Tall Tales from Kansas

they are worth the drive

Important things (not really) that happened last weekend.
#1. I pulled out Angie's rolling pin to crush the graham crackers for the crust for the first key lime pie of the year. The red handles help the crumbs be more uniform. Trust me on this. 

#2. The fuchsia dianthus started blooming.

#3. Cards/letters were written. 

#4. My favorite pew at the church of the glassy river was open when I arrived for services. 

#5. The stars aligned and Wheatfield's bagels (which they only have on Sundays) were purchased. Oh. My. Goodness. Toasted with plain cream cheese, they are worth the drive. 

#6. White lilacs were in the farmers market bouquet chosen for the table. 

#7. Corn muffins from America's Test Kitchen were made to go with the last batch of chili in the freezer from this winter. 

It's likely I have provided this recipe in the past, but if not, it's below (in really tiny print but if you click on it and print it, you can read it without a magnifying glass). They freeze really well. 

In addition to going very well with chili, they are also a fine accompaniment to any spring/summer soups you plan to try this season.

sitting there on my old beat up cutting board

A few things to highlight in the world of ordinary these last weeks, starting with my take on the mini flower arrangement at work, gathered from the dietician's "kitchen garden" at work. No one is there really early in the morning to catch me "poaching". Chives, oregano, parsley, and strawberry plants. It was what was blooming.

There is also this new vintage Santa that has come to live with my Santa's. It's from the collection of Marti Huff and will be absolutely treasured by me for years and years to come. A prize beyond measure. 

Tulips growing in my garden. They remain ever faithful, going on 12 or 15 years now. 

Speaking of tulips, the ones from the market last week deserve one more look.

I copied an idea from Sister and am drying a few of these petals to put in my everyday journal. 

There could be nothing more ordinary than a cut orange for breakfast with a scone, but seriously people, how beautiful is it? Just sitting there on my old beat up cutting board. 

How about a Kansas sky at sunrise? With a loaded lilac bush waiting by my car, perfuming the air as I stretched, at the conclusion of the walk. 

Followed by a honey latte and time spent unleashing a few thoughts into my journal. I think it is likely there are a lot of thoughts going into journals right now. About a lot of things. The pandemic has affected things that I did not foresee. It helps to work things out by writing. 

I just gave the inspiration board a bit of a facelift. Some things stay, some things go. Paintings from artists always appreciated.

living in the moment at it's finest

During the pandemic I have worked from home about 5 days. I can't decide if the best thing about working from home is:

A. A lunch that does not come out of a bag.

B. A very quiet office with a window.

C. The aroma of freshly baked shortbread cookies wafting upstairs.

D. The ability to observe the growth of the tulips while on the way to the bathroom.

Or possibly the extra hour of sleep obtained with the elimination of the commute.

But when push comes to shove, I am going to have to say the pumpernickel toast with cream cheese, hot sauce, a freshly sliced tomato, and a fried egg is hard to beat. 

It could be the best lunch I have ever had. At least it tasted like it at the time. Living in the moment at it's finest. That's what this lunch was.  

that orange color just says cha-cha-cha!

In the very ordinary arena these days, we have taken to playing cards here at Tall Tales Headquarters. Specifically, Rummy and War. When us Moss's were kids we played cards. A lot. I think Angie told us to go amuse ourselves, and cards filled the bill.  Chris on the other hand, never played as a kid. High time he learn, said I. 

The lovely deck above was a purchase from the Hammerpress store. An extremely nice set of cards, uniquely interesting, from high quality card stock with a great finish that makes for good shuffling. If you are someone who enjoys shuffling... which I do. 

War (in cards) is easy and fun. The only bad thing is Chris has won every single game since we started playing last week. There is no strategy to it, it's pure chance, so surely my time is coming? It's especially fun when we get a double war (as shown above). 

This cardinal was out back chirping his head off this week. Clearly as glad as I am that it's warming up outside. 

Above is an example of my new knife prowess. I decided it was high time I learned to peel an orange with a knife like they do on all the cooking shows, then place it on the plate in slices instead of peeled segments. The appearance pleases me greatly, as does less pithy bitterness in each bite. I will likely be looking for more things to peel and slice. Beware. 

