Works in Progress

Having seen some very nice chip & dip designs I have been playing with my own. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Find Me On Facebook

I had almost forgotten I had this blog! You can find me on facebook. While it is not totally dedicated to my pottery it does contain my work. Hope you will come to facebook! Thank you!!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000342643018

Another Hot Weekend in Oklahoma

Cynthia and I live for the summer so you will not hear us complaining about the heat, so long as the pool is near by! We took a ride Saturday to Lookout Lake in Osage Hills State Park. Ever been there? Heard of it? We hadn't either but it was a nice little ride. Ran down Highway 11 until we hit Pershing, Oklahoma and then took Highway 60 East. About halfway to Bartlesville there is Osage Hills State Park and Lookout Lake is located there--although the only advertisement to that fact is a small sign beside the lake itself! Regardless of its remote location it was populated by two boats (with electric troll motors) and a handful of fisherman scattered along its banks!

The ride was filled with curvy roads, wide open spaces and surprises along the way. It was really fun to come out of this obscure part of Oklahoma and find Bartlesville looming up in front of you as you rounded that last curve of Highway 60. We took Highway 75 back to Tulsa and got ourselves in the pool by 3:00 pm. Not a moment too soon as Cynthia did experience some difficulties with the heat. We rehydrated her and got her in the pool. Life was good the rest of the weekend. Then to top things off we were reminded by a cross in the sky of how close God always is.

Lookout Lake

July 2008 Vacation

Cynthia and I just spent the last full week enjoying the things we like. We golfed, swam, rode, ate, and laughed. Check out the pictures below for a snapshot of how we spent the week. We can't tell you how much the R & R was needed or how theraputic it was but the pictures come close. Two days golfing, an overnight stay at Eureka Springs via Missouri and through Fayetville, Arkansas with swimming at our favorite park (our backyard) in between times. The weather was wonderful, the love and laughter fantastic and the memories forever! May you all enjoy a week off as we did!!!

July 2008 Vacation

The Patio Project

Having gone through surgery (severed tendon on my right hand) with two surgeries, three casts, thirty stitches and a sling, we are finally getting back into action. Prior to having my pin removed we tackled tiling the patio that we decided back during the rennovation we were going to do. About 300 square feet of tile or nineteen boxes of 13X13 tile and a terra cota grout.

.

.

It really dressed up our Backyard Resort and, of course, we wanted to share the pictures with you. Let us know what you think!

.

(P.S. In a quandry as to what to do with the remaining thinset and grout as our refuge men won't pick up anything that weighs more than 50 pounds I made stones. I call them "John-stones" and am considering a new company called "Johnstones, Inc." Just kidding but I did make some stones and included a picture of one Cynthia decorated with our last name, a flower, and one of Gracie's paw prints!)

The Patio Project

The Evolution of our Front Flowerbed

When we first moved in to our home the front "flower bed" was a shambles. It was overgrown with ivy covering rocks and all sorts of roots, sticks, etc. We began by pulling out the ivy, digging up roots and redefining its border. Azalaes followed, mulch, and various plants. We added the concrete bench, the Japanese Mapel and bag after bag of mulch! Needless to say it has come a long ways from when we moved in to our recent 4th of July holiday!

I could not help but remember what the great poet said, "Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself. " ~Henry David Thoreau

Nor could I help but include this qoute from the Color Purple, "I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.... People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool living in the world can see it is always trying to please us back. " ~Alice Walker, The Color Purple, 1982

While it has been a great deal of labor and expense it has been a labor of love. We take special delight in the neighbors that take time to stop and tell us how beautiful it is. It wasn't until we looked back at the pictures that we realized why they so often comment about its beauty--they looked at the mess it was for years! I am sure that it will continue to grow and develop as we lovingly tend to it. Enjoy!

The Evolution of our Front Flowerbed

Playin' Politics

Johnston Memorial Reunion 2008

As Uncle Ralph would have wanted it the Johnston clan gathered at his beloved Coal Pit for a grand time of family celebration. Some arrived the night before to make the most of it and some arrived in time for dinner--the common denominator was love, family, food, fishing, games and tons of fun!

.

.

One of the highlights was Aunt Rita passing out Guardian Angels made from Uncle Ralph's ties! They were received with delight and held like the treasure they are. Thank you Lisa and all those who helped her make them!

.

.

Rex is the official Johnston Chef as he not only made the grill that was used but cooked the steaks to perfection! The food brought by everyone (from Jimmy's stuffed jalepenos to Cynthia's outrageous brownies) was fit for a king! Some (like Lloyd Holland) said they wouldn't have to eat again until Tuesday but others, like myself and Katie, knew we would be eating again in a few hours!

.

.

The reunion culminated with a special trip to the cemetery where we paid honor to our beloved Uncle Ralph and helped Aunt Rita place the wreath that Jan brought to the funeral. The marker was beautiful with a laser carving of the Coal Pit on the front side and a place where their 50th Anniversary picture will be displayed with the engraved caption "Serving the Lord Together". What a tribute to a romance that spanned almost six decades!

.

.

Until next time, dear family, with much love and fond memories. See the slideshow below for some wonderful pictures.

Johnston Memorial Reunion 2008

Kristen's New Puppy

Kristen brought her new puppy, Max, over to visit us. Gracie loved getting to know him but we had to be careful that she didn't get overly excited and step on Max! Cynthia and I are elated to finally have a grand dog! LOL! Check out the pictures below.

Max Comes to Visit