Tall Tales from Kansas

When I take a bite I am back in Panama and it's 1972

Dinner guests coming tonight.  That means I am cleaning, making flower arrangements, and planning the salad and dessert.   These guests say they like everything, but really they are quite persnickety about their desserts.  I am making them something extra special.  Something we don't have too often.   Something made with very challenging, complex ingredients.

 

Something straight out of my childhood.  When we were growing up and mom made this for us we were like a pack of wild dogs waiting to pounce on a bone.  Supper couldn't get over with fast enough so we could get at this.  In our house there was no such thing as left-over dessert.  We would each sneak into the kitchen and sliver by sliver it would disappear before you knew it.  If we passed each other on the way into or out of the kitchen we looked the other way, pretended like we had been getting a sip of water - or feeding the cat. 

 
I present to you the one, the only, Ice Box Cheesecake.  Get that heavy, rich, traditional cheesecake idea out of your mind.  This is light and fluffy, with the mild flavor of lemon.  It's not too tart and not overly sweet.  Really it's the perfect summer dessert.  If you can serve it on your mom's wedding china that's best.  It tastes like only the best parts of being a kid again.  If I close my eyes when I take a bite I am back in Panama and it's 1972.

Recipe:  Ice Box Cheese Cake
Crust:  30 graham crackers crushed + 1 stick butter + 1 Tbsp sugar + 2 Tbsp milk - mix in and press in bottom of 9x13 pan. 
Filling:  1 small box jello (I like lemon best, but also great with lime or strawberry) + 1 squirt lemon juice + 1 cup boiling water - dissolve together and cool.  In another bowl beat 8oz cream cheese with 1 cup sugar and 1tsp vanilla.  Chill beaters, bowl, and 1 can evaporated milk in freezer then beat milk until fluffy.  Add cool jello to cream cheese and then add whipped milk.  Mix until combined and pour over crust.  Chill several hours before serving.  Sprinkle top with extra graham crackers if desired. 

Nothing says Kansas like a sunflower

 
This evening I drove by these beauties in a community garden and stopped to say hello.   Item # 49 on my "52 by 53" list reads plant sunflowers in the weed patch.  I was thinking that would not get done this year.   But there are still 10 months left to accomplish it.   Seeing these made me want to get the tiller out right now.  Almost.

 
A little inspiration like this goes a long way though... and nothing says Kansas like a sunflower. 

...as a consequence of my disastrous personality

I generally enjoy the writers almanac in solitude.  But every once in a while such a little gem of a poem is featured that I want to call everyone I know and say "you GOTTA read this!"  Such was the case last week when I smiled, then laughed, then guffawed over this one.   I dedicate this to all my closest friends out there who are tolerating my disastrous personality... and especially the Quails pictured below on our latest outing.

 

We Who are your Closest Friends
            by Philip Lopate

we who are
your closest friends
feel the time
has come to tell you
that every Thursday
we have been meeting
as a group
to devise ways
to keep you
in perpetual uncertainty
frustration
discontent and
torture
by neither loving you
as much as you want
nor cutting you adrift

your analyst is
in on it
plus your boyfriend
and your ex-husband
and we have pledged
to disappoint you
as long as you need us

in announcing our
association
we realize we have
placed in your hands
a possible antidote
against uncertainty
indeed against ourselves
but since our Thursday nights
have brought us
to a community of purpose
rare in itself
with you as
the natural center
we feel hopeful you
will continue to make
unreasonable
demands for affection
if not as a consequence
of your
disastrous personality

then for the good of the collective

The bougainvillea laughs in the face of the heat

While the geraniums out front are wilting in the shade, the bougainvillea out back in the hot sun is thriving.  Go figure.

 
Next year I may have to put them in pots out front too.  

We do not waste stuff in this house

I was invited to a spontaneous get together with a few friends this past weekend.   What to bring that would go well with the margaritas that would be served?  Salsa?  No, too simple, it would seem like I didn't put any effort into it at all.  Seven layer drip?  No, too heavy and it's been done so many times.  Spinach and artichoke dip?  No, it's too hot for hot dip. 

Do all these crazy thoughts enter your mind when trying to think of what to bring to a small, informal, gathering?  I hate to think I am alone in this.  Anyway... after I had flipped through the appetizer section in the recipe box in my head, and come up empty handed, I remembered I had read this new recipe here.  Decision made.  Shrimp Ceviche Dip would say to the rest of the guests that I am clever, innovative, adventurous, and well traveled (ceviche = worldly).  Good plan.

