Tall Tales from Kansas

a necklace fashioned from a shaving brush

One of my favorite events of the season was last weekend. 

Bizarre Bazaar.  The 30th anniversary actually.  The woman who designed the t-shirt was telling me how there was an artist who had chicken foot ornaments at the very first event.  Oh dear.  

Fear not.  I have NONE of those to show you.  But how about a pet tag necklace, or some smiling cat blocks, or a super cool basket made by Cheryl from Eudora.  

Pottery is always a good choice.  For some reason I never think I have enough.

If you are looking for a gift for the person who has everything, may I suggest a painted hand?

This stylish woman simply needed to have her photo taken.  

This retired librarian talked to me about her intricate ornaments and how she makes them all year long, except for a few months when she concentrates on her other artistic ventures. 

Its not often that you get to enjoy the sound of a good accordion.  It was perfect. Music makes every event better.

Who had a spinning top toy as a child?  We did!

Above is one of my favorite artists.  I have purchased pins and tie-dyed socks from her over the years.  The sculptured bowls were new this year.  

For originality how about a necklace fashioned from a shaving brush, and who doesn't need a cute pin?

Oh I could go on, but I will end with a few of my purchases

I had to draw the line somewhere.  I needed to reserve some funds for the holiday farmers market which is coming up in a few weeks.

shopping with my eyes

In late November and early December I love to take advantage of all the beautiful holiday displays around the city.  One of my favorite spots for doing this is at The Crestwood Shops on 55th street just off Brookside Blvd in Kansas City, Missouri.

Drive right up, park your car, get out, and explore.

It's completely free, provides all sorts of ideas, and makes me happy.

When you are done looking you can duck into Cafe Europa for lunch.  Save room for dessert.  The lemon cake is legendary.  

Or if you are there early in the morning, go into Aixois for a coffee and a croissant.  It's cozy and warm and you can gaze out at all the snow and watch the locals come in for their morning shot of Joe.

Hours of fun.  Shopping with my eyes, no money spent.  Well, except for the latte and that flaky, buttery, pastry.  Which was perfect.

whispers of things we hope for

Before we get so far away from Thanksgiving, and talk of things we are grateful for, and whispers of things we hope for, let me share this little jewel from Matthew Ogle's Pome.  Along with one more photograph of our beautiful fall colors this year.  

little prayer

let ruin end here

let him find honey
where there was once a slaughter

let him enter the lion's cage
& find a field of lilacs

let this be the healing
&  if not   let it be

Danez Smith (2017)

this latte Isaiah made for me

Some favorite things from November that I haven't told you about yet.  Or it could be that I told you but didn't show a photo.  And quite possibly, I told you and showed you a photo but want to tell you again.  For emphasis.

This pumpkin.  And while I am at it, if you want to save stems from pumpkins to make your own, its a heck of a lot easier to let the pumpkins freeze and the stems pop right off.  I can't tell you how long I toiled over stem removal the year Mary Joan and I made these. 

This walk.

This latte Isaiah made for me, at McClain's in Lawrence.

Stitching on this needlepoint project.

Topping off steel cut oats with leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving dinner.  Perfect.

This fabulous artwork by a young artist (whose name I didn't see) that was hanging up in the Lawrence Art Center this week.

This amazing sunset.  

This window on Massachusetts street in downtown Lawrence.

The end.  

before we begin to move into another season

Back in September I showed you all a picture of the inspiration board that Diana Giffin made that really caught my eye.  Shortly after she died this year, Chris got to work on turning the mail art frame he made for me into my very own inspiration board.

He's handy to have around for helping turn my ideas into reality. With my gentle guidance of course.  

This particular idea has me all kinds of happy.

It has been very enjoyable to cut, tear, arrange, and pin images of things I like up here on this board over the last several months.

