WAY TO GO, PAULA

We were very proud of our friend Paula Wolfert for her accomplishment. She has been a source of inspiration (and challenge) to us in developing pots that work with the exactness of the recipes she researches and writes about. If you haven't read any of her wonderful books, try ''Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco' or 'The Cooking of SW France'. They are as much histories and travelogues as cookbooks.
Sun Jun 8, 10:53 PM ET

Chef Jacques Pepin, left, congratulates Paula Wolfert, author of 'Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco,' for being entered into the Cookbook Hall of Fame at the 2008 James Beard Foundation Awards, Sunday, June 8, 2008 at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York. The awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their field.(AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

(Story by AP)

I LOVE A PARADE!

We've had geese on the pond ever since the ponds were put in by Fish & Wildlife as part of the Wildlife Refuge Program, funded by Ducks Unlimited. Normally geese pick out a site as first yearlings, defend it for a year, and then come back the next year to nest. The year we seem to have 2 pair, one on the north pond, one on the south. On May 20th, a pair seemed to be nesting on the dike between the ponds.
Then on May 23rd we spotted the first goslings....first in the water then on the dike.

Then today, June 3rd, what should appear but a full bore goose parade. Once the goslings are born, the adults lose their flight feathers and are earthbound. Guess like all parents they might sometimes like to get away, but nature won't allow it. Now the danger starts. Snapping turtles, fox and coyote, raccoons, hawks and eagles....all looking for these tasty morsels. We count every time we see them to see how they're doing.

Note how much these little beggars have grown just in a couple of weeks. Soon they'll start to molt into their juvenile plummage. The parents have to walk them everywhere. From the ponds to the main lake a thousand feet away. Those little feet get a lot of exercise.

CUSTOM TABLEWARE

2008 ASID SHOWCASE HOME

"Features" Clay Coyote Custom Tableware

We were really flattered a few months ago, when Sara Goodrich of Gabbert's Design in the Galleria in Edina, MN, approached us about making a custom set of casual dining tableware for the 2008 ASID Showcase Home. We really didn't realize what a 'big deal' this was. Click on the top headline for a link to the Star-Tribune's coverage and professional photos of this beautiful home.

Betsy and Sarah viewing the table in the Great Room

Sarah is a designer for Gabbert's (sgoodrich@gabberts.com) and one of the 3 women who worked to design this casual, easy living room. We had the chance to tour the home last week at the 'resources' night. It was quite an experience! For those who don't know, we do many sets of tableware each year for customers looking for the unique for their table settings. We have 2 basic styles-European and Asian, and, as we did for the Showcase Home, also do completely custom work. Right now Tom just finished a set of custom plates with an off-center foot and a cantilevered rim where the glaze design will go. It should make for a spectacular presentation of food. Visit the Clay Coyote website for more information on custom tableware. From there you can cruise for various items. Many sets are done for wedding registries.

THREE WEEKS

Three weeks ago Morgan (Betsy's daughter) took this picture. April 26th.
Ten days later, May 6th, The colorful birds, who usually arrive about mid-May started showing up. Cardinal pair at the feeder, (not bare trees behind them)

And a bunch of gold finches and several Baltimore Orioles

And the lst few years we haven't had any Yellow-headed blackbirds....but this year, a whole bunch. Note that by their arrival, the crabapple was getting leaves.

And the geese were on their nests by May 10th.

Bluejays are here all year, but note that the crabapple has now got blooms...3 weeks from teh last snowfall. Everything's happen at the same time this year...leaves, blooms, tulips, lilacs, fruit trees blossoming. Nature wants the year back from the winter trolls!

And just this morning, I saw the first goslings swimming in the pond! Picture shortly.

IT'S OFFICIAL

This was the lake this morning....a small remnant of ice on the western shore. Sharp eyes will pick out a robin sitting on the post. On the right is the lake at 2:30 pm.....wide open! Believe it or not, for those of us who live 'up north' this is one of the bigger days of the year. I kow...'get a life'.