 

I always trust the Pioneer Woman to give me a good recipe.  That red velvet cake on my banner is from her cookbook.  The sprinkles were just a little extra touch I added.  I was going to write and tell her she ought to amend the recipe in the next printing then thought better of it. This recipe is from  Pam Anderson.  Pam + Ree = an unbeatable combination.  We have a copy of The Perfect Recipe by Pam Anderson, it's like a bible in our house.  The pizza dough page has come out and been taped back in.  Light and Fluffy pancakes has a smidge of syrup spilled on it.  We use it a lot in other words.

The dip was a hit.  It's cool but at the same time a little tart and spicy.  It is full of good textures and sits great on a chip.  I had some left-over.  It makes a very good lunch on a hot day.  It's as good with beer as it is with a Margarita.  I will say that on the second day the shrimp starts to get a little tough.  I had to finish it all off because it was just not going to be good if it hung around for another day and we do not waste stuff in this house.  No siree.

I have stuff to get done around here

I decided I needed to take the day off today.  I have stuff to get done around here.  Stuff like putting away these piles of things I am bringing home from my office.  Where did all this stuff come from anyway?  

 
I have a visitor coming in August.  I don't want her to think I am a hoarder with piles of crap lined up all over my house.  In addition to books and files there are other things that need to be put in new locations. 

 
Things like this collaged canvas I made a few years back.  It's funny how you don't see thing anymore when they have been in the same place for awhile.  The best thing was re-discovering what was on the back.

 
I don't usually write on the back of things I make.   I do that in my everyday journal.   As soon as I read this I was transported back in time.  The pecan farm, the bulbs, the trip to the plaza.  I ought to do this more often.

While I was taking a trip down memory lane someone had another chore lined up for me.  Apparently Lewis and Clark are getting lost in the weeds out back.  They think 3 yard waste bags should do the trick and are willing to contribute some help to accomplish the goal.

 
Well okay then.  Luckily I have a big jar of freshly made cold brewed coffee in the refrigerator to cool me down when we are done.  

Attention knitters!!  Not that I spent a moment of this day off doing anything frivolous, but I did happen to check out Brooklyn Tweed while I was cooling down so I would not over exert myself in the heat.  I squealed with delight over what I saw there today.  

Crunch, dip, coat, flip, plate, eat

I like it when I get an idea and someone else makes it happen.  Let me illustrate my point. 

Last week we were watching a re-run of Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives on the Food Network.  I love to watch someone who enjoys their food as much as I do.  Guy Fieri enjoys his food.  Therefore I love Guy Fieri.  This particular episode happened to feature the Blue Moon diner in Baltimore, where someone came up with the completely ridiculous and totally brilliant idea to take Captain Crunch cereal, smash it up, and bread french toast with it.  Say WHAT?

 
I looked at Chris and no words were needed.  We've been married 30 years.  He can read my mind.   We had it Sunday morning for breakfast.  Oh me.  Oh my.   It has the consistency of a nice bread pudding with that insanely delicious crunch on the outside. 

I like syrup a lot.  The Captain Crunch French toast only needs a little bit and I skipped the whipped cream.  I don't like whipped cream with my breakfast but that should not influence you if you desire it.  I paired mine with strawberries instead of blueberries like they do at the Blue Moon.   The recipe is here if you need it.  Or you can just make your own favorite french toast recipe and bread it with some Captain Crunch Cereal.

 
Crunch, dip, coat, flip, plate, eat.  It's just as easy as that.  When you have someone who can read your mind, and his name is Mr. Breakfast Maker, and he happens to live with you, that is. 

Hello Mr. Red Finch and Mrs. Swallowtail

Even though the garden is looking a bit dried out these days there are some who continue to visit.  I will admit to doing what I can to entice them.  Yesterday this fella stopped by to thank me for refilling the bird bath daily and  keeping some some fresh thistle in the feeder.  Hello Mr. Red House Finch.

 
Then last evening this beauty drifted on the heavy air over the cone-flowers and apparently liked what they had to offer.  She stayed around for quite awhile letting me photograph her.  Those wilted edges on the petals did not bother her one bit.   Hello Mrs. Swallowtail of some sort.  I think you are a girl but I can't be sure.  

 

Mr. Breakfast Maker has something planned

Weekends around our house are about resting, recuperating, and restoring.  They usually include breakfast unless we decide to head out to the golf course.  In 100+ degree weather we are NOT heading to the golf course tomorrow because that would not fall into the resting, recuperating, and restoring categories.  It would be more along the lines of foolhardy. 

