Tall Tales from Kansas

this time I mean it

These are the last 3 zinnia arrangements for the year. They have held on through some chilly days, extending the feeling of summer, in spirit anyway, through the end of October. 

It got down to the upper 20's briefly overnight last night and this morning I bid them all farewell and thanked them for their amazing service over the last 3-4 months. That means these are the last of the zinnia photos for the year. This time I mean it. 

This last photo of the bougainvillea shows that it did come through at the end and put on a pretty good show despite my doubts. 

I guess I better get out there and trim, scatter, pull, and move. Just the usual fall gardening chores. I am waiting for Barry and Alex (the 2 remaining Harvey boys) to come and knock on the glass and tell me they are ready to help.  Garden chores are much more enjoyable with cats to help. 

And one final thing, since it is the last day of October. It would not be right if we did not have some of this hanging around the house. 

Happy Halloween!

weird Barbie makes an appearance at the Lawrence farmers market

It was trick or treat day at the farmers market on Saturday, and even though the 35 degree temps kept some people away, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the vendors. 

Love the face painting on her and this was the first fried egg costume I have seen.  

This fellow did not let any scary skeletons keep him from the treats.

Gloves, hats, hoodies, and jackets were the outfit of the day, as modeled by the well dressed farmer and shopper below.  

The jars of buckwheat and wildflower honey below were beautiful.  It made me want to go home and drink tea with big spoonfuls of it stirred in. 

Mrs. Peters had boxes of the most perfectly decorated fall cookies for sale.  Which would go really well with the hot tea and honey. 

I resisted the urge to buy "just one more" pumpkin ... but it was hard. They just look so good in a big grouping. 

The absolute highlight of the market this week was "weird Barbie". Not only did she pose willingly for me, she flat out threw down what she was holding and did the splits as well. Apparently that is what weird Barbie does. Hands down, she had the best costume and was having the most fun of anyone there. 

Here is what came home with me this week. For apple enthusiasts, I am trying the "Ingram" variety this week. Even though I did not get another big pumpkin, more small gourds were definitely needed. You can not have too many gourds. 

Yes, I got some snickers cake. I had to, the 28th was Dad's birthday and a snickers bar was his absolute favorite candy bar. As I walked by I swear I heard him say "snag a piece and we'll split it".  So I did. 

in all sorts of situations

As we move closer to winter, every single fall walk, is being cherished. Savored. Knowing the days of wearing a heavier coat, hat, gloves, and flannel lined pants are at hand. This walk was a few days back. It was glorious in its' goldenness. I think that's a word. 

On my way back to the car, a boat with eight women rowing passed by on the river. They glided along the smooth water in perfect synchrony. It was a thing of beauty. They made it look effortless. I wanted to be on the team. But just for a few minutes. It's fun to imagine oneself in all sorts of situations, understanding of course that we only picture the good parts of it and know that nothing is ever as perfect/easy as it may seem. But it feels nice to close your eyes for a bit and put yourself in an alternate reality ... sometimes.

a good history lesson while spending time with a most likable character

I just left Maisie Dobbs at her apartment in London, having wrapped up her last case about a cartographer from America who was killed in the war and his body was just discovered. His parents needed some things cleared up and so sought Maisie's services. She and Billy got down to business and and figured out who did what and why and as usual it was a satisfying visit. Tea was drunk, biscuits were eaten.

A new relationship begins, someone's health improves, and someone dies. There, I gave you a taste without giving anything away. Probably all of you have read this already anyway. I tend to move through a series slowly, savoring the experience. I like a good history lesson, in a story format, while getting to spend time with a most likable character.

Recommended. 

pretend I did not

Hang on to the reins while you read, we are going to jump to the left to the right and over some gulley's on todays's post. Unrelated stuff, but for the fact that I am involved in it, therefore perfectly logical to stitch together into one blog post. Let's start with the mums on the porch. If I already showed you them, pretend I did not.

Inspiration board moving into fall.  I left room for the black crows and fall leaves sister is drawing for me that I should be receiving by pony express any day now. I love that pumpkin my pen pal and great niece Katharine Ray did for me last year. It's a treasure. 

Pam, Ann, and I recently met for a check in - Ann is just back from a River Cruise in Europe and Pam is headed for Japan. On the making front, Pam is stitching up a dress and I simply adore the piecing that she did for the yolk. Ann recently finished this quilt - Isn't it amazing how those vibrant colored stars jump off the black, white, gray background? I love how she quilted it. 

I put some Halloween trip trap on the porch, and while I was doing that, cleaned and brought in the plants that get wintered over indoors. Such a small thing, such an accomplishment (for me). 

