Tall Tales from Kansas

eating dixie pie

Exactly one month from today, Chris and I will embark upon our voyage across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and into Kentucky, where we shall meet up at a designated spot (if all goes correctly) with brother Ray and sister-in-law Cheryl Jean. Thus begins what for me is one of the most enjoyable aspects of travel. The pre-trip phase. The part full of ideas, planning, and loads of enthusiasm. 

This started on Saturday with Brother telling me about the tour of a distillery that sends it's bourbon (in barrels) on a ship around the world as part of the aging process. Who doesn't want to learn more about that? Which led to looking at a map, spotting a botanical garden and hearing about "The Hot Brown".  And just like that, the folder is filling up.  Maybe with more stuff than we will ever be able to accomplish. Knowing full well that in our family we change plans at the drop of a hat and absolutely never feel bad about skipping something in the name of 'enough is enough'.  

This phase of the trip, where the rooms have been booked and loose plans have been made, but no highway signs have yet been missed resulting in detours, or other foibles like that, may be my favorite part.  A local book store has been found to visit, with an art gallery around the corner, a cemetery to explore, a yarn shop to investigate... and the best part is we are driving. Which means I can buy as many books, paintings, skeins of yarn, and bottles of bourbon as I need. Eating Dixie pie, telling stories, and laughing are also on the list. Lots of laughing. Until we cry. And maybe howl. But hopefully not wet our pants.

he loves to go to local yarn stores with me

Happy Birthday Brother! I hope Cheryl Jean is making you an Angel Food Cake with maraschino cherry frosting like mom used to make every year on your big day.  I don't remember what kind of cake mom used to make for me, but for some reason I always remember what she made for you.  AND, I was always glad to see March 5th roll around so I could have a piece.  

Looking forward to seeing you in exactly 37 days for our big Kentucky adventure.  I hope we can find a suitable birthday cake to enjoy while we are there.  

P.S.  If any of you live around the area of Lexington Kentucky we NEED to know if there are things in the vicinity we MUST see.  Brother has already done all the research on the bourbon distilleries, but he LOVES to go to local yarn stores with me, antique shops, interesting coffee spots or bookstores, cool old downtown areas... you get the idea.  Send us the scoop. Please and THANKS.

the cake lovers guide to birthdays

Today my partner in life, crime, walking/hiking, cooking & cleaning, driveway clearing, movie watching, museum going, and about 100 other things, is having a birthday.  

I wrapped his present early and put it on the table so he could think about what it might be.

The cake was also purchased in advance. We started eating it Saturday.

Birthday cake should be eaten on the day before the birthday, the actual birthday, the day after the birthday, and then each subsequent day until it's been consumed in it's entirety. It's a rule.

It's from the "Cake Lovers Guide to Birthdays". 

P.S. Isn't this 4 inch layer cake cute?  Perfect for a family of two.  If you live in the area, we got it from McClains Bakery in Lawrence.

hare-brained ideas that somehow turn out to be the most perfect moments

In the event that you do not have a sister who recently went to Venice

who believes in doing the unexpected

like deciding you should have a taste of Pannetone

but not any old Pannetone

no, one she bought in Venice

and carried home through the one day delay in London followed by Denver and finally to Albuquerque, where it was mailed to you in Kansas

So you could open it and taste for the first time in your life this amazingly light, slightly sweet, delicacy and feel like you were there with them.  If you don't have such a sister, I am sharing the experience with you tonight.  

Dottie, please never stop having hare-brained ideas that somehow turn out to be the most perfect moments for those of us who get to share in them. I am toasting you sister, from here in Kansas... to less logic and more magic. Thanks for reminding me to say YES to life.  

our zip-lining experience

Happy Happy Happy BIRTHDAY Sister!  I tried to use all of the best shots of you that I have through the years, including one of my favorite renderings.  There are so many I have done through the years, it was hard to choose.  

Hope you are doing something really fun tonight.  Looking forward to our zip-lining experience, to celebrate the event, when we are in Palm Springs together.  All the arrangements have been made.  Just like you requested. 

dreaming, planning, scheduling

Family favorites from 2018.  Good trips.  Good times.  

Great memories.  I don't know about you all, but I NEED to see my siblings regularly.  2019 has been planned out.  It includes multiple visits with each. There is nothing more enjoyable than dreaming, planning, scheduling, followed by doing, enjoying, and finally looking back on it all.  

a regular pour in a regular glass

Whatever else you have planned for the weekend, I hope you fit in some time for a special phone call or two.  

The kind you have to use the  wind phone for.    December is a really good time to use the wind phone.  For example I called Angie on it this week so we could talk eggnog.  Angie LOVED eggnog.  I don't mean just a little bit.  Whenever I get some, which I always do over the holidays, I think of Mom.  

So when I brewed up a pot of coffee and poured myself a "shot glass" of eggnog this week, I decided just because Angie is not present on the earth in her physical form, is no reason not to have an eggnog moment with her.  

