Settled

Life has taken over my blogging as  you can see from the lack of it! We have finally made it to our little cottage in the woods. I don't think it will be our forever place, but it is perfect for this moment.

I am almost done unpacking the studio. It was the last thing of course. My husband's back injury, a new baby, moving, yard rehab and homeschool put it on the back burner. I can at least see the kiln now. I hope to throw all year to have enough quality work for a large spring show. You know the one the tornadoes kept me from attending. Prayers no natural disasters next year, or this one either.

a boost

After a long hiatus from art of any kind, I came upon an open invitation via FB for local artists to come to a meet and greet for the newly formed Art Council. My husband urged me to go. I am so glad he did. I got to meet people whom I only knew from the cyber world. It was encouraging to hear others commenting about some piece of mine that they own and why they like it. I needed that little boost to force me to tackle the garage again to unearth my wheel. I think my slump may be over.....

The Assumption of Mary

In planning to teach my children about the holy day of the Assumption of Mary, I realized I did not know very much about it from a historical standpoint. It is easy for me to believe that Mary is in heaven. I mean how could someone told by an angel that she was full grace, blessed and that the fruit of her womb would be Christ, not be in heaven? (and yes for arguements sake, I know that through faults of her own she could have ended up in hell, but I am not argueing)

In the 4th century in Jerusalem, the place of Mary's dormition (or falling asleep) was traditionally said to be on Mt. Zion. There the "Memory of Mary" was celebrated. For a time, the "Memory of Mary" was marked only in Palestine, but then it was extended by the emperor to all the churches of the East. In the seventh century, it began to be celebrated in Rome under the title of the "Falling Asleep" ("Dormitio") of the Mother of God.  The name was changed to the "Assumption of Mary," since there was more to the feast than her dying. It also proclaimed that she had been taken up, body and soul, into heaven.

There are apocryphial writings, (apocrypha means "hidden", "esoteric", "spurious", "of questionable authenticity", and "Christian texts that are not canonical") that say Mary died surrounded by the apostles and was taken into heaven by Christ after her death. There are Eastern and Western versions of this legend.

To be assumed into heaven is to enter heaven both body and soul, meaning complete personhood and not the soul alone, by a direct act of God. Thus "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, for God took him away" (Gen. 5:24; cf. Heb. 11:5). Elijah was assumed into heaven, though in a more grandiose style (2 Kings 2:11). Catholics believe that Mary entered heaven in this same manner, though they generally believe that she died before being assumed. Mary is seen not as a petty goddess, but as a redeemed Christian granted a special privilege through the love of Christ.

A piece of papyrus was found in the early 20th century that had a prayer of intercession to Mary written upon it. (a copy is shown below) It is argued to be from between the 3rd and 4th centuries in age. Even at this point when oral histories would be alive and well, it was believed that Mary was an intercessor in heaven.

http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=87

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9205fea2.asp

In 1917 there was discovered in Egypt a piece of papyrus dating to about A.D. 250. Its ten lines of Greek included this: "Under cover of your motherly heart we flee for refuge, Mother of God [Theotokos]; do not brush aside our entreaties in our distress, but rescue us from danger, you, peerlessly holy and blessed." This ancient version of the Sub Tuum is now housed in the John Rylands Library (Papyrus 470) in Manchester.) Adopting the title Theotokos into official dogma sparked an intense Marian devotion, out of which grew the Transitus Mariae literature.

Since we have texts in Greek, Latin, Syriac, Coptic (Egyptian), and Arabic, there would seem to be little doubt that the Assumption was a catholic (i.e. universal) belief among early Christians. While popular Christian literature has never been entirely reliable historically or theologically (it rarely is even today), yet there is much to be learned from the Transitus about the faith of the average Christian sitting in the pew. For example, all the Transitus literature agrees that Mary was assumed after having died a natural death and was neither martyred nor immortal. No doubt if we could talk to a fourth or fifth century Christian today, this is what he would tell us about Mary.

http://www.davidscottwritings.com/assumption.html

But we have a different kind of “evidence” in the oldest–known Marian prayer—the Sub tuum praesidium:

We fly to your patronage , O holy Mother of God
Despise not our petitions in our necessities
But deliver us from all dangers
O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Discovered in 1938 in a third–century Egyptian papyrus, it’s a short prayer that says nothing about the Assumption. But it does presume that Mary has somehow attained a place of heavenly glory as the exalted Mother of God. And it presumes she is both capable of hearing prayers and of somehow answering them.

