Tall Tales from Kansas

to satisfy your curiosity after all the hype

Here is what I have to say after reading Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.   
1.  Dottie I will be shipping it to you as soon as I get home from Oregon. 
2.  I am glad I read it for myself.
3.  Harper Lee knows how to transport you back to the south of the 1950's. 

4. I guess I would describe this as the story of a woman trying to figure out who she is when she comes back home to the place where she was raised and realizes that the people she loves aren't exactly the people she had thought them to be.   
5.  It has made me think.   Sometimes more than I want to when I am reading for pleasure. 
6.  This is not the best or the worst book I have ever read. 
7.  Some parts were hard to read because I was getting the narrators inner thoughts and dialogue with other characters confused. 
8.  This is my favorite paragraph in the book and it has very little to do with the whole story.  I simply love what she is able to convey about a character so clearly with her choice of words. 

"Willoughy chose to run the county not in its most comfortable office, but in what was best described as a hutch - a small, dark, evil-smelling room with his name on the door, containing nothing more than a telephone, a kitchen table, and unpainted captain's chairs of rich patina.   Wherever Willoughby went, there followed axiomatically a coterie of passive, mostly negative characters known as the Courthouse Crowd, specimens Willoughby had put into the various county and municipal offices to do as they were told."

9.  You are going to have to read it just to satisfy your curiosity after all the hype. 

if any of you are teeth mark experts

This is the "mid point of the Kansas gardening season" update.  That time when it's hotter than heck and my lack of weeding and watering discipline begins to show.  These petunias got leggy so I whacked them off and they bloomed again.  I wish all gardening conundrums were so easily solved. 

The hardy hibiscus continues to have one of it's best years ever.  Alas, it will soon be over.  

One of the front porch succulents bloomed.

The zinnias and salvia, planted as stand ins for the empty spot where the cherry tree was, are in full-on bloom.

The oak leaf hydrangea blooms are turning.  So delicate and pretty.  

The first of the morning glory's are also emerging. 

I close this report with the disturbing news that something came up on my back deck last night and decided to try a nibble of the succulents that are in the light therapy unit (which is working well for them by the way).  Rabbit?  Squirrel? 

What other kind of critter would be on the back deck eating my succulents in the wee hours of the morning?  If any of you are teeth mark experts, click on that picture and examine it closely.  Then get back to me with your guess. 

taking care to cover every inch of bread

How to make a BLT in 150 words or less with no pictures.

Ingredients: 
2 pieces regular non-fancy grocery store brand bread, mayonnaise, freshly picked garden tomato, bacon, lettuce.

Instructions:
Cook bacon, slather mayo on both slices of bread, lovingly slice tomato, carefully lay it on top of mayo, cover every inch of bread, sprinkle with salt, bacon is next - you decide how many strips (I like 3 if thick cut and 4 if not), then comes lettuce followed by more tomatoes, and finally cover it up with the other slice of bread.  Cut it in half.  It's probably going to fall apart.  That's what napkins/shirt sleeves are for.  Serve with potato chips & chilled pickled cucumber slices.  Wash it down with wine or beer.    

We picked our first red tomato today and we were so "in the moment" we only took pictures with our minds.  Yes, it was as good as it sounds. 

when cute boys talk, I listen

Sweet things were front and center at the farmers market on Saturday.  Sweet smiles,  creme brulee,  peaches, and ... oh heavens, sweeeeet boys.  

 

He wasn't sure what to make of me at first but warmed up quickly when I told him I liked his most excellent t-shirt. 

He was helping his mom pick out the best bouquet of flowers at the whole market. 

When I told him I could not decide between the black eyed susans and the peonies for myself he told me the yellow ones for sure.  So that is what I got. 

When cute boys talk, I listen. 

P.S.  Did you see my friend Pam has a class on Creativebug?  You are going to have some fun with her.  One of my favorite things about Art Retreat is watching she and Mary Ann work.    Now you can too!

emphasis on the goodness

Basil harvesting was done this weekend.   I like to harvest basil early in the morning.  With a cup of coffee.  While everyone in the neighborhood is still sleeping.   

