Tall Tales from Kansas

I like to eat with my eyes too

I do not believe I am overstating the case when I tell you I ADORE a well set table.  The china, the silver, the crystal, the linens.  Bring it on.  All of it.

Oh, and the fresh flowers, lit candles, and a quail centerpiece.    Sure it's about the food when you are served a special meal.  It's just that I like to eat with my eyes too. 

My friend Mary Joan, heretofore only of gardening and needlework fame, outdid herself the other night in the domestic goddess arena. 

I did my best to take photos of all the courses.  But once I bit into this crunchy bruschetta with it's juicy tomatoes, briny capers, and sharp pecorino romano I was done for.  I put the camera down and devoted every ounce of my being to appreciating the moment. 

Joan also prepared a spinach and strawberry salad with tangy dressing followed by a smoked chicken and farfalle pasta that had all of the quails moaning with delight and demanding the recipe. 

And then we sat around and had fresh brewed coffee out of delicate cups with matching saucers... and assorted delectable sweets. 

There are not many things nicer in life than sitting around a table with your good friends.  Talking about the old days at the same time you are anticipating shared adventures to come.    Life IS good.   

right here with my mouth closed

I was going to wax poetic on the beauty of the peony to explain why I was showing you more photos of them.  I decided instead to let the pictures do the talking.  I'll just be right here with my mouth closed.  Looking at them with you.

I Ieft the bathroom and went upstairs to the art room

For week 21 of Sketchwars Wednesday, I left the bathroom and went upstairs to the art room.   Since my sister decided to draw with a sharpie and mostly just watercolor the backgrounds I did too. 

I really like writing out  S-k-e-t-c-h-w-a-r-s    W-e-d-n-e-s-d-a-y  and coloring the letters in.  That might be my favorite part of the assignment. 

Next Wednesday we will be in South Dakota.  Maybe I will draw Chris and his four brothers for my sketchwars assignment.    I feel certain they will be very cooperative if I ask them to hold still for me.  Heck, I bet the whole family will want to get in on sketchwars next week.  If they are so inclined I will be sure to share their work.  

If all else fails, I can always draw the house we are renting.    

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sketchwars week no. 21

invaluable advice that I am committing to memory

well yes but I don't know why you would want to

Since I figured out how to uninstall internet explorer 10 from my computer and can now upload photos to typepad we are going back in time to the weekend.  Close your eyes and lets all pretend it's Saturday again.  Oh, if only. 

The experienced farmers market shopper is unencumbered by a purse, carries a basket for their purchases, and wears something with sleeves to ward off the early morning chill.  I spotted such a person Saturday morning.


I scurried to get alongside her and asked "do you mind if I take your picture"?  She graciously replied "well yes, but I don't know why you would want to". 

 
I was so happy she was not like the guy who I am watching for on America's Most Wanted.  I don't know what it is about certain people that make me want to take their picture.  I only know that when I see them, I know it. 

This was my haul from the market on Saturday.   Beautiful strawberries and the most spectactular lettuce.  I also got some blueberry jelly... on a whim.   Haven't tasted it yet. 

Get a load of the inside of this strawberry.  I gobbled them right up with some greek yogurt and roasted pecans on the side. 

Here is what I did with the lettuce.  

#1:  A cucumber and lettuce sandwich.  Cream cheese, salt and pepper, whole grain bread.   Simple is best with such good ingredients.   

#2:  Salad with pears, walnuts, cotija cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette.  Predictable but no less delicious.  Especially when served with risotto and a smoked pork chop. 

it's a rule

We are almost at the peak of blue in the garden. Allium and columbine still hanging on. Japanese iris and Johnson Big Blue geraniums starting to bloom. Blue hostas and cat mint looking good. It's a peaceful combination.

It's important to have the right combination of showy (above) and subtle (below). Too much of one and the balance is thrown off kilter.

Lewis and I sat and observed. We agreed that all plants are in the proper location. Notes were taken for the garden journal.

That's about all the work we got done today. That and a nap. Naps are required on a 3 day weekend. It's a rule. I hope you got the memo.

