Tall Tales from Kansas

hand dyed, hand spun, yarn created by Lauren

 This is what my unpacked knitting retreat bag looked like. 

Before I left, I made a list of things I would like to accomplish while I was there.  Stuff like "finish gray Janina Kallio Shine scarf" - which I did not accomplish though I did get a lot of work done on it.   Then there was that black Jo Sharp, Aran Tweed wool/silk/cashmere blend that has been going to be a vest or a sweater for 8 years - I was supposed to start something with it.  Which I did.  Check. 

I had started that green sock yarn a few months back, but it felt like they were going to be too big, so after consultation with my pals I ripped them out and started over on smaller needles.  They now feel like the proper size.  That skein of brown/blue/purple/fuchsia has been in my stash forever.  It was spotted at a local yarn store in Iowa City 7 years ago and bought for a specific purpose.  That someone may recall, but not me.  At retreat it started to become a triangle cowl thing.  Sure to be a fashion sensation. 

That blue (Harmony Brook colorway) is Mountain Colors fingering weight that is going to become a summer/spring weight scarf.  The brown (Harmony Softrock colorway) was purchased by Mary Joan.  She have me half and we are each going to make a pair of fingerless mitts with it and see what we come up with. 

These mini skeins above (also Mountain Colors handpainted yarn) are a kit I bought to make a scarf that was shown in a trunk show at the retreat.  I knew it would be bought the minute that scarf walked by my table.  I would like to report I did not push anyone down in order to be first in line to buy it. 

This last photo is something extra special.  It is hand dyed, hand spun, yarn created by my friend Lauren.  Oh, oh, and OH!  I thought I might cry when she gave it to me.  I held it to my chest and tried to think of how to convey how honored I felt to receive it.  I stammered a lot.  It's a treasure and much thought will go into what it's going to be.   

More to come on all these projects.  As always, don't hold your breath.  

people we can learn from and people we can teach

This past weekend I attended the annual knitting retreat put on by The Studio in Kansas City.   January is the perfect time for a knitting retreat.  Cozy fires.  Bulky sweaters.  Cowls.  Mitts.  You get the idea.  It's also time to see familiar faces, old friends from the past 7 (or is it 8?) knitting retreats. 

Time to see what everyone is wearing that they made in the last year.   Then we reach out to touch, get the name of the pattern, and ooh and ahh over how beautiful it is.  That's what knitters do at retreats. 

There is also time for walking the labyrinth, taking a nature hike in the woods, sitting in the comfortable chairs at the coffee shop, and discovering that Paula, the barista, is as big of a Carole King fan as you are when you spontaneously break into a loud and rousing rendition of "You've Got a Friend" and she joins in at just the right time.

Knitting retreat is a time for deep discussions about yarns and why some are clearly better for certain types of knits because of the inherent nature of the fiber.  You can also make unexpected discoveries. This year, for example, I learned that I prefer to drink Irish Cream Liqueur straight up rather than in coffee which I thought was my favorite way.   Only on it's own, can the creamy, smooth, consistency be fully appreciated.  How did I not know this before? 

Lastly, these retreats are the perfect time to sit around and knit with friends.  You can take classes, work on projects in process, or start something new.  Just because I can not knit as skillfully as Lauren, is no reason I can not fully appreciate how beautiful her work is and continue to dream that maybe one day I will.  Just as with any creative endeavor, a group is best when it has people we can learn from and people we can teach.

to throw on the bed that will be covered with the quilt that is bound with this wacky orange bias binding

The bias binding for my quilt is made!  It is completely amazing how much two and a half inch wide bias binding you can make with a relatively small amount of material.  When I made the binding for my last quilt, I remember doing it this way, but I don't recall learning that the reason you cut it on the bias is so the cloth will stretch better.  It takes me a few times doing the same thing to fully appreciate all the intricacies of a technique. 

I measured and sliced and pinned and sewed (and only ripped out one piece twice because I didn't sew right sides together) and ironed open about 310 inches.  Give or take an inch.

Now I am ready to sew the binding on the quilt.  Just as soon as I figure out exactly what pattern to use for the quilting.  Lines, circles, diagonals, crosses.  Oh, how to choose?  There is sure to be a combination of methods.  I am on a path of quilting discovery and I intend to leave no stone unturned. 

