Tall Tales from Kansas

every angle seems photo worthy

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

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

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

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

give me a bowl, a spoon, access to your refrigerator and pantry and I can make you a breakfast

When last I posted, I had just taken a virtual improvisational quilt class with Maria Shell. The cutting, piecing, playing, exploring continues... as you can see from my waste basket. What a great idea to do a class like this right before the temps dip below zero and you are best off staying at home. 

The birds have been hitting the feeder hard and heavy! This is outside my kitchen window and I have been filling it every day for the last 2 days. It takes a lot of calories for teeny birds to survive in this weather. I love that the rock wall in the back of my house provides lots of nooks and crannies for them. 

We went and bought a second feeder today to make the switch out a bit easier in the ice and snow.  

The tree remains up but the ornaments came down. I like a slow wind down and am still enjoying the lights being on from morning till night. 

When I took down some of the red and green I put back up a collection of old nursing and teaching books that belonged to Eleanor (Chris's mom) and great Aunt Alice. I love having these and thinking about them studying from them all those years ago.

Finishing up gifts from Christmas for breakfast has been quite enjoyable. 

In case you need a guide for the bowl below... it is blueberries topped with oatmeal, greek yogurt, pumpkin pecan butter, and hazelnuts. Give me a bowl, a spoon, access to your refrigerator and pantry and I can make you a breakfast. 

Other cold weather activities have been watching movies... Oppenheimer, May/December, My Octopus Teacher, and American Symphony. If you have not seen My Octopus Teacher or American Symphony yet... I highly recommend them both. May/December is disturbing but well acted - not for everyone. Oppenheimer is hard to get through at first then races to the end - you know I love anything that is historical. 

I hope you are having some good days, whatever you are doing. I'll just be here, waiting for the temperatures to rise, occupying myself with all sorts of interesting (to me) indoor endeavors. 

greetings and best wishes

Happy December 25th to each of you from Kansas... where Chris and I are doing meal prep for tonight. I am in charge of Brussels sprouts, salad, and dessert - he's got the ham and potatoes locked in. We are spending a quiet holiday on our own, watching movies (thanks for telling us about Jingle Jangle Chris - and did we really think A Christmas Story was that funny in 1983?) eating good cheese, drinking wine, playing cards, sitting by the tree, knitting, Marco-Polo'ing, FaceTiming, taking naps, finishing up Christmas cards. 

That old paper mache bell is from Christmas in Hawaii. It first appears in photos on the tree where dad is holding Ray, mom is holding Dottie, and she is pregnant with me. Those bells have moved all around the world, have been batted off the tree and chewed on by all our cats through the years, and are still going strong. 

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whomever you are with, we send greetings and best wishes to you. 

With love, Carol and Chris

in all the stages of light that cross the dining room table

A sure sign that Christmas is just around the corner is the emergence of the wee elves and the tiny trees.  When I put these all out this year I said to myself, "there is not room on this table for one more tree or elf".  But when I look at the photo I see a glaring empty spot in the middle in the back that could certainly use a tree.

Speaking of tree's... though I initially said to Chris, "let's have only lights on our tree this year, no need for decorations", clearly I changed my mind. Next year we'll just do lights. 

The poinsettia is thriving 14 days into the acquisition.  Which means we have figured out each other's needs. In all the stages of light that cross the dining room table throughout the course of the day, it is beautiful. 

The Quails celebrated Christmas with a dinner at Union Station. We laughed, marveled at our long, enduring friendship, unpacked our bags with each other, ate some wonderful food, thoroughly enjoyed the decorations, and before we knew it, the night was over. 

A list of movies to watch is being made, menus are being planned, games and nosh plates are being considered. Should the bourbon/bacon/onion jam go with cheese platter or by itself with cream cheese, crostini, and a crisp white? All important decisions. I love the anticipation of holiday relaxation and festivities as much as I enjoy the actual events that make up the holiday. 

in my neck of the woods this week

Look at this local apple taken out for breakfast the other day. It was washed and laid out for chopping when I "saw" just how beautiful it was.  Such interesting designs on the skin.

It may have been eaten on the same day the sky was pink and the fields were gold on a morning walk. 

It was definitely not the same day these zinnias were all cut and put in vases because I thought we might get frost overnight. Still these could be the last 3 arrangements of the season, and therefore warrant showing. 

A stranded knitting class was taken at the Yarn Barn here in Lawrence in anticipation of a new project I am starting. It can't hurt to take a refresher when you don't do something often, and it was so fun to see Mary (my previous knitting teacher, who happened to be teaching this class) again. 

A new coffee shop was discovered. Zeb's in Eudora - the little town directly to our East. They make a fine cardamom latte, served in a nice heavy mug, perfect for wrapping your hands around. Great spot for sitting, thinking, writing, observing, talking. Recommended. 

The first of the Halloween "trip-trap" was brought up from the basement.  

And this friends, is a summary of what has been happening in my neck of the woods this week. 

the light crispness on the edges and the melding of all the flavors with the warming

I am enamored with my bundle of greenery from the farmers market. It's just the thing to go in all my flower vases right now. 