 
This is what we had for breakfast last weekend.  Huevos rancheros is the perfect breakfast to have after waking up early to take pictures of the moon.   This weekend though I am thinking along the lines of something sweet.   Mr. Breakfast Maker tells me he has something planned that he is pretty sure I am not going to turn my nose up at.   I can't wait to taste it.   He says I'm going to have to.  No further clues will be forthcoming.

A good measure of unease barking on the periphery

I have had a case of the "weepies" off and on over the last week as people find out I'm leaving my job.   That little catch in the throat.   The quaver in the voice.  The sure knowledge that at any moment the tears are going to spill and your nose is going to drip, even though your brain is sending the "cease and desist" message to the crying center.  

     
These are some of the people I work with now.   Friends I have made over the last 26 years.  People I could always count on no matter what the day might bring.  I am going to miss these smiles. 

I can still recall the day in August of 1985 when I clocked in and started my new job as an oncology nurse in the big city.  I made that choice based on a gut feeling that it was the right thing for me.  I'm trusting that gut feeling again.   Right now I am feeling optimistic, but I won't lie to you.  There is a good measure of unease barking on the periphery just to keep me on my toes.  

I think that's the way it's supposed to be. 

I wish geraniums responded to iced coffee

This heat wave here in the middle of the country is getting on my last nerve.  It's bad enough that I break out in a sweat walking from the car into the house.   But when it starts to affect my front porch pots it's enough to make a gardener throw up her hands in disgust and give up.   I warn you, this is not a pretty site.

 

What was colorful and fresh in May, depicted on the left,  has contracted a serious (potentially fatal) case of dry/wet disease, depicted on the right.   Dry/wet as in - it's hot out here!  It looks dry, I better water.  And the next day the soil seems moist still.   Hmmm what to do?  The foliage looks so dry, maybe just a sip of water.... and then in 3 days it has a black looking stalk and I know it's doomed!  Gardening is not for the faint of heart. 

 
I came inside and drowned my sorrow with a cold beverage.  Then I developed a plan of action.  Tomorrow I will see if I can find geraniums on sale and start over.   Iced coffee = new outlook.   I wish geraniums responded to iced coffee. 

I wonder what I will see in Budapest

There are exactly 33 days left until I board a flight over the ocean on an adventure.  I guess this means it's time to get serious about the whole language learning thing. 

 

In each of my travel journals I try to jot down a quick list on the last day of vacation.  Things to remember for the next trip.  Like for example, the last time I forgot Q-tips.  Have you ever gone 14 days without a Q-tip?   I don't want to do it again.  It's on the list.

 

The budapest book came out today.  Pages were folded over.  Things were circled.   I wonder what I will see in Budapest that will be worthy of remembering in 30 years.  

 

One of the things that I had forgotten about until I looked at my Istanbul journal today was the young woman I met in the airport when I was leaving. 

 
Every once in awhile it's nice to help balance out the ratio between distress and relief in the world by offering a solution to someone else's problem.  

Some of the help was more in the form of hindering...

Today I started cutting the fabric for the summer quilt. 

I had plenty of help.
 

Some of the help was more in the form of hindering than helping. 

 
But it's hard to get too mad at someone who has such good intentions.  I mean he sharpened his claws in case I needed help with the cutting.   He said if I just let him get a good snag in at the right spot I could pull the thread and the cuts would be perfectly even.  For a minute I could see a kernel of logic in that.  Then I came to my senses and encouraged him to go see if any help was needed in the kitchen. 

Well officer, the moon was talking to me

At 5:40 am yesterday morning I crept from my bed.  I fumbled for my glasses and headed for the back patio.  Yes, on the weekend.  Why?  The MOON!  It's big and full and just begging to be photographed.  Between 5:42 and 5:46 I took about 60 shots of it.  I kept these 4.

 
 
I put the camera in manual mode and just stopped at every setting on the dial -  click click click.  It's still dark out at 5:40.  Even with my glasses on I can't see which setting is which.   I figure why not try them all?  I guess I could get out the cameral manual, but where's the adventure in that?   I prefer to just keep trying.    As long as the neighbors don't see me in my lime green, flamingo patterned,   rumpled,  capri pajamas out on the patio messing around and call the police.   I'm thinking they might not take me seriously if I told them the moon was talking to me. 