So Betsy 'chalks up another one' ....a new record since we moved here in 1994. Latest ice-out ever. No wonder we're crabby.

But the gallery's progressing nicely, the new web site is progressing but a huger job than we thought (huger is a word, trust me-I used to win at Scrabble all the time) the kiln is firing and Betsy just left to get a bunch of the food for the opoen house next weekend. Life is Good!

Well I'll Be Darned

COYOTES ARE TRAINABLE....sort of....

So here we are on Monday starting the process of learning to put photos and copy on the all new Clay Coyote website which is scheduled to go 'live' on April 25th. Above is, l to r, Michele, Betsy, Steven Palmer (designer extraorinaire) and the ever patient Luann Drazkowski who keeps us all moving mostly forward. (Herding coyotes is a lot like herding cats).

Added into this picture on the left is the shy one, Deanna Schwint who does all the programming magic and pulls us out when we, regularly, get stuck.

Vivid Image has been our webmaster since we started online in about '97 or '98. Very patient and talented people they are!!

APRIL FOOL!

I guess it happens 'most every year. The late spring snow storms...but this is our second 6 incher in a week. Above is the front walk about noon yesterday (Mar. 31). Only a couple of inches down.

And ever year the 2 geese who have owned our pond the last 4 or 5 years show up just in time to get dumped on. At least this year the pond was open water for their comfort.They were joined by a few ducks, too. This is one of the few pieces of open water around this year.

We seem to measure the seasons more by what's happening than by temperature out here. I suppose a philosopher would mumble something about the theater of seasons...I'll just mumble, thank you.
For the locals and Twin Cities readers, the Hutchinson Theatre Company is doing their production of Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" this weekend (April 3-4-5 and next, April 10-11-12. Tickets are available on-line now at http://www.hutchtheatre.org/.

THE GREAT 2008 MUG VOTE!

THE GREAT MUG VOTE-OFF

Since it is the season of voting, we're joining the crowd. Always before, we just kind of came up with new shape ideas, made a bunch and tried to sell them. This year, thanks to the wonders of blogs, you get to pick instead of us!

Below are 2 photos, one of the current basic 4 shapes we make, and below are 4 new ones. They are shown 'naked'...without glaze so the glaze won't affect your vote. Choose you favorites and then click on 'Comments' link at the bottom. You'll be able to see how others have voted,too.

Just write the numbers in order (favorite first)....you can include current mugs too.

--------1 ---------------- 2-----------3--------------- 4 -----------
The four current mugs are 'flare', 'bulb', 'traditional', 'straight',

----------------5------------------ 6----------------- 7--------------- 8------------

The new mugs are variations on the themes. 5 starts with a small bottom and flares into an outwardly curved shape. 6 is similar but starts small but flares dramatically all the way up with a slight curve. 7 is for tha 'artsy' crowd. I throw a basic mug, then use a rib to impress a coiled look. The last migh be called a 'barrel' shape. Small foot, then pushed out to a gently curved barrel shaped top.
Your turn......vote on!. If you have any specific comments, we'd love to hear them too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.....THE BIG DAY!

So now comes the big day! Timing it backwards from finish, you separate the pork, pork skin, and remove the herbs from the meat/bean ragout.

The Duck is freed from baggie bondage (right) and the layering begins. First a layer of pig skin in the bottom to keep the dish from sticking.
Then a layer of beans,

Then some pork, the duck, more beans and so on. The Toulouse sausage goes on top. And it all goes into the oven. In this cse Betsy started it at our house, then about 1/2 way through we transported it to the final party at the Fahey's gorgeous prairie style home in Hutchinson.

So here it is! The crowning glory. Just add wine, some fresh french bread, a great salad and wonderful company! Paula's recipe will feed 8 to 14 depending on the appetizers, in this case italian sausage and hard cheeses....and for dessert shirleys famous mudslide cheese cake. Oh man is this living. We give our thanks to Jeff and Candace Woods who brought the salad and wine, Jim and Linda Fahey for hosting, Tom and Shirley Smith for the bread and mudslide...and especially to Paula for all the work she did in finding this classic recipe. This is truly entertaining at it's best.

