It Smells Like Autumn!!!

Posted on October 12, 2024 by BloomingBPottery

August and October are my favorite months of the year. My daughter’s birth month is August and my birth month is October. Happy birthday to me!!!

I kicked off my birthday month by heading back to the gym. Yay me!! My partner in crime Natalie suggested this great gym and I love it! Well, I love it mostly after I completed the workout. Now, in addition to walking, I am taking a Cycle Sculpt class. My muscles are still feeling a little tender this weekend but it’s ok, it’s just a reminded that I did move my muscles.

Autumn is been a lot of fun so far. I took a sgraffito class taught by artist that creates beautiful work. I will post additional pics once my sgraffito pieces are completed. I chose an Autumn theme. I am enjoying the last of my summer flowers-Zinnias before the frost eventually takes them away. I will miss their vibrant and cheery colors. I have been collecting the seeds of all of my favorite ones. So next year’s flower garden will be even better. Lastly, I have planted a small crop of Collard Greens and garlic. I hope to have the Collards for the upcoming holiday season.

We just celebrated Wrigley’s Gotcha Day-10/8. He has officially been with us for a full year and man has he changed. He was a hot mess when we got him. He was an abused rescue that never had a real home. Today he is a pampered pooch that gets all the love we can give him and it’s paying off with dividends. We love our beautiful boy, Wrigley!

I returned to Stars Hallow to revisit the Gilmore Girls on Netflix. Perfect for a chilly Autumn afternoon on the couch. Last weekend, I attended the Gilmore Girls celebration day on Pratt Street in downtown Hartford. The crowds came out in droves which had to be really great for the businesses on the scenic street. I spotted a great sign outside of Hartford Prints. Did you know there is a Gilmore Girls podcast? This show still has quite the following 24 years later. Lastly, I also took in the ART TRAIL (WEHA Artists Emporium) and found these super cute Bee earrings. The earrings are an early birthday present to myself. Yay me! Treat yo’self!!!

Happy Saturday!! I have lots to do today but happy to take time this morning and sit down and write this blog post while enjoying my new favorite tea with the Queen.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Until next time,

LaRae

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Sweet August

Posted on August 17, 2024 by BloomingBPottery

I have been on PTO this week trying to unwind and enjoying my slow and quiet mornings. Our temps have come down a bit in the morning so it’s been refreshing walking Wrigley. Feels like Autumn is on its way but I hope not too soon.

I completed my glazing on some work a did a while back and the everything is now out of the kiln. It is time to start making again. Pumpkins and things are on my list. My bookclub read for our upcoming meeting is done. I really enjoyed The Husbands by Holly Gramazio. What would you do if you could swap your life whenever you wanted? At times the book had me laughing out loud and my heart ached for her at other times. Very interesting concept for sure.

I still feel like I have a bit of an Olympic hangover. The Summer Olympics are my favorite. Go Team USA!!!! I have rewatched seasons 1 and 2 of Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. I really like that show. “Pour it Out” ladies. Next season will not air until 2025. The waiting is the hardest part.

We are just two weeks away from sending our baby off to high school-Freshman year is upon us. I am not sure where the time has gone but it’s been a whirlwind. Please keep her in your prayers.

I found some inspirational photos for removing our home. I love @the.hoss.homestead on IG. My house is a tri level but there are lots of similarities. I absolutely adore what they did to their kitchen and main bathroom.

Our hall bathroom is large but not large enough for a soaker tub and separate shower. I believe this bathroom redo gives me everything that I want. The only thing I would do differently is the vanity. I love the idea of a midcentury type vanity with double sinks. Our bathroom is large enough for both. These pics are going up on my vision board.

Well, that’s I have at the moment. We have an early morning appointment to get my daughter’s hair braided. Let the official teen years begin.

Be well and until next time,

LaRae (Bloomingbee Pottery)

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It’s Sunday!!

