Tall Tales from Kansas

tastebud shaping responsibilities

A big box of pumpkin goodness was on my doorstep the other day when I came home from work.   My sister Dottie knows I am a pumpkin lover, and when she see's an item (or 6) she thinks it will be important for me to try, she sends them my way.   All the way from New Mexico.  That's what sisters do. 

Happily, this week I am in the company of other pumpkin lovers, including some who likely don't know yet they are going to turn into pumpkin lovers.  It's in their genes though, from multiple sources.  This will be a perfect opportunity to let them know it's okay, and to do a tasting of products. 

 

I almost left the pumpkin biscotti at home, reserving them only for myself, because they were that good.  But I did not.  This will allow the young tasters to discern between a pumpkin "keeper" and something they won't need to try again.  I take my tastebud shaping responsibilities seriously. 

Dottie included this card in her package.  She takes some amazing photos.  I appreciate that it is in keeping with the fall/pumpkin theme of the package.  

it will become abundantly clear, from the beginning, which is which

This is the book I am reading right now.   Unless it takes a turn way off course in the last few chapters, I can tell you right now that I recommend it.  Each night I race to bed as early as I can so I can stay awake reading for as long as possible.  Which usually means about 20 or 30 minutes. 

In the next 4 days I will be reading this selection to a set of twins and their little sister.  I will let you all know what they think of them when we return.  

As you have likely noticed, from previous reviews, I enjoy a wide variety of books.  Here are three others that I finished recently.  They include one with an unexpected twist, one that is best to read aloud, and one that was silly and ridiculous but takes place in Stockholm so I finished it. 

If you read them yourself it will become abundantly clear, from the beginning, which is which. 

 

 

compare cowgirl boots with other pumpkin hunters

If you live anywhere in the vicinity of Lawrence Kansas, you have exactly two more days to get yourself to Schaake's.  Where, in addition to getting a pumpkin, you can ride a tractor, have your picture taken, get some kettle corn, look at some chickens, and have your dad push you around in a wheelbarrow. 

But mostly it's about the pumpkins.  Finding the right one.  Exactly the right one.   For you.  Luckily, they have the right one for a whole lot of different you's. 

Then after you find the right one, you might want to walk through the maze, or talk to a cow, or compare cowgirl boots with other pumpkin hunters. 

Schaake's.  A family tradition in Lawrence.  It never disappoints. 

 

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on the fun-o-meter

which precluded my attempting anything that might cause me to shatter a femur

You knew there would be more than one post focusing on fall color this year.  It would be completely wrong not to have at least three.  That would be like doing one blog post about pumpkin from September through the end of December.   Simply unacceptable. 

I was going to climb up this tree to see if there was anything in that nest up there.  But I have a trip planned in the coming days.  A trip that involves meeting up with some 6 year old boys.  Which means I will need to be at my peak in terms of physicality.  Which precluded my attempting anything that might cause me to shatter a femur.  

one after another, until I came to my senses

Here are  things that have occupied my time this week.  Not in alphabetical, numerical, or any other kind of order.   Without shame or apology.   You'll see later why I added that. 

Marigolds inspected.  Mail-in ballot completed and deposited in mail box.  Garland over the table fixed exactly to my liking. 

Made the last wilted greens with tart cherries and sweet onions of the season.  After each leaf of rainbow chard was held up to the light and viewed like a stained glass window.

Wondered why decorative grasses always play second fiddle to the fall leaves.   Ate vanilla wafers with whipped cream, right out of the box, one after another, until I came to my senses. 

 

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sweet onions, sour cherries, and bitter greens

some weeks I am okay tempting fate

Saturday was a mitt and scarf day at the farmers market.   Early spring and late fall markets are my favorite.   Cool mornings.  Changes in seasons.  All that stuff.

This man is a regular shopper.  Always walking with a purpose.  Always getting his business done and getting back to his job at one of the local restaurants downtown.  I think he is a baker.  But I could just be making that up.

Friendly hat wearers, colorful jams and jellies, and excellent greens were other things I spotted this weekend. 

I never know what I am going to take pictures of at the market.  But I know it when I see it.  A cute girl toddler in pony tails and a hat wearing boy toddler looking for something in his mom's pocket both caught my eye this week.  

And of course the flowers.  They always need to be photographed.  Karen had peach, red, and pink dahlias in her bouquets this week.

I passed by all of them and went for the yellow/red combination dahlia.  Maybe because it had a sunflower and that super cool reddish purple feathery stuff in the bouquet as well.  All I know for sure is I bought it first and walked it back to the car before I did the rest of my shopping. 

Some weeks I am okay tempting fate.  Other weeks I like to play it safe.  