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a different sort of lunch followed by a drink on the porch

it's crazy fun

If you read Tall Tales on a Reader please bear with me as I struggle through my new method of posting.  It consists of using my iPad for pictures and then racing upstairs to get on the computer to see what is messed up as in pictures rotated sideways, editing not finished, you get the general idea.  Imagine one person in a warehouse running around trying to get out shipping orders at they same time they are pulling the stock from the shelves, answering the phone, and putting together the payroll.  That's me.  Carol, the blogger.  Using a band-aid approach until a computer surgeon can be found.  It's crazy fun :-)  I recommend it highly. 

all around "family time"

Next week at this time we will be packing for the biennial family vacation. This is where Chris's brothers and their respective families hit the road for a week of hiking, sitting on decks, deciding who wins the cooking competition, and general all around "family time".   Two years ago we went to Taos and all lived to tell about it. 

This year we are headed to black hills country. Going to check out Mount Rushmore. Our nephew Carl has everyone psyched up to play disc golf and try fly fishing. Today I purchased a mid-range disc and attempted to find my inner disc golfer.  Chris hit me in the shin with his "driver" and I am pretty sure he broke a few blood vessels.   I may need to stick to fly fishing. 

time to iron the tablecloth

Yesterday I found no morels at the farmers market. I am done looking for them for the season. I am not going to even mention them again until next year in April. What I DID find were strawberries. Luscious, juicy, red strawberries.

 

There were also a very few peonies. The early bloomers. I grabbed a few bunches and ran before I could be accosted by a mob for taking more than my fair share. Early bird gets the worm I say.

 

I have other photos I intended to share. Photos that are locked in my computer. Photos that for some reason would not upload on typepad last night or this morning. A minor irritation I refuse to allow to spoil my 3 day weekend.

I will use iPad photos and post from it until the problem is resolved. In the meantime I should have plenty of time to iron the tablecloth. Which one of you came over and creased it all up like that overnight?

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I have my fingers crossed for next week

it did not leak

You may or may not recall that last year I struggled a bit getting my new fountain up and running.  We got it assembled, added water, plugged it in, and ... it leaked.  We dumped it, let it dry, re-sealed it, and ... the dreaded leak.  Moe and Curly speculated on possible causes and the best course of action to take.  Finally I just filled the darn thing up, left it alone and ... it did not leak.  

I have determined the key is to fill it with confidence and walk away.  That is the approach I used this year, and will use henceforth in all future fillings.  Sometimes you just gotta take a fountain by it's horns and let it know who's the boss. 

We also held an informal celebration on "plant some geraniums" day.   I had determined while in Italy that I would get all red geraniums this year because all the pots at our house in Spoleto had red geraniums.  They were pretty.

When I got to the nursery the siren song of the pink and orange combination got the better of me and I succumbed. 

I may yet get a red one or two.  It's an unwritten rule of the garden that you can NOT have too many geraniums. 

when you find yourself with a bunch of zucchini on your hands

I love zucchini bread.  Zucchini in salads is good.  Baked zucchini with onion, tomato, italian seasoning and a few bread crumbs is a great side dish.  But have you ever heard of zucchini soup?  I hadn't until I saw a recipe for zucchini-taragon soup over at Joy the Baker. 

I made a batch the other day and found it to be quite to my liking.  When you find yourself with a bunch of zucchini on your hands and you don't know what to do with it - make soup!

I am loving my garlic pot from Spoleto.  I especially like that I can use my spoon rest for my spoons when I am cooking again since it's not serving as the garlic holder. 

invaluable advice that I am committing to memory

After a short hiatus, Sketchwars Wednesdays has returned with a few twists to keep it fun.  It is very important that when you set out to do something because it is fun, you change the rules as needed so that it does not become drudgery. 

I also took the time to practice my letters today.  Slowly writing out letters and coloring them in is like meditation. 

I heard this quote in the car this am.  I pulled over to write it down.  Invaluable advice that I am committing to memory.  I may even write it out a few more times and color it in with purples and greens.   I can think of at least 5 or 6 times in the last year when repeating it could have soothed me. 

book review!

I started and finished the story of Harold Fry and his pilgrimage across England while I was in Spoleto. It is one of those stories that everyone will like, beautifully written, hard to put down, Kleenex may be needed.