This is known as the John Rylands Papyrus 470

http://theoblogoumena.blogspot.com/2007/08/john-rylands-papyrus-470.html

http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/ROSARYDI.htm

The bodily Assumption of Mary into heaven at the end of her life is neither explicitly taught nor contradicted by the Bible, though there are precedents (Hebrews 11:5 mentions the assumption of Enoch; 2 Kings 2:113 recounts that of Elijah; Paul admits the possibility of his own bodily assumption in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4). There is no indication that Mary's remains were venerated as relics (a customary practice in the early Church), and the belief in her Assumption is held both in the East (Orthodox) and in the West (Catholic).

Mary is perceived in Catholic thought as the proto-Christian and the symbol of the Church as a whole. Hence her Assumption is seen as a sign of the ultimate destiny of the Church: Christ will come at the end in order to take his Bride into the kingdom and to glorify her (2 Thess. 4:16-17). The belief in the Assumption is affirmed by all Christian communities having historic links with the ancient Church—which our Lord promised to lead into all truth (John 16:12-13; cf. Matt. 16:18, 28:20). The belief is very old as well as widespread, and those who deny this teaching do so without scriptural warrant, for Christians are to follow apostolic traditions, whether or not written in the New Testament (2 Thess. 2:15).

The coronation of Mary in heaven should be understood against the Jewish background of early Christianity. In Judah, partly because of the Fourth Commandment (Ex. 20:12), the mother of the anointed king had a function of considerable importance, and her name is with only two exceptions associated with the accession of the king in the official annals.6 The king's mother bore the powerful and prestigious title of Gebirah7 and received honors of the first order. She had an official place at the court, was mistress of the harem, had enough power to seize complete control over the nation (as did Athaliah in 842 B.C., 2 Kgs. 11:1-3), was sent into exile with the king (as was Nehushta in 597 B.C., Jer. 29:2), and could be deposed (as was King Asa's idolatrous grandmother, Maacah, who first became queen mother during the reign of her son Abijam,1 Kgs. 15:2, 10,13, 2 Chron. 15:16). The was a monarchical institution and had a throne and a crown.8

As Jesus is the ultimate King of the Jews, fulfilling the messianic prophecy in 2 Samuel 7:10-17, it would be strange indeed if Mary did not have this crown as the ultimate queen mother. The monarchical nature of the kingdom of God, complete with queen mother, may be difficult to appreciate for those who live in a democratic culture, but it was something accepted as natural in early Christendom, as witnessed by the art and literature.

I did it!

I finished most of what I set out to do this week. Most importantly I turned the grades into the admin. What a burden lifted! I can not procrastinate next year.

We planted peanuts Monday with Mama. Of course I had to go barefoot in the garden. It just makes me feel better. Earthing and all that. On a side note about feet, I finally purchased a new pair of flip flops. I still haven't brought myself to throw the old ones out. I had worn a hole through the heel. Slipping into them was like saying hello to old friends. We had walked many a mile together. It truly is hard to let go of something so familiar and broken in. Even if it is just a pair of flops.

I took a pile of bundles and envelopes to the post office.  Hopefully the recipients will see a belated gift as a pleasant surprise and not just a procrastinating aunt who has forgotten what day (or month) it is.

The kids and I had an unexpected pool date with some friends. They unanimously agreed that it was a "good day". My heart warms when I hear those words. I can only pray that those are the moments they remember. Instead of me in a conniption over something that didn't deserve the energy expended upon it.

I caught up with the SIL and BIL while watching a nephew's baseball game this afternoon. They braved five o'clock traffic to have dinner with us. Their youngest opted for a sleep over instead of sleeping on the hotel floor. Our crew was beside themselves to have a cousin stay. Usually we are the ones visiting them.

With the hubby being so busy this week, I think I can tackle the garage without causing too much chaos. First, I must organize. Then I can wade through the individual projects one at a time. Or at least that is the current plan. However, Catholic Kids Week may just be my undoing.

Until next Friday. Adieu. Adieu. Auf wiedersehen . Good night.

Sigh.....

I have made a self discovery that is not very pleasing. As a matter of fact, I find it quite horrifying. I have become one of those people who says yes to requests even when I know I should say no. Or I allude to the probable potential that something will come to be. As a result I have made promises that I just can't keep. That makes me a liar and untrustworthy.

We are trying to instill honesty, integrity and trust into the character of our children. How can I teach this if I cannot be a primary example?  I refuse to be the do as I say not as I do parent. So today I begin a new leg of my journey: living honestly in everything.

I am taking the summer to finish all (God help me) of the half finished projects cluttering both bays of the garage and closets, to do the fun summer kid activities that I have pinned with good intention, and to be a better, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

Hopefully, in this process I will find joy in clay again. The mug project sucked the artistic life out of me. I realized I am definitely not a production potter. I have several drawings and paintings to finish that are years overdue as well.