The Drake's fruitcake is just as satisfying from a gustatory perspective. 

Tell me you are going to try it toasted for breakfast with more fresh fruit on the side so I can stop harping on how delicious it is. Oh the light crispness on the edges, the gooeyness of the fruit, and the melding of all the flavors with the warming... sigh. 

placed in strategic locations for maximum enjoyment

Just a few things that were done around here this weekend. None of them life-changing, none of them character-building, all extremely enjoyable. 

The mitten garland was hung from the mantle, things made/collected/gifted over the years were placed in strategic locations for maximum enjoyment, the pygmy forest and wee elves marched up the stairs from the basement and demanded their rightful place, felt garlands went over the table. 

While I was hanging it, I admired the poinsettia and the most interesting patterns in it's leaves. Christmas CD's were organized so I don't have to root through a messy pile every time I am looking for just the right one, and I bought supplies for baking. This may not sound like much to you, but it was a full 2 days work for me. 

clearly they are all the colors of a heart centric holiday

Every year when February approaches I am filled with a strong desire to make all things even somewhat Valentines related. Banners of hearts, hand stitched hearts, a hooked heart, why not a table runner of all shades of pink and red? See what I mean? It's silly. Ridiculous even. 

But my heart is a foolish one and I follow it where it goes. Isn't it great that we can go so many places and make so many things using our imaginations?  

I am settling for getting out hearts previously made, garlands from years past, and hearts from friends. 



In photo #1 above, I renamed my Christmas socks (begun last year... or was it the year before) Valentine's socks because clearly they are all the colors of a heart centric holiday. Since that photo I have about reached the heel on sock #2. Which means I have 11 days to finish so I can wear them to a coffee shop on the 14th.

Pam Garrison made that watercolor flower heart  below a few years back. It's a treasure, as are those pink hearts covered in old bits of lace and crochet that Mary Stanley made.

Has the Valentine's bug bit you? If so what are you creating? Do tell.

P.S. I have rubbed off on Chris. He bought a fresh bottle of red sanding sugar at the store to make sugar cookies. I did not one single thing to discourage that idea. 

because I had to be home to rotate the pan in the oven

Today in between making Syrup Cake, my version of gingerbread, which is made with a whole lot of Steen's pure cane syrup (thus the name), I did some sewing.

Unbelievably, and only with the help of Ann, I have finished piecing and sewing the top of a quilt. Truthfully, I wondered if I had it in me. Turns out, there is a lot you can do with the guidance of a friend. It's not that I haven't made a quilt before, but never one where I wasn't just winging it. 

The cake, by the way, turned out perfectly, with a crisp exterior snap to the crust, a soft interior, and plenty of dark rich molasses flavor.

There was also sitting, fire watching, and recalling the time in Williamsburg in the late 1990's when I stumbled upon Christmas Eva in a little store and she came home with me. 

Candles were lit, feet were put up, options for holiday movies were reviewed. This is where I request you share your favorites in case I have missed them. It's hard to sort through all the movies out there. 

I only left the house once (for 15 minutes because I had to be home to rotate the pan in the oven) to run to the store for grapes and strawberries to go with the syrup cake. 



It was a perfect day of poking around, doing a little of this and a little of that, Chris telling me "you know you left the iron plugged in right?" and "hey your sewing machine light is on"... I am in my element when not following anyone's rhythms but my own, getting up to do something else whenever the spirit moves me.  

tall tales headquarters has been holidized

A field trip was taken recently to ensure, that prior to getting all the holiday ornamentation in just the right spot in the house, there were no additional items that needed to be purchased.  To refresh things. You know how it is. 

I went, I looked, I admired, I calculated carefully, filled myself up with the holiday spirit, picked up a very few necessary items, came home, went to the basement and brought the boxes upstairs.  I am happy to report that as of 10:20pm on 12/11/21 Tall Tales Headquarters has been holidized. 



Other holiday spirit-building activities  have included sipping on eggnog with the morning coffee and meeting friends to make pom-poms.  



There is always room in EVERY home for the addition of another pom-pom garland. This is the perfect way to use up extra bits of yarn and it's extremely enjoyable to see how the different yarns look when made into pom-poms. The ones you least expect (sock yarn!) look really great. These are perfect in the place of bows on presents as well. If you are making pom-poms too, please tell me what you are doing with yours so I can copy. 

P.S. all the photos of the holiday decorations are from Jadore in Brookside. A delightful spot for getting in the holiday spirit. 

I can't go cold turkey

The lack of fresh flowers at the market last week did not stop me from re-filling my vases this week.

There is quite a lot that can be done with just a few stems of mums and daisy's from the grocery store.



I have to wean myself off flowers. I can't go cold turkey.



Until I get my poinsettia's at the Holiday Farmers market, these will do just fine. 

they added a different element to all the existing arrangements

In case you were wondering what I did with all my tuberoses from the farmers market, 

some went on the table with last week's sunflowers which are still going strong and therefore can not be tossed out, 

some went in a little vase upstairs next to the zinnias by the computer,

and finally, some went outside on the front porch with another "still good" sunflower. I got a dozen stems, and those of you familiar with tuberoses know they can really pump out the fragrance in the evening, all 12 on the dining room table would have overwhelmed. I like how they added a different element to all the existing arrangements. 

