Tall Tales from Kansas

Chris believes in making them every year

Although St. Patrick's day has come and gone, I would like to report that we continue to enjoy shamrocks and shortbread here at Tall Tales Headquarters.

As soon as the weather warms up a bit, the shamrock will head out to the front porch. The cookies on the other hand, will be long gone by then. There simply is nothing better than a crisp edged, buttery, firm/chewy center, shortbread cookie. Period. End of story. 

P.S. I love that Chris believes in making them every year. 

P.P.S. recipe below if you are interested. 

telling stories of our most romantic moments of the past 40 years

Happy Valentines Day from the deep freeze that is Lawrence Kansas today! 

Chris and I are staying warm today by eating chocolates, dancing the jitterbug, and telling stories of all our most romantic moments of the past 40 years.

I tucked and stuck and called it good

Sunday Art ZOOM focused on hearts for me.  Kind of like the tree's I got addicted to around Christmas time. When I find something that appeals to me, I like to work it. For all it's worth.

Watercolor, ink, scissors.

I was going to sew them together for a garland, but I have another idea for that, so I tucked and stuck and called it good.  For the moment. 

a frivolous distraction that occupies the mind and raises the spirits

Before embarking on tonight's post, let me thank each of you who left a comment on yesterday's post. I want you to know that those of us doing this work feel the immense gratitude from our patients and their families. Every single day. It is all the thanks we require. Sometimes I consider not sharing these stories. Mostly I don't want you to think I am doing anything more than being a good nurse. On the other hand, its important for people to know what it's like on the front lines.  I don't know about you, but when I read all the stuff in the paper and online it's hard to absorb it. What I CAN understand is the individual stories that illustrate the very difficult and unusual time we are living through. And, I do want you to know what that is like.

Now lets move on tonights business... a great coping mechanism.

Valentines Day decorating, much like Christmas decorating, is a frivolous distraction that occupies the mind and raises the spirits. 

Do I need to make a Valentine colored dishcloth? I certainly seem to think so. The nice thing is I am using the pattern given to me by Louise Berndt, who sent me down the path of dishcloth making when she made some for me several years ago. I like to think of her living on in my house, from way out there in western Kansas. 

Actually, as I look around at all the "heart" stuff in my house right now, I see great memories of other women. From the quilter in Germany, to Mary in Santa Barbara, to Pam's hearts and flowers from art retreat, to the hearts I used to get at the gift/coffee shop at unity village when the knitting retreat was held there and we would sit  around drinking chai latte's, knitting, and laughing. Always laughing. 

Here's to pink, red, hearts, flowers, yarn, and lots of talented women. 

random moments from 2020

Tonight, I am looking back through this year in my photos. 

Zinnias, hikes, sunrises, projects completed, baby birds growing, a good crop of poppies... it's been a year. Tomorrow I am going to sit down and finish the last 2 pages of my everyday journal and begin a new one. It seems right that it is time to close that one and start fresh. 

But right now this is going to be quick. Because in 10 minutes it's time for the Moss siblings from Virginia to California and all points in between to do a NYE ZOOM with cocktails and maybe a game.

We have ice and snow in the forecast for tomorrow in Lawrence. I have all the blankets and pillows out. Chris and I are going to build a fort in the living room and stay in our pajamas all day long.  

Be safe out there ... but don't let that stop you from blowing your horn! 

making frog-eye salad, reading the paper, doing some knitting

Scenes from our pandemic Christmas Day. It was quiet, simple, peaceful. Except for the one cut-throat game of holiday "Spot-It" which I won 32-24. 

Writing out cards, making frog-eye salad, reading the paper, doing some knitting, prepping the Brussels sprouts, holiday music in the back ground with all the favorites on a non-stop rotation.

FaceTime and Marco Polo's with the family. Wishing I could have some of the waffles with blueberries Dottie was making for breakfast in Albuquerque as well as some of the Mac and Cheese with bacon Brother was making in Virginia. AND that I could have been on the morning walk that Sister took in California. 

Tonight I am feeling restful and content. Not taking any of these creature comforts I am blessed with for granted. Sending out to every single one of you, who take the time to read, my very best wishes of the season. 

as they say in the state of our birth

Dottie and I were both born in Hawaii. Way back when. Before it was a state. 

She's been back to visit several times and LOVES it there. 

I always say I want to go back, but have never made it happen.

Sometimes she sends me flowers from Hawaii. A unique treat.

They are colorful, exotic, amazing in every way. From the top all the way down to the stems in the water. 

Every single  thing about them is special.  At Chrismas time they are especially wonderful.

Thanks Dottie, and as they say in the state of our birth, Mele Kalikimaka!

where there are no hard/fast rules only loose guidelines

Since next week is Christmas, which I know well in advance because the date does not change from year to year like some holidays, 

I finally broke down and got all the boxes organized, packed, and shipped, yesterday.

