Tall Tales from Kansas

reminds me of the way glaze sets on a pound cake

My blush aloe, along with all the other succulents I planted when I came back from California with a serious case of succulent envy, is doing great.  I was going to show you a picture  but decided you would much rather see a drawing. 

This is an extremely true to life depiction of it.  Come by my front porch sometime and tell me you don't agree. 

I am head over heels in love with writing with water color.  The way it dries leaving an ever so slightly darker ring around the edge reminds me of the way glaze sets on a pound cake.  That makes sense to you too doesn't it? 

big jars of soup and little jars of soup and medium sized jars of soup

I made Kansas Corn Chowder this week. 

I did not use this ear of corn in the soup. 

I did make corn stock to use as per one of your suggestions - I used Martha's recipe.

Corn from Bismark gardens, potatoes and onion from John's garden in Marion Kansas, and thyme from my back yard.   This is my way of explaining why I changed the name from Martha's Summer Corn Chowder and am calling it Kansas Corn Chowder.

I filled up big jars of soup and little jars of soup and medium sized jars of soup.  In case I want to take it in my lunch bag as a snack, a side dish, or the main course.  It's important to have options.

I am an equal opportunity jar user.  I don't hold ugly lids against anyone.  Though I do admit that the red and white checked ones put me in the mind of a picnic, which somehow makes the contents taste better.    

Last year I made another corn chowder - described below in "related articles".  It was good.  This is BETTER.  I do appreciate that tip on boiling the cobs to make a stock.  This corn chowder is pure corn flavor, with just enough crunch to make it eat more like a meal.   

 

Related articles

whatever blows your dress up

every once in a while I do happen to glance out there and see something interesting

I remember in the spring when we moved the clocks forward an hour (here in Kansas anyway) I wondered what that was going to do to my sunsets.  The answer is it messed them all up.  The sun is setting now when I am in the middle of dinner instead of before we start, and it's too far to the right on the horizon, and blah blah blah.  In other words  - better sunsets in the fall than the spring and summer.  BUT, every once in a while I do happen to glance out there and see something interesting.

Like this line of orange protoplasm that appeared above the horizon at 8:50 pm on Monday. 

 

Related articles

if they all were located together in a folder labeled "sunsets"

plain with salt and pepper

The first melon of the season was purchased at the farmers market this past weekend. 

I like cutting the melon in half, scooping out the seeds, then cutting it into quarters, and eighths and finally trying to cut the orange flesh as far down as you can without getting any green.  Then putting all those lovely chunks into a container in the refrigerator and pulling it out at will for guilt free snacking. 

But the very, very, very, best part of it all is sprinkling the last slice with a bit of salt and pepper and eating it right off the rind.   Because you have to make sure it's good before you put it away right? 

After plain with salt and pepper, my favorite way to eat canteloupe is with a scoop of cottage cheese.  Lordy!  Next thing you know I will tell you I love green jello with bananas in it. 

I love that kid

I kept myself quite entertained this afternoon attempting to accurately capture the top row of the low bookshelf that sits just across from the table in my art room.  

It was almost as much fun as having a blind contour drawing contest with my 6 year old nephew Bryce last night. 

He confidently informed me "I am pretty sure I won" when we showed each other our results.  When I asked him if he was sure he said, "well we can ask some judges" and proceeded to ask all the guests at our dinner party if it didn't look like his was better.  I love that kid. 

 

the croc that has lost it's partner

Sunflower season has begun in the Sunflower state.  These are just a few of the species that were on display at the market on Saturday. 

I also spied the perfect sunbonnet amongst the market goers this weekend.  Lightweight, washable, with an air vent in the back.  I wish someone would make me one.   And while you have your machine out, I sure do look those shorts she is wearing.

There was a tie in the cleverness category at the market on Saturday.  I honestly couldn't decide if it should go to the guy who packaged up these baskets that containing everything you need to make dill pickles....

.... or to this lady who has come up with the perfect use for the croc that has lost it's partner. 

If you are silly enough to go in there

Today Chris and I visited the Spencer Museum of Art, went and got more sweet corn, saw an amazing exhibit of quilts, and ate BLT's with our 3rd home-grown tomato.  Not necessarily in that order. 

