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Mugshot Monday - “Aunt Louisa’s Rainbow Whale Mug” by Otagiri with Snowshoe Brew by Peace Coffee

We were in Milwaukee over the weekend for my Aunt Louisa’s funeral. She died the week of Thanksgiving. She was 70 years old.

I was very emotional, yet I became energized talking with relatives I had not seen in a long time. Family is so good like that. I was so happy seeing everyone during this somber time.

I did finally lose it and I cried after my mom (Louisa’s sister) and Jean (Louisa’s cousin) gave the perfect eulogy. They took turns talking about her life and sharing such eloquent memories. We all laughed remembering the good times, but in the end I cried and cried.

This mug is another one of Louisa’s whale mugs from her collection. I was moved to use it today.

We put out the rest of her whale mugs – along with her *incredible* bell collection – for others to take in remembrance of her.

I smile when I think how many people will continue to remember Aunt Louisa as they ring one of her bells or drink from one of her whale mugs.

Cheers to Aunt Louisa! I love you forever.

See also my 460+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Always Be a Squirrel” mug by SkyTeeDesigns with Snowshoe Brew by Peace Coffee

I would think it’d be pretty rad to be a squirrel. But NOT during the winter in Minnesota. 😂

This Christmas, my 16YO received more mugs than I did! That’s probably for the better – I’m running out of room. He graciously let me borrow this mug that his Aunt Kari and Uncle Neil gave him. Love it.

Cheers to 2019! I have a feeling that things are going to get a little squirrelly this year.

PS: I love my SQUIRRELZILLA t-shirt, too. Find it at Headline Shirts!

See also my 460+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Little Awesome Birdie” tumbler by Christy Wetzig with Jameson Irish Whiskey

Happy New Year all you awesome people!

People like my neighbors Lisa and Shane who invited us over to their New Year’s Eve gathering tonight. I am reminded that Laughing Out Loud is more fun in crowds! Cheers!

I wanted to feature my Christy Wetzig tumbler on this New Year’s Eve – I adore it. I met her at the Mill City Farmer’s market a few year’s back when my wife Cindy and I fell in love with two of her little birdie cups.

Christy is a rad ceramic artist who moved from Minneapolis to Wisconsin where she’s building out a ceramics studio *and* her family’s home. How cool is that?Follow her on Instagram (@the.clay.life) and follow the progress.

Happy New Year to you and yours! Cheers!

See also my 460+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Kaitenzushi (Conveyor Belt) Sushi Chef” tea cup by Yokohama Gifts with TeaSource Green Tea

What’s your favorite item at the sushi bar? I looooooove Ahi (tuna) sashimi.

I found this lovely tea cup at United Noodles grocery store in South Minneapolis on a recent trip and it makes me smile! Although I’ve never been to a Conveyor Belt Sushi bar before, it reminded me of when I was 18 and tried sushi for the first time.

I was in an exchange program through Youth For Understanding staying with a host family in Kobe, Japan. My family set out to shape my sushi experience by having me try as many different kinds of sushi as possible.

It’s all delicious over in Japan (except ONE which I’ll mention later), but I was a little worried about eating sashimi.

Sashimi is straight-up raw fish sliced into thin pieces. That’s it. 😳

Of course, some kinds of sushi have raw fish, too. But it also has rice which somehow made it seem more accessible to me.

The sashimi was just sitting on a plate in all its glory with NOTHING ELSE but soy sauce and some wasabi. I was a little freaked out to try it.

I took a deep breath and took a bite. And that was when I discovered that raw tuna is AMAZING. I could not eat enough of it.

The only sushi I will never eat again is Sea Urchin Egg Sushi. It tasted like the salty sand from a beach off the coast of North Carolina. OMG it was so bad. I’ll stick with the raw fish! 😂

I just found out Minneapolis now has it’s very own Conveyor Belt Sushi Bar! Sushi Train opened up on Nicollet Mall this summer – anyone been there? Let’s go check it out!

It’d be nice to try some sashimi again – it’s been a long time! Cheers!

