My Bit of Earth

Gentle Reminder: It's Strawberry Season (With Knitting)

As Martha would say, consider this your gentle reminder--it's time to be eating strawberries.

We went out with some friends, via scooters, to Lawson Brother's Farm last weekend to "pick-our-own".  Sweet Husband and I picked just a little over seven pounds, but I still don't think it made enough jam.  But, really, is there ever enough strawberry jam?  

Next year I think we might shoot for fourteen pounds though, or maybe somewhere between fourteen and ten or eleven.  Our seven pounds only made about twenty jars of jam, which is just not enough, especially when you want to share.  (The recipe I used is here, and it's also on the back of the pectin packet.)

In other news, I finished a knitting project.  This is kind of more amazing than it sounds, because lately I seem to be having trouble keeping my mind steadily on...well, much of anything!  However, I have no photographic proof of said project because I taped it all up in a box for shipping to its recipient before I realized I hadn't taken a picture.  As I said, scatterbrains!

Anyway, it was three cute little  baby "Bibs O'Love" from Mason-Dixon Knitting.  Super easy.  All garter stitch, so I didn't even have to keep track of rows.  Very sweet--in cream and green with little frog buttons--all rolled up and tucked into a little box.  Will make again!

Food Gardens Galore

Yesterday afternoon we biked around to a four or five spots on the Lawrence Food Garden Tour.

It's so incredible to me what committed people are doing with their food gardens!  

While a few of the stops were what you would expect--i.e. small, backyard family gardens--most were more on the scale of urban farms.  At the place where I photographed these chickens, the proud gardener told me that he and his partner were actively trying to see how much food they could produce on their city lot with the least expense.  He left me with little doubt but that they don't have to buy an outside vegetable all summer.  While that kind of effort is not necessarily for me, it was nonetheless very impressive!

And the chickens....there were two stops that each had flocks of about 10 birds.  Although I was a slacker and didn't take the pictures I should have, I was interested to see just how simple their coop setups were.  I think it will be very doable for us to build our own little coop next spring.  (Any maybe even put it on the food garden tour for next summer!)

A Walk in the Cemetery

As much as the idea of being buried gives me the heebs, I love going for a walks in pretty, old cemeteries.  Strangely, there is one kinda-sorta near our house that I hadn't yet visited, so tonight I decided to rectify that situation.

Isn't it amazing how many questions can arise from a headstone?  For example, who is leaving fresh flowers for Elizabeth Watkins, who died over 60 years ago?  Who is buried under the headstone that's been rubbed blank by time and the weather?  Did the mama and baby we found with the same death date die in childbirth, or in some other way? 

But, on the other end of the spectrum, isn't it incredible how much of a person's story can be told with just a few words and dates?  

A Wonderful Weekend AND ASPARAGUS WEEK!

Do you ever sit down on a Sunday evening and think, "Holygosh, this has been the greatest weekend ever....?"

Friday night started with a walk downtown for friends and sushi and Sylas and Maddy's homemade ice cream.  'Nuff said.

Then yesterday, I went to visit Nice Grandma and Nice Other Relatives.  While I don't want to discount my visit with them--which was quite nice--Wamego (the teensy little town Nice Grandma resides in) is becoming a joy to visit in-and-of-itself.  Not only is there a yarn store and a pottery gallery, but there are three wineries.  And one of them is a winery/photo gallery/law office!  (Truly, I walked in a little dazed--I did not know such a magnificent combination was even conceivable!)

While I was visiting and tasting, Sweet Husband was A) working on jewelry for his upcoming sale (more on that later!) and B) going on the inaugural "Douglas County Scooter Demons" scooter ride. 

By the time we both got home, we had our very first severe weather of the season.  

A common phrase in Kansas this time of year is, "Well, I hate the destruction tornadoes cause, but....did you see the storm last night?"  (That last part in an awestruck and Christmas-morning-excited voice with a blissful smile to accompany it.) 

Truth of the matter is, if you don't get just a little turned on by the electricity in the air...the smell of the wind...the drop in air pressure...that moment the sky turns green...you won't make it in Kansas very long.  And last night was incredible!  Sweet Husband and I had the windows open and the news on, and  oh it was awesome!

