Tall Tales from Kansas

who doesn't need a reminder like that floating around?

My Friday started with a color check on the burning bush, followed by mum watering, and a short sit on the front porch before we got down to the real business of the day.  Sampling the Huevos Bravos at the Ladybird Diner. 

The swirling leaves and pumpkins in the windows did not distract me. 

We sat at the counter.  Next to a young woman who started her breakfast with an Irish coffee, and a young man who had just completed an exam and ordered a bloody mary and a half order of biscuits and gravy with 3 eggs on the side. 

If you are a fan of a breakfast with a mexican slant, you will not be disappointed by this.  Black beans on the bottom, topped with a cotija cheese quesadilla, egg, chorizo, and avocado. The salsa verde, sliced radishes, and pickled onion are things you don't always see on Huevos Rancheros.  Maybe that's why they are Huevos Bravos?  Heck you can call them what you want I just gobbled them up.  Happily. 

Then we headed for a walk.  But not before we spotted a truck full of pumpkins and this letterboard.  Which I did not buy.  But I might go back and get, so I can put the sentiment on the coffee cup in photo #6 on it.  Who doesn't need a reminder like that floating around?  

mini pumpkins were lined up on the table runner

Signs of the advancement of fall at Tall Tales Headquarters include:

The first batch of roasted cauliflower with cumin and curry soup getting made. 

The Salty Sea Air candle was changed out for the Vermont Autumn Leaves fragrance.

And mini pumpkins were lined up on the table runner on both sides of the flowers. 

What is THE quintessential fall thing happening at your place these days?  

will you come over here and clean my house

Allium, blue salvia, Johnson blue wild geraniums, Japanese iris, purple salvia. 

Happy Friday night from Kansas, where we are at the height of purple tones in my garden.  If I buy one of you a truck load of peonies at the farmers market tomorrow morning will you come over here and clean my house and do my laundry so I can just sit out on the front porch and listen to the birds all day?  

if this was a double Sunday weekend

A few random things from last week before we turned back the calendar and went back to March.  One more cutting of lilacs for the table. 

The two-tone iris on the top of the wall out back started to bloom. 

Cold brew was made for an afternoon pick me up at work.  I use the french press but also pour it through a filter when using a pre-ground espresso.

Here's why. 

And the pansies, the pansies, the pansies.  This has been the best pansy year for me in a long time.  So glad I went overboard and got more than seemed sensible. 

It's best not to be sensible when the first flowers of the season for pots are involved. 

Chris is making a baked chicken for supper.  The rain continues.  Quilts are on the bed.  Taproot magazine is waiting for me top pick up where I left off last night before I drifted off to sleep.  The only thing that could be better right now is if this was a double Sunday weekend. 

filled with ideas that lead to more ideas

You all likely already know about taproot magazine, but in case you are like me, and were not familiar with "the magazine for makers, doers, and dreamers" here is your heads up. 

It was a link to an article about a "journal cowl" that made me go and check it out.  I am glad I did.  The paper is lovely to run your hands over, the artwork (photography and illustrations) so beautiful to look at.

I didn't know I needed to make a fennel broth.  Until now. 

Sister we will be making masks in July.  You will be a fox and I will be a squirrel. 

Just looking at the pictures makes me happy.  But there is also the writing.  The ideas.  Each of the issues I have looked through is filled with ideas that lead to more ideas. 

These will be savored.  Read and re-read.  As for that journal cowl that led me here in the first place?  I think it will be the perfect project for the Norwegian Steamer excursion with my sister when we are in our 70's, 

 

to keep this mantle arrangement from looking like something a "lady" would have in her house

If you have to ask yourself "Do I need a banner hanging over my mantle for every season?" the correct answer is "Yes".  

This is the internal conversation that started banner making over the weekend. 

Using left-over bits from these napkins and the sew together bag (with a few odds and ends thrown in for good measure),  the "all purpose until it's time for Halloween" banner was successfully completed. 

It was a bit of a rocky start.  I couldn't quite wrap my head around the best way to do it.  My first several prototypes were not salvageable. 

I ended up getting out old banners, scratching my head a bit, and finally coming up with a workable solution.

I have to puzzle things out using my hands for them to make sense.  I am sure there are easier ways to do this, but I like trying the hard, harder, and hardest ways too. 