Everyone but Harvey that is.  Harvey likes to do all garden work with me including weed pulling and basil harvesting.   Sometimes Harvey forgets he's a cat and poses like a dog.  

Before you know it we had a nice big colander full. 

I washed it (2 packed cups), cut off the stems, toasted some pine nuts (1/4 cup) and some garlic (4 cloves), grated some romano cheese (1/3 cup), and threw it all in the food processor along with 1/2 tsp salt and 7 tablespoons of good olive oil. 

When all was said and done here is what I had. 

So far I have mixed some with mayonnaise and put a small amount on top of batch #2 of fried green tomatoes.  It took the tomatoes completely over the top in terms of utter succulent divine-ness.  Next I ate some on a couple of wheat thins along with some triple cream brie cheese and grapes.  Ridiculously rapturous.  Finally I sliced and heated up baguette last night to go with spaghetti and used the pesto instead of butter on the bread.  Splendiforous. 

If you need another reason to make some, my next project is to put it on toast and top it with a sliced hard boiled egg.  We are talking simple goodness here.  Emphasis on the goodness. 

calling all "central coast of oregon" experts

In exactly 6 days we are headed west to the central coast of Oregon.  If you have some insider knowledge about these parts and  know of something I should absolutely NOT miss during my upcoming visit, please do tell.  We will be renting a house around Waldport.  So far we have the following on the agenda:  visit some lighthouses (Haceta head, Yaquina), see the Cape Perpetua area (tidepools, thors well, devils churn, hiking), go to seal cave, explore some dunes, and stare at the ocean.  

If I am missing something that I will kick myself for later, let me know.  As soon as we disembark and get the rental car we are stopping at Powell's books.  We only have time to do one thing in Portland and this is what I have chosen (there may be a local yarn store nearby that I haven't mentioned to Chris yet). We are planning to stop at some wineries as we head south/west from Portland to Lincoln City on 99W.  Is there one that you like? 

P.S.  That photo of the books is only loosely connected to this post by the Oregon travel books I consulted from the library.  In the event that you want to know what I thought of the books here goes...

1.  Weird Oregon:  Weird, not helpful in planning my trip.
2.  Wanderlust:  I read 2 chapters and stopped.  Interesting but not enough to read more.
3.  Off the Beaten Path Oregon:  Helpful.
4.  Unforgettable:  I finished it.  I am glad Scott Simon had the chance to reminisce with his mom in her last weeks.  I wish more people could do this.  I am sorry his experiences with her healthcare providers were not better.  

WOW!!!! thanks everyone and especially Brenda for all the suggestions!  I owe you one :)

it just never knows where it's going next and this is the result

Luckily, when the text came in from Stockholm this morning, about a transoceanic FaceTime SketchTime session, I was almost done making my purchases at the farmers market.   It has been a few weeks since I did any drawing so I was glad for the invite from my sister . 

This bunch of flowers turned out to be an excellent subject for sketching. 

No need for perfection.  Pick up the pen, pick a flower, and just start.  You may have noticed I tend to have a very wavery line when I sketch.  It's not that my hand shakes, it just never knows where it's going next and this is the result.  

During our session today, among other things, we discussed selecting the front seat on the bus for maximum viewing when traveling in a foreign country, the exceptional cuteness of handmade mouse dolls who sleep in matchboxes covered with knitted blankets, and the pleasure of drinking coffee from pretty cups while staring out the windows into the Swedish evening light. 

Before I knew it, it was time to sign off.  I am not going to try and paint these flowers.  I like them just like they are.  

that was wrong of me

I have never (not even once), come close (or even semi-close) to being able to grow cilantro in my garden.  I have tried all growing conditions ( full sun, partial sun, moist, dry) including careful tending and regularly delivered endearments to please grow.  All to no avail.  Until now. 

At the beginning of May, while shopping for cards, in downtown Lawrence, at Ruff House Art, I found this.  A garden jar with organic cilantro, grown in a self-watering planter INSIDE the house. 