She let me know in no uncertain terms that if she was having eggnog with me right now, she would want a regular pour in a regular glass.  And while I was at it, she'd like to sit in her usual chair in the corner by the fireplace, and would it be possible to see if Harvey could come over because she would like to pet a cat.  And so we did.  All that.  Plus some good laughs and just one tear.  

so technically it would be considered scenery

Humor me will you?  While I show just a few more photos from Lake Tahoe. Starting with the happy couple the morning after the exchanging of the vows. Gosh, if you are planning a destination wedding, this spot in the universe is amazingly beautiful in October.  

What a backdrop for photos.  Even just the casual shots caught in between the official stuff.  

There were many places close by for strolling in between wedding events. The perfect way to spend a few hours with your sweetie. I love all the happy couples at a wedding.

 

Did I mention the scenery already? Everywhere you look.  Seriously.

So we got out a lot to LOOK. And no one complained about group photos. Not one little bit. Nary a peep.    

Because I really appreciate a lovely table setting, and I suspect some of you do as well, I had to include this shot. Which has nothing to do with scenery.  Except it was so pretty and I was looking at it. 

So technically it would be considered scenery.  Right?   

I will have my people contact your people

Heading home soon and back to regular routines. But boy, has this opportunity to get out among the trees, water, and mountains been perfect.  Lake Tahoe, I think we might have future business together. I will have my people contact your people.  

one bear siting

All this + a wedding, one bear siting, and some mighty fine local coffee. Good times.  For sure.   

really pretty

We arrived.  And oh yes, it is pretty.

Really pretty.   

ain't love grand?

Chris and I are heading to Lake Tahoe in the wee hours of the morning.  Wedding bells are ringing for our youngest niece. 

Ain't love grand?  

We understand it's beautiful in that part of the country this time of year.  There may be a daily post card if I plan things right.  If not, you can follow along on Instagram if you are so inclined.  

new "old" memories to talk about

I had mixed thoughts tonight about sharing details on a blog about our annual ritual of visiting mom and dad's graves.  It is private, personal, and still painful in ways, and yet... it is such a part of each of us and I love that we do it every year.  

We always start with the easy part.  Cleaning, trimming, taking out the old flowers, arranging the new.  Each person has a job.

And we always take a whole bunch of pictures.

Just because your parents are no longer with you, is no reason not to still include some part of them in pictures.  

Each year there are new "old" memories to talk about.  It's funny how we each have similar and different recollections about growing up and about Ray and Angie when they were sick.   

There are plenty of tears, as well as laughs, and in the end I think we all feel a little less heavy.  This year we brought our putters so Dad could put a little luck on them.  And there was a special rock direct from Lummi Island that Mary Ann wanted mom to have. 

Who knows how many years of this we will have left.  What I do know is that each year I feel myself able to talk about more things. And I feel incredibly lucky to have people I can do this with.  

So in the end, I decided sharing this was the right thing to do.  Because I think it's healthy to have rituals like this.  AND it's important to talk about death and how we help each other through it.  

 

who caddy fo' her daddy

Shortly after we began going to Big Cedar Lodge in 2014 to celebrate Ray and Angie's birthdays we started the Annual Moss Family Putt Putt tournament.  This year was the 4th official playing of the event.

 

This is all of us as we prepared to tee off.  Had I examined this photo carefully before we set off, I would have noted that look of ease and assuredness on Brother's face, and I would have stepped on his foot in order to handicap him slightly.  

Alas, I did not.  When he got a 5 on The Big Lunker hole, I thought I might be able to pull off a repeat of my win at the first annual tournament in 2015.

But my hopes were dashed with his hole in one on #5.  

This event was followed by a leisurely lunch at the Truman cafe, where we all carefully watched as the scores were tallied.

In the end, Brother brought it home with a 4 under for first place, followed by Dottie in second, me at third, Chris at #4, and Cheryl at #5. Dottie had the line of the day when, after sinking a long putt, she looked up and said "who caddy fo' her daddy?"

It brought us to tears laughing, and we haven't stopped saying it yet.  

a hint of woodsmoke in the air mixing perfectly with decomposing leaves

Today we returned from 4 days filled with talking, laughing, telling stories, making new memories, and mostly being together as a family. 

It was glorious. We stayed at the Lakeside Cottages at Big Cedar Lodge this year. There may be a bit less room inside than the other cabins, but the porches are covered and the view of the lake is very nice.

There were lots of walks taken. We do not take for granted the privilege of stepping out the door and being in this wonderful setting. The sound of the wind in the trees, geese flying overhead, and a hint of woodsmoke in the air mixing perfectly with decomposing leaves on the ground.  

Chairs await on the porch to rest our feet.

The flowerbeds and artfully arranged groupings of all things fall completely delight me, AND Dottie made a fire every evening while we were there. It's now officially official, the season of sitting by the fire in the mornings and evenings is upon us. 

anything else we can get into trouble doing

This morning we pulled out of Tall Tales Headquarters and headed south.  Brother is coming from Virginia by way of Oklahoma, and Dottie is flying in from New Mexico.  We are meeting up in Northern Arkansas to celebrate Ray and Angie's birthdays.  Photo below from last year's party.  