Eventually I had the right number and color combinations to go all across the mantle. 

Then it was time to take out leftover pieces from my very first quilt. 

All sewn together, they made the perfect "cord" to attach the triangles to.

Then it was just a matter of hanging it up. 

Ah.  There it is.  Perfect.  Just the right amount of funkiness to keep this mantle arrangement from looking like something a "lady" would have in her house. 

And I mean that in only the nicest way :-)

we gave ourselves high marks for ingenuity

Mary Joan and I did not let a little thing like the weather keep us from our appointed rounds today.

We had plans.  Springlike plans.  Plans to fill our eyes with bunnies and flowers and all things green and sprouting or blooming.   

For the record, I did not buy a bunny with lily of the valley coming out of his ear.  But I kind of wanted to. 

Then it was back in the car, down the ramp, onto the highway (by mistake), off the highway, up and down the one way streets of the downtown area of KC.  Refusing to use a phone for directions because "we need to be able to figure this stuff out on our own - like in the old days!" 

And of course, find it we did.  Brown and Loe.  The designated lunch spot. 

After a bit of deliberation I settled on the Roasted Butternut Squash sandwich with feta, peppadew jam, and arugula on whole grain toasted bread - with a side of cream of mushroom soup.  OH! but it was good.  The perfect lunch for a rainy spring day.  Warm soup, bright arugula, sweet and smoky butternut squash - I think that sums it up.  Joan would completely disagree and tell you to get the buttermilk chicken sandwich that was dressed with smoked gouda, apple fennel slaw, sweet pickles and ancho tomato jam - and some darn good crispy, salty, fries on the side.  I only know the fries were good because Joan insisted I try them. 

The restaurant is in an old bank building from the 1920's with cool architectural details.  Worth a trip for sure. 

When we each got back to your respective homes we did some serious "home-making" and sent each other photos of our work. 

We gave ourselves high marks for ingenuity, using items we already owned with just a few new purchases to freshen things up. 

I spotted these pillows and have added "make free motion circle quilted pillows" to the to-do list.  There are simply not enough hours in the day for all the things I need to try my hand at.  

ten was the perfect number

 A healthy dose of yellow, in the form of some tulips from the grocery store, seemed like the perfect balance to the snow this week. 

Let me qualify that by saying if I was living up in the northeast, where the snow fell in feet not inches, it would have taken a truckload of tulips.  But right here where I am,  ten was the perfect number.  Just the right amount for my old, aqua blue, Atlas Strong Shoulders Mason jar. 

in plain sight is best

This is a true story. 

Saturday morning at 8:27 am, upon my return from the farmers market, I proceeded to make a pot of coffee.  It brewed.  I got out a cup.  I reached for the lid to the carafe.  It was not to be found.  I looked in every cabinet and every drawer in the kitchen.  Twice.  I stuck my hand down the garbage disposal knowing full well it could not go down there unless someone pushed it.  I looked in the refrigerator, the freezer, the laundry basket, the washing machine, the refrigerator in the basement, on the table, under the table, in the dishwasher.  Alas it was not to be found.  When Chris got up he looked as well.  His conclusion?  I had thrown it away accidentally.  While on a frenzy of cleaning.  He ordered a new one at 1:50pm.

At 2:42 pm I took out a skillet to wilt the rainbow chard I bought at the farmers market.  I reached for the knob to turn on the stove.

There among the knobs was the lid.  The moral of this true story is:

1.  Hiding in plain sight is the best.  #2.  If you want to find something, just order a new one and the old one will immediately materialize. 

The End.  Please tell me that this exact thing has happened to you. 

 

my bouquet days are dwindling

Because this deserves to be appreciated by more people than the two humans who live in my house.  I give you the giant dahlia bouquet from Saturday's farmers market one more time.

From many angles.  In all it's stunning glory. 

I thought the stems alone in the jar warranted their very own picture. 

I am enjoying this bouquet even more, knowing my bouquet days are dwindling.   

My farmers market bouquet days that is. 

where to turn left and where to turn right

These are the things that happened today.  On a Friday.  Before a three day weekend. 

Pumpkins were started.

Plans were hatched. 

