Ceramics - other projects

I have already mentioned my first ceramics course before, and here are other projects I worked on during the course.

I love plants, particularly bonsai, so I decided to make some bonsai dishes and other plant pots.

Also a sushi set - soy sauce dispenser and ginger container with a lid and two plates, ... candle holder etc.

I was only learning, so it isn't perfect, but I had lots of fun. I definitely hope to improve my skills in the future.

First project completed

My first project in a new house was to replace the floor in a laundry room. I decided to buy a new washing machine and dryer and didn't want to put it on an old floor, so here is what I did.

By the way, I am so happy with the new machines. There is absolutely no comparison to the old ones. The washing machine uses much less water, is much more efficient and sooooo quiet!!!!!!!!

Before



After

 

 

 

 

I was even able to replace the old floor base shoe molding with the help of this handy tool .... my husband helped to nail it down :-)

 

 

Since then I have moved onto next projects and will report on them next time.

D - DAY WITH "TWO MEN"

Today we are officially moving! It will be a long day and weekend.
We have been using this company for all our moves in the USA and so far have been very happy with them. I hope everything goes well also this time.

 

 

The Morton Arboretum & CSO music

Last week we went to a concert. It was performed by The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and that particular day to salute John Williams - one of the most popular and successful American orchestral composers of the modern age. He is a winner of five Academy awards, seventeen  Grammys, three Golden Globes, two Emmys and five BAFTA awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He is best known for his film and ceremonial music, for such films as Jaws, E.T., Schindler's List, Indiana Jones series, Star Wars trilogy and many others.

The best about it was that it was an open air concert at The Morton Arboretum. It is an outdoor tree museum located about 25 miles west of Chicago in Lisle.
We went with our friends, had a picnic dinner and just enjoyed the evening with music under the stars. It was a wonderful atmosphere and the weather was perfect.

About The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees. Its 1,700 acres hold more than 222,000 live plants representing nearly 4,300 taxa from around the world.

Situated on the rolling Valparaiso moraine and bisected by the East Branch of the DuPage River, The Morton Arboretum is planned and planted to nurture and display trees and shrubs in environments conducive to their growth.

The Arboretum offers extensive educational programming for all ages, conducts leading research on tree health and tree improvement, breeds and introduces hardy and disease-resistant trees and shrubs for distribution throughout the Midwest, and presents nature-related activities year-round for people of all ages and interests.

The Arboretum was founded in 1922 by Morton Salt magnate Joy Morton. Arboretum grounds offer an oasis of magnificently tended trees, 16 miles of hiking trails, 9 miles of roads, and 900 acres of natural areas including the prototypical, restored 100-acre Schulenberg Prairie.

Also on the grounds are the Visitor Center and Plant Clinic, The Arboretum Store, Ginkgo Restaurant and Café, four-acre Children’s Garden, one-acre Maze Garden, an environmentally-friendly parking lot, and a paved walking trail around restored Meadow Lake.

The Arboretum houses the renowned Sterling Morton Library, devoted to the literature and art of botany and horticulture.

Eat your vegetables!

Some time ago I saw this product at Costco and decided to give a try. At that time it was sold loose in this huge bag. Unfortunately, because I happen to love it. I could just sit there and eat the whole bag.

Then I hadn't seen the product for a while and YESTERDAY..., I found another version of the same product. It now comes in a box of 36 packs. I know it is a waste - all that packaging, but to be honest, it is more 'manageable' for me like this. I can resist opening another small bag, but before, when the big bag was already open, it was difficult to stay away. It is really moreish :-)

 

It is called "SNAPEA CRISPS" and I think that one of the reasons I love it so much is that it reminds me a similar Czech product called "Arašídové křupky" (peanut crisps).

Arašídové křupky

 

It claims to be made from 70% whole pea, low in sodium..., so why not indulge once in a while, it is mostly vegetables, right ;-) Well, in this case a legume.  



 

Ceramics... for birds

I have been busy with preparing everything for our move, actually started to move small items in a car, and came across a box with a label 'bird feeders'.

Some time ago I took my very first ceramics class and among other things made this bird feeder for my husband's birthday. He loves birds, and so do I, but unfortunately it hasn't found it's way in a garden yet. Since then we have been moving and it was buried in a box.

Now, since we have just bought a house, I hope it will be hanging in a tree soon, we just have to plant some first :-)

I would like to carry on with ceramics in the future as I really enjoy working with clay.

Lucky number 13 ?!

It was the 13th of June 2013 yesterday and it was a lucky day for me and my husband.

We purchased a house!   

It has been quite a journey, but the search is finally over. All we have to do now is to move (once again) and settle. There are many things to do, but we look forward to it.