Which means they will still be on time because they are holiday presents, and technically the holiday extends through January 1st. Who wants all their presents at the same time? Best to have them spaced out. 

The combination mitten/soft ornament garland was hung over the fireplace as well.  I believe there will be time to add at least one new knitted mitten for this year. I love nothing better than a satisfying quick knit which makes me feel accomplished. Plus it's fun to experiment with small quantities of leftover yarn. 

There was this cream of wheat, Bartlett pear, yogurt, and walnuts in a red dish one morning and doesn't it just look like Christmas in a bowl? If you have ever had similar thoughts and paused to take a photo before eating, it is completely normal. In my universe anyway, where there are no hard/fast rules only loose guidelines.   

And while I am on the topic of Christmas, we watched The Bishop's Wife this week and were wonderfully entertained. 

Chris and I agreed that it is the BEST holiday movie we have watched so far this year. Now I want to find another one that I haven't seen in the last 3-5 years that is just as satisfying. If you know of an obscure one that I may not discover on my own, do tell me about it. 

a christmas miracle

This week at "my" hospital in Kansas City, I had the pleasure of taking care of a very nice man from a really tiny town in the middle of nowhere, a little ways south of Amarillo Texas. He came to us because no place any closer to home could meet his needs, and we happened to have an ICU bed. 

We patched him up, and he recovered the best he could. Which meant he was stable and didn't need our high level of care anymore, but as is often the case in these situations was stuck here, 15+ hours from family, and unable to get home in a private vehicle. In addition to COVID and other complex medical issues, he also has dementia. Which means he had a very hard time understanding what was going on. 

We puzzled over this, made lots of phone calls, scratched our heads, dug deep, and finally one of our BRILLIANT social workers (Cathleen) came up with a plan. She figured out a way to get him an air ambulance home, using a grant their town had received for taking care of patients "displaced by the pandemic". When I went in to tell him he was going home yesterday, he started to cry. He told me he didn't think he would ever get to see "them" again. In addition to his wife, daughter and son, he was badly missing "coco" the dog. 

Getting patients to a lesser level of care (ie back home) from a higher level of care (our hospital) is one of those incredibly difficult things that is often cost prohibitive for families, and it is not covered by insurance. When this all worked out in a way that I still can't believe, I told him it was a Christmas Miracle and he agreed it must be so.

As we learn new things from taking care of patients during this pandemic I hope this problem is one that can be solved for more people in the future, because isn't it as important to return someone to their family as it is to send them far away to try and fix them? 

we all know who should be wearing which mask

What all the hip couples will be wearing at this years extra small holiday parties. 

Alternately, there is this version. 

To be clear, we do NOT recommend mask swapping unless you are wearing another mask underneath, and laundering/ironing in between wearings. Besides, we all know who should be wearing which mask. It is hard to change one's essential nature, though many will try at Christmas. 

P.S. All masks made by the one and only Marilyn Parker. 

an ode to pie

In case you were wondering, which you probably weren't, but pretend like you were, because I want to tell you about it. The thanksgiving pumpkin pie was very good.

The crust was not soggy or underdone, but nicely browned through and through. Crust is important. 

There was just the right amount of filling. It was not flat, nor did it overflow the crust and create a mess in the oven. There was a proper mouth-full in every bite. 

This pie was gently seasoned with fresh ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It was not "spicy", nor was it bland. Not too sweet and it did not leave me wanting anything different. Whipped cream is of course optional. I find myself liking a bit of it these days. 

Finally, the texture is not rubbery or too soft. It is not a pudding nor is it a flan. It's a perfect creamy smoothness that can stand on it's own, yet melts in your mouth. Thank you for listening to me wax poetic over one of my very favorite things about thanksgiving. The PIE. 

Which brings me to my VERY favorite thing about thanksgiving... the hike in the morning. Even though we cancelled our family dinner, we did hike with family in the area. Outside in the sun and 40 degrees, it was nice to say Hi after so many months. 

A good hike before the meal makes me feel virtuous. It gives me license to indulge myself with no guilt. Tom and Jan have volunteered to find the Christmas Day hike for us in the Kansas City area since there will be no big family gathering for that either. It's a great way to see family with much less risk of passing the virus between us. 

For entertainment, after dinner, Chris and I watched Grumpy Old Men, our first "holiday" movie of the season. I do hope the rest of our list turns out to be as entertaining as this was. Light and amusing, it required neither heavy thinking or Kleenex. Though at the very end when they showed out-takes of Burgess Meredith running one scene over and over, I did laugh till I cried. 

bottle #4 is a wild card

In the days before Thanksgiving, the pumpkin pie was made. When it's a celebration for two, my usual pie making expert will not be bringing her beautiful pies. Therefore I must buckle down, woman-up... aka whip one up myself. I used my "go-to" recipe from Cooks Illustrated. 