 

I would have called you first

Do you think we continue to age after we die?  I mean in the event that there is an afterlife, and once we get there, when we introduce ourselves to others and say what our age is do we stop with the age we are at when we die, or do we keep adding?   This is probably the sort of stuff that is included in the orientation packet once we knock on the afterlife door.  I may have to huff and puff to get in, so these are the things I think about sometimes. 

This whole thing was prompted by the fact that today would have been Angie's 88th birthday. 

Well, no matter if you are 88 or 85, it's still your birthday, and you should know that all your kids are thinking about you today Mom.  But of course I would have called you first this morning.  Before those other three scallywags.

in plain sight is best

This is a true story. 

Saturday morning at 8:27 am, upon my return from the farmers market, I proceeded to make a pot of coffee.  It brewed.  I got out a cup.  I reached for the lid to the carafe.  It was not to be found.  I looked in every cabinet and every drawer in the kitchen.  Twice.  I stuck my hand down the garbage disposal knowing full well it could not go down there unless someone pushed it.  I looked in the refrigerator, the freezer, the laundry basket, the washing machine, the refrigerator in the basement, on the table, under the table, in the dishwasher.  Alas it was not to be found.  When Chris got up he looked as well.  His conclusion?  I had thrown it away accidentally.  While on a frenzy of cleaning.  He ordered a new one at 1:50pm.

At 2:42 pm I took out a skillet to wilt the rainbow chard I bought at the farmers market.  I reached for the knob to turn on the stove.

There among the knobs was the lid.  The moral of this true story is:

1.  Hiding in plain sight is the best.  #2.  If you want to find something, just order a new one and the old one will immediately materialize. 

The End.  Please tell me that this exact thing has happened to you. 

 

in your favorite mug, that you hold between both hands as you breathe in the aroma

A few months back when I made Martha Stewart's no knead - multi grain bread, I mentioned many things that I intended to eat on the bread.

I realized this week that I omitted a very important one.

I am posting this tonight so in case you have time this weekend you can get your very own jar of pumpkin pecan butter and try this winning combination yourself.

If you have a nice locally grown pear in your refrigerator you might want to get that out and cut it up too.

Top it with some plain greek yogurt and a bit of honey, then put a bunch of little pieces of bread on the side.

Put this much pumpkin butter on top of each bite and pop it in your mouth.  Be prepared for goodness.  Serious goodness. 

Lastly, pour some coffee, in your favorite mug, that you hold between both hands as you breathe in the aroma and think of all the things you will do this weekend, if you are lucky enough to be off.  Which I am. 

fellow leaf lovers

At last.  The annual turning of the leaves has begun in Lawrence.  Color me excited. 

I like cruising around town and pulling over when I see something that strikes my fancy.  Last week I met a couple walking their dog.  "Isn't this a grand specimen?" the man remarked, as he reached over to touch the trunk.  Then he went on to tell me about a couple of other spots in town where the maples were about to reach their peak color.   Fellow leaf lovers are good people. 

Before I die, I swear I am going to rent a pope-mobile and driver up to Vermont in October.   Maybe combine it with a trip to the Rhinebeck sheep and wool festival.  Then we'll stay at a cabin in the woods with a big fireplace and couches for reading and napping after we take hikes, where we might get lost, but only for a little bit.

my bouquet days are dwindling

Because this deserves to be appreciated by more people than the two humans who live in my house.  I give you the giant dahlia bouquet from Saturday's farmers market one more time.

From many angles.  In all it's stunning glory. 

I thought the stems alone in the jar warranted their very own picture. 

I am enjoying this bouquet even more, knowing my bouquet days are dwindling.   

My farmers market bouquet days that is. 

13 days and counting

This is Malabrigo "Rios" yarn - colorway is Volcan.  It is just screaming fall poncho at me.  My friend Joan made one and as soon as I saw it, I knew I needed one too. 

I cast on Saturday morning around 10:30am.  I am having a race with myself.  To see if I can get it done by Sunday, October 30th.  When the Moss clan convenes down in Harrison Arkansas to celebrate Ray and Angie's birthdays.  Thirteen days and counting.  I think I can, I think I can. 

It's a simple pattern.  Size 9 needles - 24 inches.  Cast on 85 and knit in a K5 P5 rib (knit the knits and purl the purls) until you get to 53 inches.  Seam the shoulder to 11 inches.  Block.  Wear.  Takes 4 skeins of Rios.  They have lots of pretty colors. 

The combination of the Malabrigo yarn and my Addi Turbo needles is a dream to knit with. 