Plans for a circuitous drive through the by-ways of Kansas to see what we can see.   A pot of tea was made and iced to put in a cooler for our adventure.  I wrote down where to turn left and where to turn right on a sheet of paper so we won't get lost. 

Sheets were changed.

Roses were cut, cards were written, packages were mailed. 

This bougainvillea has nothing to do with what I did today.  Except for the fact that I looked at it about a million times.  Happy long-weekend adventures to all! 

 

messing around and trying for that magic combination

Happy second Saturday of the weekend.   We have taken advantage of this extra day to go on adventures, amend and fertilize the soil of houseplants, stake hollyhocks, drink iced coffee, pull weeds, and do some all around goofing off.

There was also picnic food, root beer floats, naps, and movie watching.   I got my shipment of gouache for Sister's class and while I am waiting for my palette and pans to arrive I have been having fun experimenting with color combinations.  

I don't have an intuitive sense of what colors will mix well with others to turn out a result that I like.  But I love messing around and trying for that magic combination. 

P.S.  that glorious flower arrangement in photo #1 is from Pendleton's Market.  If you live in the area they are having a "pick your own hydroponic tomato event" today  (5/29) and tomorrow (5/30).   More about our visit there later, but I wanted to sound the alarm in case you felt like going.

eggs to be dyed and deviled

Happy almost Easter from Tall Tales Headquarters, where today flowers, candy, and rabbits were strewn about hither and yon in an extremely organized manner, so as to look casually placed.  You know what I mean. 

There are still eggs to be dyed and deviled, followed by my first ever batch of hot cross buns.  Wish me luck.  

 

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after all this playing you will have one sleepy baby

don't get heavy handed with the splash

The arrival of the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere has necessitated a bit of "springing" up around these parts.  Nothing too complicated, just things like switching up the kitchen towels, changing out the potpourri, and buying a new bird plate. 

Since porch sitting time is looming large, a new cocktail was called for.   Nothing fancy, just some white wine, slices of lemon/lime/orange (as much for the color as the flavor) and a splash of peach schnapps.  Don't get heavy handed with the splash or it will take over the whole drink. 

I also strategically placed a few chicks and eggs on the rabbit on the front porch.  Easter decorating is for kids and middle aged women.  Since I fall into both categories I plan to get into it this year.  Beware.  

if you have a tendency towards obsession

At my present rate of speed, it is likely that I will get exactly zero cards written out before Christmas day.    I set all this stuff out for inspiration last weekend, but decorating the tree got in the way.  I still hope to sit down on Christmas morning and send out a card or five or seven.  If YOU get one, you will know you are loved.

If you don't get one, it may be because of this. 

Last year I had a serious obsession with making a pint sized forest of Christmas trees.  This year I chose to display them on top of my candle sticks and I love the way they look there.  So much so in fact, that I am going to make exactly two more.  On Christmas Eve.  While Chris is cooking supper.   I think if I just make two more it will be out of my system... for good.  Here is the link to the post where I talked about how to make them.  Don't start if you have a tendency towards obsession.  You will never be able to just make one.  It can't be done.   

stem removal is not for the weak of hands

Today we are interrupting the month December for a brief return to November.  And the pumpkins.

More specifically, the stems of the pumpkins.

I wrestled with most of this bunch for one hour today.

Stem removal is not for the weak of hands.

I used big knives and little knives and was very careful not to slice through any parts of my own anatomy.

It wasn't easy.  Surprisingly, the little pumpkins were very hard.   I thought "big warty" was going to be really tough, but it ended up being one of the easier ones.

This stem below, which I really wanted the most, was exceedingly difficult.

It ended up breaking, despite my best efforts but I still have a large piece of it that may end up being usable.  What can I say?  You win some, you lose some.

In the end I have 8 stems we can work with to create our velvet pumpkins.  I will be taking a full 800mg of ibuprofen before I go to bed tonight, so my hands will work tomorrow.  Its very important for your hands to work well on Saturday.  And Sunday too for that matter.  

 

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the other P food

she is not a beer aficionado or a coffee connoisseur

an ever-changing line up of beautiful blossoms and the fragrance to go with

The bouquet I picked up from the farmers market this past Saturday included lilacs, allium, and stock.   Any one of these flowers make a stunning arrangement on their own.  In a group, they are spectacular. 