What makes this recipe great is the use of fresh ginger and the addition of sweet potatoes along with pumpkin. If you are wondering, the vodka above is for the pie crust. They said to use it so I did.

It looks promising. We shall see on Thursday. 

The Farkle Zoom practice round went off without a hitch. The Moss's will be having a cut-throat tournament stretching from Virginia to California as part of our Turkey celebration. It's a good game to play on ZOOM.  We all raised our hands and took the "on my honor I will do my best to follow all the rules of this game even though it would be easy to cheat when playing virtually" pledge.  Rally hats required. 

In other news, I made a new friend because I switched up my walking routine in order to make the pie in the morning. What's not to like about a friendly face like this?

Cuttings from a walk were put in the "holy water" bottle that reminds me of Angie. 

Here is the yarn for my next project. More details to come, but isn't that a lovely color? I might start it after dinner tomorrow. Perhaps while watching a movie. With my feet up? 

Any and all suggestions for favorite holiday movies are requested. Please!

P.S. I have discovered they make champagne in 6.3 oz bottles. Chris procured a 4 pack for me. Bottle #1 was raised in a combination birthday/whew I made it through the day toast tonight, bottle #2 is slated for sipping while cooking and maybe a little cheese/nosh pre-dinner appetizer on Thursday, bottle #3 is on the menu with orange juice for a Saturday mimosa along with avocado toast, and bottle #4 is a wild card. 

this amazing work of her's to add to my collection

My halloween decor, which I take great pleasure in putting out,

while totally adequate,

could not be described as something to write home about,

until, my sister in law Ann, sent me this in the mail last week.

It's called "Trick or Treat Street" and is from the Missouri Star Block - Vol. 17, Issue 4. Carefully pieced, wonderfully quilted, fabulously colorful, it makes me deliriously happy. Ann is an excellent quilter. I delight every year in bringing out the table runner and Christmas tree skirt she made back back in the 1990's. Now there is also this amazing work of her's to add to my collection. 

this half-pint zucchini peddler

Happy 4th of July from baby robin 1 and 2.  Twenty-one days ago there were three eggs in the nest, today these two look about ready to fly the coop.  I see them practicing their flapping routines when I walk by the window. Mother robin is standing at the ready, and is not putting up with any nonsense from me. I open the front door, she chirps, the baby birds duck down into the nest. 

This morning I wanted to put a few flags on the porch though, so I snuck out, quickly stabbed flags into flower pots, then went to my side of the porch.  To read. After about 30 minutes mom adapted and stopped chirping. 

Which allowed me to get a few photos.  From a distance. 

The observation of baby birds is endlessly entertaining. But there was also a market to get to today. The winner of the best 4th of July Face Mask at the market prize went to this woman. I think her name is Muriel and she sells excellent brittles at the holiday market in December. 

Her pickled okra and jalapeños were also carefully packaged today.

Madeline was back from college with a table FULL of blueberries and zinnias.

The people who are selling and shopping at the market are doing a really great job about masking and distancing.

Even this half pint zucchini peddler was in good form.

I think we have reached the peak of beautiful flower season here in Kansas. So much is blooming.

Sometimes just one arrangement per household isn't enough, and happily there is not a limit. Happy 4th of July from Chris and I. We hope wherever you are, the fireworks are as colorful and quiet as this one. 

for example, cause a cookbook to fall out of the shelf

In honor of Mother's Day, here's an oldie, from way back in 2008, after we had been out to play golf, and mom was anticipating a round of monopoly, followed by a Chris-made dinner. 

Happy Mother's Day Angie! In my mind we are having a re-do of this exact day in your honor. I have not decided for sure what we are going to have for dessert though.  If you have a request, send me a sign. For example, cause a cookbook to fall off the shelf, and land on the floor open to the page of the thing you are craving.  Like the time you called me and said "I need some peanut butter cookies real-real bad".  

And while I am at it. Brother sent this classic around today. It's from 1969, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Lord, what a crew.  At least I wasn't the one wearing brown socks with brown loafers and shorts. 

P.S.  I still have that big glass float/ball. Which of you is a macrame/knot tying expert who knows how to remake a holder for it?  

ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-le-lu-oo-yah

Happy Easter from Tall Tales Headquarters, where I found a favorable ruling from the Kansas Supreme Court along with some chocolate malted eggs in my Easter basket this morning. They went quite well together.  

Temperatures are supposed to drop throughout the course of the day so I was also delighted to be able to get an early morning walk in. I sent my siblings a MarcoPolo in which I reminisced about going to church on Easter Sunday in Harrison Arkansas with mom in the early 90's, when all the women wore their best hats, and services ended with a rousing rendition of "Christ the Lord is risen today ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-le-lu-oo-yah". I sang it for them so they could get the complete experience.

A carrot cake for 2 was also made using this recipe except I added raisins and instead of the brown butter cream cheese frosting I used the Pioneer Woman's cream cheese frosting recipe that goes with her red velvet cake because it is so good and never fails to disappoint. 

