I love the ZOO!!

I don't know how many people know this about me but, I love the Zoo, and I mean any and all Zoo's.  Hogle Zoo is the official zoo in utah.  I am a home grown Utahan I've lived within 300 miles of where I was born my hole life, but the first time I went to our local zoo was with my husband 2 years ago.  Hogle zoo isn't a very big zoo, you can speed walk the entire zoo in about 15 min. but for me this is at least a half day event, sometimes more.  Like this weekend for example.  On August 10 there was a baby elephant born at the zoo, it went on exhibition friday Sept 11.  It has been on my calendar since they announced the day the baby would go on exhibit.  My husband and I weren't able to go up on opening day, but we made it up to see Zuri this weekend.  When in your life do you get to see a month old baby elephant?  I was worse than all the little kids.  I worked my way around to the front of the exhibit where the stadium seating is, and parked it.  The baby elephant is soooo cute.  It must be baby season at the zoo because there was also a baby giraffe and three baby tigers.  I had so much fun spending the day with my hubby.

Favorite Mugs

O my goodness, I love these mugs.  I should have waited for the professional pictures to post, but I just couldn't stand it.  I had to show you.  I took these out of a hot kiln last saturday at 6:00 in the morning.  I couldn't wait! I was supposed to be at my mom's house where we were all going to car pool up to Swiss Days.  Instead, I was picking through a hot kiln shaking with excitement at the new arrivals.  This is why I do this folks . . . it's all about Christmas for me.  I grabbed as many mugs as I could carry, and was off to my mom's house where they were ready to send out a search party.  I've been staring at them for a week now and still love them.  (sidebar) I met the nicest folks from Idaho during Swiss Days.  After perusing the booth for about 15 min the gentleman said to me that he was looking for something he could critique about my work, and said he could find nothing.   Well, this is it!  I can never wait for the kiln to completely cool.  This impatience can cause several problems such as; breakage from heat shock, glaze crackling or crazing within the glaze.  In general a kiln should be left to cool for about twice as long as it was fired or until the pots can be touched and unloaded will bare hands. The best you'll get from me is waiting until paper won't burn in the peeps, which is at 451 degrees. These mugs are a perfect example of my impatience, they were still hot when I arrived at my mom's house to show everyone my prize.  I hope you love them as much as I do.  I'll have professional pictures up soon.

Midway Swiss Days

I had so much fun this Labor day weekend as the Midway Swiss Days.  I had so much fun meeting new friends and visiting with old ones.  Thanks to all of you who took the time to come out and support me and the Swiss Day's organization for having us there.  Thanks to all those who helped me this year at in the booth.  Mom for sitting with me for two days in the heat, Jillian for making us laugh when we wanted to sleep, and Curtis my mom's newly adopted son.  This was a great experience for me.  Here are some fun pictures of me and my booth.