Posted on August 5, 2024 by BloomingBPottery

It’s the first Sunday in August and I am sitting here thinking that the Summer is flying by. My “I want to do list” for today did not materialize. I only managed a TJ’s run, created a pretty flower arrangement with store bought Sunflowers and Hydrangeas from my garden, made homemade pesto, cooked dinner and did a couple of loads of laundry. My want to do list of consisted of finally cleaning up the jar frogs I glazed earlier in the week, glazing the other pots from my most recent bisque fire, wedging some reclaimed clay and making some new rain bells since the last batch had too much surface area to hold the water properly.

While I was out shopping today I listened to Shonda Rhimes book “The Year of Yes”. It was nice to hear that even folks that you think have it all together don’t. I am nearly 14 years into my parenting gig and I still don’t know what to do all the time, it’s still hard juggling what feels like ALL the expectations and responsibilities while trying to maintain my sense of self. I do not have regrets about my decision to be a parent, but I do wish I had said “Yes” to more opportunities when I was younger. It is never good to act based on the fear of the unknown and allow self doubt to make decisions that could affect your future. It seems that little pearls of wisdom come along right on time. Thank you Shonda!

This summer I have put real effort into my garden. I find peace in weeding my garden in the morning while checking on my plants. I invested in a great pair of boots so that I could keep my feet dry walking the dog and gardening, especially in the AM. I found that once a week I can cut fresh flowers for my home and it brings me great joy. Below are a few pics from my garden:

I have already started harvesting seeds for next season and planning where I will place my bulbs for Spring flowers. I love gardening and the joy and peace it brings me.

Until next time,

LaRae

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Saturday Morning Joy!

Posted on July 6, 2024 by BloomingBPottery

This morning started off with a bang in the form of a severe thunderstorm. But it’s all good now and it seems that we missed most of it while sleeping . However, when you have a dog as a member of your family that old adage “Rain, Sleet or Snow you must go” applies. So, Mr. Wrigley and braved the rain and thunder.

Today will be a stay at home Saturday and I am not sad about it. I have checked on my plants in spite of the rain and all looks good. The Hydrangea is slowing releasing its flowers and my Zinnia’s are getting taller and blooming each day. I wanted something yummy to go with my tea this morning so I baked Lemon cake courtesy of Trader Joe’s however, I tweaked it and used buttermilk and brown butter.

I will be back in the my basement pottery studio hand building. My thumb is out of commission right now as I cut it while slicing fruit the other day. So, I plan to make large bowl, platters and hand carving stamps today. I am looking forward to tending to my creative spirit today.

To all that my little blog post reaches, I hope you have a wonderful day and that you are able to find or do something that brings you joy.

Until next time

LaRae (Bloomingbee Pottery)

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Summer Solstice

Posted on July 2, 2024 by BloomingBPottery

Happy Summer solstice! ☀️ This summer is off and running. We have just reached July and this year I have seeds and plants in the ground, flowers in my yard and I have had some success on my pottery wheel. My daughter and I have made homemade Strawberry jam and spent a lot of time dedicated to Field Hockey.

My plan is to grow a cutting garden of flowers, primarily Zinnia’s and I want to see how big I can get my Sunflowers🌻 to grow. I plan to make lots of pots and things this summer. So, expect lots of posts about of my creations this summer. I have missed my time with clay and I am so grateful that I can jump back on my pottery wheel as if I never left it. Right now I am working on some plates and mini candleholders. I also plan to make jar frogs for fresh cut flowers from my yard. And, a fun pot for one of my Sunflowers and the pumpkins I promised.

I have much more to do this summer but I also need to remember to take time to rest and enjoy the moments. Over scheduling never leads to great outcomes. So, I will continue to take time in the morning to weed in my yard while listening to the birds and look to nature and beautiful things to inspire my creative spirit.

Until next time 💛

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Holiday Season Inspirations

Posted on December 1, 2023 by BloomingBPottery
Christmas tree with floral theme

You just never know where you will find creative inspiration. While on my lunch break yesterday I stopped into this awesome shop the sells blooms and baked goods @bloombakeshopct. It had one of the prettiest trees I have ever seen. Based on this tree I will be adding the following plants to my garden for next year: Hydrangea, Amaranth and Celosia or Cockscomb. The colors are tremendous. And I will be adding a floral elements to our tree this year. Oh, there so many possibilities. Inspiration can literally be around the corner🩷.