I would have loved to have shown you some of the quilts but no photos were allowed in that gallery at the museum.  If you live near by, Personal Geometry is an exhibit featuring the work of Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell from Kingman Kansas and Yoshiko Jinzenji from Japan.   You have until August 4th to see it.  Well worth the trip. 

I did not get lost in that corn by the way.  I was demonstrating that the corn is very tall and it is possible to get lost in the corn.  If you are silly enough to go in there.  Which I was not. 

that look on my brothers face might make them second guess allowing us on the grounds

I received an e-mail from the Credentials Committee at Augusta National today.  In said e-mail they kindly informed me that the random selection process for the 2015 Practice Rounds tickets had been completed.  They further said they regretted to inform me that my application was not selected for tickets.  Drat!  I knew I should have told them I had a golf journal and enclosed this picture in my application.

I'll know better next year.  I see no reason not to embellish my application a little.  It never hurts to stand out in the minds of the folks at the Masters tournament.  Even though that look on my brothers face might make them second guess allowing us on the grounds.

I cheered myself up by getting out my Masters tumbler and making a pumpkin iced coffee with dizzy three espresso vodka and torani coffee syrup. 

Best decision I made all day. 

Someone asked about how I make cold brewed coffee a while back.  It's a breeze.  Take 1 part coarsely ground coffee and  4 parts water (1/2 cup grounds + 2 cups water will give you  1 1/2 cups of cold brew) put it in a french press coffee maker and stick it in the refrigerator overnight.  Press it.  If you want, you can strain it through a filter as well.   Pour over ice and add milk and whatever else you like in your iced coffee. I have a tray of coffee iced cubes in the freezer downstairs but I forgot about them in my haste!  Great way to used leftover regular coffee and it keeps your iced coffee from tasting even one bit watered down. 

 

a fence to go around my flower garden

Tonight at 6:45 pm I discovered that there are 61 days, 2 hours and 44 minutes left until fall arrives.    I have given myself exactly 1/2 of that time to get this summer quilt finished.  I like talking to myself about deadlines.  It gives me a sense of urgency that spurns me to action.

To that end, I got out the backing and batting this week and set about to lighting a fire under myself.   As I was looking at this big colorful quilt, that reminds me of the cutting garden of my dreams, I thought -  it's missing something. 

Something like a fence.   Maybe?

So I proceeed to get out all my spare wood, saw, hammer and nails, and got to work on making a fence.  A fence to go around my flower garden.  

The fences that I am most drawn to are the ones that have unevenly spaced and sized pickets.   I am throwing that out there in case you were wondering about the lack of precision in my fence parts.  I meant to make them that way.  I have no idea how it's going to turn out but I am attacking it with great gusto.  

If I did my math right, this quilt should be on our bed by August 22nd.  Give or take a few hours.   

I love the feeling in my brain

In 1999 my sister taught me how to make paste paper.   With that came the realization that art is fun.  Since that time I have been doggedly continuing at it.  Trying, trying, trying to let that thing in me that LIKES to draw, paint, cut, and paste, come out.  Going on art retreats with Mary Ann and Pam and Joyce and Sharron and just keeping at it.

Something has happened to me though since I started Sketchbookery class.  I have gone from thinking I can't really draw, to believing that I can likely draw ANYTHING I look at.  I see something and instinctively use my finger to trace its shape in the air, thinking how I would approach putting it on paper.  Don't get me wrong.  The outcomes are what they are.  They look like I drew them.  But I can't fully describe how I love the feeling in my brain that I CAN DRAW.

And that said, I give you The Tomato.

I had just as much fun making these letters as I did the rest of the page.  Everthing's a little wonky.  The lines wavery. 

Oh, by the way it tasted as good as it looked.  The tomato slice should be almost as big as the burger for optimal flavor. 

So in case you, like me, always knew you had it in you to be a sketcher, Mary Ann is going to offer the class again beginning December 26th. 

 

 

Related articles

the art of making & keeping a sketchbook

I put two on the plate

If memory serves me correctly it has been over a year since I last made brownies.  It hit me like a ton of bricks today and I decided to take corrective measures immediately.  Going for more than a year without making and EATING brownies can have dire consequences.  Inbalances in the brownie/vegetable balance are best avoided. 

If you just want chocolate, don't make these brownies.

Make these brownies if you are looking for the combination of cake, fudge, and the tang that comes from the marbling of the cream cheese mixture. 

