tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153490735282415462024-03-14T00:00:02.417-07:00Potting and Frogupping
Clay, pots, glazes, frogs and other stuff. Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-19982158000569283762022-05-17T11:02:00.000-07:002022-05-17T11:02:59.026-07:00A New Chapter<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>There we were, settled into our lovely little homestead in Washington, and Kevin's company lost government funding, so Kevin had his contract terminated. So, after some months of searching, he finally found a job to his liking, completely across the country. We couldn't have gone any further.</div><div><br></div><div>After some months working in Florida, Kevin started looking for a new home for us. This wasn't as hard as it would have been a decade before; the internet and skype let kevin share real-time showings of houses with me, so that i could also stay in WA and deal with selling up our properties there. So, it was with sadness that we found homes for our animals and birds and packed everything up for a cross-country trip to our new home.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Seven years later</b></div>We have been in Florida for just over 7 years now. It's been quite a change for us both. Kevin is almost retired, although he still has a few hours a week devoted to the *Italian Job*.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View from front door</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The pool and deck</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The back *garden*</i></div><br>We have just under 2 1/2 acres of countryside, with a well sorted, single story house, pool, and very large, air conditioned outbuilding with 2 offices as well as huge work area. The house is much smaller and even better, a single story, which is far easier for me to maintain that the 3 story one in Washington. With temps often in the 80-90's much of the year, the pool is a big plus.</div><div><br></div><div>We are in the middle of setting up a garden area for herbs and vegetables, and this year we are enjoying our first crop, Aubergines. I'm not good with plants, but luckily I'm married to an engineer. All the planters have drip systems an so far, everything is working well. We did have a bit of a disappointment earlier this year; we had planted tomatoes in January, and they grew wonderfully. Then, the lovely big tomatoes, got hit by frost. Of course, the plants died, but I did get to try, for the first time, fried green tomatoes. They didn't disappoint!</div><div><br></div><div>Sadly, the few hundred acres at the back of the property have been sold, and are currently under development. We planted a row of bamboo, and a privacy hedge of viburnum. While not a perfect solution, it will, hopefully, leave us some privacy. I really don't want to move again. </div>Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-52944876899587282822021-03-01T14:56:00.000-08:002021-03-01T14:56:33.468-08:00Quarantine 2020 and covid 19When I was little, I heard many stories of the hardships of war (WWII) from my parents. Both parents served in the Air Force; and they spoke of their fears of friends not returning from missions, dying alone abroad. I heard about the rationing, during and after the war, and how everything changed. I didn't understand, I simply couldn't comprehend those things, only in part because I was a child, but mostly because it was not a lived experience. <div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Today, I think I can understand a little better with the things they told us. Their enemies were more tangible than ours, and mostly on foreign shores, but just as scary. Our foe is in some ways more difficult, because it's not something we can negotiate or reason with, it "must" be fought and defeated if we want to survive. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just as the last great war changed my parent's generation's lives, this pandemic is changing ours. </div></div>Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-79739241643293616892016-10-07T06:01:00.000-07:002016-10-07T08:47:41.693-07:00Hurricane MatthewIt's October 6th, and our first Autumn in Florida. We are expecting our first hurricane, and of course, it's the biggest they have seen in decades, it's building, and could possibly go from a 4 to a 5.<br />
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I am somewhat scared as I have seen news reports of what these hurricanes can do, and the devastation they bring. But, I'm also a little bit excited. I'm hoping to get video of it as it approaches and builds in intensity.<br />
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We were out getting gas a little while ago, for the generator and the car. If we lose power, we will have the generator, and if it gets bad, we can leave.<br />
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While we were there, the rain and wind started. There is a lull right now, but it's due to start picking up again in a couple of hours. It's supposed to get above 50 by 1 a.m. I don't think we'll be getting much sleep tonight.</div>
Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-39052798074908771602015-06-30T14:47:00.000-07:002017-05-30T11:16:30.278-07:00Last beach trip in Washington (6/2015)Last week the weather started to get hot. Here in the PNW, humidity often accompanies heat. So, since it was a weekend, what could be better than loading up the truck with sodas and dogs, and heading to the beach! It got up to 93º locally, but I don't think it got above 80º at the coast. What surprised met too, was that there were several degrees of difference between the actual beach, and the area before getting to the beach, on the other side of the dunes. <br />
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The dogs love these trips, but this was especially nice since Scruff also had some fun. The boat launch where we had been taking them, has very little room for her to run, and the launch area is covered with oyster shells which tear their feet up if they spend much time on them. The beach on the other hand, was just fabulous.<br />
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While it looks like the beach is empty, there were quite a few people there. I think they stayed out of our way though - these dogs are BIG and boisterous, and Kevin was really throwing that ball some distance!Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-66024099459493931472015-06-22T10:58:00.001-07:002015-06-22T11:08:02.828-07:00Tightening the Belt.Almost three months ago, Kevin lost his contract, which meant that until he had another job, money would be a little tight. So, this meant tightening the belt. For the past 20+ years, I haven't really budgeted money; if I wanted something, I could usually afford to go and get it (except of course major things like vehicles).<br />
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I remember my mom, she used to keep a purse in a drawer, with her "housekeeping" money in it. She put in the amount she had for each week and when it was gone, that was it. If there was any left over, it was "hers" and she could either save or spend it. Well, I wasn't going to do it that way, instead I made a "PLAN". I would limit my grocery spending each week. If I ran out, we would do without. It has been almost three months, and so far, I have been under budget each week. Kevin told me that our Discover card bill is down to "half" of what it has been in the past. That to me is pretty awesome.<br />
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Some of it has been really easy though. We have several freezers full of meat, so most of the groceries are for fresh vegetables and fruits. We have cut out the "premium" wines. I don't throw away left overs. I have also noticed that our trash bins are now only half full each week (less waste). I have changed the way I cook, and the types of food we eat, without sacrificing quality. For example, last night was very simple; a salad and a meat pie. But a really tasty pie, made with homemade duck and chicken stock, with lots of duck and chicken meat (left over from meals a few days ago) and vegetables, in a crisp, home made pastry. A tight budget doesn't have to mean Ramen and popcorn!<br />
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<br />Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-41880141382049754842009-10-21T12:36:00.000-07:002009-10-21T12:49:59.433-07:00New Ducks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/St9jGrYB73I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/lActCpsJ6gE/s1600-h/my_ducks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/St9jGrYB73I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/lActCpsJ6gE/s400/my_ducks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395139844987023218" border="0" /></a>Our new arrivals, the Muscovies, taken just a few days after we got them, two and a half weeks ago. They are much bigger now!<br /><br />Last weekend, Kevin and Oliver once again made a trip to the livestock auction, with Kevin returning home weith three stunning, fawn and white, India Runner Ducks (picture to follow when the weather gets a bit nicer).<br /><br />There was initially some trouble: the muscovies were angry and kept attacking the runners, but by the next morning the tables were turned. Now the runners keep the muscovies out of the pond except at meal times. Since the runner are still wary of me, the muscovies eat while the runners stand a little way off. Once the muscovies are finished, I move out the way and the runners get a chance at the remains, while the clever muscovies get the opportunity to swim for a bit, before the runners once again snatch back their watery territory.<br /><br />We have been ridding the garden of these horrible banana slugs. The ducks love them - it's like caviar or paté to one of us. Of course they find their own, but they don't have access to the whole yard, so any we find we take to them and they gorge themselves. It's quite ghastly to watch - the slime dribbles out of their beaks which they then have to wash off in the pond or the water trough. It's all protein I suppose, and I'd rather they ate them than have them in the garden, attacking my plants. And to think, one day we shall eat the ducks.Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-3724333933385648012009-10-06T18:23:00.001-07:002009-10-06T18:31:46.588-07:00Glazing PotsWell, today is the beginning of a glaze marathon. There are about 3 kiln loads of bisque, which is about 6-7 loads of glost (can't stack pots with glazes on them, they stick).<br /><br />So, I started today. Hard part is remembering what I had in mind for some of these pots when I made them. I know some family members think I'm a bit odd, because I "talk" to my pots, but worse, they "talk" back. Well, it's more like a whisper really. When I make them, they let me know what they should look like when they are finished, even if I'm not always up to the task. I'm still a "Learner".<br /><br />So today, I got one layer in, and some more pots with the insides done, and drying ready for tomorrow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Schedule for Tomorrow</span><br /><ol><li>Feed the Husband (very important!)<br /></li><li>Feed the ducks</li><li>Feed the chickens</li><li>Glaze, glaze, glaze!</li></ol>Now for the end of the day ritual<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;">Carpe Vinum!<br /></span></div>Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-41214116612394402922009-10-05T19:26:00.001-07:002009-10-06T18:33:12.113-07:00Testing, Testing!After the "farm" and "wine making" stuff of the weekend, it was good to get in the studio today. I spent most of my time doing some glaze tests - small pots with some layering of different glazes, hoping to find some magical combinations for the 3 or 4 kiln loads of bisque that is sitting there.<br /><br />I have 3 nice combos already. A white with a Waterfall Brown (M^6G - RR & JH) on top. This is for a set of rice/cereal bowls and serving dish. Then for a set of mixing bowls, a dark green with Waterfall on top (by request). Another set of bowls will be a ^6 Blue Hare's fur with a thin overcoat of a sky blue - it mottles really nicely with some lovely runs.<br /><br />I have some rather good matte glaze combinations, but I'm not yet sure how I am going to use them. They are not for everyone since many people don't like green for food service. I love green, but you have to make things that other people want sometimes.<br /><br />Must remember to take the camera to the studio tomorrow. I love opening the kiln!Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-83536662973512514082009-10-04T17:09:00.001-07:002009-10-04T17:14:28.595-07:00Winemaking UpdateWell, last week we racked some wines - the Parsnip is fabulous, so I bought some more to make another batch. The mead (with raspberries) is also very nice, but this will take a few years to mature.<br /><br />Sadly, the Peach got "Stuck", at least in Kevin's eyes. After doing a hydrometer check it turns out it's only about 1% sugar in one pail and less than 1% in the other. Kevin obviously has a low tolerance for sugar. While I usually prefer them dry, this one is really quite nice, especially chilled. However, to please the man, I attempted to restart them both. They are bubling, VERY slowly, so we shall just have to wait and see.<br /><br />Once these are out of the pails, there is another 10 gallons of peach, 20 gallons of nectarine, and the other batch of parsnips to do.Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-21994112493685590102009-10-04T16:44:00.000-07:002009-10-04T16:55:26.009-07:00The Farm is getting bigger!Yesterday, Kevin went to the Animal Auction with Oliver and Kilian. Oliver had to get a couple of chickens for a neighbour, and thought Kevin might be interested. Well, since we wanted a few inexpensive birds to check whether or not the new electric fence worked, he hooked up the trailer and loaded some cages.<br /><br />I told him in no uncertain terms that he was dead meat if he came home with an emu (Oliver has two). Well, he didn't come home with an emu, but he did come home with 5 hens and 10 ducks. This of course created a minor problem - we didn't have a hen house in the pasture. So, we took down the dog run and reassembled it in the pasture for the chickens.<br /><br />It's a big dog run, so it took a while to set up, and the chickens were getting restless - they were ready to roost for the night. One of them saw the wheel barrow which I'd left in the yard, and decided it was a perfect perch. Naturally, the rest followed suit, all on the same side, and the next thing we saw was a tumbling barrow and five scattered, shrieking hens!<br /><br />The ducks are only 4 or 5 weeks old, so they are in a brooder in the basement for a few days to make sure they are strong enough to face the cool, fall nights. They are shy, but seem to be adjusting well. They actually calmed down enough to eat the dandelion greens I gave them for dinner tonight.<br /><br />And Oliver, he bought a pregnant goat, some black ducks, and forgot about the chickens for his neighbour!Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-62362316495114755892009-10-03T14:02:00.000-07:002009-10-03T14:02:11.510-07:00Name your Poison!I forgot to explain the mugs in the last post. Well, the title of this post explains it! Name your poison, so now she can oblige. So far, I have made: Strychnine, Arsenic, Cyanide, Thallium, Ricin, Mercury, Hemlock, Coffee and Methy-Ethyl-Bad-Stuff (Methyl Isocyanate)! It was hard getting the last one on the mug, it went almost the whole way round.<br />
