Tall Tales from Kansas

big, small, medium-sized, and every way in between

On this, the night before the last day of the month of May, I am thinking that THIS has been the BEST May ever in my whole life. Despite the storms, which have been many, the trip to the basement to wait out the tornado warning, Chris staying up late to watch the radar... it's been so beautiful. 

The hikes in the woods have continued, as have the walks on the trail by the river, and the strolls in the neighborhood. Each with its own charms, ALL with flowers along the way to admire. 

Unfortunately the thistle got mowed down along the path the day after I took this photo. No matter. More will come. You can't keep a thistle down. 

We have previously discussed the therapeutic benefits of a good mind clearing morning walk. I recently read something about how good it can make you feel to clean out a drawer. That resonated with me. One drawer - that is so manageable. It has been added to my "do this" list. Something to do that can clean away clutter while sweeping away unwanted chatter in the brain seems like a real win-win. 

Enjoy your last day of May. I would love to hear how you spend it. Big. Small. Medium-sized... and every way in between. 

he drew the line at the yoga pants

You may or may not recall that I had the pleasure of taking the circles and curves weekend intensive class that Maria Shell did a few months back. These are some of the individual units I did and they were laid out in a bazillion different ways as I contemplated what to use them for.  

When my current yoga back fell apart - I had my answer. Why not try to make a yoga bag? I found a tutorial on YouTube that I followed very loosely. 

A strap was fashioned, a bottom circular piece, and the body. That's it, 3 pieces. Minimal measuring. 

I will size the bottom circle a bit better the next time. I really had to work this in, with lots of gathering through many layers of quilting. After 2 universal needles were broken, I switched to a jean's needle. There are lessons to learn in every project. 

Once it was all done I forced Chris to put it over his shoulder and model it for me. I prefer to do the snapping and have someone else do the posing. 

He did a great job but drew the line at putting on yoga pants to "look the part". 

There will be more circles and curves in my sewing future. I will practice more, and maybe come up with a loose idea of what I want to do with all the circles or curves before I begin. There is something to be said for a bit of pre-planning. In the class I was not sure what I would be ending up with in terms of "pieces", but now I do. As with the previous class I took (half circles and lines), this was a wonderful technique class that has many many applications for those of us who like to improvise. Can I just say that doing free motion big flowers is a whole lot of fun? 

caught up in the magic of performing

Sugar snap peas, asparagus, and cucumbers were my first purchases at the farmers market on Saturday. She sold them to me. She of the cool hat and winning smile. 

Beets were front and center from several vendors.

What's not to like about a pastel palette of eggs? Especially in the morning sun. 

It was at about this point that I looked up and saw a most colorful "topper". I want to be someone who throws on such a thing as I head out the door for the market. Gosh it was pretty. 

Speaking of pretty, how about those little mini heads of Romaine Lettuce? Peter Rabbit would adore them. 

Perhaps my favorite photo of the morning was of these two women. They graciously agreed to a picture and the older woman told me proudly "this is my granddaughter", while the younger woman said, "this is my grandmother from Malaysia". I loved that they were enjoying each other so much. 

I had the best time eavesdropping on these 3 as I waited in line at Juice Garden for my protein balls and juice. It was so fun to hear them talk about which juice they liked and why they were getting it, while Thuy patiently went through what the differences in each were. 

As soon as I saw these flowers I knew I would be circling back to get them. Ranunculus! The colors and sturdy shape. With just a touch of an herb and a snap dragon to round out the arrangement. 

Luckily I was not holding them when I saw him playing his harmonica. I would have dropped them. So delightful was he. Caught up in the magic of performing, in his own little world, doing his best, and looking so cute doing it. He was living his t-shirt motto fully.

Death by chocolate was the cake of the week. Yes. Yes, I did. 

I came home with a LOT this week. But with a good plan for what I was going to do with it all. Besides just eat it I mean. 

As soon as I unpacked everything, the beets and broccoli were cut up and roasted with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of curry. The kale was chopped up, raisins and celery were added, plus some red pepper that needed to be used up. After the roasting the beets and broccoli were thrown in followed by a few toasted slivered almonds. Dressing of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, salt, cayenne pepper. Individually portioned into side salad size servings, they are ready to be pulled out of the refrigerator for dinners this week. 

And so, another delightful Saturday morning was spent at the farmers market in Lawrence Kansas. 

