Everything's Up to Date in Kansas City

Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote "Everything's up to date in Kansas City" for "Oklahoma!" In the years since that musical was produced, it is still up to date!

I'm here for the National Educational Telecommunications Association meeting. My days are spent in sessions -- all useful and interesting. It's a good learning conference.

In addition to the break-out sessions, we also get current information on the state of the system, from such respected industry leaders as Patricia Harrison of Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Paula Kerger of PBS.

We also had a breakfast during which we watched Amy Goodman present "Democracy Now" live.

And then, there are the evenings. The first night we had a reception at Lidia's (as in public TV's Lidia) restaurant. Lots of people were crammed into the tent for the reception (and good treats) including Hari Sreenivasan of "PBS NewsHour" and CPB's Jennifer Lawson.

There was entertainment, too.

The walk over, through Union Station was as fun as the reception. Kansas City has an elevated indoor walkway that snakes through various areas, making it safe and warm to get from spot to spot.

The interior of the building was amazing!

The second evening's activity was a reception at the American Jazz Museum, which included a tour.

Dennis Winslett was our guide -- and it was all the more meaningful and fun because of the musical interludes he included to emphasize certain points.

It's a terrific museum with lots of interactive exhibits, film, and displays.

The design is terrific, as is the flow. It's well worth the stop for the Kansas City traveler.

And while you're there, stop in the Blue Room at the museum. Rated one of the best jazz attractions in Kansas City (and for a city known for jazz, that's saying something), it really rocks!

The museum is adjacent to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. One of my heroes is John "Buck" O'Neil, whom -- if you saw Ken Burns' film "Baseball" -- was a remarkable narrator with his own story.

There was a special display honoring him.

Across from the museums is the Gem Theatre -- stop by there for some terrific jazz performances.

And then, it was home to gear up for another day of learning and fun.

But it will be tough to beat this evening! (Although I can tell you, my free day, Friday, will -- Looking forward to meeting fellow blogger Beth of Gathering Dust for lunch! Can't wait!)

Till then, it's music in my head as I drift off into fuzzy dreamland!

NOTE: If you enjoy biography of a sort, or books on Paris, or Hemingway, visit Chopsticks and Strings for a look at "The Paris Wife."

The Big Reveal

Well, the room is the same. But thanks to a new desk/art table and some time cleaning and organizing, the art room has become a little more manageable. Not too much less cluttered. But more manageable!

My friend Jan was replacing her office furniture so I was excited to buy her L-shaped desk, a new bookcase and a drawer unit from her this summer. Getting it moved was a challenge, but thanks to my friend and photographer/artist Michael Maurer Smith (who has a truck), we got it over and into the garage -- where it sat for about six weeks.

You know the story -- too tired to do it in the evening and summer weekends on the road. And of course I had to unload the old desk (filled with things in and under) and art table (with all those baskets of must-haves) and bookcase.

Let's just say if I'd had company during that time, they would have been in my bed and I would have been down the street at Rick's or on the couch!

When finally making the change, I vowed that everything that came into the room had to have purpose -- something for an art project, a book that could be useful, art itself -- my own and other people's, or things that made me happy -- photos, collections, etc.


Which isn't to say it wouldn't be cluttered. (This corner still sort of scares me!) It would just be cluttered with things I liked or were useful.

Now, I'll be working on organizing and tossing out things for a long while. But I've made me progress.

My favorite part -- the desk! When open, a great place to work, complete with bulletin board and sorting bins.

Of course, there is room for the Executive Assistant.

When closed, a perfect art table!

I always enjoy seeing how people store their stuff. I like these small jars from Ikea, as well as old spice jars for buttons and bits.

Scissors go in Mason jars.

Markers go into one of those extra mugs we all have!

For inspiration, an inspiration board...

...and a wonderful tree made by blogger Beth long ago.

Tall wastebaskets hold tall papers.

Elsewhere, things that make me happy.

This yard sale find has storage within!

More bits, glues and Goldens go here.