Maybe I will use these scraps to sew up some kind of a pillow to throw on the bed that will be covered with the quilt that is bound with this wacky orange bias binding.  Don't say it.  I know I am out of control. 

no directions needed

Before I head out this weekend to my annual knitting retreat, I thought I would give you one last look at Winter Art retreat #5.  Where, in addition to an amazing national park, a great breakfast spot, a farmers market, and the perfect house for an art retreat... they also happened to have this.

This cluster, or maybe vortex?, of super charged creativity that pulled  us like a magnet to investigate.  Sister met the Art Queen when she was last in Joshua Tree.  We didn't actually get to meet her on this trip.  But we met her "stuff".  And the workings of some of her pals.  I think there are pals.  Maybe it's all her.  All I can say is it was definitely all me.  As in right up my alley. 

There is nothing better than stumbling upon a cache of unrestrained, full force, in your face (but not really), joyful creativity.  Ooooooh Eeeee.  This was fun.  Don't miss it if you go.  No directions needed. 

you've got a friend in me

In the event that you have not seen this, and because it should not be missed,  and because I have embedded it for ease of viewing. 

You are so welcome. 

therefore he did not eat any

The draft stopper got finished this week. 

This is a great knitting project for several (plus 2) reasons:
1.  You can use up left over yarn
2.  Almost everyone has a spot in their house with a draft
3.  This is good TV watching knitting
4.  It looks way better than a towel in front of the door (I submit evidence below)

In other news, it was pie day this week.  We didn't know it, but subconsciously we must have sensed it.  We both wanted coconut cream pie so Chris made one.  The easy kind.  Using box pudding and canned whipped cream.  The Lorna Doone cookie crust elevated it tremendously. 

To balance out the creamy sweet buttery deliciousness, I made Brussels sprouts.

Chris said this was complete nonsense and there was no scientific basis for my balancing out premise.  Therefore he did not eat any.  Which was fine because that meant more for me. 

He also said they stunk up the kitchen, to which I made no reply. 

 

when I don't have to call writers up and tell them to "get a move on"

I have two very different books to report on in today's post.  Du Is Tak? is written and illustrated by Carson Ellis and was named one of the best children's books of last year.  I like kid books.  I like them a lot.

This one has characters who speak in an imaginary language so each time you read it, it could be different.  The illustrations are imaginative and fun.  Definitely something to check out from the library.  If you have kids/grandkids, you may need to buy it.  It would be lots of fun for repeat readings. 

The second book, The Burning Room, is a visit with my old friend Harry Bosch, who you will be glad to know is still around, working cold cases, taking care of bad guys, fighting the system, and training a new partner.

It's been awhile since I read/listened to one.  I always enjoy the story line, the pace, the characters, and hearing the names of familiar places in Los Angeles where they take place.  Highly recommended.  Michael Connelly has written 2 more Harry Bosch novels that take place after this one.  Which pleases me to no end.  I like it when I don't have to call writers up and tell them to "get a move on" because I am ready for a new story. 

 

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excellent drive time listening

happy saturday from the sunflower state

ANYONE can have a screaming good time at an art retreat

If you think all I did at art retreat was stare at Joshua tree's and admire cactus gardens, you would be mistaken.  Here is evidence of the "art" part of Winter Art Retreat #5.  Submitted NOT for your approval but just because.  Lets start out with two of my favorites.   Me in my pajamas and Pam with her glasses on her head. 

Followed by attempt #2 at a Joshua tree followed by Sister and then Pam with a big brush and one color. 

After Pam drew our house I felt compelled to have a go at it too.  Architectural angles can be so confusing. 

All this to show you that ANYONE can have a screaming good time at an art retreat no matter their abilities.  Not that I don't happen to love each and every masterpiece rendered in Joshua tree by moi. 

even if I did sit down on my bum unintentionally

The desert gardens surrounding our house in Joshua Tree were quirky, fun, interesting to explore.  So different from the Kansas garden. 

Lots of good chairs/swings/benches/hammocks for resting too. 

Behind this big cactus pot you can see a trail in the distance, winding around behind a small mountain.  Maybe a hill.  It felt like a small mountain when I was trying to figure out how to get up it.

I'll just say it was pretty glorious being able to walk out the patio and scramble up a mountain on a hike.  Even if I did sit down on my bum unintentionally one time.  Or maybe twice. 

they walked back and forth looking and moving and walking away and coming back to look again

I am at the phase of adding some neutrals to the scrap bag quilt I am in the process of piecing.  

Which kind of has me second guessing how I am putting things together.   I find myself moving the rows and squares around and then standing back and squinting to fully evaluate the overall effect.   