In case you are wondering, all of the skeins above are the same dye lot.  Even though they absolutely do not look like it to me.  What I am doing is alternating them every 10 to 12 rows or so.  It means working in a few extra ends, but I think I will be happier with it this way.  

 

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I get ideas and I just take off

it's best with a hand knit to make it big enough for them to grow into

We got mums at Pendleton's a few weeks ago on the farm tour.   Today, after getting some much needed garden work done, I sat on the porch and really enjoyed looking at them. 

The enjoyment factor when looking at mums is always amplified by a seasonal ale (especially when it gets up to 80 degrees in October).  This year I am all about the Bob's 47 Oktoberfest.  If you are lucky enough to find some where you live, grab a 6 pack.  You will not be sorry. 

The geraniums are winding down, but still too pretty for me to dump them. 

Unfortunately, my porch sitting, combined with my need for one nap on Saturday and two naps on Sunday, got in the way of our planned expedition to get pumpkins this weekend.  Luckily, next weekend will be soon enough.  I did note when we were out at Pendleton's getting mums that they had an extremely nice collection of all my favorite kinds.   

Including this variety of gourds that I was previously unfamiliar with.

I would like to report that I did complete the wee rabbit sized sweater.  

It turned out a bit bulky but it's best with a hand knit to make it big enough for them to grow into.  

pro carved jack-o-lanterns

Pretty radishes, pumpkins, and flowers were on display at the farmers market this morning. 

I was very glad to see the True Vine blueberry ladies because stocking up on blueberry jam for the winter was on my list of things to do today.   Their pink toned hoodies and smiling faces were a bonus. 

I had already purchased sweet potatoes, peppers, and kale and was getting ready to leave the Mellowfields Urban farm booth when I spotted this fellow carefully surveying the tomatoes.  I stood back to watch which resulted in my deciding I needed a Georgia Peach and Johnson Red for BLT's this week.  It seems late in the year for a BLT, but with tomatoes that look this good what could I do?  When you sit back and listen to a current and former tomato grower talk about their craft, it makes you want to eat tomatoes.

Would you get a look at this giant dahlia?  I almost fell over when I saw it. 

I roasted red peppers, sweet potatoes, and red onion today.  This will sound very strange, but I love roasting vegetables and putting them on salads in the fall.  This week I had romaine lettuce, celery, egg, roasted butternut squash, and sunflower seed salads.  Completely delicious. 

I did not come home with any pro carved Jack-o-lanterns.  But I did think about it.  For a minute.  Or maybe two. 

he told me to bring my bike and he would take me on a tour

Way out in western Kansas, about 16 miles north of Interstate 70, on the Post Rock Scenic Byway, is Lucas Kansas.  Home of the Garden of Eden.  The creation of S.P. Dinsmoor, who began this endeavor at the age of 64 in 1907. 

Outsider art at it's finest.  A great example of someone who loved what they were doing and didn't try to limit himself in any way. 

For the small sum of $8.00 you can have a guided tour, or just walk around by yourself and enjoy this quirky artistic expression. 

Please don't miss viewing Mr. Dinsmoor himself who is on display in his concrete coffin behind a glass wall.  Apparently there was a crack in the glass a few years back which allowed some air in and he is decomposing.  Still, he wanted to be displayed in this manner so I chose to participate. 

Lucas is a hub of wacky artistic expression.  Beginning as soon as you get off the highway and including the worlds largest souvenir travel plate.

As well as the worlds largest collection of the worlds smallest versions of the worlds largest things.  I did not make this up. 

The very best thing about Lucas Kansas though was meeting William.  On Main street.  Where he noticed me noticing the sign in the window of Brandt's Meat Market for homemade Bologna. 

He informed me that they were open Monday through Friday, and yes, in fact the homemade bologna was ring bologna just like my friend Annette turned me on to when I was a young co-ed at Marymount College in Salina Kansas in 1979.  He also made sure to tell me that their hamburger was very good, but not as good as the beef jerky.  There is nothing I like better about going to a new place than meeting a friendly, knowledgeable, resident.  

Clearly I will have to go back on a weekday for further exploring.  I think he told me to bring my bike and he would take me on a tour of the whole town. 

a red letter week

Three important midweek activities you should know about. 

Sweaters are being knitted.

Packages arrived in the mail!  I decided I needed to have my very own piece of original art by my friend Pam Garrison.  To hang up in our house and look at every single day.   So I ordered one up.  And now I am putting it on every wall in the living/dining rooms of my house trying to figure out where I can see it the most.  Because every time I see it.  It makes me happy.  Really happy. 

I also made pumpkin bread.  Because that makes me happy too.  When I eat it. 

As you can see, so far, it's been a red letter week. 

