Tall Tales from Kansas

and fill all the file cabinets in my brain with the most wonderful memories possible

We checked out the Sedona Arts Center and the Arts and Crafts Village while we were on the "5 Friends, 3 Days, 1 Amazing Adventure" trip.  It was so relaxing to stroll in the sunshine under blue skies looking at interesting things. 

Trying to consider if something is an impulse buy you will be scratch your head over later, OR the bargain you think it is, can be endlessly fun.  Especially if you have friends with a sharp eye who will tell you the truth. 

This was a delightful trip.  Over the next 10 years I am making it my mission to travel as much as possible.  To reconnect with my oldest and dearest friends, go see my siblings twice a year or more, explore this great big world and fill all the file cabinets in my brain with the most wonderful memories possible. 

THE location for a Moss Sisters Wellness Retreat

Thank you Mae for telling me about the Bell Rock Pathway in Sedona.

It was the perfect place for a stroll on Friday.  And while there were plenty of other folks out there enjoying it along with us, it didn't seem too crowded. 

We actually met some really nice people.  Like this guy in his banana shirt with his sister in the knee brace from Canada. 

Extremely friendly.  As you can clearly see. 

They even had hats you could buy at the trailhead in case you didn't have one with you.

Everywhere you turned there was something pretty spectacular to see.  And as soon as you walked up a few paces you could turn around and see it from a different vantage point and it was like you were seeing it for the first time again. 

I wonder, if you live amongst the splendor of these rocks do you ever get used to how magnificent they are?

I can't imagine you would.  I am ready to head right back there this weekend.  Which means I am already talking to Dottie and Mary Ann about how this might be THE location for a Moss Sisters Wellness Retreat in 2019. 

after I drink this last cup of ginger-turmeric hot tea

It is possible that there is a vacation rental in Sedona Arizona with a better view than the place I stayed with my college friends this past weekend, but I doubt it. 

We took advantage of every opportunity to enjoy it.  Star gazing from the hot tub at night and morning coffee by the fire pit.  Lovely. 

The front was equally nice, but we spent most of our time out back.  

If you want to check out this property for yourself it's the Sedona Sun Up Estate on airbnb.  I am not affiliated in any way with airbnb and do not know the owner personally.  FYI only. 

More to come later on what we did in the area.  Tonight I am nursing a "chest cold" that must be better in exactly 9 hours so I can get up and go to work in the morning.  That means it's time to jump in bed after I drink this last cup of ginger-turmeric hot tea. 

does it get any better?

Three random things that made me happy this week. 

A rabbit mug, kid writing, and dark chocolate.  Does it get any better? 

bathing suit, camera, tooth brush, ball cap, shorts, t-shirt, jeans

Tomorrow begins the "5 friends, 3 days, 1 amazing adventure" trip to Sedona. 

I will likely not be posting here but I will be be putting up some photos on Instagram.   Stories will be shared in more detail when I get back.  If you get bored while you are waiting - go here, to the very first post I did in April of 2011, where I chronicled our Chicago trip. 

The other thing this trip brings to mind is that Dottie and Mary Ann will also be traveling this weekend.  When all 3 Moss sisters are traveling simultaneously, special restrictions have to be followed as I discussed here.  Angie used to go on high alert when all the "girls" were in transit. 

Now I must pack.  Bathing suit, camera, tooth brush, ball cap, shorts, t-shirt, jeans.  Check.    

trying to decide which one of these to eat first

Daffodils may be my favorite way to celebrate Spring.  But strawberries are an extremely close second. 

Nothing gets you ready for all the beckoning flavors of spring like a strawberry.  Even if it's a store bought one.

It will be at least another month or so before the locally grown ones are ready.    These were a very reasonable stand in.  

Last year I bought a jar of strawberry jam at the farmers market.  I used it all up in the last month as topping for my oatmeal instead of honey or brown sugar.  This year I will buy two jars for the winter.  Maybe three. 

But right now I am otherwise occupied trying to decide which one of these to eat first.   Such a nice dilemma to have.

any expert advice you may have

Quick!  Calling all those who are in the know about Sedona, Arizona.  What is the best local coffee shop, your favorite relatively easy hike, and anything else you think we should not miss on a whirlwind trip there?

I am meeting up with my college buds there for a quick reunion and didn't want to miss out on any expert advice you may have.   Thank you in advance for your tips.

warning: highly contagious

It's hard to decide if the red sunset maple out front, or Harvey rolling around in the garden out back was the best part of the weekend. 

Happily there was ample time for enjoying both.  Which is exactly and precisely what weekends were made for.

Smack dab in the middle of the front yard and the back yard, I also found time to sit in the front room with my feet up and listen to Winter Soltice.  Yes.  Following my sister's lead, I have also been bitten by the Rosamunde Pilcher bug.  Warning:  highly contagious. 

which all the other residents of Larry Town may or may not be eating

If you are the one who sneaked into Tall Tales Headquarters recently and slipped out with the recipe that came with this shamrock cookie stamper, would you please e-mail me a photo of it. 

We were so hoping to repeat the cookie making episode of last year, and even had all the green decorating sprinkles out to use.

While searching, I did run across the green napkins and tray for the Irish Cream which will be served after dinner.  Likely without cookies. 

After looking in all the places I "felt certain" the recipe was, and coming up empty, I went outside. 

The recipe wasn't out there either, but lots of other stuff was. 

About that time, Chris came home with assorted, St. Patrick's day items meant to get my mind off the recipe. 

As of 6:02pm, that recipe can just stay hidden until next year.  I have donned the "Rock Chalk Shamrock" shirt and am pretending to be a basketball fan like all the other people who live in Lawrence Kansas. 