Then I called my friend Mary Joan because I love to surprise her with FaceTime calls when she may have a few hairs out of place. I don't know about you guys, but I am finding it important to FaceTime, MarcoPolo, and/or Zoom regularly with my friends and family. 

And just because we are in the midst of a pandemic, I still find it essential to put out some bunnies and make mini flower arrangements. 

As soon as I post this I am going on the hunt for an old Easter movie for tonight's viewing. We watched "Meet Me in St. Louis" in the last few years and it was delightful. Chris suggested "Harvey", which I think sounds perfect.

it's an excellent dessert after pizza, pork fried rice, or salad

This happened the other day at our house. It was inevitable, so we made no attempt to fight it.

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. FYI the photo above is shown with the amount of sprinkles that Chris prefers. Which is clearly inadequate.

It comes together lickety split, bake the cake, make the jello, poke the holes, pour the jello, whip the cream, sprinkle the sugar.  Recipe here.

It goes down real easy too, especially when the proportion of cake to whipped cream to crunchy sugar topping is just right, as shown above. 

Really moist, not overly sweet, a little bit tart, I could eat a whole line of the 9x13 pan. In one sitting. But restrict myself to a square. All things in moderation is a motto to live by. 

One could easily substitute whipped cream in a can instead of whipping it yourself, but I do like that drapey, soft, melty consistency of the freshly whipped.

It's an excellent dessert after pizza, pork fried rice, or salad. I should know, I've had it after all 3 and will have more tonight after spaghetti and meat balls. 

The end.  Happy St. Patrick's Day to one and all, near and far. 

the low key - high reward plan

Happy hearts, cupid, flowers, candy, and cards day... to all my Valentines. 

We were going to dress up, go out, paint the town, you know the drill. Then we looked at each other and laughed. And decided for the low key - high reward plan. Pizza and a movie at home. A bottle of wine. Maybe a foot rub. Definitely a cookie for dessert. 

sprinkled liberally all through the house

Gosh I wish Valentines day would hurry up and get here so I could get off this ridiculous heart kick I am on. They had this package of fancy paper cut-out hearts at Paper Source and I simply could not pass it up. 

I sprinkled them liberally all through the house, on the table with shells and rocks...

pinned to the banner I had already hung up on the mantle...

and added to the inspiration board.  Along with the sequined heart.

I also found some vintage valentines when searching for more old Mason Jars at the antique mall downtown. 

A 2007 Valentine from sister, which has been hanging up for 13 years was re-appreciated.

And all of the hearts I have collected from Mary Stanley over the years are hanging up. Her hand stitched creations are one of a kind.  

Alas, my work-life has kept me from bringing to fruition all the heart ideas that have been in my brain, but even the possibility of making things sometimes is enough to bring my pleasure. 

Happy Kansas Day

Happy Kansas Day everyone from Tall Tales Headquarters.  I think this is what they term a "minor holiday"... but any excuse to celebrate the beauty of my state I feel obligated to share.

in your silk, taffeta, and heels

Happy New Year's Eve to all from the entire staff of Tall Tales from Kansas, where we are staying in tonight, eating beef & broccoli that Chris is stirring up in the wok, and watching a movie (or another episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). 

Meanwhile, before the season totally gets away, here are a few more holiday window displays from downtown. As I review them I am hard pressed to recall why that snowman is not living in this house. 

I diverge momentarily from the windows to show you this display inside the toy store.  Oh such memories of all the hours of entertainment our spirograph kit brought us. You too?

And who does not love a paper chain? 

I can also completely get behind a glittery, sparkly, silver theme.  

This is a reverse window display - inside looking out. I liked the perspective better. 

Do tell me about all the dances, parties, and celebrations you are going to in your silk, taffeta, and heels. I will just be here in the flannel pajamas, smiling about how great it is to be this age, be at home, and for that to be so enough.  

actually though, I think he's got it

Yesterday we had just the most wonderful, sunny, blue sky, Christmas Day. Perfect for getting out for a walk... where I got to see a cute neighbor boy on his new scooter and his equally cute sister sitting in the driveway holding her new baby doll oh so protectively. While the littlest boy toddled around and greeted me with "Merry Christmas" in his best 2 year old lisp. So dear.  

It was a low key, pancake breakfast, unwrapping new slippers kind of day.

Chris made the Boursin potatoes to take over for the family dinner while I did more important things like deciding what bracelet and scarf to wear, and staring at the mantle.

Tonight we may play the Holiday edition of "spot it", watch a movie, and drink evening eggnog. Our nephew Sean has made it a mission to perfect his recipe, and I find that it's important to drink many glasses in order to provide proper feedback. Actually though, I think he's got it. But I won't tell him that quite yet. 

