Hello! We are still in the midst of transitions here that are consuming most of my mental and physical energy, but I’ve been anxious to update you all. The school year has begun and I’m trying hard to be a really good homeschooler. Seth, Phoebe, and Elsie have moved into their own home, and I am honestly grieving. It’s one thing to say goodbye to grown kids. It’s another to go from sharing breakfast with your grandaughter on your lap nearly every morning, to not being sure when you will see her (sorry, if that sounds dramatic.) I know this is all well and good, but it’s harder than I imagined. Maybe because I tried not to imagine this part. There are now a mere ten of us living together in this house, and I’d say it’s a little less chaotic, which is good when one is trying to be a really good homeschooler. But we miss them. We miss Elsie and I know she misses all of us and that part is the hardest of all. I know she will be fine, but change is hard. I was going through my photos last night and came upon one of her and my heart siezed up and my eyes filled with tears. It’s okay, I’ll see her later this week and I have lots to do in the meantime.
This is the pot/bowl/thing that I made at our first pottery lesson. When I sent my mother photos of the things I have made so far, she wrote (and I agreed), “That white one is the best of them all.” It is truly one of a kind, quietly whispering, “handmade! handmade!” Nevermind those subsequent bowls that actually look bowl-like and have colorful glazes. This one is the real prize, so I will go ahead and overshare photos of it:
(The marigolds are called “strawberry blonde” and I highly recommend them!)
There is some really nice calendula salve available in my shop, the first batch from this year’s flowers. It’s always exciting to strain the first batch! I also made some goat’s milk soap using calendula infused olive oil. I am slowly gearing up for fall in my shop and have been working on a new project that I am excited to share soon.
Jonny makes something new and different every time we visit the pottery studio. I make variations on the bowl/cylinder every time we go, trying to master each step of the process, and accepting that I won’t actually be mastering anything for a long time. It’s been a hard year for Jonny and me and stress takes a toll on marriage if you don’t keep fighting to keep it your priority. I’m so thankful for this new hobby that we are both loving, that also takes us away from the stressful things for a few hours each week. Having something fun and challenging to look forward to together is so, so good.
My knitting mojo is sort of back, though I suspect I’ll never be the knitter I was in my thirties (hello, looming 48). This little sweater is just about finished and I have a long list of projects I want to start and hopefully complete before Christmas. My studio space is back to being more fully mine again, and I can feel my creativity returning, only in a less energetic way than in the past. I’m sorting it all out and hope to be able to start sharing more frequently all that I’m working on.
Missing these guys and my daughter in law… Even Francis the cat moved away! (Well, I don’t actually miss Francis.)
p.s. Did I ever tell you my grandmother name? After much thought and discussion over what I’d like to be called, Elsie started calling me “Nonna.” So I threw my ideas out, and went with hers of course.
Love “nonna”. The Italian name for grandmothers. Women with experience, wisdom and hearts full of uncomplicated love. Perfect ❤️
Pottery sounds like a fun date night, and you’ll have some special pieces to show for it.
I know how you feel about Elsie & Co. moving out! We housed my son and DIL during her pregnancy and until our precious Pia was 14 months old. It was so hard to let her go and, just as you said, not know when I’m going to see her again. So many changes! it’s right and good, but sometimes it’s hard.
61 now, I realized that years ago I painted this basement I am sitting in and I marvel at how much energy I must have had back then!!!
I guess living with you & yours must have been heaven for that little girl. It’s so sad when such great time comes to an end, but such a blessing that you’ve had this time together.
I’m sure you’re already a really good homeschooler. Since academics is only half of it, or how they say.
Sounds so good that you’ve found a hobby and retreat together with your husband, that you both enjoy! This imperfect bowl looks perfect.
It stirred up again my desire to do pottery.
I’ve just found a workshop quite near, but they do courses only without pottery wheel.
Do you use one? Is it worth it trying without?
I’m afraid though that im unable to create something under time pressure (as it used to be in school decades ago), and seeing comparing myself to others…
Have a blessed fall!
Hi Angela!
Yes, we are learning to use the pottery wheel. I think it’s very challenging, but also fun! I like being forced to be patient with myself and accepting of the fact that it will take many hours of practice.
Thank you! Yes I’ve heard that mastering the pottery wheel is much more challenging than one might think.
I might try this one night course without and see how I like that, and if I wanna go on and look for a frequent real deal course with wheel.
Your passion for crafts and arts and pictures of it are just so inspiring!
Nonna is grandmother in Italian.
Children-bestowed names are the best. 🙂 Your creativity and artwork of all sorts is beautiful.. the pottery, the photography, the flowers, knitting, soap-making, it’s all an inspiration. What a gift to make with our hands! May it be a comfort to you in this season of letting go.
I love your family updates! It’s hard when such a big part of your life changes. I know how it feels. Everything will be okay. It just feels like it won’t.
Your pottery is cute with the beautiful marigolds! Have a great Fall, it’s my favorite time of the year.