These are the very very pretty tulips from the grocery store this week. That orange color just says cha-cha-cha! Don't you think? They are holding me over nicely as I wait for bouquet after bouquet of local flowers from the farmers market. Which by the way, opens April 10th.

all you want on a saturday

Rain interspersed with bright colors. 

Sometimes that's all you want on a Saturday.

light hearted evening loungewear is a thing

Recent events that warrant reporting include:

1. I have a ridiculously large amount of love for this painting in the new 2021 calendar from Paper Source, not just because of the gray cat, though that surely is part of it. There was just such a good feeling that jumped off the page at me when I flipped January over and spotted it. All the books, the yummy blending of paint. We love what we love, who can explain it.

2. I have discovered that colored pencils are fun to take out of their container and arrange in pleasing patterns.

3. Have I mentioned that I am now the proud owner of a pair of unicorn pajamas? Light-hearted evening loungewear is a thing. I am monitoring the website in case they come out with a design with cats, owls, or sheep next. But please the exact same fit which is perfect for my 61 year old physique. That may be a word only used to describe the male body, but I like it. I know "athleisure" wear is all the rage these days, but I'll keep my jeans in the daytime and pajamas in the evening every time.  

4. I am going to have to try my hand at this punch needle thing.  The chairs of my very old dining room table, found by Aunt Alice in a chicken shed somewhere out in western Kansas in the 70's, refinished with her very own hands, and given to us right after we were married, NEEDS cushions. That's what I think, and feel certain Alice is smiling as she considers me building on her legacy. Who has done this and who knows where to buy the "inside part stuffing/foam" for them?  Maybe it says in the book by Arounna Khounnora (bookhou). If you have purchased it tell me what you thought of it please. Her Instagram feed inspires me greatly.

Do tell me what has captured your attention lately. In case I need to investigate for myself. 

which may be a first in the history of this blog

You have probably consumed all of your holiday leftovers by this time, but if there is still some stuffing hiding in your refrigerator, you may want to try a "Leftover Holiday Salad". Yes, Chris looked somewhat askance when I told him I was making this, ELEVEN days after Thanksgiving. He has a more delicate constitution than I and is not a proponent of the "if it smells ok, it's ok" rule, which I follow. 

So the key ingredient is your leftover stuffing which should be cubed and placed on a cookie sheet (sprayed with olive oil) in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Key ingredient #2 is dried cranberries that you are going to pour some red wine vinegar over and get a quick pickle on them. Twenty minutes is plenty of time. 

Rest of ingredients are variable - I used chopped romaine, chopped smoked turkey, some roasted broccoli, chopped apple, and a few walnuts. All of this in whatever ratio works for you. Dressing was leftover from the Thanksgiving slaw - 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 T maple syrup, 4 tsp. dijon mustard, 1/3 cup finely minced red onion, 1/2 tsp kosher salt.  Mix it all together and let it sit while so flavors mix nicely. This was an excellent dressing which I will make regularly for dressing any kind of greens.  

I am already planning to make a pan of stuffing in February sometime, just so I can make croutons out of it. They really are that good. This salad has superseded my previous favorite way to use leftovers which was the toasted bread, cream cheese, turkey, cranberry sauce, sandwich AKA the cranky turkey.

Thus concludes the leftover post, which may be a first in the history of this blog, and is rightfully filed in the completely mundane category. Please feel free to share your dirty (or not) leftover secrets in the comments. 

I took a wonderful picture with my mind

This birdhouse was hanging up at the Airbnb we stayed at when we went to the Ozarks. I coveted it. I still covet it. If one of you knows where I can get one just like it please let me know. Otherwise Chris is going to have to do his best to imitate it. It could be the perfect pandemic project for him this winter. Though he might have a different opinion.  

As for me, I will be knitting. Since I finished my sweater I am fantasizing about my next big project. Meanwhile there are lots of small, 1 skein projects, being worked on. 

This moon was setting the other day on a walk. I love a setting moon. It has nothing to do with projects. At this time. 

There are plenty of ideas for projects in the most recent issue of making. If you love yellow, check it out. 

