Getting in the "Holiday Spirit"

We have been preparing the house for the big work Holiday Party that we are hosting this coming Friday at Pi Milton.

We have been getting some little things crossed off the "weekend-warrior list."

One chore I have been waiting to cross off since they day we moved in (over 16 months ago) is painting the front door. Zen rule says that red doors are welcoming.

And then I got to baking. We are going to be giving holiday cookies to everyone as they leave the party and we have a few neighbors who really like the gingerbread with maple frosting. (Pictured are shortbread trees with red rum and green vanilla frosting. Then there are gingerbread trees with maple cinnamon frosting. And there are also chocolate espresso logs. And then ISSB’s cookie of the month: triple chocolate – he went out with a bang.)

I even used my new Clay Coyote Saucepan as double boiler for the chocolate topping.

These are more like biscotti:
And I finally finished re-stitching all the stockings for Christmas in Minnesota. What do you think of my nephew's train?
And, then to top off a day in the kitchen, I used my Clay Coyote Chicken Baker to make ISSB and me a very tasty dinner. (In case you are wondering we used Firemans #4.)
Overall, a very productive weekend.

Austin Empty Bowl, and how to get some bowls for Christamas!

The weekend before Thanksgiving, I participated in the Austin Empty Bowl Project put on by the Austin Food Bank. It was an amazing project and it let me do some of my favorite things:

1. I got to volunteer to help fight hunger in America.
2. I got to eat great soup and bread from good restaurants around Austin.
   
3. I got to meet new, cool people.
4. And here is the BIG one, I got to shop for pottery.

Not only did I get two little bowls that were made by Art Students at the Austin Museum of Art, I also was the winning silent bid on a great set of bowls by a local Austin potter.

The line around the building snaked. Some people waited in line for more than two hours.
But, the "Bowl" doesn't happen for another year. So if you want to shop for great pottery this year. I have some recommendations.

1. As always, I am shamelessly promoting Mom and Tom's pottery, the Clay Coyote. See a great post on their blog about what they have available for the holidays.
   
2. But, let me let you in on a couple of other amazing potters that you can order in the Gallery:
   
1. Crystal Pottery: I would go for this bowl. It is perfect for stews and soups this holiday season and it will be great for mixing things (like cookie/bread dough) later in the year. I could have really used a bowl this big last week at Thanksgiving when I was mixing up the stuffing.
   
2. Hank Goodman: I consider myself a "Hank girl." I love this guy, I love his pots and I really love his blue and brown glazes. Just take a look at all the serving pieces he has. I am telling you, bake some cookies, put them on a Hank tray and wrap it up for your favorite person...you will be loved!
   
3. Last bit of fun, this year you have another fun reason to come out to the Clay Coyote and shop! I will be there working in the Gallery for three weeks. Starting December 17th, going until the 4th of January you can come visit with me. I will have cookies, wine, witty conversation and ISSB and Sarge the Wonder Dog will be there too! (Heck if you are lucky you can see my brother, my nephew, and my sister-in-law.)
   

So really, after this post, how can you not want to come out to the Gallery to see me later this month? And, if you can come - visit them online (one last shameless plug!).