In the smell department it's hard to top lilacs, but stock gives it a run for it's money.  How lucky are we that nature supplies an ever-changing line up of beautiful blossoms and the fragrance to go with? 

I was especially glad to see the allium in this bouquet.  It's a treat to get to enjoy it both inside and out.  I never cut mine because I love to look at them when I am sitting on my porch. 

Thanks all you local flower growers for letting me have my cake and eat it too.   

they make the whole house smell like spring

Yesterday, after calling 2 flower shops (that closed at noon) and 3 grocery stores, I found myself some daffodils. 

I brought them home and laid them down by the sink.

Then I put them in a sweet little pink vase and carried them around the house trying to find the best light to photograph them in.

Everywhere I put them, I liked them.  Daffodils make me smile.  Not only are they pretty, they make the house smell like spring. 

your valentine candy dish

If you haven't purchased your conversation hearts yet, you are going to want to get them today.  Tomorrow at the very latest. 

If you wait past February 9th you run the risk of them being sold out, or picked over.  This means your valentine candy dish will either be empty or potentially contain a bunch of cracked and broken hearts. 

Neither of those options are good ones. 

spills happen

I found a new tablecloth at the antique mall in downtown Lawrence recently.  It's a new, old tablecloth.  One of those made out of nice sturdy cotton.  It has a few stains on it.  Built in memories of good meals shared in years gone by.

I'm not one to get bothered by a few stains.  Don't get me wrong.  I do try to wash them out when I see them, but a few stains is never a reason not to use a perfectly good tablecloth.  Besides, it's a signal to guests that they are at a relaxed table.  Spills happen.  They should never mess up a good meal. 

I am going to a knitting retreat this weekend.  Not sure how the internet connection will be from there, but I will be posting pictures over on instagram. If you are interested in such things my instagram name is cmulvenon.  Is it name? Or is it account?  Maybe I should say my instagram handle is cmulvenon? 

 

fifteen ornaments a day for the next seven days

In the last week or so I have joined the shoulder seams of the aran wrap using the three needle bind off, finished listening to/reading 2 books,  kitchener stitched the toe seam of one sock, started another sock, took out a snow man and put it on a shelf, photographed the sun tonight when it appeared for the first time in days for a total of about 5 minutes, and only then, when I could not think of one more reason to put it off...

... I started to decorate the tree. 

I got about 15 ornaments artfully placed before I needed to rest.  There is no sense in putting them up hastily and having to go back and shift them around.  Fifteen ornaments a day for the next 7 days plus the 15 that are aleady up there means by the time people come over here next Monday for dinner there will be 120 ornaments on the tree.  More than enough to be considered a respectable showing. 

crossing my fingers that it holds strong and does not go all gooey on me

It's important to tend to your porch pumpkins that have frozen and unfrozen before they become so soft that when you lift them they turn to goo and ooze all over your porch.  Mine are now in the yard waste bags slotted for pick up tomorrow.  Except for one or two that is.

I went to the store today and got a few fresh carnival squashes and a buttercup squash to go with the gourds and one last warty pumpkin and squash I bought at the pumpkin patch a month ago.   I need some kind of Thanksgiving vibe for the porch so I dumped them all in the fountain along with some other stuff. 

While all the neighbors were putting up Christmas lights today I put out my battery operated candle and some more orange stuff.  If I knew any Thanksgiving songs I would have sang them very loud while I was doing it. 

This might be my most favorite pumpkin of any pumpkin I have ever bought.  I love that orange/gray color.   I am crossing my fingers that it holds strong and does not go all gooey on me before Thanksgiving.  I would hate for Chris to have to clean up that mess. 

 

no sense in rushing the red and green without giving orange it's full due

It is officially cold here.  As in snow flurries and frigid temperatures.   The kind of chilly weather that makes it important to eat a hearty breakfast before donning your gloves, headband, 2 pairs of socks, turtleneck, fleece, and jacket before going out to walk because you are now a slave to the 10,000 steps a day thing. 

On other fronts, I took out orange stuff today in preparation for the holidays.  The holiday that comes before Christmas.   No "Ho-Ho-Ho" is happening here at Tall Tales Headquarters until after Thanksgiving. 