 

Images that make me smile, things I may want to make, color combinations I like... you get the idea.  I thought I would show you what's on it right now, before we begin to move into another season and this ever-changing inspiration board transforms itself.  The only thing that will remain constant is the picture I have up there of Diana's board that first got me started on such a simple thing, that brings me such pleasure.   

because it seemed important to carry them over

Days off around the holidays, when your house has already been put into tip top shape because you were hosting, means time for doing anything your heart desires.  For me, that meant finishing my needle book.  

I wanted to add some scraps to the "pages" of felt inside the book.

I did some experimenting with stitches I can do on my machine.  

This is a simple pattern, the only part that caused me a teeny bit of consternation was the loop for the button to close the book.  But after I thought about it for a second, I figured it out.  I wanted my back and front to be different and did not want the button to wind up on the back. 

Very similar to the coffee cozy concept.  

Once the pages were sewn in, I was on the home stretch.

After the button was sewn on, I filled it up, tucked it in my "on the go sewing bag", and called it done.  

A small project is immensely satisfying for me.  Something that can be finished relatively quickly.  I put some of the needles and a few of those teeny tiny gold safety pins that Angie had in her pin cushion in my needle book. Because it seemed important to carry them over. She always liked a safety pin at the ready to keep a shirt from gapping in the wrong spot.  

Helpful links:

Pattern - how to sew a needle book

in order to render a thoughtful, complete, review

This year's turkey day hike was the BEST. Mid 50's for temps, sunny, breezes, we did not get lost, no one sprained and ankle, and we got home in time for Chris to get the turkey out of the oven.

But I am getting ahead of myself.   

Coffee and a leisurely setting of the table is how things started out for me, while Chris tended to turkey duties. Then we slipped on our jackets/vests and headed out of doors.  

Getting out for a walk before dinner is my favorite part of Thanksgiving day. Taking a break from the kitchen chores before everyone arrives sets a good tone for the day.  Not to mention the appetite building.  

It wasn't a long hike.  Just a few miles.  Enough to be able to pay proper homage to the Thanksgiving day pies prepared by Ann without worrying about caloric intake.

My personal favorite was the pecan/pumpkin, followed closely by the regular pumpkin, but let's not forget the apple with a hint of lemon that was also divine.  I had to have some of each in order to render a thoughtful, complete, review.  If someone is going to go to this much work on dessert, it's the least I can do. 

a perfect nightcap on the evening before thanksgiving

Today's preparations included but were not limited to the following:

 

I did not work today and it felt like such a luxury to be able to slowly prepare for tomorrow, including taking the time for a walk.  Plus making Angie's favorite peanut butter cookies for dessert after pizza tonight for our overnight guests.  In case you were wondering, peanut butter cookies pair quite well with a nice cabernet.  AND make a perfect nightcap on the evening before Thanksgiving.  

Tonight I am thankful for being able to eat, enjoy, walk, think, read, make, appreciate, remember, and love.

I still need it about once a year for an important occasion like this

Sunday I gathered up apples, apple cider, cinnamon, allspice, some brown sugar and a few other key ingredients and made a cake.  

An apple bundt cake to be precise.  

It was in the "food section" of our local paper and someone brought it to work.  

I am susceptible to suggestions like this.  

Which can be a very unhealthy thing.  

Unless you fully intend to bring it to work to help celebrate Nurse Practitioners week for 2 of your colleagues.  Even if you are a week late.  It's the thought that counts.  Right?

If you are looking for a super dense, applelicious cake, that doesn't have any nuts (because some people are strange and don't like nuts in their cakes), this could be just what you are looking for.  The apple flavor is front and center. For sure.  

P.S.  Yes, that is a 30 year old Tupperware cake carrier complete with plastic handle for easy toting you see there.  No reason to get rid of it when I still need it about once a year for an important occasion like this.   

we were doing a really thorough job

Preparing for Thanksgiving continues.  But in my mind I am thinking of all the things I could be doing with these wonderful colors of fall.

I clean better when my mind is somewhere other than on the task at hand.  We Moss girls learned this early on.  When Angie told us to vacuum and we turned on the Electrolux but hid in the closet to read, so she would think it was taking us a long time and we were doing a REALLY thorough job.  