 

is that just not the best?

Guess which one of these sights I have requested be added to "The 8 Wonders of Kansas" book?

*hint... it not this amazingly green winter wheat that has sprouted.  Photo not edited at all by the way.   

*hint... It's not that rust colored field of milo with the old windmill in the foreground and the giant wind turbine in the background.  But it does make for a good comparison. 

*hint... It's not this old windmill, but isn't it cool?

Maybe I have provided too many hints?  Sorry.  It can't be helped. 

This sweet little orange cat who almost came home with me IS for sure a wonder.  And the best thing of all is he went home with her.  Is that just not the best?   

the cathedral of the plains

On our trip out to Quinter and Wakeeney Kansas this past weekend, we took advantage of the opportunity to see a few of the "8 Wonders of Kansas".   Those places you always mean to get to but somehow never do.  

This is the Basilica of St. Fidelis and is commonly known as "The Cathedral of the Plains".   Construction was begun in 1908 and the exterior is made of native limestone which was quarried from the area.  No lifts or power tools were used in it's construction. 

The statue below Volga German Family was sculpted by Pete Felten in 1976. 

I belong to the contingent of people who love stained glass windows, the faint scent of incense, and I can not pass up an opportunity to light a candle for someone.   Sometimes three someones. 

Equally as interesting to me were the iron crosses in the St. Fidelis cemetery.   These are apparently a traditional grave marker among Germans from Russia.  The immigrants in the Victoria Kansas area were known as Volga-Germans.  I also read that these markers were a matter of practicality because wooden crosses would not withstand the winds and weather out on the plains. 

I have never seen grave markers like this before.  Unique and beautiful.  If any of you have further information about them, please share in the comments.  We did not make it into the parish office and I am kicking myself for this because I see in the brochure I picked up in the vestibule, there is an item for sale in there I certainly need.  The parish cookbook - Towers of Heavenly Recipes.  I am going to go on line and try to order it.  Fear not.  I intend to share. 

"each day try to do the right thing"

This is Louise Berndt.  She turned 90 this month and we drove out to Wakeeney Kansas this weekend to join with friends and family in celebrating her life.

It was a packed celebration.  Filled with friends from through the years who have known her as a teacher, a neighbor, a co-worker, a grandmother, and so many have known her in her capacity as a volunteer.  

In listening to the stories shared about Louise it was very clear that she has lived a big life.  A life that even now is continuing to expand. 

When she spoke about her life and the way she lived she said very simply "each day try to do the right thing".   That seems a pretty good motto to live by.  Glad I was there to hear her say it.   

P.S.  Janelle,  clearly all the best of Louise is living on in you.  Lucky us. 

a witch hat really looks better with a sweater

Yes.  I read The Witches out loud to Birgitta and Einor.   Yes, I made Einor a witch hat to wear while I was reading. 

Ummm.  Yes, I also made one for Birgitta.

And finally, yes, I am now attempting to modify a pattern for a wine cozy sweater into something that will fit Birgitta.  

Because a witch hat really looks better with a sweater than it does with a yellow and white striped tee shirt. 

the end. 

P.S.  Thanks for the pattern and the idea Ann.

 

 

the best of what Kansas is all about

This is King (or maybe Kong).  We met him and his partner Kong (or maybe King) at Coal Creek Farms.  They are the "paca" herd dogs.  We bonded over the fence last Saturday. 

In addition to King and Kong (those really are their names by the way) and the herd of alpaca they also had horses, a donkey, and a mama and baby pigs.

At this stop on the Kaw Valley Farm tour, a friendly cowgirl was giving roping lesson.

There was live music by "Drifters by Moonlight" and lots of good spots to sit and listen while you ate your lunch.

There were educational opportunities if you wanted to chat with an expert on fiber processing,  or you could just walk around in your overalls and boots and let the whole experience sink deep into your bones. 

I love that all these local farmers open their homes to give the rest of us a glimpse into the farming lifestyle.  It makes me appreciate them all the more.  This.  This right here is the best of what Kansas is all about. 

the floppy ears, the zippy tails

Part two of the Kaw Valley Farm tour involve goats.  Cute frisky goats with horns.  Cute frisky goats with horns that I wanted to be right in the middle of.  I settled for talking to them though.  Luckily there were not other people around to hear what I was saying to them.  It was ridiculous.  You talk that way to frisky goats too.  Don't try to deny it. 

There was also the unlikely duo of the little white cat and the big black bull who were sharing quarters. 

Hello little goat.  Want to play with me?

This cat almost came home with me.  I snuggled with him and kissed him and told him how beautiful he was before I put him back down under the big tractor in the barn. With his feline siblings. 

