Yesterday afternoon was a party to celebrate my niece Taylor before she heads-off to the University of Missouri for a degree in Special Education!!! It’s hard to believe that she’s all grown-up & ready for college… in my head she’s still about six or seven?! Many of you have watched her grow-up at some of my art fairs. But in case you missed that… scroll through the photos to see her over the years. The cutest!!!

Her Dad printed all of these photos as large posters that lined the driveway as people entered the party! One for each year… so adorable!!!

Yesterday took my out to Elk Grove Village for a bike ride through Busse Woods. It was overcast, but clear, when I left the city. But by the time I drove out there it was already drizzling. I pondered it for awhile… but eventually decided to go for it. I mean, it’s just rain, right? And it turned out to be a beautiful ride through the woods. Fewer people & more wildlife…. elk, deer, great blue herons, egrets & more. So glad I decided to go for it. Pedal on…

Coming soon… the big opening “debut” of the first dahlia flower in my garden! Can’t wait to see what’s inside this beauty.

I’ve got a fun vine growing up my “curtain of gears” hanging on my back porch. Coming soon… purple hyacinth vine flowers!!! Can’t wait to see them start blooming… and the dark purple seed pods that will follow!

Another beautiful sunrise… quiet waters, shimmering reflections & a moment with Keith Haring! Yes, there’s a beautiful huge Keith Haring sculpture along the lakefront at Belmont. A central focal point of the Chicago AIDS Garden to memorialize the HIV epidemic in Chicago and honor those who live with the disease today.

Not just blueberries, but some wonderful cherry tomatoes from the Farmer’s Market too. Perfect as part of my Summer Camp lunches! Love the assorted colors & sizes… looking great in a stamped & glazed bowl… even if I do say so myself?!

On my way home tonight, I stopped off at my local Farmer’s Market. Grabbed some fresh-picked blueberries & more. Beautiful in the late afternoon sun… but even prettier in a handmade pottery bowl!

Just a day later with some “creative” drying under some loose plastic, my latest batch of bowls was ready to stamp. Cute little bowls with cute little stamps!

It’s survival of the fittest…
just a little determination & perseverance needed when nature meets concrete!!!

This week I’m teaching a Wheelthrowing Summer Camp with a bunch of teenage girls! They’re all doing a great job & have already made a LOT of pots!!! Not bad for two days of camp… for today we switch to trimming, handles & detailing… and editing their “collections” keeping only the “good” ones! And who knows… there may even be a stamp or two used tomorrow?!