To hold myself accountable, I am going to post my progress weekly in a Friday recap. If I miss a week, please call me out.

The first task: sending grades to the admin for this school year before the due date. It's like pulling my own teeth to do paperwork and go to the post office.

To any and all that I may have disappointed by making a promise or pledge, I sincerely apologize.

Finally!!

I will finally be back at the market this Saturday. It felt rather odd to not be there on the opening day. I have missed catching up with my market peeps.

The kiln was loaded for the glaze firing this morning. I would pick the hottest day of the year to unleash the fires of hell in the garage. I am excited to crack the lid. Some of the clay is a mish mash of cinq rouge, wheatstone and a white clay body. It should be interesting to see what the final color will be.

I will have fleur de lis plates and smaller butter keepers with me. Come early to make sure you get yours!

Crazy Stopped By

I've come to realize that most people probably think I have lost my mind somewhere along the way. Which is to my advantage (maybe). I'm sure I'll forever be the crazy old aunt. But aren't those the best?

The DH left on an overnight work trip today. And I set the bar HIGH for things to be completed in 32 hours including sleep. About thirty minutes ago I finished painting the entire upstairs master bedroom including trim with the exception of cutting in around the ceiling. I hope to have that part finished, the floor steam cleaned, the bed moved in and to have a shower by 4pm at which time I will be leaving for the airport (I hope). I really want to have everything shifted around but that may just have to wait until Friday.

Send up some prayers that I find DH's wedding band when I move the bed. St. Anthony pray for us!

resurfacing

Life has seen fit to advise me to step back and concentrate on my children and home for the last few months. School work is completed for the kids. Although mom needs to finish her paper work. The deadline is looming. I have decided to put a hold on the market this summer until I have finished all of the shifting and sorting involved in setting up our new classroom. New posts about my adventures will be coming soon.

The Potter's Hot and Sour Soup

6 cups of broth ( I have been making perpetual bone broth)
4 - 1/4 inch thick slices fresh ginger (or more)
4 green onions, white and green parts, rough chopped/sliced
1-3 jalapenos, minced/rough chopped, seeded if desired
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Chinese rice wine vinegar (or apple cider)
1/4 cup dry sherry, rice wine
1 tsp sesame oil
mushrooms of any type, thin sliced and lightly sauteed
2 eggs

Heat broth and ginger in suitable pot over medium heat. When the broth comes to a boil turn the heat down to a simmer for 10 minutes. Then remove the ginger slices. Add the rest of the ingredients, except eggs, and allow the soup to return to a simmer for a bit. Beat eggs and slowly add while continuously stirring soup. Serve.



Picture was taken before I added the egg. We were all too eager to eat and I forgot to take a pict of the finished product.

Branching out

I have decided to branch out in the artistic area. I am still doing my pottery, although limited to a few pieces at the moment. I am now offering my service as a Charcoal Portraitist.

This is Gabriel at Two Weeks. It is a larger piece that I did after my son's birth.

I am offering paper size 9" x 12" individual portraits in the style above for $75. (Please forgive the cropping of the portrait in the photo. There is an equal amount of space around the head.)  Larger portraits are available with a full, but ambiguous background for an additional cost. Email for details.

I work from photographs in color, black and white or damaged to some extent. Photo files can be emailed to me. I ask for a $15 down payment with payment in full upon completion. The client will have the chance to view the progress and make suggestions on the work. The composition will be agreed upon at the beginning and will not be changed after the down payment has been made.

Payment can be made via Paypal or by mail. Credit cards will be accepted soon.

email: parttimepotter@yahoo.com

For my big news.....we have decided to begin homeschooling our three.

This decision came after almost a year of contemplation, research and prayer.

Regretably, all my researching and planning has taken the place of my throwing. Apologies to those whom I have promised a piece. Hopefully, as we get underway and my schedule takes hold, I will make the time for my pottery.

Over the  next few weeks and months I will be focusing more on my adventures of teaching. But I will keep updating with picts of my work.

Here are a few of my pieces showcasing items from the local farmers market:  sunflowers, sourdough bread and goat cheese.

So much has happened since my last posting: tornadoes, multiple computer crashes, a festival, markets and a life changing decision. More to come when I have time and my ducks in a row.

The Beginning of a Bowl





Starting with one pound of clay.

Squeezing water onto spinning clay to moisten.

Beginning to center

Coning down

Centered

Starting the hole for the opening.

Enlarging

Almost there, ready to begin pulling.

After a few pulls.

Sorry there are no pulling photos. I have to have two hands to do it.