What I am learning from this totally improvisational effort is that:  #1 it's a lot of fun, #2 you don't create a masterpiece on your second quilt, and #3 I am ok with #2.  I also like that I am not getting irritated or rushing through.  Slow and steady is my pace.  It takes a lot of DOING to figure out how quilts go together.  At least for me it does.   I am greatly enjoying reviewing all these books again too.  I bought them a year or so ago but had only skimmed them, looking at the pictures.   

This time through I am reading more carefully.  Marking pages I will need to come back to for reference.  So much good stuff in here.

I am hoping to have enough material for my binding using these scraps from the orange family above, and the backing will come from whatever remains of the neutrals combined with these greens and browns below that I bought many years ago for who knows what.

As I work arranging and re-arranging, I think about Aunt Lois and all the generations of women who have made quilts before me.  I feel certain they walked back and forth looking and moving and walking away and coming back to look again.  Finally telling themselves they have arrived at just the right configuration... and locking it in.  Which I am doing tonight.  This weekend - the back!  Which I am as excited about as the front.    

so overcome by them I babbled something to Mary Ann about making one for her

Seeing a Joshua Tree has been on my list of things to do for about 10 years.  My friend Megan Wallace told me about the National Park and I got the idea in my head I needed to see it.   So when Sister suggested it as a location for Art Retreat, I jumped on it. 

We have been to many National Parks over the years.  This one seemed more accessible than many I have visited.   All levels of hiking available - and especially for art retreaters who just want to get a few hours in and then head home.  AND no long drive to reach the park from the town of Joshua Tree.  

Joshua trees sort of look like a cactus, but in fact are a member of the agave family.  They are so cool to look at and apparently were named by the Mormons who felt they looked like the prophet Joshua guiding them to the promised land.  My source for this information is Mary Ann Moss. 

There are also different kinds of cactus and amazing rock formations. Perfect for climbing.  If you are into that sort of thing.  And your knees will hold up. 

When we left the park we stopped at The Crossroads Cafe for breakfast.   Interesting people, unique menu items, excellent coffee.

I can recommend the poached eggs accompanied by black beans and grilled polenta topped with feta cheese on the side.  Sigh.  Then, as if it couldn't get any better, when we walked out, there was a farmers market going on.  Complete with cute kids, friendly vendors, beautiful baskets, and a cowboy or two. 

After purchasing a few necessary items, we headed back to Art Retreat headquarters, where the collected specimens were laid out for painting and Pam showed me the Christmas quilts she made for her family.  Oh.  They were special.  Pam has a gift for combining colors and patterns in a way that is uniquely her own. 

I was so overcome by them I babbled something to Mary Ann about making one for her next year for Christmas.   Which I suppose could happen. 

singing along with Blue Swede to "hooked on a feeling"

Today I am unpacking, making coffee, doing laundry, going to the library, working on my quilt, and downloading photos.  Recalling, the last 4 glorious days of Winter Art Retreat #5.

While I was waiting for Sister to get out of school on Thursday I hung out at her house and looked through her stuff.  I copied a picture on the back of a journal and then drew the lamp in her living room.  In between petting cats of course.

On the way out of town on Friday morning we made a slight detour to Cafe Tropical on Sunset.  No trip to LA is complete without a stop for cafe con leche and a slice of cheese and guava pie.  It is always the same.  Completely delicious.  A taste that can not be obtained any place else on the planet. 

Then it was time to hit the road. 

 

We drove over mountains and through valleys all the way to Joshua Tree.  

This was headquarters for Art Retreat #5.  Nestled in the side of a mountain.  Surrounded by desert. Security provided by a large dog that patrolled at regular intervals.  Leaving tracks that could have been mistaken for a bear.  Or a coyote.  Or a mountain lion. 

There was a large table with a spectacular view of the mountains.  A great spot for communal art making, bruschetta eating, singing along with Blue Swede to "hooked on a feeling", discussing the latest Sasquatch alert, and the anarchist political views of Edward Abbey.  All the normal stuff you do at an art retreat. 

There was also a great hot tub with views of the starry, starry, skies and an outside fire spot for sitting and telling ghost stories (despite protestations by Pam).  Like the one about Frank and his brother Joe who got stranded on the side of a country road, and got separated, and ran into a nest of baby squirrels, and were picked up by a giant owl, and ultimately escaped.     

hi jinks are high on the list of priorities

 It is likely I will be off the grid while at the 5th Annual Winter Art Retreat.  We are going to Joshua Tree this year and might get caught up on an 18 hour hike through the desert, or be trapped outside in the hot tub - surrounded by coyotes.  Who can say?  Below are a few random shots from last year's retreat in Palm Springs. 