The Heretic's Daughter is more historical fiction. A re-telling of the Salem witch trials with the focus on one family who happen to be the authors ancestors. I remember reading about this topic in school years ago but did not have a good understanding of what went on. I was completely engrossed in the telling, but I had to turn it off every once in a while because I knew bad things were going to happen.


I can recommend both of these. I just placed a request for 3 new audio CD's from the inter-library loan program. Chris and I will be driving to South Dakota in June with a few other unsuspecting riders. I feel certain they will approve of my choices for their entertainment.

my heart is with my neighbors to the south

When you live in Kansas you can almost become immune to tornado watches and warnings.  It's part of everyday life here.  You prepare and know that you may have to take shelter but you never, ever, believe it could happen to you.  Tonight, as I watch scenes on the news of the devastating destruction that happened earlier today, my heart is with my neighbors to the south in Moore, Oklahoma. 

I have my fingers crossed for next week

After hearing from all of you the multitude of ways I could prepare morels, I set out for the farmers market on Saturday to get myself a whole mess of them.   I even went early to be sure they were not all gone by the time I got there.  Alas, there was not a morel to be had.  

I did see Sign Man and Flute Girl though.  I thought about introducing them because they looked like they would be a cute couple, but I did not. 

I also found more spinach (which I turned into a great salad along with a hard boiled egg, red onion, cojito cheese, and some honey mustard dressing) and beautiful asparagus (that went perfectly with a steak on the grill). 

The cherry-hazelnut bread is from wheatfields.  Holy crime-oly!  I had not tried it before and it is delicious.  The perfect toast, best enjoyed with just a speck of butter and a whisper of honey so as not to overwhelm the fruit and nuts.  Oh dear me is it good. 

I have not totally given up on the morels.  I have my fingers crossed for next week and all your recipes printed and ready to test. 

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I have to figure out what a pour over is

a different sort of lunch followed by a drink on the porch

There is something new happening almost everyday right outside my door.   The garden in the spring is so pretty it makes me regret that I don't put forth a bit more effort on it's behalf all year long.     

The alium continue to delight year after year.   A truly spectacular sight.  I'd like to put a time lapse camera on them. 

Last year the columbine foliage turned all blotchy white and I wasn't sure what was going on with them.  So far so good this year.   If anything, they have multiplied and I seem to have more colors than I did last year. 

The dianthus out back has 2 blooms on it but is covered with buds.  The pink is so intense it's surreal.  Especially against that silverish green foliage.  I don't know what was going on with the focus in this shot, but I like it. 

Wandering around looking at the garden is my favorite thing in the spring on a day off. 

Having a different sort of lunch followed by a drink on the porch around 3 isn't such a bad thing either.   It gave me the strength to go around and have another look at the Iris in the afternoon. 

 

I just tried my best

In Spoleto Mary Ann and I had a grand time in our travel journals.  I mostly had fun watching her create some masterpieces and then I tried to copy them.   When I was done I would show her what I had done and say each time,  "I just tried my best" and we would fall on the floor laughing. 

Have you seen a porcupine quill before?  I hadn't.  I picked up one on the path into town and taped it down along with a pottery shard I found on the way to Monteluco and the top of our wine bottle from Montefalco. 

I am a "process" journaler.  I don't really care as much about the outcome as the enjoyment in the moment of doing it.  When I look at this travel journal in years to come, I will think of staying up late into the night in the kitchen of the artists tower in the middle of the sacred woods of Spoleto laughing my head off with my sister.  If you haven't already seen her pages you should probably go and look here.

she promptly returned to eating the frosting

We went to a "super hero" themed birthday party last weekend, as in... dress up like your favorite super hero.   It is only because we love the super hero who was being honored that we went.  We are NOT costume party people. 

Chris, recalling the "cool cat club" of his childhood days, created his own unique super hero get up. 

He had an idea for me too but I put the kibosh on it and told him I could figure out my own outfit.   I then went into my closet pulled out a comfortable shirt and proclaimed myself the Flower Power Super Heroine.   I thought it was an extremely clever idea.