Oh yeah, everyone was so enthralled with the meal that no one took a picture of everyone sitting down and enjoing!

Is it worth it all? An unqualified yes! There is no better way to enjoy the company of friends!

And since no one got a picture of everyone, guess thisone of Maggie will have to do!

HAPPY NEW YEAR CASSOULET- DAY 3

Now the action starts! The duck has marinated overnight, the pork is ready, beans at hand, vegetables cleaned, start early.

First we sealed the marinated duck into vacuum pouches. Last year we tried to make do with zip closure bags, but the vacuum sealer was the secret.

The duck pouches are then cooked at 180 degF for 6 hours.

Then the rest of the pork gets cut into cubes, veggies chopped...beans are washed and set to soak overnight.

And perhaps the most interesting part of this whole caper, and the reason for being really good friends with a great butcher, you need a piece of pig skin...hair attached is optional, and the NON option is really preferred if available.

But since the butcher in Gaylord only had fresh pork, we got to scald and scrape off the hair, and singe the last little bit, then roll the skin into tight rolls, much easier said than done.

All this goes into the pot, with herbs, to make a pork ragout. It cooks awhile while the duck is in hot water.

The ragout is placed to cook for several hours. This is really a great picture!

Now the beans and meat ragout are brought together and

simmered for seeral hours. Then chill it down for overnight...easy to do on the porch here in Minnesota winters! This reduces thee sauce and blends the flavors.

HAPPY NEW YEAR...CASSOULET DAY 2

The second day (Thursday) is a light schedule. The process is to imitate duck confit. A confit is an old method of storing meats by rendering out fat and storing the meat covered with fat. In this case, we are not using fat, but the cooking method known as sous vide to tenderize the duck meat. After cutting up the duck (this was about the only part where we purchased an ingredient), it is placed overnight in a bag with herbs. Paula Wolfert gives full instructions in her book "The Cooking of SW France". The beauty of this is that it takes 2 days instead of weeks.

The result was excellent. The duck meat becomes silky smooth instead of stringy. Betsy did cheat the instructions a bit. The recipe calls for using just the legs, but she used pretty much the whole thing.

HOW TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR....THE RIGHT WAY!

It's going to be a tradition. Cassoulet at New Years'. This traditional dish of SW France, specifically the Toulouse region was researched and included in Paula Wolfert's famous book, The Cooking of SW France . This is far more than a cookbook...it's an introduction to a culture through it's cooking. For those who are starting to look at green eating and being a locavore, you can do a cassoulet pretty much locally (if you've got a good butcher who processes home raised animals). Take a look at, http://www.localharvest.org/ to find farms and farmers near you.

Tom starting the process slicing pork from Katy and Peter Hemberger's CSA farm to make Toulouse style sausage.

Paula's book not only gives the basic recipe, but recipes for all the somewhat specialized ingredients like Toulouse sausage and duck confit.

Betsy finished off the additional ingredients ( the wine was for the sausage, not her!). Unfortunately we don't have a picture of the two of us working the Kitchenaid to grind and stuff the sausage.

Have to say the result not only looked good, but tasted fabulous. While Paula lists some shortcuts and substitutions, we did it her way all the way this time, and the result was heaven!
So once the sausages are made, the first day is done.
As you'll see later, we got into all this a few years ago when Paula approached us to make a cassole (which is the pot in which you finish the cassoulet which was similar to one she got in France some 20 years ago for the first edition of her book. In 2 years we've sold over 80 of these beautiful bowls.

BETSY'S A GRANDMA!!!!!

No, that's not Betsy in the picture, it's Michelle, and Josh, and John Phoenix Jindrich....boy is he pink!!...as of about hours after he was born on Tuesday Nov. 13th. A little early but he's making up for his grandma. 6 lbs, 7 oz. 19-1/2". Welcome to the world little guy!

BURN BABY BURN....or...>YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!