Then, last but not least, this morning, we got up early and went to Pendleton's for some asparagus pickin'.

About a month ago, I got this crazy idea that I should have an "Asparagus Week" when my little, spindly, green friends came into season.  Sweet Husband--being the lovely, indulgent man that he is--concurred.  So, without further delay, I'm pleased to announce that this will be ASPARAGUS WEEK at My Bit of Earth.  

That's right folks, we picked FOUR AND A HALF POUNDS of beautiful asparagus this morning, and every night this week I will be cooking it up in some extraordinary fashion, then posting the recipe the next morning.  Our pee will be stinky, but we shall be very well fed!

Moe Speaks: Fourth Birthday

Today, I am four.  I think Mom is maybe a little sad about this--me entering middle age and all--but I'm completely down with it.  I don't mind being older so much, and birthdays always mean fun!

This year my "present" was a nice, long afternoon walk at Clinton Lake.  (We celebrated last weekend.)  We don't usually go out hiking very much during "mud season", but Mom said we'd make an exception. 

(Note from Mom: I think we still have mud pasted to the kitchen floor from the aftermath!)

First, we walked all the way to the top of a big hill that looks over the lake. 

 

Then I chased my ball down hill towards the lake shore.

Mom played around for awhile taking pictures on the beach, but the lake was frozen, so no swimming!  I did get to sniff around a little before we headed for home though.

And then, as if the walk wasn't enough, I got to take a shower all by myself to wash off my mud!  

What a great birthday I had!

Shameless Plug for Local Artists

If you're local, go check out the Lawrence Art Guild's Holiday Fair tomorrow.  Along with tons of other artists, Sweet Husband and our good friend Calley will have a booth with lots of pretty jewelry for you and yours!

Sweet Husband Goes to a Basketball Game

This evening, my very nice co-worker asked me if I would like his basketball tickets for tonight's game.  Sweet Husband is behind on his work for an art sale he's doing this weekend, and I had a gingerbread house to make--so, of course, I said, "Absolutely!" 

(As you might imagine with that whole national championship thing, Jayhawk basketball tickets are expensive and wicked hard to get hold of.)

In fact, this was Sweet Husband's first KU basketball game, and as such, pictures were in order.  I truly believe there can't be anywhere as cool as Allen Fieldhouse to watch a game.  Although I know the small size contributes to the astronomical ticket prices, it makes for a phenomenal experience.  There isn't a bad seat anywhere, and it is so loud.  (In a good, "Yay school spirit" kind of way.)  Although I'm told by my basketball expert friends that this will probably be a "rebuilding year", it's still way too much fun to watch our guys play. 

From left to right...Sweet Husband, the pretty new banner hanging in the rafters, and Baby Jay.

The Festival of Trees

 

Every year Lawrence has a "Festival of a Trees" to raise money for charity.  I love seeing all the creative themed trees that people bring--gives me good ideas!

From top left to right...the room full of all the tress...a recycled tree (with ornaments made from pop lids and grocery sacks)...a tree made of chicken wire..."Rudolph Rex"...a tree with candy ornaments...a tree from a local pre-school with kid-made "gingerbread" houses...a quilted tree...a metal tree...a minimalist tree...a Monarch butterfly tree...a tree with knitted ornaments...a tree with liquor ornaments (as our friend that came with us wondered, "Is this supposed to be an advent tree?")...a tree with spoons...a fly fishing tree...a recycled newspaper tree...a "ragged" wreath.

If you're local, the festival goes on at Liberty Hall all this week--it really is very beautiful and admission is only two bucks!

Tricks and Treats

After a gorgeous walk through the park, I spent the early part of Halloween handing out candy to little ones. Then it was off for some sushi, and a meander down Mass Street where I met the legendary John Brown, alive and well. I also hung out with a manly (but hilarious) Sarah Palin, a lovely pirate wench, and a suitably dressed Scot.

More pictures here.