There will be some cemetery sprucing up, the 4th annual Moss Family putt putt tournament, hiking, cooking, eating, story-telling, blind contour drawings, Mexican train domino playing, and anything else we can find to get into trouble doing.  

P.S.  you guys all take goofy pictures at the cemetery too right?  Ray and Angie would expect no less from us, and in fact, would be disappointed if we did not act rambunctious and slightly disrespectful.  I can just hear mom right now .... "Carol you just have to make a joke out of everything don't you"... at which point I would guffaw and try very hard not to wet my pants.  

she was, and remains, the sister best suited for jobs like this

This past week marked 4 years since Angie died.   I read through all the Angie re-runs and laughed about the funny things she said, which she in no way intended to be as hilarious as I found them.  I recalled the trip to Dillard's to go bra shopping because she needed some new ones. 

All the Moss girls tried our hardest to get out of taking Mom to the mall.  Mostly because she would inevitably decide things had to be returned.  I always tried to get Dottie to do the returns when she was in town for a visit.  Which, by the way, she always did.  Mary Ann and I are in complete agreement that she was, and remains, the sister best suited for jobs like this.

Every one of you who has been through the death of a parent knows that time becomes irrelevant once they are gone.  Dad died 18 years ago and I still miss him the same way I miss Angie.  Mostly what I can say is that I remember the good times way more than the not so good.  I dwell less on things I might have done better.  

I love the ritual we have created of getting together each year on their birthdays to remember.  Making new memories wrapped around the old ones.  For sure, Ray and Angie would approve highly of that.  

becaus he knows I have a sweet tooth the size of North America

I know it's too late for you to drive over to Lawrence and get these candles for your Valentine dinner table, but aren't they superb?  We love everything about Waxman Candles.  

I myself, went all out for the occasion and baked a cake.

The recipe is from Smitten Kitchen's new cookbook.  I can get behind a simple, delicious, one layer cake for a household of 2 who can't eat a big family sized cake!

After ascertaining that my Valentine wanted a vanilla cake with buttercream frosting, I assembled supplies. 

I even sifted the powdered sugar and used waxed paper to keep the cake stand neat while frosting. 

Nothing is too much work for Chris.  Who actually really doesn't love desserts, but tolerates them because he knows I have a sweet tooth the size of North America.

Happily, since his birthday is February 11th, he gets plain red sugar on the top of the cake for the birthday, and hearts added for Valentines day. 

We are very practical people around here.  

slow, lazy, sweet

It's back to work tomorrow for me.  The last 4 days have flown by.  But I was making a movie in my mind as the moments clicked by.  The highlight reel includes but is not limited to the following:

Dottie sending me a photo of Angie giving me a Christmas kiss back in 2013.  Talking to Louise about being a bride on a farm in Kansas after World War II ... there was no indoor bathroom.  Eating Sean and Andrea's cabbage rolls.  Mary giving Morgan great-aunt Alice's engagement ring that she had made into a necklace.   Eleanor being excited to give everyone her handmade ornaments.  Talking to brother on the phone about our pumpkin pie recipes.  Charlie Orrico telling me "Merry Christmas sweetheart".  Poached eggs on english muffins with bacon on Christmas morning.  Chris surprising me with some cookbooks he knew I would want.  Sean giving his father and Chris giant wrapped boxes that contained Nerf Super Blasters.  To relive that Christmas when they got the "Johnny 7 OMA".  The gift that will live in infamy.

Slow.  Lazy.  Sweet.  Talk of an upcoming wedding.  Hugs all around.  Much to be grateful for.  

multi-tasking runs in our family

Today I puttered.  But efficiently.  If that is even a thing.  Which I think it is.  Three cups of coffee will kick low-key puttering into high gear.  Trust me.

Soup making, combined with a little decorating, followed by the annual bringing in of the hoses.  That got done too.  

All the while, I was putting new books on hold at the library, polishing my fingernails, wrapping a present, and playing a running game of words with friends with Brother while he baked cranberry-white chocolate-macadamia nut cookies.  

Multi-tasking runs in our family.  

until it's time for leftovers that is

Thanksgiving began in the customary way.  Bringing out all the china, silverware, cranberry server, gravy boat, and wine glasses from years gone by.  From the homes of all the Thanksgiving makers that have come before us.

The head turkey maker followed the usual routine, including stuffing the cavity of the brined turkey with clove studded oranges, apples, herbs, and an onion.

Our pre-dinner urban hike was amazing and included a rousing rendition of the hokey pokey beginning with "your right foot "and ending with "your whole body".  

There was also leaf kicking, stair running, arms linked around a tree, sculpture admiring, and a contest of "see how many bodies you can get on one tree stump".

The bells rang at their appointed time as we approached the Campanille and we watched the Jayhawks run through some drills in preparation for a big game this weekend.  

There was also Mexican train dominoes,  cocktails, an amazing dinner, trivial pursuit, and a "way too big but I couldn't help myself" piece of pecan pie for dessert.  

This morning, I am sitting.  Sitting and knitting.  Which may be all I do today.  Until it's time for leftovers that is.   

thanks for that mom and dad

I should have known at the outset, that Brother had some tricks up his sleeve, when he worked in a few practice putts before we started the 3rd Annual putt putt competition at Big Cedar Lodge last weekend.

