Tall Tales from Kansas

I will wait for him by the cake

Today I said YES to a pumpcullent and a piece of pumpkin spice latte cake. Two very good things. But before I show you other things let me tell you about something I did not get a picture of. 

Respecting the "I don't think his parents would want me to let you" I did not photograph the very cute boy, sitting in the back of a wagon, being pulled by his grandmother who was busy getting flowers. He happened to be eating an oatmeal pie and so our conversation began with that.

Me: What does that taste like?
Him: GOOD
Me: Is it more salty or sweet?
Him: Salty
Me: What else do you like from the place where you got that? (Chonky Bakers)
Him: Everything they have is good (there were 2 other brown bags from them in the wagon)
Me: Who brought you to the farmers market?
Him: my grandma, I have 2, one is DeeDee and one is Nana
Me: What is your favorite part about coming to the market?
Him: Just coming

We exchanged names and I told him I hoped I would see him again at the market. He smiled and said "ok". We didn't arrange anything, but I will wait for him by the cake. 

The fall flowers are beautiful. 

My regular peach/apple vendor was not at the market this week so I branched out and tried something new.

I had one of these Farot's with my breakfast. I had not heard of them before - "the were developed in the 1940's at the University of Missouri" I was told.  Very close to the Jonathans I have been getting, a bit less sweet, but really crisp and the perfect amount of tartness. When you are buying from an organic farmer you mustn't expect an apple to look like what you get at the grocery store... but you should expect for it to be delicious. These were.

Above was a discussion about sweet potatoes, below was a lot of laughing.

When I ask someone to take their picture and they pull out a perfect pose, I LOVE it.

Almost as much as I loved this woman's tee shirt. She told me she had lots of them. I can't imagine one better than this one, but I will be watching. 

There were beautiful heirloom tomatoes, colorful corn decor, and lovely Swiss chard. I spotted a new local honey that will have to be tried. 

As I was leaving the market, I saw these "gourdaments" and had to turn around and walk back into the market.

I think you will agree that one was needed on my porch.

All in all a most excellent day at the market. 

P.S. Not to tempt you or anything, but I bet they will have more pumpcullents next week. You can look at these to start to get an idea of the one you might want. 

all of these things I saw

On this recent, early morning hike, the Baker wetlands were cocooned in a light mist, making it the perfect place for a walk that showed off the artistry of all the overnight, spinning spiders. It was so quiet, except for a few honking geese, and the occasional call of western meadowlark.

On mornings like this I am knocked over the head with my extreme good fortune at being right here, right now. 

As the sun rose, the sunflowers were a spectacular side show to the main attraction that were the webs.

Get a look at the size of that bumble bee.  





Other sites included the white flash of a deer's tail as he sprung out in front of me and crossed the path and snails carrying their shells to who knows where.  

I want to know yet I don't want to know how this is going to play out

Book # 8 in the Inspector Gamache series does not take place in Three Pines and it does not involve a full team of investigators from the Sûreté du Québec. Instead, this story unfolds in a monastery, where they specialize in Gregorian chants and aside from that live in isolation and silence. Until one of the monks is murdered.

Then Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir are dispatched to solve the crime. We are given a deeper look into the corruption in the top ranks of the Sûreté and the sense of optimism that we feel near the beginning of the story has disappeared by the end. It is a turn I did not see coming. 

I'm not sure how long I will be able to wait until I dive into installment #9. I want to know, yet I don't want to know how this is going to play out.

I also want to listen to some Gregorian Chants. 

As always, very highly recommended.

balancing a grocery bag on each handlebar

Here are some favorite things that happened around these parts lately: 

Lots of local Jonathan apples were eaten. Some were chopped, others sliced, most picked up and eaten right off the core. 

Of course there were zinnia moments. Every day I find a new favorite.

Nancy and I met on the playground at recess (coffeeshop date) and talked non-stop for an hour and did not even scratch the surface of all the things... more dates planned. Next time I am going to get a picture of the most amazing white shirt she was wearing. Also, we had "morning buns". Get one if you go to 1900 Barker on Mass for coffee. 