If you like cold weather, we have had our first frost (and snow) here in Kansas. I kicked myself for not having the Nikon with me when I saw the lovely outline of crystals on the leaves on this morning. 

But I took a wonderful picture with my mind, and a passable photo with the iPhone and called it good. 

how have I gotten through all these years without discovering your charms sooner

Featured this week in the usual, ordinary, commonplace, and regular activities of daily living I present the following:

Collected on a hike.

Cut from the garden.

Made in the kitchen.

Seen in the sky.

Eaten for breakfast.

Everything bagel with plain cream cheese how have I gotten through all these years without discovering your charms sooner? 

my needs are few

Three things about last weekend that sustained me through the week and have me looking forward to the coming weekend include the following.

1.  This cup of morning coffee. With the Sunday paper.

2. This spectacular sunrise, 7 minutes from home.

3. Sitting around watching this pot of succulents grow. 

I am a simple person. My needs are few.

ordinary and miraculous live side by side

Happy Friday all. Tonight it's front porch/back porch, fog, and my first zinnias from the seeds that volunteered up from last year (plus a coneflower, plus mint, plus Thai basil).

With clouds + shadows on hostas thrown in for good measure.

Because ordinary and miraculous live side by side, in much the same way that joy and sorrow can both be sweet, I sometimes get mixed up about what is regular and what is amazing. But let me be very clear... the bottom 3 photos, while only so-so in the quality category, are wondrous in content. 

The eggs have hatched, feeding is underway. There has been some fretting on my part when the mama seemed to be away from the nest "too much". Like I would know what is "normal". Fingers crossed. 

all in the name of keeping things balanced

Roses from my garden in a vase from a shop in Ft. Bragg, pandemic mail art deliveries, visiting cats, sunrise walks, clever signs, peony buds opening on the window sill, and an illustration cut out of last Sundays NYT's are among the things that have delighted me this week. 

We are headed into summer here. Hot humid days means rising early to tend to anything that must be done out of doors. Cool showers in the afternoon, reading under the soft whir of a ceiling fan, all in the name of keeping things balanced. 

drifting on a soft current

When you are on a walk do you make up stories? For example ... about how you walked up this lane and turned to the right and on the porch sat a friend that you were delighted to see.  But in greater detail... as in the house was a white wooden structure with a deep wide porch, with two gliders (complete with cushions) to sit on, and the sun was at just the right angle to keep you a little warm in the coolness of the morning. 

And there was a nice table between the chairs with a tray that had an old fashioned silver coffee service with a pitcher of cream and a glass bowl with sugar cubes, as well as a basket with a hand embroidered cloth covering freshly baked cookies for your friend and scones for you.  And you sat there and talked about how life could be so hard some days but with moments like this you believed you could get through. Then a fluffy cat walked by and rubbed on your legs and plopped it's head down on your friends foot. And there was nothing else you had to do the whole day long. Unless you wanted to, and if you did you could just get up and go, no explanation needed.

While I am at it, I will also admit that sometimes when I am on one of my extremely early morning walks, when no one is around, and I might be listening to music, I occasionally get the urge to lift my arms and move them like I am a bird drifting on a soft current. In case you were wondering, I do not make wild bird calls or hoot like an owl. Not out loud.

I believe in giving my mind free reign to wander in any direction it needs when it is outside of the confines of work. Over the years I have come to appreciate a good solo walk as the best springboard for all sorts of adventures. 

then I remind myself that is unnecessary

Three things that I enjoyed this past weekend were: store bought flowers, reading about war time journals in the Sunday NYT, and discovering that I really do actually like fresh raspberries. Especially with meuslix or yogurt for breakfast. I have in the past thought they had too many seeds. It's good to continue to expand your food horizons at any age. Sister said "blackberries are next". I told her I was drawing the line there.  

There were also puffy white clouds with sunshine, a short period of rain, and the ongoing parade of blooming things to make it all pretty much good.

I got sucked into looking at recipes for savory quick breads, because. Just because. Sometimes I find myself just sitting and staring when I could be "accomplishing" something. Then I remind myself that is unnecessary.

