Pottery Sales -The Farn Fresh and Homemade Huntsville Market

Day 13 and 14

Once again I forgot to blog my thankfulness yesterday.  I had my nose stuck in a book - To See Your Face Again by Eugenia Price, I series I recommend. When I get a good book lots gets forgotten. Thankful for the ability to read.  I used to have a partial dyslexia so reading took a long time.  Compound words were backwards.  God healed this in me and the lines no longer moved on the page.  Also the print is black and white instead of a greyish color.

Yesterday, Friday, we came home from the cottage.  I mailed out two Etsy orders and we loaded the truck up for the Huntsville Farmers Market.  I am grateful for the gift of art and pottery God gave me and for all the sales I have had over the years.

We had a good time at the market today, Saturday.  It is from 9 am to 1 pm.  This morning I sold a large pitcher, the green one I showed a few days ago, a medium vase and a French butter crock to a lady before 9 am.  Today was the best sales of the summer.  I wasn't sure how labour day weekend would be as cottagers sometimes stay home to get ready for school and work. 

Thankful again for the pottery sales and all the compliments I get. I stamp my initials on the bottom of my pieces, but have problems stamping the hand made pitchers and toothbrush holders.  A gentleman suggested I stamp all  my pottery as it could be collectable one day.  That is encouraging, maybe prophetic.

Here is a photo of  a blue and white toothbrush holder, sold on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/187430918/toothbrush-holder-navy-blue-pottery?ref=shop_home_active_1

I am also thankful that the rain forecast for today held off until dinner time.  It is no fun selling outside in the rain and packing up in the rain. 

Tomorrow we will be heading out of town to a wedding, therefore I won't be blogging until Monday, hopefully.  My daughter and granddaughter will be staying with us this week.  Our daughter is working in the area so we get to babysit our 18 month old granddaughter.

Motorcycling, Canoeing and Swimming

Day 12

In 1975 I met my husband.  Our first date was a motorcycle trial.  It was in the next farm around the corner from us. I drove there in my father's pickup truck.  Dave got someone to drive him and his two Bultaco motorcycles, as his car was in painting mode. That afternoon Dave took me on the back of his 325 Bultaco  through the bush around to the trials sections. At the end of the trial he asked me how I got there. I pointed to the pickup truck. His eyes lit up. He showed me where the gas and the brake, maybe the clutch too, was on one of his bikes and asked me to drive it to the truck.  I almost ran it into my dad's truck. He loaded the bikes up in the truck.  After a swim in our pool and supper at McDonald's I drove him home.

This was my introduction to motorcycle trials. Before the children came along I rode a few trials.  On and off I have ridden a trials bike on the trails and over small rocks.  The past few years I have not had a bike to ride. Now I have a TY 175.  This morning we went for a ride down our cottage roads and across the rocks.  I am thankful I didn't fall and I became a bit more comfortable riding. I did have fun, despite being nervous at first.

Another busy summer has almost ended. This year our canoe has sat untouched. The sun shone and wind was breezy. We put the canoe in the water and went for a paddle down river and into a swamp. Many baby snapping and painted turtles we basking in the sun on rocks and fallen logs. One can't help but enjoy the peace and beauty of this country while paddling in a canoe.  I am thankful for it all.

Despite the cool breeze the warm river was pleasant enough for a swim.  This might be the last swim for the season. I am thankful that my parents had a love for the water which they passed on to me. 

Cottage Time And Toilets

Day 11

Yesterday morning I told you about my thankful weekend.  I should have blogged last night for the yesterday.  I totally forgot.  I am reading novels by Eugenia Price. She researched and wrote novels about people who lived in Georgia and Florida during the growth and development of USA. History has always intrigued me.  It would have interested me more in school if the studies centered on what happened instead of trying to remember the dates.  The lives of people and their towns are far more interesting to me than when they lived, that is ancient history.

I get swept away by Eugenia Price's novels and I forgot to blog yesterday. I am thankful to writers who know how to tell a good tale of fictional or fiction based on truth.

Dave and I went to the cottage to get some R&R.  At home there are many things to keep me busy and sometimes worn out.  At the cottage I watch the river flow by.  The summer season is winding down and cottagers are getting ready for September.  It is quiet and peaceful.  A kayak, a tour boat and a few people fishing is all we have seen today. I never stop being thankful for this peace of heaven on earth, a cabin in the woods, inherited by my husband.

Yesterday and today I had a bit of diarrhea and it made me thankful for indoor plumbing. I had a choice today. I could be thankful for the indoor plumbing or I could complain about not being well. In all things there is a negative and a positive. Maybe it is easier for me to be thankful for our indoor plumbing. Up until 1999 we only had cold running water and and emergency indoor toilet. Up the hill to the outhouse I might have had to go.

What did we do without Google?  As I was thankful for the toilet I began to wonder how long have they been around. A long time. A toilet was discovered in the tomb of a Chinese king of the Western Han Dynasty that dates back to 206 BC to 24 AD, yet up until 1840 only the wealthy had toilets.  Did this ancient toilet go to sewers?  The Roman's built outhouses over the Tiber River, and people think we invented pollution.  I would want to be living upstream from the Romans.