Perhaps I should have paid more attention to Dottie's lazer focus as she lined up her shots as well.

I was distracted though. 

Before I knew it, Dottie had a hole in one...

Brother had smoked us all, and Chris came in second.

My coming in last in no way lessened my enjoyment factor. 

Before we left on Sunday, Dottie and I got up early to do the "Big Bear" hike.  The trail is no longer being maintained.  Which means we started on it anyway, but after 20 minutes thought better of it, knowing our time was short and getting lost in the woods is easy. 

The morning was still beautiful.  Heavy frost on the grass, steam rising off the lake, and lovely fall foliage.

In addition to all this, there was a heated Mexican train domino competition where the loser each round had to eat Halloween jelly bellies which included flavors like "dog food",  "stinky socks", and "spoiled milk". 

Good times.  Good memories.  Good family.  Thanks for that Mom and Dad. 

when you are trying to teach your brother a new move

It was another great trip to the Maplewood Cemetery this year.  Despite the fact that it was cold AND there were no knuckleheads (aka great nieces and nephews) with us, we still had some good family time. 

Brother attended to his grass clipping duties with gusto.

These two did their best to keep everyone in line.

Which can be difficult when you are trying to teach your brother a new move. 

The foliage was beautiful

Stories were told.

Pictures were taken.

Bourbon was sipped.

And in the end our work was done. 

hang it if you got it

 We are headed South early in the morning.  Time for the annual pilgrimage to Harrison to celebrate Ray and Angie.  Dottie is coming from the west, Ray and Cheryl are coming from the East, and Chris and I are coming from the North.  Converging at precise, predesignated coordinates.

In the meantime, I leave you a hodge-podge of photos from my holiday decorating.  Including the donning of hats and sweaters by Swedish bunnies. 

I abide by the "no area should be left unadorned" decorating policy.  In other words - hang it if you got it.  See you in a few days. 

somehow Dottie got her hands on it

If you are very lucky, you have a Dottie in your family.  The keeper of the files.  Guardian of the family stories.  Ready with a fact or a picture when you need it.

When I was in Albuquerque Dottie showed me Aunt Fanny's prayer book, and an old photo of she and her friend in their swimming costumes, hair undone, complete with baby on hip.  Wow. 

I also had a chance to read a letter our dad had written to his sister after his father died.  Dad was only 25 at the time and Mom was about to give birth to Dottie.  All the way across the world in Hawaii - which meant he couldn't attend the funeral and be with his sisters and brothers and mom.  That's a rare opportunity.  I am grateful that Aunt Ola kept it, and her family didn't throw it away after she died, and somehow Dottie got her hands on it.  And could locate it at a moments notice because of her most excellent filing system. 

guides like Dottie and Christy

Where do I begin to explain the balloon festival?  As I said to Dottie and Christy after we had been on the grounds for about 10 minutes.  "Oh this is something you have to experience to really get the magnitude".    

And the color.  And the spectacle that is all those balloons lifting off the ground.  One after the other.  

And no collisions.  I guess because of the balloon referees?  What do you call these guys & gals that seem to be in charge of helping clear the path of ascent?

Besides "cheerful, friendly, and cute" I mean.  Because they were all that too.  While keeping everyone in line. 

Everyone was looking up and smiling.  Imprinting the color for when it is needed on a drab winter day. 

Let me not forget to mention the green chili breakfast burrito.  It was the perfect antidote to that chilly morning wait for the bus ride out to the festival grounds.  I don't know this guy's name, but if you go next weekend I hope he makes yours.  He made mine, and it was a big old mess of spicy, warm, green chili, scrambled egg goodness.   

I hope if you get to the balloon fest, you have guides like Dottie and Christy.   Who will hold your coffee so you can take photos, are skillful at working their way through the field, make sure you don't get lost, and will take you home for an afternoon nap if you need one.     

Which I surely did. 

Oh Albuquerque

In addition to hiking and ballooning, there was some fine dining done in Albuquerque last weekend.  Dottie flat out did some amazing cooking while I was at she and Christy's home.   

Perhaps most unforgettable was this plate of goodness.  Ye'abeshe Gomen (Ethiopian Collard Greens), Pumpkin Curry with Chickpeas and Kale, and I didn't write down the name of the lentil dish.  My palate appreciates exotic flavors.   

I cleaned the plate shown above and then went back for seconds.   A meal like this demands it.  Besides, there was walking planned for later.   

Strolling past adobe and cactus and ristras on a pleasantly cool October evening.  Peeking in to courtyards, catching glimpses.

Picking out places to check out more carefully on my next visit. 

Oh Albuquerque.  There is a lot to like about you.  And I haven't even gotten to the balloons yet.  But I will. 

the very definition of complete contentment

When I told Dottie I was coming for a visit, she gave me lots of options for things we could see and do.  I informed her that the only "musts" were seeing her house, the balloon festival, a hike in the mountains, and eating some green chili's.  To that end, on Friday morning we headed to the Tree Spring trail in the Sandia Mountains.   