There were clouds and rainbows on recent walks.

Last but certainly not least, I took out the Halloween napkins. 

If you are still here, and your head is not spinning, tell me what mundane thing you have done this week that I should think about doing.

P.S.  I almost forgot! I cleaned the coffee pot this week. You know the de-scaling, deep cleaning thing. I want to be better about doing this but it's like cleaning the iron... one forgets. 

 

the heart loves what the heart loves

There is something quite enjoyable about knitting a sweater on size one double-point needles with left-over yarn from a long ago project - maybe hats for a couple of twins with a Virginia Tech Hokie loving mom? 

Once I knew it was going to fit over the head and where to stop for the armholes, it was a piece of cake. This patten was ripped out of a magazine long ago... thinking it could be adapted to multiple sizes based on yarn and needle size. 

Now the baby Swedish rabbit is ready for the upcoming cool weather.  

Just so you can see how tiny the rabbit really is... and why it only took a few hours and was so satisfying. 

Do not ask why a full grown adult woman finds it enjoyable to have baby rabbits that need to have clothes made for them. The heart loves what the heart loves. No further explanation required. 

does that not sound perfect

In the midst of a run of cloudy, chilly, days recently, there was this lovely day of blue sky and sunshine. It made me want to get in my car and head to the mountains. Any mountains. Close mountains if possible. To walk in the woods and smell the essence of fall. 

And maybe I would take a pile of books, then in the evenings after a day of walking, I would stretch out, sit on the porch, drink some wine, eat some chicken corn chowder that Brother would have made and arranged to be shipped to my remote cabin in the woods, and then head inside to sit by the fire and read. 

Does that not sound perfect? 

soft, tender, buttery, with a cinnamon/sugar sprinkle, and a lovely, slightly crusty, bottom

This post about the Saturday farmers market shall begin and end with a favorite fall purchase. 

They may look like ordinary ho-hum muffins to you. But they are not. These are not a heavy, dense, nut/fruit laden, chewy muffin. No sir, they are not. Instead they a light, soft, tender, buttery, with a cinnamon/sugar sprinkle, and a lovely, slightly crusty bottom, sort of muffin. Yes they are. The pumpkin spice cake looked completely fantastic as well, but the muffins were calling. 

The Arkansas Black were my apple selection this week. 

I was delighted by the intrepid spirit of this bold short-wearing market goer! She assured me that short season still had a few weeks to go. 

Small succulent starts in jack-o-lantern pots... darling.

One day I swear I am going to get to the market at 0630 and film them setting up this display of radishes. Seriously, it's a puzzle. An engineering feat. A marvel. 

Here is what came home this week. 

And now you know why I did not get cake. These muffins only make a very limited appearance at the market. Maybe once or twice in October and then at the Holiday market. They freeze very well and if possible are even better when popped in the oven for about 10 minutes for warming. 

As an added bonus, in the heating, they make the kitchen smell insanely good.

I love a finish

Here is my latest finish in the knitting arena. I have had this pattern for years and just not gotten around to it. When visiting a local yarn store in Lincoln Nebraska last summer, there was a sample wrap knit up with Shibui yarn - (a combination of linen and silk) that caught my eye. It had a nice drape, was really soft, and this combination seemed like it would great for wearing inside because it wouldn't be as hot. Ding, ding, and ding. I bought 3 skeins. 

This was a fun knit and there could be another one in my future. All depending on how "wearable" it actually turns out to be.  My sister in law, Ann, made one years ago and I have always thought it looked so nice on her.  

I love a finish. 

migration patterns of great blue herons

As summer turns into fall, I am pleased to see that my flying friend, the great blue heron who catches his/her dinner at this little pond at one of my favorite walking spots, continues to be in residence. I am not certain if he will stick around all winter or not. This is not something I have paid enough attention to in the past. I guess it depends on how harsh the winter is? If you are a migration expert, do give us the scoop. 

Look how pretty the "cones" on this cypress tree are. I read somewhere that each cone can hold about 30 seeds. 

I await the input of the bird experts, in the meantime, I will just be here, wallowing in the fall. 

a mysterious man named Maurice

As Marti inches closer to 100 the Huff +1 Lunch club continues to meet on a monthly basis for good company, good eats, good talk, and in general to celebrate the fact that we are all still kicking around and should in fact be grateful for just that and for each other. Even if we don't hear as well as we used to and some of us like to put our pajamas on as soon as we get home - and eat our dinner in them. 

We discussed the necklace Marti was wearing that she got at:

A: an open market in Marrakesh in 1957 when she was on a scouting trip for her antiques business and met a mysterious man named Maurice.

B: a little store somewhere and it was most inexpensive.