In other follow up news, this organic sweet corn from Mellowfields farm was crunchy, sweet, summer perfection.



Finally, the fountain was filled and ran beautifully for about an hour - until the water all leaked out.  Drat. The tension from the angle of the cord will require a bit more caulk. No big deal. I also discovered when I was cleaning the top of the fountain before I turned it on, that a wasp had made a nest inside the place where the water spurts out the top. I now have a rock at the ready to cover the hole to hopefully prevent that whenever it's not running. I love trying to outsmart a wasp.

because I like you like that

The first week back at work is always a challenge after a week off. But looking at this video of our first sunrise at the beach last week helps. Isn't it great how easy it is to take a video these days? And watch it as much as you want?

I think it's amazing. The fact that I can download it on YouTube AND figure out how to share it here is also noteworthy. I don't do it often enough to remember from year to year.

Tomorrow morning is the opening of Farmers Market season in Lawrence! Can I get a Hallelujah? It's supposed to be raining, but unless it's a full on storm, I am going. If for no other reason than to share it with you. Because I like you all like that.

Happy Friday!

 

on my own timeline

Happy Easter from Kansas, where I am piddling and poking and moving from one thing to another, getting back to familiar routines.

California was simply stunning. The company, the weather, the air perfumed by Victorian Box trees, jasmine, and citrus blossoms, and the ocean. Always the ocean with beach walks. 

I will arrange and re-arrange this collection of treasures many times in the next weeks. Each time recalling where the individual pieces were picked up. 

Chris is making easter ham, I helped by taking out the easter napkins. 

This sweet bunny made by Mary Stanley was picked up at Bon Fortune in Carpinteria. The perfect addition to my cobbled together centerpiece. 

The thing for me when coming back from a trip, is to slowly begin to mingle the last week with the coming weeks. No hard line between then and now. If you see me sitting around with my eyes open and staring, a slight smile on my face, you will know I am integrating. No need to try and snap me back to the present. I am on my own timeline. 

P.S. Sister if you were here, I would split the malted milk eggs with you. Right down the middle - half for you and half for me. 

an understudy if you will

In the days and weeks before harvesting from the flower garden is possible, may I suggest you gather instead, sedums, lavender, lemon balm, and cat mint.

It makes a charming stand-in; an understudy if you will. 

how can I not love it best

Spring home-making has arrived. No doubt about it. Pat, one of my knitting group friends, made this lovely little work a few years ago. I treasure the delicate stitching and aspire to one day be able to do as well. 

I see no reason not to sprinkle artificial flowers around the house while I await the blooming of the forsythia. 

The rabbit mug made it's way down from the upper cabinets this weekend. The mandatory antecedent of jelly beans and easter baskets. 

Wreaths and ferns for the front porch, settling on the chair rescued from great Aunt Alice's garage in Russell Kansas in 1997 or 98. I want to put a note on the bottom so someone who comes after me will understand the significance of this seemingly broken down relic that Alice found in someone's chicken shed or attic 40+ years ago. 

Twigs from the red sunset maple and ground cover that is greening up from out back are snipped and brought inside. New front door mat below, with more of that faux forsythia. 

Autumn has always been my favorite season, except for when it's almost Spring and then how can I not love it best?

a whisper of fragrance that is perfection

It has finally come to me that the perfect description of the fragrance of stock (matthiola incana) is a combination of spicy red hots and vanilla. It hit me today as I was repeatedly sniffing each of the 5 colors I purchased at the store.

Sister has been painting stock out there in LA and going on about how wonderful it smells, which I completely agree with, so I just went to the store and got myself some today. 

It's probably my imagination, but I think the different colors have a teeny bit different fragrance. Is that possible?

This fuchsia color seems to be the mildest fragrance, the white the spiciest.

But really the bottom line is they make a room smell darn good. I put these upstairs in the art room.  When I get halfway up the stairs I smell them. Calling to me. Not overwhelming, just a whisper of fragrance that is perfection.    

awesome hair, tap dancing, blue eye shadow, and wearing Candies shoes

Sometimes, you simply can not beat the feeling of working a simple pattern with dreamy yarn and a set of knitting needles that glide through it like butter. That's how I felt with this project this morning. Knitting away while listening on a ZOOM call. Though it may sound counter intuitive, when my hands are occupied, I am a better listener. Stopping to take notes freely with no worries about losing my place. 

This week's grocery store flowers. I am thinking tulips may be arriving soon for purchase? Or daffodils?

This came up while going though my email today ... the design, the colors, the shape... all wonderful. It has been placed in my Ravelry library. To one day be worked up, or not. Just looking at it is inspiring. 

The French knots project surfaced this weekend as well, for a few moments of stitching.

I continue to come back to it. Knowing that one day it will tell me when it is complete and ready for framing.