I give high marks to this trail for the gradual ascent and variety of things to see.  What you can not get from these photos is the incredible smell of the decomposing fall leaves. 

The joy of a walk in the woods can not be overstated.  If you can also see aspens turning colors, feel the cool of the shade and the warmth of the sun, hear the wind as it moves through the trees, and walk in companionable silence with your sister at the same time... well that is the very definition of complete contentment.

a break in the space-time continuum

Somewhere, in a random photo album, I have a picture of myself with my very first car.  A '64 Chevy Belair that I bought for $100.  A very good buy.  I am certain it had nothing to do with the fact that I was purchasing it from my then "boyfriend".  It could be started without the key, you just had to turn the metal around the slot where the key went in.  Very handy.  As long as I was the only one that knew this. 

This is me today.  Saying goodbye to my 9 year old Camry.  Prior to handing over the keys I carefully took Angie's sunglasses, gloves, and lactaid tablets out of the glove box.  I will transfer them to my new car.  In case on a sunny or wintery or ice-cream kind of day at some point in the future, a break in the space-time continuum happens and I turn around to see Angie sitting in the co-pilot seat of my new ride.  

the Bohemian Pilsner was especially restorative

Twenty two years ago when the Mulvenon clan went on the first "family vacation", the tradition of hiking was born. 

Now the majority of the family are hiking enthusiasts.  Give us a map, a half of a peanut butter sandwich, plenty of water, and we are good to go.  This year was no different. 

Six of our group decided we had to do Angels Landing, a strenuous, 5 mile hike, with a 1500 feet elevation gain.

This trail is not for the faint of heart, or anyone who has a fear of heights. 

Once you pass Scouts Landing, you notice the chains, which are to help you haul yourself up and to hold on to while you climb.  I, for one, made good use of them.

The view from the summit is pretty spectacular.  In truth though, this was a hike I wanted to do as much for the sights, as the challenge.  I thought I could make it, but there was a part of me that wasn't sure.  I wanted to test myself and luckily so did some of the "kids". 

All along the way there were points where we passed people coming down as we were going up and vice versa.  This required a bit of maneuvering.  We encountered some of the nicest people ever.  Lending a hand, offering an encouraging word, it was seriously good stuff.  One woman from Germany in particular had the strongest grip and made sure I knew that she "had" me. 

This hike is right up there with the Beehive trail (Acadia National Park) in terms of being memorable.  Except this one was much longer and that was 16 years ago. 

For the record, Walters Wiggles are unique and exhausting.  As hard on the knees on the way down as they were on the lungs on the way up.  If you go to Zion, and do this hike, I strongly recommend you visit the Zion Canyon Brewing company in Springdale when you complete your odyssey.  I found the Bohemian Pilsner especially restorative after the 4 and 1/2 hour trek... that I would do again in a heartbeat.   

a slightly crooked smile and a look that goes straight through me

My heart was pierced by a 4 year old in Utah.  A 4 year old named Cyrenna.  Who asked me what my name was before she told me she needed help.  She has a teeny tiny voice and likes stick on tattoos.   And thinks she can cut things out with my very sharp knitting scissors all by herself. 

It seems like just yesterday when her father told us (as we were driving through KS in 90+ degree heat) "it's sweaty in my leg pits", or that he needed "a cold cold cold cold cold drink of water with lots of ice" one night in (I think) 1983 or '84 when we were spending the night in the middle of the hot summer and he happened to be laid up with a badly broken leg.  I swear it feels like that was just yesterday. 

This.  This right here.  This serious face with a slightly crooked smile and a look that goes straight through me.  This is what family vacations are really about. 

James and Cori kept their shoes on the whole time

If you go to Utah, and you want to see some bighorn sheep, head for the Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park.  We didn't actually see any while hiking, but when we were driving away from the trailhead, 3 of them popped up on the rocks right above the road.  They are experts at holding still and blending into the landscape so you have to be watching like a hawk.  You would have thought we had seen an elk, a mountain lion, and a peregrine fountain.  One sitting atop the other.  Bremerton musician style.  That's how excited we were.  Don't look for them in any of these photos though.  I was driving. 

We chose this hike to do early on in our trip because it's not too long (only a mile), did not have much elevation gain, and we thought it would be good to help us adjust to the altitude... before moving on to conquering mountain tops.   

It was rated as moderate and I believe that was accurate.  You will notice there are places where the drop offs are fenced - helpful if you have kids in your party. 

Kids who like to explore, and be adventurous, and even a little daring. 

There was much to see on this trail, cool cave areas, sweeping views of the canyon below, gnarly tree trunks, and the bare feet of a hiker from Atlanta Georgia. 

James and Cori kept their shoes on the whole time.  Kansans and Missourians are very sensible that way. 

baby butts make everything better

Before I fall into bed tonight, I am reviewing a few photos from our Utah trip.  Family vacations are about hanging out.  Building memories.  Trying new things.  Eating amazing food prepared by a family of chefs. 

Telling stories.  Singing songs.  Taking walks.  Providing instruction on how to eat a cherry without swallowing a pit.   

I mentioned eating fabulous food already but it doesn't hurt to repeat myself. 