An Afternoon on the Farm

I have to giggle at myself sometimes when I imagine what my great-grandparents would think of how going "to the farm" has become a special outing.  I think they'd think we're all a little insane!

And, while it probably is a bit funny to drag your Sweet Husband out into the middle of nowhere to make a scarecrow and play with butterflies, Saturday afternoon I did just that.

Late last week, I got an email from Pendleton's saying they were looking for people to come build scarecrows for next weekend's Kaw Valley Farm Tour.  Payment was in the form of a free mum (which, ostensibly, was my motivation), and as additional bait they mentioned their Butterfly Bio Villa was teaming with Monarchs.  How could we pass up a free mum, right?

From the top right...a male Monarch butterfly (notice the scent sacks on his lower, inside wings, only the boys have 'em)...Sweet Husband in the "No Left Turn" maze (Sweet Husband, ever a fan of logic puzzles, figured it out in fairly short order.  I, on the other hand, gave up in even shorter order!)...a gnarly pumpkin...and last, but not least, our scarecrow.  Isn't Mr. Bob Frapples very dapper in his matching suit and frilly collar?

A few more pictures are here.

Moe Plunges

We took Moe-man to Lawrence's annual dog swim--the Pooch Plunge--this evening.  He was so excited when he saw the pool, he started making these horrible squealy noises as I fastened on his life jacket.  People were starting to stare at me like I was torturing him, so I hurried towards the pool and very unceremoniously tossed him in. 

He didn't seem to mind.  He spent about a half an hour happily chasing tennis balls before we fished him out to go home.

What Saturdays Are For

A trip to the farmer's market, a long country drive--with a yummy breakfast and a long nap thrown in for good measure.

It's gotten cooler here (70's and 80's instead of 90's and 100's) and school is back in session--all of a sudden it feels like it's time to suck up every last drop of summer....

Raspberry Day

More berry picking this afternoon. More jam making this evening. 

I don't think I like raspberry jam quite as much as strawberry--it's the seeds--but it's still better than anything I've ever had from the store.  And the jam is just the color of the raspberries that went into it--beautiful! 

Would you "dump the pump" if it meant an hour less sleep?

Today is "Dump the Pump" in Lawrence--an annual day where the local bus system ("the T") is free, in an effort to encourage more people to try riding. 

I thought it might be a fun adventure.  Although we walk and scoot quite a bit, I've never ridden the bus in Lawrence before.  While there's a regular ongoing debate about whether the T is really cost-effective, I certainly support the idea of public transportation in general.  Especially when Sweet Husband and I first moved to Lawrence and hadn't made a lot of friends yet, it was comforting to know that if the car broke down we wouldn't be without other options.  In addition, with gas getting more expensive by the minute, taking the bus every now and then just seems to make sense.

Kind of.

In defense of the T, for people that don't have to juggle between routes (like Sweet Husband) the bus is a really good option.  He could get on at roughly 8:15 a.m. and be at work 5 minutes later. 

On the other hand, for me to get to my carpool drop-off point by 8 a.m., I would have to be at the bus stop around 6:45 a.m.  For reference, I'm rarely even awake yet at that time, and on a normal day it takes about 10 minutes to get to my carpool from my house.  I'm not positive--because Lawrence is really hilly--but I think I could probably walk the distance in less time.

Sleep outweighs most other considerations in my world, especially at that time of the morning, so I will not be dumping the pump today.  But this whole exercise has made me curious.  Is this the norm for public transportation?  I know there are a lot of variables at play, but I'm particularly interested in experiences people have had in places that are of the large town/small city size. (Lawrence is roughly 100,000.)  Do you have to live in a big city to have really convenient public transportation?

(Photo c/o the Lawrence Transit System.)

Pendleton's Pick Your Own

If you're in the area, Pendleton's has started their pick-your-own asparagus and spinach.  Aside from the fact that a field full of asparagus stalks looks like some sort of science fiction landscape, you can't get much fresher than two hours from field to dinner.

Jayhawk Victory Parade!

Today was the parade for the basketball team...or, as I guess I should properly say, for the University of Kansas National Champion Jayhawk Basketball Team. 

