Tall Tales from Kansas

holding a steaming cup between your hands and inhaling deeply as part of the ritual

If you run across some of this as you are shopping for your valentine, you might want to snap it up. 

It's surprisingly tasty.  Surprising as in how good can chocolate tea really be?  I am an Earl Gray, Bergamot, English Breakfast, Chamomile, kind of tea person... thought lately I am heavy into a peach/ginger blend as well as a lovely coconut brew.  I am also currently investigating the healing properties of turmeric tea, but I digress.  Suffice it to say that this tea is exceedingly nice to sip on.  Holding a steaming cup between your hands and inhaling deeply as part of the ritual takes it right over the top.  Better be sure and get a little tin for yourself.  I did.  

my opinion is the only one that counts when it comes to home decorating

Some  years I like to "decorate" for the minor holidays like Valentine's Day.  Some years I forget about it. 

Since it's not yet February, and I have already brought up this jumble of strings from the basement, and untangled them, then hung them up on the light over the table in a crazy avant garde expression of festiveness, clearly this is going to be a decorating year.

I like to buy a good heart when I spot one, and sprinkle them about liberally, being sure not to leave out the front porch.

This may be the last year for these garlands.  They are starting to fall apart.  I am going to investigate knitting some hearts and/or sewing and stuffing some hearts for the replacement garlands. 

At the rate I am going, I may go a little bit overboard with the whole heart motif.  In the opinion of someone who doesn't love hearts.  Which would not be me.  And my opinion is the only one that counts when it comes to home decorating at Tall Tales Headquarters.

This is well balanced by Chris being completely and totally in charge of the purchasing of any and all holiday candy.  Including hearts.  Conversation or otherwise. 

you do the same for me

Sunday I busted out the new Smitten Kitchen cookbook.  I had been looking for THE thing to make to use these bourbon cherry preserves I got for Christmas. 

I saw this photo and looked no further.

So here is how it went down.  A rice pudding was made using arborio rice and a vanilla bean.   Very simple.  Pop it in the frig and let it cool.   When ready to serve pull it out, add whipped cream and chopped almonds. 

I roasted my almonds and did a rough chop.  In other words, left them kind of big.

Then I pulled out the cherries and topped the individual serving.

Oh. My. Goodness.  The pudding is not really sweet.  The only sugar comes from the whipped cream you add.  It has a nice chewy risotto texture with the amazing crunch of the roasted almonds, and then you hit a patch of the sour cherry and you think "this is what I want for dessert on my last day on earth".

You already know I am a fan of Smitten Kitchen and I highly recommend this new cookbook.  She has some very interesting flavor combinations that I can't wait to try out.  Especially if they are like this first one.  Which I feel fairly certain they will be. 

I will keep you posted as I work my way through it.  You do the same for me. 

 

a book he can refer to for instructions

When I was in Los Angeles recently, Sister and I paid a visit to Descanso Gardens.   She walks there regularly, but I hadn't been for many years. 

They are known for their camellia collection, which were only just beginning to try and bloom when we were there.   This in no way detracted from my delight with what was there. 

In particular, I was attracted to these archways and trellises made from branches and twigs.

It got my mind whirring with possibilities.  I mean how fun would it be to try and make something like this?  So the other day when I was roaming the stacks at the library and saw this book, I snatched it up.

The way I see it, there is no harm in learning a new skill.  That is what I am planning to tell Chris.  Right before I mention that I think the cosmos could really benefit from some supports, and doesn't he think it's great that I found a book he can refer to for instruction. 

you can see how it might entice and yet exhaust

Tonight I finished listening to Lincoln in the Bardo on the way home from work.   It was a hard one for me to stick with, but with a total running time of only 7 1/2 hours, I was able to see it through to the conclusion.  To tell you the truth I am not sure how I feel about it.  For an audio book, it was a very different format, with lots of readers and the citation of of sources included as part of the reading of the story.  It's a little hard to explain but if you decide to give it a try you will see very quickly what I mean.  

