Tall Tales from Kansas

The king of the spring garden

The first sign of spring in my garden is the weeping cherry.  Such a show off you have never seen. 

 

Having no competition since everything around it is pretty drab makes it easy to be the star of the show for about 2 weeks.  But the king of the spring garden, in my opinion, is this little gem right here.

 

Oh it doesn't look like much right now.  But just you wait.

 

Before you know it the beautiful blue and purple will burst out of their seams.  They are tall and strong and tower over everything else around them.  These are the flowers that will elicit comments from strangers that walk by and almost trip as they crane their necks to get a glimpse of them from every angle.  The allium - one of my best garden investments yet.  More photos to come as they progress into full bloom.   Meanwhile on another gardening front...

 

The supervisor had a couple of visitors today while we were weeding.   I wanted to enforce the "no fraternizing while working" rule, but how could I?  Besides, they found a small snake and chased it away thus earning their new status as assistants to the supervisor. 

Brookside Art Fair 2011

Hey You!  Yeah, YOU.  What are you doing this weekend?

 

If you are looking to mingle with some like-minded people on a nice spring weekend get yourself over here to Kanas City.  Brookside to be exact.  Look for the lights and the tents, sniff the air for the smell of popcorn, listen for some music... get ready to stroll through some original artwork.

 

I stopped by this afternoon before I headed home.  My head was spinning this way and that as I looked back and forth and up and down at all the great stuff that was there.

 

I like meeting friendly artists who know how to take care of business... especially if they don't mind when I ask to take their picture.

 

I also like seeing smart people who know when it's time to sit down, take a few breaths, and discuss what they are going to buy after they have been through all the booths twice, taking careful note of potential purchases.

 

I also met this fella.  I told him I normally don't feature ridiculous looking dogs in harness contraptions with pink and white daisies on my blog,  but just this once I would make an exception.  

The lucky cat martini

In preparation for the weekend, allow me to introduce the "lucky cat martini".



I am unsure of the origins of the name .  I had my first one at PF Changs and became infatuated with the flavors of pineapple and raspberry and the scent of vanilla everytime I lifted the glass to take a sip.  While I normally trust my tastebuds to pick out each individual ingredient in the proper proportion I took no chances with this one.  I secretly poured a sample into the container I carry just for this purpose, slipped it into my purse, and stopped at the lab for a content analysis.

 

With suspicions confirmed I began the testing process.  I don't want to provide any of my guests with a drink that might not be suitable for consumption.  Please start by sugaring your rim.  Sometimes a sugared rim doesn't really matter.  In this case it does.  The aroma of the vanilla sugar is key to enhancing the enjoyment of this drink.  You can make vanilla sugar by just putting a drop of vanilla extract into 1/4 cup of sugar and mixing well, or the next time you scrape a vanilla bean save the pod and put in a container with some sugar and you will be ready the next time you need it. 

 

Wet the rim with a teeny bit of pineapple juice then dip the glass in sugar.
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz vodka
1/2 oz vanilla syrup
Shake vigorously with ice in a shaker.  Strain into martini glass with sugared rim.
Take 1 oz of Chambord and pour it down the side of the glass.  It will settle nicely on the bottom.

 

May I suggest some good old salty spanish peanuts to accompany this beverage?   I believe you will find the combination quite pleasing.  Happy (almost) Friday!

 

I was not eavesdropping

Recently I was introduced to a new concept in filling stations.

 

It's a concept I can get into.   Take a funky old building.  Imagine it as a neighborhood coffee place.  Wave your magic wand  and voila -  The KC Coffee Garage.

 

Add outsider art made with coffee paraphernalia, accomplished baristas, some groovy tunes playing overhead and you got it going on in my book. 

 

Did I mention the thick white porcelain cups and the perfect foam on my cappuccino?  Let me explain how that cranberry oatmeal nut cookie came to rest on my table.  First of all I was not eavesdropping on the conversation in front of me in line, but I did happen to hear out of the corner of my ear that "the cookies here are not to die for, they are to kill for".  It was like a gauntlet being thrown down in front of me.  How could I not sample a cookie worth killing for?  Go ahead.  Tell me you wouldn't have done the same. 