There was also a lovely video chat today with my college friends. Brought about by Peggy texting us all this photo. Which led to comments about Annette's awesome hair, tap dancing, blue eye shadow, who was wearing whose blouse, and the dangers of wearing Candies shoes. All of which required further discussion

Lifelong friendship is a wonderful gift. 

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. 

flipping on my internal holiday circuit

Recent routine holiday rituals around here have included: making the "snacks" (Chris's dad's special recipe) and getting out the holiday kitchen towels. 

I also found this little snowflake I cross-stitched about a million years ago. Ok it was probably only 24 or 25 years ago, when I was head over heels in love with stitching X's into a design, and I could see better. Such a simple, sweet, bit of holiday trip trap. I decided it should be displayed. 

I could not resist buying one more red glass ornament when I was at "Stitch on Needlework" downtown on Saturday. It's a great hometown treasure and can always be counted on for a gift or two. Plus something for me. 

I have found myself walking around the tree more this year. Moving things here and there. Because I can. Because it's distracting. Because I like it. Note to self -  get the tree up early again next year.

I can see the lights from the front windows when I pull into the driveway after work. As soon as I take off my coat and ask Chris "what's shakin", I walk into the front room and fill up my eyes. It's like flipping on my internal holiday circuit. 

when the album was over the elves faded away

I did not see this lovely bark on my morning walk today.

Nor did I spot this green vine on a leaf-less tree.

This is the walk I took today. Yup. Up and down the stairs, around the basement, all the while moving and grooving to The Mills Brothers Merry Christmas Album. A classic that always puts a hop in my steps. 

While down in the basement I pointed at things and a band of elves hopped to attention and did my bidding. Tree to the front porch!

Bag of trinkets to the fountain - arrange artfully!

Old wreath to old chair!  Seriously - how can I have not used this wreath with that rusty star garland for so long? 

When the album was over the elves faded away - poof! But the evidence of their time with me remains. Therefore I believe. 

oh give me a home where the buffalo roam

This past weekend, for the first time in my whole entire life (that I remember), we put up our Christmas tree before December. It was the twinkling lights that made me do it. The NEED for twinkling lights I mean.

There is something about lots of sparkly lights on a tree that makes me think about magical, warm, easy moments. Nothing complicated, just sitting looking at the lights remembering holidays gone by, times to come, people and places that have been and always will be, a part of the spirit of this time of year.

While I was breaking with tradition, I went ahead and bought the eggnog early too. The first sip (ok it was a mouthful not a sip) was taken with eyes closed so as not to distract from the taste in any way. It was followed by a long mmmmmm, a sigh, and a refilling of the (very small) glass. Then I went to sit by the fire.

Some years I don't take out all the ornaments.  This is NOT the year for that. Every single one was placed in just the right spot on the tree. The ornaments from Hawaii, Panama, Venice, the home-made, friend-knitted, and hand-crafted. The special ones bought every year at Big Cedar, the ones from gift exchanges through the years. The buffalo because we live where they roam. 

And now here it is, Friday again. Having made it through another week, all in one piece, looking for some mischief to get in this weekend. Hope you all are too. If mischief is your thing. 

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. 

one thing always leads to another

Yesterday, before I threw away the mini pumpkins that were getting soft, I arranged them on candlesticks on the table. Yes I did. It was fun.

When I was done playing, a Thanksgiving themed runner went on the table along with a few pumpkins that won't get soft. 

Then Chris wandered by to show me his perfectly perfect fried egg on toast. I would have mashed an avocado on the toast, layered on a few slices of tomato, then topped it with the egg and a splash of sriracha. Chris is a minimalist. Does that make me a maximalist? 

The sharp, thorny, branches of the dead bougainvillea were trimmed and the last of the dried zinnias got bundled up.

It's official, grocery store flower season has arrived in Kansas.

A special shipment of beads and pipe-cleaner Indian corn arrived from Pennsylvania. Oh joy! The Pledger boys are a clever bunch. 

While outside arranging it by the front door, I decided the oak leaf hydrangea colors needed to be captured just as the wind was blowing at gale force speed. 

While over there I recalled that I had been meaning to cut down the dead blue false indigo foliage. One thing always leads to another. 

Before you know it the sun was setting. Good-bye Saturday.

Sunday has gone by just as quickly. Congrats to Dustin Johnson on winning the 84th edition of the Masters Tournament and providing an excuse to eat pimento cheese and drink Fuzzy 360's since we missed that in April. Having thusly indulged I can now move on to Monday. Prepared for whatever it brings. The end. 

in case you want to briefly return to 1971

Yesterday we motored home from the mountains, trees, lakes, and rivers of Colorado. Our drive literally flew by. The license plate game started on the drive out was finished - 45/50 spotted. Unfortunately we did not see West Virginia, Alaska, North Dakota, Alabama, or Rhode Island, but did hoot and holler when Hawaii flashed by. 

We brought three audio books for entertainment, but the first two were not conducive for travel.  Road noise, complicated story lines and narration that failed to hold our attention were the downfall of those. Rather than start #3, we listened to a couple of episodes of Twenty Thousand Hertz. The episode about the theme music from Seinfeld was great, as was the one about the evolution of accents. 

