Tall Tales from Kansas

to bring it all together but not detract from the lines of color slapped haphazardly together.

So, a while back I told you I was making napkins for my niece's family. My method involves taking a fat quarter, folding it into a square, whacking off the excess, and making a generous size mouth/hand wiper out of that. 

Which always leaves these strips that simply must be used. 

This particular bunch is (in part) getting turned into a table runner. 

The backing is a solid piece, the same color as this binding that will go around the edges. 

The quilting is straightforward, close together, with the plan being to bring it all together but not detract from the lines of color slapped haphazardly together.

So far, so good. Table runners are as fun as pillows in the small projects arena.  



In the top photo you can see how well this table runner is going to perform as a background for bouquets of zinnias all summer long.  Which is all a girl can ask for. Tonight anyway.

…working on several cases while dealing with a bad tooth

I just read my first book on the Libby app from the library. I was prepared to find reading on a phone to be NOT one bit enjoyable. That's not how things turned out. But let me back up. Chrissy West has given me some great book tips through the years and this was another one of those. 

Case Histories, by Kate Atkinson, is the first book in the Jackson Brodie series. He’s former police, now investigator, recently divorced, living in Scotland, dreaming of France, working on several cases, while dealing with a bad tooth. There. That’s how the series begins. I found myself quite invested in the cases he is working on. The chapters skip back and forth in time and between cases which takes a minute to get used to, but then evens out nicely.

I am glad to have met Jackson Brodie and will look forward to checking in on him from time. There are currently 5 books in the series.  Recommended.  

So back to the phone thing... reading on it, as it turns out, is quite handy, since lots us have one with us most of the time. For example if you stumble across a nice bench in a shady spot 1/2 way through a walk, a reading break might be just the ticket.  It’s also not uncomfortable from an ergonomic standpoint which I was certain it would be. Just my 2 cents on that. Feel free to add your opinion about this series and reading on a phone. 

signs of things to come

Sunday morning, after a night with a few hours of much needed rain, I headed for the peaks and valleys of Rock Chalk park. I use those terms loosely of course being as we are in Kansas, but there are some ups and downs. 

69 degrees and no other walkers in site = perfect conditions for Sunday services. 



Some of the leaves are starting to turn yellow and fall. Signs of things to come.

This is such a great spot for walking, letting my thoughts roam around all the rooms in my mind. Ideas drifting in and out, nothing taking perch, so wonderful. 

By the end of the walk there were blue skies behind all those puffy clouds. 

P.S. We finally got around to watching News of the World (with Tom Hanks) this weekend. If you are looking for what Angie would call a "nice" movie, where there is some suspense but not off the chart, some hard moments but no gratuitous violence, and things work out how you hope in the end, this is a movie for you. We liked it very much. 

where you catch the scent of the fruit on a breeze every once in a while

Today I had the great pleasure of going to The Quilters Guild of Greater Kansas City's 2022 Quilt Show. Such a wonderful display of work by a group of local, talented, artists. There was something for everyone. I'll just show a few of my favorites. 

After studying the one below in great detail, we decided we needed to have a Prairie Makers session focused on sewing strips then cutting and re-positioning them in various ways. It's so interesting to study the details and figure out how they go together up close... and the effect from afar. 

The "shadow" effect below, followed by the red and white with the "pinwheel peppermint candy" are wonderful examples of the optical illusions created in piecing. 

Below is more of that sewing strips together and cutting and re-arranging. I am completely enamored with the thought of playing around with that, not to mention these "modern" Christmas fabrics. I have also seen many renditions of trees on quilts through the years and feel there could be one in my future. Sometime. Maybe.  

So many ideas. I am so glad to have like-minded friends who also get ridiculously excited by the idea of "making" quilts. 

I had to skip the farmers market today but did treat myself to a ridiculously good, and most unusual latte at Second Best Coffee on 85th and Wornall - the "EZPZ latte", which is a latte with the addition of a housemade apricot, lemon, vanilla syrup . They call it "summer in a latte". Fabulous. It's like drinking a vanilla latte while sitting at a picnic table, out in an apricot orchard, where you catch a hint of the scent of the fruit on a breeze every once in a while. 

and learned to make killer corn on the cob on the grill

Are you guys all back to big family get togethers? I can't recall when all the Mulvenon's last met up for family fun. Maybe 2019 when we did a family trip to Breckenridge? Beth and Carl's recent drive out from Philadelphia prompted this picnic in the park. Which is why you are being subjected to family photos. 

The grandkids are getting taller than their parents and grandparents, but they still like to play. 



Alice isn't too tall yet, she's still a wee one and she thinks pushing the bigger kids is the most fun. 

