Road trip

Across Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, finally Indiana--6 states --3 early start sunrises--4 days driving--3 motel nights to arrive at Stephanie's!

Road Trip!!

On our way!  Destination (well, first destination is) Bloomington, Indiana to hang out with Steph and Reynard. Then onto Milwaukee!  What's in Milwaukee you say?  Here's the deal. . .Dear friend Susie is moving to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to be closer to her family--after 20+ years in Tucson. Movers took her household, and we took her to airport to fly "home." 

 Now we are driving her car to Wisconsin rather than shipping it. We get a fun road trip and chance to see our kids -- and see Susie's new home when we deliver her car!

First day east across Arizona and New Mexico to Los Cruses. Stopped for picnic lunch at Texas Canyon. Views across the valley to Chiricahau Mts.

Salt Fire

Two weeks ago 12 potters gathered at Joni Pavarnik's home out in the country for a Salt Fire Workshop. She has a large studio and work space so we all found a spot and began to create. We worked from 10 to 4pm, only stopping for a pot luck lunch. Some were throwing on wheels, others hand building. 

Then as items dried just enough to move, we put them directly into Joni's Salt Kiln. By the end of the day we had it filled.   Each piece had to have some "wadding" on the bottom so it would not stick to kiln shelf. Now the kiln was sealed shut and we wait. Two weeks to be sure every piece is completely dry.

Tonight we gathered again for another Pot Luck. Joni fired up the kiln and when it got up to temperature, the fun began. The addition of the rock salt! Open little "peep holes" into fiery kiln and throw in the salt. Now the kiln is extremely hot, plus the vapors from the sodium silicate gassing off is not pleasant so care must be taken -- but it's pretty interesting process. Next thing is to wait an hour or so and then turn kiln down and let it cool. A chemical reaction happens in the kiln and the items are self glazed. 

It will take a while for this kiln to cool so we have to come back in a few days and see how our pieces turned out. It's all "magic" so no idea what it will look like!! Stay tuned for follow up post to see what I get!

Birthday

Will's birthday "cake" is a lemon meringue pie. His favorite. Well the lemon filling didn't set up and the merangue Linda drooped but it tasted great!

  First we had to go to Culver's to get his free birthday cup of flavor-of-the-day "chocolate decadence" custard (with strawberry topping.) Then free birthday breakfast entray at First Watch and finally a free McDonalds muffin all because he has their Apps on his phone.

Some cards, phone calls, social media messages and video greetings from grandkids finished our the fun day. I still owe him a dinner out. Maybe this weekend!

Another week in Tucson

Drove out to Benson for a day and spent a few fun hours with Denver and Ginny who are Colorado snowbirds.  We have crossed paths over the years thru Washington state family.

Coffee with Irene. First friend weade when we first moved to Tucson some 20 years ago

Sunset walk in desert 

Helped out with the volunteer crew that takes "Faith that Works" mobile shower unit to Casa Maria where they serve the homeless. These people are SO thankful for a chance at a real hot water shower!

Gathering at Carol's house for a farewell luncheon for Susie who is leaving Tucson and moving to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Latest fun project

Ginny and Willis. The 4 of us went out for Jamaican food. All good and we ate a lot!tapped Reynard for suggestions what to order--Oxtail, curry goat, fiesta, fried plantains, jerk chicken-- not to disappoint!!

Empty Bowls

Months of planning and preparation came together today for our "Empty Bowls" event. Highly successful and a great day! 1500 hundred people came out to a fundraiser for our local Food Bank, Interfaith Community Services. We solicited local potters to make handmade pottery bowls which were distributed to each patron who donated to the cause.

Volunteers worked hard to set up and facilitate

Friend Laurie went the extra mile to help. Actually so did Will.

Doc and Sharon Watson

Long time friends Doc and Sharon are in Tucson this week taking a break from winter in Nebraska. So enjoyed hanging out with them, reminiscing, catching up, talking about kids and grandkids, playing cards, seeing some sites and just having a good time.

Day in Tubac and Tumaccacori. This guy made up of all kinds of machine parts.

Hanging out at the Tucson Rodeo.

Took them out to see the poppies blooming one day and the next day we woke up to 3" of snow!

Winter in Tucson

Looked out our window this morning at first light to see snow falling!!

Those are ripe lemons under that snow!

Mt Lemon from end of our street. Still snowing up there at 9000 ft.