Instructions were read, the jar was set up next to my geranium sprout, and fingers were crossed.  Within a few days things looked good. 

Definite signs of life.  But I remained skeptical.  And that was wrong of me.  

I have now harvested twice and it's still growing.  Could it be that I will have a cilantro plant that will last the whole summer?  Maybe beyond?  Time will tell.   Has anyone else used these before? 

freeze some peaches on purpose

When I was putting the bags of sweet corn in the freezer last week I happened to find this bag of peaches hiding under a bag of ice.  Peaches!?#   How could I not have used these already? 

Last year I bought a big bunch of peaches, made a peach galette, and ended up having more fruit than I could use for the size of my crust, so I froze some.   And promptly forgot all about them.  Apparently. 

The good news is they were still darn good and tasty.   I whipped up this crust that I have been wanting to try instead of what I used last time.  I liked it.  A lot.  

I also cooked the peaches a little bit before I put them on the crust because I remember last time I had a pan full of juice at the end and I wanted to see if some cooking first would thicken them up.  It did. 

This looks remarkably like what I made last year.  Except I liked it better this time.  Not sure if it was the different crust or the fact that I haven't had any peaches yet this year. 

It has been a good way to start the peach season here.  I'll just say that.   See that big fat crust on the back of the piece?  It's extremely good with the vanilla ice cream you are going to put on this. 

The peaches were juicy, tart, and just plain delicious, even after being in the freezer all that time.  Note to self:  freeze some peaches on purpose this summer but don't forget about them all winter. 

all jumbled up on top of each other sleeping in a pile

I hopped over to the little lake where the gosling school is located the other day.   I've held my breath the last few times as I've walked over, wondering if "my geese" will still be there.  

Today I spotted one in a pose I hadn't seen before.  I wish I could fold my neck around and rest it on my side so I could nap on my feet.   But only if I had a partner on lookout duty like this fella does. 

I can't distinguish the babies from the mamas any more.   Their markings are all the same.   Talk about growing up fast.  It's hard to believe 8 weeks have gone by. 

I found a feather in the grass when I was leaving.  I am telling myself it's a goose feather (whether it is or not).  I have it in a cup with all my pencils and pens right here on my desk.  Every time I look at it I think of the very first day I saw them all jumbled up on top of each other,  sleeping in a pile.   What a sweet little unexpected gift watching them has been.   I will forever wonder when I see geese flying overhead if they are part of "my group".   

Related articles

if I was going to be in 2nd grade next year

muffin yellow and bee fuzz yellow

I am presenting  the following yellow "names" for consideration to the manufacturers of crayola crayons in the event that they decide to add some spice to their current line-up.   We Kansans know a thing or two about the color between green and brown and directly across from purple on the color wheel. 

In the following order we have - majestic sunflower yellow, sweet corn yellow, wrist warmer yellow, spiky yellow, breakfast yellow, Saturday morning yellow, muffin yellow, zinnia yellow, and bee fuzz yellow. 

I am pretty sure muffin yellow and bee fuzz yellow will be two they will want for sure.  

wreaths made out of miniature bottles and wire

There was fresh dill at the market today.  Mixed in with my dining room table bouquet.  A most unexpected place to find dill. 

There were also lilies and phlox, but I selected this bouquet for the dill. 

I planted some in my garden this year but it didn't survive.  Too wet I think.   With flowers like this, you can bet I will try again next year.  I love the feathery, delicateness of them. 

There were lots of umbrellas at the market too; for sheltering people and dogs. 

They also came in handy for keeping these crepe eaters dry as well as mothers on missions. 

I also saw peaches and ... wreaths made out of miniature bottles and wire.   Squeal!

How they came up with this clever idea I do not know.  But I sure do like it.  

when you just can not wait one more minute to harvest one

This morning, after consulting Bobby Flay, Paula Dean, Tyler Florence, and The Neely's, I went out back and picked a green tomato.

After reviewing all the recipes I rejected them and relied on my Louisiana genes to pick the best ingredients for the wash and the coating.   