I put two on the plate because I thought you might want one when you come over.    Since I couldn't possibly show these without providing the recipe - here's the link to Smitten Kitchen's cheesecake swirled brownies.   You will either love me or hate  me for this.  I hope it's the former.   

 

Josie and her sister Julia were very helpful with my order

People were out at the market early this weekend.  I usually try to get there before 8am and because of that, I sometimes miss the musicians.  They are still in the shower running the scales at that hour of the morning...  doh-re-mi-fah-so-lah-ti-doh!   Not this weekend though.  Saturday the musicians were out in full force.

Maybe they came to get watermelon?  It looked plenty good. 

There was a lady making fresh squeezed orange juice that I hadn't noticed before.  Loved her apron.

I kept trying to get this guys attention but he was fully occupied by that chocolate cookie. 

The proprieters of this booth might have been my favorites this week. 

Josie and her sister Julia were very helpful with my order and most accomodating for the picture.  I LOVE seeing kids at the market working a booth with their parents. 

I brought home three bunches of those zinnias along with a few other things.  Then I went to work adding a little basil and lavender from my backyard. 

I have been cutting the heads off my favorite zinnias this year and drying them.  I would one day love to plant a big field full of all varieties of zinnias.  But no matter how many zinnias I grow myself I will always have a vase or two at home waiting for the ones I buy from the flower girls at the market.  

after 47 minutes of discussion and consultation with one tomato expert

Friday night the tomato that has been ripening slowly over the last 4 days looked like this.

We discussed at length whether or not it was ready to eat.  After 47 minutes of discussion and consultation with one tomato expert we determined we should wait exactly 21 more hours to harvest.  With that decided, we next debated how to eat our first tomato and planned Saturday dinner.

At 6:02pm on July 19th the first tomato was plucked.

It was examined from all angles.

Washed.  Photographed for drawing later.  Instagrammed.

And then Chris sliced it while I manned the camera.

You'd think we were the first people to ever grow a tomato. 

 

Related articles

tomatoes by August 9th?

would one of you real "canners" please advice me.

Sometimes at the farmers market I buy more fresh produce than can reasonably be eaten in the course of a week.  This causes me to scramble about to think of new ways to use it.  Which is how I happened upon this brilliant idea. 

I used a cup of cider vinegar, a cup of water and a tablespoon of kosher salt.  Boiled it until the salt dissolved.  Cleaned a couple of jars, threw in a garlic clove, some red pepper flakes and dried dill ( I would have killed for fresh, but was too lazy to go buy any), then I packed as many beans in each jar as possible.  Final step was pouring the hot liquid over the beans, letting them cool, and sticking them in the refrigerator.  

The goal?  Dilled Refrigerator Beans.  Or some such like that. 

I was thinking spicy and crispy right?  Along the lines of something you want to garnish a bloody mary with.  Sometimes I have an idea that is better in my mind than in reality.  This was one of those.  The beans turned out plenty spicy but they were a "tough/crisp" texture if you know what I mean.  That kind of "not good feel on your teeth tough" when you bite into them.   Maybe I should have blanched the beans first?  Or even cooked them for about 1/2 the usual time. Would one of you real "canners" please set me straight on this matter.   

By the way I did let them sit for 24 hours and have been tasting them everyday for the last 5 days.  The texture hasn't changed a bit. 

get me a medium size, not too big and not too little

As someone who has been in nursing for 33 years, the first half in oncology and the second half in palliative care, I am intimately familiar with the process of grieving.   I regularly run into people in the community whose mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, child, I took care of when they were dying.  When I see them they usually look at me, they cry, and we hug.  Then we talk about stuff.  Stuff like how things are going, how much they miss the person who died, how things went at the end, how what they are going through right now is normal... you get the idea.  

Well the other day it happened to me.  I unexpectedly ran into one of the people from hospice who took care of Angie.   She was a nurse who swooped in during a particularly rough spot, at a moment when I really needed help.   When I saw her, I initially did okay,  then... horror of horrors, when I was telling her how much I appreciated her... I started to cry.  Yes, I know it is good for me to experience all this, and it's ok to cry, but lordy.  It's hard. 