Butternut squash got roasted. Just olive oil, and the salt/pepper/wine/spice blend my nephew Sean makes for us for Christmas every year. I can eat it hot right off the sheet pan or cold out of the refrigerator, but I like it best added to salads. Some roasted squash, nuts, and cranberries added to greens are a perfect fall salad. 



Not all the good stuff got photographed, because that's how life unfolds. One of my favorite sights, was on the way home from the farmers market on 9/23 at 7:59am at the intersection of 19th and Massachusetts streets - there was a man with gray hair, riding his bicycle, balancing a grocery bag on each handlebar, while smoking a cigarette AND intermittently sipping coffee from a to-go cup. He was fearless. I was in awe. 

This cloud formation reflected the rising sun, I was glad to be a witness. 

The European starlings were meeting from points near and far, right down by the church of the glassy river for a competition. Those birds know how to make some noise.

Lastly the bougainvillea out back is finally starting to do something. It has not been a spectacular bloomer.

Maybe in the next weeks before the first frost it will really come on strong. But even if it doesn't, I will enjoy what it produces. 

I may have gone overboard on the mini gourds

Bittersweet wreath anyone? Pendletons had them at the market on Saturday. Likely they have a good supply of them out at the farm too. Apparently the oriental bittersweet plant is considered to be an invasive species in some locales... but gosh, isn't it just lovely? 

Several varieties of "pumpculents" were on display nearby as well. Last year, mine lasted for months with no care required.  Eventually some of the plants were put in soil and then transferred outside to pots in the summer.  All part of my personal gardening experimentation plan. 

This dress was so cute! I wish I had gotten a video so you could see it "flow" as she walked. Really pretty and I highly approve of the coordinating footwear. 

Hands down, THIS is the best display of radishes I have seen at the market, all the colors, sizes, shapes. 

Then on to the squash and gourd section. Yes, I brought home some honey nut squash. 

Death by chocolate anyone? 

Did I mention these hand-drawn and colored signs last week? If so, it's worth another look.  I LOVE them. 

My haul for the week. I may have gone overboard on the mini gourds this early in the season, but I needed them.

Let me report back on the "joint oil" from a few weeks back.  I think it helps. That or I am fooling myself, but I continue to rub it into my knees twice a day. I also owe you feedback on the "re-energize" juice (carrot/apple/ginger) - wonderful. And while I am at it, this week Thuy (juice garden) gave me some Matcha coconut protein balls to try. I was sure I was not really going to like them. WRONG! I am not a fan of  drinking Matcha tea (too chalky for my taste) but these are excellent. Not to sweet, an entirely different flavor than my other favorites that will now be worked into my rotation. 

The end...

cloud studies

In the hours before we got a little bit of rain the other day, the clouds gathered and moved across the sky in a most pleasing manner. What I really need in my backyard is a "cloud observation" stand - which would consist of a soft mattress, covered with a colorful cloth, maybe a few pillows, that could be rolled out on wheels, locked into place, and upon which I would lie myself down and look up at the sky in total comfort. 

Doesn't that sound like something every home should have? It would also be covered with a cone of complete privacy so no one could watch you while you watched the clouds. 

Whenever I look out and see interesting clouds, I dart out of doors camera in hand, thinking I will capture the most spectacular cloud picture ever. It's important to try. 

Clouds are so pretty, they give shade which cools, at night they can help the earth retain heat, and may carry rain or snow for moisture. Clouds make sunrises and sunsets beautiful. 

Pretty remarkable, and that's without all the scientific information about what they do. 

In my next life I might go to school and specialize in the study of clouds. Just in case my gig as a barista in a bookstore with cats doesn't pan out for some reason. 

their performance this year has been one of the most spectacular ever

The zinnias know their season is coming to a close and want to get it on record that their performance this year has been one of THE most spectacular ever. Especially since most of them were volunteers. To the very end, they are blooming almost faster than I can keep up with. 

I am out daily, unless I am working, deadheading and clipping new stems for arrangements. 

There is absolutely no shortage of blooms from which to pick. The butterflies, bees, moths, grasshoppers, and all manner of other flying things are enjoying them as well. 