I am pretty sure we had her 100% fooled.  

what is 3/4 of 1/4 teaspoon anyway?

 The next time you get together with your maker friends, I am going to respectfully suggest that you begin the day like this.

You can come to Alchemy Coffee and Bakeshop on Mass street in Lawrence, or get a slab of dense pumpkin pie with a thick graham cracker crust topped with freshly whipped cream, served alongside a flat white at your favorite neighborhood coffee and bakeshop.  After all, it is November.  

Maker Mary Joan brought her table runner, started at our last meeting, now completed except for the quilting she decided to add.  In a gesture of generosity and kindness she gifted it to me and I will show the whole thing when I have finished the hand quilting.  It's lovely.  Somehow I missed getting pictures of Ann's table runner - which she added a cool edging to, and Pam's - which she embellished with stitching.  Photos will be taken at the January meeting.  

We usually start the day at a coffee shop so we can get important jabbering time in before we get to any projects that might require intense concentration.  We also needed to check out the latest trunk show at the Yarn Barn downtown.  Three of us may have purchased patterns for new sweaters.  More on that later.  

"Winter Squash" soup was served for lunch.  I changed the name because in addition to using one small butternut squash, I used 2 small buttercup squashes.  Is the plural of squash squashes or squash?  It looks funny.   

I have provided this recipe before.  It is a keeper and works as well with the buttercup/butternut combo as it does with butternut alone.  Click on the picture to make it large enough to read.  Also, do NOT leave out the cayenne pepper, it really makes the soup.  I use between an eighth and a fourth of a teaspoon.  More on the fourth side.  What is 3/4 of 1/4 teaspoon anyway?  I was never good at math.   

chris beat me to it

Preparations for November 22nd have begun here at Thanksgiving Central. Hanging this garland over the table always signals the transition into the holiday season.  

A new kitchen towel and Pilgrim Boy are in the kitchen.  On duty.  

Pumpkins have been stacked.  Sure glad I got to enjoy my mums for about 10 days before we dipped down to 9 degrees this past week.  I am torn between leaving them out there in their frozen state versus dumping them. I will show this photo to everyone as the "before" picture.  So they can see how lovely they were.  

Bittersweet has been hung wherever there is a spot for it and sometimes where there really isn't a spot but I make one.

I've had this garland for probably 8-10 years now.  It was made by a local woman artist who no longer comes to the farmers market.  

But because I have this, and hang it year after year, I continue to treasure her unique talents.  Another example of the best kind of "making". This weekend I am polishing silver, making an apple bundt cake, planning out the appetizers, sweeping the porch, evaluating the state of my table linens to see if any holes need patching, cleaning the rungs and backs of the dining room chairs, and if there is any time left after that, I will see what kind of mischief I can get into. I was going to clean the windows, but Chris beat me to it.   

making at it's finest

Tonight I have something really special for you.  Sent to me by my sister Dottie.  She sends me the best stuff.  Click on the link below for a video about "making".  Make sure you have 14 minutes to watch.  Then watch it again.  That's what I did.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/opinion/quilts-while-i-yet-live.html

 

 

 

 

 

the harvest omelette with butternut squash and sage may have been the best omelette of my life and the coffee was bold.

I am rolling back the calendar about a month to show you something important.  

When we went to Lake Tahoe for the wedding in October, we flew into Reno, Nevada.

We had arranged to meet my nephew in Midtown at Two Chicks for a bite to eat.  

While we were waiting for our table, I walked around outside - completely entranced by the murals in the area.  

There were also cool buildings, interesting shops, and some good people watching.  

This area of town is definitely photo worthy.  

And Two Chicks got thumbs up all around.  The Harvest Omelette, which I did not photograph (unfortunately), with butternut squash and sage may have been the best omelette of my life, the wait staff was friendly, and the coffee was bold.  