I have absolutely no shame

Ok, let me just get this off my chest.  When it comes to all things artistic I have absolutely no shame.  I mean would a person with any sense of pride admit that she had done these drawings, say out loud that she loves them, AND post a photo on her blog?  

  

I look at these contour drawings and smile, remembering how much FUN I had doing them.  Who can explain it?   Why try to explain it?   Go do a contour drawing of yourself right now.  I dare you to try not to smile when you look at your results. 

 

I like to play around with a lot of different techniques when I am messing around in my journals.  Mostly though it's about having fun.  

The superintendant of knitting

Someone has had his feelings hurt because his photo was just stuck over there on the sidebar without the proper introduction that his brother Lewis received. 

 

Allow me to introduce the Superintendant of Knitting.  His name is Clark.  His duties include rolling on the yarn, knocking the needles on the floor, and his favorite of all - assisting with color selections.  He is like a feline color wheel.  I lay out the selections and he taps on the ones that go together.  I am working on getting my local yarn shop to allow him to come in.  They tell me they are strongly considering it. 

   

I began knitting in January 2005.  I obviously had some inkling that this was going to be a date I would want to verify later since I recorded it in my everyday journal (I like to provide evidence to back up facts on this blog).  Clark says he is available to assist with your yarn color selections as well.  Simply send a sample of colors you are considering  and I will respond with his recommendations.  

The cure for whatever ails you this Easter

Just in time for all your Easter festivities - a variation on the theme that started with the Amaretto Lemonade.  It's pretty, it's pink, it's "spring in a highball glass" and it goes well with deviled eggs.

 

 It's Chambord Lemonade.  Chambord is a lovely raspberry flavored liquor that can be used in many drink recipes.  Next week I will give you a martini recipe that includes it.  In other words, you will use it!  Get some. 
1 oz frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 oz chambord
2 oz water
Mix with lots of ice in a shaker and pour over fresh ice.
Add a splash of ginger ale.
Stir and garnish with fresh strawberries and lime slices.

 

Close your eyes.  You are at the beautiful Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley in France (except in your mind it's spring not winter and you are wearing your easter bonnet not your fur hat).  Your guests back home are doing the easter dinner dishes so you don't have to.  The chocolate stains on the carpet from the easter egg hunt have been removed.  Chambord Lemonade - the cure for whatever ails you this Easter.



A test of methods to determine the superior way to dye eggs

 
Raise your hand if you can't remember the last time you colored easter eggs.

 

When I was growing up we used food coloring and vinegar to dye eggs.  Chris (my husband the egg dying expert) says they ALWAYS used a kit.  Maybe they didn't have kits overseas?  Anyway.  Chris says you HAVE to use a kit.  To which I reply - says who?

 

Thus begins the test of methods to determine the superior way to dye eggs.  I believe in the end the results will be clear and speak for themselves and no judges will be needed.

 

Method A = kit, tablets, lots of vinegar, cool eggs, cool water
Method B = food coloring, little vinegar, hot eggs, boiling water

 

And there you have it.  As I said.  No judges needed.  The results are clear don't you think?  I'll tell you one more thing.  Coloring eggs is fun no matter what method you use.  In our house the contest winner doesn't have to make the deviled eggs AND she gets to eat as many as she wants. 

I have a hard time thinking when I am in a class

 

Several years ago I made this "envelope book" at a class I took in Kansas City.  At the time I had no idea what I was really going to do with it.  I have a hard time thinking when I am in a class - my brain revolts when it is commanded to be creative with a 2 hour  timeline.  

 

When we decided to build a house about a year later I grabbed it off the shelf and began to fill it up with ideas.  It turned into a really fun project .   I threw all sorts of things in here. 

 

Any excuse to cut, paste, color, doodle, stamp, draw, paint, punch holes, &/or staple without having to do a lot of thinking is what I call a good time. 