I like the premise - and even that seems hard to explain.  Here is my half-ass attempt in one long run-on sentence.  Willie Lincoln dies, his dad goes to visit his son at the cemetery overcome with grief, there are a lot of "spirits" there who don't know they are dead but do know they are not alive, intermittently the spirits are visited by "beings" who try to get them to "move-on" but they resist mightily.  Interspersed in all that are reactions from people who were alive at the time and their thoughts on the death, the war, Lincoln as a president, etc... You can see how it might entice and yet exhaust.  I for one am glad to be done with it.  That said, I didn't hate it either. 

Have any of you read it?  Thoughts? 

if I were going, which I am not

This coming weekend is knitting retreat.  Which I can not attend this year.  Sob.  Sometimes that happens. 

That does not mean however, that I don't have knitting on my mind.  Nor does it mean knitting needs will go unmet.  I have selected the above pattern as something I am pretending I would be knitting at the retreat.  If I were going.  Which I am not.

This is the yarn I am making it with.  Pattern and yarn by Brooklyn Tweed.  There was a sample of this knit up at my local yarn store and it is just right up my alley.  A vest is generally not too warm to wear to work, and this one seemed very lightweight to me. 

Speaking of lightweight, these are my new Hoka Clifton 4's which make me feel like I am walking around on miniature clouds.  In my mind, I will be wearing them when I walk the labyrinth at knitting retreat this weekend, when I am actually walking around my neighborhood.  I also intend to drink at least one chai tea latte and carry on a long imaginary conversation with Joan, Ann, Pam, and Lauren about color and fiber and patterns and how knitting with friends makes the world a better place to live.  

The one thing I will not get to see is all the things that people are knitting.  I will be depending on you all to provide that part of the retreat for me by telling me what you are making. 

they provide a map so you can be sure not to miss a single section

Two years ago, at Art Retreat #4, we discovered Sunnylands.  This year it was even more beautiful.  If that is possible.  Nine acres of gardens, laid out with paths circling through them, benches carefully (and frequently) placed for sitting, and a labyrinth for meditation.

If you are a lover of the desert landscape, this is a must see. 

The single-specimen beds are perfect and provide an opportunity for viewing in sun and shade. 

The views through to the snow topped mountains are pretty spectacular as well. 

Did I say there is no admission to wander through the gardens?  And they provide a map so you can be sure not to miss a single section.  You can race through it all in an hour if you must, or spend a few hours and then go sit in the cafe (outside) and think about all you have seen. 

which is not to be taken for granted

Today when I walked outside at 7:52 am the temperature was 50 degrees.  The air was moist and felt good on my skin.  None of that stinging burning below zero stuff that makes you want to tuck your head into your neck like a turtle.   I could smell wet pavement, leaves, and the occasional drier vent. 

The robins are returning and squadrons of geese were flying overhead in their V shaped formations.   Making honking noises.  Line leaders cautioning stragglers to stay in position.   

I came home and made split pea soup.  Then I carefully examined Mrs. Mouse.  A gift from sister, made by the one and only Mary Stanley. 

She and the cats are becoming acquainted with Birgitta and Einor.  They are all getting along famously.  I am a firm believer that you are never, ever, ever, too old to surround yourself with cute things that make you smile. 

After spooning up the soup into jars for the week, and watering the poinsettia, peppers were cut - color was needed to balance the green.  I eat with my eyes, even at my desk, at lunchtime. 

Then I decided to roast Brussels sprouts and look at my new cookbooks. 

An ordinary Sunday at home.  At it's finest.  Which is not be be taken for granted.  For even a single moment.      

walking, talking, and mess making

Tonight just a few more images from Palm Springs.  

Below are Pam's petals from random paint blobs and Mary Ann's rendition of Pam and I in the pool.  They are my favorites.