This photo is from the big prairie burn in 2003. Over the years, I've been able to burn the Prairie as necessary to keep it in shape...promote prairie grasses, kill trees and weeds. It would take me 2 or 3 hours alone with my weed burner and the right wind to knock down the whole 30 acres. It's safe since it's bordered by lake, plowed field and road.

Then, 2 years ago, the US Fish and Wildlife Service decided it was no longer safe for us to burn it. Had to get a plan done by them, and they had to burn it. Now, they have millions of acres under management...and not unlimited manpower. And to burn this field requires a south or southwest wind....you don't just schedule a crew for Thursday and expect the wind to go along.

But in their wisdom, they never got it burned last year. Now we're having a serious problem with trees and prickly ash undergrowth wrecking about half the restoration. So instead of spring which is the best time to burn, they decide on fall...today to be exact. Proper wind, and they show up with 5 guys, a Bobcat, a cross country water vehicle, a 4-wheeler and this 'swamp buggy'...oh yeah, 2 trucks and an SUV.


Wow!





So they work from 10 til 1 and get about 2 acres torched. Lunch break. Then they got to it. This is better. And they torched the big slash pile that has accumulated over the last few years. So the cats won't have anywhere to hunt for chipmunks and rabbits anymore.
Don't get me wrong, we appreciate the help...but 5 guys and all that equipment?

WEEKENDS IN THE COUNTRY

This year, we are working with Bonnie Mohr Studio and The Hog Shed to bring you 3 weekends of fun, fine art, fine craft and antiques and collectibles. The first weekend, October 26-28, overlaps with our Gallery Fall Open House. The we skip a weekend for deer opening and have two more.

Click here (weekend%20day.pdf ) for teh Weekend Brochure .pdf.

BONNIE MOHR STUDIO
“Painting the sights of Rural America”

A visit to the Bonnie Mohr Studio is a bit
different than one to other fine art galleries. Here you will also find one of Bonnie’s favorite art
subjects, the dairy cow. Visitors will see the black and white Holsteins lining the drive way to the
studio in rural Glencoe, MN.

Inside Bonnie’s cottage showroom, open to the public M-F from 9-5, you will find a charming
display of artist originals, art prints, gilclee’s, note cards and giftware.

Each oil painting represents hours of exacting research and meticulous planning that comes
together when she begins each new piece. Her subject matter ranges from cows to goats and
everything else in between! Mohr blends realism with an innate sense of color and design, making each original a classic work of art.

Bonnie Mohr Studio
10454 160th Street
Glencoe, MN 55336
http://www.bonniemohr.com/

THE HOG SHED
Nestled among the corn fields of rural
Minnesota on a “Turn–of-the-Century” farm, you’ll discover The Hog Shed.
Here you will find everything you
desire to fit your style.

Add personality, warmth and comfort to your home and garden, with our one of a kind, time worn treasurers.

The Hog Shed is surrounded by
Gardens. Everyone enjoys the Hosta path that winds through the corn crib. Along the trail you’ll also visit the Wren Cottage. This charming
cottage is filled with lots of old and new! The variety includes furniture, country comforts and vintage décor….. You are sure to add a touch of charm to your home with treasures from
The Hog Shed!

Fabulous Finds - Unique Gifts - Great Prices - Fun Old Stuff

The Hog Shed
19556 Babcock Ave.
Lester Prairie MN 55354
Phone: 320-395-2043 0r 612-965-0889

Hope to see you out for the Open House, or for a Weekend in the Country!

SAVORY FALL STEW

Our favorite farmers, Katy and Peter Hemberger (and little Waldo) publish their farm news everyweek for those who have memberships in their CSA farm. http://www.augustearth.com/

Last week they published SAVORY FALL STEW capitalizing on the fabulous fall veggies now in. This one is FANTASTIC!

2 TBsp olive Oil
12 oz. spicy Italian Sausage
1-1/2 c chopped onion
1-1/2 c crushed tomatoes
3 c Chicken stock
fresh or dried herbs (rosemary, oregano and/or thyme)
2-1/2 lb butternut squash peeled and cubed
3 carrots cut into 1/2" pieces
3 parsnips cut into 1/2" pieces
12 brussel sprouts trimmed and halved
2 tsp salt (or to taste.

