Tall Tales from Kansas

it makes the whole house smell like Christmas

Chris and I went out to Pendletons Country Market on Sunday to check out the open house/holiday soiree that hold annually after Thanksgiving. The main draw for me is always the poinsettias. Their's are the best. Hands down.  

Here is the one I came home with, though I did love the cream and pink one above. Quite a lot. 

The second big reason we go out is to get some of this incredibly fragrant greenery. It makes the whole house smell like Christmas, even though you may have a tree that comes up from the basement each year. 

There were other vendors there with holiday wares for sale too. Lots of fun items to look at.

Some year I must try my hand at tending an amaryllis.

My FAVORITE thing at the whole place was this velvety-soft, shoulder-sitting, teeny-tiny kitty cat. Oh he was sweet. Unfortunately my photo did not do him justice.  

I will have to try for a better shot on a future visit. Which he agreed was an excellent idea by the way. 

holiday mugs were rotated

Instead of black Friday'ing, small business Saturday'ing, super savings Sunday'ing, and cyber Monday'ing, I did a little of this and a little of that these last few days. There was some putting away and some taking out. 

 The water was changed in the "cuttings to root" jar, holiday mugs were rotated.

A Christmas CD was played, the tree was brought up, a new knitting project begun.

Consequently, I did not get big savings, free shipping, or any of those other "one of a kind", amazing, offers. 

There was time though to enjoy a cranberry cinnamon whiskey sour. I tweaked this recipe to make it a bit less sour and thus more to my liking. This is a lovely holiday drink, perfect with a spiced nut or a plain pretzel. 

1 1/2 oz bourbon
1 oz cranberry juice
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
1 cinnamon stick

Throw all that in a shaker with ice, shake well, pour into a glass - unstrained, add a slice of orange for garnish and an extra cinnamon stick if you so desire. 

P.S. EVERYday is small business Saturday in my book. 

a boost to my inner maker's gas tank

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is that Bizarre Bazaar is the Saturday afterwards. I do so love strolling through the artists tables and looking at their creative energy manifested in something I may want to buy. 

I bought a Dolly Parton ornament from her last year. This year she had these dog/cat images that reminded me of quilts and puzzles all at the same time. 

Her pottery was just lovely. 

Liza MacKinnon's paper dresses are fanciful, detailed, imaginative. 

Nan Renbarger, my favorite sock dyer was there. Luckily for sister who was needing new ones. I always have to get a new pair for myself as well. 

The work of printmaker, Theresa Martin caught my eye this year.  

There were cool pillows and scarves on display.

Who doesn't know a new baby that needs a tie-dyed onsie? 

Below is the young woman who got my award for best patron who looks like an artist at the show.

This quilting that incorporated needle felting was wonderful. 

Here is some of what I came home with... along with a boost to my inner makers gas tank.

I simply love looking at the work of other artists and the opportunity to appreciate what they are putting out into the world. 

a grand total of 19 dishtowels

On Thanksgiving at Tall Tales headquarters, the sun rose nicely after an early morning sprinkle, the bacon /date /rosemary /honey /goat cheese /cream cheese/ appetizer turned out perfectly, all 14 family members were in fine health and good spirits, Eleanor learned how to play Farkle, and we all got to make fools of ourselves with Alice the toddler.

Minimal photos were taken, there was not time in between the cooking, filling the water glasses, opening the wine, slicing the turkey, and eating the pumpkin pie. All my worries were for naught. The day, the dinner, the festivities went off without a hitch. Everyone pitched in to do the dishes and put everything away. We set a record this year using a grand total of 19 dishtowels. Yes, I counted this morning when I was folding them. 

Tonight I have picked out a silly Netflix movie to watch while we sit with our feet up and feel thankful for this life that we are living. Best wishes for smooth travel for all of you driving, flying, taking a bus, train, or perhaps even a boat home.

this did turn out like I thought it would

My "Color Affection" shawl was cast off, soaked, blocked, and modeled this week.

This pattern is by Veera Välimäki and it was a joy to knit. I cobbled together some yarns in my stash (with a helpful donation from a friends stash) and came up with enough yarn to make it work. 

You will forgive the over sharing of photos but I couldn't pick less to show you.  Sometimes you start knitting something on a lark and as you go along you tell yourself "I think I might really like this", or "I hope this turn out like I think it's going to".  This did turn out like I thought it would, AND at this moment, I like it just fine. It's light but cozy and warm. The fall grasses were the perfect background for the photos. Thanks Chris. 

you are part of a community who gets it

Even though I am working part time these days, I did work today and am also working tomorrow. Working the 2 days before the holiday means planning the whole Thanksgiving thing out meticulously. It is important when you host to have lists. Lists upon lists. Cleaning lists, shopping lists, cooking lists. Cleaning began last week. Why do we feel the need to clean our house as if our family and friends are going to be going over things with a white glove? Why, in our minds, when we are cleaning, do we think our guests will find some fault, and get irritated in advance when no one has even walked through the front door? What is THAT?

