Tall Tales from Kansas

roasted red pepper and smoked gouda bisque

"A cup of roasted red pepper and smoked gouda bisque with a half of a ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat with lettuce, tomato, and mayo please.   Plus one Cream soda, hold the glass I'll drink it out of the bottle."  

That is all you have to remember when you go to Foo's at 95th and Mission in Leawood Kansas for lunch tomorrow.    Oh you weren't planning to go there for lunch tomorrow?  I think when you see this you will change your mind. 

Oh the bisque, the bisque, the bisque.  It was thick and chunky and smoky and sweet and I was satisfied right down deep in my soul as I ate it.   You might know Foo's as a place to get a frozen custard or a great coffee.   But oh they are so much more. 

I smiled as I walked up and saw the sign out front.    I am a sucker for anything peace and love and hand drawn on a chalkboard.  

dark branches + pink sky = winter beauty

At this time of year in the Midwest, many of us go to work in the dark AND drive home in the dark.  Tonight I raced out of work at 5:15pm.  My routine is to step out the door, look up at the sky, and see what is playing for the nightly walk to the car.  Tonights presentation was "Dark Branches + Pink Sky =Winter Beauty".

I could have sat and watched a double feature of this one.

repetitions and shadows and curves

I never pass up the opportunity to check out a cemetery anytime I am in another country, city, or town.  For some reason though I don't visit the ones around here.  Today I decided to remedy that.  I had 30 minutes of free time between appointments and veered into this cemetery right in the middle of a regular neighborhood.  

I saw plenty of things that were interesting.  

Mostly having to do with repetions and shadows and curves.

I was wishing I had a blanket so I could lay on my back and look up at the sky through the leaves while the light was just perfect. 

I put one in my trunk when I got home.    Number  30 on my list of 52 by 53 is "lay on back outside and take photo of clouds".   I plan to cross that off my list before the first snowflake falls.   

when window shopping turns into shopping shopping

I like window shopping in the fall at Jadore in Brookside in Kansas City.

I like it so much I usually end up going inside and then the window shopping turns into shopping shopping.   And why not?  This is one of those unique, stores where I can always find just the right thing for someone... even when that someone might be me. 

Friday night hanging out with a friend on 39th street

Someone told me today that it's the first day of Fall.  And since I happen to think that is something that should be celebrated.  Celebrate I did.  After work.  On a Friday night.  Right in my new work neighborhood.

 
I love exploring this whole new area of town.  Just 1 block from where I work.  Such fun.  All these interesting, slightly funky looking places - each with their own unique vibe.  I plan to visit each and every one of these places in the months ahead.  I am putting all my friends on notice that this is the new "hot" place to be.  Tonight we went to Thomas. 

 
My camera battery started flashing that it was out of juice as soon as we got there.  So annoying.  I am going to have to talk to my camera assistant about the need for available fresh batteries at all times.  I was forced to nab this photo off their web site. 

We sat up on the rooftop and enjoyed the setting sun, the breeze, the sounds from the street below.   We talked about how good change is.  Everyday when I leave my new job my head is full.  Bursting with new people, new things I am learning, new projects to participate in.  I always loved the beginning of a new school year when I was growing up.  I think it's part of why the fall is my favorite time of year.  As I have begun this new job all of those "new beginnings" feelings have been awakened.  I am enjoying each and every one of them as they hit.  The mojito martini, spicy grilled shrimp, and thomas fried potatoes were just perfect for a Friday night supper of celebrating.   Marking all that is good about an ordinary Friday night hanging out with a friend. 

I am not much of a map reader and have no sense of direction

When one is exploring in the city it is good to start the day properly nourished.  But which to get when your choices are the Ham & Swiss Croissant or the Maple/Bacon muffin?  No such trouble for me.  My eyes spotted the toasted bagel with nutella and I was sold.  Nutella is chock full of iron and vitamins.   

 

We sat.  We feasted.  We discussed subtle nuances of blog design.  I took notes.

 
Finally satiated we moved on to exploring.   We headed up a hill and down a hill.  We went around a corner, through an alley and then turned right where we found the neighborhood my sister has settled on -  if she decides to move here from LA.  There was a nice little watering hole within walking distance so I approved her choice. 

 
Next on the agenda?  Scout out the parking around my new place of employment.  I am not much of a map reader and have no sense of direction.  My sister assured me she would be able to figure out the confusing maze of legal and illegal lots and then point out exactly the right place for me.  She thinks it is highly possible I will get lost and all out of sorts on my first day.   She was with me on a hike one time when I got lost.  She thinks I get lost a lot.  She could possibly be right. 

The good, the bad, and the brilliant

Going out to lunch is a good thing on a hot day.

 

We had some splendid vittles at Cafe Europa. 