Helpful Links:  Two Chicks Reno

something wholesome and sweet

I do not believe I have ever used the word "wholesome" in a book I am telling you about.  Until now.  But it is the perfect descriptor for The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg.  It's a sweet story about a town in Missouri whose founders come from Sweden and start a dairy.  

If something wholesome and sweet appeals to you, I am going to recommend it as the book you take with you for reading over the Thanksgiving holiday.  The perfect antidote for stressful travel, a family spat, or any unpleasantness that may arise.  As you know it will, at least once, over a long weekend, with the people you love.  

as we thought about Ray and Chas

Chris and I went downtown today for the Veterans Day parade.
 

Things got started off with a fly-over.  No matter how many times I see one, I am always simultaneously impressed and choked up.  

There were people walking and riding and smiling and waving.  

 Mostly we wanted to show our respect and gratitude as we thought about Ray and Chas (our Dads) on this 100th anniversary of Armistice day.  

more than ordinary in their kindness

Ordinary things from the week.    Lets start with this dahlia shall we?

By itself, or with it's companions.  

This sky.  

These veggies.  Have you roasted delicata squash?  

This banner.  Which gets fall leaves added to it, thus extending hang time into Thanksgiving.  

Forgive the cuteness overload here.  But seriously.  

This Japanese maple.

This coffee, in this cup, on this Saturday morning.

All your really nice comments about this blog post.  They were more than ordinary in their kindness.  And for that I thank each of you.  

making simply for the pleasure of it

Here is another quilt I saw in someone's room at the hospital in the last month.  I haven't seen a "flower" made like that before. It was so pretty.  

The delicate hand stitching for the appliqué of the leaves and stems is a thing of beauty. It is unlikely that I will be able to make something this pretty, but it will not stop me from trying. This gets back to my whole philosophy of participating in the act of making simply for the pleasure of it. Which reminds me that I meant to include a link to a great read along these lines.  In Praise of Mediocrity. Well worth reading. Enjoy.

I tell the leaves to hang on for another week

Many walks are being squeezed into these most beautiful of autumn days. 

Early morning, late afternoon, or middle of the day.  

On a trail or in the neighborhood.  They are all good.  

Sometimes alone.  Sometimes with Chris.  

Red. Orange. Yellow.

As I walk, I tell the leaves to hang on for another week. If they can. I am pretty sure they can hear me.   

unless you insist on wings

A little mid-week poetry.  Courtesy of Matthew Ogle and Pome.

the angels have no wings
they come to you wearing
their own clothes

they have learned to love you
and will keep coming

unless you insist on wings

Lucille Clifton (2004)

 

Helpful links:

Pome

"Do Not Destroy"

When the Prairie Makers met at Mary Joan's house recently we got the chance to examine this treasure made by her great aunts Emma Dunagan-Thompson and Martha Dunagan-Thompson.    They lived in Georgia and were of English/Irish descent.  

We have all seen Crazy Quilts, right?  

And I think we can all agree that this is ABOVE and BEYOND what is normally thought of as a crazy quilt.  

Such attention to detail, even on the back.

All the fine hand embroidery, variety of stitches, and consistency in the repetition is simply remarkable.  

Truly a museum quality treasure.  Beyond compare.  

Mary Joan was given this by her Aunt Eva Barker.  Who, in a very smart move, pinned this note to the back of it. In the event that it would somehow end up in the hands of someone who did not recognize the true art that it is. Bravo Eva Barker!  

my fountain needed to have something in it

Marcy and Al were at the Farmers Market on Saturday in their warm hats.  I first spotted them a few years back, and since then, have taken a picture of then in their cold weather headgear every year.  It means that the season is coming to an end.

This year I talked to them. Al explained they get the hats when they go to New York, where there daughter lives, and run the 5 mile Turkey Trot each year.  

Chestnuts were also being roasted this week.  

Bright orange buttercup squash caught my eye.  I am going to make soup out of it.  The woman selling it tells me it tastes more like pumpkin than squash.  

I also got delicata squash to roast.