All us old folks look the same. In our minds anyway. 





I don't know how these nieces and nephews turned into adults, and learned to make killer corn on the cob on the grill. But there you have it. 

Dylan is still 8 in my mind and I don't know what he thinks he is doing dating.



Meanwhile, back at home, these sunflowers are so pretty you have to look at them again. Always seeking to inform, I looked up a name for them. It seems they are called "strawberry blonde". 







Consider that your factoid for the day. 

gardening with a cat is like playing bingo with a kid

Some random thing filling my days lately have included the following. Barry (the newest Harvey Boy) came over to help with some garden chores out back the other day. I took his picture, sort of like a "first day of gardening helper school" photo. Gardening with a cat is like playing bingo with a kid. You forget how much fun it is until your are doing it with an enthusiastic partner. Barry approaches everything in the garden like it could be a lizard or a grasshopper. 

Sixty degree mornings make for most excellent walks.  On this one I passed 2 birdwatchers wearing the cutest sundresses ever. It was reminiscent of seeing a woman riding a bike in a dress, with a basket on the front containing perhaps a loaf of French bread and flowers, maybe a book and a blanket, picnic for one? Oh joy. 

I made corn muffins. Because Chris told me the cornmeal was going to "expire" in October. Having a bunch of corn muffins in the freezer is as good as having brownies in the freezer. Either make a a ho-hum meal better. Not that  we ever have ho-hum meals here at Tall Tales Headquarters. 

These sunflowers are mesmerizing. As in I could stare at them for long periods of time. 

Like I said at the outset, totally random.

why not do three instead of just one

The most important thing you need to know about the market on Saturday is I discovered broccoli sprouts. Yes, you heard me.

Before you turn your nose up, please see how I used them below. Pumpernickel toast, avocado with lime juice, sprouts, fried egg, salt & pepper, V-8 on the side. I read something recently about how healthy they are for you but I bought them for the great texture and flavor they add to avocado toast. 

My second favorite thing were these lovely sunflowers, sold to me by the lady wearing the super cool scarf on her head. Gosh I do so love a cleverly tied scarf - anywhere on the body. 





The tuberose's were also fabulous.



In the careful shopper category, this fellow evaluating the tomatoes was just the best. I love his careful technique of selecting each one and then carefully placing it on the scale.

The most beautiful thing in a jar was this honey. All lined up, row after row of thick golden amber. 



Carrots are my new thing. This week I got 3 bunches. I mean if I am going to roast them why not do 3 instead of just one? 

Peaches? Yes, thank you very much.



Can't you just see a big bowl of potato salad made from all these colors of little potatoes? Skins left on of course. Plenty of pickles, onions, eggs, maybe a jalapeño or two? 



She was in front of me in line for a piece of banana-maple cake. When I whispered to her (so no one would hear, because you don't really say things like that to a kid), that if there was only one piece left, it was mine, she said "we'll see about that lady". 



Happily there was an entire cake left when we placed our orders.



This is banana CAKE, not bread. Extra moist, super charged banana flavor, plus frosting. The end. 

if you don't have a friend who is almost 99 years old

Things I am appreciating, enjoying, investigating. That's what this post is about. 

If you don't have a friend who is almost 99 years old, can I suggest you go out and find one? Then be sure and schedule regular meet-ups to talk about important stuff - like getting over the part of us that always thinks we should be "doing" something. Marti Huff makes life better and I am grateful to this day that she wrote up a contract to make me an honorary member of the family.  

In the enjoying arena, unless you have a field of zinnia's of your own (though other flowers would also work),  you can not imagine the sheer pleasure of going out to cut every few days and putting together fresh arrangements. Whatever strikes your fancy gets cut.

Below I am appreciating AND enjoying this short cooler spell we are having which makes needlepoint on the front porch wonderful. At all times of the day. The natural light is the best. 

It's about to be full on bougainvillea time here. When it's hot and sticky and things are melting and fading, it is at it's finest. 



I requested my local library buy Finna by Nate Marshall, sometime in the last year. I think I mentioned it here before. You know how when you read a poem that touches something in you, a shared experience that somehow the poet has found a way to say that makes you want to shout YES! This isn't that book or that poem. This is a collection of words and sentences put together in a way that touch you for a whole lot of other reasons. I do not have the words to do it justice. Just go get it.

Then settle in for a lesson on language. HIGHLY recommended. 

no matter where that happens to be on the globe

Today, after instructing every one of my aches and pains to remain at home, I set out for a walk at the Baker Wetlands. There were multitudes of birds singing in 7 part harmony, with no conductor in site. I also witnessed a snowy white egret in a solo performance as it took flight, headed for who knows where. 