Blessings to you and your family!
Thank you for sharing this update, there is so much changing and happening in your family,
but this all is part of our love journey❤️
🙂
Looking at your reading list…have you read Edith Wharton “ the age of innocence”?
She is such an excellent Author, if you haven’t yet, we just want to mention it to you.
You stay well,
Terri
Hi Terri!
I think I have read it, but many years ago. I recently picked up a copy of Wharton’s House of Mirth. Have you read that one? If so, do you recommend it?
My children aren’t married yet but I already think I want to be called Meme, a variation of Memere. That’s what we all called my French great grandma.
The marigolds are beautiful, I must find some seed now. Did you get them from Southern Seed?
I may have gotten them from Swallowtail Garden seeds? I can’t remember but that’s where I buy most of my flower seeds.
I don’t always comment but I absolutely love reading your updates. You word things and reflect on them, reacting to situations in the way that I would, too. Anyway… I agree that the handmade bowl thingy is lovely. I also have/love the strawberry blonde calendula and have used my various calendula types to make salve and soaps.
As my kids get older, I’m wondering what it will be like if/when they start having their own families. We’re already at getting jobs and drivers’ licenses… it’s starting to get more real.
“Nonna” is so sweet! Will you insist on it for each grandchild, or let them choose their own names?
I prefer the idea of only one grandmother name that all the grandchildren call me, and think it’s fitting for the first to have chosen it! 🙂
Beautiful pictures Ginny. Love the pottery. Would you share the sweater pattern please it is so cute.
Thank you. Nice to see you back here.
Becky
Hi Becky! Here’s the pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/GinnySheller/fairy-dust-2 It’s called Fairy Dust and I really like it!
Hi Ginny! Thank you
Becky
I am just Grandma and I love it. My Grandma was “Grandma” so that’s what I want to be. Also “Grandma Jill” to designate me from the other Grandma in one family.
Your white bowl is perfection!
I love the name Nonna. Sweet. I have an 19 month old grandson and I’m Nene. 😊 I also understand about missing the kids and getting use to new things. It’s good but hard. I love that you and Jonny are trying pottery. Great idea!!
Nonna is perfect. Mine is Marmee. ❤️ I see my youngest granddaughter every week and I can’t imagine that coming to an end. I’m praying for your heart!
I love your posts, Ginny. Always so informative and inspiring! I think I’ve said this before but worth repeating; your photography brings me to tears. It’s amazing.
I love that your Elsie “named”you. My third grandchild gave me the name “Nama” after hearing me say “Nama Nama nam to him while feeding him and it stuck! I love that! Original and unique. BTW, Elsie is beautiful 😉
I love reading your posts and seeing your beautiful photos. Very inspiring. Your granddaughter is beautiful. I can understand your missing her.
I don’t know why I always want to remind you that I am your Mother’s first cousin. We spent a lot of time together as children playing Barbi’s, cards, and swimming in the “motel” pool. With Susan, too, of course.
Susan, Klaus and I spent a beautiful week in Kauai together last week. They have gone to Kauai with me 3 or 4 times.
Susan and I love to snorkel together.
I live in So. Calif. so don’t get to see my “Gilbert” cousins enough.
Dear Joan,
I always love to hear from you! I hear of your adventures with Aunt Su and Uncle Klaus from my mom!
Love, Ginny
I know exactly how you feel. My daughter and her husband lived with us and their new born triplet boys for the first year of their life. They left a big hole in my heart when they moved to their own house. I didn’t miss all the washing though!
I am always sad when I get to the end of your posts, they are never long enough 🙃 Thank you Ginny for your beautiful posts, photos and sharing your life with us!
Just love getting posts from you Ginny! I realized I’ve been reading probably 14 years! How can it be! A joy to read and I love your photos. I love pottery and enjoyed it in school! I’ve been wanting over the years to take a class. Maybe I will next year 🙂
Perhaps the two of you could work together on this newer endeavor. One creates the pots and the other creates the glazes.
Oh, she’s an Italian child! 🙂
Oh, I can imagine you’ll miss them a lot! Love these photos, especially the happy one of Seth and Elsie.
I think it’s great that you and Jonny found a joint passion in pottery, and I appreciate your openness about the fact that marriage (and relationships in general, honestly) take work and continued time for each other. I love that you found that while doing something creative together!
I love your cat as well (looks a little bit like my own, except my own also has a bit of red). What is its name?
Have a good fall season, Ginny!
His name is Figaro, after the tuxedo cat in Pinnochio!
So sweet Ginny ! The good & the challenging ! Love & prayers for you & your family ! I love your grandma name & the way in which you settled on it !:)
I recently purchased & tried your calendula salve (last batch) & I love it ! It’s heavenly !
I love Nonna!! Especially since Elsie assigned it. I understand your heartache of missing sweet Elsie, we only got a 5 days visit and I am already misty-eyed.
Grands & Great-Grands are the best.
You are brave to tackle the pottery wheel, keep it up.