And what’s a late-night roadtrip drive home without a quick stop at Wally’s for gas & snacks?!

And while it sounds like Chicago’s huge fireworks display was completely fogged-out last night… we had an amazing sky show down in Chenoa yesterday! Crazy cool colors & exciting explosions in the sky… all set to patriotic music. They always give a great show down there… but this year was bigger & better than ever to celebrate America’s 250th!!! Well done Chenoa… you never disappoint!

It was a steamy day for a parade in Chenoa… at least until the clouds moved in for a quick burst of cool winds?! So it was perfect for kids ready to be doused with water from some scary clowns… while others weren’t quite sure why you would want to do that??? Finding comfort in friends & freeze-pops!

While celebrating America’s 250th birthday yesterday… we’re also celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. My roadtrip yesterday took me to Chenoa for fun with friends… and a little roadside nostalgia!

Seems like every time I drive down Route 55 I’m drawn to this weathered old barn. I’ve been watching it slowly fall apart ever since I went to college in Central Illinois. It has become a roadside tradition… as we watch time pass with every roadtrip!

Wishing you all a wonderful FOURTH OF JULY with all of the family, friends & fireworks you want to make your celebration the best ever! Celebrating 250 years of America today… whoo-hoo!!! Stay safe, hydrate & have a fantastic holiday!!!

And since today was the end to another week of Summer Camp… I thought it was only fitting that they clean-up after themselves. And they decided to tackle the sink area just outside our classroom! The front of the sinks, inside the sinks, the sponges, the walls, the sponge racks, everything. This place has never been SO CLEAN!!! I have the Best Campers… well done team!!!

Okay… so I “might” have brought my handmade stamps down to share with my Summer Campers this week… perhaps… and it looks like Micah really enjoyed using them! To make this sweet little set of bowls! Adorable!!!

So… another wonderful week of Summer Camp has come to an end. This week I had a talented group of 10-12 year olds. They learned how to wedge, center & throw on the wheel. They then threw a bunch of pieces on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday… trimmed & add attachments yesterday… and then painted with colored slip today. Their pieces will be glazed with clear & fired later next week. It was jam-packed for all of us, but luckily it was a “full-day” camp so we had a bit more time get everything done. Great kids. Great week.

We also had enough time for them to learn & memorize over 40 famous masterpieces & their artist… both first & last names!!! Very impressive… and they all had a great time doing it too!!!

And yes, there is a story about the ashtray piece.

Generally I don’t allow my Summer campers to make ashtrays or weapons.
But Cece wanted to make this one for her Uncle Ryan. Apparently this is an ongoing family saga… with Uncle Ryan smoking when he was young, but kicking the habit and not smoking anymore. When Cece’s Mom came in to see what Cece was working on… she knew right away that this was a piece that Uncle Ryan was going to love. Also I had to go back on. my own “rules”… and let Cece continue with the ashtray nostalgia piece!

Just a few of the mugs that came out of my latest soda firing. Still enamored by the stamped textures, the flashing soda effects & the saturated colors! Not just “gray & brown” like a lot of other soda firings!