After summer camp, but before teaching tonight… and I think I can crank out a quick batch of mini bowls. Fingers crossed…

The latest blooming “addition” in my garden… loving the color, the polka dots & the graceful curls!

Celebrating NATIONAL PLANNER DAY today… as you know how I love a good plan, a calendar, a deadline… and kinda poking fun at those who don’t. HA!!!

Dark & cloudy… kinda moody. I had hopes of the clouds lighting up in full color as I pedaled along the lakefront. But alas, it never happened… just a fun reflection before the sun went back behind the clouds. Pedaled home just as a bit of rainy drizzle set in.

Handles are attached & mugs are made. So now it’s time to add some accents of colored flashing slip before I set them out to dry. I like to paint the top “banded” area, and a little touch of color on each of the stamps. If all goes well, this colored slip will turn orange in my next soda firing!

Time to make some more mugs… or at least start adding handles! I pull them the old-fashioned way, and then loop them over so they can set-up a bit. I’m not sure what it says about me, but this kinda reminds me of a Rorschach Test… butterfly?… rib cage?… you tell me!!!

It may be just another typical MUGSHOT MONDAY… but it doesn’t look too typical for Allyn! Sure, she may be holding her favorite mug… but it looks like she might have something else to show-off today… a new bit of BLING on her finger!!!

Clear skies & shimmering reflections. Another quiet morning ride along the lakefront. Getting ready for the beginning of another week of Summer Camp!

Celebrating another holiday… because it’s NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY! And here’s a yummy one… chocolate cheesecake, brownies & caramel sauce. What’s not to like?!

Celebrate the cheesecake!!!

So I made a couple “friends” today while I was playing along the lakefront this afternoon on my bike. While I know one is a typical seagull… err, Ring-Billed Gull to be specific. But I’m not quite sure what the other bird is?

Anyone…

UPDATE :

Okay… so we have confirmation from Karen… an avid birdwatcher…
“Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron. One of the last Illinois breeding colonies is at Lincoln Park Zoo.”