Ugly Face Jugs

Maddie's at camp today, and we texted a few times, although not much.  She's been pretty busy serving, but she said she's been having a good time too, and that's good to hear.  We haven't seen any photos of her up there, but I'm sure there may be one or two by the time all this week is done.  In the meantime, Mom and I have been having fun as well, back to the really nice Pottery & Folk Art Festival.

This morning we had reservations for a really fun activity!  Just as we've done the last few years, we were off to the Folk Pottery & Arts Festival in Sautee, but this time Mom had made reservations a few days ago for us to make our very own ugly face jugs!

This was a lot of fun!  We had about two hours, and all the supplies we needed.  Plus a little guidance from the instructors there, although I think we didn't need a much as some of the other students.  I say all this while also saying this was my first piece of pottery in thirty years or so.  It's fairly intuitive, I think.  At least, it's intuitive for those of us that like to use Play-doh!  Last night, both Mom and I came up with some design ideas.  Mom's is completely original.  My jug's face is based on one of those bells from a Claymation Christmas.  We actually drew out some ideas on small bits of paper, bringing those in for reference.  Again, it was great fun!  Afterwards, Mom and I picked a glaze that they'll use later on.  We'll pick up our creations in a few weeks when they reach out to us, after they've gone in the kiln.

We said our goodbyes, and after that we were outside walking around for a bit, checking out the festival as always.  It's just as it was the last few years, lots of tents with vendors and pottery and different crafts.  We were checking out all the pottery there, voting on our favorites in the main hall, and then going over to one of the vendors that we always visit to pick up some of my favorite handmade soap and shaving bars.  It's a fragrance called "Sherlock's Study," and I got a few of those, plus Mom got some other soaps too.

We didn't eat there, but we did sit for a really long time in the shade, seated in chairs listening to as many as fourteen bluegrass artists playing together on the stage there.  There was even a lady playing the saw, which is amazing to me.  The stand-up bass was there, plus banjos, guitars, mandolins, and a few fiddles.  It was really nice and relaxing.  No hurry, just sitting in the shade and listening to performers play for the crowds.

Ah, the Mystery Machine!  Or rather, the "Munchie Machine!"

Cute bat!

Some of the booths to look around in, including the one we visit each year to get Sherlock's Study.

This skull jar seems really, really hopeful.

Some of these pieces were created by Sid from "Toy Story."

Axolotl pottery!

Weird Al is sawing wood with a friend.

Alpine?  Desert?  Pizza?  Sort of Italian Bavarian Mexican food?

They be jammin'.

Honestly, one of my favorite parts of this visit.

Decor at the Old Sautee Store

Afterwards we were over at the Old Sautee Store again, and yes, we got a good bit of stuff there.  We got cheese, for one.  We ate some of that cheese tonight - I love the cheese there.  We also got a few beverages (cream soda!), and some Glögg mix for later on this winter.

We were hungry by this point, and we decided to check out the Mellow Mushroom in Dawsonville on the way home.

Mom's liking the wings they have there, and the usual Pacific Rim pizza was good too.  It's hot outside though, and we had to get home and get that cheese in a refrigerator!

Today was pretty quiet after that.  I did some walking, getting another two miles in on the Scooby Doo mystery, also watching a few episodes of the Weird Al Show.  Got my steps in!

We had a bit cheese plate tonight, different selections of cheese, and we sat down to watch a few episodes of Brisco County, Jr. again.  It's been a quiet day, once we got home.  Nice and restful.  Time to get some sleep, as we've got church tomorrow, and we're pretty understaffed for that - everyone's up at camp.  Should be a good day.  We're very blessed.  Time to get some rest.