You get to choose which it was. A girl has to have some secrets. Even at the age of 99.9

following along in suspense as the tale unfolded so magnificently

Just today I finished Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. Oh, what a glorious 15 hours of listening it was. From the famous first line  "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again..." to the final moments, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

I read an article a few months ago, about how a book written 80 (or so) years ago can still be so widely read all these years later. Based on that, I got on quite a long waiting list on Libby through my local library and was really blown away by how quickly I was hooked the moment I began to listen. The good news is, if you are one of the friends I talk with regularly, I am about to be done telling you how FANTASTIC it is. At least I promise to try. 

I listened to the audiobook version that is narrated by Anna Massey, who did a stellar job. Chris won't say this out loud, but he is going to be extremely sorry when I stop walking around the house speaking in the voice of the new Mrs. de Winter, referring to Rebecca, Maxim, and Mrs. Danvers, using my very best English accent. 

Happily, I had not seen the movie and was following along through the passages of Manderley, out into the woods, down to the cove below the headlands, into the morning room, the gardens, the library, and the west wing... all in suspense as the tale unfolded so magnificently.

Do check it out if you haven't read it. I give this one the highest recommendation possible. 

Please do me the favor of suggesting what classic I should tackle next. I have most certainly put Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier on my list already. Sister says I should read the original Dracula, what say you?

giant dahlias, marigolds, and sunflowers

It was chilly at the farmers market on Saturday morning.  That's the way it will be from now until the end of the season. Still a bit on the dark side for photos at 7:30 in the morning too. I don't like to use the flash, but I prefer the Nikon which doesn't do quite as well in low light conditions as the iPhone. I may have to drive up and wait in my car with the seat warmer on next week.  I don't know why I don't just come later in the morning, but it doesn't feel right not to get there early. I love seeing it when everything looks perfect. 

There were giant dahlias, marigolds, and sunflowers for sale. Plus lots of peppers. 

These carefully wrapped small bouquets were just the best. I love the inclusion of herbs with flowers.  

My flower selection was this gorgeous pot of mums for the front porch, to go with the purple ones I got last week.  

There were also the usual suspects shown below.  I had to try and get in one more batch of pickled cucumbers and onion, and my new item to try this week is the lemon-ginger-cayenne immunity shots from Liquid Garden. 

There was some "roving" being spun into yarn at the market on Saturday. Which reminds me I need to get new dryer balls from her next week.  

Even though it's October, and not really the season for Hummingbird cake, I could just taste the banana/pineapple flavor and feel the sensation as I bit into that piece of candied pineapple on top. Plus I did not get any cake last week. 

I had a nice conversation with the gentleman below after I heard him say he wanted about 25 jalapeño peppers, which led to a conversation about what he was cooking up ... "experimenting with a jalapeño beer".  That was not what I expected to hear. 

One more look at the pumpkins and gourds and it was time to head home for coffee, to throw the afghan over my lap, and cozy up in the living room to read the paper. 

I welcome it with open arms

Gray mornings, blowing winds, subdued colors. All of these things have me wanting to immerse myself in sweaters, flannel, socks, boots, corduroy. I want to wear the fall - rust, orange, tobacco, honey, amber, brick. I want to have warm coffee, smoky bourbon, bold dark cabernet. These are all the things that flitted through my mind as I walked at the wetlands this week. 

I suppose if it were fall all the year long I would wish for it to change, but as we enter this season every single year, I welcome it with open arms. Everything about it.

in my neck of the woods this week

Look at this local apple taken out for breakfast the other day. It was washed and laid out for chopping when I "saw" just how beautiful it was.  Such interesting designs on the skin.

It may have been eaten on the same day the sky was pink and the fields were gold on a morning walk. 

It was definitely not the same day these zinnias were all cut and put in vases because I thought we might get frost overnight. Still these could be the last 3 arrangements of the season, and therefore warrant showing. 

A stranded knitting class was taken at the Yarn Barn here in Lawrence in anticipation of a new project I am starting. It can't hurt to take a refresher when you don't do something often, and it was so fun to see Mary (my previous knitting teacher, who happened to be teaching this class) again. 

A new coffee shop was discovered. Zeb's in Eudora - the little town directly to our East. They make a fine cardamom latte, served in a nice heavy mug, perfect for wrapping your hands around. Great spot for sitting, thinking, writing, observing, talking. Recommended. 

The first of the Halloween "trip-trap" was brought up from the basement.  

And this friends, is a summary of what has been happening in my neck of the woods this week. 

a bit of window peeping

There was a stop at Kauffman Gardens recently, to see what they are up to in the way of fall plantings.  I was quite pleased to see that the special flower boxes hanging from the trees this spring have held up so well into the fall.  Still glorious. 