The turkeys were giving me the evil eye, but I didn't take it personally.  I commiserated with them on the whole saggy neck thing. 

I snapped this little poster of very helpful information.  I did not know baby turkeys were called poults.  Did you?

Other things of note at this farm were the painted quilt over the barn and some pretty zinnias.   Mrs. Farmer told me that her daughter did the painting.  How cool is that?

And I think I mentioned the goats already.  Maybe twice even.  But it can't hurt to show them  three times.  The floppy ears.  The zippy tails.  I am besotted.  

like a Payday candy bar, only better

Dear Jeanette and Joan:
Crack that can of cocktail peanuts open and rip into that bag of candy corn!  The time has come.   It is officially open season on the worlds most addictive snacking combination.

I was going to try and put if off for another 3 days until the weekend.  But the two of you had to mention it, and that was it.  My resolve melted away.  In a big puddle. 

Just a quick reminder of the proper ratio - 1 candy corn to 2 whole peanuts is my preference.

Unless I have just walked in the door from work, and have a monkey on my back, in which case I just reach in and grab a whole handful.  And hope nobody is watching. 

If you have never eaten this combination before it tastes like a payday candy bar.  Only better.  Way, way, way, way, better.  Don't say I didn't warn you. 

 

 

they go with my odd colored fall tablecloth

Have you seen the Cotton and Steel 2016 Halloween fabric collection?  If you don't want to be tempted to buy some, close your eyes now.

I only say that because I had no intention of buying it. 

Until I saw it.   All packaged up into a bundle of 9 fat quarters.

And then before I knew it, I was smack dab in the middle of a halloween napkin project.  Can I just say how much I love making mitred corners?  Which is totally weird because I don't like very precise things.  Unless they involve making mitred corners.  Apparently.

Before I knew it I had nine new napkins.

Nine napkins is an odd number but I like how well they go with my odd colored fall tablecloth. 

Oh.  And I had enough scraps to make a new coffee cozy.

A Halloween coffee cozy.  With a special pocket.

For my "buy 10 get one free card".   That I never remember to bring with me.

Until now that is.  Am I a genius or what?

 

to help settle the dust after a day out on the farm

The 12th annual Kaw Valley Farm Tour was this weekend.   A great opportunity to explore 32 local family farms and get a glimpse into life on the farm.  Ok.  Let's be honest here.  I wanted to see animals.  The more the better. 

We picked four places to go to on Saturday.  Two of our favorites and two new ones we hadn't been to before.  One was an orchard. 

There was no u-pick going on, but that was ok by me. There were apples and cider for sale, and I just wanted to walk among the trees and look anyway. 

The weather was perfect.  Sunny.  Blue skies.  Seventy degrees.  Ahhhh.

This gaggle of girls didn't give a hoot about not picking apples either. 

Right before they headed out into the fields to explore, they informed me "the cat's name is SWEETIE".  They said I could take over petting duties because they had to go. 

We came home with some apple cider which was the best I have ever tasted.  Now I am going to have to find out where I can continue to buy it.   Cool hand drawn label huh?   

After a day of petting and looking I was a bit parched by the time we pulled into the driveway.  I got out a glass, filled it with ice, poured in the cider, topped it off with 1 oz of vodka and 1 oz of Domain de Canton French ginger liqueur, and gave it a stir.   Completely delicious.  Not too strong.   The perfect drink to help settle the dust after a day out on the farm.  

ready for corduroy and Birkenstock weather to begin

This pair of socks, which has been on the needles forever, got finished Friday night.  I bought the yarn when we were in Norway.  When I look at it I think of icy blue water and fjords.  I close my eyes and see the abandoned farms high up on the cliffs.  Farms where they used to raise apricots and goats and had to tether the children so they would not fall from the cliffs. 

Some people like their socks to match perfectly.  Not me.  In fact, I generally try to make sure that I am starting at a different spot in a striping pattern yarn, just so they won't be the same. 

I am also a fan of using reinforcing yarn on the heel areas.  That is the spot that tends to wear out first on my socks.  Likely these will last long enough that I can wear them when sister and I set sail again on the Hurtigruten when I am seventy.    We will travel above the Arctic circle to see the northern lights.

The completion of this pair means  I am officially ready for corduroy and Birkenstock weather to begin.   The season of sitting in front of the fireplace on Saturday morning instead of going to the farmers market.  Looking out the windows at the cold and being glad for the warm cup between my hands. 

Finishing a project always feels good.  The only thing better, is casting on another pair.   Letting the needles fly so you can see just exactly what kind of striping you are going to get out of the yarn.  The simple satisfaction of making.