At 7:15 it was 63 degrees out. The absolute perfect temperature for a walk.

As I crossed a bridge, I saw a rock perched on top of the railing. Carefully painted and placed for just the right person to find. Today it was me. Tomorrow who knows. 

I love thinking about the maker as she was painting, deciding where to leave it, imagining the finder. I sent my appreciation telepathically with lots of hearts and balloons.

The natural world is my favorite place to be on earth, no matter where that happens to be on the globe.

stuff those zucchini blossoms and flash fry them

This fella was a bit hesitant (initially) to stand by the sign that demonstrates how the family mill operates. He warmed up pretty quickly though, and soon we were on a first-name basis.  Next week I will ask him to tell me about his role in the operation. I'm sure it's substantial. 

Other new things at the market this week included watermelon and canteloupe.

I was delighted the peaches were still there.  

Mr. Peters told me that one of the best ways to eat them is to cut them in half, scoop out the pit, put them on the grill for a few minutes, and top with vanilla ice cream. He also said they would likely have them through August. Hurrah.

I spotted this pony-tail as I walked in to the market this morning. Her mom said she would only let Dad do her hair this morning. I think he did a fine job. I didn't think she could be any cuter, then she turned around.  

Elderberry-lemon cake was featured this week. At this point I pretty much HAVE to get a piece every week. 

I also got some strawberry lemonade to have on the porch, under the fan, while I listen to the birds. Citrus vodka, lots of ice, splash of Chambord to be added... maybe.

Colorful peppers, luscious tomatoes, the cutest zucchini you ever did see, and flowers were also on display at the market. I want someone to stuff those zucchini blossoms and flash fry them for me, I will take the zucchini itself on the side, maybe spiralized with a drizzle of olive oil, black pepper, and a generous sprinkle of aged grated pecorino Romano. 

There was also Ms. Kansas Agritourism. Promoting all things agricultural in the state of Kansas. She wears the crown well. 

Lunches this week will include spinach pie from my friends at Lebanese Flower. He told me this batch might be "a little bit hot", which sounded great to me.  

I got another batch of sunflowers since last weeks were so nice, a new bottle of honey from Anthony, and that's a wrap on the Saturday market. Until next week. 

I don't tell people I am going to make a masterpiece of their likeness

This past weekend the Oh My Gouache class met on Sunday and did some ZOOM painting together. In our previous sessions we have tackled portraits and I have been practicing on everyone. Taking quick screen shots in ZOOM meetings gives an opportunity for all sorts of expressions and angles to be captured. I don't tell people I am going to make a masterpiece of their likeness.  I just do my thing. 

This week the topic was landscapes and it was great fun. I wish I had a week after each of these sessions to immerse myself totally in doing nothing but eat, drink, sleep, and paint... but that's not life and it does not stop me from painting when I can, how I do, and the outcome is not judged too harshly.  

If you want to see "pretty", let's look at the sunflowers from the farmers market.   

On the reading/listening front I finally finished all 8 episodes of the Trojan Horse Affair podcast. Wow. That is investigative journalism at a very high level.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Link below if you are interested in listening. Each episode is around 40 minutes or so. I loved all the conclusions they drew at the end, about what happened, about each other, about expectations. Link provided below.

The Trojan horse Affair podcast

Last but not least here are some of this week's zinnia clippings. 

I rather like the pale peach colored ones in the very center. Almost as much as I liked Barry (the newest Harvey boy) coming to let me pet him while I was cutting them. 

when they are sold by smiling vendors with sunflower masks and cool glasses

This accordion player added extra goodness to the farmers market in Lawrence this weekend.

He was positioned right next to the brown butter peach cake ... 

...which of course I had to try. 

There was also a basket of peaches from Mrs. Peters. As long as peaches are in season, a basket comes home every Saturday. I remain hooked on them for breakfast. The whole concept of eating seasonally has come late to me. But boy is there something to be said for it. A juicy peach picked (for me) the day before it comes to market is unbeatable. 

 Sunflowers are in season too. In many different forms.

I haven't met one that I don't like. Especially when they are sold by smiling vendors with sunflower masks and cool glasses.



The morning light on this basket of basil was simple perfection, as were the bundled carrots and the beautiful purple eggplants. 

My favorite sign this week is below.

Lately I have taken note of several booths with lemonade. I am always in a coffee frame of mind early in the morning at the market, but as I write this, I am thinking I need to take a mason jar to put some in next week. How delicious would that be on the porch, in the shade, in the afternoon after waking up from a nice weekend nap? With lots of ice and maybe some kind of fresh herb thrown in for good measure. 