And of course, let's not forget baby butts.  Baby butts make everything better. 

suffice it to say the hoodoos are spectacular

Today our hiking/exploring took us to Bryce Canyon.  The Navaho trail specifically.  Part of it was closed for repair, which actually turned out to be ok.  We followed a different loop back up and saw things we hadn't planned on.  

More about these hikes when I get home.  For now, suffice it to say the Hoodoos are spectacular. 

such excellent hiking companions

This morning a crew of 6 left the house at 6:10 for Zion National Park.  Destination - Angels Landing.  It was strenuous, long, and exhausting.  And it will go down as one of the best hikes I have ever taken.  

It's such a great feeling to tackle something that is going to be really hard, that you hope to complete but aren't sure you still have it in you.  The sense of accomplishment is pretty sweet when you succeed.  Great suggestion Dana.  It was everything you said and then some!

Thanks Gary, Morgan, Ryan, James, and Cori for being such excellent hiking companions.  

Getting a whole new generation indoctrinated into the tradition

Southern Utah is majestic. With impressive views, red rocks that sometimes look purple and pink, slot canyons where the temperature cools, and oh I could go on and on. Instead I will show you a few photos from my phone for now, more when I get home. 

Meanwhile, we'll just be here exploring. Hiking. Filling up our eyes. Making memories. Getting a whole new generation indoctrinated into the tradition.

if the spirit moves me and the wifi cooperates

By the time this post is published I should be in Utah.  Where about 30 members of the Mulvenon clan will be gathering for a week long vacation.  There will be some hiking, cooking, sitting, drinking, story-telling, and the like.   Janelle has games planned, the details of which are top secret. 

I hope to be sharing some photos here at Tall Tales, but blogging will require the spirit to move me and the wifi to be cooperative.  I have prepared in advance a few posts with important information completely unrelated to Utah that will pop up while I am gone.   I will also be posting on Instagram. 

In the meantime I leave you the peonies from last week's farmers market to look at.  

By the time I get back to the market, it could be that there will be no more peonies to be had.  But I am crossing my fingers and holding my breath for a coral charm or two. 

at a truck stop, with grits on the menu

I am thinking about my Dad on Memorial Day.  Knowing if he were here he would be camped out on the lawn chair in back, watching Chris barbecue ribs, sipping on a bourbon and orange juice, telling us a tale of some adventure in Brazil or maybe on Big Sheep mountain, or about when he was traveling in his younger days playing baseball. It's just as likely he would just sit.   Enjoying the breeze while imagining his next road trip. 

Dad liked to get in the car and head out on the open road.  With a destination in mind, but open to the possibility of a sudden change in plans.  Dottie and Mary Ann take after him in that arena.  I am exactly like him in that when he was hitting the road he liked to leave early.  Super early.  Like 4 in the morning.  With a thermos of coffee in tow.  After watching the sun rise, maybe a stop for breakfast.    At a truck stop, with grits on the menu. 

My older self would love to have a conversation with him now.   We would forgo all the stuff about things we wish we would have done differently.  Instead he could tell me more stories about when he was a kid growing up, we'd talk about how great the grand kids are, and discuss if we should head east or west when we hit the road in the morning.  

all you have to do is pack the picnic basket

Here is a sampling of what was in my mailbox this week.  First up is this hand made book from Mary Ann.  The master book maker.   Complete with an image of yours truly from days gone by.   Quirky and delightful to puzzle through just how it opened and went back together.  You will notice my sister wondered if I was up to the task of following directions.  I was. 

Then came a fresh supply of labels (also from Mary Ann) which I adore and could certainly print myself, except that her printer is way better than mine.

My copy of the blurb book of our trip to the Amalfi coast also arrived.  Ah.  Such good memories.

Dottie sent me this book.  Beautiful and interesting.  I will share more about it when I have completed my exploration through each page. 

Last, but not least, was this message from sister.  Many would struggle with the meaning, but given my training in code breaking it was not to difficult to transcribe. 

It means "We are going to rent a boat on our trip in July".  "I am taking care of all the details, all you have to do is pack the picnic basket".

the Angie re-runs #8 - call your mother

This post originally ran on 3/22/14.  It falls loosely into the Angie re-run category, but since I am the boss of the blog and make the rules, I am labeling it thusly.   

the ability to convey meaning through the use of inflexion

Angie used to call frequently and leave messages on my voice mail at work or the answering machine at home.  They always went something like this:

"Carol, it's your mother, call me right away". 

She never qualified the nature of the emergency that required a call back ASAP.   But I always got the idea that it was SERIOUS because of the tone of her voice.  Mothers are experts at cultivating the ability to convey meaning through the use of inflexion. 

I will admit to getting darn irritated when she would call and leave these messages at 7am on Saturday or while Chris and I were right in the middle of eating supper. 

So... when I saw this window display the other day I felt like I had received a message from Angie.  I think she was letting me know she had landed at her destination and was figuring out how to use the new communication system.   If she holds true to form, I suspect this will be the first of many messages. 