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Renewal of my creative spirit

Posted on April 11, 2020 by BloomingBPottery

It’s been a quiet morning for me in what seems like a long time. We have been staying home for each other during the Covid 19 outbreak since March 13, 2020. Today feels like the first chance I have had to process our global and personal situation.

The uncertainty at times gets to me. I am trying to dig within to find something beautiful to renew my spirit. In doing so, I took these pictures over the last two days in attempt to jump start my creative soul. I have glazed pieces that I made before all the crazy broke out sometime in February. I tried #elantransfers with underglaze watercolors and played with glaze combinations featuring the matte glaze Blue Stone #amacopotterschoice. Last night all my glaze pots went into the kiln for a Cone 6 slow cool firing. I am looking forward to the kiln opening tomorrow morning.

Thanks for readings my musings and please take care of yourselves and be well❤️.

LaRae

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Summer Happenings

Posted on July 27, 2019 by BloomingBPottery

It’s been a while since I created a blog posting. This summer has been busy. I have a happy camper that has been enjoying herself. And I decided it was time for me to commit to some self care. I was just thinking to myself this morning after my work out at @Grit and Gratitude that I am so happy that I can move and do. I was flipping tires this morning! I feel like I am getting stronger everyday. I am so happy to be working out.

This summer I have been trying to focus on experiences for myself and family. We have loads of stuff yet to do this summer and I am excited. I will be back to post pics. Thank You to everyone that reads my blog postings. I hope you are having an amazing summer too❤️😀.

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New Year and New Beginnings…

Posted on January 2, 2019 by BloomingBPottery

Happy New Year!!  I am really looking forward to growing as a person, wife, mother, friend and potter in the new year.  Looking back to 2018, I took some bold steps to change my path-found a new job after 17 years with the same employer resulting in an improved home/work life balance and invested in my own potters wheel and kiln so that I could work at my craft on my own terms and timeline.

I spotted this great list of Intentions not Resolutions for 2019 on the Womens Health IG page today that really resonated with me:

  1. Put your health first, but… do not trap yourself.  Its all about balance.
  2. Make time for things you love.
  3. Money Mindfulness.
  4. Find movement everyday.
  5. Don’t take life too seriously.

I am going to do my best to try to check in with myself to make sure I am being mindful of this list as a go about my daily life in 2019.   And to add to this list a friend of mind gave my daughter a “Gratitude Journal”  for Christmas.  You keep track daily of what you are grateful for and an awesome thing that happened.  I love this idea!

Well, I have already started making in the new year and I am excited about exploring my creative abilities in the new year.

Thank you all for your love, support, and friendship.  Happy New Year!  Peace, good health and prosperity for all.

LaRae

 

 

 

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Keep Moving Forward…

Posted on August 4, 2018 by BloomingBPottery

At the end of 2017, I should have strapped in for the bumpy ride.  The highs and lows that I have experienced this year have made me stronger and thankful for my family and friends.  “Keep Moving Forward” Meet the Robinsons

This year I decided to really commit to developing my skills as a potter and purchased a pottery wheel.  I am now the proud owner of a Shimpo VL-Lite Pottery wheel.  I have only been throwing on my wheel for a couple of weeks now but I feel like skills are improving 😜.  Next step is to get my kiln ordered and installed and I will be pushing beyond my current boundaries.

I am inspired by nature and try to look for beauty in my surroundings.  You just never know what or who will inspire you to create your best work to date.  Lately, I have been inspired by my perennial garden, my daughter’s use of bold colors in her art work, and work and pictures taken by friends.  I literally have a queue of projects I cannot wait to get to work on.

So I will continue to move forward to discover my creative abilities and it my hope that I will create works of beauty that I can share with others and learn more about myself along the way.

 

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