Adding potato recipe since Dianne asked - we peeled our potatoes, otherwise, followed recipe exactly.

equally warm and well and content

Merry Christmas Eve friends!  

While I unwind from a long stretch of days at work (drinking wine and eating smoked Gouda cheese from Holland - thanks Christy!), Chris prepares our traditional December 24th dinner of shrimp pasta and garlic bread. This started back in 2004 when Angie moved up to Kansas from Arkansas. She always came over for Christmas Eve mass, then dinner, followed by sitting in front of the fire to open presents and tell stories of holidays past.  Like the year I stuck my finger in the pumpkin pie, or the time Ray and his friend Steve decorated the tree after we went to bed, or the year we had no tree at all because we were shipping out to Panama a few days after Christmas.  That year we each selected a chair in the living room to decorate with paper garlands, so Santa would know where to put our presents.

Tomorrow morning I am making pancakes and bacon for breakfast and will start the Christmas carols by 7:00 am. There will be time for sitting and staring and calling Brother and Dottie and Mary Ann so we can connect across the miles.

Candles will be lit, pajamas will be kept on.

A walk may be taken, or not. Mostly it will be low key, with dancing in the kitchen and maybe around the tree.   Right now I must refill my glass and make a decision between Scrooged and Love Actually to watch after dinner.  I hope whatever you are doing tonight you are equally warm, and well, and content.   

the annual bottle of eggnog was purchased

In between the parades, artist shows, farmers markets, and preparation for all things holiday related, there has also been time to delight in the unexpected, enjoy the snow, and start on the annual making of "snacks". 

A Quail plaza Christmas dinner celebration was also held. 

One of the best times of the holiday season. Our meal and service at the Capital Grille was exemplary. The company unsurpassable. Truly.

On a slightly less extravagant note, an old wreath was placed on the chair that came out of Aunt Alice's garage in Russell Kansas in 1996 and has lived on my front porch since. The annual bottle of eggnog was also purchased and on each day I am off I sit by the fire sipping it and my coffee.  Always side by side. Never mixed.

One glass limit per setting. Usually. 

simple, complex, traditional, way out there...

Tonight I give you the first post of the season that will be dedicated to holiday window displays. Which is to say there will be more of them. These were all captured this past week in Lawrence. I am a fan of the festive downtown window. Simple, complex, traditional, way out there, I love them all.  

Right about now I should be attending to my own decorating, in the form of a tree that needs lit and decorated. But it's Friday night, which means there is a bottle of merlot to drink and pizza to eat. I hope you have something just as wildly fun and frivolous planned to kick off your weekend.  

a great way to open the holiday season

It's real difficult to limit the number of photos in a blog post when the subjects of the pictures are horses, and riders, in a parade. I shall endeavor to do my best but make no promises. 

And then of course there are all the people at the parade... keeping warm, choosing seats, carrying their frisbee, playing with signs, waiting for things to start.

There were young riders, older riders, middle aged riders, silly riders, and very serious riders. By serious I mean the kind who appeared very natural astride their horse.

If I was traveling any distance in a wagon, I would want these fellows in the driver and shotgun positions. They seem most competent. That said, this was an old hearse they were pulling, and I will not need that for my burial. 

Santa was there to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Mostly though, it's about the horses, and the kids who are excited to see them, and all of Lawrence coming out to smile and wave. Which is a great way to open the holiday season. 

in all it's vibrant speckledness

Every year when faced with the dilemma of poinsettia color selection, I struggle.

Then I always end up getting red. Because I am a traditionalist. Red. Red. Red. And no glitter on the leaves please. 

Also never white. No. No. No. Though I can see a place for them in a monochromatic winter wonderland decorating scheme. Which I don't have. 

Then of course there are the pinkish ones with all that marvelous green patterning, begging to be brought home and painted. 

This year though, this one came home with me. I couldn't help it. In all it's vibrant speckledness it called my name as I walked by and I whisked it up right quick before someone else named Carol could answer.   

Purchased at Pendleton's Country Market - the undisputed, most prize winningness, poinsettia producer in the area. In my humble opinion. 

Boo!

Tonights collection of carved pumpkins, in honor of All Hallows Eve, is brought to you courtesy of the amazingly talented students from the Kansas City Art Institute.  They are on display right now at the Crestwood Shops in Kansas City. 

I don't know how long they will be there. But the window shopping all along there is simply marvelous. Don't forget the best lemon cake in all of KC is at Cafe Europa. Oh and the tea shop is delightful. Plus the orchids were on sale at the florist as well.

Boo!

2 whole peanuts to one piece of "corn"

Since we both know that we each have already begun to eat the delightful combination of candy corn and salty cocktail peanuts, known as "October crack", I decided to go ahead and post a photo of it today.

Because this ridiculous (and simultaneously cute) container only comes out once a year, it seems fair to give it a full month out of the cupboard before returning it to hibernation. Can you refer to an inanimate object as hibernating? 