2017 update:  I can happily report that the messages have indeed continued.  Sometimes in dreams, sometimes when I find words coming out of my mouth that she said, or sometimes when I inexplicably do something she used to do - like this morning when one of the Harvey boys meowed at the back door, and I went outside with my coffee, and I stuck my finger in my cup to see if he wanted a taste, which he did, exactly like she used to do with her dogs Moxie and Foxie.  Go ahead, roll your eyes.  I know it's ridiculous.  I didn't mean to do it.  It just happened.  On Mother's Day. 

an all around excellent sister

Happy Birthday Dottie!  If you were here right this second we would pull down the old Betty Crocker cookbook and flip through the entire dessert section, just like we did in the old days back in Panama.  We would settle on what to make to celebrate you and Mom tomorrow.   Rest assured that since are traipsing around the southwest right now on a birthday adventure, I will choose for us.   

Thanks for being such an all around excellent sister and keeper of the Moss/Vela family history.   I think you have turned Katharine Ray on to it early and we can depend on her to carry on the tradition. 

Just in case though, I think we likely need to go and get her and bring her here and tell her stories, and show her more of Mary Ann's dancing videos, and eat cake, and go for walks, and see baby geese, and pick flowers, and talk about the importance of being a Moss girl.   Yes.  All that.  ¡Feliz cumpleaños a tú hermana!

do not think for one second that I don't know exactly how lucky I am

This morning began before 7am with my discovery of the new baby geese nursery.   It also involved blooming Japanese iris and a chai tea latte in a stoneware cup.

Today's lesson for the geese appeared to be "sticking your head underwater 101".  When I got home from my walk there was a cat waiting by the rose bush.  He was quite interested in playing "drop, roll, and pet",  which I am always up for.   

While I was on the east side of town, I decided it would be foolish not to stop into 1900 Barker to see what sort of bread they were making today.  It was apple/raisin/walnut.  Some came home with me.  It's important to have good bread for toast on Mothers Day weekend.  They forced me to drink a small cappuccino while I was there.   

Watching the geese in the gray morning drizzle had me chilled, so I probably needed 2 warm morning beverages anyway. 

I thought it was very nice that they had flowers on the tables at Decade coffee shop this morning.  Someone must have called to tell them I would be dropping by and am especially fond of the combination of allium and bachelor buttons.   Interspersed in this day were videos of 3 knuckleheads singing, picking strawberries, losing a front tooth, and making chocolate chip cookies while doing Groucho Marx eyebrow moves.   Do not think for one second that I don't know exactly how lucky I am. 

these additions from Angie

Lies My Mother Told Me
by Elizabeth Thomas

If you keep eating raw spaghetti
         you’ll get pinworms,
         then I’ll have to make
         a necklace of garlic for you to wear
         each night while you sleep,
         until they go away.
If you’re mean to your younger brother, I’ll know
         because I have a special eye
         that spies on you when I’m not home.
         You cannot hide from it,
         so don’t try.
If you touch your “down there”
         any time other than when using the toilet,
         your hand will turn green and fall off.
If you keep crossing your eyes
         they will stay that way
         until the wind
         changes direction.
It is bad luck to kill a moth. Moths are
         the souls of our ancestors and it just
         might be Papa paying a visit.
If you kiss a boy on the mouth
         your lips will stick together
         and he’ll use the opportunity
         to suck out your brains.
If you ever lie to me
         God will know and
         rat you out.
         And sometimes
         God exaggerates.
         Trust me —
         you don’t want that
         to happen.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this selection from the Writers Almanac earlier in the week.  To this list, I would add these additions from Angie:
1.  Eating the crusts on your bread will make you whistle better 
2.  Don't crack your knuckles, it will make them really big and ugly
3.  Only married women are allowed to use tampons

I'll stop there.  

taking your presents and you don't care

Dear Brother:  Happy Birthday.  I won't say how many years because we both already know.   I hope you get lots of presents just like in this picture that was taken circa 1957 or '58 at our house on Wilder Avenue in Hawaii. 

I have no idea who that blonde girl is with you, but she is either taking your presents and you don't care because mom is showing you your birthday cake, OR you were as sweet and generous then as you are now and encouraged her to select one to open and keep.   Chris is making a brisket in your honor along with some corn on the cob and I am going to throw together some cole slaw with apples, cilantro, and celery that I saw on the Pioneer Woman this morning.  There may or may not be some kind of caramel-cashew-white chocolate-oat squares to go with as well.  Because even if you are not here, we are celebrating like you are.  I mailed your present to you today.  Be watching for it.  It's extremely special.

despite the lack of an ocean for the sun to sink into

In case you were doing something else at 7:15 on Monday night, and happened to miss the sunset.  Fear not.  Chris was on duty at Tall Tales headquarters and did us all the favor of recording it. 

I have said it before and I will say it again.   Despite the lack of an ocean for the sun to sink into, we really do have some amazing sunsets around these parts. 

On a completely different topic, but sort of related because they are also spectacular, Happy 7th Birthday to the Knuckleheads.

You are so lucky you are not here right now because I would be chasing you, catching you, tickling you, and kissing you.  Alot.  Which I know would totally gross you out. 