The Green Hornet let me know in no uncertain terms that it was lame. 

Then she promptly returned to eating the frosting from the Iron Man 3 layer birthday cake. 

*Please note that no hyphens were used in the spelling of super hero in this post so as not to infringe upon Marvel Comics trademarked use of the term. 

make it a big batch ok?

Chris told me tonight that he read today was chocolate chip cookie day.  I do not know who proclaimed it so.  I just know that it was. 

The reason what you see above is not chocolate chip cookies is because last night I got this phone call at 8:36 pm.

Angie:  Carol, it's your mother.  Can you do a big favor for me?

Me:  Well it depends on what it is.  (my standard answer for the "can you do me a favor" line). 

Angie:  I was just looking at the jar of peanut butter in my cabinet that is amost empty and I was so hungry for some peanut butter cookies.

Me:  You want me to bake you some peanut butter cookies?

Angie:  Would you?

Me:  Sure.  I'll try to do it one night this week.

Angie:  Make it a big batch ok?

Recipe is here:  peanut butter cookies

something I should put on the research assistant's list

The reason to have a Japanese maple in your garden is because it is soooooo pretty in the fall.  I gotta be honest though, I think it's almost prettier first thing in the Spring. 

I suppose that could be because I am so happy it is finally spring, or because it just looks so darned pretty today, but I don't think so.  

I guess I will have to take a photo of the tree every single day until the end of the year.   Come November I will put them in a pile of "pretty" and "prettier" without looking at the dates.   Then my research assistant  will analyze and tabulate the data and we will let you know if the "prettier" pile has more spring or fall photos in it.   That should put an end to the controversy once and for all.   

I was oozing healthfulness from my pores

This weekend I did something different with the spinach I scored at the farmers market.   I wilted it with a bit of water, a smidge of white wine, and a pinch of butter.  It gave kind of a high class feel to the usual poached egg with bacon and toast on the side. 

With what I had left after breakfast I whipped up a cream of spinach soup.  I added some broccoli because I didn't have quite as much spinach as the recipe called for.   Tell me this isn't the most beautiful color of green you have ever seen in your life. 


I took some to work today.  I am not exagerating when I say I was oozing healthfulness from my pores after eating it.  As a side dish, may I recommend some kind of delicious, european style, crusty bread.  To balance out the green-ness factor.  

As usual, recipe below if you want to experience what it's like to ooze healthfulness from your pores.

they were going cheap

I love the smell of lilacs and highly approve of a nice big fat bunch of them in a vase on the table.  I was glad to see some for sale at the farmers market yesterday.  They were going cheap as they won't last long. 

Three dollars for this bouquet.  What a bargain.  Once my rose bushes that have been afflicted with witches broom are removed I will have space for lilac bushes.  Something to look forward to next spring.  Oh joy.

Happy Mothers' Day to all mothers out there - including mothers of fur children of course.   I am sending lilacs dreams to each of you. 

I have to figure out what a pour over is

I got up early today because my cat Lewis Mulvenon had a serious case of it's spring and I NEED to go outside NOW.  This was at 6:30am.  Finding myself up and ready to go for my 8:30 haircut at 7:30am, I headed for the Farmers Market first.

The thing I like most about the farmers market is the people.  I love looking at what they are buying and selling.  My favorite today was this young girl in her apron, at the ready with answers to any questions about the baked goods she was selling with her mom.   My second favorite were the ladies in their very stylish hats.

I also saw Morels and was tempted to buy some, but then thought it would be best if I knew what I was going to do with them first. 

****Between now and next Saturday I would appreciate it if any of you who have cooked with Morels would let me know the 4-1-1 on them.**** 

After the farmers market I had just enough time to check out the newest coffee shop in Lawrence.

When I ordered my usual cappuccino without looking at the menu they kindly told me they don't have espresso but talked about a "pour over" and a french press.  I was in a hurry and didn't want to ask exactly what a  pour over was so I got a french press and headed out the door after snapping a quick photo.

My french press was perfection and I will definately be back to this place.   I have to figure out what a pour over is and that is going to take some observing.   Don't worry.  I will be reporting back with the details.  