My preferred ratio is at least 2 whole peanuts to one piece of "corn", but of course that is a personal matter. Since the candy is made up of 100% sugar, it definitely needs the salt to balance things out.

Chris, head researcher at Tall Tales Headquarters, told me today it was invented in the 1880's by George Renninger and was at one time called "chicken feed".  I have included these facts here in case you ever find yourself in need of such knowledge while participating in a cut-throat trivia challenge.  

so he wouldn't feel like I was a dessert snob

Whatever else you have planned for your 4th celebration (if you have one), include this.

Or some semblance of this.  Brownies would do. So would a root beer float. This was Chris's idea. When he had a craving for white cake with white frosting with sprinkles and came home with a jiffy cake mix and a can of Betty Crocker ready to spread frosting. He is not a sweets lover. Hence this choice. That I will admit to eating my share of. So he wouldn't feel like I was a dessert snob.  Which I most certainly am not. 

we hope you are partaking in all

Because it involves being green, providing an excuse to use a lilting accent while saying things like "top o' the morning", and on account of our last name is Mulvenon, Chris and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy St. Patrick's Day.

The beer, parades, corned beef/cabbage/potatoes combination, and dancing a jig (or is is a reel?) aren't bad either.  We hope you are partaking in all.  Equally. 

perfect for a chilly winter night

Christmas retreats just as it comes on at my house.  Slowly.  Translated:  decorations are not coming down for awhile and more holiday photos will be posted.  

This was on a nice sunny day downtown on Massachusetts street.  Strolling for last minute gifts.

If you are like us, and are not done with Christmas either... and have not seen Christmas in Connecticut, We're No Angels, While You Were Sleeping, or The Lemon Drop Kid... they are delightful holiday movies.  Silly. Corny. Funny. We rented them all this year (from Amazon).  Perfect for a chilly winter night.  Even better with a bowl of chili and a corn muffin on the side.  If you ask me.  Which you did not.  

Merry Christmas greetings

 

Just a few more December photos today, and Merry Christmas greetings to one and all from Lawrence Kansas.  

on this most lovely of nights

While I tip-tap away on this keyboard, upstairs on the second floor of Tall Tales Headquarters, Chris is busy making shrimp pasta and American garlic bread.  Christmas Eve is upon us and with it, the tradition we continue in honor of Angie who looked forward to this meal each and every year.  

Meanwhile, in Venice, new traditions are being made.  Dottie just sent me a video of Adeste Fideles from the midnight mass at San Marco Cathedral.  It fills me with memories of so many Christmas times gone by.  

Wherever you are, whatever you celebrate, whomever you are with, we wish you safe travels, good eats, warm beds, and sweet dreams, on this most lovely of nights.   

 

less is not better than more

Up from the basement.  Out from the cabinet under the mirror.  Things are emerging from their storage spaces.  

The pygmy forest and the wee elves, together again.  Balancing on the candle sticks collected through the years.

I plan to make time to do another elf this year.  I think my ability to pick up and knit the wrapped stitches on short rows has improved and I can craft a better face on these guys.  Maybe.  That does not mean I will love the first ones any less.

At this point I asked Chris if he thought I was going overboard.  He said definitely not.  So I am now in the process of placing the Christmas mouse collection strategically among the knitted pieces.  Always mindful of the motto that less is not better than more when it comes to stuff like this.  

who will be most festive of all on Christmas Day

Getting together with friends you somehow don't see as often as you should, because life gets in the way, is a Christmas gift to myself.

Running into Stephen Green who happened to be taking photos in the area and snapped one of Liz and I in front of the Kauffman Center, was a happy coincidence.  

When talking about what we should do with our day, I said "lets look at pretty things".  And so we did.  

Pretty Christmas tableau's at Trapp and Company on Main, along with this super-soft neck and shoulder wrap that I could not talk Liz into buying, though it is perfect for her.  It might still be there if you want it.  It was the last one though, so you better be quick.  

Pretty doors and windows on the plaza (and why didn't I notice that plaid neck wrap when I was taking this photo and go into the store and buy it?).  

There was also this guy playing drums in his car, with the windows down, on the plaza, which was pretty hilarious.  

Supplies for making pretty banners and these eye-catching Christmas party necklaces at Stuff in Brookside.  Guess which one I bought?  Hint... I will be the most festive of all on Christmas day at the Mulvenon family gathering.  Totally out of character but I could not help myself.  This is what happens when you are with your friend, laughing about all the things you use to do and all the things you can't remember.  You forget who you are momentarily and imagine yourself as someone who can carry off this look.  

A pretty tree with blue furry flowers that could not live at my house but was fun to look at, and this pretty AND delicious salad eaten sitting at the counter, while we watched all the activity going on in the kitchen at Webster house.