The End

a sweet little treasure

"Busy" and I had an extremely enjoyable petting session this past week at Kauffman Gardens in Kansas City. I have been wanting to get back out and imprint myself on him, but ...  well, life gets in the way doesn't it? No matter, he let me know he did in fact recall our last visit and was pleased for the return check in. 

All of the flowers were lovely. They were getting ready to start a bunch of planting, but all the perennials were blooming. The very pale, almost grayish, lavender colored iris below was a new color for me. So delicate. The color of a fancy dress, with lots of layers. The sort you might have worn to play dress up in when you were a kid. Maybe with a pair of those dangly earrings you had to screw on. 

There is always something new to see here. The thing is, you can walk right in. It's completely free. You can take 10 minutes to walk through or wander, sit, pet a cat, and stay for longer. I have never been when it's overly crowded. It's a sweet little treasure, and the perfect place to get ideas for things to do in your very own garden. A spot to dream about gardening in, where it is not permitted for you to actually get up and do any weeding or digging, is very good for the mind. 

until one day things change

My latest read/listen has been The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout. I wanted to get to know Bob Burgess after meeting this character in Lucy by the Sea. It was interesting, and not at all disconcerting, to jump back in time and get to know the back story of this man and his nuclear family. 

This is the story of a family, and how each member gets into their "place" in the order of things, with the expectations that go along with that role. Until one day things change and curveballs adjust how each person fits in the family. 

Once again, Elizabeth Strout provides us with a richly detailed story that builds the foundation of a wonderful fictional community that so many of us are delighted to visit on a regular basis. Highly recommended. 

a success despite the season mis-match

Hurrah! A finished project... a stranded knitting cowl, just in time for June in Kansas. I want to be a person who knits with the right season in mind, but alas it seldom happens that temps and projects coincide. No matter. 

This is my first full stranded knitting project and it has been the perfect thing to start with. It's the Treeline Cowl by Dee Hardwicke and I stumbled onto it on Modern Daily Knitting. The pattern is in Field Guide No. 25 or likely on Ravelry. 

This yarn (Atlas) is a dream to knit with. I was attracted to this project because of the pattern, the chance to try a technique, and I just loved how these colors worked together... so I did not deviate and try to put my own spin on it. Maybe next time? There are mitts and arm warmer patterns in this book and I will likely use my leftovers up on them. 

After blocking I can see that I got off in the pattern on one row. No matter. 

I am ready for the fall! A stranded knitting project is very warm because it is basically a double layer of knitting. 

It "fits" just right, not too loose or too tight. 

I am calling this one a success. Despite the season mis-match. 

Marti makes me want to "up my game"

This week there was lunch at Blu Hwy with my favorite 100 and 1/2 year old, and her 2 side-kicks Jennifer and Nancy. 

(I couldn't decide which of these 2 photos I liked the best so I enclosed both)

As I was snapping away, before they drove away, making sure to get just the right shot, Sarah walked up and wanted to know if she could be in the picture too...of course we said! Marti Huff is a magnet. Anyone who is within a certain radius just wants to get in on the action.  

Marti makes me want to "up my game", she sets a high bar in the friend category. Interesting, thoughtful, intelligent, she always has something sparkling to contribute to the conversation. Plus the fact that she always looks so great. How do you do that at 100 1/2?

We discussed when the blue chariot might be coming for us, the normal condition of occasional grumpiness, the wonder of travel to a foreign country, the timing of joint replacement surgery, delighted in a really good deviled egg, commiserated over the bad luck of a tree falling on your house, debated what makes a good carrot cake, and in general enjoyed each other's company. 

I am already looking forward to our June meet-up. 

she was hesitant about the photo but I won her over

There were these bouquets to greet me at the market on Saturday. Plus big tables of good looking green stuff - crispy, crunchy, tasty, all of it looked good. 

It's a combination of restraint coupled with taking advantage of what is in season right now that might be fleeting. 

My favorite strawberry vendor says she does not know what happened to the crop this year. She just isn't getting much. I spied these few baskets at a table but was too far back in line to score one. 

Not her though... she got all the things she wanted, balanced them carefully, and was ready to head out by 7:45. Smart shopper. 

Carrot cake was on special this week.

These amazing tender greens are so good. Last week I tried a new (for me) salad dressing. Shallots, dijon mustard, white or rice wine vinegar, salt, pepper, honey, olive oil. Oh boy it's good on tender greens. I made a second (larger) batch this week. There were no shallots at the market so I subbed some tender young onions. Delicious.