I did not get any turnips, but I did get a big bunch of broccoli raab that I am going to sauté OR try to use in salads.  Do any of you eat broccoli raab greens raw? I need to know this stuff.  

This arrangement screamed at me as I walked by.  And was immediately snatched up.  

One more pot of mums came home as well because they were only 5 dollars, and I decided my fountain, which has been turned off for the season, needed to have something in it.

Other selections at the market included decorative bundles of corn and lovely heads of Napa cabbage.

I also spotted this couple enjoying their breakfast burritos, but what really caught my eye was her coat. It reminded me of one that Angie used to have, except hers was a pinkish/gray color. What happened to that coat? 

There were whispers that there may not be a market next week. The number of vendors is dwindling. If you are in the area, the annual Holiday Market will be on Saturday, December 8th.  Link below for more details if you are interested. 

Helpful links:  Holiday Farmers Market - Lawrence Kansas 

to spread her quilt over her in the last hour of her life

This week at the hospital I spied some especially lovely handiwork in the rooms of a few of the patients I was seeing.

Quilting and love of fabric art is an immediate way to connect with people.  It lets us know we have a common language.  I bonded well with the woman who made these quilts during our very first visit.  She knew when she told me to be honest with her about what she was hoping for, and I told her I would, I meant it.  We had good talks during the week I knew her.  About what was possible, what was likely, what her family would need as her body was shutting down.  And we talked with her family when she not able to talk, about where was the best place for her to be if she could not be at home. Which is what they really wanted to make happen for her.

This quilter took matters into her own hands, as is often the case.  Early one morning this past week she died.  While her daughter and husband were on the way to the hospital.  It was a gift for me to be able to be there with her.  To spread her quilt over her in the last hour of her life.  To be sure her mouth was moist and her hair was combed.  To make sure she was not suffering, to whisper that her family was on the way, and wanted her to know they loved her, and lastly to let her know I would be sure to tell them how peaceful she was as she was dying.  

Dottie sent me this poem by Saint John of the Cross last week.  

And I saw the river
over which every soul
must pass
to reach the kingdom
of heaven
and the name of that river 
was suffering:
and I saw a boat
which carries souls
across the river
and the name of that boat
was love.  

I am not sure at all about the concept of heaven.  What I am certain of, is that the most important skill you need when you are with someone who is dying is just to care.  I was not with Angie in the last moments when she was dying. You have no idea how much I loved paying forward the caring that another woman showed my mom.  

a name change was proposed

Attached, complete with photographic evidence, are the minutes from the latest meeting of the Makers.  

Agenda:  Make a table runner from the "dots" edition of Making Magazine or perhaps a needle book.  All our members must have options.  

Maker Joan provided guidance by starting her project early in order to assist her fellow makers as needed.  I love her orange/red colors that will be so pretty from now into Christmas.  Instructions were consulted.  Errors were made.  

Maker Carol used this time to plan out her needle book.  In other words, though she thought the table runner was an EXCELLENT idea for a project she did not bring material to actually do the project.  Her supportive maker friends thought this was funny so did not revoke her status in the group. 

As of this writing, I have received photos from Ann and Joan of their finished projects.  Meanwhile, I have been happily stitching on needlework, figured out the difficult part that had me stumped with my knitted vest project, AND am back on the straight and narrow.    

You may recall that when last we met, it was the inside outside bag that we worked on.  Ann, took it over the top and made a few more.  Because she could.  She also made a motion that we should change our name from The Makers to The Prairie Makers.  To differentiate us from all the other Makers.  This motion was voted on and passed.  

There were no photos taken of the chicken salad sandwiches or the killer brownies that Maker Joan served as refreshments.  Trust me, they were good. I am hosting next month.  She sets a high bar to follow.  

The best part of this day, for me, was picking up projects that have been languishing and getting excited about working on them again.  Sometimes you need to be surrounded by a creative force to do this.  

Minutes submitted for your approval by Prairie Maker Carol

P.S.  Projects being undertaken by other groups of Makers are appreciated for our future consideration.