There were multitudinous amounts of pretty table linens at Pryde's.  One of my serious weaknesses.  One kitchen towel was purchased.  I did NOT buy this perfect pink tree that we discovered out on the back porch upstairs.  It needs a kid's bedroom to live in if you happen to have one.    

Nope.  No pecan bars either.  But look how perfect they are.  Very pretty. 

What I did come home with was a great sense of well-being.  One that comes from spending a nice day with a friend; sipping a turkish latte, zipping here and there, trying to recall the names of stores that are gone, Liz telling me about the "2 wreath fountain trick", resolving not to let a whole year go by before we see each other again.  

Yikes!  One more pretty thing.  I know I have already gone on too long, but they are so pretty and you MUST see them.

I almost had to be resuscitated when I saw how cute they were.  I am thinking of adopting the entire group.  

how to smile like a proper elf

Chief among all the things I love most about this time of year are these.

And these, and these, and these.

When you can get them at a place where you can also have a rendevous with a frisky feline, well that's a bonus.

Available greenery for your front porch fountain too?  Bonus on top of bonus.  

When I spotted the elf in the greenhouse I thought I was hallucinating.  Until she spoke.  She clearly got an A+ in the "How to Smile Like a Proper Elf" portion of her training.

Here is the poinsettia we selected.  It's a "Noel Red".

This one did not come home with me.

But we have several future dates planned.  Thanks Pendleton's Market for another year of great produce, plants, flowers, butterflies, pumpkins, kitty petting, and all around good times. 

sugarplums did dance in my head while I slept

If you are not a girl between the ages of 5 and 12, you may not love what I am going to show you today.  But then again, even I can look back and imagine how it would be to walk in to J'adore in Brookside and see this at that age.

Heck, I think it's pretty spectacular at the tail end of my 50's.  

Colorful, sparkly, bright, and happy.  I could pull up a chair and just sit for hours.

Maybe sip on some hot cocoa and nibble on a shortbread cookie, while waiting for Santa and his elves.

Oh the sheer delight of all that pink!

This is one of my Kansas City favorites at Christmas time.  I highly recommend a visit if you live in the area.  When you get done inside, skip across the street to Heirloom Bakery and Hearth.

You might need a cookie while you sit down and let all you have just seen sink in.  

Or you might do what I did and get a big bowl of curry vegetable soup and a kale squash feta scone.  And then I drove home and took the most pleasant of naps.  And yes, sugarplums DID dance in my head while I slept.  

when these big guys clip-clopped by

The Old Fashioned Christmas parade happened on Saturday, in spite of the rain.  

It didn't stop the festivities.

But it did make for lots of umbrellas.

And other sorts of shelter.  It's important to make do, when you have to.  

Victor was not deterred by rain overhead or underfoot as he proclaimed "They're COMING!"

Little Miss Red Coat, was also in the "fie on rain" camp and let nothing interfere with her festive look.    

There is something very special about this parade. Low tech. Nostalgic.  

You could feel the street vibrate when these big guys clip-clopped by.  

Chris and I decided that babies and little doggies had the best seats in the house this year.  

When the umbrellas went up and stayed up, about 30 minutes into the festivities, I told Chris my eyes had seen a sufficient number of horses.  Which was code for "I'm ready to go".  Which he of course immediately understood.  I like it when my date knows when I am ready for coffee, oatmeal, and a fireplace.    

in order to render a thoughtful, complete, review

This year's turkey day hike was the BEST. Mid 50's for temps, sunny, breezes, we did not get lost, no one sprained and ankle, and we got home in time for Chris to get the turkey out of the oven.

But I am getting ahead of myself.   

Coffee and a leisurely setting of the table is how things started out for me, while Chris tended to turkey duties. Then we slipped on our jackets/vests and headed out of doors.  

Getting out for a walk before dinner is my favorite part of Thanksgiving day. Taking a break from the kitchen chores before everyone arrives sets a good tone for the day.  Not to mention the appetite building.  

It wasn't a long hike.  Just a few miles.  Enough to be able to pay proper homage to the Thanksgiving day pies prepared by Ann without worrying about caloric intake.

My personal favorite was the pecan/pumpkin, followed closely by the regular pumpkin, but let's not forget the apple with a hint of lemon that was also divine.  I had to have some of each in order to render a thoughtful, complete, review.  If someone is going to go to this much work on dessert, it's the least I can do. 

as we thought about Ray and Chas

Chris and I went downtown today for the Veterans Day parade.
 

Things got started off with a fly-over.  No matter how many times I see one, I am always simultaneously impressed and choked up.  

There were people walking and riding and smiling and waving.  

 Mostly we wanted to show our respect and gratitude as we thought about Ray and Chas (our Dads) on this 100th anniversary of Armistice day.  

ready to see a unicorn on my porch

Banners are hung.  Pumpkins are out.  Front porch light is on.  Kit-Kats, Snickers, and M&M's are ready to be handed out.

Hurry up kids!  I am ready to see a unicorn on my porch.  