When/if I do decide to make some savory quick bread because it sounds like it would be good right out of the oven, slathered with butter, and accompanied by a glass of wine, I will be certain to let you know. So you can join me as a card-holding member of the "because movement". 

sweet, funny, a little madcap...

In case you are interested, incubation continues on the front porch of Tall Tales headquarters. The porch has been divided and agreements signed. Chris and I stay away from the nest, the robin avoids the rocking chairs, especially at cocktail time. 

The Japanese maple turned on the charm overnight this past weekend. It's just splendid. 

A Japanese maple leaf in the right light is just about one of the most beautiful things there is. Amen to a whole lot of beauty right now. 

The oak leaf hydrangea is pushing out new leaves like nobody's business. I think the maple and it are competing for some kind of award. 

Out back this statue from Angie's garden stands guard over a small bunch of tulips that were planted way back in 2008. I don't know why they have not been eaten by squirrels or how they keep performing when most of the rest that I have planted over the years have stopped. I am grateful. 

By the way, we did end up watching Harvey on Easter. Just the kind of viewing needed during Coronavirus times. Sweet, funny, a little madcap, and of course it's got Jimmy Stewart in it.  What more needs to be said?

 

follow my lead and do them all

This morning after cleaning off the table, drinking a cup of coffee, and making sure the redbud tree out front had suffered no ill effects from the "hard" freeze overnight, I FaceTimed brother. 

I told him I was about to spend $195.00 on a pair of mail order shoes that I could not try on, and wondered what he would do in this situation. Truthfully, I was thinking he would talk me down. He responded "well sister, I have two schools of thought on that". He noted we are older, our feet our important, we have always been of the mind that it's ok to pay "good money" for quality things, and dad used to tell us to buy the best in terms of our golf shoes.  I stopped him before he presented position #2 so he wouldn't change my mind. The one he had just helped me make up with his 4 salient points.

Once this critically important decision had been made, I took a photo of the cauliflower I was about to roast because it seemed really beautiful to me. On my quick walk today I noted the appearance of the yellow flower that blooms after forsythia and daffodils. 

Tonight we are watching Yours, Mine, and Ours with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball. 

The garden, talking to your family, making questionable decisions, ordinary beauty, looking at the bright side of things you cannot change, and a good dose of old fashioned humor are all examples of the coping skills I am employing today. Along with a dinner of Chris made salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, a crusty roll with butter, and a generous glass of cabernet. I can recommend each of these things individually but really encourage you follow my lead and do them all. Substitutions that satisfy your personal preferences are encouraged. No extra charge. 

about our personal owl siting

The other day in the middle of refilling my coffee container with a bold rich blend of Italian Roast (the motorcycle on the front and the memory it evoked of the motorcycle riders we saw in Bavaria had nothing to do with my selection), Chris hollered from the laundry room - "hey look at this, come here!"

So I of course dropped everything, ran in there, and he pointed out a big owl sitting on top of the lamp-post right in front of the house. Which of course made me run for the camera, acting as though I had never seen an owl in my entire life.

Which is completely not true - Sister and I just saw some last year at the Douglas Family Preserve in Santa Barbara - but I digress.

He was as curious about me as I was about him and he swiveled his head around to follow my movements. He did not swoop down and land on my head, or snatch my hat, or anything dramatic like that. Still it was a moment that needed recording. Though I will admit, to seeing how some individuals could think I am going overboard about our personal owl siting. 

In about 20 years when we are rocking on the porch talking about the "old days when we lived through the coronavirus pandemic"  Chris will probably reach over and poke me and say (in a very excited tone) "and remember that day we saw the owl?", and I will pat his arm and say "yes honey"... like old folks do.

P.S. you knew I was going to show you a photo of this man on his Vespa didn't you? I was also going to show you the photo of the chocolate/cherry Bavarian torte we had with coffee at the cafe we were sitting at when we saw this. But that would have been going too far.  

if the rest of 2020 turns out to be this productive/instructive

Sometimes when I start making photo collages, it's hard to stop. I made this one the other day when I made the one of some of my favorite moments. All these moments were lovely too. 

I would also like to report on two other things I accomplished the day I arranged photos into a pleasing grid.

