I will refrain from commenting on how fast the past year seemed to go, as that appears to be the pace of life. In December I wrapped up my first pottery class, bringing home nine completed pots. Everyone in my class commented on how productive I was, but you know me - have to get my money's worth! My goal was to learn and practice as much as possible, with little expectations for the finished products. My vessels just ended up how they did. They are all fairly small and I plan to give most of them away. I have already signed up for and started my next class, which is completely student-led. There are students of all levels, so everyone picks their own projects and asks for help when they need it. I'm working on some mugs now and hope to make some larger items that can be actually used in kitchen. Then I'll have to take a break until next fall, as flower season is upon us.
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Another Year Ends
I also finished another pair of shortie socks. I almost always have a sock on the go because they are so portable and the project fits so comfortably in my hands. I've gone beyond the point of needing any new socks. However, I will continue to make them because I love the process. I did make a slight mistake when I neglected to change the toe color on one of the socks, but I don't care at all, and it's very likely the toes will never even be seen, tucked inside my shoes.
We had our first snow in December, the first in over 18 months! It didn't last long, but the kids were excited to finally have enough to play in. As an adult, I am well experienced in the annoyances that snow can bring, like shoveling and cancelled school. The transformation to the brown landscape is worth it though, right? It makes winter seem like a destination rather than something to get through on our way to spring. Despite predictions of a snowy winter by all the local weather forecasters, I am doubtful we'll ever go back to consistently snowy times.
While waiting for a kid attending a birthday party, I unexpectedly came across this bookstore overflowing with character. Once I started browsing, I quickly found it overwhelming, but it was still fun to search for treasures. In the end, I didn't find anything special enough to be worth buying.
Christmas happened - this was the first year that the kids were old enough not to receive any oversize plastic gifts, and I was overjoyed. There were many craft kits gifted which I am hoping will at least last a month.
After Christmas we headed to my parents' house in Virginia. I always enjoy walking in their neighborhood, which includes a lake and a marina with a marshy feel, heading out to the river, the bay, and eventually the sea. At some point I need to figure out a way to get my hands on a kayak!
I have been seeing dehydrated citrus decorations all over the internet for a few years, and I finally tried it. And, I probably will not again - it took TEN HOURS to dry the oranges in the oven. They turned out brownish in the end because I kept turning up the heat in an attempt to speed up the process. I made a garland with some dried strawflowers and am happy with how it turned out. If anyone knows a better way to try oranges, let me know!
I love the feeling of a new year and the opportunity for a reset. In the past I would have been thinking about my accomplishments from the past year and figuring out a way to be the most productive and efficient going forward, but my mindset is shifting. I don't have any goals for the year, other than to keep doing the things I enjoy. It seems that many of my fellow bloggers are doing the same thing!
I don't have any goals or schedules in mind for this blog, so I'll just be posting as the whim strikes. More and more I find myself wanting to experience my life instead of writing about it. I do want to share the beauty I can capture, so be assured there will be a deluge of flower pictures as usual.
Happy New Year to you all!
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That bookstore reminds me of a Winners or that type of store: great if you have massive amounts of time to sift through things, but maybe not great if you are on a time budget? Or maybe that's just what it looks like to me!
ReplyDeleteYou did so great on that pottery! It all looks so lovely.
I'm glad you got snow. After years of having snow October-May, it was strange to me to be here and have RAIN in January! But now it's snowed and it turns out, I love it when it is limited to only a short amount of time! We are having a cold snap, which to my Calgary body feels like a "cold snap" if you know what I'm saying.
It's nice when snow is a novelty; I can imagine that it would get old real fast if you were dealing with it 6 months out of the year! You are a cold pro!
DeleteThat pottery does look lovely. What a super useful skill to have!
ReplyDeleteWe had two winter storms back-to-back, so we are literally knee-deep in snow right now. I would definitely prefer your dusting!
Knee-deep snow does not sound fun to shovel. Shoveling always seemed like a thankless task to me because snow is not permanent, and eventually it just disappeared. It's like you do all that work for nothing!
DeleteI have wanted to try a citrus garland too and thought 2024 might be the year, but I think my patience would wane after 2ish hours...so 10 hours sounds like too much for me!!! That said, it is GORGEOUS, so maybe I will try??
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of your kids playing with the gifts in front of the tree. What a peaceful and happy little vignette of your Christmas <3
The most annoying part of drying the oranges is that I didn't think it would take that long, so I started later in the day. Then I had to take a break overnight and start again the next day! I was just resentful of running the oven for so long.
DeleteYour pottery is amazing - good job you! And I love your shorties; they are perfect year round! I'm glad your Christmas season went smoothly and wasn't too stressful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We didn't have a ton going on in December this year which was nice - I definitely plan to make that a priority in coming years.
DeleteYour pots turned out really well, I love the colours. Good luck with the mugs.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing your flowers and book posts.
Thank you! Pottery glazes are so pretty and shiny, it is a lot of fun to play with them.
DeleteLook at those gorgeous little pots! Well done, Sarah. (Love the color scheme). And your socks are lovely too, I think the color "mistake" makes them more special. Your book reviews are much appreciated. (I was distressed to read a few posts back that Goodreads is connected to the evil empire of Amazon.) I borrowed a neighbor's dehydrator last year to make dried orange slices. It runs a long time, overnight as I recall, but I think on a lower wattage than a stove. As I type here in Vermont we are getting another snowstorm. I love it. I have a friend who said she thought Mother Nature is making up for a "brown December" with this "white January". The seasons sure are getting wonky! Sending best wishes to you and yours, friend. KLR
ReplyDeleteI have now fully switched to StoryGraph from Goodreads, and I love it! Also disheartening to hear that one used book seller, AbeBooks, that I have used frequently is ALSO owned by Amazon! It's impossible to get away. We had another snow this week with even more expected in a few days. It's nice to look at, but school keeps being cancelled.
DeleteYes, AbeBooks was a big disappointment to me too. I have had good experiences with Better World Books. They have multiple bottom lines, which I appreciate. Website here: https://www.betterworldbooks.com
DeleteWe all go through seasons with writing in our little homes on the internet. BTW-I've found a good way not to get overwhelmed in a book store is to always have a book you are searching for-a special edition of your favorite children's book, an out of print book, etc. That way, you always have a mission. I do the same in vintage stores-always keeping an eye out for some Corningware bowls.
ReplyDelete