Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Week Into 2011

We started the year with a new mailbox to replace the battered, burnt, knocked-down old one. We wouldn't want to miss any of your cards or letters. In this age of instant electronic communication, I am trying to keep the dying art of handwritten notes and cards alive.
Sunday afternoon son Stephan, DIL Karen, and a couple of friends (mother and son) came over to watch the Colts game with us. After the win we enjoyed waffles and blueberries with real whipped cream.


Today, even as I write, the same crowd (minus Stephan who is in W Virginia at an ice carving competition) is gathered after another Colt's game. This time we mourn their loss. It is late, bitterly cold out, our guests and their dogs have come prepared to spend the night.

Karen and Mike watching the game
Gina and David

Only two days ago we were at Gina's house celebrating Three Kings' Day. She loves this Hispanic tradition and invites friends every year. This was our first time. We contributed a Rosca de Reyes (3 Kings Cake Ring) which I bought at the Mexican store.


I assumed that it came with the little baby figurine already inside as per the tradition explained here. But, alas, when everyone had cut into the cake to the very last piece, there was no Baby Jesus, to the disappointment of the children present. However, they did enjoy breaking a piƱata outdoors in 20 degree weather.
Gina is the friend who learned pottery skills from Mike. Every time they are together they talk about all their latest discoveries and accomplishments.
Last year Gina hired our son Sam, the custom woodworker, to convert a small dark room into a charming bright studio with big windows on two sides. It was fun to see both his craftsmanship and her clay creations, such as these two ornaments.

 


This week I was wanting a matching centerpiece for the dining room table, almost the first thing you see when you enter the house. Then I remembered that downstairs, in my own house, I have a whole store of Klaytivity pieces to choose from. For now, this bowl.


Mike took many samples to the Red Barn this week for the opening of the Pottery room.


He has been very occupied setting it up and quite preoccupied wondering how to go about teaching the 20+ kids who have signed up, and managing the hour and half sessions three days a week with only three wheels and fewer mentors.


Add to that, FIRST robotics build season began today and will take up the other three days he's committed to. This morning we went to the Kick Off simulcast at Ball State--the unveiling of the game in its 20th season--Logomotion.

Lead mentor, Mike, explaining the rules and strategies
  Realizing that busy days lie ahead, we used Diane's gift card Thursday to see "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", in 3D.


14 comments:

  1. Loved seeing your week in photos! You guys sure do pack a lot into seven days :)

    Gina's ornaments are darling! Enjoyed seeing some of Mike's work displayed at the Red Barn too. My piece proudly takes center stage on the bookshelf in the living room :) I need to take a photo and include that in P365!

    Waffles -- YUM!

    How'd you like the movie? We really enjoyed seeing it with Alan, Sharon and family :)

    Have a great week!

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  2. That kings cake is just like the mardi gras tradition. I love the ornaments that Gina made...mike taught her well!

    So are you snowed in? South bend got dumped on!

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  3. Wow what talented people you have in your life, gorgeous works of art!! My kids love pottery and even my 15 year old had fun learning how to throw, I am sure his classes will be a big success!!

    Have a great week.

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  4. ya'll always have so much fun @ your house...would love to come learn pottery!!

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  5. I loved the pottery pieces. I have always wanted to learn how to do that but there is nowhere around here to learn. There is a guy who does it...but he won't teach it. Your week looked busy but packed full of fun.

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  6. It looks like a great week! I love the pottery room.

    Mimi

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  7. Can't wait to hear how the classes go.

    The ornaments were beautiful!

    I love when family and friends stay the night.

    I've never had whipped cream on waffles, but they look delicious!

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  8. I want the penguin I want the penguin! Wait, did I just regress to three years old? Heh.

    We used to get a king cake every year at the office, but I guess the client is cutting costs now. I was always afraid of biting into Jesus :)

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  9. You had me at waffles with blueberries and whipped cream I could no longer concentrate on any other pictures....



    Oh my stars that look too good!

    Blessings
    R

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  10. A pottery shop!?!? I love it!!!

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  11. Thanks for letting us spend the night. (: It was fun.

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  12. Waffles look so good! Whipped cream, yum. :-)

    The Colts did better than I expected this season with so many out with injuries. Hope next season the players stay healthy.

    Is the Rosca de Reyes cake a white cake with decorating ont he top? It looks very interesting. You would think a cake from a Mexican store would have had the baby.

    Now I see the pottery barn you talked about. Very nice!

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  13. Cotehele: The Rosca de Reyes is more of a sweet bread than cake.

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  14. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and for leaving me a comment. I'm glad that you have decided to share in the 52 Weeks, 52 Letters Project! I think it will be a very rewarding project!

    Your waffles with blueberries and whip cream look amazing!

    Please....stop back by my blog again soon!

    MiMi

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