P.S.  These fellows behind the counter were very nice.   I love good coffee.  I really love good coffee and friendly baristas.  

some things are best not discussed with the cardiologist

When my sister was here in April to see Angie she got her a new walker.  This was done despite protests from Angie who insisted that she did not need one, would not use one, and that "is the end of that girls".  

Guess who LOVES her new walker?   She moves faster, can turn on a dime, and there is a place to sit if she gets tired.  The seat also works well for transporting laundry or a carmel pretzel crunch. 

We went to see the cardiologist today.  He told mom to try and avoid salt.   He asked her if she used salt in her cooking.  She said "well I like chips".   He laughed and wanted to know what kind she liked.  She guiltily said "doritos... but I am not going to buy them anymore".   He said a few wouldn't hurt her. 

He didn't say a thing about limiting frozen custard.  But then again we didn't tell him we were going to Sheridans.  Some things are best not discussed with the cardiologist.   

I have found a solution to the problem and it's name is Ceramiche Umbre

Thursday night a package arrived.  A package with Italian writing on it. 

A package straight from Umbria.  Delivered unbroken within 10 days, just like Chiari Bonini said it would be.   I am not 100 percent certain where I will hang this yet.  

But I do know this will be going to work with me for my business cards. 

I will also put some of the stop talking cards in there.  I like to keep them handy.    One never knows when they might need one. 

Finally, I got this cute little jar for garlic.  I was so tired of those heads and cloves laying around looking so messy on the spoon rest.   No more peeling garlic skin all over the place ever again.    No siree, not at Tall Tales headquarters.   I have found a solution to the the problem and it's name is Ceramiche Umbre.

in no particular order

Here is the last of my photos from Spoleto. They are presented in no particular order and there is no theme that binds them together. Each one preserves a memory of a moment. Shadows on a door, random stencils of Peter Pan sprinkled around the walls of Spoleto, cyclamen on the walking path to town, our favorite looking spot, 4 Italian women resting on a bench, wine from Montefalco, shoe shopping, a house in the forest, and Franco on a mission.

All good reasons to re-visit in another few years. Especially since my sister has fire-making down to a fine art, and we are on a first name basis with the grocer.

a tuesday in may when I get home early enough to cut some flowers

I don't usually cut my tulips and iris and bring them inside to put in a vase.   I like to be able to look out the windows and see them in the garden. 

But tonight it felt right to bring some inside.   I want to look at them while I eat my left-over, cinco de mayo, carne asada tacos that Chris made. 

Also, I might want to do a water color series on the graceful shape of the tulip or the paper thin, finely veined, petals of an iris.

For sure I want to gaze upon them up close and personal while I drink this chilled glass of white wine. 

Oh I do love a Tuesday in May when I get home early enough from work to climb up on top of the rock wall in the back of my house and cut some flowers. 

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get out the perfect vase and cut and arrange

with their mossy feet and branches like arms

I don't think I have shown you quite every window, doorway, alley, mountain vista, cat, or monastery from Spoleto yet.  Quick.  Let me try and rectify that. 

I wish I had a better picture of the sacred woods in Monteluco.  It really was a surreal place.  Peaceful, hushed, spiritual.   These trees with their mossy feet and branches like arms were like living statues.  I can't really describe it accurately.  If you go to Spoleto, don't miss it.   

should the spirit move you

The raspberry bars turned out great.

The shortbread bottom got nice and golden, the meringue top had that crispy snap, the raspberry coconut filling was chewy and moist.  These are the perfect thing to serve with a nice cup of tea at the end of a meal, or a mid-day pick me up.  I can't really think of a time they wouldn't work except maybe if you are having your beer drinking brother-in-laws over who can't really appreciate a delicate dessert like this. 

Angie is going to be very happy when she see's these in the bag I am dropping off for her in the morning.   Since I can not drop them off at all of your doors I am supplying the recipe so you can make them yourself should the spirit move you. 

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it hopped over to the bag and practically begged to go home with me

I made a carrot/coconut cake

the square I am calling Umbria

While I miss having Franco's fresh eggs from Italian chickens every morning, there is something to be said for the comfort of the familiar.