Here’s a “mug-o-rama” panorama shot of the full artwork on the cup (SO AWESOME):

See also my 460+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

duckandorpenguin:

this is a @mrcookieface joint (or definitely inspired by his style). I miss that rock star.

Love the toggle on that thing.

Star Wars Gamorrean Guard Mug by Applause is RED HOT.

Mugshot Monday - “Star Wars Ugly Sweater Mug” by  Lucasfilm with a Lemon Ginger Hot Toddy

I wish I had the matching Star Wars ugly sweater to go with this cool mug! 😃

Cindy and I got hooked on the lemon ginger hot toddies at the Seward Coop and now we make our own.

We just use equal parts ginger (juiced), lemon (juiced) and honey in boiling water. The Roasted Root has a good recipe if you don’t have a juicer. I skip the cayenne pepper because that seems just a little TOO gnarly, but I won’t judge.

We usually have them in the mornings – especially in the winter –  and that spicy ginger has such a nice *kick*. Some people make them with rum or bourbon which is probably LOVELY whilst sipping next to a warm fireplace in the evening.

Shout-out to my cousin Julie who gifted this mug to my eldest son two years back. Awesome mug! Cheers!

See also my 460+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Kurinuki cup” by Melissa Weiss Pottery  with Jameson Irish Whiskey

I won this rad cup in a random drawing of people who bought Melissa Weiss’ rad new pottery book! I’ve long admired her work on Instagram (@melissaweisspottery) – the pictures of hand built mugs, the texture, the glazes, the good vibes.

I feel so lucky – because I have her book, and because I have one of her cups.

I’m a mug collector currently learning to be a mug maker. Melissa Weiss is a studio potter making amazing pottery in Asheville, North Carolina. 

Her book, Hand Built – A Potter’s Guide, is perfect because it’s written for beginners – like me – but also for experienced ceramic artists which I hope to some day be.

I’m immediately drawn to her chapters on coil and slab methods, Kurinuki (the method of carving a pot from a solid block of clay), and pulling handles.

Some chapters I’m going to leave for a later day like: finding / digging / testing / / processing local clay (WHOA), building pots from multiple vessels (LOOKS SO COOL BUT HARD), and firing methods (OMG I AM NOT READY FOR THAT). 😂

Weiss’ writing is clear and consistent and she inspires me to make things. The photography is delightful and does a really nice job of reinforcing her instructions. And my goodness, her work is gooooooood.

She also interviews other artists in the book. Mitch Iburg, Catherine White and Warren Frederick, Naomi Dalglish and Michael Hunt, Nicholas Danielson, Lindsay Oesterritter, Lindsay Rogers, Nancy Green, Shawn Ireland, and Candice Methe are all are featured and have a lot of insightful things to say!

This is a very cool book, one that I will be learning from for a long time. Thank you, Melissa for writing it! And thanks for the cup. I love it.

See also my 460+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “My Aunt Louisa’s ‘Whopper Whale’ Mug” by Taylor & Ng with Morning Glory Blend by Peace Coffee

My Aunt Louisa died a week ago today. This was one of her whale mugs from her whale mug collection. I can totally see her drinking coffee from it.

She loved to travel and went on some incredible trips to Ecuador, New Zealand, Nepal, India, Belize, and Italy. She also went to the Sea of Cortez to go whale watching.

She really enjoyed that trip and must have picked up a mug or two. Over time, that somehow grew into a 15+ whale mug collection – I guess everyone would give her a whale mug after they found out she loved whales. I can relate to that phenomenon. 😂

We were all shocked by the news. Louisa had been receiving treatment for colon cancer in preparation for surgery the week of Thanksgiving. Everything was going well and she was looking forward to getting it over with so she could begin her recovery.

It just seemed like a bad dream when my mom called me. Louisa was supposed to start getting better, but now she was no longer with us. She was 70 years old.

Aunt Louisa was always so positive and thoughtful – I can hear her laughing her hearty laugh. I can’t believe she’s gone.

We missed you at Thanksgiving, Aunt Louisa, and we’ll miss you forever. Rest in peace. I’m so happy I knew you. Cheers to you.

See also my 460+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

cutecornflakes:

It’s OK. It’s OK. Let him have some first.

I love this.