I sliced the tomato, sprinkled on some salt and pepper, dipped the slices in egg wash with a bit of Tabasco, followed by a dredge in a combination (50/50) of cornmeal and panko breadcrumbs. 

I then dropped them in a cast iron skillet with some hot vegetable oil (375 degrees), turned them once, took them out when they looked right, and put them on paper towels.  Then I served them up for breakfast along with an over easy egg and some bacon. 

Ooooh-eeeee.  They were good.  Crispy, succulent, simple, delicious.  I am now okay if it takes my green tomatoes another week or so to turn red.  My hat is off to the person who first figured out this simple delicious way to eat them when you just can not wait one more minute to harvest one.  

I only add the Dizzy Three espresso vodka when I drink it after noon

Sandwiched in between some cool storm clouds (photographed by Chris) are four blog-worthy pieces of information that are joined together in this post only by the fact that they are totally unrelated. 

I recently made a killer blueberry snack cake in a pie pan. 

The person who creates these chalk signs at the market each week is ah-mazing! 

They had red ripe tomatoes and super cute farm kids at the corn place this week.

Iced coffee season is in full swing and I am drinking the heck out of it.  I only add the Dizzy Three espresso vodka when I drink it after noon.

I hope each of you has a wonderful weekend that includes at least 4 random moments of wonderfulness.

we brought little swatches with us

The seaming up of the squares is coming along swimmingly.  Row 5 has just been completed (while watching Wayward Pines - YIKES are you watching it?) and I'm pinning together row 6 to tackle tomorrow night.  Once that's done all the strips get put together and I concentrate on whether I am going to crochet a border all around (or not). 

I am not a crocheter by trade but I do know how to do a single chain and a double and triple crochet (or whatever those double and triple stitches are called).  I think with a pattern, YouTube, and the assistance of someone who knows how to crochet I will be able to do it. 

Those pink things up there do not have one single thing to do with the lizard ridge afghan by the way.   They are some of the samples from a great class I took 3 or so years ago.  It was all about how to make a better sweater but the BEST part of the whole class was that we brought little swatches with us and learned how to join/seam them together. 

Whenever I have to do any seaming I always bring them out and look at them again to help myself remember just what I am supposed to be doing.   I bought the book and have referred to it as well, but the samples are the best.  

This is before I laid down row #5.   The countdown is on.  I promise not to show it again until it's done!

a one serving portion all ready to go

I was thinking today that it's high time for a tomato report.  This year, we are once again delighted by the amazing spectacle that is happening on the back deck.  It's hard to believe that we planted these 56 days ago.  It seems like it's been just a few weeks. 

When instructing Chris to "look animated" as I used him as the frame of reference to demonstrate how tall the plants are, he said "if you think it's so easy you do it and give me the camera".

So I did.  Successfully demonstrating (I believe) that it's not that hard if you put your mind to it.  But lets get back to the tomatoes.

I would say there are at least 30 of them on these two plants.  Medium sized and small mostly.  I like a good medium sized tomato.  A one serving portion all ready to go.  

Every night after work I drop my stuff in the house and go out to see what has changed since the day before.   Tonight for the first time I noticed the smallest beginnings of a tomato.  Just about the size of a pea. Usually I don't spot them until they are a bit bigger than this.  

Last year we picked our first tomato on July 19th.  I think it may be a few days after that this year.  Who can say for sure?  The only thing I know with any degree of certainty is that the first tomato will be made into a nice juicy BLT.   I. Can't. Wait.

4 ears gone and 9 in the freezer

In case you haven't heard, it's sweet corn season in this neck of the woods.  That means a drive out to Bismarck Gardens.  Last year we bought 26 ears.  When buying sweet corn it's vital that you get some for eating now, and some for eating later.  
 

So far we have had it on the cob with steak and on the cob with smoked grilled chicken.  It's equally good with both.

I fully intend to make some esquites and whip up a batch of corn muffins real soon (I don't know what is wrong with me, it's hot as Hades here and I am just dying for a big bowl of chili).  

It is also of primary importance to carefully put a big bag of fresh sweet corn away in the freezer to bring out for Thanksgiving dinner.  