Heat oil in sauce pan, add sausage and cook 'til browned. Remove from saucepan. Pour off all but 2 tbsp of fat, raise heat to medium high.
Add onions, cook 5 minutes, then add tomatoes, stock and herbs. Lower heat to medium and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.
Add sausage, squash, carrots, parsnips and simmer about 10 minutes. Add sprouts (yes, ya gotta put the sprouts in) and cook, covered, about 10 more minutes.
Remove cover, cook and stir occasionally until liquid thickens...maybe 15 more minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. A bit of garlic bread and wine and you're in heaven. Trust me! There is a savory sweetness to this stew that is fabulous.

A Ripe Old Age

We're sad to let you know that Betsy's dad Hugh A. Price, 94, died in his sleep during the night of October 9-10. He is shown above about 15 years ago with his lovly wife Mildred who tried to keep him in line.

He was born in Chicago on January 5, 1913 to Hugh A. and Lillian Price. He attended Hyde Park High School and went on to get his BS at the University of Chicago. He received his MBA from Northwestern University. He was a paint chemist for several different companies before joining DeSoto, Inc of DesPlaines, IL, where he spent 25 years of his career. He was most proud of being part of the team that developed the first paint mixing machine the "Mark IV" that changed how paint was sold.
He married his sweetheart, Mildred I. Williams, the girl with the big eyes, long eyelashes and pretty long curls, on August 29th, 1932. They had five children that they raised in Chicago and then Elmhurst, IL.
Hugh had many interests and hobbies. From fencing, raising award winning roses, playing cribbage and gin, tropical fish, racing Porsche's, growing orchids, ballroom dancing, fishing from Canada to the Amazon, to his lifelong and favorite interest-golf. He started playing golf as a young child and continued into his late 80's, when he had to stop due to health problems. He was a member of River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst, IL, and Royal Palm Country Club in Naples, FL. He always hoped that one of his children would take up the game.
Hugh and Mildred retired to Naples FL in 1974, Being in Naples where they could play golf everyday, fish and garden was the highlight of his life. Mildred died in 1993, at which time Hugh left Florida and went to live with his children. First Susan in Hinsdale, IL, then Betsy in Hutchinson, MN and when Minnesota winters were too hard for him, to his son Bill's in Portland, OR.
Hugh died in Prineville, OR on October 9th at the age of 94.He is survived by his son Hugh A. in Portland, OR, daughters Susan Hensel of Ossian, IN; Julie Bostian of Washington DC; and Betsy Price of Hutchinson, MN. Grandchildren, Michele Barber of Algonquin, IL; Chris Olson of Marietta, GA; Morgan Jindrich of Austin, TX; Josh Jindrich of Gresham, OR; Danielle Bostian of .NY; Damien Bostian of .. And many great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh A. and Lillian; step-mother Lil Price; wife Mildred; son Bill and grandson Michael Olson.

Seafoam Green

This post is for the readers of the ClayArt discussion group. This platter is glazed in Seafoam Green (turns out it's a Coleman recipe). Lots of running. We're going to try to tighten it up since you can get some great effects like putting some copper red over it.

The Show Is Over

Well, at least the Art show season is done for us this year. Long weekend. We went to Bayfield WI, the gorgeous town that is the jumping off point for the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior.

Lots of sailing (deep water). Should have been a good show. But we got there Thursday, set up part way in the dark (1 hour of work in 2-1/2 hours.) then came back Friday am to finish up. At 8:30 the chamber told us severe weather was headed in (30+ mph wind and rain) and that we didn't have to set up. So we didn't.

Off to Greunke's for breakfast, then back to the room for a nap. Went back to the show when the rain tapered off at 2 or so, finished setting the pots up just in time to close at 5. Next morning, at least the rain had stopped (mostly), and the fresh breeze off the lake kept us on our toes. Betsy was very happy.We're not exactly how the girl in shorts felt...probably numb, or maybe she was a sailor. And our neighbor lady was set for the weather and AppleFest. 30 years she's been doing it!

