Hello, Kansas
Tag Archives: Kansas
Crisp White
This is one of the wildflowers that I saw out on the prairie yesterday. I tried unsuccessfully to identify it, but I think that it is quite lovely. The flowers look like tiny white orchids.
Blowin’ In The Wind
Asters on the Konza Prairie
I went out to the Konza this morning to take photos of wildflowers. I’ll be sharing a few over the next couple of days. This was one of my favorites.
A Fine Morning for Quilting
Since my guests were all having late breakfasts this morning, I decide to do some photography in the garden while I had a chance. When I was out there, I noticed one of our guests sitting on the porch and working on a very handsome quilt. I decided to switch gears and photograph her instead. Abby was enjoying the morning light for working on her project while waiting for her husband to get up for breakfast. A friend had given Abby some sunflower fabric that she had purchased on a vacation and Abby was using it in a sunflower-themed quilt. So much painstaking work!
Thank you to Abby from Kansas for graciously allowing me to photograph her while she sewed and to use the photos on my blog!
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A Bird’s Bath
With temperatures soaring in Kansas today, it is no wonder this little cardinal decided to treat himself to a cool bath this morning. Doesn’t that look refreshing?
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Beautiful Sand Cherry Prunings
Sand Cherries (Prunus x cistena) are one of my favorite ornamental shrubs. While pruning ours this week, I decided to save some of the cuttings to use in use in a floral arrangement. Notice how the bright burgundy leaves go so nicely with these hot pink roses. (Note: watch for ants and other undesirables whenever bringing cuttings inside.)
The Sandy Cherry on the southern side of our house is just starting to leaf out, so its prunings were perfect for my arrangement. The shrubs on the north side are about a week or so behind. I’ll try to get some more photos when the shrubs are in bloom. In the meantime, Happy Spring!
Foraged Flavor … An Upcoming Event
On April 24th, from 2:30 to 4:30, we’ll be hosting a book signing with Tama Matsuoka Wong for her book Foraged Flavor: Finding Fabulous Ingredients in Your Backyard or Farmer’s Market, written together with Eddy Leroux. Together the two have identified wild plants that are not only edible, but also flavorful. This cookbook brings together botanical illustrations, tips for identification and collection, and recipes such as Chickweed Crostini, Bee Balm Spring Rolls with Lettuce and Dipping Sauce, and Lambsquarters Rigatoni Casserole.
For a while, I have had an interest in growing edible flowers and herbs and a few vegetables, but have not previously paid much attention to whether other plants (and weeds) in my garden are edible. Reading Foraged Flavor has opened my eyes to the possibilities of cooking with other plants such as creeping jenny and juniper.
Tea and treats will be served at the signing … with any luck, featuring some ingredients gathered from the garden.
Ms. Wong is the official forager for Daniel, Daniel Boulud’s 3 Michelin star restaurant in NYC.
New Year’s Day on the Konza Prairie
My husband and I went out to the Konza Prairie today. It was beautiful, quiet … and cold (24 degrees F.)! We had a lovely afternoon, a very nice way to start the new year.
Wishing you a happy 2013!
Grey December Morn
This morning’s wintry sky …
A Taste of Morning 