While eating green asparagus and roasted potatoes.  Which all the other residents of Larry Town may or may not be eating for dinner.   Happy St. Patty's day.  

paddling two-by-two

 March means the days of romping in the out-of-doors are upon us.

Families off on adventures that await just beyond the bushes.  Bugs to examine, treasures to find.

Meanwhile, geese glide and girls with swingy pony tails walk their sassy pups. 

Roses are starting to emerge from the cold of winter.  

Ducks with those amazing blue/green feathered heads are paddling two-by-two. 

Ginormous trees stand at the ready, waiting to catch an unsuspecting kite. 

Note to self:  plan lots of outings to Loose Park this spring.  Bring a blanket next time so you can lay flat on your back and stare up at the sky. 

cheerio!

Whatever else you plan to do this weekend.  I hope you find the time to get yourself some daffodils.  

And put them in some water.

And coax them into a pleasing arrangement.

Wait for them to open. 

Which takes no time at all.

 Then congratulate yourself on your superior skills in the art of home-making. 

 Cheerio!

the moments that make life sing

Brookside, on a Friday morning, in March.  

Shamrocks in the windows.

Super cool things in Stuff to look at. 

Followed by avocado toast and a long chat with a friend.  These are the moments that make life sing. 

just gazing at his own reflection

This red robin was quite interested in the goings on in the kitchen of Tall Tales Headquarters on Sunday morning.

I was talking.

He was listening.

Quite intently it seemed.

Except I am pretty sure he was just gazing at his own reflection.  Thinking all the while about what a handsome bird he is. 

We were glad he didn't do any kamikaze flying into the window stunts. We hate it when that happens.

P.S.  all photos today courtesy of Chris. 

 

the perfect environment for thinking

The Sunrise Project has moved in to the former Sunrise Garden Center on 15th street in Lawrence.   Its a gathering place. 

A spot to meet, talk, dream, create, and grow.   You could also read if the spirit moved you.  Even if you didn't bring anything with you, there were books on the shelves.  And games.  Interesting conversations swirled around me.  

It was the perfect environment for thinking, writing out cards, and staring off into space. 

All while enjoying my first latte made with coconut milk.  Because its important to explore new taste sensations.   And the really friendly barista asked me if I wanted to try it.  

a story about right and wrong and someone who knows how to get to the bottom of it

While my sister has been wandering the moors and highlands of Scotland and England, I have been sitting in traffic on the 5, zipping up Laurel Canyon blvd, and gazing out over the Cahuenga Pass.  Hanging out in the City of Angels with Harry Bosch. 

I do enjoy traveling to a different locale through reading.  Since I also happen to love California, and LA in particular, it makes me enjoy this Michael Connelly series all the more.  The Wrong Side of Goodbye has Harry working as a reserve officer in the San Fernando PD and also doing some PI stuff.  As usual, it does not disappoint.  I don't know about you guys, but sometimes I just want to read a story about right and wrong and someone who knows how to get to the bottom of it.  

scouring through the brown stuff to look for something green

 Venturing out to re-fill the birdbath this week, I encountered green.

Which made me climb up on top of one of the barstools in the kitchen and root around in the cabinet above the refrigerator for shamrock stuff.

Inside the basket was the St. Patrick's day rabbit. 

Which seemed like the perfect thing to sit on the window in front of the sink with the first cuttings of the season.

Scouring through the brown stuff to look for something green or blooming is a favorite rite of Spring. 

The robins think so too.

throw caution to the wind the second time

 Step 1.  Corral your ingredients

Step 2.  Imagine the deliciousness this red curry paste will impart to your soup

Step 3.  Add fresh herbs

Step 4.  Peel and chop

Step 5.  Juice the lime

Steps 6 through 9.  Saute, bring to a boil, simmer, admire

Step 10.  Get out the immersion blender

Steps 12, 13, and 14.  Ladle up a bowl, chop up some nuts, garnish to your liking

Step 15.  ENJOY

Here is the recipe courtesy of damn delicious.   You will want to try it.  I will add 3 tablespoons of red curry paste the next time I make it.  Since this was the first time I had ever used it, I didn't want to go overboard.  I like to throw caution to the wind the second time I use an ingredient. 

in and of itself a very worthy task

Nothing blows off the gloom of winter better than a solitary day of intense sunshine, blue skies, and being out of doors. 

Examining bark, wondering if geese are about to lay eggs, and looking for the first buds of spring. 

All very worthy endeavors for one who likes to observe.  And take note.

As I compose, Chris prepares the red sauce.  Pasta, salad, bread, wine, are on the menu for watching the Academy Awards.  Sliding slowly back into Monday.  Refreshed by two days of doing nothing too productive.  In and of itself a very worthy task. 

the future of palliative care is so bright it brings tears to my eyes sometimes

Today at 7:24 am, before embarking on a full day of palliative care duties, 7 of us on the palliative care team at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, completed the first annual "stairs challenge".  Two of our fellows, two social workers, two APRN's, and a chaplain. 

We had wanted to do the "Fight for Air" climb sponsored by the American Lung Association but didn't get signed up in time.  In that event you climb up 42 floors to the top of Kansas City One Place.  It is a total of 902 stairs. 

After carefully evaluating all the staircases at the University of Kansas, we selected the Murphy stairs, calculated that we would have to climb them 8 times to get 920 stairs and 48 flights and headed out with extreme optimism.  I had calculated it might take 20 minutes.

I underestimated us.  I brought up the rear, coming in last with a time of 17 minutes and 31 seconds.  Considering I am 20 to 30 years older than the rest of the bunch I feel just fine with that time. 

In case you can't tell by this photo, I work with some pretty amazing young people.  The future of palliative care is so bright it brings tears to my eyes sometimes.  Thank you Ben, Kristi, Kate, Margaret, Vincent, and Ashley for a great start to a Friday.