 

In the last weeks I have been missing Angie a lot.  I think about things I would have done differently (knowing I couldn't have at the time), I wish for a 30 minute post-death visit so I can be sure she is doing ok (knowing of course she is doing ok!), and most of all wanting to go pick her up so we can go to Sheridans for a caramel pretzel crunch.  I want her to tell me just once more "get me a medium size, not to big and not too little" and "be sure and get me a lid in case I can't finish it all" and "get some napkins you know I always need napkins".  Then watching her total enjoyment as she ate it and when she was done hearing her say "oooh that was good". 

Grieving is funny business.  We all need different things to get through it.  I'll tell you right now what is the most helpful to me.  Doing blind contour drawings of myself.  It makes me laugh like nobody's business.

I think after work on Friday I'll drive over to Sheridans and order up a carmel pretzel crunch.  Maybe I'll call ahead and let the people working know they should draw straws to see which one of them is going to get their picture drawn.  I'll just keep the part about me not looking while I'm drawing to myself.  That would only confuse them.   

my second favorite summer salad

Pickled cucumbers and red onions is my favorite summer salad.  I could eat it every single night for dinner along with whatever else Chris decides to make.  But, I like to remain open to new ideas and along those lines this one came to me when I was puzzling over just how to prepare this bunch of kale.

By "came to me" I mean I zipped over to the smitten kitchen to see what she was doing with kale and found this.  So I made it.  Except I had a different kind of kale.  Mine was coarse and a little dry so I decided it needed a bit of steaming in some white wine - not wilting, just a little steaming to green it up slightly.   And I didn't have golden raisins so I used dried cranberries instead.  And I didn't have any white wine vinegar so I used cider vinegar and some white wine. And I used a big clove of garlic instead of a tiny clove.  But other than that I pretty much followed her recipe.

This stuff is great and the best part is the kale stands up fine for days after it is dressed.  Just add the breadcrumbs to the portion you are eating each night.  (I made this on Saturday night and ate the last of it for lunch on Tuesday - still crisp!)  This is now my second favorite summer salad.   I hope the guy in my office whose wife grew an excess of kale continues to bring it to work to get rid of it. 

I decided my salad did not need extra protein in the form of lady bug looking creatures, so I carefully transported this fellow outside before I steamed my kale.  I hope he likes coneflowers because that's where I put him. 

all the better to see you with my dear

Photos of the final phases of construction of my "Big Eye Bird". 

I had the most delightful time hooking this bird.  I made a special back for him because I am sure in years to come someone is going to want to know his story. 

He is not, by the way, related to the big bad wolf of Little Red Riding Hood fame, but all I can think of everytime I see him is someone saying "my little bird what a BIG eye you have".

pass the cornbread please

I don't know if the vague memory I have of sitting on the front porch of Aunt Ola's house in Provencal Louisianna "snapping" beans is something that I ever really experienced or not.  What I do know is that when I saw these purple hull peas at the market on Saturday that is right where my mind went.

I ordered up a pound, watched as they were weighed out carefully on the 1950's era scale, collected my 50 cents in change, and began to think about how I would fix them.

There is something very satisfying abut slitting open a pea pod with the corner of your thumbnail and releasing all the peas that are lined up in a neat row.

I settled on the recipe that was awarded first prize at the 2007 Purple Hull Pea festival in Emerson Arkansas.  It's simple and delicious.  Peas, bacon, water, salt and pepper.  I added a little onion because Aunt Lois whispered that I should while I was cooking.  If my dad would had been here he would have said "lip smacking good sissy".  Then he would have said "pass the cornbread please".

I am sorry that I did not get a photo of my dinner plate that was piled high with peas, steak, salad, and bread.   What I do have is this picture of the leftovers.  I put an over-easy egg on top of this bowl and had it for breakfast Sunday morning.   Purple hull peas could be the next hash-browns.  You heard it here first. 

after a cocktail or two you may want to get out the fine china

Ever since I started my sister's sketchbookery class I have been drawing up a storm.  Strawberries are especially good to draw.  I had almost as much fun drawing them myself as I had watching my sister draw them in double time in one of her videos. 

I left these out on a plate in case someone else who lives with me might decide they wanted to draw them too.  He selected the red pilot razerpoint pen as his weapon of choice.  

Then after your strawberries are drawn I am going to suggest you add them to a glass with some ice, lemon, vodka, elderflower liqueur, cranberry juice, and club soda.  It's important to get every single penny's worth of value out of your strawberries.  