One day I want to be bold and wear a darling hat like this to the farmers market.

They win the prize for my favorite couple this week - her hair and basket + his T-shirt = WIN/WIN. 

I almost clapped when I saw her bow/headband. With those fabulous curls!!! She was hesitant about the photo but I won her over. 

Here is my haul for the week. I might have gone overboard on the lettuce but 2 bags seemed right. 

Get a load of the icing carrot complete with fresh green top on the carrot cake. 

Finally, here is the bouquet that was selected - mostly for that amazing, beautiful, fragrant, stock. 

accept, trim, bring inside, enjoy

This week I have been mesmerized by the raindrops on plants,

enjoyed a stupendous sunrise on the way to work, 

gotten the bougainvillea planted, 

went to an engrossing exhibit at the Spencer museum "Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See".  artwork below by TJ Reynolds, 

and cut some roses from this bush that has undergone a transformation and is producing 2 different kinds of roses.

I don't question, just accept, trim, bring inside, enjoy. 

the pleasure of the cutting and arranging

For today I give you the joy of friendship in the form of peonies snipped (with permission) from the garden of a friend. 

What could be more delightful?

The pleasure of the cutting and arranging, the generosity of the giver, the softness of the pink petals in all their shades. 

Sigh. I love the underneath side of them as much as the top. 

Thanks again Pam for sharing your abundance. 

whatever fills your bucket

The wonder that is spring continues here in Kansas. A slight chill in the air early in the day. Perfect for the morning mind clearing stroll. 

I read that bird migrations are occurring across the midwest and I heard a man with binoculars exclaim to a fellow birder that he had seen a "Nashville warbler" the other day. 

On this morning I heard a yellow warbler, a cedar waxwing, a least flycatcher, a tufted titmouse, and a northern cardinal. At least that is what Merlin tells me. Sometimes I like to know what I am hearing, though mostly I just like to listen. 

I hope I never lose an appreciation for the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world. All for free and always changing. Something new to ponder each day. 

My friend the blue heron was not in his favorite fishing spot on this morning. But I have spotted him nearby.
I hope you are getting just the right amount of whatever fills your bucket this Spring. 

which tastes exactly like the name says

This weekend at the farmers market in Lawrence there were big dogs and girls in dresses. Not that they go together but they were both extremely cute. 

Pretty flower bundles were available in jars or wrapped in paper. 

Bright bottles of cold press juices, beets, and jars of liquid gold honey were on display. 

These 2 had the right idea. Buying their flowers early. 

The napa cabbage and chard were catching the light just right as I walked by. 

Mothers Day succulents, already in pots, for easy gifting were waiting to be snatched up. 

How about this shopping bag? 

My eyes were drawn to the bag and the coordinating shoes initially, but then I got the whole effect when I looked up. He was really kind and patient with me as I asked him to STOP so I could do justice to his outfit.  

Cilantro, butter lettuce, tween kale, protein balls, juice, radishes, and a lovely senecio (ruby necklace maybe?) came home with me. 

And of course this piece of Caramel Latte cake. Which tastes EXACTLY like the name says. A perfect balance of coffee and caramel blended in a moist cake. Well duh, of course you say, except that so many times a cake does not taste like the name implies. I have never found that with the Chonky Eats bakers though. 

Which keeps me coming back. Each week. Resistance is futile.

mother nature plus art

Chris and I recently jumped in the car and headed in a southeasterly direction for 3 1/2 hours until we arrived in Bentonville, Arkansas. It's so nice to have places one can get away to that are relatively close, but still give the feeling that you are AWAY. Out of your usual element. 

I could go to Crystal Bridges museum of American Art every other month... just to see what's new and enjoy old favorites. The trails for walking to (and all around outside) the museum are lovely. Mother Nature + art makes for a pretty incredible combination. 

In addition to the museum we took advantage of parks and gardens in the area. Good spots for sitting down for a picnic lunch are easy to find. This one had some quilts made from what appeared to be scrap metal hanging in the fields. Lovely. 

The murals in downtown Bentonville are most excellent. 

The Peele museum and botanical garden is worth a visit as well. 

There are lots of good spots for eating, and if you are so inclined, I recommend after your morning walk on the art trails by the museum, get yourself to the onyx coffee spot downtown for a latte and a warmed almond croissant. Amazingly delicious. 

