Tall Tales from Kansas

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.