Right now we stand at 4 ears gone and 9 in the freezer.  Next weekend when a new batch of calico has been harvested we will be back for 26 more ears.  Last year after Thanksgiving there was no more fresh corn in the freezer.  I will not make that mistake again. 

the latest book that Lori just finished and gave to Joan and told me I must read

Last week, when Eleanor was visiting, we paid a visit to Dashiell the bookstore cat.  She seemed as if she wanted to believe that there was such a cat, but I could see she was skeptical.   I am all about proving my point and any excuse to pet a cat should be followed up on.     

As soon as we walked in the door he jumped to his feet (pretending he had not been napping) and began to lead us on a tour of things we might need.  Things like cards, cookbooks, guidebooks, and the latest book that Lori just finished and gave to Joan and told me I MUST read.

I am pretty sure Eleanor is going to take me and my stories at face value now.  For sure she will want to come back to Lawrence for a visit to The Raven.  

I will let you know what I think of The Nightingale as soon as I get into it.   Have any of you already read it?   What about Go Set a Watchman?  I am looking forward to getting my copy of that too.  If you haven't seen the PBS special on Harper Lee go check the listings and see if you can watch it.  It was terrific.   I have heard lots of hoopla about the book but am reserving judgement until I read it for myself.    

Mr. Honey Bear Pop handed it to me with a napkin

I walked quickly by the blackberries, the crepe makers, the peaches, and a meeting of the Lawrence Chapter of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine on Saturday at the market.  I was on a mission.  A popsicle acquiring mission.

I came prepared to buy one of each flavor and have a sampling party so I could tell you all about them.  But Mrs. Honey Bear Pop told me that the pops were packaged for immediate consumption.  Undaunted, I ordered up a peaches and cream pop and Mr. Honey Bear Pop handed it to me with a napkin.  "Fruit is a great way to start your day" he told me. 

One bite later I knew I was in trouble.  I have a market routine.  Walk through, take pictures, go back and buy flowers, take flowers to car, return for produce and other purchases.  Now I am going to have to work "eat popsicle" in there somewhere.  My peaches and cream popsicle was cold and juicy with just the right amount of sweetness and loaded with the flavor of PEACHES! 

Happily, Pam (from Prairie Found Farms) offered to hold my popsicle for me while I tried to juggle camera, bag, and money all at the same time.  I could not pass up her latest lavender sachets.  

Next week I am getting the strawberry popsicle.  I might even try to sit down and join the meeting of the secret society while I eat it.  Maybe.  I am going to look up their customs to be sure I don't break any rules just as soon as I finish making my first batch of potato salad for the summer. 

a little artistic magic

Whenever I pass by a flea market, antique store, junk shop, etc... it is hard for me not to go in and check to see if there are any table linens that need rescuing, or maybe a blue Christmas plate.   Aunt Alice always said that everyone needs something to collect.  She was right.

I felt like I hit the jackpot with this find last week.  Butterflies and flowers hand stitched on a table runner.  What home does not NEED one of these? 

I like to think about the person who did the stitching.  I want them to know I am enjoying the fruits of their labors.  

I also happened upon one of these brightly colored tablecloths.  I think they are stamped on but I really don't know for sure.  What I do know is they are my absolute favorite.  This one has an unusual color scheme that I could not pass up.  

At the same place I got the table runner I also found this small table cloth.  Lovingly stitched by hand. 

When I was taking it out of the wash, I noticed on one of the baskets of flowers the embroiderer switched things up just a bit, adding some blue and a different shade of green. 

You tell me.  Did she run out of thread or just decide to add her own personal touch at the end?   To me it feels the same as a quilter throwing an unusual shape or color into a quilt.  The addition of a little artistic magic. Something to make me think, "how did they know to do that?"

what lies beyond the platform for each of you tonight

In case you missed it this morning, I present the poem for today from The Writers Almanac.  It was all I could do not to turn my car towards the train station instead of continuing on to work after I listened to it today.  

