Really?

Doesn't this sort of defeat the purpose?

I'm a big cereal person, so I had to buy a box. Still... whole grain and chocolate? WTF?

It occurred to me that the last three posts have been about breakfast cereal, shots of tequila, and bologna sandwiches. Wonder what the hidden message is behind that.

A little off topic - Happy Birthday, Christine!

Memorial shadow box

Did this ever happen to you - you get home at the end of your workday and you look back on everything that happened during the course of your day? A little reflection is all I'm talking about, not obsessing about the whole day.

Yesterday was busy for me - between going to a few homes to give some estimates on work, and running all over town to pick up materials, by the time I actually arrived at my woodshop to start working, I was pooped.

But one of the pieces I just finished was this memorial shadow box, for a young airman who died unexpectedly.



His fellow airmen decided to have this case built, with some memorabilia placed inside it, in his honor. He was 21.

So when I arrived home last night, Stella and I walked outside, where I noticed one of the last limes hanging from the little tree in the backyard. It probably should have been picked a few weeks ago, it was a little past it's prime.

When we came back in, I poured Troy and myself a shot.


Not sure if he was a tequila guy or not, but he was last night. Cheers Troy, RIP.

Another reason to celebrate October

October is my favorite month. It's filled with gorgeous colors, the weather is amazing, football is in full swing, and we celebrate my mom's birthday.

But I just learned of another reason to celebrate - October 24th is National Balogna Day. Here's a little tribute:

I might have to make fried balogna sandwiches for dinner this weekend!

Furniture critic

The last time I bought furniture, it was 1997. Seriously.

And the only reason I bought them (a couch and an oversized chair) was because they were upholstered, and I don't generally build upholstered pieces.

Before that, the last time I bought anything was 1989, when I splurged on some Thomas Moser barstools.


I have two of them, and they actually look better today than when they first arrived. The patina that has developed is amazing, and they've actually appreciated in value. Sweet.

So today is an exciting day, as I just splurged a bit and added a new piece to my home.

If you have a bad back, and you lift heavy things all day, you will appreciate the fact that this chair has three 15-minute full-body massage programs. I might not leave the house this week.

Ask any furniture maker about their furniture and they will probably tell you that they've built almost every piece that they have in their home. Sure, sometimes some family heirlooms sneak in, but generally, all my woodworking buddies have gone the route of "I don't want anyone else's stuff in my home!" (Except for maybe this massage chair.)

I'll let you know if it's worth it. Hey - maybe that's a new career - furniture critic. I know it would be a lot easier on my back!

Some people are SO creative

This is amazing!

On vacation

This has been a great week, I've been spending time with family and friends in Ohio. Even managed to squeeze in a round of golf - and one-putted three greens! (I won't tell you how many three-putts I had, however.)

It's been a long time since I've picked up a club, so I was pleased with my game. (Note to self: get out on the course more often.)

Tomorrow, I'll hop on a plane and head home. But for one more night, I'll have a nice meal with my family, and enjoy our time together.

I'll be back to blogging soon.

More random studio thoughts and shots...

Don't have much to say, things are hectic here and words aren't coming easy. So I thought I'd let my camera do most of the blogging today. Here are some random things around the shop.

That clock I started a couple of weeks ago went from this...

to this


to this.


My friend Maria's buxom chicken lady. Love her boots.


Two very old (body-builder) inlays that are still hanging around.

These pitchers still aren't bisqued!


I still have the page of the calendar from the day my aunt died. Is that odd?


No, this isn't as bizarre as it looks.

It's an old towel rack - I stupidly broke one side of this, and I couldn't bear to throw the other side away. Some day I will be at a flea market and find another half to this.


How NOT to glaze small tile. All of these leaves are overglazed and stuck to the shelf. That's what I get for listening to Linken Park while I'm glazing.


Perfect temperature, though.


Better job on these pieces.



Everyone needs a bottle of Zoloft hand soap in their shop, right?


Which brings me to my final thought - do other people have hands that are as messed up as mine are?

Mine look like they took a dip in the garbage disposal while it was running. They're cut and bruised and I think I have a broken bone, as well.

Off to work...