The mums had not yet bloomed. But maybe by now they have. 

The butterflies and bees were swarming about. 

I was delighted to make the acquaintance of "Busy", the new cat who resides in the orchid area of the gardens. He was sleeping soundly but appreciative of some petting and conversation.  

There was a bit of window peeping after the garden. 

I do so love a good fall inspiration day. Is that pillow above not the cutest thing you ever saw in your entire life? The little figures tucked into their own special pocket are simply adorable. 

just getting them to the front porch was enough

On Saturday morning, with temperatures in the low 40's, I spied several methods of combatting the cold among those browsing the farmers market. They were: 1.  the sweater wearers, 2. those with turkey trot hats on their heads, and 3. the warm coffee cup holders. 

All good strategies in my opinion.  I wore a flannel shirt and coat, no hat, no coffee, no sweater. 

The days of flowers at the market are numbered... as in I bet these will be the last.  They were gazed upon fondly. 

Gourds and pumpkins are a fair trade off for them though.  I also looked at them fondly.

I did look for Clive by the cake (Brown Butter Caramel Apple) but he was nowhere to be found. Probably at Dee Dee or Nana's house eating waffles at the kitchen table. 

There were multiple types of sweet potatoes as well as apples for sale at the market. I am making it my mission to try all the apples this year. I have very much enjoyed each basket purchased so far this year. 

Mellowfield Farms lettuce blends will also soon be gone. Salads every night, I proclaim to Chris, who offers no resistance. 

I stocked up on protein balls and juice from Thuy, who chose the cute hat style of staying warm.

I took this week's photo in the back of the car. No carrying of heavy pumpkins and gourds into the house. Just getting them to the front porch was enough. 

Next up will be pot dumping, re-planting, wreath changing, gourd and pumpkin arranging. Just the usual fall things that make me happy.  

a perfect start to October

Chris and I went down to Southern Missouri/Northern Arkansas this week for a few days. Highlights of the trip included appreciating the fall arrangements, autumn walks, and a visit to the cemetery to spruce up mom and dad's graves. 

We made a detour over to Dogwood Canyon for a visit. It was raining so we didn't spend a lot of time there, but... we snatched up a map of a nice walking path and will plan to return to explore next year. 

At Big Cedar Lodge, there were walks in light rain as well as sunshine. Right outside our cabin door. It was perfect. 

The leaves on the trees at Maplewood cemetery hadn't started to turn yet, but it was still pretty.

Flowers were traded out, grass was trimmed, stones were placed. Sips of bourbon were raised in a toast. We have been making this annual trip since Angie died. It's a really nice tradition, even when it's just Chris and I. 

An early morning walk, in the ozarks, with woodsmoke in the air is hard to beat. I went by all my favorite spots and recalled all the walks of the past 9 years here. After the walk I made a nice pot of coffee and sat on the deck of our cabin. Staring, listening, looking, sipping. It was all good. 

I do so love a good grouping of pumpkins, gourds, mums, and the like.  I wanted to bring them all home with me. I did not disturb the tableau. 

This was a most excellent way start to October.  

P.S. It would be wrong of me not to mention that Chris won the annual Moss Family Putt-Putt tournament this year. I did not begrudge him the victory. Not one little bit. 

a three pinch morning walk

On Sunday I turned around to look at the dam about 3 minutes into my walk and saw a pink sky that was reflected in the water, all overseen by the setting moon. I pinched myself.

Twenty minutes later in front of me was this. The sun rising up behind some trees, across the fields, burning off the mist, creating a golden arc. I pinched myself again.

Forty five minutes in to the walk over to my right were these clouds and layers of pinkish, purple, gray, green. Yes, another pinch was needed.  To be sure I wasn't dreaming.  

A 3 pinch morning walk is an amazing thing.  But wait... when I got back to my car I had the back opened up and was doing some stretching followed by sitting and drinking water when 2 women walked by, about to commence their walk. They were holding small cups of coffee in one hand and croissant in the other, I complimented their good taste, recognizing the pastries came from 1900 Barker. In response they smiled hugely and said "this is how we walk". How great is that? 

a sublime experience

For today I have compiled a list of things that are still happening.

The leaves are still turning.

The Quails continue to meet for dinners, and always have dessert at the end, in particular when there is a crème caramel on the menu. 

New walks are being found, some with fungi growing on stumps and things hanging from the trees. It's a fact that a lunch, packed and eaten out of doors, at a picnic table, after a hike, is a sublime experience.

Old walks carry on, with new clouds passing overhead.

Zinnias are blooming.

Blog posts are being written. The end.