Some gorgeous flowers from Lynn and Barry's garden. Wow!
Taking another detour from our regularly scheduled programming, but still in keeping within the realm of madness, I thought you'd might want to peek into some of the goings on at this year's Mudhenge, that annual gathering of mudhens here in Boise that satiates the belly and the creative spirit. Falling on mid–September this year, it was much more laid back this time as none of us really had any pressing need to finish a piece. Simply visiting and eating our way through Boise came to the forefront, as we relaxed and wandered our way through the week.
But the time was productive nonetheless! For example, Karen demonstrated a new brand of chinapainting pigments that'll really open up possibilities for all of us while Lesli gave a modified equine color presentation, cramming our brains with some intriguing avenues of thought. Learning from each other and simply recharging in each others' company does much to grease the creative gears. I love this alchemy between learning, laughter, and lunacy! So this foray into muddy mayhem is mostly a photo excursion since there was so much more interesting things to see than to talk about this time 'round. Enjoy!
Lynn made these amazing handmade books for us by hand. Look at those colorful, wonderful covers! How cool is that?! She made the covers from one whole sheet, and we connected them for fun. Fitting and very special!
Here's Joanie being extra silly. Which is extra awesome! Doesn't she look tea–riffic!? Those are tea balls I gave the gals as gifts. I replaced the chain with my own handmade beads, and those are some of the first horse beads on there!
Now don't freak out! This is a learning moment! Hey—this has to happen from time to time in ceramics so we can improve. This particular Juniper developed a bizarre series of peculiar cracks in the neck, which rendered the piece unusable anyway. We had to learn why and that means busting the piece apart to see what's happening inside. It's hammer time! To our surprise, we found the head to be completely solid instead of hollow, explaining those odd cracks. Now we know! And it was amusing how the front legs could still stand. Yes yes, you know I have to…you know I can't resist…
We got a leg up in how to better pour Juniper!
Lynn, Joanie and Karen chattin' in between muddin'.
Lunching with Lynn and Joanie, I got to pork out on my favorite Thai dish Phat Si Lo (often phonetically written Pad See Ew) with tofu, at our favorite Thai place in town, Sa–Wah–Dee! Their infamous giggling elephant tea pots constantly re–inspire me to get going with my own teapot series!
The purply blue of these flowers in Lynn and Barry's garden were far more intense in person. Hypnotically lovely.
More of their glorious flowers. Look at those colors!
Though we were stuffed to the gils from our delectable dinners at Kahootz, we somehow scarfed down their bread pudding for dessert. We couldn't stop ourselves. It was incredible. Look at that sizzlin' caramel! Joanie said it was the best bread pudding she's ever had. We agreed—we ate it all.
A closeup of Lesli's work on her Juniper. She's using an eraser pencil to achieve some of her intricate results, glazing this charming little mare into a loud and lovely sabino.
Special Delivery! Krispy Kreme donuts! And I got to try my first Maple Bar—YUM. My gawd I love donuts. It really is shameful.
Of course we had to have Ham ham it up for a Krispy pic, too! Doesn't he look cute in that tiny hat?!
We meandered over to the 2013 Idaho Highland Games for a couple of hours, and took in some kilt action. Check out the guy in the Superman T–shirt!
But in the parking lot where the Games were being held was an autoX! It was so cool to see those cars tearing around the course at Mach 7. Those are temporary numbers taped onto the car door there.
Joanie got to adore her most favorite car ever, a Lotus Elise. Those are some dangerous curves on that car!
The Highland Games is a big Celtic gathering with all manner of plaid, bagpipes, beer and general carousing. Even a working blacksmith! His portable bellows was fascinating.
Don't you think Ham, or Hammish in honor of the day, looks striking? He may not have a lick of Scot in him, but I still think he'd look awesome in a kilt!
Karen got to drive Winnie the Mini to lunch afterwards! I was there! I rode shotgun! It was killer kool!
Here's Karen at work, cleaning a greenware earthenware Roundabout.
Here's Lesli being somewhat serious.
Here's Lesli being far less serious! What's better than a Lesli? A silly Lesli! Those are taxidermy eyes I picked up at Archie McPhee a couple months ago during my Woodinville trip!
Joanie showed me hands–on how to pour and pull a ceramic Stormwatch. I tried to do it myself a couple of months ago and failed miserably. Under her tutelage I now have the knack!
We met up with Lynn and Barry for some foodtruck BBQ at MFT BBQ. Oddly enough, that BBQ and Vegan juxtaposition actually worked!
Look at Lynn grinnin' at cha! And Barry is calm and cool as always. But what the heck is Joanie thinking?!
For the last night, Joanie cooked up a magnificent prime rib dinner with all the fixin's, including whipped horseradish sauce, a pile of fresh mashed 'taters with gravy, and Yorkshire Pudding. I'd never had Yorkshire Pudding before and it was my special request. It was wonderful! I'm hooked! And of course her concoctions were amazing! Mom provided the broccoli and onions so we all wouldn't feel "too guilty." For dessert was her famous Kahlua Cake with real whipped cream!
Look at this glorious Yorkshire Pudding!
Garlic, rosemary, olive oil, onions, prime rib roasting all day. I swear, Ham was about to pass out from sheer delight from merely the aroma wafting throughout the house. As he devoured this meatastic delicacy, I could tell he was in his very happy place. Quiet and intent at the end of the table, this divine treat induced him into a delirium! Indeed, the entire table was rather quiet. Thank you, Joanie!
A blending of two brilliant experiences this year! We popped open a scrumptious wine I got with my wisecracking, wacky, wine–tasting buddies during our recent trip to Woodinville wine country in Washington—you know—the trip I shared in the August newsletter, More Shelf Cleaning. Despite its ironic, unfortunate name it paired perfectly: Dead Horse from Mark Ryan.
Sláinte! Prost! Na Zdrovie! Bon Appétit! How ever you say it—Cheers!
The Usual Suspects.
There goes Winnie, with Joanie tucked inside, on their way home to Carlsbad, CA. At that moment Mudhenge 2013 was officially over. Sigh. The house always seems so quiet and empty when the mudhens leave, and the driveway so bare. Winnie's perky, pugnacious little red body really cheers up our abode! The time went by so fast. But I'm already lookin' forward to Mudhenge 2014! I hope to have some really cool methods to share with them next time, and some pieces to work on while they're here.
Oh, and in keeping with the title of this post, during this week we discovered the current viral tune making the rounds: Ylvis' What Does The Fox Say. It's crazy, it's catchy, and it's definitely kooky. Silly serious fun! Just like Mudhenge! And I'll tell you what—having Ham bouncing around and singing the lyrics throughout the day is a much bigger wad of YES than you could possibly imagine. As Ludwig Wittgenstein said, "If people never did silly things nothing intelligent would ever get done."
Oh, and in keeping with the title of this post, during this week we discovered the current viral tune making the rounds: Ylvis' What Does The Fox Say. It's crazy, it's catchy, and it's definitely kooky. Silly serious fun! Just like Mudhenge! And I'll tell you what—having Ham bouncing around and singing the lyrics throughout the day is a much bigger wad of YES than you could possibly imagine. As Ludwig Wittgenstein said, "If people never did silly things nothing intelligent would ever get done."
So there ya have it! Another wonderful time with good friends, family, fun, and food. And mud. Lots and lots of magical mud. Praise the glorious dirt and the magnificent animal that brought us together! See—muddy horses are a great thing.
"You've made your bed, now go bounce on it." ~ Peter Scott