No sense in rushing the red and green without giving orange it's full due. 

in the name of adventure

A little thing called work kept me from the farmers market yesterday.  Which means at 7am today I went outside to evaluate my options for bouqet making.  I decided to go with the unlikely combination of hollyhocks, lemon balm, zinnias, hostas, and basil.

I like the overall farmhouse vibe of this arrangement.   

The photo I did not get this morning was of the determined 4 or 5 year old boy in an orange security vest who rolled by my house at 8:02 am on his big wheel.  He was peddling like mad into some big adventure.  No adults in sight to interfere with his plans.  I would have liked to have a conversation with him but he was busy. 

I went inside and ate french toast instead.  With warm syrup.  In the name of adventure.  

we have a very fair division of duties at this house

This past weekend Chris took a picture of the supermoon the night before it got super.  So I guess it was a pre-supermoon.

While he was doing that I was sketching some flowers.

Chris also went to the store, did the re-cycling, and went to the dry clearners while I was counting the tomatoes in order to calculate when we might next be able to have BLT's.

Then while I was applying the watercolor to my zinnias he made beef and broccoli for dinner. 

Later on I went and took a picture of the sky and clouds and told Chris if he hurried I thought he could get my car washed and filled up with gas before it started raining again. 

I also got the paper off the driveway and made coffee on Sunday morning then found time to work on the ever challenging plain white coffee cup sketch while he made breakfast. 

As you can see we have a very fair division of duties at this house.   I may have forgotten to mention that I washed all the dishes and spent a considerable amount of time thinking.

victory is mine

And so it was, with the flip of a switch, that today I have added a new initial to my official "around the house" title.  It is now Carol Jean, MOFF.  Minister of Finance & Fountains. 

I celebrated on the front porch with an iced coffee as I listened to the soothing sound of splashing water and contemplated what challenge that has been vexing me I will attempt to conquer next. 

 

my rendition of The Stars and Stripes Forever

The 4th of July is a perfect day for parades, watching butterflies, making french knots, doing patriotic blind contour drawings of your hand, drying zinnias so you can save the seeds, re-arranging sea shell/rock collections, and hanging your traditional half-round bunting.

In addition to all those aforementioned activities I impressed Chris with my rendition of The Stars and Stripes Forever, recalling all the lyrics of both stanzas.  With just one or two minor word substitutions. 

coveted by beachcombers all over the world

I knew I was going to have a great time in California.  I was sure there would be good food and lots to look at.   What I did not expect to discover was that I have the spirit of a beachcomber living inside me.   Give me an old pair of tennis shoes and a big bag and I am good for the whole day. 

Shells, rocks, glass, driftwood, seaweed, I collected it all. 

When I got home I found this black wooden tray on which to display my specimens.  Arranging, re-arranging, examining, identifying, sketching, and stacking provides me with hours of entertainment. 

While I do not have a piece of orange sea glass yet, I did discover when I was putting together my shells from the east and west coasts, that I do have a sheep shell.   Actually a smiling sheep shell.  I am pretty sure it is going to be coveted by beachcombers all over the world when they see it.  

we are not too old to be believing in Leprechauns

Last week Chris said we should make a St. Patrick's day cake.  I told him that was a ridiculous idea.  Then I went looking for sprinkles.  So we could make one of course. 

This is a plain white cake - from a box mix!  I jazzed it up with some killer cream cheese frosting and then went to work with the food coloring and decorations. 

We recommend having itty bitty shamrock candies, lime green jimmies, green crystal sugar, and white sprinkles on hand so everyone having cake can have just the right amount of crunchy sugary sweetness on their own individual piece.      

 For the record... we are not too old to be believing in Leprechauns at tall tales headquarters. 

individual strings of Valentine goodness

Yesterday I dug out scraps of paper and commenced to cutting out hearts.

Old wallpaper hearts, old ledger paper hearts, scrap paper from the art retreat hearts (thanks Pam! you knew I would put that to good use didn't you?), and hearts from anything at all in the closet that looked like Valentine material.

I then hauled out the beast and threaded it with the prettiest pink thread I could find...

...sewed those hearts right down the middle as quick as I could...

...and made some of these.