In addition to making art, hi jinks are high on the list of priorities during our time together.  Rambunctious behavior that can lead to all sorts of outcomes.  I will do my best to upload to Instagram. 

if I can't have fun with this

Inside my new art supply suitcase I have packed the following items:  4 sketchbooks of varying sizes and paper weight, 1 everyday journal, 1 mini car/field sketchbook, 9 pens, 1 pencil, 5 paint brushes, 1 water brush for the mini sketchbook, my full watercolor palette, the mini watercolor palette, 4 markers, and paper towels. 

 If I can't have fun with this, then there simply ain't no fun to be had.   The end.

you put these on a plate and you got some fine dining

Okay.  Listen up.  Here is something you gotta make.  Because it's easy.  It's good.  It's relatively healthy.  And because it turned me on to a whole new way of liking Brussels sprouts that doesn't involve roasting.  Not that there is anything wrong with roasting.  No siree Bob there is not.

So you go to the store, buy some Brussels sprouts, and cut them in half after removing the ends.    I used about a 2 and a half pound bag.  Throw them halved sprouts in the crockpot.  Yes.  I did say crockpot.  Add a bit of olive oil.  Not a ton.  Just enough to very lightly coat.  Salt and pepper of course, and then 1/3 cup of maple syrup.  Put on the lid.  Turn it on high.  Walk away.  Two hours later add some dried cranberries.  I used 3/4 of a cup.  Put the lid back on and leave it for 30 minutes.   When you return they will be ready.  Sprinkle with feta cheese after serving.  You choose the amount.  These are so good they should be illegal.  They are not crispy like roasted.  But they don't taste mushy either.  Maybe because there is hardly any cooking liquid?   Ah-mazing-ly delicious.  The combination of the salty feta, tart cranberries, barely sweet essence of maple, and the slightly bitter/grassy flavor of the Brussels sprouts had me over the moon.  We served ours with a pork chop.   You put these on a plate and you got some fine dining - no matter what you pair them with.  

its more than the flowers, the produce, and the people

It was not an easy task to narrow down my favorite photos from all of the strolls I took through the Lawrence Farmers Market in 2016.  But it was extremely enjoyable looking through each one again; trying to arrange them into a pleasing whole.

My aim was to convey that the Lawrence Kansas Farmers market is more than the flowers, the produce, and the people.  It has a spirit that is all it's own.  You can touch it as soon as you cross New Hampshire street and begin to mingle, basket on the arm, happy to be here, looking for whatever finds you.    

to seal it inside yourself

This is a book that will confuse you, delight you, and squeeze your heart in certain moments.  Moments that make you recall times when you could have used the embrace of a crow.   A big, black, feathery, bumbling, creature who comes to you in your saddest imaginable moment and says "... I won't leave you until you don't need me anymore". 

I don't recall just where I read about Grief is the Thing with Feathers.  But something about it caught my attention and I am glad it did.  This book is NOT for everyone.  If you are literal and have no time for nonsense, you won't like it.  If everything you read has to make perfect sense, don't pick it up.  But if you want to read a story about a man whose wife died unexpectedly, who was left alone with his 2 boys and a terrible sadness, and about the crow who came to help them through it, read this book.  It won't take you more than a few hours to finish.  The first time.  You will want to start reading it again right away as soon as you finish.  To seal it inside yourself.  And hold it close for a long time.  

after we play I am going to read a Bobbsey Twins story to you

Hey Sister, Happy Birthday!!  I got out the Barbies and am ready to play if you want to come over. 

I also have the paper dolls close by in case we get tired of Barbies.  After we play there will be dramatic readings from a Bobbsey Twins book and then we will have grilled cheese sandwiches (cut in triangles) and tomato soup for lunch with fritos and orange soda.   After a short post-lunch nap, you are going to take an hour to tell me your theory on why there are no bugs in Nicarauga.  Then, we will have birthday cake (spice cake with penuche frosting) and butter pecan ice cream.  I hope this agenda meets with your approval AND that you can make it.  It's cold here right now but I have lots of blankets piled up on your bed!

Photo credit:  Angie Moss, Athens Greece, 1964.

good for dancing AND singing along with

Three Kings Day is being celebrated in Lawrence today in a non-traditional way.  Instead of chalking the door, having the house blessed, eating Three Kings Cake, winter swimming, and going to church, I am hanging out.

