More beading today. It is incredible to see the work that Kate has produced since I've been gone. Truly incredible.

This is going to be a ridiculously amazing book. I am extremely excited to be a part of it. Even just to see what is possible in beads when, instead of turning left at a forked path, you turn right, has been interesting, educational and humbling.

A lot of my work has developed over the years through me thinking 'I wonder what would happen if I...' and then experimenting. But seeing all of this work being created from the same starting point, but veering off in different directions, has shown me that actually I have only been experimenting within limited parameters.

I don't often mix bead sizes, type or shapes and seeing Kate doing this has made me want to do it more. Check out her blog to see just what I mean.

Dinner today is a trip to Hub where I try, and fall in love with, grits. Then it's time to decide what ice-cream to have. They have a wide selection and most appeal, but the one that catches my eye, not for a good reason, is granola sorbet.

You know when you watch cooking competition programmes and the presenters say how a combination didn't work? Well, up until now I had never had a combination I didn't like. But this was it. Guava and hibiscus sorbet- delightful. Bits of crunchy, oaty granola- delicious. Together- not a combination made in heaven. But I was pleased to finally taste something I didn't like and understand what people meant when talking about unsuccessful combinations. Some days you just have to see the upside of things not working, or tasting nice.

Before heading out to Tucson this trip I've been following the progress of the baby hummingbird on Kate's blog. Actually being here and seeing the tiny bird, up in the tiny nest, with his incredible beak is indescribable. Even though I have now seen a few hummingbirds with my own eyes, they still seem to me like mythical creatures. Some kind of tiny, winged unicorn sent to amaze. To be honest I'm not entirely convinced they're real. Perhaps Kate has magicked them up for my amusement much as Dustin probably made up The Military Order of the Cootie last year? I wouldn't put it past her.