Recycled Clay

At the studio we recycle all of the clay we do not use.  All of the trimmings, pieces that fall over, break, and are not loved are thrown into the reclaim buckets.  Every 6 months or so we turn those buckets back into workable clay.

The first step is to lay it out on the tables letting it dry to the right consistency to go through the Pug Mill which will churn the clay, taking out the air and forming it into logs that we then wrap into plastic and store in air tight containers.

Most of the clay that I use for my work is recycled clay.  There are a few reasons as do why I take the time to recycle the clay and use it.
1. It is a HUGE cost savings.  On average when we do a reclaim we make about $400 worth of clay.
2. The ingredients used to manufacture clay are pulled from the earth and so the less new clay I buy the easier I am being on the planet.
3. Recycled clay is softer and easier to work with.
4. It is unique to me.  Because there are lots of different clays that sometimes get thrown into the buckets the clay has a unique pink tint to it.

So right now we are in the middle of our summer reclaim.  With all my tables taken up with piles of stinky clay, there has been a hold put on production.  I am o.k. with that as it gives me a little mini break.  What will I create during this time instead?  I have a few knitting projects I am sure.

The Days of Rainy and Hot Summer

The summer months so far here have either been unbearably hot or pouring rain.  So we have been packing up and going to the local mall.  

We head straight for the rental strollers so that we can ride in a fire truck (Lily is to sit up heigh because she is smaller he says) and then we make our way over to the Toys R Us and ride the bikes around the store, a small stop to play at the Thomas the Train Table and then home.  All in all it is about 2 hours and the kids are happy and we got out of the house and had a little adventure.  I am finding more and more that it isn't about the big plans that we make but the everyday that make the kids happy.  

 Even something as simple as riding bikes at the store!  

A Day at the Cottage

This weekend we travelled down to my Mom's summer getaway.  It is difficult to describe what it is that she has as it is not a cottage, it is more than just property on the water.  It has a trailer that she has built off of, a small little cabin for people to sleep in, a large deck over the water and a great stair case down to the water.  It is a place that we have spent many a summer weekend at and enjoyed the space and nature.  It is a little more difficult with the kids as the trailer is small and not much sleeping or playing room and the property is on a 50 foot cliff, so there is LOTS of eyes on the kids at all times.  However, the place is beautiful and so is small town of Picton in which it is closely located.

We are going back in a few weeks for the whole weekend and we are already thinking of all the things that we are going to do with more time.

Our First Big Step

Yesterday was Lily's first day at Day Care.
It was a big moment for me and carried so many different things.  I was nervous for her, I was scared for me.  I was excited for her and the new things that this will bring and I was overjoyed to be able to work in the studio the day without any interruptions.  I was able to be in my space and think, create and enjoy without worrying about what was going on upstairs, or rushing to get back as nap time was almost over.

In short for me it was LIBERATING!

At the very same time is was difficult for me.  She is getting so big it seems and blossoming into this amazing little girl.  My little Kindred Spirit she is.  She and I have been together for the last 16 months on earth and a previous special 9 months.  She is now taking a step towards becoming a little soul on her own.

While I welcome this step they take, I at the same time, want to hold on to them.  But I know I have to let go.  Yesterday was the first of many little steps.    

Heat Wave

We are experiencing a major heat wave at the moment in Southern Ontario.  Temperatures are reaching up to 44 Celsius here.  Our little home does not have air conditioning but we do have a pool so swim suits are the new daily outfit and we spending almost all our time pool side.  We have even moved the BBQ and have been eating back there as well.

Understanding

I am in a place now that I am starting to get a little tired of the world that we live in.  I sometimes want to pack the kids up and find a remote place in the forest to raise them so that they are not exposed to the world that we live in.  

This morning we awoke to find that our cars had been broken into again in our driveway.  This is not the first time but rather the 4th or 5th time.  This type of thing is very upsetting to me.  I find it difficult to continue a sense of safety and control in my own home when I have to be double check and locking things.  

I also have to explain these types of things to the kids and I am not too sure how.  How to tell my 3 year old, that sometimes people take things that are not theirs, that sometimes people don't respect other people and their things, and that sometimes  people in difficult situations don't always make the best choices.    Regardless of how I tell them, they will not understand as they live in a work where nothing bad happens, everyone loves one another, and they are always safe and why should that have to change?  

{this moment}

This picture look familiar I know.  I originally posted it here showing or new inside now outside.  This is a peak at the same space being loved and used.  With this amazing weather this week it is getting lots of use! The pool is our new favourite place.