#1: Got rid of the fake tree in the basement (neither Chris or I have any memory of) that we had before we got the one we have now which by the way, we may (not today) need to replace because a whole section of lights isn’t working and has been deemed “unfixable”. 

2: Opened a bottle of champagne even though I was only going to drink several glasses with orange juice for breakfast and the rest went to waste. 

If the rest of 2020 turns out to be this productive/instructive it's going to be a BANNER year. 

in the manner I am most capable of at the moment in time when I am undertaking it

After contemplating how in 2020 I could strive to be better, kinder, healthier, more productive, less frivolous, neater, and more fit, I have decided instead to just keep on my present path. Waking up each day, tending to what needs done, in the manner I am most capable of at the moment in time when I am undertaking it. Which is why this post was sorted into the "completely mundane" category. Also because there is not a "totally lame" category. But one could be added. I could certainly strive to do that in 2020.  

Below are some of my most favorite moments of 2019. All accomplished despite my imperfections and foibles. Somehow confirming my plan for the coming year. 

Happy New Year!

noticing the color and the light

I have corn and green Chile on my mind and am searching for THE perfect recipe that uses these ingredients for Thanksgiving. In my mind it is a "plain-ish" side dish. No cheese or binders, not a casserole. Just corn, roasted hatch green Chile, some onion, salt & pepper. Before I just throw all that in a skillet and call it good, please let me know if you have a favorite recipe like this in your Thanksgiving wheelhouse. And if so, please share the recipe.

I'll just be here waiting. Watching as the leaves finish falling. Noticing the color and the light, how the green grass pushes through. 

she provided the reassurance I needed to just go for it

The list of completely ordinary things that have been happening around here lately includes pressing leaves, baking an acorn squash, buying store flowers, and washing blueberries. 

Leaf looking continues to provide much delight, especially when cats follow you as you look, sometimes threatening to climb trees.

The Fall 'over-the-table-light' adornment was put in place, and perhaps my greatest accomplishment was the wet-blocking, or stretching, or whatever you call the process for getting your needlepoint back into a somewhat square shape so you can get it framed.  

I will admit to being a bit nervous about it, but I followed the same principles used for blocking knitted items, after I checked with Joan (who has done this about a million times). She provided the reassurance I needed to just go for it. Sing it with me now ... ♫ that's what friends are for.

as clearly as if I had photographed them

On a recent early morning stroll, I walked by this pond, and took a picture.

Three things that I did not take pictures of were:
1.  A giant spider in the middle of a lacy cobweb that was covered in morning mist
2.  The woman walking three dogs with wagging tails, who waved at me merrily, as she continued to talk to the pups who appeared to be hanging on her every word
3.  The small grove of tall cottonwood trees whose leaves were being rustled (vigorously) by the morning breeze 

If you close your eyes, I am certain you can see it all in your minds eye, as clearly as if I had photographed them.

the clerks in the filing department of my brain

I like my Sunday New York Times served with a side of flowers. Or two. 

After a walk. With the coffee brewing. Coming back and forth throughout the morning. Giving proper time for one bit of reading to be stored away for retrieval before beginning a new topic. The clerks in the filing department of my brain are slow deliberate workers. If rushed, they put things where they don't belong or drop files on purpose. Both of which are best avoided. 

whichever of you is a turtle expert do tell me

The zinnia's were planted 5/30, the seeds germinated on 6/1, they survived the inch of rain that fell in a one hour time frame on 6/3, and this is what they looked like on 6/5 when I did my after work garden inspection rounds.  The larger one you see in the back is a volunteer that came up from last year.  I have about 6 or 7 of them too.  

Stuff like this excites me.  The red husker penstemon below are at their peak right now.  

Such a wonderful, reliable, care-free, flower that is easily spread but not overly invasive. 

Something else surprising and exciting this week was a turtle spotting in my yard. 

I have never noticed those bright orange markings on a turtle before.  Whichever of you is a turtle expert do tell me... is this common? Maybe I just haven't seen enough turtles yet in my life. In which case, I better start doing more looking.  

Thistles are blooming right now too.  