I won't show you the closet door behind the desk, but it has those shuttered doors, perfect for hanging completed knitting projects.

Now, it really isn't done because I don't think it will ever be. There are corners (and closets) to clean, more to sort through. But you get the drift! And I have to say I feel much better coming in here, and that in itself is worth something!

(NOTE: On Chopsticks and String, a look at the book "The Paris Wife.")

What's Up? BBQ, Art Workshop and a Cookie Recipe, Too!

A few things keeping me happy this week!

An autumn drive to party with friends.

I found this road dazzling --

-- and the sky so blue that the red barn seemed to jump out of the landscape.

My destination? A barbecue!

Anne and Clayton were great hosts and everyone who brought food outdid themselves.

I loved the chicken, as you can see, but the ribs were my favorite!

(My cookie recipe is at the bottom of this post!)

A weekend with barbecue, followed by an evening of art! I enjoyed teaching a tag book workshop.

You can find a tutorial about it from long ago right HERE.

Here's Ashley's book...

Dusty will use hers for pot-luck recipes.

Jane had great retro art from an old cookbook!

And mine? Yes, are you really surprised by the graphics?

Here's a versatile cookie recipe that went over well at both the workshop and barbecue. It's fast, doubles or halves easily, and is adaptable to variations.

Pressed Shortbread Cookies

2 sticks butter
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla (if not using variation)
2 c. flour

Cream butter and sugar, add salt, and flour. Scoop or roll into small balls and press with glass, palm or cookie press. (Add colored sugar at this point if you like.) Bake 300 for 15-18 minutes. Leave on sheet for two minutes and then move to rack to cool.
Variations on a Theme: Cinnamon/Apple Version

Add enough cinnamon to taste (I like a lot and probably used at least 4 Tablespoons, maybe more.) Also add apple cider in place of vanilla. You will need to add more cider than the vanilla quantity -- again, do to your taste, a tablespoon or two at a time. But then you will also need to add a little more flour so that you have a stiff dough you can scoop and pat down. These were what I made this weekend -- and delicious. Glaze them with a powdered sugar/cinnamon/apple cider glaze when slightly warm. Colorful sugars or jimmies optional!

Variations on a Theme: Lemon Version

Use lemon juice and zest in place of the vanilla. Adjust flour accordingly. Glaze with powdered sugar and lemon juice.

Variations on a Theme: Peppermint Version

Same deal, peppermint extract and/or crushed peppermint candies.

Variations on a Theme: Dried Fruit

Add about 1/2 c. of dried cherries, cranberries or apricots. More if you like!

A Few Reasons Why I Love Autumn at the Ditch

Lest you should thing the only thing I love about going to the Ditch is Harry the Heron, think again.

Yes, I find him striking and when I see him, he does take my breath away. But then, I think he does that for a lot of people.

No, I like passing the little garden on my walk down, where rosebuds are still in bloom.

I love the ducks. The mallards...

...the brown ones. Are they female mallards?

Some burrow their beaks under their feathers, ready for a snooze in the late afternoon sun. Yet, ever alert.

And this one -- a duck or a goose?

I don't know, but when I see those beautiful feathers, it doesn't really matter. They dazzle me.

I find the color at this time of year breathtaking.

And it isn't just the orange.

It's the purple astors...

...the golden leaves... (Do you see Harry, camouflaged against the shore?)

...the dazzling turquoise sky.

There are greens that soon will be gold.

Some, like me, walk about and take photos. Others walk their dogs or their children in strollers. Still others, like this fellow, just choose to sit back and meditate at this most peaceful of spots.

Yes, I love the blues and golds, oranges and greens. I can't resist the sumac.

But there is something so peaceful about the neutral colors...

...and those wonderful browns.

Yes, autumn colors tell stories.


And in the shadows of the early evening, amidst the beauty of these creatures, the sense of camaraderie amongst those who visit, the quiet of my footsteps on the path, I realize how very lovely my life is. And I say a little prayer of thanks.