We made charts with what we were each doing in the days ahead. Monday for me was silverware polishing, good china washing, all the glassware rinsed, dried, checked for spots, table linens inspected. Chris has been cleaning the garage, taking the screens down before the window washers come, vacuuming like a fiend, disinfecting the bathrooms!

Tonight he said, "when the guests leave on Friday we are going to sit on our butts and not do anything for 3-4 days". I seconded the motion and it carried. Then we decided that maybe if we did a deep cleaning 3 times a year when we are not on a deadline, it might be easier. Inside, even though I am the one that suggested it, I was laughing my head off. Clean without a specific reason to be cleaning? Sheer madness. 

All this to say, if you are hosting this Thanksgiving Chris and I are standing with you in solidarity. As you clean, as you cook, as you think about how many cocktails and glasses of wine you will have on the big day, please know that we have your back. We agree with every crazy thought in your head, we endorse your feelings of irritation. When you are about to explode, picture us in your head nodding, putting our arms around your shoulders, telling you what a good human you are, and finally, reminding you that you are part of a community who gets it. 

If I have missed some element of the travail that is hosting a holiday function, please add it in the comments. It will make me feel less like a small minded person. 

P.S. If you are someone coming to our house for Thanksgiving dinner, you are the person it is a pure joy to cook and clean for and we don't begrudge you the work one teeny tiny bit. 

before we were old enough to walk to the library

Over the last three nights, right before drifting off to sleep, I have been reading Baby Island. First published in 1937, it's the story of two sisters, Mary and Jean, who are on an ocean liner on the way to Australia to meet up with their dad. The ship starts to sink so they are put on a lifeboat and somehow end up with 4 babies as well. So there they are, alone in a boat, on the open sea, with 4 babies to take care of. You can figure it out from there.

But here's the deal, it took me right back to 1967 or so, walking to the library to check out books, racing home to read them. Stuff like Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames, the Bobbsey Twins, you get the idea. Simple stories where things worked out in the end. My great appetite for reading began with simple stories. Before we were old enough to walk to the library, mom would read us short stories/fairy tales from books that I still have. 

Most of you will NOT enjoy reading this, unless - like me, you want to be transported back to the past and can tolerate a lot of unbelievable scenarios. I thought it was great fun. Thank you Diane Perin for mentioning it on your blog where it caught my attention. 

he was married to a showgirl, Agnes Rosina King Franks

No farmers market post this weekend... because I did not go to the last farmers market of the season. For absolutely no good reason other than it was coldy-cold (my word for bone chilling cold), the wind was blowing, and the fireplace was calling my name. 

I am finishing up this very satisfying knit and may also have just wanted to sit, and work on it. 

In news from Kansas, it's important to report in on the beginning of birthday week (#99) for Marti Huff.

We celebrated with lunch at Browne's Irish Market in Kansas City. The potato soup is velvety smooth but still with small chunks of potato for chewing and a sprinkling of cheese on top. You must have a Browne's Reuben on the side and don't get just a half. Get a whole sandwich because the next day when you are having the second half for lunch you are going to thank me. Even with carrots on the side instead of the soup, it's fabulous. Toasted marble rye bread, a healthy stacking of corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and just the right amount of dressing so it's not dripping wet. Perfection. 

As usual, we had good conversation and lots of laughs. When I told Marti I had recently heard a quote from Oscar Wilde about... learning to love yourself because it's the beginning of a lifelong romance... she proceeded to tell us about her grandfather, Ernest Russell Franks, and how he sometimes divulged secrets about parties on a houseboat on the Thames with his pals John Burroughs, Oscar Wilde, and James Whistler.  By the way, he was married to a showgirl, Agnes Rosina King Franks, who was in the original production of Gilbert and Sullivan's, The Mikado, at the Savoy theatre in London. I simply love these strings of connection to the past through people I know. It brings history to life in a most wonderful way. Thanks for this little gem Marti. 

The rule about not buying any eggnog until after Thanksgiving was broken this weekend when I saw a bottle from Hildebrand's dairy, in Topeka, on the shelf next to the half and half. One small glass along with the first cup of morning coffee makes for a most excellent start to days off between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This may be the year I realize that it's best to plan on 2 bottles for the month of December. 

In the list of things that have made me happy this past week, there was also this fabulous sunset out the back door.