As I write this, the cucumbers and onions have been pickled and are in jars in the refrigerator. The green beans were boiled for just a few minutes and a bit of butter, salt, and a squeeze of lemon went on top.  The cake has been sampled and I am giving it 2 thumbs up. 

These carrots will be roasted tomorrow. Really simply with salt, pepper, and olive oil. I did a bundle of these like that in Lincoln last weekend and they were incredible. 

The sunflowers are perfect next to the zinnias don't you think? My friend Jamie gave me that vase with the long skinny neck a few years ago - absolutely perfect for long stemmed flowers. I love that she knew I needed it.  

this time I mean it

Through the years, during zinnia season, there have been postings where I have declared one specific zinnia my absolute favorite. Today, an addition to that list is this hot orange number with lavender on the tips of its petals towards the center. 

You will notice the queen lime reds along with all those wonderful pink/fuchsia colors. They are special too. 

But seriously, and this time I mean it, the orange with lavender is really my absolute, final, selection for favorite.  

Until I see a different bloom next week.  

Sharron recommended it

With some trepidation, but trusting the recommendation of a friend, I recently picked up Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, from the library. 

I am certainly glad I listened. On my own, this would have most likely passed me by. I am not typically a fan of futuristic tales of the world ending and what life is like for survivors, but Sharron recommended it, and we tend to have similar tastes in books. 

I'll not go into great detail about who's who and what's what. There's a pandemic, the world as we know it changes drastically, most people die, some survive, they get on with life the best they can. It follows a group of characters over a span of years, allowing the reader to see how some cope with death and some with survival. There are some unbelievable/coincidental connections through the years (it's a book, that's allowed). 

In the middle of a pandemic, it's quite interesting to read a book written in 2014 about a fictional pandemic. 

Recommended. Thanks Sharron for the heads up about it. 

 

in case you want to cook up your own perfect get away weekend

When we went to Lincoln to the quilt museum this was our home base. Because why wouldn't you want to rent a house that looks like this? We were operating under the "you only live once" principal. There was not a book with the history of the house and its former occupants contained in the home (that we could find anyway), but we used our imagination and made up (really excellent) stories. 

There was a visit to a local restaurant where we started with grilled peaches, lemon ricotta, basil/arugula, crispy prosciutto, balsamic and honey.  The moaning after each bite was done as quietly as possible to avoid being asked to leave. Every single thing was wonderful. If you go to the quilt museum, DISH restaurant on O street is the perfect place for dinner. 

While I am on the topic of food, we had a wonderful appetizer spread for dinner at home one night - a personal favorite for supper. Please note that we did not let the lack of a vase in the house stop us from making flower arrangements to put us in a festive frame of mind.

We checked out The Mill coffee and tea and LOVED these Wheat Paste Murals on the building! Done by Nebraska artists - they were striking. I wish I had captured more images, but you get the idea. 

There was time for a morning neighborhood walk to check out all of the unique homes with their great porches.  I love a neighborhood with all kinds of different houses and yards.

At the quilt museum we stumbled upon these reclaimed wood "quilts" by Laura Petrovich-Cheney. Oh! What we wouldn't give for a pile of unclaimed old painted lumber, safety glasses, a power saw, and a big table to play around with pieces on. Here is more about her and her work. 

In addition to knitting and stitching, we also made time in the mornings for yoga on the wide front porch and wine sipping in the early evening while we sat in the rocking chairs.  

These details are provided as a partial list of ingredients in case you want to cook up your own perfect get away weekend.  

whatever superlative you use to describe an amazing experience...

This weekend, Ann and I ventured up to Lincoln Nebraska to check out the Red and White exhibit at the International Quilt Museum. Shut The Front Door! Holy Smokes! %$&%*! Insert whatever superlative you use to describe an amazing experience... and this is what this exhibit was like.

Apparently there are 652 quilts in the entire collection. This display contained maybe 100... which was just the perfect amount.  More than this would have overwhelmed.  As it was this allowed us to ooh and ahhh and "look at this!" about all of them.







Some of these designs we had never seen before. Not that we are quiltologists or anything... but to be surprised by the unexpected brilliance of some of these makers was mind blowing.







We really enjoyed the variety of ways in which they were displayed for viewing.  







I was struck by the fact that the makers of these quilts were mostly unable to be identified. It seems a shame that these masterpieces did not have a history of the maker (photo included) right by them. 







I hope their spirits were hovering close and they heard every single thing we said about how unbelievably amazing their art is. If you are in the area, and love quilting, you MUST see this. I think the exhibit is up until mid September.