Our favorite activity though was when Chris and I alternated between picking songs from years gone by to listen to... and of course singing along. It started when I asked Chris to look up what was on the flip side of the 45 that featured "Sign Signs, Everywhere a Sign" by Five Man Electrical Band, which I have included below, in case you also want to briefly return to 1971. 

We had a wonderful time at Rocky Mountain National Park, but it's amazing how quickly we settled back into the routines of home.

Getting flowers on the table, puttering in the kitchen.

Walking in the morning.

Going through the mail, watering the flower beds, doing the laundry... getting back to the usual routines of daily life, but refreshed by what we saw and hope to do again in 2021.

I hate to do this, but I am going to have to quote Dorothy and say "there's no place like home". Heel clicking optional.  

the nest recently vacated by the baby robins

Last Saturday I went walking somewhere I haven't been to in awhile. It's a place with steep inclines, old stacked stone fences, and wildflowers.

There were also big trees and some wide open spaces. I had the place to myself, so I practiced whistling bird calls. When you do this does it seem like they answer you too? 

This mass of wild phlox smelled heavenly as I walked by. Such a pretty flower.

As if that wasn't enough, there was also a babbling brook. As I write this, I have just talked myself into going back there tomorrow morning. To do this exact same walk. AND, see if the birds are really responding to my calls and I wasn't just imagining it.   

Speaking of birds...

I removed the nest recently vacated by the baby robins. I have it on my front porch and filled it with treasures collected from the earth. Along with a teeny jade plant and a special bird my friend Barb gave me many moons ago. 

Even from the inside of the house, I sneak peaks

This weekend, I have been distracted, entertained, and soothed, by the activities of a couple of baby birds.

They are beginning to fill the nest. I see them flapping baby feathered wings.

The look at me when I come out the door. I tell them I mean them no harm. 

Even from the inside of the house, I sneak peaks. 

Last night I made Chris watch Winged Migration with me. I am not sure if it's being at home more than normal, the location of the nest, or just that in the past I have been oblivious to this whole cycle. Whatever. While I would not classify this as an obsession, I will say, without question, I am endlessly fascinated by all things bird related.

following the rhythms of life

The Robin is holding steady on the nest. Ever mindful of her duties. I watched a video on Sunday about all things related to birds and egg laying and hatching and feeding. Oh dear, it's a lot of responsibility having a nest on the porch. 

I am extremely unclear about my accountability as the landlord in shooing away predators, digging up worms, helping to discard shells after hatching, and the like. Apparently only 25% of eggs that are laid actually yield a baby bird that is able to fly away from the nest eventually. 

I have not gotten close enough to see how many eggs are actually in the nest, not wanting to cause undue anxiety for the mama. She doesn't try and peck my head and I keep my distance. No matter what happens to the occupants of the nest, when I think of the coronavirus pandemic, I will always think of the red red robin, going about her business, following the rhythms of life, the only way she knows how. 

some years I am immune to the fever

I am possessed with a desire for hearts. As in red, pink, flowery, paper, hearts. All things Valentine really. 

This doesn't always happen as February approaches. Some years I am immune to the fever.

I can walk by window displays, card racks, conversation hearts, and pink/red/white M&M's with no urge to grab them all.

Not this year. Maybe it was the pom-pom garland at Upstairs at Pierre LaFond's. I can trace the symptoms back that far.  

Luckily, I have lots of trip-trap collected through the years that can be retrieved from storage, and arranged in new and old ways. 

This pillow (from a store downtown in Lawrence) and these small sewn hearts (from Santa Barbara) have me wanting to make something else though. 

What about you? Are you crafting a cupid inspired item that I should know about? Do tell. 

while we are on the topic of tasty treats

Today I am unpacking from my 3 days in Atlanta attending the 20th annual CAPC (Center to Advance Palliative Care) conference. None of the other attendees was taking notes in a shockingly pink, flowered, Nathalie Lete notebook, featuring a kitty with a pocketbook in a dress on front. But I did see longing glances when I pulled it out at each session. 

A pretty notebook, with nice paper, and a good pen make every seminar better. If you are staying in a hotel with a view like this, that helps too.  

Oh but it is good to be home, back to routines.

Working on sleeve #2 for a sweater which I hoped to have finished on the plane, but decided I needed to have sleeve #1 for comparison at a crucial point before proceeding.  Which in retrospect was a wise move.  

During my absence someone/thing helped themselves to my decorative gourds on the front porch. I appreciate the fact that they didn't upset the entire basket.

While we are on the topic of tasty treats, if you are ever in Atlanta, do yourself the favor of going to Two Urban Licks for a meal. Get the salmon chips to start followed by the bronzed scallops with gouda grits surrounded by a smoked tomato broth. And if you leave without a taste of the sweet potato cheesecake you will be sorry for the rest of your life.  Trust me. 

a cushioning of sorts between then and now

I re-entered Kansas airspace Sunday night.  Inky black skies, a chill in the air, clean sheets on the bed.