These are not in my garden, I pluck them as soon as I see them coming up there. But I certainly can appreciate them on a walk.  

Particularly when set against a nice blue sky.  

cutting, making, looking, tasting, and appreciating

Instead of going to the St. Patrick's day parade on Sunday we stayed home and trimmed the rose bushes, played with the Harvey boys, made shortbread cookies, and arranged daffodils.

Cutting, making, looking, tasting, and appreciating.  It was simply marvelous.  

not one bit ridiculous

Today is about some of the ordinary moments that occurred around PS Art Retreat No. 7, and are continuing today, at home. 

Routine things.  Like going to breakfast with your sister.

Or writing in the Blurb books that she made.  To keep track of our anything but customary adventures.  

Appreciating pom-pom sculptures and mosaics in the sidewalk.

Admiring the artistry of bakers and illustrators. On display for anyone to see as they carry on with the regular habits of daily life.  

Noticing the enchanting among the ordinary is a habit worth cultivating. 

Another basic activity on all trips to LA is the walk through of Sister's garden. This includes explanations of where cuttings came from, where they have been most recently transplanted from, how they like/dislike their current location, where they will be moving to in the future.   

I came up with a good plan this year as she was taking me on a tour of her succulents.  

I decided I would load up all my pots, drive them to her house in October, and leave them at Moss Cottage to winter over.  

Then, I will return in my chariot and pick them up in May. Good idea huh?

Not one bit ridiculous.  

Today, instead of a piece of that sweet potato loaf that you saw in photo #5 above, which was very delicious by the way, blueberries and pears were served up.  The perfect way to start this completely commonplace Saturday, and with that, I raise my coffee to you in salute of the ordinary.  

anything else would throw it over the top

This week's rundown of everyday, ho-hum, minimally interesting things that have been happening around here.

Mason jars hanging in windows in downtown Lawrence.

Altocumulous clouds in the sky at 3:15 in the afternoon.  

The front porch fountain.  Sans water.  Getting festivized.  

Discovery of a new side dish/salad/perfect lunch. I better stop there. Anything else would throw this post over the top and out of the category of completely mundane. Which would mean changing the category.  And I ain't got time for no nonsense like that.  

Helpful links:

Cauliflower Green Bean Roasted Chick Pea Salad

 

to assess consistency between boxes

This week's ordinary activities that were quite enjoyable, in spite of their routine-ness included (but were not limited to) studying the growth of the front porch succulents, 

 

marveling at teeny tiny roses, 

walking, 

cutting and roasting a butternut squash,

washing the farmers market lettuce for salads, 

prepping for dinners this week by making side dishes ahead of time, 

appreciating this amazing blue, 

putting together a collection of the smallest zinnias in a juice glass to go in the window in front of the sink so I can look at them while I wash dishes, 

observing what was growing on this railing, 

and finally, and I really hate to put this in a post I have categorized as completely mundane, checking out this box of animal crackers.  Just to be sure the taste still measures up in the new "cage-free" packaging.  

You'll be glad to know it does.  Actually I think they taste even better.  But just to be sure, Chris purchased several packages, so that we might assess consistency between boxes.    

if only all my clothing purchases worked out in such a serendipitous fashion

Sometimes, when you play your cards just right, you come home with something that goes with everything you already have.  

Like this past weekend.  When I had just THE vase for my farmers market bouquet.

AND, it went perfectly with the table runner that was already on the table, saving me from rummaging, shaking, trialing, and the like.  

If only all my clothing purchases worked out in such a serendipitous fashion.  Oh the time and aggravation it would save me.  

The thing is, I bought this arrangement because I loved the unexpectedness of the succulents and the cool green of the hydrangeas.  That seems like a formula that would not translate easily to wearables.  Unless I decide to only wear green.  Which could work, come to think of it.  

does it get any better?

Three random things that made me happy this week. 

A rabbit mug, kid writing, and dark chocolate.  Does it get any better? 

I added the category of "completely mundane"

It has come to this.  Photos of bok choy, mushrooms, knitting, and the beginnings of tax preparations.  Attending to the necessary. 

You will notice that I added the category of "completely mundane" in order to have a spot where this post could even be filed.