After a cocktail or two you may want to get out the fine china and have a go at sketching that too.

Marti, I think you, Nancy, and Jennifer would have LOADS of fun drawing strawberries.  Hint.. hint... I await the photos from your next lunch time sketching session. 

some he didn't ask but would want to know about after he got home

The bounty was bountiful at the market today.

Overheard conversations were also of extremely good quality.  This man came up and asked the pickled beet lady "do you have any corn relish for sale, or know anyone who does?" 

Pickled beet lady said "oh I sure do love corn relish!  I haven't had it for years, my neighbor lady used to make it but I never have and I don't have a recipe".  Then corn-relish man said, "I have a recipe but I don't think I can make it", to which she replied "well you bring me the recipe and I'll make us some".   Stay tuned for part 2 of that conversation.

Next, I happened upon this exchange already in progress....

Standard poodle lady asked plant man"...do you have an opinion about what variety of lavender performs best in this area?"  I was trying to listen to his reply but at that exact moment another man walked up and said to no one in particular "I wonder what that is (referring to the blush aloe I bought 2 weeks ago)?"  At that point I was forced to move from my role as over-hearer to advice-giver.  I mean seeing as I had just completed an advanced course in the selection and tending of succulents while in California.  I proceeded to answer all his questions and some he didn't ask but would want to know about after he got home and I wouldn't be there to respond.

And that friends, is the official report from the Lawrence Farmers market for the weekend of July 11th. 

no bird should be without a mate

When I was in California last month Mary Stanley got me started on the art of rug hooking.  Mary is a seriously talented hooker and seeing her work would make anyone want to take it up.  I have been intermittently working on my bird since I got home.  Mostly to learn the craft, knowing my first project will not be perfect.   I didn't have quite enough wool to finish the belly and after tossing a coin to decide if I was going to:
A.  go to a second hand store looking for skirt weight wool in the right color
B:  order some
I ordered from Canada.  Home of Deanne Fitzpatrick.  It came yesterday. 

My strips are cut and I am on the home stretch now.   As you can see I ordered plenty of wool for bird #2.  No bird should be without a mate.  There might have also been some lovely oranges, yellows, browns, and reds that came with the blues... in case I need to make a pumpkin.  Or three. 

 

the perfect summer soup

After I did this

with these

I did this.

I used this recipe with the addition of about 1 teaspoon each of ground cumin and curry powder.   When you get a taste for some creamy butternut squash soup this summer - make this instead.  You will not be sorry.  The orange juice (which I thought sounded like a very weird ingredient to add to this soup) makes it light and flavorful.  The perfect summer soup.  Plus I used up every single one of my carrots.

Thanks for the idea Phyllis!  Lunch is ready for next week. 

victory is mine

And so it was, with the flip of a switch, that today I have added a new initial to my official "around the house" title.  It is now Carol Jean, MOFF.  Minister of Finance & Fountains. 

I celebrated on the front porch with an iced coffee as I listened to the soothing sound of splashing water and contemplated what challenge that has been vexing me I will attempt to conquer next. 

 

fingers crossed everyone

I made it down to the River Market area in Kansas City today to check out The Farmhouse. 

We started out with some crazy good fried green tomatoes that were served with onion & pepper jam, goat cheese, and mixed greens.  They were creamy, crunchy, spicy, sweet.  Seriously good.   If you are an aficianado of the FGT - you must go.  These are the best I have had in the area.  They rank right up there with the ones I had in Asheville NC last fall. 

Before heading down to the farmhouse I stopped to pick up my friend Joan.   All her fountains were going and her angel wing begonias were eye-poppingly georgeous.  I don't know why I didn't get a photo of them (probably because I was lamenting the fact that my fountain isn't working).   Here is what I do have a photo of. 

My fountain that I just put a new water pump in because the old one was broken.  I did it all by myself because Joan made me think I could.  That, and the strength I got from eating fried green tomatoes. 

Next step - silicone application.  Photo of successful addition of water to follow.  Fingers crossed everyone. 

 

I stood up and did a backflip after my first bite

If you are hankering for some home made salsa, but your home grown tomatoes will not be ready for a few more weeks ... go and get you some fresh corn.  That's what I did the other night.  