All that's left now is to artfully arrange the individual strings of Valentine goodness into some spectacular looking over the dining room table garland.   By tomorrow night I hope to be hit with a shot of divine inspiration to guide the installation. 

WHO put this garland away all tangled up?

Today I finally turned the page from January to February in my calendar.  Which reminded me it's time to get out the Valentine decor.   What I want to know is WHO put this garland away all tangled up?

I lined up the dining room chairs and strung the garland out as I released the knots.  I told myself "patience is virtue" over and over as I fought the urge to cut it all apart and re-string it.  

After all, it's snowing out again today so I had nothing better to do. 

I am going to make another strand of hearts to add to this before I hang it.  Just to freshen it up a bit you know.  I have some great scraps from the art retreat that are just begging to be made into some kind of Valentine finery.    

the undeniable star of the show

I went shopping for poinsettias today.

I always end up buying red ones, and this year was no different, but dang if this one didn't almost make me break with tradition.

As beautiful as it was though, the Christmas cactus was the undeniable star of the show. I did not buy it because it was so beautiful. I wanted it to live longer than it might at my house. I have not had good luck with keeping them from year to year. This one needs the hands that have been tending it to continue to do so.

Meanwhile my fabric pumpkins continue to play prominently in the decorating scheme.

I'm keeping them out until we get the tree up. Chris, the tree man, says this weekend for sure. I told him not to hurry on my account. As soon as it's up, I will have to get it decorated. I like thinking about decorating it better than the hands on part.

being how it is the color of the month and all

O stands for orange.   As in the color of the leaves in October. 

Oh... and also as in the Orange of the vase I have been threatening to buy and finally did because it seemed like the right thing to do.  Being as how it is the color of the month and all.

 

So far there have been no injuries.

Today, I did it.

I took down my Valentine Garland.  The one that has seen me through Valentines day, Presidents day, St. Patrick's day, Palm Sunday, Passover, Easter, Tax day, Arbor day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's day, Armed Forces day, National Maritime day, Memorial day, Flag day, Fathers day, Independence day, Senior Citizen's day,  and Labor day.  Whew!  That was one hard working banner. 

It will be hard to replace.  But I will do my best.  I got out the roving and collected acorn caps.  I started to make felt balls using the hot water/friction method and found it to be most unsatisfactory.  I then tried the needle felting method and am having much better luck. 

I took a needle felting class with my sister-in-law a few years back.  Luckily one of us was able to locate the class materials. 

I am being extremely careful as I repeatedly jab these 5 very sharp needles into the roving as it sits atop the big brush looking thing.   So far there have been no injuries. 

the most perfect medium-sized vase

Hello Thursday.  Even though you are not Friday I celebrated you today with a three-quarters-of-the-way-through-the-week bouquet from my very own zinnia patch.  I threw in a touch of  eucalyptus and thyme for good measure.

I put these upstairs in my art room because the upstairs of a house needs flowers too. 

Isn't this the most perfect medium-sized vase you have ever seen?  I got it at Thistle when I was in the River Market area in Kansas City last month.  I love every single solitary thing about it.  It isn't Fiestaware or Luray Pastels but it reminds me of that type of pottery.  It has U.S.A. on the bottom of it.  I know one of you will chime in and tell me what it is.  Right?

tonight our optic nerves were on the same wave length

You know how you hate it when you see beautiful light hitting something and you take a picture of it and what your eye saw and what the camera took were not the same thing?   That did NOT happen to me tonight.

Tonight our optic nerves were on the same wave length.   Our ISO's were in synch.  Me and the camera had a mind-meld.  We were in harmony.   Yada yada and blah-dee-blah.   What I mean to say is the sunflowers from Saturday mornings' farmers market were more beautiful on Tuesday night at 8:15pm with the light from the west filtering through the blinds and onto the table than they were on Saturday morning. 

I am showing you so you won't have to take my word for it.  Not that I doubt that you would. 

a pair of pleated fans

Hanging up a pair of pleated fans for the 4th of July might sound simple.  But it is not.  It involves tools, ladders, caulk, eye hooks, a hammer drill, and beer.

Not to mention the project manager,  a supervisor who can provide timely feedback, and the photographer to capture it all on film.  

I don't know for sure where Chris (project manager) got the idea this is something we should do.    But I (photographer) was 100% supportive and left all feedback providing to Lewis (project supervisor). 