The finished shape.

Inverted on wheel at leather hard stage waiting to be recentered.

After recentering, the bowl is attached to the wheel with wet clay.

Beginning to form the foot ring.

After trimming.

Greenware waiting to dry before going into the kiln.

Finally a picture of the finished plate. It went through a harrowing ordeal to get to its final destination. On the two hour trip the road vibrations caused a near undetectable crack to become a horrendous break. It broke completely in two. I was able to put it back together with glue. Not the finest day for me. However when it is in its intended place about eight feet off the floor, the break is only noticeable to those looking for it, like my father in law.

These are some finished pieces that are in use in my home.

I came across an advertisement for a garlic roaster that could be used in the oven or microwave. The first is my take on it and the second is one using the dimensions given in the ad. It seems just too big for the average garlic bulb. Maybe if you had access to elephant garlic it would work wonderfully. Right now I think it would be nice for roasting a Cornish hen.

After much debate on this piece, I think it would be best described as an urn. Once it is glazed, the lid will sit more securely on the shoulder.

This is my first attempt at a low cake plate/stand. It is unglazed wheat stone. I really like the rustic feeling. I just can't bring myself to put a glaze on it.

I'm still alive....

In my hiatus, I took stock in my work and what direction I wanted to take in the new year. Lots of things happened along the way. The two most interesting are that I was accepted into Panoply for 2011 and some guy in Minnesota has taken my moniker as his website this year. I am overjoyed with the first and highly annoyed with the second.

More to come after the new year has arrived.

Merry Christmas and God's blessings upon you all!

Wheatstone

Just a quick update. The white stoneware that I have been using has been supposed to ship for over a week with no definite date in site. So after much debate, I settled for a "wheatstone". From my understanding it is a "wheat" version of the white I have been using. I was unable to pull up a sample on the manufacturer's site and decided to take the gamble on it. It looks a bit too red to be called "wheat". A little too late to be picky now.

I threw about fifty pounds today and boy are my arms feeling it. It was a joy to throw. Every piece, except for the last turned out just as I had hoped. By the time the last piece rolled around, I was feeling a bit like jelly. Looking around and surveying the aftermath of the day, I am a bit concerned that it might not all fit in the kiln. I will have to be very particular in my stacking. But that is a problem for next week. On to trimming tomorrow.

Ponderings

The market days this summer have brought me a wonderful set of new friends and acquaintances. One woman in particular has been a boon to my confidence as a potter. But in a recent conversation she made a statement that gave me pause. She said, "Love the primitiveness of your design.. and simplicity.. Keep throwing.."

Up until this point, I had never thought of my pieces being described as "primitive."  It almost seemed like a dirty word rolling off my tongue....primitive. But then I began thinking about the influences for my pieces. As a child, my grandmother had stoneware bowls with simple blue and pink stripes around them. I loved their simplicity (and the wonderful things that came out of them). I don't like for my pieces to look identical. I think each piece has a mind of it's own. I begin with an idea and the clay may have another direction for me to take. I don't like for functional pieces to just sit upon a shelf. I want them to be used and loved. I want someone else's hands to know the piece as well as the hands that created it.

I have been pouring over a book, "Pots in the Kitchen" by Josie Walter. In it she traces the development of handmade pots used for cooking from the first century AD to the 20th century. It is all about function and form, about making a pot for cooking. In looking back over the photos and at my own work, the pieces are not refined like those brides pick out for their wedding china. They are sturdy pieces that are meant for work, kitchen work.

In this day to some, working in a kitchen daily at home is something only a foodie or their grandmother participates in. Frozen, bagged or boxed, toss it in the oven or microwave, drive thru, carry out, delivery. Who has time to prepare, slow cook and enjoy the fruits of the kitchen? Someone who is a bit primitive. Someone who appreciates the smell of turned earth, the growing season, the harvest, and the slow melding of flavors as the fruits of their labor simmer together in a happy pot. Primitive....it may not be such a dirty word after all.

I think one of my prayers is on its way to being answered. Many thanks to St. Jude for the intercession!

I finished it!

It began with a few boards and a drill.

Which became a box. 

That turned into a slab roller.

I can't wait to take it for a test drive with some clay!

New project

All of the attempts at rolling out consistent slabs by hand has left me sore and fruitless. So I have begun a new project:  building a slab rolling table. I found a great design on Youtube. Last weekend I raided Dad's for scrap lumber. Then on the way home I picked up some perfect pieces from my neighbor's roadside pile. Yesterday, I cut everything to length. Today I will be assembling. I am proud to say at this time, I have retained all of my digits. Picts to come.