Today in Lawrence, Kansas

I've been meaning to take you on a tour.  Just a little drive around my town. 

 

We can stop if you see something interesting.  There might have been a ladder in the garage next to this house in case we need to look in that open window.

 

But we can also just drive and look.

 
You can tell me who you think lives here and how they met.   I'll tell you what they are having for supper tonight and what they're going to talk about while they eat. 

 

Next I 'll stop and you can go up to this house and ask them about the significance of this roof top ornamentation.

 
After all that we should have worked up a powerful thirst and we'll head downtown for a cool drink before we head across the river and the 2nd part of the tour.   Sound ok? 

Hey! Did I say you could read that?

Today I sat down at the table to record some inconsequential, day-dreamy things in my everyday journal.   For some reason I started writing from top to bottom, not left to right.  Instead of paragraphs, I just switched to a different color when a different thought hit me.   You would have thought I had discovered cream cheese frosting I was so excited about it.

 
Some days it's just about the writing.  If you like the simple act of writing,  just the motion of the pen gliding on the paper,  it's hard to beat the feel of any kind of writing instrument on the paper in these hammerpress notebooks.  I think they are out of print now.  Drat! 

Some days though I don't want to write much.  I just want to glue and tape.  Maybe add a few doodles if the spirit moves me.

 
Someone else obviously thought the top to bottom writing was pretty interesting too.

 
Hey!  Did I say you could read that? 

Summer quilts - part 1

Yesterday the summer quilt moved from "pie in the sky" category to the realm of "really going to do this".  I have been into Sarah's Fabrics no less than 5 times and drooled over the selections, but kept scratching my head because I'm not sure how to pick the colors and patterns that I like that will also work together in some kind of visually pleasing way.   So many choices.   I like them all.  What's a girl to do?

 
Just buy a whole lot of what you like and you will make it come together, that's what.  And so I did.  I also had a really nice person with cute earrings make a few helpful suggestions.  Anyone with earrings that cute on must know what she's doing so I took her at her word.

The iced indonesian

The heat wave broke last night with some big thunder-boomer (send your cat to the basement) rainstorms.  The morning glory's said thank you this morning.

 
I did too since I was off and the grass needed mowing.  As I made my neat and orderly passes with the mower I wondered if being content to be mowing the grass on a day off was a sign of something.  Something like, oh I don't know, being a boring adult?  Then I remembered that my friend Nancy loves to mow the yard, and she is perhaps the most hip person I know so I put the thought out of my mind and just kept right on enjoying myself.  

 
I high-tailed it downtown as soon as I had showered to collect my reward.  The iced indonesian.  I needed to be sure they were still on the menu and they were still the best thirst quencher around.  I must keep up on these things.  You know, in case anyone asks me where to get the best iced coffee in my town.   I can now say with confidence that they are and they ARE.   Note to self:  reward yourself with one of these more often.  And definately say yes when they ask about the whipped cream. 

Purely in the spirit of play

Because there is nothing as fun as cutting loose and having a go at capturing your own likeness on paper,  I offer this self portrait.  Much like the contour drawings these are done for the sheer enjoyment of just trying something that you thought you couldn't do.   If like me you find hair hard to draw, throw a scarf on your head, then purely in the spirit of play take out some paint, markers, pencils and pretend like you are in 2nd grade all over again.  I'm pretty sure you'll have a good time. 

 

Experimenting with the moon

 
Last night the moon experiments began.  My attempts to cross #39 off my "52 by 53" list.  What you see above are the best efforts by myself on the left and by Chris (fan cleaner, cook, egg coloring expert, husband) on the right.  I was attempting to focus on the tree branch in front of the moon.  Chris went down to the basement, got out the tripod, put the camera in manual mode and focused on the moon.  Humph... one of us might have gotten a degree in photography in undergraduate school and might be just a bit more patient than the other.  Whatever! 

I'm still practicing.  Waiting for a fuller moon.  I did leave the tripod upstairs though. 

Lemon Cherry Scones

Lemon Cherry scones are the perfect thing for Sunday breakfast.  Well, really they are good for breakfast any day of the week.  In fact, they are also a great late afternoon treat with an iced coffee when you are having record breaking heat. 

 

If you use your great Aunt Pat's juicer on your lemons you can bet the scones will taste even better.  Without fail, everytime I use this aparatus I think not only of Aunt Pat, but every single one of my cooking Aunts.  I take those thoughts and channel their karma into my baking. 