But before we get to the parade, I have to talk about these cutie banners.  I'm trying to get some practice with my sewing machine, and I wanted to have some sort of flag to wave for the parade, so voila!  I made the little ones for practice (and to give away) and the big one to keep.  I was going for a well-used, battle-worn look, and I think succeeded.

As for the parade, I can't even begin to guess how many people were there, but I think 100,000 would not be a crazy guess.  (Looks like that was a good guess!)  The three or four blocks I could see were absolutely packed and the total parade route was about four times that.  As the players came down the street (in convertibles) the crowd just kind of converged on both sides of them, they were literally getting high fives from everyone on the street.  (Mouse over the pictures for captions.)

Rock Chalk Championship!

Mad, heart-stopping insanity!

And that was just the game.

The paper today said there were 40,000 people downtown last night celebrating, and I, of course, was one.  I didn't really think it could get any more wild and crazy than it was on Saturday, but I was wrong.  And it was the very best kind of wild and crazy--everyone was just happy, happy, happy--even the police officers were good naturedly posing for pictures.

Here are a few bits and pieces from our trip down Massachusetts Street.  I apologize in advance if you get seasick easily; for future National Championships I will try to remember to either dance or take video, not both!  (Here's a little more professional video, although I don't think it's as fun!)

And today, a little welcome home party (of something like 25,000 according to the paper).  It was freezing out, but it was fun!  (Mouse over the pictures and it will tell you what's going on--here's a little more video too.)

Last but not least, before I forget, mucho congrats to Erin, who came in third (after Sweet Husband and I) in the MBE bracket pool.  Sweet Husband will bring your prize--a pretty, pretty pair of earrings--to work tomorrow.  Thanks to everyone who played along with me--it was fun!

The Happiest Place on Earth...

...is currently Lawrence, Kansas.  Don't believe me?  Well see for yourself....

We watched the game with friends, then went down to Mass Street for the party afterward.  It was so insane!  Like, a solid six blocks (at least), of screaming, happy, people; impromptu bands; old friends meeting each other in the middle of the street; even one naked guy on a pole!

WOW!

For those of you still keeping track this means those of us that picked KU are now at the top of the MBE bracket pool (that would be Chris, Sweet Husband, Me)--Rock Chalk Jayhawks!

Letterboxing on the Kaw

Don't ask what happened to #2--I numbered the boxes so that they'll make the most sense when they're all laid out, not in the order I'm placing them--but yesterday Sweet Husband, the dogs, and I placed Lovely Lawrence #3:  The Kaw.  Here's how to get to it:

From downtown Lawrence, Kansas, take Massachusetts Street north until you get to the bridge that crosses the Kansas River (a.k.a. the Kaw).  Cross the bridge.  As you cross the bridge, if you look to your right you'll see the pictured large mural made of rocks in the north side of the river bank.  Make the first right turn after the bridge, and park your car near the park benches.

Climb up the hill to get to the trail that runs along the river.  Follow the trail east until you get to the mural.  Walk down the path on the eastern side of the mural until you get to the place where the edge of the mural comes to a point. 

From the lowest of the bricks that outline the edge of the mural, face directly away from the mural.  About 20 feet out into the rocks, you'll see an almost perfectly square hole.  (Here's an extra hint.)  Reach down into the hole to find the letterbox.  Be careful to watch for snakes!

5/26/08 UPDATE: This box is missing!  I have no plans to replace it at present, 'cause I'm frustrated with my boxes continually disappearing.

See also:  Lovely Lawrence #1:  Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

(Letterboxing: P3 F5 X0 / Geocaching: P0 F2)

Who's Been Eating My House?

Today's Christmas fun was the 13th Annual Gingerbread Festival and Auction.  It works pretty much the same way the Festival of Trees did--people give a small donation to get in to see the houses, then eventually the houses are auctioned off with proceeds going to Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

There were graham cracker houses made by little kids, log cabins made of pretzels, some very pretty sugar stained glass, and even a few Lawrence landmarks.  It totally inspired me to make a gingerbread house this year.  More pictures (including a few of Sweet Husband's booth at the Holiday Art Fair) are here.