As you can see there was walking, talking, and mess making involved at Art Retreat #6.  In addition, world problems were solved, future plans were hatched, the health benefits to be derived from eating orange pith was debated, and masterpieces were made.  That's about all you can ask out of a 3 day art retreat. 

the opening ceremonies of art retreat

After I arrived in LA, but before we took off for Palm Springs, we visited the Huntington.

As in GARDENS.

Sister walks there all the time and it makes me insane with jealousy.   So many varieties of plants and flower and sounds.

Camelias left on benches by secret admirers. 

Mysterious banyan trees. 

Paths that stretch out ahead, so inviting.

Bonsai gardens. 

Japanese gardens.

Strange shooting succulents stretching skyward.

Sycamores at sunset.

This was a whirlwind 45 minute tour that was a perfect start to our art retreat.  I have instructed sister that we must do this every year. 

It can be the opening ceremonies of art retreat.  Good idea huh?

despite or perhaps because of, their quirks

Today I finished I finished listening to Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer.  Honestly, I had trouble with it at first.  Listening to it had me feeling unsettled.  Like I had been dropped into the middle of a family reunion, where all the relatives were extreme extroverts, and all I wanted was to find a quiet place.  Just for a bit.  To collect myself.  Alas, I couldn't find any character I could rest with.  

But gradually I began to soften.  Maybe I just got used to how they all used 20 words when 3 would do.  Or perhaps I just grew fond of them, despite or perhaps because of, their quirks.  Bottom line is that in the end I liked this book as much as Everything Is Illuminated and almost as much as I loved Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.  

You know how sometimes you are certain you have read a book, but you can't remember for sure what it was about?  That will never be the case for me with a Jonathan Safran Foer novel.  His stories and characters are very distinctive.  Unique.  Recommended. 

straining is not what an art trip should be about

Art retreat #6 was a rousing success.  Gouache, walking, watercolor, sketching, swimming, discussions of how this tradition will continue for another 30 years.  We did all that.  And more.

Did I say we saw Palm Springs cats? On roofs?

Our house was perfect.  Filled with light and sun, plus comfy beds, and an excellent pool/jacuzzi for synchronized water routines.  I am not kidding.  Sister painted Pam and I in the middle of one of our performances.    

There were lemon trees out back, and palm trees, and mountains, and cacti, and all sorts of things we don’t see in January in Kansas.

Instagram and books are great inspiration at art retreat.  I like to stretch my art muscles by trying things I see others do.  There is a fine line between stretching and straining.  Straining is not what an art trip should be about.  

Not for me anyway.  More photos to follow when there is time.  Alas, it is back to everyday life tomorrow.  

 

how to find the Orion Nebula without the aid of her Astro binoculars

When you wake up to this view first thing in the morning, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be a good day.  

If you can go on walks and see mass planting’s of barrel cacti, do yoga in the pool, and see mountain tops covered in snow, so much the better.

Leisurely evening strolls, followed by sketching and painting at the table as we gazed out at the pool rounded out the day.

Tonight Sister has promised to show me how to find the Orion Nebula without the aid of her Astro binoculars which were left at Moss Cottage when we fled in the wake of a possible gas leak.  

disaster scenario #2 was the cancelled flight

Last night I did some worrying and fretting, and downright catastraphizing.  Related to the weather.  And to my flight to Los Angeles today.  The talk of winter storm warnings, advisories, and school cancellations, dire predictions of sleet and ice.  Stuff like that generally leaves me unconcerned but not the night before I am leaving Kansas for Art Retreat #6.

In my mind I got caught up in a 47 car pile-up on the way to the airport.  Disaster scenario #2 was the cancelled flight with no way to get to Palm Springs and the Art Retreat proceeding without me.

Happily none of these things came to pass.  My flight only took off 50 minutes late after a thorough de-icing, and while I waited I got lots of knitting done.  

Tomorrow more adventures unfold.  Now we sleep.  Or try to.  If someone would stop talking to me.  

