Thankful

Pumpkins!

I bake regularly during the year, making sourdough bread usually every week and an assortment of other things with some frequency. When the holidays gear up though, there are certain recipes I dust off and it brings me to thinking about people in my life who have taught me about food and cooking. For example, my grandma Hornsby who taught me (though I didn't appreciate it until after she passed) that lard truly is the best ingredient for things like fried apples and pie crusts. I use my grandma Creamer's recipes for a lot of things such as her pumpkin pie (although, sorry Grandma, I use REAL pumpkin!) and her famous chocolate chip cookies. Every Thanksgiving I am sure to make these amazing pumpkin cookies one of my "second moms" from my childhood always made with the fond memories of watching her in the kitchen and sneaking a few cookies from the refrigerator. I always use my marble rolling pin that a dear friend who has since passed gave me as a wedding present, and I think about the times I had with her and a group of other friends who taught me to appreciate ingredients, the process, and the equipment used in modern and historical kitchens. I am thankful for people in my life both past and present who have given me so many fond memories to think about during the holidays.

Fresh pumpkin pie!

This year has brought many new horizons for me and I am incredibly thankful for all of the support I have been given from friends, family, customers, and other potters who have provided recommendations and support. I was thinking the other day that I have never felt truly attached to my work because I have never had my own kiln to fire in. Now that I have my own kiln, my pots are taking on the shapes, designs, and look I have been working toward for all of these years, and it tickles me down to my toes. 

Holiday gift package with bowl, wheat, and mixing spoon

I am also excited to share that Mike and I are teaming up for the holidays and have created a gift package. It includes a handled mixing bowl made by me, a cherry wooden spoon made by Mike, and a bag of fresh whole wheat flour from our farm, ground from heirloom wheat and grown sustainably without chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. We will have these at the Greensboro Farmer's Curb Market through December and I am listing a few on Etsy. E-mail me for more details and prices (there's a variation between Etsy and the Market) as there will be a limited amount of these.  

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!