Kitchen Elf

Guido.  Kitchen elf extraordinaire.

It's 1:45 am Christmas eve, and I've just finished cleaning the kitchen.  We have our big turkey dinner the day before Christmas... a tradition I started about 23 years ago in order to share a relaxing day with the family opening presents and eating leftovers on Christmas day.  


Tonight I made the stuffing and a creamy crab soup. I used my favorite Karen Davis wooden spoons and a variety of lovely handmade ceramic bowls (ok, except for that blue plastic one in the photo.  It's the biggest bowl I have.)  These handmade items I use everyday... they're like friends.  I love that they don't match and that each one reminds me of where I bought it.  Maybe I was able to meet the potter.  Maybe the artist is a friend... someone I admire.  Maybe it's one of mine. They all make working in the kitchen pure joy!  


And then there's Guido.  Tonight he came in as I finished washing dishes, and he popped into the sink (he only likes a clean sink, thank you very much.)  There he kept me company... the picture of serenity.  Life is good.

Wishing you joy and peace

Having my daughter, Kelsey, at home makes it an especially
bright and colorful Christmas this year.  When Tyler, my son and his wife, JP,
arrive it will be even brighter!  (Thanks Kelsey, for the great photos!)

We decided the front door needed some light and holiday cheer.
I love it... especially that 'close encounters' look about it!

Fortunately the cats have no interest in the tree
other than playing hide n seek in the fabric underneath it.

It's a gorgeous day, and I'm surrounded by bright sunshine streaming in the windows, 3 sleeping cats, all the colors that I love... and Earl da dog snoring behind the couch.  I'm supposed to be wrapping gifts and doing some emergency on-line shopping... but it's soothing and sleepy sitting in the sun.  It's the first year I can remember where I'm not done shopping yet, but I'm not freaked out about it.  I'm sure it will get done.  very nice!   

Hoping you have a lovely holiday filled with love, joy and peace...

and less freaking out.

T'was the night before Foothills...

This small, lil' bitty kitty box waits at Foothills.


Well, it's been a wild week!  
One sale down and another starts tomorrow.  
I haven't even had a chance to download any pix!

The Terra Madre Holiday Sale was a great success
not to mention terrific fun, and I hope to get some photos up soon.
Thank you to all my friends and students for coming by!!

Tomorrow is the first day of the Foothills Craft Guild's Show.
Fabulous daughter, Kelsey, helped me to set up the booth.  Special thanks
to my dear friend, Judie Beck, for trusting me with her suburban for 
the weekend.  heh heh heh.
And now I'm off... time to rubber stamp more shopping bags...

If you're local... the show is at the Jacob's Building at Chilhowee Park next to the zoo.
Tomorrow and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm * Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.
Come by booth 11 and give me a hug.

Friday hours correction!

Friday nite we'll be there from 5:30 to 9 pm not 8 pm.

Come see our fab collection of pottery and enjoy 

some refreshments while you shop!

Madly prepping for the shows...

glazing

unloading the kiln



Preparations continue for the
Terra Madre Holiday Show and Sale, and I think I'm in pretty good shape! I'm really excited to see what the other Madres bring.
Oh yes.
I'll be shopping too.
Join us Friday nite for wine and goodies at the opening reception.
More shopping on Saturday!
(see details in the previous post)

I still have to carve a few square plates for the
Foothills Craft Guild Show and Sale.
And naturally there are a couple booth details to work out yet.
But I'm pleasantly surprised ~ and a little puzzled~ that I haven't
started freaking out yet.  Kinda nice.  really. 
The Foothills Show is Nov 18-20, Chilhowee Park, Knoxville.
I'll post more details soon!
If you're in the area I hope you'll come by!

Terra Madres Holiday Sale

Our Holiday Show and Sale!
Reception Friday Nov 11 * 5:30-8:00 pm
Sale Continues Saturday Nov 12 * 9:00 am-4:00 pm
6512 Deane Hill Drive * Knoxville TN
at the offices of The Lewis Group Architects


Late last year I was honored with an invitation to join an
incredible group of local women potters known as
TERRA MADRE.
It's a fabulous collection of talented, dedicated and generous artists,
and I am so excited by the energy whenever we get together.

I hope you'll come by our show... say hello, and get a jump on some
unique gifts for the holidays! 

How can it be November?!

Very disturbing to see that I haven't posted since August!  sigh.  

Thanks to a hot water leak in the crawl space under the kitchen/dining and laundry rooms things were a tad hectic here.  Not to mention 

the 'disturbance' to the studio downstairs.  

Welcome to Cafe Guido.... where everything that was once in the kitchen and dining room
has moved into the garage or here in the living room.  It was actually pretty
convenient having the fridge in here.  And we dined on the couch
under the tree with its lil' bitty white lights.

Before and After
A happy place once again.

Now back to the madness of prepping for 2 shows coming up
in the next 2 weeks...