 

she would go door to door and get the signature of every resident of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area

There has been previous discussion on this blog about the significance of the thimble token in monopoly - as in this post right here.

But today when Chris pointed out to me that Hasbro announced they are getting rid of the thimble I decided the issue must be re-visited.  The thimble!   Angie's favorite token.  The one that none of us ever went for because we knew that one was mom's.  Apparently it was the bottom ranked of all the tokens.  Oh bite your tongue AND blasphemy. 

Angie Moss would start a letter writing campaign if she was here.  She would go door to door and get the signature of every resident in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.  And if that wasn't enough she would move on to St. Louis and all points north, south, east, and west from there. 

P.S.  The scene above is from the famous, never to be repeated, washington cherry martini - monopoly playing marathon.  I kept mixing them up and brother kept drinking them.  Oh we laughed ourselves silly that day.  If memory serves correctly Angie won that game.  And we all needed naps afterwards.  And mom had the thimble, I had the dog, brother was the race car, and I think Dottie had the hat. 

the perfect post-winter, pre-spring, birthday-celebration, 3 occasion napkin

Do you think there is an age cut-off for a boy to like cowboy napkins?

I'm wondering because I have an idea.

An idea that involves cowboy napkins for a birthday present.

For a boy that might be getting close to retirement age.

I saw this fabric collection and could not resist.  They seem like the perfect post-winter, pre-spring, birthday-celebration, 3 occasion napkin to me.  I have already ordered a pan to make a cowboy hat cake.  I'm pretty sure that's going to be a BIG hit. 

after we play I am going to read a Bobbsey Twins story to you

Hey Sister, Happy Birthday!!  I got out the Barbies and am ready to play if you want to come over. 

I also have the paper dolls close by in case we get tired of Barbies.  After we play there will be dramatic readings from a Bobbsey Twins book and then we will have grilled cheese sandwiches (cut in triangles) and tomato soup for lunch with fritos and orange soda.   After a short post-lunch nap, you are going to take an hour to tell me your theory on why there are no bugs in Nicarauga.  Then, we will have birthday cake (spice cake with penuche frosting) and butter pecan ice cream.  I hope this agenda meets with your approval AND that you can make it.  It's cold here right now but I have lots of blankets piled up on your bed!

Photo credit:  Angie Moss, Athens Greece, 1964.

where to hide your valuables so you remember where you put them but anyone trying to take them will by stymied

We are participating in the deep freeze thing that is going on across much of the country today. 

The snowfall amount is not all that impressive (so far), but the winds and bitter cold are making up for it.  I love a good "winter event".  When it happens on the weekend, and I don't have to be out on the roads, and my heater is working, and I have stocked up on all essential supplies.

I spent the day doing a little of this and a little of that.  I talked to my brother this morning.  He informed me that my 3 year old great niece has decided that next year she will bypass grade school and high school and head straight to Virginia Tech.

Then I talked to my sister who is headed to Nicaragua tonight.  I had to go through the pre-travel warning list with her since Angie is not here to do it.  Just the usual stuff like where to hide your valuables so you remember where you put them but anyone trying to take them will by stymied. 

Then I removed from the liquor cabinet anything that might be good when added to hot chocolate.

So far I have sampled Baileys Irish Cream and Peppermint Schnapps.  No final decisions on which is best yet.  The night is young and I have miles to go before I sleep.  

 

seeing as how she modeled the cowl so nicely for me

The admission price to dinner at the Mulvenon Family Thanksgiving extavaganza was a photo.  Of them.  Taken by me.  In a cowl.  Or a hat.  Or both.  As you will see below, they were all quite agreeable, and posed nicely. 

Somehow Dan escaped my notice.   He's like that.  Flying under the radar.  In retrospect, I would have given him an out anyway seeing as how arrived bearing dinner rolls.  You know the kind.   Home-made, warm, very slightly sweet, tender, perfect for mopping up your plate because you are not about to leave a single taste of deliciousness on your plate.

This plate.  Which is clearly packed full of everyone's best culinary offerings.   Luckily the weather cooperated for the annual pre-turkey dinner hike, which allowed us to load up our plates freely, knowing our bodies needed to replenish the vast number of calories burned during the hike. 

Along the way we did a little hedge-ball bowling, coyote howling, and bird watching. 

After dinner Ann unveiled her assortment of desserts.  This year she added a "poached pear gingerbread" concoction.  Which was tasty in addition to being an impressive site.

But my favorite was the repeat of the cherry pie she brought last year.  Complete with lattice top, a nice firm crust, and a juicy tartish/sweet filling.  This has now become a MUST to all Thanksgiving dinners, in the same way as Mary's cranberries, Dan's rolls, Sean & Andrea's vegetables, Tom & Jan's potatoes, and Chris's turkey.  I am the mastermind behind it all and am therefore not required to have a standard.  This year I added kale salad with butternut squash, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. 

It was a lovely day that ended with some time in the art room with Eleanor.  Who, may I say, takes after the Moss sisters in her love of cats and obvious artistic talents.  Even though we share no common genetic material.    

I feel there will be more shared sketchbook time with this one in my future.  Especially seeing as how she modeled the cowl so nicely for me.