And just one more thing, Chris is downstairs in the kitchen right now cooking up a big pot of chicken and noodles for supper, AND I am off tomorrow. Happy Sunday night all.  

a perfect way to start the day

This was recent hike at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, where parts of the trail are paved, others are not. It feels removed from the city except for the occasional traffic noise, and best of all, it's never crowded.  There are plenty of areas that go up and down to get the ticker pounding and to keep the knee's in shape, but you take it at your own pace. I love how the sky changes so much even in the course of one hour on a morning hike. 

The temperatures were cool but not blustery on this morning, which meant I was not scurrying along. There was time to admire the stacked stone fence, twirling leaves from a sawtooth oak, the occasional call of a red bird,  the crunching as my feet moved over the path through the leaves. All in all a perfect way to start the day. 

a little snippet of a story

After listening to Ann Patchett recently, on a quick instagram post from Parnassus books in Nashville (I thoroughly enjoy listening to her thoughts on books), I got The Shell Collector from the library. It's a collection of short stories by Anthony Doerr, author of All The Light We Cannot See. 

What I love about a short story is that it's just a little snippet of a story, a quick glimpse, and then the door closes. You don't really know what comes after, but you wonder... more than I usually do with a complete novel that generally has an "ending" of sorts. I enjoyed some of these stories more than others. My absolute favorites were The Hunter's Wife and Mkondo. Such unusual stories, so well written, such interesting characters.

If you like a short story, check this collection out. Let me know what you think. 

so many potential applications in future projects

The Prairie Makers met last month in Lawrence for a serious discussion about all things having to do with creating - thinking about, starting, finishing, showing, telling... all about our projects. 

Ann had just finished this fabulous quilt. Isn't it wonderful? I love the curvy lines of it and the fabulous border that frames it so perfectly. 

Ann and Pam and I recently took a "faces" quilt class taught by Jean Impey. Here are our creations in various stages of completion. 

So here's the deal about this ... while it's not really my "style" in terms of a project, I learned so much from the class. Things about spontaneous piecing and free motion quilting and using that heavy black thread for "outlining" areas.  

My absolute favorite thing about this little face is the BACK!

How cool is that, and with so many potential applications in future projects.  We also talked about QuiltCon 2023. I love seeing what everyone posts from there.  We are kicking around a field trip to Atlanta in February to check it out for ourselves. If you have been, how did you like it? 

the hope and uncertainty that is gardening

A recent morning stroll in the neighborhood, there was a great blue heron standing like a statue in the middle of this pond right before I took the photo. There is something so beautiful to me about mist rising from a body of water. Not to mention the sky and clouds with their mirror image on the surface of the pond. 

These wonderful walking temperatures are going by the wayside, to be replaced by the need for hats, gloves, and flannel lined jeans. But while they are here we take advantage. 

In the last few days the remaining zinnias have been cut down. Dried flower heads opened and sprinkled in the earth, covered with leaves, waiting for rain to gently ease them into the soil safely where they may or may not emerge again come spring. I love the hope and uncertainty that is gardening. Nothing is guaranteed, just like the rest of life. 

it makes dusting such a pleasure

On an October adventure in Kansas City, my friend Mary Joan and I stumbled across this marvelous little shop, Homesong Market. 

If you are local, or here on an adventure, it's in Brookside at 6213 Oak Street. There are many interesting local shops in Brookside. You could spend the whole day there if you start at the Roasterie Cafe, check out the shops, go for a neighborhood walk, and then have lunch. 

There were many items to love at this spot (handmade brooms!) but the thing I could not resist, that I remain most excited about, is my feather duster. 

Don't laugh! It makes dusting such a pleasure. I think the idea of a feather duster snuck into my head when I was watching Mrs. Harris goes to Paris and when I saw them in the store I knew it was meant to be.  

P.S. In case you are wondering, Susan Hubbard (of Geneva Lake Wisconsin) invented the feather duster in 1876. It's important to keep useless facts like this around in your head, you never know when they may come in handy. 

Helpful links: homesong market

the wonderful flavors of a locally grown lettuce mix

It was a cold one this past Saturday at the market. When its in the 20's and cloudy, it's hard to climb out of a warm bed and grab the basket and head out to see who is there and what they have.

With all that said, I am extremely glad I went - especially for that bag of lettuce you see above! The days of a fresh bag of lettuce are numbered and once you get accustomed to the wonderful flavors of a locally grown lettuce mix, it's hard to go back to the grocery store stuff.

I snapped the lettuce guy's photo while he chatted with the next customer about the benefits of healthy eating.

