small ceramic bowls

I love collecting small bowls.

Here are three that I purchased at the Takaezu Studio open house.

They all nestle easily in cupped hands.

The two larger pieces were made by Bill Baumbach

and the little yellow one by Maxwell Mustardo.

Bill studied with Toshiko and Max is a second year student at Alfred.

How I miss being up to my elbows in clay!

toshiko takaezu

Today I had the great privilege of once again visiting the home

of American ceramicist Toshiko Takaezu (1922-2011)

 I met Toshiko after a lecture event at a local college many years ago.

I'm a very shy person at public events but I knew there may never be another 

opportunity like this so I mustered my courage and walked up to introduced myself, 

telling her what an honor it was to meet her and how much I admired her work.

She smiled, took both of my hands into her own, looked me

straight in the eye and told me I must come and visit her.

That's how I first found out about her open house events.

Toshiko held annual open house events to sell her 

own pieces as well as showcase the work of her current apprentice.

I'm so glad the tradition is being continued by the current owner, Don Fletcher.

The blue orb under the baby grand piano stole my heart...when I rounded

the stairs and came upon that view it took my breath away.

Toshiko kept her loom by that window,

I was told it was donated to Penland after her passing.

It's always been a dream of mine to attend a summer workshop there.

To be able to touch and hold the pieces that are generally 

off limits at any museum was such a treat.

Inside many of her works are small clay balls 

which rattle and sing when the piece is gently shaken.

What an amazing day...

I'll be sure to visit again for their winter event.

swallows, strawberries and a storm

The other day Coco asked "What's in your garden?"

To which I commented "Strawberries!"

So here they are, ready for harvest.

The Barn Swallows are back and building 

their nest below a neighbor's balcony.

They are so quick, that was the best photo I could get.

It's very dark outside, another storm is coming...

dudley farm

the old road to the farm

front bedroom

airing quilts on the back porch

the kitchen house

the garden

corn husk broom

Fred

This is the last of my Florida posts.

Dudley farm was built in 1855 and remains an historic

working farm just outside of Gainesville.

What I love about Dudley is that you must park in a lot

and then walk the old road back to the farm.

That short walk has the power to transport you back in time.

Florida is mostly sand covered as is apparent from the garden photo.

There is a small herd of cattle, a horse, a mule and chickens

that are year round residents.

The kitchen is in a separate building just behind the house,

as Florida summers can be very hot and humid.

I absolutely love the corn husk broom!

Would love to make one of my own.

A quilt in progress hangs on a frame suspended over

the beds in the front bedroom.

Thanks for allowing me to share some of my favorite holiday photos.

Now it's back to making things!

sunset, sunrise

We arrived in St. Augustine in the afternoon.

After dinner I was back out on the beach in time to

catch the spectacular Florida sunset complete with palm trees.

As is tradition, my brother and I were up early and 

on the beach in time to watch the sunrise.

The ocean was quiet with no clouds on the horizon

so the progress of the fiery ball was amazing.

A cheerful dog, barking at the birds in flight, paused to take in the view 

and the sand and water were the color of molten bronze.

I took loads of photos, these are just a few!

marjorie kinnan rawlings home

garden outside the kitchen

typewriter on the front screened porch

peeking through a high and tiny closet window

workshop in the barn

We visited the home of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in Cross Creek.

She is best known for her novel The Yearling about a boy who adopts 

an orphaned fawn and for which she won the Pulitzer Prize in 1939.

Unfortunately the home was not open for tours 

so I had to peek my camera up against window screens!

I like to think the area hasn't changed too much since she lived there.

A few more homes and the paving of the road perhaps,

but it's still considered rural Florida and for that I love it.

flora and fowl

gardenia

pileated woodpecker

black bellied whistling ducks

brown pelican 

in flight

semipalmated sandpiper

gaillardia blanketflower on the beach

I saw many birds and flowers during my trip.

The Gardenia is from a bush in the backyard and smelled heavenly.

I brought home a small bag of blooms and will run a dye bath with them.

Each morning I took my coffee to the back porch and watched
for the neighborhood pair of Pileated Woodpeckers

They are as large as crows with a flaming red crest and a very distinct call.
Un fortunately, I only managed a poor photo of this bird.

The Black Bellied Whistling ducks are not common to Florida,

they are generally found in Central and South America.

What a treat to see these upright ducks and hear their whistling call!

I also heard a Barred Owl in the backyard, spotted a
spectacular Swallow-tailed Kite while on a drive
and watched Osprey circle their nests.

So much to see.
Missing birdsong filled mornings on the porch...

back home

I've just returned from a week long trip to visit with family in Florida.

The gator was about 7 feet long and quite close to the shore of Lake Alice.

I always consider it good luck to see a gator while back home,

like my visits to place a coin in the mouth of the Porcellino

at the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo in Florence, it seems to promise my return.

Awaiting my arrival, alongside a very happy cat. were these two treasured correspondences.

With blanket spread on the floor for a morning picnic I opened each  while drinking my coffee.

I couldn't have asked for a warmer home coming!

Thank you V and X, I have so many of both your beautiful blog posts to catch up on!

Be prepared for the upcoming barrage of holiday photos!

xo, j

beneath the dogwood

pink, green and the clearest blue

new leaves like small wings

on the needles and windowsill

A week of perfect Spring weather lies ahead.

Mid 70's and nothing but blue skies.

Started a portable knitting project in preparation for next week's vacation.

Roasted cauliflower and chickpeas with a mustardy vinaigrette and parsley.

Homemade orange marmalade - nothing but oranges and honey!

The first tomatoes and strawberries on the windowsill.