While you are sitting you can pull out your journal and record all the good things. Or just doodle. Either works. 

every angle seems photo worthy

The peonies from last week's farmers market have been delightful. They seem more beautiful and fragrant than "normal" or it could be as simple as the enchantment of the first acquisition of the year. It makes no difference, they are splendid.

Every time I pass by the table and catch a glimpse or a whiff of their perfume, I grab the camera. Every angle seems photo-worthy. 

I think I told you that I planned to watch Anatomy of a Fall after seeing a review from someone who had watched it recently and said something like "it make me think differently about the truth". For sure don't quote me on that... but you get the drift. It was something sort of similar. We sat through the first 20 minutes before we turned on the subtitles. Don't do what we did.  

It's engrossing for sure. I have no idea what really happened in terms of the fall. But that's not the point of the movie. It's about how it all plays out in the aftermath and then how the viewer imagines life will go on for the wife and the son who are left behind. Maybe each wondering what the other believes is the truth? It's twisty. But good.

absolute heart squeezer

This week at the farmers market, my very, very, very, most favorite picture was the last one I took right before getting back to the car. This absolute heart squeezer in the most perfect rain outfit ever. With the nicest mom, I might add.

Most others in attendance were using umbrellas. Which I guess has to work when we can no longer pull off the rubber boots and flowered raincoat look. 

The Pendleton's renowned asparagus in purple or green were available. I picked up a nice bunch, blanched them when I got home, squeezed lemon on them, added some to my mixed greens Saturday night along with toasted walnuts, chopped celery, and a balsamic vinaigrette. Divine. 

She needed no umbrella. I think she used to be a rubber boot - flower raincoat type. I can tell by her smile. 

This rainbow chard was beautiful. 

Next to my new friend in photo #1, comes my second favorite photo of the week. I am calling it "true love at the market".

And if that wasn't enough, as I rounded the corner, there were PEONIES! I snatched up a bunch. 

Iris were also available. 

Here's what came home with me this week. 

It's important to see that inside one of those white bags was a piece of Black Forest cake - full of moist cherries and rich chocolate flavor, it never disappoints. 

The end.

making our way through it

Tonight it's some everyday moments from the last week or so. Sunrise on the way to work, lilacs snipped from the bushes by where we parked for a walk, the key lime pie that got made because it's been too long since we had it, a perfect iris from the neighbors yard, and evening clouds.

What I only took pictures of in my mind this week was the man in the hospital whose wife had placed an eagle feather on his chest, the quilter whose friends came to visit her - speaking of things they will make together in the future, the 87 year old who told us he is not afraid of dying then proceeded to tell us how he met his wife when she was 13 and they held hands in the back of the bus on the way to school, the nurse in the surgical intensive care unit grabbing a bite to eat while he worked on notes but stopped to answer a few questions about our mutual patient... some of my fellow travelers this week, making our way through it, connecting on the path. Good stuff. 

do not try to save the world...

Today when I got to work I flipped over from April to May in the calendar that Dottie makes us each year. Here is what I saw.

Yes, it is a lovely photograph of Fanore Beach in County Clare, Ireland. But the words that went with it were what stopped me in my tracks... "Do not try to save the world or do anything grandiose. Instead, create a clearing in the dense forest of your life and wait there patiently, until the song that is your life falls into your cupped hands, and you recognize it. Only then will you know how to give yourself to this world so worthy of rescue".

Clearing by Martha Postlethwaite.

After doing a Marco Polo with Annette and Peggy in which I recited it for them, I thought about it all day long. I am still thinking about it now. 

counting my blessings

These 50 degree morning walks are one of the great pleasures of spring in the midwest. Made even sweeter by the knowledge that they will only be possible during this short window of time, before it gets so much warmer, making the walks less pleasant. Don't get me wrong, you can still walk in Kansas in the summer but you have to get up much earlier. 

On this particular walk there was the wild honeysuckle that caught my nose as I brushed by. 

So pretty in the morning light. The honeysuckle likes the temps and sunshine right now too. 

Below is a shagbark hickory bloom - which I would not have known except for the ID feature on the iPhone. I have never noticed them before. They look like some kind of a lily except leaves spring from the inside. Fascinating. 

By the time the walk was over I was in a very blissful state.

Blue sky, sunshine, no bugs yet, coolish temp, honeysuckle, a porch sit waiting when I get home. This is me counting my blessings.