The Sound of a Train

by Faith Shearin

Even now, I hear one and I long to leave
without a suitcase or a plan; I want to step
onto the platform and reach for
the porter’s hand and buy a ticket
to some other life; I want to sit
in the big seats and watch fields
turn into rivers or cities. I want to eat
cake on the dining car’s
unsteady tablecloths, to sleep
while whole seasons
slip by. I want to be a passenger
again: a person who hears the name
of a place and stands up, a person
who steps into the steam of arrival.

I don't know what lies beyond the platform for each of you tonight.  I hope it's something beautiful.  Sweet dreams and happy weekend!  

when the leaves fall off and the snow flies

The latest addition to my garden is this unusual looking specimen known as Corylus avellana Contorta or Harry Lauder's Walking stick.  It probably goes without saying that I did not buy it for it's spectacularly beautiful foliage.  Yep, it's supposed to look like this in the summer. 

It was chosen to add "winter interest" to the east side of the house.  There used to be three flowering plums over there that moved on to shrub heaven last year.  It has been looking pretty bare since then.

Come winter, when the leaves fall off, and the snow flies, I am pretty sure all these crazy, wacky, twisted, branches are going to look pretty cool.

The next garden addition will be some kind of small decorative tree to replace the weeping cherry in front.  Right now I am trying to decide between another weeping cherry with pink flowers this time OR a weeping redbud.  Decisions, decisions.  What's your favorite specimen for a decorative tree that is hardy for zones 5-6?  I want to learn from your collective gardening experience.  Take your time thinking.  Replacement will not happen until the fall. 

a popsicle tasting party for one

Last week, in addition to getting 2 bouquets of zinnias from Madeline, I got this bouquet.  I had to have some of those yellow flowers that caught my eye as soon as I walked into the market.  It also incorporated some of that wonderfully fragrant creamy white stock.  

I don't know why I haven't used this pitcher for flowers before.  Expect to see it on my table a lot more, especially as we move into fall. 

While I am on the topic of the market for the second time this week, let me not forget to tell you about the honey bear pops. 

I am going to be really honest and tell you that I stopped to take their photo based entirely on the cart, the banner, the sign, and the APRONS. 

It was 7:25am when I was there.  Too early for a popsicle.  I hadn't had a cup of coffee yet.  But this coming week, I am bringing a small cooler with me.  I plan to have a popsicle tasting party for one on the front porch and report back to you with all my findings.  With makers who pay this much attention to all the other details... I can't imagine they won't be fabulous. 

the squirrels in my neighborhood

At the risk that you are going to think I have completely flipped my lid I am going to show you, yet again, another summer salad that involves kale & quinoa.

This summer's obsession started here and progressed to this and detoured in this direction and I thought I had it worked out of my system until this experimentation.  

This that you see above, it is absolutely it.  The final combination of kale and quinoa for the summer season.  I mean it.  It involves the usual cast of characters with the addition of pickled beets, some left over cotija cheese and 1/4 cup of blush wine vinaigrette.  Roasted walnuts were sprinkled on top before serving.   Crazy good. 

On an unrelated but equally strange note, I think the squirrels in my neighborhood are watching me.  I have noticed on my morning walks they are perched in trees all along my various routes. 

You don't think paranoia is an unexpected consequence of eating too much kale do you?

there were also about a million sharp pins involved

You may recall way back in April when I thought I was done with all the squares for the lizard ridge afghan, only to realize that I had one more to do and a bunch of ends to work in.

I worked all the ends in pretty quickly but did not get around to finishing the final square until a few weeks ago.   Which means it's time to kick it into gear and get this thing together already!  

It took me no more than about 10 minutes to come up with this final layout.  I spent more time thinking about how I was going to decide how to place them than it took me to actually put them in order.   Does that sound familiar to anyone else but me? 

The next step involved soaking them, one row at a time, running them through the spin cycle, and taking them upstairs to the blocking room (aka the guest bedroom)

There were also about a million sharp pins involved, and some smoothing and matching up. 

The colors seem more vibrant to me now that the bumps have transitioned into waves.   I probably shouldn't say this about my own work, but holy crap it's so pretty!