I will try not to post new zinnia pictures more than once a week, but no promises are being made. 

the reader by turns empathizes with both perspectives

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones is, as the name implies, the story of a marriage and what happens when the husband is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.  It does not focus on the crime or the legal battle, but rather, as the title implies, what happens between a husband and a wife under these circumstances. We are shown their relationship as a couple, but also hear the individual voices of Roy and Celestial.  

This book is very well written, and the reader by turns empathizes with both perspectives as well as with Andre - the third character in the triangle. The author manages to bring the story to a conclusion which does not leave the reader (at least not this one) irritated by the use of some kind of formulaic ending. 

Highly recommended.

the adult version of recess on the playground

In these last in-between days of late summer and early fall, there are candles inside and outside.

I am having races with myself to finish projects, promising myself the possibility of new creative endeavors to start on.

Just because I have not begun a new year of "school" does not mean my body and mind does not continue to return every year to the idea of new beginnings in the fall. Meanwhile, the leaves are falling and I am arranging coffee dates. Times reserved for holding warm mugs in hands, talking with friends. Coffee talk is the adult version of recess on the playground.

As I take my walks I look forward with great expectation to the full on fall colors, while continuing to enjoy what is happening now. 

Living immediately because our whole future lies in uncertainty. That is a quote from someone, but I'll be darned if I remember who. 

happy almost fall

Fall was on full display at the farmers market this weekend. Orange, yellow, green, round, oblong, bumpy, smooth - whatever your pleasure, in the squash/gourd family, they had it. 

The return of the "mean greens" made me happy.  I like a nice spicy salad mix. 

I had to get these two in their very different neck-wear. They were good sports and went right along with my plan. 

The bittersweet decorating the vendors booths is always so pretty, as well as the abundance of sunflowers and delightful floral arrangements in mini pumpkins. 

Another great thing about fall is that it's "jean jacket wearing" season - but with her it was the super cute skirt and boots that caught my eye.

Some of these Jonathan apples came home with me. Not for cake or crisp making as someone asked me, but rather as the perfect side dish for lunch. I love a small sweet/tartish apple that is just the right size to go with anything else you bring for the midday meal.  

Though I keep swearing I am going to try a PawPaw, I have yet to do it. 

Here is what I brought home Saturday. That butternut squash will be roasted and thrown into salads along with the kale, radishes, and yellow pepper. 

With the greens washed and drying by the sink, I am officially ready for the week. Happy almost fall. 

your own personal choice of words

Another recent glorious walk here in Lawrence. When I turned around, this scene, framed in perfection, demanded to be photographed. 

I could search my brain for all sorts of adjectives to describe this walk, as well as the resulting sense of deep satisfaction when I was done, but I will leave it to your imagination and your own personal choice of words. 

though it is not literary greatness, you do feel something for the characters

This is my latest read, I have been listening to it on CD while I sit upstairs, in a comfy chair, with my back to the window to allow the light to shine directly on my stitching. The Life we Bury, by Allen Eskens, is one of those books you sort of race through (though when you are listening you really can't race) to find out what happens.

The story is one you have heard before, with characters you know from the familiar roles they fill, but nonetheless you listen. Because though it is not literary greatness, you do feel something for the characters and hope that things will turn out like they should, with wrongs being righted and a path for good things to happen in the future. On that basis I will say have a listen. It would make a good book to read on a plane, or a train, but not alone in a cabin in the woods. 

Plus... I swear it made me stitch faster while I was listening. And that, is a very good thing.

I am not reporting it

A mish-mash of good things from the last weeks. Walks, zinnias, the white truffle garlic bread with house made ricotta appetizer, making Barb and Nancy pose at the little cafe table, pickling peppers and making simple syrup, watching a robin who was delighted that I turned on the sprinkler, and eating cake.

One Red Robin, hopping on branches, drinking from cracks in the sidewalk, digging up worms.

More good things than one should be allowed in a short span of time. I am not reporting it though. Except to you.

baking season has begun

It's September and let me admit that I am seriously Jonesing for fall. I already told you that Chris made chili for supper the other night and I am wanting something pumpkin. Too early for pumpkin bread, but bran muffins are always right. Even though I rarely make them, Sister was telling me about some really good ones she likes, so that, and my desire for pumpkin, morphed into a recipe search that yielded a few options.