Or maybe a ballerina, or Spiderman, or a robot.  I am not picky.  

We are equal opportunity candy hander-outers here.  

I searched all over the bag of candy corn and could find no similar claim

If you haven't done it yet.  It's high time.

To mix yourself up a batch of Halloween goodness.  

Brother called the other day so we could discuss the ratio of peanuts to candy corn.

We like to discuss important culinary matters like this in the Moss family.  

I'll tell you what I told him.  That is a personal preference, but mine is a 2:1 mix of peanuts to candy corn.

What is not negotiable, in my book, is buying some off brand of peanuts or candy corn.  And by the way, did you notice in photo #1 that right on the front of the peanut can it says they are "heart healthy"?

I searched all over the bag of candy corn and could find no similar claim. No matter.  It's Halloween.

Now that you have been provided with all the details, go forth and mix.  And eat.  And smile.  Boo!

"...well you have the chin of a nun"

It's been a tranquil, lazy, Labor Day weekend here at our house.  Full of things like using color wheels, taking walks, setting the table for dinner guests, and putting a vase of zinnias on every surface in the house.

An extra day for piddling around seems like the most luxurious of gifts.  We drank an excellent bottle of wine and ate peach cobbler accompanied by velvety smooth sips of Irish Cream.  

I also had a wild and crazy dream about being in an art/craft store with Sister and Pam, trying to find some kind of stencil that was simply not to be had, and then almost getting into a fight with a 47 year old lady with a red face and a pony tail who thought the three of us were nuns and when I told her I had been married for 37 years she said "well you have the chin of a nun".   If you are an analyzer of dreams, do tell me what that could possibly mean.  

she loved bachelor's buttons

Happy Mothers day to all my favorite mothers out there.  You know who you are. 

This little bouquet at the market was a special hello to me from Angie. 

She loved bachelor's buttons (aka centaurea cyanus and cornflowers).  I have a vivid memory of her coming to help me plant flowers at the very first house we bought in Lawrence in 1985.  We planted some of them on the side of the house.  Afterwards we sat on the steps out front. We were hot, tired, and immensely satisfied with our work.

The fact that these came in a tall mason jar and had anemone's tucked in alongside was a bonus.

We often (as in almost always) need several bouquets at Tall Tales headquarters.  Because we can, so we should.   I told Chris the other day that since I am now 59 years old he should "expect to hear a lot of wisdom coming out of this pie hole".   The necessity to purchase multiple bouquets at the farmers market is one such example. 

with a side of leftover salty ham

Happy Easter from Tall Tales Headquarters here in Lawrence Kansas.

Where, despite the sleet and snow and the loss of the Jayhawks last night, we are moving ahead with tradition.

Which means that Chris is making orange marmalade glazed ham and borsin potatoes and I am setting the table and in charge of the asparagus. 

I did not forget the bunny napkins.  I think we will use them all month in an effort to bring Spring to mind in spirit.  I am happy to report my chest cold/sore throat has left.  Unfortunately it left a head cold/drippy nose in it's place.  I have resorted to bourbon and multiple one hour naps during the day to drive the last of the illness off.  For some reason, I believe that I am immune to all illness and am always caught off guard when I am forced to realize that I am, after all, a mere mortal and subject to ails and infirmities. 

Next step after hot tea, advil, sunshine, flowers, massage, naps, and bourbon is lots and lots of jelly beans.   

With a side of leftover salty ham. 

 

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.  

it looks like a big Valentine to me

Signs of the approach of the feast of Saint Valentine abound.    

While I was taking in all the pretty windows downtown, I went looking at Stitch on Needlework Shop to see if they had a Valentine themed Lori Mitchell character.  To add to my "collection".  As you see below, I did not leave empty handed.

Seriously, look at that hair.  You would have had to have her too. 

When I saw these postcards, I decided to make up for not sending Christmas cards by dropping a few love notes in the mail.   

I did not buy any bags of candy, but I appreciated them. 

The lovely pink sunset the other night has not a thing to do with February 14th, except it looks like a big Valentine to me. 

And it was completely free.  And it made me catch my breath.  And if I could bottle it up and send it to you I would.  As it is, the photo will have to do. 

 

holding a steaming cup between your hands and inhaling deeply as part of the ritual

If you run across some of this as you are shopping for your valentine, you might want to snap it up. 

It's surprisingly tasty.  Surprising as in how good can chocolate tea really be?  I am an Earl Gray, Bergamot, English Breakfast, Chamomile, kind of tea person... thought lately I am heavy into a peach/ginger blend as well as a lovely coconut brew.  I am also currently investigating the healing properties of turmeric tea, but I digress.  Suffice it to say that this tea is exceedingly nice to sip on.  Holding a steaming cup between your hands and inhaling deeply as part of the ritual takes it right over the top.  Better be sure and get a little tin for yourself.  I did.  

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.