... get my "costume" ready for work tomorrow...

Because I do not want to have to "take down the holidays" after I get home from Palm Springs, we did our best to box things up over the last few days. 

Putting things away is as much a trip down memory lane as taking them out.   So many of our decorations are gifts from friends through the years.  And I say "oh remember this?" which prompts Chris to tell the story about the elf that came in a box of dishwashing soap back in 1963. 

Progress was slowed when I had to interrupt deconstruction for an hour of knitting because I had not yet completed the 2017 tiny trees.   

There are now fifteen.  A nice round number.   I don't think it can be called an obsession until I have over 30 and I will likely be tired of making them by then.  But, if not, at the rate of 2 per year I can continue for 7.5 more  years.  By which time I should be retired and all rules about obsessions get thrown out the window at that point.  Or so I have been told. 

While I was knitting, I was staring at these peppers and halfway between a cable 2 back and a series of purls I jumped up and started chopping.

Pretty soon I had a nice big bowl of confetti black bean salad which is amazing by itself, on top of chopped up cabbage and kale as a salad to go with dinner, or any old way you wanna eat it. 

I always put the optional cilantro in my version.  I also do 1 can of beans to 4 peppers. 

I am a multi-tasker.  But you already knew that.  I would like to report that all decorations have been packed, including the trees and the elves, and I have enjoyed the bean salad at lunch AND dinner everyday this week.  I have not however, started packing for Palm Springs.  Though I plan to.  As soon as I finish this post, brush my teeth, get my "costume" ready for work tomorrow, and start a load of laundry.  

 

 

I am certain they can hear with their hearts

There is a story to this pie.

It was mentioned during a visit with a very dear family whose mother I cared for last week. 

They were holding the most loving vigil at her bedside. 

Talking about important things.  Like the peanut butter pie made by Mike's wife.

And how it's the most requested dessert at family gatherings.

And the uproar that ensued when cookies and fudge were substituted for it this year.

I do not know if people who are dying can hear with their ears what the people around them are talking about.  But I am certain that they can hear with their hearts.  I sure hope when I am dying the people around me are talking about important things like peanut butter pie, shrimp pasta, good wine, and american garlic bread.  AND that recipes are being passed on.

You know I had to try this.  Because it sounded good.   And it felt right.  I will be making it again.  Because it is easy and that thin layer of peanut butter between the crust and the filling is insanely tasty.  I added the chopped peanuts on top.  Just because. 

I will be wearing my most supportive foundation garment

This is going to be my first completed project of 2018.  Not counting wee elves and trees because they are bonus projects.  Small things slipped in between the big stuff to keep life interesting.  It's like reading a magazine article when you put your book down for a minute. 

The color of this yarn is more accurate in the photo below.   You can also see that it is a lace pattern.

Here is the pattern.  I am adding a link to the Yarn Barn, our local yarn store in Lawrence if you want to get the materials to make your own - Yarn Barn, Lawrence Kansas.  You can also get it on Ravelry if you just google Stone Point Poncho. 

I am adding an extra repeat to the pattern as have most of the people in my knitting group who have made it.  I wanted it just a bit longer.  I feel certain it will NOT look like it does in the photo above on me.  However I will be wearing my most supportive foundation garment in an effort to try and replicate the look to the best of my ability. 

Each right side row is a bit different so it keeps you on your toes.  But that is also what makes it interesting. 

I have completed the back and am zipping along on the front.  The border and one repeat of the lace pattern is finished.  This is a great first "lace" project if you are new to knitting.  My friend Joan, who is relatively new to knitting has already made two of these.  They are great over a turtleneck for winter and also perfect for spring and fall.  

P.S.  Joyce and Leslie I predict you will both be interested in this project.  Who wants to make the reservation for the cabin in the woods with a fireplace?  I will bring supplies and meet you there.   

which of us will see a shooting star first

In exactly 6 sleeps I will be headed out of the cold.  Bound for balmy breezes, starry skies, cat visits, late night neighborhood strolls, cruising for photo ops, maybe a cafe con leche ....