Boiling eggs for salads later in the week

Looking out at the snow and still trying to photograph that elusive cardinal

Knitting away on the draft-stopper for the front door - 16 inches to go.  Maybe I will finish it while we watch Florence Foster Jenkins tonight.  I want to see it before the Golden Globes on Sunday night.

Also listening to Christmas CD's one more time before I put them on the top shelf, above the cookbooks, in the kitchen, where they will wait until next December to re-appear.  We bought the new Jennifer Nettles Christmas CD this year.  It's a keeper.  Good for dancing AND singing along with. 

Hoping to finish the quilt top today or at least get it halfway done

Trying not to, but also flipping through the headlines on Bloglovin' and Feedly, and feeling v.v. glad to know exactly nothing about the "Whole30 Challenge" thing. 

If you are going winter swimming, please send photos.  I am completely serious about this.  Ingrid, this means YOU!

for so many different reasons

I submit to you this collage as my favorite photos of 2016.  For the sheer joy of the moment in which each image was captured.  For so many different reasons. 

You may notice that it contains no farmers market photos.  That collage has yet to be put together.  

but decided I would leave it up for Elvis's birthday

On the day after New Years, spurned on by the musings of Loretta over at pomegranates and paper, I went through my refrigerator and disposed of the following:  coleslaw dressing, wing sauce, plum jelly, pickled jalapeno slices, orange marmalade, horseradish, oyster sauce, some amber liquid that I could not identify, tomato paste, and sweet pickles.  All with expiration dates ranging from 12/2016 to 7/2014.  There was also furry spaghetti & meatballs and cooking liquid from brisket meant to be used for the re-heating, but alas it was forgotten.

Then I took the 3 old bananas on the cabinet and made banana bread.  #1 to use them up, #2 because one of the nurses in my office has been getting an itchy mouth lately when she eats raw bananas and we decided we should see if she can still eat banana bread.  

I thought about turning off the lights on the tree on the front porch but decided I would leave it up for Elvis's birthday.  

Then I made myself a french martini and sat at the table with pen and paper and composed some amazing thank you cards.  In my mind.  Because you can only be so productive on January 2nd.  No sense setting myself up for a whole year of industriousness. 

 

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in case something unexpected comes up that might make me cancel everything

as long as it is within reason

Yesterday morning as I was flipping through instagram, I came upon a photo of Bob Walrafen ,taken by his wife Nancy, on their New Years Day hike.  I pointed it out to Chris and said "hey, we should go on a hike too".  He said "hmghf".  Which can mean:  a. absolutely, b. don't get crazy on me, c. how about tomorrow? or d. if we have to.

So we finished our breakfast, which though it is not shown, also included a leftover waffle that was placed in the toaster and buttered (amazingly delicious), and laced up our boots.

We started out under cloudy skies, but as we went on the sun would occasionally come out and change the whole landscape. 

At the conclusion of our expedition, having had a most excellent time, we decided next year we should look and see what Nancy and Bob are doing on New Years Day, and copy them again.  As long as it is within reason. 

One year and one day ago.

last year they got in a hurry and Christmas Eva's neck got broken

At Tall Tales headquarters there is not a sharp line between the holidays and the rest of January. 

This means that the re-populated pygmy forest may remain standing for another month, in order to receive maximum sunlight, before it once again goes into hibernation. 

I made myself stop at seven additions to the grove this year.  Remnants from socks, ponchos, scarves, sweaters, and afghans.  I have enough corks to make countless more.  Maybe at knitting retreat in January I will need to teach Joan how to make them.  No home should be without it's own stand of trees. 

Meanwhile, in between finishing off a bottle of sparkling wine I am busy issuing tickets to all the Santa's who have gathered at the train station.  I must remember where they each came from so they don't get sent to the wrong point of origin. 

You will notice, with the exception of one, they all seem okay with waiting.   Last year they got in a hurry and Christmas Eva's neck got broken.  Which taught us all a lesson about taking our time.   The tree is still up, the wreaths are still fresh, the candles still burning. 

I am distracted by sunsets, and trying to decide which movie we should watch tonight (we saw Captain Fantastic last night - highly recommended), and reading my sisters blog post about Julio, which has me laughing like a hyena which is not a good thing when you have been finishing up a bottle of wine.   Happiest of New Years friends and family, I look forward to new adventures with you in 2017.