Enough toilet talk. 

God has done a miraculous healing in my spirit, soul and body.  Upon His prodding I am writing it out.  Today in relaxing mode I  finished, first draft, of chapter one.  It is about my birth.  My healing obviously didn't start at birth.  How beautiful would that be if God healed every thing as it happened. That would lead to soft complacent people. We need a few knocks in life to be thankful for a good life. God did heal what happened to me at birth as is effected my life, which intertwines together.  One day you might be able to read my testimony. Once again I am thankful God is in my life and Jesus died on the cross for me.

I am thankful we have internet at the cottage and a computer to write this blog.

On another topic of being thankful - on the weekend while seeing many people I noticed some worried, others were afraid of small things while others laughed and had fun.  We all have past, but we all choose how to live out our lives.

Once again as I sit and ponder my day there is much to be thankful for and little to grumble about.

Ormstown Off Road Vintage Motorcycle Rally

Day 7, 8, 9, 10

This weekend Dave and I went to the annual vintage motorcycle rally. 

When a friend invites you to camp in their large trailer, the sun shines and no one got injured it is easy to be thankful.

We became better acquainted with new friends and old ones too.  I am thankful for all my friends.

Dave in back before the bike quit

Dave doing the trials school

I am thankful for my husband who rides trials motorcycles and now vintage hare scrambles.  This hobby takes us to many places and life is not boring.  Occasionally it would be nice to slow down. That is what winter is for.

I am thankful that when Dave's hare scramble IT quit on him, 3 KM in the bush, he did not have a heart attack pushing it out.

I am thankful the place we were at has a swimming pool to cool off in. I am grateful for friends who invited us to camp in their trailer. Normally we camp in our motorcycle trailer and cook outside.

On the way home on HWY 401 just after Bellville the traffic was crawling.  I am thankful we were able to take an exit and get on concession roads.  With the GPS  and our sense of direction we got home.  Thankful for Facebook when a friend took a picture of the burning car on the highway, the cause of the accident.  Internet has kept us informed.  I didn't have to know why the traffic was backed up, but it is nice to know.

All ages can learn in Mick's school

I am thankful that important people like Mick Andrews aren't too proud to come teach motorcycle trials.

As I mentioned in the beginning this was a easy to be thankful for weekend. 

Rain Held Off

Day 6

The weather was calling for rain today. Nothing new since it has rained every Tuesday and Wednesday since June, and for the first time it didn't rain yesterday, Tuesday.

Normally I wouldn't mind the rain.  I would do something inside.  Today I  had to dig up the roots of my ornamental grasses for a friend, I'll see her husband tomorrow.  I had visions of digging them out wearing my rain gear.  The rain stopped before we got out of bed and didn't come back until after supper. I had them out before breakfast.  These grasses are taller than I am, a great backdrop or for a statement corner.

Not only did I get the grasses dug up, I also put fertilizer on my back lawn and the rain washed it in. Thank you for the rain holding off.

A camping trip is in the plan for the weekend, at a motorcycle rally.  Lots of packing needed to be done.  David and I have packed and loaded the truck and trailer.

I am thankful God has given me a gift of organization and taught me to slow down.  I used to run halter-skelter when I had many things to do.  I would jump from packing in the bedroom then remember something I needed from the basement.  In the middle of my packing I'd run down stairs to get it. While downstairs I'd remember something to be done in the kitchen. To the kitchen I would go.  This was a waste of time as my time was spent running from room to room.

Today the food was packed, then the clothes.  I even had time to go for bicycle ride.

On day two I included a photo of my pitchers.  The first photos were taken inside which caused the color to be off.  These photos are the true color.  I make other colors of these too.

New Friends

Day 5

Once again I was too busy to blog last night.

Thankful that I have a musical pastor who likes to have concerts.  Last night we saw The Wiebes  perform at our church.  Their daughter sang a song too. https://www.facebook.com/thewiebes?fref=photo

I am thankful for new friends.  We have talked to Heather and John and church many times and they suggested after the concert we go to McDonald's.  We had a lovely visit and realized we have similar likes.  As a Christian I don't have to look for friends because God will put those like minded people in my path.

I am thankful we had another sunny day and I could get more weeding done in the flower bed and go for bicycle ride.

For the Sun and Warmth

Day 4

We have had a rainy summer.  Most of the rain has fallen during the week. Last week it seemed like the rain would not end.

I like to hang my  laundry on the clothes line.  You can't beat natures fresh air no matter what the commercials selling chemical freshness tell you. Last week the rain kept falling and the laundry kept growing. It  spilled out of the basket on to the floor burying the laundry room/ mud room  floor along with our shoes. The dresser drawers were getting lower, so low I was forced to wash one load and dry it in the dryer.

Today there was not a cloud in the sky all day, a rarity this summer.  I am thankful I got my laundry washed and dried on the line. 

Normally our grass is burnt brown by now. Not this year.  As the rain pours down the grass grows up.  When the sun comes out and dries up the lawn there is no time to fiddle around. The lawnmower must come out before the grass becomes a hayfield.  Today the sun came and the grass is cut, neat and tidy for another week.