So 5 days, and we netted maybe $500 profit. When's the last time you made a profit on your vacation?

Oh yeah, the weather cleared a bit on Sunday so everyone could go to the big parade.

FALL OPEN HOUSE POST CARD

FOR YOUR REFRIGERATOR
We're starting towards using email for more of our notifications. Part of this is because of cost, part of it since, as we're doing more shows, the need to be able to send out last minute changes in locations of booths, etc. We're also going to start a new monthly newsletter that will feature new Clay Coyote items (before they hit the website), new Gallery items and some specials that will only be available via email (that's the carrot to signup). The first issue will go out about October 15th before the Open House.

To get on the email list, just go to claypot@hutchtel.net , and send us a message that says sign me up. If you want an address other than the one you're using to sign up, note that also in the message.
You can print a copy of the card for your fridge, just by clicking on the above image, then clicking file:print. That should give you a card to hang up. I'm working on making it full-sized which you should be able to get by clicking here: 2007%20FallPC.pdf

New Item In The Gallery--Ian Take Note

Knit Merino Wool Cape
We don't normally brag about new stuff in the Gallery on the blog, but these new capes have been a big hit with everyone working here. Cozy and eye-catching, that’s what you’ll be in your new Merino wool knit cape by Sandy Ku. Ann, above, modele the tan one in the Gallery. A very soft hand weave, these capes beg to be worn (except in the Studio).

Wear open like a shawl, or wrap up cozy if it gets a bit chilly. Perfect for game, party and everyday.

Double-faced and reversible so it’s like 2 capes in one!

Lots of color combinations available. (About $299)

THE FALL CREW

So, here we are, all shiny and cute...well maybe the guy isn't so cute. Ann's on the top right, with Katy below her. They'll be the mainstays in the Gallery this fall and winter. Michele on the upper left will take over assisting in the studio, a job she's done part-time this summer, while helping in the Gallery and the gardens. (Is there anything this woman can't do?)
Actually, we're stealing Katy back from Peter and their CSA farm. Page back to early summer and we had a post on what they're up to.
If you check really closely, there are actually 6 people in this photo. A $5 certificate to anyone who can spot little Waldo! claypot@hutchtel.net

A Fascinating Visit

Today we had a fascinating visit. Dennis Berquist of the local Ridgewater College brings groups in from various countries to study, in this case, various dairy practices among Minnesota farmers.

The ladies came from Egypt (Upper Nile) since the US government wouldn't let the men come since many are Islamic.

Since not everything can be work, they took a break and came by the Clay Coyote to see what another small business in the US might look like.

Betsy showed glazing processes...

...while Tom gave a demo on the wheel. The gentleman with the headset and microphone was an interpreter, and each of the ladies had a receiver and earpiece to receive the translation. A great idea since it allowed the freedom to move around and still be able to hear everything.

The Clay Coyote Gallery Summer Picnic

IT WAS A FABULOUS WEEKEND!!!

70 Deg, A little breeze and

Throngs of people!

Thank you all for stopping out!

We estimate that some 700 or 800 people stopped out over the Saturday/Sunday affair.

Guest Artists included:

Madam Lorna from Excelsior brought her oils, soaps and scents, http://www.madamlorna.com/

Lollie Hinkle from Mankato had her fine silver handcrafted jewelry,

Margo Bonniwell, a neighbor who also happens to publish the Clay Coyote cookbook brought her handcrafted journals, books, and paper creations.

Kim Hensel, from Hutchinson, brought her Maille jewelry and garments.

And finally, while a family emergency kept her from being here, Patti Ellis from Frankfort, IL, sent some of her Pheasant Feather art.

The echinacea and other prairie plants made a spectacular showing. Tom even mowed a path out into the prarie restoration to allow visitors to get up close and personal with the 9 or 12 grasses, maybe 15 flowers, and maybe a few mosquitoes...although not many because it's been so dry.

Inside, it was a frenzy on Saturday. Betsy puts on a