I followed the recipe below but subbed out 1 cup of the all purpose flour for whole wheat flour. 

I like that these muffins are generous but not HUGE, that they taste like a breakfast muffin - not a cupcake, that the recipe makes 12 (not a ton), that they use the whole can of pumpkin, and they are an equal match between the pumpkin and the bran. All in all a success. I will make them again. What else am I going to do with the rest of that box of all bran cereal? 

I used raisins, not cranberries, but I think either would be good. I thought about putting nuts in them but decided that can wait for the pumpkin bread in October. 

Baking season has begun. Butternut squash bisque can not be far behind. 

Helpful link if the photo of the recipe above is straining your eyes: Pumpkin Bran Muffins

who over 60 doesn't need oil for their joints?

This is what came home in my basket from the farmers market on Saturday.  New things I am trying this week include a re-energize juice (carrot, apple, ginger), protein balls with coffee in them, poblano peppers, and joint oil. It's important to throw new items into the mix regularly. 

These two adventurous junior farmers brought their money with them for a snack. 

Signs of the approach of fall include pumpkins, gourds, and vendors knitting on a pair of mitts.  

These peppers are going to get pickled - and I am throwing a couple of chopped jalapeños into the cornbread muffins that will go with the chili Chris is fixing for supper. 

Why are small potatoes and tomatoes so cute? The teeny tiny tomatoes are the smallest ones I have ever seen. 

Here are the first mums of the season. They have me ready to re-do the porch with all things fall. It's too early though. Plus I will need to call Mary Joan so we can have a "fall inspiration" day prior to going to the basement for all things fall. 

Family of the week - you have to love the giraffe hanging from that baby carrying contraption. 

She is the maker of the joint oil I told you about above. It caught my eye as I rounded the corner and I pulled up to investigate. Who over 60 doesn't need oil for their joints? If it helps, and you are in my family, you will be getting a bottle for Christmas.  

I went for one last basket of peaches instead of getting the apples... fall stretches ahead for apples. The days of peaches are waning.

a back stage Johnny

On Friday, in Lawrence, there was a meet-up of the Huff + 1 lunch club. Back to the usual membership, Marti decked out to the nines, and me bringing 2 cameras to be sure I got at least one picture of her in her black dress with pearls. She shined, I snapped, no one complained. It was glorious.

There are any number of restaurants to go to on Massachusetts street in Lawrence, but one of our favorites is Merchants Pub and Plate, where you can make a reservation (it's busy on Fridays in downtown Lawrence!), the food is always outstanding, and they have a nice crisp sauvignon blanc on the menu.  

Because Sister and I are going to The Cotswolds, and Marti's father hails from England, we had things to discuss. Starting with Agnes Rosina King - Marti's grandmother who was a woman of the stage, and Marti's grandfather who was a "back stage Johnny". I have told you about her grandmother before and how she was a showgirl. But this week Marti brought with her a listing that Rosina had compiled of all the venues where The Mikado played in 1884. How fabulous to hold something like this in your hand and consider what Agnes must have been thinking/doing when she made this list that she kept tucked in a prayerbook. We also discussed Agnes's brother Gunning King who it turns out was a painter of great renown. 

When I told Marti how much I enjoyed thinking ahead to what we would do and see she said "anticipation is sometimes sweeter than realization" - a quote from Percy Mayberry Franks. So true. 

We discussed how Nancy and Jennifer came by their names, and this might have involved the story of a former friend of Marti's who was known in later years to venture out of the house, early in the morning, in her nightgown. We also discussed how one must NEVER pull up in the driveway and honk the horn when picking up a Huff girl for a date. 

Finally, as we were almost ready to go, Marti had us all on the floor laughing (guffawing actually) when she recited this old tongue twister for us...

Marti catarty
Ti-aligo farty
Tea-legged, Tall-ag-ed,
Bow-legged Marti

Then she repeated it with each of our names and we laughed even harder.  By this time it was 3pm and the restaurant was clearing out so no one minded a foursome of ladies, clearly having an extremely entertaining lunch. 