 

Going to the Liberty Memorial on a hot day is a bad idea.  But the views are great!  I must do some research on the sphinx like creatures with the wings.  Not sure what the symbolism is there.     Maybe if I would have gone inside I would know?  If you are a WWI expert please enlighten me.   

 

Going to the Hammerpress store is a BRILLIANT idea on any kind of day - hot, cold, rainy, you name it.   You will forget about the weather when you feast your eyes on what's in here.  Guaranteed!

 

Something colorful, slightly off kilter, bold but not brazen

Oh dear.  That time at the sewing maching night before last has opened an old desire.  The longing to create some kind of a light summer coverlet for the bed.  Something colorful, slightly off kilter, bold but not brazen - you get the idea.  It's one of those things on my "52 by 53" list that fits into the pie in the sky category.  But I want to make it happen, and to that end I went up to visit  urban arts and crafts today in their new location.

 

This is always a fun place to visit because:

    #1  it's north of the river and I get to see a part of town I normally don't visit
    #2  they have paper and fabric and yarn - the triple threat
    #3  perhaps most important of all - they have a store CAT

I might have purchased a bit more fabric so I can start on the project.  I will wait to show you my selections as I move through the process a little bit.  In the meantime just looking at the thread is enough to make me happy. 

 

The "2 pleasant experiences" antidote

I don't like to sit and wait.  I especially don't like to sit and wait in any kind of a gown. 

 

But sometimes you just can't get out of it.  That does not mean however, that you shouldn't do 2 fun things as soon as possible afterwards.  This will push what you would rather forget right out of your cerebral cortex before it has time to be processed by the hippocampus and get transferred into long term memory.  I came up with this theory on my own while I was sitting ... and waiting.  I am not sure if I have just the precise brain parts listed but it's pretty close.  I think. 

 

Anyway, as soon as the band was clipped from the wrist, I hopped in the car and headed to Loose Park.   The smattering of rain drops on the windshield did not deter me.  Armed with rain jacket, umbrella, and camera I entered the park.   Sure roses are beautiful under blue skies on a cloudless day.  But I discovered today that they SMELL better when the air is heavy.   I walked slowly along the path, stopping to close my eyes and inhale deeply.   Such fragrances I have not experienced on a sunny day.  

 

Next stop - Julilan's for lunch.   Celery soup and smoked salmon on carraway pain perdue topped with creme fraiche and pickled onion.   Perfection, and just the right portions to allow room for....

 

Cocoa bread pudding with vanilla creme anglaise.  We liked it just a little bit. 

 

This "2 pleasant experiences" antidote for waiting can be applied generally to many circumstances that require forgetting.  

I come only to explore. Not to conquer.

 
This past Thursday, in between rain showers, I decided to go on an expedition.   It was time to find this stone archway in Roanoke Park.  I had never heard of the park before I saw  the photo while  flipping through the paper several months ago.   All the better reason to try and find it right?  An undiscovered treasure waiting just for me.

 

Maps were consulted.  Plans were made.  I set out after work with an hour to squander.  Journeys with a definite objective are made to be accomplished on a deadline.  Which of course did not prevent me from pulling over the second I spotted these beauties.  Big, fat, juicy, still dripping from the rain poppies!

 

And right next door?  A freshly painted blue house with white trim.  I did NOT climb up the hill and look in the windows.  A quick side trip is ok, but while on a mission it is best not to completely lose sight of the goal.  

  

 Back in the car.  One right turn.  One left turn.  There may have been a stray turn around in there somewhere ... but at last I came to Park Court.  It's a fairy street.  Only 3 houses on each side and it dead ends into this.

 

An unexpected little treasure in the middle of an ordinary neighborhood.  Just beyond the archway is a staircase.  I wanted to explore just a bit, but as I started down I swear I spied troll feet sticking out from under the canopy of trees at the bottom.  Change of plans.  I will come back here on a sunny day, after I have brushed up on troll customs.  I want to be sure and have a suitable gift to indicate my intentions are honorable.  I come only to explore.  Not to conquer.  Besides, I think I know someone who won't want to miss this adventure. 

Brookside Art Fair 2011

Hey You!  Yeah, YOU.  What are you doing this weekend?

 

If you are looking to mingle with some like-minded people on a nice spring weekend get yourself over here to Kanas City.  Brookside to be exact.  Look for the lights and the tents, sniff the air for the smell of popcorn, listen for some music... get ready to stroll through some original artwork.

 

I stopped by this afternoon before I headed home.  My head was spinning this way and that as I looked back and forth and up and down at all the great stuff that was there.

 

I like meeting friendly artists who know how to take care of business... especially if they don't mind when I ask to take their picture.

 

I also like seeing smart people who know when it's time to sit down, take a few breaths, and discuss what they are going to buy after they have been through all the booths twice, taking careful note of potential purchases.

 

I also met this fella.  I told him I normally don't feature ridiculous looking dogs in harness contraptions with pink and white daisies on my blog,  but just this once I would make an exception.