Truth be told, I have thought for a long time that we needed to kick the decorating on the 4th up a notch from just the flags in the planters. 

Besides, now that those eye hooks are permanently affixed in the stucco, imagine what other things I can hang up there.

good response chris

I am not a decorator.  But that is no reason I can't pretend I am one and be delighted with the outcome.  I decided I needed to "summerize" my mantel last week.  

I went out and bought a few white vases then came home and laid them out in every possible configuration on the mantel before I settled on this arrangement.  When Chris came home I said  "honey I re-arranged the mantel to make the living room look more summery, what do you think".  He came into the room, examined the decor carefully, and said (with a totally straight face) "it looks like a whole new room".  

Good response Chris.  Very good response. 

 

I like to eat with my eyes too

I do not believe I am overstating the case when I tell you I ADORE a well set table.  The china, the silver, the crystal, the linens.  Bring it on.  All of it.

Oh, and the fresh flowers, lit candles, and a quail centerpiece.    Sure it's about the food when you are served a special meal.  It's just that I like to eat with my eyes too. 

My friend Mary Joan, heretofore only of gardening and needlework fame, outdid herself the other night in the domestic goddess arena. 

I did my best to take photos of all the courses.  But once I bit into this crunchy bruschetta with it's juicy tomatoes, briny capers, and sharp pecorino romano I was done for.  I put the camera down and devoted every ounce of my being to appreciating the moment. 

Joan also prepared a spinach and strawberry salad with tangy dressing followed by a smoked chicken and farfalle pasta that had all of the quails moaning with delight and demanding the recipe. 

And then we sat around and had fresh brewed coffee out of delicate cups with matching saucers... and assorted delectable sweets. 

There are not many things nicer in life than sitting around a table with your good friends.  Talking about the old days at the same time you are anticipating shared adventures to come.    Life IS good.   

they were going cheap

I love the smell of lilacs and highly approve of a nice big fat bunch of them in a vase on the table.  I was glad to see some for sale at the farmers market yesterday.  They were going cheap as they won't last long. 

Three dollars for this bouquet.  What a bargain.  Once my rose bushes that have been afflicted with witches broom are removed I will have space for lilac bushes.  Something to look forward to next spring.  Oh joy.

Happy Mothers' Day to all mothers out there - including mothers of fur children of course.   I am sending lilacs dreams to each of you. 

I have found a solution to the problem and it's name is Ceramiche Umbre

Thursday night a package arrived.  A package with Italian writing on it. 

A package straight from Umbria.  Delivered unbroken within 10 days, just like Chiari Bonini said it would be.   I am not 100 percent certain where I will hang this yet.  

But I do know this will be going to work with me for my business cards. 

I will also put some of the stop talking cards in there.  I like to keep them handy.    One never knows when they might need one. 

Finally, I got this cute little jar for garlic.  I was so tired of those heads and cloves laying around looking so messy on the spoon rest.   No more peeling garlic skin all over the place ever again.    No siree, not at Tall Tales headquarters.   I have found a solution to the the problem and it's name is Ceramiche Umbre.

I absolutely loved my neon cowboy

I am tired of looking at white.  All this snow was exhilerating, exciting, and entertaining. 

Now I am just exhausted by the cold, the shoveling, and the white knuckle driving. 

How's this for an antidote?

I absolutely loved this Neon Cowboy rose.  It up and died on me summer before last.  I am going to have to find another one to take it's place.  Looking at this photo right now is the only thing that is going to get me through until Spring.   That and knowing I have the day off tomorrow.  Oh the extravagance of a Thursday at home alone. 

pink and sweet

Within me there lives a girl who loves swirly pink and red with orange polka dots, and all things cakey sweet and pretty.  Happily, on Valentines Day it is acceptable (perhaps even required) to admit to your love of all things pink and sweet.   

 

ideas while under the influence of nelly

Date:  Monday, February 4, 2012
Time:  7:29 am
Place:  Black Dog Coffee House, Lenexa, Kansas.

Today I threw caution to the wind and dove straight into February.  My drink selection  had just the faint aroma of strawberry and a soft whisper of white chocolate.   Perfection.  It earned Cupid's seal of approval. 