 
Placing the scones to cool on a platter that your mom got for her wedding doesn't hurt either.  Especially if it's got birds on it. 

Recipe: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tsps baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt - mix together in bowl or food processer.  Add 1/2 cup cold butter and pulse or cut in with pastry blender until resembles coarse meal - transfer all to a bowl now if using food processer.
In a small bowl mix 3/4 cup buttermilk, 1 egg - add to flour mixture along with 1/2 cup dried cherries (I give mine a rough chop first) and 1 Tbsp grated lemon peel.
Stir until just evenly moistened.  Put it all on a floured surface and shape into a ball then a flat 7" disc.  Cut into 8 equal wedges.  Put on a cookie sheet (use a sil pat if you have one!  they are great).  Bake 25 minutes until lightly browned on top. 
In small bowl mix 2/3 cup powdered sugar and 2 Tbsp lemon juice for glaze.  Drizzle over warm scones.  Hint:  don't overwork the dough it makes the scones tough. 

Asparagus, red onion, pecorino romano

If you take asparagus, red onion and pecorino romano (I like saying pecorino romano out loud with an italian accent when I am home alone) ...

... and add red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, a dash of sea salt and a sprinkle of fresh ground pepper you can turn it into this.

 
I call it my new favorite summer salad .  It's a great side dish with burgers, brauts, steaks, chicken, pork, and even by itself with a piece of rye or pumpernickel bread.  If you take it to the next back yard barbeque you are invited to bring the recipe.  People will want it.  When you tell them what's in it please say Pecorino Romano with an italian accent. 

I love a big day of "possible" stretched out in front of me

I love thinking about what I might do on a day off even more than what I actually do sometimes.  I love a big day of "possible" stretched out in front of me.  So last night I was thinking I should make some lemon cherry scones today.

 
Instead of that I bought these blueberries.  I can make lemon cherry scones tomorrow.

I also thought about pulling weeds from my flower beds.

 
Instead of that I cut some flowers and put them in a basket.  I can pull weeds Sunday.

I was going to go to Old West Lawrence and take some pictures of neat old houses.

 
Instead I sat and looked at this nest that was lying under a tree in my yard.  How do birds make these so perfectly?   Pictures of Old West Lawrence?  I can do that next week on a day off.

On my list of "possible" was also a trip to La Prima Taza - a coffee shop in downtown Lawrence.  I wanted to take my everyday journal there and write down some observations.

 
Instead I jotted down a few ordinary thoughts while I sipped on a sweet tea martini.  I'll go to La Prima Taza when my sister comes to visit.  She'll definately want to go there and get an Iced Indonesian. 

I strongly considered starting on my next sewing project.

 
Instead I got all blissed out looking at more ideas for projects.  I can start that summer quilt on Wednesday.  So really instead of doing only doing 5 things I did 10.  5 possible + 5 actual = 10 in my mind.

If push comes to shove, I can clean the fans

This is what happens when housekeeping chores get away from you and you finally get brave and turn off the ceiling fan and look up.

 

When your husband, who is the fan-cleaner AND the cook, makes you dinners like this though, you encourage him to continue to focus his time and talents on the pursuit of culinary excellence.  

 
If push comes to shove, I can clean the fans.

Item #3 on the list has been crossed off

This is a Kansas sunrise.  Everytime I see a pretty one I say to myself - That's it.  The prettiest one ever.  I better get a shot of that.  I have lots and lots of photos that look kind of like this.   Captured quickly, while driving and through a dirty windshield,  it's not perfect, but it captures the essence of my mornings. 

 
The moon however is a totally different animal to photograph.  Getting a good shot of the moon has eluded me thus far.   I remain undaunted.  So determined am I that I have put it on the "52 by 53" list.  Item # 39 reads like this "learn to take a decent photo of the moon."  Speaking of the list,  I had a phone call this week, and look what came in the mail today.

 
Did you notice the color of the sticker?  Did I tell you that the recruiter I had my first interview of the day with was wearing my new shoes?  Item #3 on the list - "get a new job"-  has been crossed off. 

A week in pictures + the caramel pretzel crunch

Do you have a Sheridan's Frozen Custard within 50 miles of where you live?  If you do, Angie says "take your mom there and get her a caramel pretzel crunch".    Caramel pretzel crunch = creamy, crunchy, salty, sweet, cool deliciousness.  It's flat out good and that's my last word on it.  For  now.

Listen Gabrielle, I hate to be a pest but can you call me?