I am coming up with a list of questions now for our next outing... stay tuned. 

opening up this state for you to see

If you were coming to visit Lawrence Kansas and wanted to know what to do while you were here, one of my first recommendations would be to head for the Baker Wetlands.  For a walk. Wide open blue skies, wonderful native plants, a doe and her fawns, and likely a great blue heron is what you would see. The prairie is our mountains, beaches, desert, red rocks. It is our area of natural beauty.

Some people come to an appreciation of the prairie slowly. Not me. As someone who has tromped all over the world, I know a good thing when I see it. 

People who see Kansas as a state to cross on the way to Colorado, haven't ventured off the highway much. Since April 2011 when I started this blog, it's been my mission to 0pen up this state for you to see. There's a lot.

the end

to let other ideas find their way to the forefront

This past weekend was a potato salad eating, porch sitting, butterfly watching, needlepointing, watercoloring, kind of holiday here in Kansas. After the morning walk I watched the butterflies drift on the breeze, searching for just the right flower. Quite contented was I as I watched. Brother and I have discussed how the observation of birds (and the like) has become so entertaining as we enter our more mature years.  



I think the fountain should be cleaned. But I didn’t get to it. Yet. 

Thanks to Ann, I made the BEST, carrot/beet salad. I happen to love beets and carrots any way you want to fix them, but the dressing is what sends this over the moon.  Spicy in an exotic way that makes me feel like I am on vacation, having lunch in an open air market. In case you are interested, and you should be, here is a link to the recipe.  Moroccan Grated Carrot and Beet Salad link.  Did I mention it also has raisins? 

I am clipping bouquet after bouquet of zinnias, loving every minute of the cutting, arranging, admiring.

Evidence of unusual activity in the flower patch above. Who did this with such precision so as not to dislodge the petals left in their wake on departure? 

The change of seasons has me wanting to complete the projects I have been working on for months.  I need to clean out my creative work que to let other ideas find their way to the forefront.  

Map #2 of the Cotswolds completed during a FaceTime session with sister. Exploring before the exploring is quite enjoyable. 

... so that she may have a voice

I just finished listening to The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abe Daré. The main character in this novel is Adunni, a 14 year old girl living in Nigeria, trying to do everything she can to get her education, so that she may "have a voice". She was told about the importance of education by her mother, who has been dead for a number of years as the story opens. Though her father promised his wife, as she was dying, that Adunni would continue her schooling, this does not happen. 

This is a story of much hardship, suffering, and throughout the story a spirit that refuses to give up despite the odds. I was struck by Adunni's innate sense of right and wrong and her struggle to understand how the world is different if you have money and are a man as opposed to poor and a woman. 

This book has a wonderful main character, the settings are well described, and you are very invested in wanting to find out what happens to Adunni. It is written in the vernacular and the use of language brings Adunni to life fully. 

Very highly recommended.

with a buttery slightly salty cookie and a fluffy cloud of sweet icing

The honey crisp apples took up more space than the peaches this week at the farmers market. Which of course has me thinking of apple cake with a streusel topping and big chunks of apple (soft but still holding on to some texture and shape) nestled inside of a moist crumb cake. Maybe a few nuts. Maybe not.

How about this for a market dress? I liked his hat too... but seriously the dress! So cute.

Colorful plants and fragrant flowers were represented. 

And of course there was cake.  After two weeks of no cake, there was definitely cake this week. 

What about a beautiful bundle of fresh parsley for the Labor Day potato salad? 

Nice bags of salad greens. 

My pick for family of the week. Those girls are going to have smiles as bright as the sun with those 2 for parents.

It was more peaches, cucumbers, onions, beets, juice, protein balls, salad mix, and a piece of cake that came home with me this week. 

Along with this oatmeal cream pie.

Because though I was never a fan of the "little Debbie", this oatmeal cream pie that is soft and chewy, with a buttery, slightly salty, cookie and a fluffy cloud of sweet icing in the middle... is pretty darn good.