The first days after vacation are best for mindless wandering.  Getting re-acquainted with the garden, putting things away. Unpacking.

Combining fallen eucalyptus buds with hearts made by Mary Stanley. We visited her at Bon Fortune, where I was delighted to find some of her wonderful work for sale.

Things to remind me of the pleasant days spent out west. A cushioning of sorts, between then and now.  A pause before the resumption of normal life.  

Two tiny perfect sand dollars, one found by sister and one found by me, bits of sea glass.

Somehow it all seems right.  

surrounded by bunnies

Candy tuft, cat mint, vinca, and lavender. Surrounded by bunnies. On a pedestal. For Wednesday. The end.

you simply can not stop a tasting at #1

Things going on around these parts, that might loosely be called "Easter-ish", include tulips, white ceramic bunnies, and cute tins.

We are also trying cookies on for size. To be sure they are just right and don't clash with the jelly beans. I might have messed up the frosting in my haste to get this soft, generously frosted, liberally sprinkled, sugar cookie out of the bag. But that did nothing to spoil the taste.    

Which was quite good. But the tasting continues. You simply can not stop a tasting at #1.   

Cuttings are being rooted.  Even though there really is no need.  Those ground covers will spring up anywhere you thrown them.  But still... mini vases on the kitchen window sill make me happy. 

That bunny got tossed on the carrots on the front porch.

Lastly, I present a photo of cookie tasting #2, a large, soft, slightly underdone in the middle (in a GOOD way), cinnamon and sugar coated, snickerdoodle. When my teeth sank into it my whole mouth went weak. Which is to say that we may have a winner, but it seems wrong not to try one more cookie. A tie-breaker if you will. 

which led to a trip to the basement to look for these carrots

Procrastination of tax preparations came to an abrupt end this week.  But before I could get down to business, tulips had to be put on the table to look at.  Which required a trip to the store.

And who can look at figures and such without coffee?  So that had to be prepared. 

Then I had to put the plant that had been on the table on the front porch to make way for the tulips. Which led to a trip to the basement to look for these carrots to put on the bunny thing by the front door because the hearts that were there were clearly out of synch with the holidays.  

Of course I had to sweep the porch while I was outside.  You can't update things, and leave dead leaves and the like scattered about.  

No one excels at dilly-dallying like me.    

blowing on my fingers in an attempt to thaw them out

Left front shoulder joined today. Correctly. The first time.

And now, it's time to do what I haven't dared to read ahead about. For fear it will frustrate me before starting.  

The mitered neckline detail.  Which is of course why one knits this vest to begin with.  Such beautiful detail.  

The last skein of yarn was wound into a ball while listening to an Irish jig.  I mentioned to Chris we should sign up for dance lessons while this was all happening.  I think he said "not a chance in hell" or something like that.  

In other news, snow continues, and the driveway was cleared.  

It's a good way to get some exercise, but care must be taken that the fingers don't freeze off.  

Which accounts for those 2 red lines to the left of the black circle. That's me ducking into the garage and blowing on my fingers, in an attempt to thaw them out long enough to blow my nose and head back out to finish.  

All in all a most excellent Sunday.  

I am not built that way

This plethora of snow we have been blessed with of late is great. When you don't have to drive in it, walk in it, dig your car out of it, or slip and fall in it. In other words, if you can hole up at home with books, blankets, a fireplace, and warm beverages, snow is just fine by me. 

The early morning sun shining on it is kind of nice too.  

This all means we have been staying in.  Engaging in a bit of music therapy. We dance, sing, and make dramatic gestures while we listen. Active engagement with the music, in whatever way serves you best, has been proven to lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Which translates to better health.  And if that's not true, it's still a whole lot of fun.  

Snow and cold is also the perfect time to knit.  This vest is scheduled to be worn in a week.  Which seemed do-able until I did a 3 needle bind off with wrong sides instead of right sides together and then had to rip it out so I wouldn't have a giant ridge on my shoulder.  One day I may learn to review techniques before embarking.  Maybe. 

Staying inside is also good for getting some progress made on your needlepoint. I might do better at finishing things if I stuck to one project at a time. But I am not built that way.  

There was also the lovely distraction of birds chirping directly outside the sliding glass door in the dining room.   

A pair of cardinals are nesting in there. I see them flying in and out but I dare not get too curious for fear of chasing them away; causing them to pull up roots and relocate to a different neighborhood tree. 

With another bout of snow set to fall at any minute, over a large portion of the country, I am curious what you all are doing to occupy your time.  Mostly in case I am missing out on some sort of fun activity that I should be signing Chris and I up for.  

roses are red, violets are blue

Happy hearts, flowers, candy, pink and red, streamers, ruffles, and chocolates to each of you.

With love, on every day, but especially on Valentines day.
I tried, and tried, and tried some more to come up with a great "Roses are red...." poem for the occasion.  
But I can not for the life of me get this one, from 3rd grade, out of my head. "Roses are red, violets are blue, your nose is shaped like a B-52". As a result, nothing else will come to me. Please don't let that stop you from sharing your best ones with all of us.  

he wanted to help with the heart activities

This morning, while the red house finches frolicked in the front garden, investigating the greenery in my fountain, as they chirped away like nobody's business, the hearts marched up from the basement.