Yep.  It's time for that annual ritual called art retreat.  We are headed back to Palm Springs this year.  Where in addition to all the stuff I mentioned above, there will be sketching, painting, drawing, coloring, and who knows what else.  The only thing I know for sure is it will be loose, colorful, fun, somewhat chaotic, and involve a lot of talking, singing, and laughing. 

I get caught up in work, knitting, baking, gardening, sewing, quilting, reading, walking, and the like at home.  I NEED regular exposure to Sister and Pam to get my inner portrait maker fired up.  I am turning on my pilot light now.  Thinking about which brushes, pens, sketchbooks to pack.  Sighing in anticipation of that first dip into the hot tub, leaning back, and waiting to see which of us will see a shooting star first. 

P.S.  Thanks sister for making the poster!  I know you won't mind if I use it too. 

as soon as I do one, the rest will follow, like dominos

Top on the list of things I intend to accomplish this year is making this quilt.  It's all cut out and ready to go.  No excuses.

There must also be at least a few tiny trees added to the pygmy forest before they go into hibernation until next December.  This yarn will make a fine blue spruce. 

Time must also be allotted for examining the leaf structure of the poinsettia on the dining room table.  From all angles at all times of the day. 

Really good corn muffins should be made in January because they go well with chili, split pea and barley soup, a bowl of cooked collard greens, and chicken and noodles.  Versatility is but one of their virtues. 

Use this recipe.  It's perfect.  Every. Single. Time.

I still do have a few New Years cards to mail out. 

And the second those are signed and stamped, I will jump up and shout "TO THE QUILT", and bolt upstairs, to get at least one square made.  That's all it will take.  As soon as I do one, the rest will follow.  Like dominoes. 

through a night of temps with wind chills below zero, there remained access to water

This week, with our bitterly cold weather, I finally got my butt in gear and figured out how to have fresh water for the birds available by the feeder. I have read that water is even more important to birds in the winter than food.  It's probably not true.  But it makes me worry.  Especially at night when I am trying to go to sleep. 

This is not an advertisement for any particular device.  Here is what mine looks like. I don't even know what it's called.  I already put the packaging in the re-cycling and I am not going to dig it out. 

The rock was just to keep it from floating to the top.   I added that.  All on my own. 

Then while I had my coat, mittens, and head warmer on... I brought out the 3 elves with their neck scarves and hats.  They needed to be photographed in snow. 

I am quite pleased to report, that 24 hours later, through a night of temps with wind chills below zero, there remained access to water. For the birds, not the elves, I brought them inside after the photo shoot.  But I can see how you might be confused by the sudden change in topics. 

Once we get up to more"normal" winter temps, I imagine the whole birdbath will remain thawed.  I also have my fingers crossed that it will not crack with the freezing and unfreezing.  It's an experiment, we are learning. I learn best by "just trying".

On yet another completely unrelated topic, I was very sad to hear that Sue Grafton died this past week.  I hadn't heard that she was ill.  What I read is that she had cancer, had been doing ok, then suddenly got ill and died rather quickly.  Her family says that the "alphabet now ends with Y".  In other words, she hadn't started writing Z is for Zero and no one will be stepping in to pick up the reins and finish it for her.  I was glad to hear that.  I prefer to think of Kinsey Milhone roaming around finding her way, maybe up to the same old, maybe exploring uncharted waters. 

Right after I finished reading Y is for Yesterday a month or so ago, I heard about this book of short stories she had written and bought it used.  I am slowly savoring it.  Bittersweet, just like in real life. 

have good sentences in your ears

On the first day of 2018, let me throw in some wisdom to consider as you set about making resolutions, or not.  From Jane Kenyon, one of my very favorite poets. 

It resonated loudly with me when I read it.  A good "common sense" prescription to live by. 

Here's to good beginnings in this new year.