Cut the kernals off 3 ears and toast it in a pan with a few teaspoons of olive oil until it gets a little brown, then take it off the heat,  add a few more teaspoons of olive oil, 1/2 of a chopped up red pepper, 2 thinly sliced scallions, 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro, several minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, about 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and some diced up pickled jalapenos (you can use fresh, I just happened to have pickled ones on hand.

Add a little salt and pepper to taste, then give it a stir and let it sit for a few hours.  Only good things happen when sweet corn, cilantro, garlic, cumin, and lime juice are allowed to mingle together for a few hours.

This was so good I stood up and did a back flip after my first bite.  You will want to double this if there are more than 2 of you eating it.  Quadruple it for your next family dinner and be sure you take copies of the recipe with you.  Everyone is going to want it.  You will be revered as an amazing cook and people will be talking for generations to come about the first time they tasted "Toasted Corn Salsa".

This recipe is adapted slightly from America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook.

bugs bunny carrots

This week at the farmers market there was patriotic dress, patriotic music, and carrots.   I also happened to catch the demonstration of best techniques for carrying your purchases and Madeline had more zinnias for sale.  I found plants to fill in a few empty spots in the front garden and a bronze succulent followed me home.  In other words a perfect Saturday morning at the market. 

Did I mention the bugs bunny carrots?  I have not idea what I am going to do with all these carrots, but I'm sure I'll think of something. 

when summer has long since gone

Yesterday we made a pilgrimage to the birthplace of sweet corn. 

Well okay it might not be the technical birthplace, but have you seen any finer?

If you live close, I suggest you find your way to Bismarck Gardens between now and the end of the month. 

I bought plenty, but will go back to get more before the end of the season.  I like it best straight off the cob as a side dish, but I plan to make some roasted corn salsa, chicken and roasted corn salad, and corn tortilla soup.  I intend to buy enough to cut it off the cob and freeze it for this winter when summer has long since gone. 

P.S.  I don't know anyone at Bismarck Gardens personally, but do greatly appreciate my local farms and feel it's my duty to tell you about them. 

my rendition of The Stars and Stripes Forever

The 4th of July is a perfect day for parades, watching butterflies, making french knots, doing patriotic blind contour drawings of your hand, drying zinnias so you can save the seeds, re-arranging sea shell/rock collections, and hanging your traditional half-round bunting.

In addition to all those aforementioned activities I impressed Chris with my rendition of The Stars and Stripes Forever, recalling all the lyrics of both stanzas.  With just one or two minor word substitutions. 

no telling what you might decide you need after a cocktail

If you find yourself in Kansas City with no plans for the day, may I suggest a vist to Loose Park followed by lunch at Webster House.  I'm pretty confident you will enjoy both.  Liz and I did last week.  

Warning:  Be aware that there is some interesting shopping to do at Webster house as well.  If you are planning to have a drink with your lunch, shop first.  No telling what you might decide you need after a cocktail.

 

Related articles

at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers

like tuning into Masterpiece theatre, in black and white, with dramatic music, except on BBC radio

At the present moment I have 35 titles on my "Books to Check out" list.  I add books to this list when I come across a review that sounds good, someone I know tells me they have read something and I MUST get it, or I hear about it on that segment on NPR where the library lady comes on and tells you about books (for the life of me I can NOT think of the name of that segment right now).   It's kind of a jumbled up mess, this list of mine.  So you will understand that I can not remember how I heard about this particular book.  Death of a Dormouse by Reginald Hill.

I just finished listening to it today and have added 3 additional titles by the same author to my list, bringing the grand total to an all time high of 38 books! If one of you told me about it, please pipe up in the comments because I want to thank you personally.  Listening to this book everyday was like tuning into Masterpiece theatre, in black and white, with dramatic music, except on BBC radio.   If that makes sense.   

My library got this book for me all the way from the Oklahoma library system.  Through the interlibrary loan program.   Which I think is completely stupendous.  

the elements of surface pressures or weather systems

June is the month of magical sunrises in Kansas.  Each day it's a little bit different but always spectacular.  These shots were all taken from June 6th through July 1st, with my little Nikon coolpix, on my morning commute, between 6:02 and 6:13 am.   

I do not understand all the elements of surface pressures or weather systems that make the sunrise look the way it does each day.  But I do know that I never get tired of looking at it.