In the event that the Lebanese flower folks are not out next week, I loaded up on some spinach pie to pop in the freezer... and of course some baklava. 

Anthony had to take off his gloves to count the money for my honey purchase. 

She had her produce carefully covered but was happy to remove for inspection. I got my fine butternut squash here. 

The coffee guys were in a fine frame of mind - and why not. They were selling what we all wanted to be holding in our cold hands.

The Chonky Sweets and Eats guys were there. Extra cranberry orange scones were purchased to be carefully rationed over the winter.   

Yes, Black Forest cake too.  

Next Saturday, 11/19 is the last official day of the market season, but it's supposed to be even colder, hence my extra purchases for the freezer this week.  The Holiday market is on December 10th this year from 9-4pm at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. I love supporting our local farmers but really my choice about buying local is more about the quality of the goods they are selling. 

the leaves!

Post #4 of  "things I didn't get to show you while Typepad was down", because the leaves people, the leaves!

I read something somewhere in which someone said that this was not going to be a good year for fall colors. Perfect example of how unnamed "someone's" should never be trusted. 

we are presented with the possibility that Billy may still be alive

I just finished listening to Watch me Disappear by Janelle Brown. It held my attention through all 13.5 hours. So much so in fact, that I brought it in from the car and listened to the last 2 CD's on my portable CD player. Yes they do still make such a thing.

In short, it's the story of Billy Flanagan, her husband Jonathan, and their 15 year old daughter Olive. Billy disappears while on a solo hiking expedition and we arrive on the scene at about the one year anniversary of her disappearance. Jonathan and Olive are grieving, there are some money troubles that would be aided by the issuing of a formal death certificate, and we are presented with the possibility that Billy may still be alive. 

This is the first Janelle Brown novel I have read. You will tell me of course if you have read others and think I should give them a try. The thing about this story is it could have gone down a winding road to a disappointing ending. But it did not. For me, that is always a sign of a good writer. 

Recommended. 

to protect the citizens of Lawrence should the need arise...

The Saturday before Halloween, there was trick-or-treating at the market. Cinderella, minus the glass slippers, plus the sensible pink boots and sturdy cat bag for collecting treats, may have been my favorite, but truth be told, it was hard to choose.

The brother/sister duo with their "alien monster masks" were also spectacular. 

Harry Potter, witches, skeletons, butterflies, and space warriors were all represented in the costume arena.

Some of the vendors were also costumed making the whole thing more festive. There MUST be at least one Dorothy outfit at a Halloween event in Kansas.  High marks to her for the WHOLE outfit.  I mean seriously - the shoes!

Just so you know, I did more than just look at costumes. There was this pumpcculent that jumped into my basket and 4 apple cider muffins.  They were a puff of wonderful apple flavor encapsulated in cinnamon sugar. A most excellent accompaniment to a nice cup of coffee after my basket was unloaded.  AND warty pumpkins! I am a fan of the gnarly, warty, bumpy, pumpkin. 

As I was about to leave the market, Batman strolled up the alley, on guard to protect the citizens of Lawrence should the need arise.

Do not be fooled by his pint sized appearance. 

I talked with Mrs. Peters about her cleverly packaged sugar cookies and frostings... all ready for an afternoon of fun playing around with most of the work done for you.  For the life of me I can't explain why I didn't buy a box for Chris and I to decorate. If she has them next week, I'm getting some.  For sure!

P.S. It acceptable to post about halloween for as long as you want to when typepad has been down for a week. It's also ok to keep your Halloween decorations up until your guests arrive for Thanksgiving.  

golden, toasty, ginger colors

This is a recent hike at Clinton lake. It was a windy one, but mostly it's about taking some time to notice the change of seasons near the water. 

The grasses and wildflowers have turned golden, toasty, ginger colors. 

Hedgeballs aka osage oranges are plentiful for those of us that enjoy hedgeball bowling this time of year. 

I am hopeful that the ability to upload photos this evening signals a return to uninterrupted service from Typepad. I am crossing my fingers but not holding my breath. I know there have been times previously when I have gone 5-6 days without doing a post, but when you WANT to do a post but CAN'T do a post that's a totally different situation.  It's all about the mindset right? Anyhoo, I am glad to be back.

typepad issues ongoing

This is a quick update to let you all know that I have had some wonderful fall photos to post and stories to tell over the last 6 days. However, Typepad began a "migration" to a new platform on October 29th. We are now entering the 6th day of what was to have been a 12 hour shutdown.  We are assured they are as frustrated as we are by the lack of ability to access our blog, upload photos, etc, and that they are working diligently to resolve it. As soon as service is restored, posts here at Tall Tales from Kansas will resume.