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My doctor mentioned that I left one off the list, Absinthe, so I shall just have to make some more mugs. I probably should add "Tea" also, since I have coffee in there.Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-55333435917675953322009-10-03T13:15:00.000-07:002009-10-03T13:28:28.857-07:00Next Glaze ProjectWell, I hate glazing. But I have these mugs for Shanna (by special request) so I must find an appropriate glaze for them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SsextOhvg4I/AAAAAAAAAI4/8mxSOxunDIE/s1600-h/2poisonmugs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 218px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SsextOhvg4I/AAAAAAAAAI4/8mxSOxunDIE/s400/2poisonmugs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388470869723939714" border="0" /></a>The problem with this style, is that the glaze must not obscure the oxides in the engraved portion. Think I might try some wax resist.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SseyIoxITWI/AAAAAAAAAJA/sBew69Hsxpg/s1600-h/2thallium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SseyIoxITWI/AAAAAAAAAJA/sBew69Hsxpg/s400/2thallium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388471340624268642" border="0" /></a>This one has the "sprig" on the front, which I might leave as bare clay and glaze around it, using an oxide in the engraved part. I like this shape also; being wider at the base it's more stable on the table.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SseylH90WdI/AAAAAAAAAJI/VcXhyp_JpfA/s1600-h/2cyanide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SseylH90WdI/AAAAAAAAAJI/VcXhyp_JpfA/s400/2cyanide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388471830035323346" border="0" /></a>This one I like too, same shape as the "Thallium" mug, but the sprig is missing. A good glaze for this would be a semi-transparent one so the oxides could bleed through. A nice "breaking" glaze.<br /><br />I wish I had paid more attention to chemistry in school - now that I'm making my own glazes it would be such a big help. Half the time it's more guesswork that knowing what I'm doing. But, as Shanna says, "Experiment"!<br /><br />I'll post pics of the finished pots.Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-75819076197386943742009-07-20T18:56:00.000-07:002009-07-20T19:08:58.032-07:00June 19th - Ti and Lizzie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SmUgeDBWXlI/AAAAAAAAAG8/32ya6xJBXcs/s1600-h/Ti-Chi-Puma-Gander.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SmUgeDBWXlI/AAAAAAAAAG8/32ya6xJBXcs/s400/Ti-Chi-Puma-Gander.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360726632033574482" border="0" /></a>Tiberius, showing off. Well, now it's obvious why he is called Ti-Chi! Such a gorgeous boy.<br /><br />Ti was (another story) a Smooth Headed Roman goose, 6 weeks older than Lizzie. Here they are just under 5 weeks and eleven weeks old - quite a difference between them.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we only had him for 4 days, before the coyotes came and got them both, late one Sunday afternoon.<br /><br />We had gone inside to get the ribs to put on the B-B-Q, and when we got out, just minutes later, they were gone - not a sign of them, just a few feathers on the ground where they had been sitting. Needless to say, we were devastated. I didn't know that coyotes could move that fast; they must have been lying in wait.<br /><br />Since then we have called some fence companies for quotes on a very heavy duty electric fence. I am also having our friend Oliver, come and take a look at the pond. I'd like it dug deeper and wider, with a better pathway between the upper meadow and lower one. Then, next year, when breeding season comes around again, we shall get some more Geese, but by then we will "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">KNOW</span>" that they are all safe.Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-14557582332200245562009-05-29T14:41:00.000-07:002009-05-29T14:46:45.273-07:00Having a Swim!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SiBWu6uWIZI/AAAAAAAAAGs/PlUpH0o05Jo/s1600-h/IzzyDizzyLizzyBob.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SiBWu6uWIZI/AAAAAAAAAGs/PlUpH0o05Jo/s400/IzzyDizzyLizzyBob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341364522099024274" border="0" /></a>Here they are, at 8 days old and having a swim. Oddly, when you first "push" them in, they want to get out and be with us, but if you can keep them in for a few minutes, they settle down and ignore us. It's pretty amazing to see them dart around underwater, especially since they haven't got a "mom" to teach them how.<br /><br />Also amazing, is how fast they grow. This weekend we are going to have to make some changes in their accommodations, since I'm expecting some ducklings (15) next week that will need the brooder.Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-47315615452205472442009-02-22T15:44:00.000-08:002009-03-03T16:48:12.477-08:00Crater Glazes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SaHjhBfRkVI/AAAAAAAAAE4/1L0CNh9RA9w/s1600-h/crater-pots.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SaHjhBfRkVI/AAAAAAAAAE4/1L0CNh9RA9w/s400/crater-pots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305771992493953362" border="0" /></a><br />I love opening the kiln! The fire Gods were good to us this time - the pots came out better than expected. While most of the time we want a lovely smooth, uncrazed glaze, this time we were looking for a good crater glaze, and wow! did we get one.<br /><br />The pot on the left of the screen is porcelain, and the glaze used a 300 mesh silicon carbide - the one in the middle is stoneware with an 80 mesh silicon carbide and the one on the right is a red stoneware with the same glaze as the porcelain pot on the left. I don't usually use red stoneware, because it gets my hands dirty, and it contaminates so easily, but it looks wonderful with this glaze.<br /><br />So, right now the test kiln is fired up and we have added a little copper oxide to see what colour variation we will get. Also, I slow fired these above, but in the current fire we are trying a medium speed to see if there is any difference (Kevin gets so impatient). Oxidation, straight ^6, no ramp, hold or soak.<br /><br />And tomorrow, I need to spend the whole day glazing - the ware cart is full of bisque and there are oodles of greenware waiting to be fired. How can one have so much fun with their clothes on!<br /><br />Life is good.Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-3594200082107020652008-12-27T17:20:00.000-08:002008-12-27T17:33:44.467-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SVbUqXHYu1I/AAAAAAAAACg/_Cre-5SavzI/s1600-h/DSC_0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SVbUqXHYu1I/AAAAAAAAACg/_Cre-5SavzI/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284645036990446418" border="0" /></a>So, Christmas has passed and the snow is finally melting. It's been a bit scary here the past tenday - getting out of the driveway has been very interesting. We went shopping yesterday and I swore I'd never drive with Kevin in the snow again. But, that promise will last as long as my next diet.<br /><br />This was our quietest holiday that I can remember. We visited friends Ingrid, Oliver and Killian for Christmas dinner - they had a big gathering! I think about 20 family and friends; it was really wonderful (even with the car chains, slithery roads and slidy driveway). Now it's back to normal.<br /><br />So, we have been in the studio making a gazillion test tiles and mini pots for glaze testing. I really want to make a satiny matte high magnesia ^10 glaze, but formulated for ^6! Lottsa luck eh! I did find a fabulous glaze (an accident) for carved pottery - breaks fabulously over texture. I even made a nice pot so when it's fired I shall post it for everyone to see. Of course, I know that nobody reads this blog, but just in case.<br /><br />Now into the kitchen to fix some ham and sweet potatoes with port wine sauce and sauteed Brussels sprouts. Happy New Year Every potter out there, and non-potters too! SlanjeKathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-21002356055768526082008-11-05T18:41:00.000-08:002008-11-05T18:47:33.236-08:00of man and beast. . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SRJZdeVoHMI/AAAAAAAAACY/xRo-eYWkge8/s1600-h/kiln+gods.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 193px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SRJZdeVoHMI/AAAAAAAAACY/xRo-eYWkge8/s320/kiln+gods.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265369277244382402" border="0" /></a>Well, the little lady with the cone, was a kiln goddess Kevin made. He also made the horse, out of a mixture of Cassius black and p (paper) clay.<br /><br />The horse reminds me of something one might dig up from an archeology site, and the little goddes, well she's just special. For a man with no training, I think Kevin does some wonderful work. I'll be posting some of his whimsy stuff soon!Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515349073528241546.post-5895984094100310052008-11-05T17:26:00.000-08:002008-11-05T17:33:25.165-08:00A nice little vegetable server<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SRJILkSWPuI/AAAAAAAAACI/0Us9FtjDJqE/s1600-h/serving+dish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKrKjqTyQY0/SRJILkSWPuI/AAAAAAAAACI/0Us9FtjDJqE/s320/serving+dish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265350277905923810" border="0" /></a>This was from the last glost fire, about two weeks ago when my brother was here. This is a server that Kevin made, and I glazed. I really like this dish, and especially the glazes, vanilla and Waterfall Brown (from Ron Roy and John Hesselberth).<br />It's hard to see in this pic, but the rim of the dish has some lovely red/brown spotting before breaking to this greenish colour over the white. I've made a LOT of these - bowls, mugs and some pourers. I'll try and get Kein to take some pics, he's pretty hand with a camera.Kathy Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045331680796633713noreply@blogger.com0