Monday, December 27, 2010

goals


I know last year's goal chart ..well...stuff happened and some of it actually materialized. My daughter Kapua told me one day last week that I had accomplished so much during a really difficult year...and I thought I was failing miserably!  So I felt slightly motivated to make another...and post it where I look at it and maybe work on more stuff.  I don't know the future: where will I be working when I finally land a job?  where will I live? What else is in store? I just know what to do day by day and week by week.  Somehow, by the end of the year, I have dropped the 30 pounds, I have passed 7 college classes..I have paid off a couple of debts, I have sung songs when my heart was sore, I have taught my grandkids a thing or two, I have learned more recreation (fly fishing, razor clamming), I have learned to love pottery, I have actually gone places and done things and my life is still happening!
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a clean slate?



Haven't seen the floors in these rooms for awhile..today..they got spiffy! I still need to clear off the worktable tops and then I'll be able to work or study in an organized fashion; and the girls won't be stepping on, over or through their toys!
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I love to wrap!!

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BAKING


Kanoe and the girls baked  and worked like crazies..peanut butter/hershey kisses, fudge, macadamia shortbread drizzled in chocolate (white or milk chocolate), ginger snaps, also drizzled, egg nog logs, and those crushed oreos and cream cheese dipped in chocolate..all to die for, and I must admit, I haven't eaten as much in sweets as usual! I did the candy cane/white chocolate chex and furikake chex...and this time we didn't bake all week..though I had to make several batches of candy cane stuff because whenever I'd come home some elves had eaten either the mix OR all of the peanut M&Ms that I use!!
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Monday, December 20, 2010

Funny story


Doesn't this look like we're nearly ready to go for Christmas morning? Actually, these are all empty boxes wrapped to become table centerpieces for the ward Christmas party. Most of the tree was taken apart to decorate a tree at church. When the dinner was over with, we got to put the tree back together again!!
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A visit to Clear Creek Nursery



textured pot, thrown on the wheel and modified afterwards with a serrated tool.
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Joe Brecha workshop

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clay workshop


Tammy had on those suede motorcycle looking boots that I love of hers (I looked for them...$189 retail). She didn't know what to do and was gonna take them off while working on clay stuff..I suggested the bags and she decided on equal opportunity..Target and WalMart--not matching!
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it's only 3 X 3 not counting the handle


I tried my hand at using a texturing wheel tool and then stretched out the piece. Before it dried all the way, I squared off the round lip..it may dribble if I try to drink out of it!
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another mugshot!

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Luscious and yummy..


After the workshop lecture, it was our turn to hit the wheel and try our hand...today at the unloading of the kiln, the professor said, "is that the mug the teacher made?" And she looked around and asked Karen, "is it yours?" to which Karen replied, "not my handle". When she looked at me I said, "Well actually, it's mine" and received the comment, "very nice".... later when I was examining the piece she took a snapshot of my reaction of being pleased with my work...WOW..that felt really great!!!
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The Lilly's Early Christmas


After months of battling with a dealership, a manufacturer, an attorney and the lemon law (besides the annoying sporadic leaks into the car, sent to the shop multiple times, moldy smell, etc.) they got a settlement and got into a different car...the Buick Traverse...hope this one holds off the water and keeps its charm!
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Friday, December 3, 2010

Finals


These are some pots and jars I made this fall quarter in Ceramics 1. I have a few to clean up and add to the menagarie and will set up in similar matter in class for final grading. Most are wheel thrown though I did the required handbuilt coil and slab pots.
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Sunday, November 28, 2010

We give thanks

charsiu stuffing...
Thanksgiving window decorations
great appetizers and Noe's rolls..just before she eggwashed them and put them in the oven to finish browning
It wasn't the typical Thanksgiving celebration; the snow set me back a few days, our leftover potluck/volleyball activity was celebrated on Black Friday and our actual family feast was on Saturday! Play was great and it took days to recover.
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Friday, November 26, 2010

first snow 2010



WOW! It came with howling winds and uprooted trees and mad traffic! I was able to get home in the Beetle but left the car in the street when I couldn't get into the driveway forward or reversing. I thought something was fishy cuz these cars are supposed to be good in snow, I think, turbo or no turbo. After 3 days of being housebound I read through the entire owner's manual and think it says when driving in snow, turn off the anti-slide switch. A scary thought! So now I'll call my VW guru and pose the question and get some cables for the front wheels. I know this is just the beginning and I don't want to be stranded somewhere.
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like losing a limb



Thought I'd be dead in the water with no lifeline but a local computer store set me up and when I got home with the new tower Brandon showed me how it's done...now I'm trying to find my "old" stuff on one hard drive, and run the new stuff on the new drive. Interesting.
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Coiled


I've made 2 of these coiled "plates" and hope to eat some noodles in them one day! They take about a couple of hours to make. I need to use a glaze that lets the coil patterns show..I like how they look so far, and when I do them again, I'll not make it so deep. As to work on the wheel, I think I can use more clay and do larger pieces. The quarter is nearly over...I mean, I can keep making stuff but they won't make the kiln deadlines after Thanksgiving. I stayed til midnight helping to unload the hot pieces and reload with new pots again!
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up and coming dancer


Noah is hamming it up and likes to shake his bootie too!!
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Making yarn lei


I guess you never know what your child is going to learn to do! Kawika is doing a bunch of these for the girls soccer team he helps coach. Tonight is the awards dinner.
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