A supervisor of few words

 
There are two things that are essential for every garden and gardener. 
#1:  Someone to make sure you are working, but not working too hard.  In other words a supervisor.  Here is my supervisor.  His name is Lewis.  He is a supervisor of few words.  That's the best kind.

 

#2:  A cool refreshing drink at the end of a gardening session.  Something to refuel and relax the body.
One of my favorites is "Amaretto Lemonade".  Like the lemon marmalade it is sweet and tart.  It does not however involve cheesecloth or a thermometer.

 

It is simple to make:
1 oz frozen lemonade concentrate (I like minute maid & keep some in the refrigerator at all times)
1 oz amaretto
2 oz water
(On days when you want a little extra kick add 1 oz absolut citron as well)
Shake vigourously with ice and strain over a glass full of more ice.
Add a splash of club soda for some fizz.  Stir.  Sit.  Admire the fruits of your labor.  Smile.  Pet the supervisor.

 

Hi Hat I salute you

 
There are few things in life as pleasing as the perfect cappucino.  The robust richness of the espresso tempered by the creamy smoothness of the milk foam.  I like to stir in some "sugar in the raw".  The crunch of the granules mixed with the foam add another dimension of delight to the experience (think sprinkles on a cupcake).

 
 
A nice spot to sit and let life just drift by while you sip is a bonus.

 
Hi Hat I salute you.
Signed,
A grateful customer

 

Just the right balance of sweet and tart

So about 2 months ago my sister reports that she has made meyer lemon marmalade from lemons produced by her very own meyer lemon tree in her back patio in sunny California.  She also tells me it is  the best marmalade she has ever had and I must try it.  I fly out there and have some on Rosemary Currant bread (lightly toasted of course) from Julienne's in San Marino ... and I agree.  It is the best lemon marmalade I have ever eaten. 

 
So this weekend, after scraping the last drop from the jar she sent me home with, I decided to try my own hand at it.  I had to buy my lemons of course, but I did happen to have cheesecloth on hand to wrap the extra pith and seeds in. 

 
I also pulled out the thermometer to ensure the proper temperature to achieve the correct amount of "jelling" was reached.  I am a little more of a rule follower than my sister who flies by the seat of her pants when it comes to creating culinary and artistic masterpieces.

 
No, I did not boil the jars and seal the lids and do all that "canning" stuff but I still feel quite accomplished.  AND - it turned out perfectly.   Just the right balance of sweet and tart with a consistency that is spreadable but not so firm as to disturb the bread as you spread it on. 

Oh Mrs. Berg... you know that girl scout badge for cooking I didn't get in the 6th grade, is it too late for you to award it to me now?

  

Chicago here we come!

Once upon a time 5 friends who went to a small college in Kansas decided to meet in a big City for the weekend.
Unfortunately one friend was asked at the last minute to fly to London to assist with the planning of the Royal Wedding and could not attend.  And then there were 4.

 
They successfully procured CTA transit tickets and made their way through turnstiles (with large bags) to the Orange line then to the Red line with nary a misstep, all the way guided by the friendly natives of Chicago they encountered.      The buildings were TALL, the streets were crowded, the shopping was plentiful.

 
Did I mention the food was delicious?  From Quartino's to Hugo's Frog Bar to Giordonos to Rosebud Steakhouse ... and all the stops in between, every bite was savored and we nodded happily over our selections as we moaned with delight.  Yes, I know our weekend was composed of less than 48 hours and it seems a lot of eating to do for that short amount of time, but the walking and brisk winds whipped up our appetites.  And we went on the Architectural Cruise.  Being out on the water makes you hungry, especially when the scent of chocolate is wafting through the air.  Its best to keep oneself fortified when in an unfamiliar environment.  You never know where the next meal will be coming from. 

 

I was sorry not to appear with my friends in this last photograph.  I had an unfortunate accident with my new eye-liner from the make up counter at Nieman Marcus.  Darlene did her best to instruct me, I just got a wee bit carried away with the smudging technique.  I should be able to remove the eye patch next week.

It was great to see you again Marymount College friends... and it's nice to know that some things really don't change, even 30 years after graduation.