It was a fun time last night celebrating my friend Martin on his big publishing release date for his new cookbook… “GREAT BAKES.”

So good to see him again, chat with a few of his friends… and especially loved the sweets table full of treats from the new cookbook!!! All were AMAZING… especially the oversized “cherry pop-tart” & the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! My two faves!!!

So now that it’s official released to the public… you gotta go buy a copy or two of Martin’s cookbook “GREAT BAKES.” And then leave a review on Amazon to help boost his ratings & visibility. Thanks!!!

Lots of clouds. Lots of drama… and sunrise potential unfulfilled. I had high hopes when I started out that the massive cloud-cover might just get illuminated with sunrise colors. As I continued to pedal, I could tell it just wasn’t going to happen. Just lots of ominous clouds moving in. I had pretty much given up on seeing the sun this morning. But then it broke-thru for a very brief moment… unfortunately I was on the “wrong side’ of the golf course!!! So I only saw it with shining through at the Waveland Clock Tower… then back to the cloudy grayness!!!

So excited for my friend & former pottery student Martin Sorge on his big night tonight… the official release party for his new cookbook “GREAT BAKES.”

We first met Martin when he was competing on “The Great American Baking Show” three years ago. He was in my pottery class at the time… and enjoyed following his TV journey with thematic gambling & class treats based on the losers! I even made Martin a cobalt blue cake plate as his “trophy” for whatever place he finished in… always a winner with us!!!

But then…

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Martin won the show & we threw a wonderful surprise party for him…
along with the two other Chicago bakers from the show… Sarah & Nirali.

He has since been on a quest to publish his own cookbook. With a publisher at his side, today is the official launch party!!! And his cookbook is BEAUTIFUL!!! Can’t wait to stop by to see Martin, snack on a few of his treats from the cookbook & have the “celebrity” autograph my cookbook!!! Congrats Martin… we’re all so proud of you for making this dream come true!!!

And then rush back to Lillstreet to teach class tonight!!!

Gotta love a good holiday… especially when it’s so tasty!!!
Celebrating today with NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY!!! burp…

Last night in pottery class, we snacked on some amazing OREOs that Sara’s parents “smuggled” in from Canada just for us!!! Very yummy!!! Thanks Mom & Dad!!!

Another quiet morning along the lake.
Not a cloud in the sky & gentle ripples on the water. So serene. So enjoyable.
The best way to start the morning!

It’s August… and it’s another week of Summer Camp!!! This week I’m doing an all-day camp with 10-13 year olds for wheelthrowing & handbuilding. Buckets & tools are ready… bring on the kids!!!

Howdy Neighbor! Looks someone has finally decided to roost on my back porch…
on top of my neighbor’s door. Giving me the cautious side-eye
as I arrived home with my bike!

Considering there were basically no clouds over the lake this morning…
it was a little surprising to find one BIG cloud hovering over the City?!
There should be some tall buildings in there somewhere?!!!

Just a thin ribbon of clouds hovering low on the horizon this morning.
Quiet & calm… with the waves calming down a bit from yesterday’s craziness!