…

And the brothers together…

But don’t blame me… I can honestly say that I did NOT squirt any whipping cream in any kid’s mouths. But some of you might recognize the real trouble-maker. Sure, I may have been “instigating & encouraging” the food fiasco.  But my Mom was the one doing all of the dirty work. I think memories like these are far more important than the adults having enough whipped cream on their piece of pumpkin pie.

And yes, I may not have been the one squirting whipped cream… but I did have a little “something” to do with finishing the Thanksgiving desserts!!!

And I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family & friends…
and had a little FUN with your food too!!!

Just finished making my dessert for today’s Thanksgiving Feast… cheesecake with cherries as requested by my cousin Michael’s family! If you’re serving your feast on Fire When Ready Pottery, I’d love to see some photos!!! After you’ve stuffed yourself, of course!