Holiday

Last Christmas party of the year--a fun bunch of potters got together for pot luck lunch and the big event of the year--a secret pot exchange!!  Great fun. 

Celebrated New Years with a trip to the movies to see, "Song, Sung Blue."

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson--its a love story, it's nostalgia, great music, I laughed and I cried--highly recommend it!  

Lazy, Perfect Christmas

Just hiking, birding, Jeep drives in the countryside, streamed St Andrews Christmas Service, Mexican breakfast in Nogales, packed lunch and rented pontoon and spent afternoon on the lake, lots of naps, watched the classic, "It's a Wonderful Life, . . .enjoyed it all.

Watched the clouds fade away to reveal a binocular view of Observatory on Mt Whipple.

Christmas in the RV

We are spending a quiet Christmas by ourselves this year so decided to take the RV out and spend 4 days at Patagonia State Park south of Tucson. Nice lake, nice hiking, birding, just relaxing a whole lot and enjoying southern Arizona?

Gates Pass sunset

Took a drive this evening out into the desert just to get out and maybe catch a sunset at Gates Pass. Was grand and so good for the Soul to soak in the winter desert landscape.

mountains backlit from the sunset. Saguaros growing all the way to the top! Quite the forest.

Opening my kiln!

I've been working on a batch of bowls for the up coming Empty Bowls event in March. The "kiln gods" were happy and they came out nice.

However--I had the shock of my potter's career last week when I opened my kiln to find a huge "Lava flow" in the bottom my kiln!! One big bowl absolutely melted, running into everything on the shelf and destroying everything, even the shelf itself!!

It was a bowl I had for a long time that I didn't actually like. My idea was to reglaze it with a more appealing glaze--normally not a problem, I reglaze things all the time!!  I actually don't remember where I got the bowl, or when I originally made it!!

    Obviously it was low-fire clay and I can not for the life of me remember where it came from!! I DO NOT use low-fire clay, do not have any in my studio!! I only fire at high temp (cone 5/6). So now you know what happens when you fire "low fire clay" at too hot temp!  It does not do well!! There is no getting it off of pieces it melts onto or even off the shelf. Everything straight to trash!!

An Arizona Christmas!

Cheistmas in the Southwest! Our version of Christmas tree. A visit to a Christmas lighting at a local park/garden.

Coming home!

On the road at before sunrise!

3 day drive back to Tucson.  Didn't waste a lot of time, ready to be home. First day to west of Oklahoma City and next day we just got going really early and keep going--roads, were clear, sunshine, warming temperatures, a good audio book-- pretty soon we had gone 600 miles to Las Cruces, NM. Easy drive to Tucson. Home by noon.

Now, the unpacking and back into life in Tucson!

migrating geese across Texas.

Last rest stop at Texas Canyon. Strange rock formation always intriguing!

Wonderful DeBoer Sibs gathering in Branson!

Christmas Lights in Silver Dollar City

Sight and Sound Theater to see spectacular production of "David"

Christmas show aboard the "Branson Bell" Breakfast cruise on Table Rock Lake

Saw a grand variety of shows, shopped, checked out the sites of Branson but best time was the hours around the table just sharing memories, laughs, and talking up our kids and grandkids! Precious and memorable time together. This family is amazing!!

Brothers cooking breakfast!

We even found a Pizza Ranch!

Ready to Christmas!!

Making the most of cold days in St Louis

We went back to Gateway Arch NP this morning to take another look at the history museum there that we only skimmed yesterday. It is so well done, history of St Louis but history of the Louisiana Purchase, of westward expansion, the railroad and so much more. Was especially interesting that they also documented the negatives of this "Manifest Destiny.". Well done. Got inside the old Courthouse for a look.

Thats a reflection of the historic Courthouse in a modern building.

      The most amazing visit was to see the Cathedral Basilica of St Louis! Arguably the most incredible spectacle--every inch is decorated with Byzantine mosaics. It takes your breath away.

Then a couple hours at the St Louis Aquarium. Another well done, fun attraction

Back to hotel for a nap and soak in hot tub. 

Dinner and back out across the bridge over Mississippi River, to East St Louis to a drive-thru Christmas lights display. Also very fun as you were given directions to turn to particular radio station in your car and the lights blinked and danced in time with the music.

And a nighttime view of Arch returning to hotel.