Along with some other stuff.

And insisted upon being installed.

Above the dining room table.

Where they normally reside in February. 
Last year it looked like they were on their last leg.  But today I decided they are only getting better with age.  

If you have old calendars, papers, or cards, that you don't want to throw away because they are so pretty, but don't know what to do with them... make hearts!

It's serious fun. And you can do lots of things with them. Touch them. Look at them. Smile at them. String them together or leave them single. You get the idea. 

As I worked, the birds moved to the back yard. There were 12 on this bush until I tried to take a photo, and they all flew away.  

Or it could have been Harvey that scared them away. He wanted to help with the heart activities, he didn't mean to frighten them.

Other morning activities included a bowl of steel cut oats with cherry jam, blueberries, apples, walnuts, and greek yogurt on top.  After which I texted Steve (#1 Mulvenon Jam Maker) to be sure I am on the list for another jar next year. If you haven't tried jam instead of other sweeteners on your oatmeal you don't know what you are missing.  

tightly furled beauties

Looking at the seed catalog made me need flowers. You heard me. Need, not want.

So off to the store I went.

For a simple Kalancho. Which I always get in February and then put out on the front porch in May.

But then I spotted these limey-pink carnations.

Tightly furled beauties. They do make me HAPPY.

And heart/pigtail girl also NEEDED to have some flowers surrounding her. We are both very happy. The end.  

pretending we have been cut off from the rest of civilization

On this magical weekend

when because of a lucky convergence of schedules

we have been granted 2 Saturdays and 2 Sundays

we have also been coated in a thick, fluffy, layer of soft white

that makes everything extra quiet and calm

and has given the coneflowers and yard art fluffy hats.

We are staying tucked in. Reading books. Holding warm mugs of coffee between our hands. Lighting candles. Making Sunday pot roast. 

Pretending we have been cut off from the rest of civilization. 

happy new dreams

Hello and welcome 2019.  I have plans for you.  Loose plans.  But plans none the less.  Inspired by some of these images from Taproot magazines' last several issues. All these will go up on the inspiration board.

I s t r e t c h e d out the time from 7 to 10 o'clock this morning as far as I could.  Sitting right here.  Looking at exactly this. Going through magazines. Letting my mind leisurely stroll through all the possibilities.  

Then I re-read a few cards, and listened to a TedTalk from a designer who takes a year off from work every 7 years.  To re-charge himself.  I like his style.  

Marco Polo greetings were exchanged.  A sister trip planning session began.  Activities for the day were laid out.

Including this puzzle I ordered way back in September just for this purpose, and... 

a paint-by-number "Masterpiece" Chris and I are working on together.  We have already picked a spot to hang it.  Masterpiece or not. So far so fun.  

I continue to enjoy every minute spent on the needlepoint project.  Which in fact, is just like a paint-by-number, with yarn.  

The poinsettia is going strong on the table, especially just when the sun goes down through the back patio window and lights it up like the show-stopper that it is.  

I have decided that when the Christmas tree candle is completely burned down, I will take our tree down.  Not one minute before.

And with that decision made, my work for the day is done.  Tomorrow it's back to my real job. Where I submit a proposal to take a one year sabbatical since I have been at my present job for over 7 years.  In my dreams. Which it's good to have.   

Happy New Year and happy new dreams to all of you.

which has many salubrious benefits

The most important thing I did this weekend was make Barb's pumpkin roll.  My Christmas night guests might need it for breakfast on the 26th.  I will test it on Christmas morning.  To be sure it passes muster.  

The second most vital task completed was decorating the tree.  Check.    

Packages are still being wrapped.  But that's ok because Sister and Dottie are in Venice, where they will be until after Christmas.  Translated:  their boxes can be late and still be on time. 

The third most important thing was fiddling around with the pom-pom maker.  

They make good adornments for gifts.  

Don't start.  It's hard to stop.  

Making Grandma Paulk's Pecan pie (say that pea-can please, she was a gracious southern lady) was also completed.  This recipe is from brother's wife, Cheryl Jean's grandmother. It's the only pecan pie we make in the Moss house.  

The mitten banner was hung, the mantle was decorated, the tiny mouse collection joined the jolly elves and pygmy trees...

I do believe they come to life at night and engage in skirmishes and other unauthorized maneuvers.  They always stand very still when I sneak out at night and watch by the light of the tree.  But they don't fool me.  

Juniper and holly clippings were brought inside to arrange over the sink.  We make do when no flowers are blooming.

All the above happened while listening (and sometimes dancing) to Christmas music.  Which in case you didn't know, has many salubrious benefits.  

bravo to the Walrafen women

Simple things that were savored this week.  

Hot tea at home in the morning.  In these cups that were gifted to me in 1996 or '97 by a lovely group of women that I was "managing" at the time.  