I even got some time to ride my Yamaha TY trials bike around the lawn, between some tree stumps.  We are going to a vintage motorcycle rally this weekend where I can putt around on my motorcycle.  Putting around is all I do because that is all I like to do on trials motorcycle.

I am thankful that I was even able to get a few weeds out of my front flower bed.  The rain has been breading mosquitoes, which ate me every time I worked in the garden. Hiding in the house was a better option. As the theme of this blog continues the rain came down and the weeds grew up.

Today I am thankful for the warmth and sun allowing my to putter outside and get some work done.

I am also thankful for the peace a day like today brings.

Our Church

Day Three

It is Monday morning. I was suppose to write my thankful blog last night.  As I said there might be times in my life where I will not be able to write.  Last night was one of those times because we went to Peter's Players in Gravenhurst to see a Pat Travers play. Pete has concerts in his back yard studio which houses about 75 to 100 people on bleachers.  http://www.petersplayers.com/

Loud rock music is not my favorite, but with ear plugs I was thankful we can afford to go to these shows once in a while and watch talented musicians.   I am also thankful for people like Pete who put on shows like this.  He always has an opening act and last night it was two men from Collingwood.  They were really good. Unfortunately I can't remember their names.

Of course yesterday was Sunday and we started the day going to church.  Four Sundays during the summer we haul out everything from a canopy, musical instruments and chairs for an outdoor service.  Being among God's creation some how makes it more peaceful and relaxing to worship God, which is what we did.  The service Pastor Steve put on was all about worshiping God.   I am thankful for the good church and our pastor who follows God, not religion.

God also gave me a word to speak to the church. It is easier to give the word in church where the wind doesn't carry your voice away. Normally when I get a word I stay in my seat.  I felt the need to go to the front, out of my comfort zone, to say this word.  It was "who do you worship God or religion?" I am thankful that God will even use me a, sinful person, to bring a word to the church.

There are many things to be thankful for.  One more thanks.

 I finished putting the last of the gold on my granddaughters China tea set I have been making for her.  I started this set 9 months ago.

Hope's tea set

I hope it turned out in the kiln. I won't take them out until tomorrow. Here is a picture of the first batch from the kiln, fired a month ago.

Pottery Sales

Being Thankful

Day Two

Today I sold my pottery at the 100K Farm, Fresh and Homemade Market in Huntsville.

I signed up for the season, June 15 to Oct 12.  I knew I would not be able to make every Saturday morning. Going with Dave to his motorcycle events and summer in general I'd miss a few. On the civic holiday Saturday I sold at the Windermere Garden Center's craft show and flea market instead.  Last year was my first year in this 5 year old craft show.  With the down turn in the economy and a hot day my sales were almost the same as last year, pretty good.  We have seen a lot of rainy days this summer so I don't blame the cottagers for staying on their dock instead of coming to the market.

This Saturday was the fifth time I have been able to attend at the 100K Market. The weather was cool and rainy, something to be thankful for. You might wonder why I would be thankful for another cool wet day in August.  As I mentioned in the previous paragraph hot weather keeps the cottagers away.  Today they were out in their rain gear and fancy umbrella's of all colors and designs.  It would have been interesting to see this sea of color from above. 

Every Saturday I have sold at least a couple of items. Today I had the best sales of the season - two of my pitchers and a flower vase along with a few small items. This is a picture of my pitcher.  The color is not as dark green as it should be, because I took it in the evening inside.  Natural light shows a truer color.  All my pitchers are this shape with a variety of glazes on them.   I am thankful for all the sales I have gotten, today and always.  God has blessed me with an amazing gift of making pottery and decorating it.  My mind swirls with ideas, too numerous to do.  Never a lack of creating.

Not only was I blessed with sales, but I also had a friend who has slowed down in making pottery, due to health and age.  A couple of years ago she gave me several buckets of her recycled clay.  I have gotten through half of them.  She is moving to her daughter's down south on Wednesday and only wants to take some of her old clay with her.  She blessed me with old clay and her glazes today.  Dave kept hauling bags and buckets out to the truck until it was full.  I have enough clay for a year or maybe more.  The pottery supply places won't be seeing much of me for a while.

With the sales today and the clay God has blessed me in my calling.

Much to be thankful for today.

Thankful for Jesus, Healing and Hospitalty

It takes 40 days to make or break a habit.

I hear people complaining more than I like to, even me.  I want to blog about something I am thankful for every day for one year.  There will be times I will not have access to the internet or my computer, those days I will be thankful that I am probably traveling. Hopefully in 40 days I'll be thankful enough that I won't notice the negative, for there is negative and positive in everything. We have a choice to see the negative or the positive.

Day One

I am thankful that as a child I accepted Jesus and as an adult I began to follow him. Without Jesus in my life my family might not be Christians and I wouldn't be who I am. 

I am thankful that Jesus has healed my insecurity so I am no longer afraid of people.  Today I am thankful we were able to drive in the truck to Barrie to get some shopping done and meet our new motorcycle distributor.  I am thankful for my gift of hospitality which helped me to be comfortable with Steve and Anett.