As I sat,  people came in for coffee on their way to work.  I basked in the sheer luxury of not being one of them and savored a morning that will never again unfold in exactly this way. 


Then I came home and strung felt balls on bakers twine.   I'm not sure if it was my Valentines drink or Pam's garlands that had me in the mood to decorate.  All I can say is this is just the beginning.  I had several ideas while under the influence of Nelly.  

I just pass on what I see

The snow we got last night was not enough to prevent me from going to work today.   An unfortunate, but not disastrous turn of events.   I knew it was extremely unlikely to happen but sometimes I like to trick myself into thinking that improbable things COULD occur. 

As it turned out I had a completely delightful day.  Here is why.  After class, my friend Joan picked me up and we went  lamp shopping.   While we were out we noted not one, but two upcoming design trends you might want to take note of.

Design trend #1 - yellow, orange, and green are THE colors for Spring 2013.

Design trend #2 - turn all the books in your bookshelves around.

I am not sure either of these trends will catch on.  I don't judge.  I just pass on what I see.   In case you might find it helpful. 

the bane of my existance

All the stories I'm hearing about what everyone is doing in the new year have me feeling like a slacker.  You know what I'm talking about right?   All those good things people are endeavoring to accomplish because it's a new year.  Things like resolutions to be more physically fit, or read more books, or learn how to do the fox trot.   

I decided if I put my mind to it, I could do one teeny little good thing to make myself feel less slackerish.   I proposed to Chris we tackle the PANTRY since I had to find a place for the new Kitchen Aid anyway.   This little pantry had become a catchall mess within the first 3 years of moving into our house and needed attention. 

I wish I had taken a before photo so you could see how much better this is.  If it isn't totally obvious.  Which it is to me. 

Alas, you will have to take my word for it.  Chris will also testify to it... as will any houseguest I have asked to retrieve something from the pantry in the last 2 years.  

I felt so good when we were done I am now considering challenge #2.  

Messy drawers.  The bane of my existance.   I am going to try to tackle them before next January but it could be that one good purging a year is all I am capable of. 

taking the kitchen aid on its' maiden voyage

This thoughtful gift from a friend last week turned out to be just what I needed today.

Just what I needed to take the kitchen aid out on its' maiden voyage I mean.

All systems are GO!
 

These turned out pretty good.  I added some raisins and walnuts just because any cookie that has oatmeal in it should have raisins and walnuts too.   It's like a mirepoix or a soffritto or a holy trinity. 

Next up?  Cinnamon rolls for christmas morning.  After that I will be ready to try home-made marshmallows, which is what caused me to NEED this in the first place. 

perpetrators will be hunted down and dealt with

I don't know if this ever happens to you, but someone has been coming into our house and either throwing things away or stealing them.  This particular pair of kitchen scissors has had to be replaced 3 times.

Chris is on the job.  Searching for clues to solve the mystery. 

This afternoon he told me that "perpetrators will be hunted down and dealt with under the full context of the habitual violater statutes in the state of Kansas".   He's not kidding about this whole scissor disappearance thing. 

when you take a sliver out of the freezer

I never thought I would be doing a post about freezing left-over desserts.  But here it is.  This one ranks right up there with the post I did about ironing way back when.   This is practical stuff people.  I think it's important you know that pumpkin pie freezes amazingly well when cut into individual pieces, wrapped in plastic wrap, and placed inside a tupperware type container. 

Same goes for left-over bundt cake.

You will thank me on December 6th when you take a sliver out of the freezer about an hour before you want to eat it.  When you sit down with your hot tea and bite into a perfectly fresh slice of dessert that tastes even better after a bowl of soup than it did after turkey and dressing. 

the perfect backdrop for a pumpkin

I don't think you can have too many kitchen linens.  Tea towels, napkins, pretty tablecloths and table runners are all a weakness of mine. 

This orange is the perfect shade for fall.  A combination of rust and burnt sienna with just enough brick thrown in to pull it out of the brown family. 

It's the perfect backdrop for this little pumpkin.

The talented weaver that made it happens to be one of my knitting buddies.  She's a master with the needles and the loom.   

You can see more of Dianne Throop's work on display at The Etc. Shop in downtown Lawrence.  I am pretty sure she would do custom colors if you asked.