Being able to walk outside, in the sun, wearing a sweatshirt, in December.  

Getting out the Christmas napkins.

Holiday lights on Massachusetts street in downtown Lawrence.

This magnolia wreath from Pendleton's on my front porch.  

A plate of Quail Nancy's famous bite-sized sugar cookies.  Below are her daughter Meredith's works of art.  

Sparkly, winter wonderland-ish, imaginative, perfect.  Bravo to the Walrafen women.  Please continue to provide samples and photographs annually so I can be certain you are continuing to grow and excel in your decorating and baking skills.  What I unfortunately did not take a photo of were the cranberry shortbread cookies that Nancy's sister, Jennifer, made.  Who has heard of those?  Shortbread with a tart twist.  And so pretty.  Take my word.  

a perfect nightcap on the evening before thanksgiving

Today's preparations included but were not limited to the following:

 

I did not work today and it felt like such a luxury to be able to slowly prepare for tomorrow, including taking the time for a walk.  Plus making Angie's favorite peanut butter cookies for dessert after pizza tonight for our overnight guests.  In case you were wondering, peanut butter cookies pair quite well with a nice cabernet.  AND make a perfect nightcap on the evening before Thanksgiving.  

Tonight I am thankful for being able to eat, enjoy, walk, think, read, make, appreciate, remember, and love.

we were doing a really thorough job

Preparing for Thanksgiving continues.  But in my mind I am thinking of all the things I could be doing with these wonderful colors of fall.

I clean better when my mind is somewhere other than on the task at hand.  We Moss girls learned this early on.  When Angie told us to vacuum and we turned on the Electrolux but hid in the closet to read, so she would think it was taking us a long time and we were doing a REALLY thorough job.  

I am pretty sure we had her 100% fooled.  

chris beat me to it

Preparations for November 22nd have begun here at Thanksgiving Central. Hanging this garland over the table always signals the transition into the holiday season.  

A new kitchen towel and Pilgrim Boy are in the kitchen.  On duty.  

Pumpkins have been stacked.  Sure glad I got to enjoy my mums for about 10 days before we dipped down to 9 degrees this past week.  I am torn between leaving them out there in their frozen state versus dumping them. I will show this photo to everyone as the "before" picture.  So they can see how lovely they were.  

Bittersweet has been hung wherever there is a spot for it and sometimes where there really isn't a spot but I make one.

I've had this garland for probably 8-10 years now.  It was made by a local woman artist who no longer comes to the farmers market.  

But because I have this, and hang it year after year, I continue to treasure her unique talents.  Another example of the best kind of "making". This weekend I am polishing silver, making an apple bundt cake, planning out the appetizers, sweeping the porch, evaluating the state of my table linens to see if any holes need patching, cleaning the rungs and backs of the dining room chairs, and if there is any time left after that, I will see what kind of mischief I can get into. I was going to clean the windows, but Chris beat me to it.   

for a color junkie like me

I will stop doing blog posts about zinnias as soon as they stop being so beautiful.  

Which does not show signs of being anytime soon.  

Seriously.  Each day I walk out the back door and pinch myself.  

A little lemon balm added to these.  For the heck of it.  

For a color junkie like me, these are pure and utter bliss.  

a crazy riot of color hanging over the table

The hand-made chickens and heart from Bad Tölz arrived this week in the package I mailed to myself from Germany.

They were immediately unpacked and introduced to the pom-poms and hand-sewn puzzle balls made last summer and fall.    

Along with a paper garland from "Art in the Park", they make a lovely new over-the-table display. 

When I walk by the table, think of the fun Joan and I had sewing the puzzle balls, and meeting Lisa in her little shop in Germany.  

A crazy riot of color hanging over the table should be the cornerstone of all home decorating.  That would be the first sentence in my book "Tall Tales Style", if I was writing such a book.  Which I am not.  

in the brightest floral pattern we can get our hands on

If you like color, patterns, paint, flowers, cats, yarn, pottery, and sheep.  You will want to check out this book.

I am thoroughly enjoying flipping through the pages, reading about the kernels of ideas that sparked the explosions of color and patterns in the home of the amazing Kristin Nicholas. 

It makes me feel bold. Adventurous.  Like there needs to be a trip to the paint store scheduled.  Soon.    

Right before I drift off to sleep I find myself reaching for this book.  Such pleasant images to start my dreams.  Rubbing my hands across the wonderful paper that this book is printed on is a bonus. I don't know why my hands have to get involved in the experience.  But they do.   

If you need this in your library, order it directly from Kristin.  Because we need to support the creative people who inspire us, with our dollars in addition to our praise and appreciation.  Here is the link if you are so inclined Kristin Nicholas Designs.

P.S  Joan when are you coming to help me recover the chair in my art room in the brightest floral pattern we can get our hands on?

cheerio!

Whatever else you plan to do this weekend.  I hope you find the time to get yourself some daffodils.  

And put them in some water.

And coax them into a pleasing arrangement.

Wait for them to open. 

Which takes no time at all.

 Then congratulate yourself on your superior skills in the art of home-making. 

 Cheerio!