If you haven't read "Blood, Bones, and Butter" by Gabrielle Hamilton get yourself to the public library or favorite bookstore and get it.  If you spend anytime in a place where you can listen to it - so much the better.  It is read by the author and she has a great reading voice.  I just pulled the last CD out and I am done. 

 

 As I was listening I kept thinking "hey I know what you mean".   I love the way she imitated the accent of her husband, and hearing her speak Italian, and talk about the deep affection she has for her mother in law, Alda.   My mother in law Eleanor was no great cook but her fried chicken gravy was unrivaled and she introduced me to the pleasure of just cut asparagus cooked to perfection.  I so enjoyed the hours I spent at her table eating Sunday dinners talking and conspiring.   

As I listened I was also reminded of my childhood cooking experiences with my older sister, Dottie.  Figuring out how we could turn leftover baked beans into the perfect after school snack if we added a touch of this and a hint of that.  This book taps into these common experiences and just pulls you along.  Listen Gabrielle, I hate to be a pest but can you call me so I can find out what has happened since you finished the book?  I feel like after you spent 10 hours with me in the car we are friends.    

Sprinklers and strawberries

 
 

Growing up in a military family we had access to great swimming pools on the bases where we lived.   But in the summer when you don't have access to a pool and you are a kid, nothing beats running through the sprinkler.  Just a plain, no frills, ordinary sprinkler. 

Theses days, since I'm not completely sure my neighbors would approve of my running through the sprinkler, when I need to cool off I just sit on the porch in the shade and sip on a cool beverage.  Since you all probably have a few strawberries hanging around for the red, white, and blue dessert you have planned for the picnic tomorrow I thought I'd give you a way to use up the left-overs before they go bad.

 
 

This is a strawberry daiquiri.  My sister-in-law brought them to a little get together last night and it made me want another one today.  So I went on line and found this recipe.  Which I followed pretty closely.  It's important to note that this is not an overly sweet drink.  The fresh strawberries and lime juice balance each other nicely.  I used 1/2 oz simple syrup instead of the 1/4 oz called for and some may want even a bit more.  The muddled strawberries provide the consistency of a nectar.  When you pour it out of the martini shaker into your glass it takes a while to get all that liquid out through the pieces of strawberries that remain.  This drink is also best served in a glass with a sugared rim.  
 

 

I went ahead and made some simple syrup while I was at it.  While I like the crunch of "sugar in the raw" in my hot coffee, when I drink iced coffee I want it to blend in there with the coffee and milk. 

 

 

And finally, for those who are not into sprinklers or strawberries how about a bomb pop?   Good for kids of all ages. 

Are these the shoes that will seal the deal?

When I was 26 years old I started working at the place where I remain gainfully employed.  I have now worked there for almost exactly 26 years.  One half of my life at the same place.  Does anyone work at the same place for that long anymore? 

As kids growing up, we moved around a lot.  I went to a total of 10 different schools from 1st through 12th grade.  It's what we did.  We didn't think about it much except for those first few days in a new class when I know I got a little nauseated, sweaty, and nervous about being the new kid again.  It always passed.  We adjusted.   I think maybe that did something to me.  Made me need to change things up, start over,  see if I can jump in feet first and adapt to whatever situation I find myself in. 

So all this preamble is to say I got a new pair of shoes this week.  A new pair of shoes for a job interview.  If you saw me walking in your office in these shoes would you hire me?  All other things being equal I mean.

 

Ok well how about if I told you that I pulled off on a street I don't live on when I was driving home from buying them and sat on the curb and took a photo of my feet in them because I thought the background of the old cobblestone streets would be cool?  Would that much information and eye for detail convince you or scare you off? 

Something colorful, slightly off kilter, bold but not brazen

Oh dear.  That time at the sewing maching night before last has opened an old desire.  The longing to create some kind of a light summer coverlet for the bed.  Something colorful, slightly off kilter, bold but not brazen - you get the idea.  It's one of those things on my "52 by 53" list that fits into the pie in the sky category.  But I want to make it happen, and to that end I went up to visit  urban arts and crafts today in their new location.

 

This is always a fun place to visit because:

    #1  it's north of the river and I get to see a part of town I normally don't visit
    #2  they have paper and fabric and yarn - the triple threat
    #3  perhaps most important of all - they have a store CAT

I might have purchased a bit more fabric so I can start on the project.  I will wait to show you my selections as I move through the process a little bit.  In the meantime just looking at the thread is enough to make me happy.