From-Eva

The creation of the homecoming 'Mum' is something completely foreign to me. I got laughed at in the teachers lounge when I didn't know what it was. Apparently in Texas, for homecoming, there is a tradition that students wear a Chrysanthemum flower to celebrate the big game. Over the years that evolved into not only a flower corsage but long ribbons and all the bells and whistles. Literally, the bigger and longer the ribbon the better for these kids. Girls wear them on their shirts and boys wear their mums (usually smaller than the girls) around their arms. The funniest part is watching these tough football players walk around with their mums. It's pretty ridiculous. Just another reason why I love Texas. K

A trip with wonderful friends to the Dallas Farmers Market followed by a leisurely lay on the grass of Klyde Warren Park makes for a lovely October day.    K

It seems like every time I go home there's some new something to look at and my parents are quickly turning into the farmers of their dreams. They're slowly and purposefully building up their animal population, this past week adding three beautiful goats . [<Read the full story over at We Love Texas] My immediate thought was to name them Walt, Jesse, and Hank having just watched the season finale of BB, but unfortunately they're all female and we'll have to resort to some cute English girl names. The black-socked goat was the instant family favorite. They don't get much cuter than that. Along with the new pets came a Teviahmade goat home and a new chicken coupe mansion fully equipt with chicken wire, corruagated metal siding, repurposed deck wood, vintage door and window. What would we do without Teviah? Among other developments is the two roosters that have emerged out of the ten. And the bees are flying around, making honey, pollenating the fields, ...

I have incredibly talented students. This past month they're learned about one of the foundational methods of handbuilding...pinching. Although hesitant and impatient at first, they really created some awesome pieces. After building a basic pinch pot I taught them how to connect two together and from there they were free to make any animal they wanted. Most of them turned out fabulous. I can't wait to show you the glazed and completed pinch pot animals. Watching them build these amazing pieces is so inspiring...and so I couldn't help myself and I made my own fox. Stay tuned for some pictures.   [Images are all high school student work]   K

Because I have a small obsession with Will and Kate, I dedicate this post to the Royals of England and to sweet baby George. On his birthday I was glued to my phone waiting to see if the baby would be a prince or princess. I was rooting for a baby girl, but George couldn't be more perfect. I can't imagine a more elegant and happy mother and I just love the similarities between Kate and Princess Diana. She is certainly, like Diana, easy to love. And what other way to celebrate the birth of a new future King than by eating cake. I think besides Key Lime Pie, Victoria Sponge Cake is my favorite dessert. It was the one cake I always ordered whenever we'd have tea in London, and every tea shop made one. By far the best version I've eaten was at  Chatsworth House last April. It's sort of a winning combination. Sponge cake, butter cream icing, and raspberry (or in this case blackberry) jam (jelly). Here's the story of Victoria Sponge Cake. Queen Vic...