And now, the seaming begins.  Who knows how long that will take. 

I will need to have it done before the next overnight guests come for sure.  Other than that, we'll just take it as it comes.  I thought about trying to put myself on a timetable, realized how ridiculous that sounded, and went back to my puttering ways. 

who needs firecrackers when you have explosions of color like this

Yellow flowers were front and center at the farmers market on Saturday.  So pretty in the early morning sunshine.  

I was very happy to see Madeline back with a table full of flowers.   

Who needs firecrackers when you have explosions of color like this?   Luckily I need flowers upstairs in the art room, in the living room, AND on the dining room table.   Because let's face it, you can not walk by the Wohletz Farm table without buying something from these girls. 

As you can see I had to pass by the purple carrots and the first peaches of the season.  Not enough time this weekend for experimenting in the kitchen.  Purple carrot peach pie will have to wait until next week! 

the annual tradition of the hanging of the flag bunting

Fourth of July in the Midwest means dressing up your house for the holiday.  These were my favorites in Lawrence this year. 

After driving around taking all these pictures, I got out my own favorite 4th of July decoration, the holiday themed cocktail napkin, and proceeded to the porch so I could supervise Chris on the ladder.   

And just like that, the annual tradition of the hanging of the flag bunting was accomplished. 

I did as Molly suggested and drizzled some buttermilk on top

If I had read Heidi, Susan, or Joan's comments before I set out to prepare these carrots the other day I may not have made what I did.  I happen to be a big fan of carrot/raisin salad, roasted carrots, and (of course) carrot cake.  As it was, I picked out a new carrot soup recipe to try.   

This is a chunky slightly sweet soup with a lovely spice blend that balances the fresh ginger perfectly.  When I had it for lunch at home I did as Molly suggested and drizzled some buttermilk on top.  Completely delicious. 

I used whole fennel seed because I didn't have ground and was not going to take out the spice grinder for 1/4 tsp.  I left the dried mint out because I didn't have any.  Not sure what that would have added.  I can't imagine it could get better than it was.  I used raw cashews and roasted them at 350 degrees for about 7 or 8 minutes.  Roast a few more than you need for the recipe.  In case you are the kind of cook that is forced to make numerous tastings to be sure the nuts are just perfect before you add them to the soup.  Who knew raw cashews, unsalted, freshly roasted, could be so good. 

this lovely pink cream with a hint of butter and nutmeg

Do you know about coral charm peonies?  I didn't until Karen from Pendleton's Farm took some out of her peony refrigerator and brought them to the market last Saturday.

They're so pretty they will take your breath away. 

I examined them from all angles.  They don't have a bad side. 

After about 3 days they began to change.  I was going to say fade, but that's really not accurate.  They softened into this lovely pink cream with a hint of butter and nutmeg.  

I can't decide which way I like them better.  Happily I get both for the small sum of $3 a stem. 

we could change the whole experience of death in America

If you want to read three books at one time, I strongly recommend one be Norwegian crime fiction, one have a main character named Queenie, and one be about vegetables.   Not talking vegetables.  Just regular vegetables. 

First things first:  The Bat is the first Harry Hole novel by Jo Nesbo.   It involves a serial killer like the other Harry Hole books, though it is not as graphic as some of the later ones.  It's also set in Australia instead of Norway and included things about aboriginal culture that were completely unknown to me.  There were some very likable characters in this book.   I enjoy reading about characters that I like.   Recommended.  

Then there is The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy.  If you read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry you must read this.   It completes a story that you didn't know needed completing but after you read about Queenie you will understand what I mean.  If we closed down a bunch of the ICU's in the United States,  and built more free standing hospice houses, and fixed the medicare regulations so that people could spend the last month of their life there if they needed to ... we could change the whole experience of death in America.   For the better.  Highly recommended.  

Last but not least is The Broad Fork by Hugh Acheson.  I have two words for this book.  Veggie porn.   Look at the photos below and tell me you don't agree. 

I checked it out from the library but may have to add it to the vegetable cookbook collection that lives permanently at my house.  Recommended.