I am going to tackle some raspberry bars today too.  These are my all time favorite raspberry preserves.  PLUS the jars make the perfect thing to take soup to work in. 

Weekend routines always include a bit of knitting.   In years to come when I unfurl my lizard ridge afghan to keep me warm at night I will forever think of the green heart of Italy when I see this square that I completed in Spoleto. 

Today it's on to pink and orange.  A favorite combination of mine.

It makes me think of tulips.  Or maybe sunflowers and geraniums. 


Whatever.  It looks good with the square I am calling "Umbria". 

not being on any time schedule

I used my iPad and my Nikon Coolpix S9300 for photos in Spoleto.  I deliberated long and hard over the Nikon D40x but in the end decided carrying 3 cameras would interfere with the ability to take the pictures in my head I see when I close my eyes at night. 

All the photos from my previous posts about Spoleto have been from the iPad.  Here are a hodge podge of my very favorites from the trusty point and shoot S9300.

This is the president of the Spoleto street cat association and his trusty side-kick.

From Spoleto looking out over the surrounding hills.  The lush green fields were mesmerizing. 

We loved all the resting spots along our path into town and highly approve of napping in public if needed. 

The view of Rocca Albornoziana from the Giro dei Condotti.  

Thanks for tagging along on our journey.  There is much to see in Umbria.  I highly recommend it for a travel destination.   A more energetic pair of travelers could have rented a car or took the train or bus to more of the towns in the area.  We were perfectly content to spend most of our time right in Spoleto, in the artists tower in the sacred woods, making pasta for dinner every night, and not being on any time schedule. 


There will likely be a few more photos to show you in the coming days.  In the meantime, be sure you look at Mary Ann's pictures - she DID take her "good" camera on the trip.

petting episodes in between each and every task

The tulips did bloom while I was gone to Italy and Chris did take some pictures for me.   

I was glad to get to spend a day looking at them myself before we got the freak rain/snow/sleet mix that came today and, according to the weather people, will still be here tomorrow.  

Hopefully it will have no effect on the new growth on the oak leaf hydrangea.  I harbor no such delusions about the blooms on the candy tuft or the flowering plums.  Therefore bouquets were made and brought indoor to be enjoyed for as long as they last. 

Lewis watched and approved of all activities, especially the petting episodes in between each and every task.

a lovely chilled glass of proseco

The poppies put on a show for us at the train station in Spoleto on Monday.

We managed to successfully catch the right train, get off at the right station, and find a taxi to our hotel in Rome. Whew. I will be the first to admit that I have "return to home anxiety". That is a disease characterized by obsessing needlessly about travel arrangements on the day of departure.

Re-entry into the city is always a bit of a shock when you have been in a charming, medieval, town. But let's face it, Rome is not without its charms.
Such as the opportunity to see the evening light play on the pretty buildings,

gaze upon pretty flower boxes in arched windows,

and have a lovely chilled glass of proseco at a little wine bar up the street from our hotel.

If you find yourself near the Termini train station in Rome, head over to Trimani on Via Goito, you will not be sorry.

on a Sunday in spoleto

While sipping a cappuccino on Sunday afternoon in Spoleto I soaked in the atmosphere on the street down from Piazza de la Libertad.

I watched a British couple in bike shorts and helmets, he with a knee brace, slowly coasting on their bikes, through the pedestrians, down the cobblestone streets. There were groups of men standing around talking about who knows what, waiting until it was time to go home for lunch. I noted a man with pistachio green pants and his wife taking their baby for a stroll in an old fashioned pram.

I saw a I short stocky man in black shorts and a sweaty white t-shirt with mid-calf length white socks and tennis shoes taking his mid-day exercise, plodding along steady and sure. I enjoyed the subdued conversations of the Italians punctuated by the now familiar "Giorno, Ciao, Prego, or Arrivederci!".

On the way home I passed two sisters out for a stroll, closely followed by two white scotty dogs being walked by a tall young woman whose sweater was worn off the shoulder revealing a fuchsia satin bra strap. There were lots of options for a leisurely Sunday lunch, followed by a stroll along Via del Ponte.

All of this, and more, I saw on a Sunday in Spoleto.