1–5 of 150 entries from the year: August 2010

OYW July + August Sew-Along

August 31st

Finny,

First, may I just wish you a belated birthday? How was it? I hope your package of birthday goodies from Arizona have arrived and that you were spoiled rotten with gin + tonics, fancy yarn, new gardening tools, running gear,  time with your Bubba and time in nature.  Plus pie. Perhaps rhubarb.

I hope it was truly lovely. This time of year always makes me think of you — the years we worked together in college — and how the beginning of a new Fall semester meant a great birthday party for Finny.

It seems only right we honor you by sewing up the Not-Ugly-Trash-Bag for this double-month’s sew-along. I love this project. In fact, [SPOILER!] chances are if I typically sew you a Christmas present, this is exactly what you’ll be receiving. They are practical, keep things clean, are easy to sew and they have the Finny stamp of approval. Check, check, checkity check.

One Yard Wonders -- Trash Bag

Never mind that I sewed the pocket inside out. I was going for that look. Um, really. Regardless, my car is already cleaner and more stylish because of this great project. Our winner is Sourkraut. Love the cupcake fabric! (Honorable mention and previous winner Sue deserves a high five for her awesome elephant too. SO cute. Those ears!)

Thank you for participating ladies.

So, Finny — what are our next sewing assignments from One Yard Wonders?

Keeping with our theme of a sewing project and a recipe, this month’s kitchen assignment is something I hope will bring in the new season. Cooler temperatures, fall leaves, sleeves, being able to spend time outside without the possibility of death…

Pumpkin bread for Thanksgiving

Banana Bread

Pumpkin Carrot Gingerbread

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 2 carrots, shredded (can use squash instead)
  • 3 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease loaf pans. Combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water, pumpkin, carrots  and spices. In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Can’t wait to hear what we are sewing up Finny!

Much love,

Kelli

Posted in
Domestic Art, Sew Along
Comments (2)

All or Nothing

August 30th

IMG_5166

I’m working on a wedding quilt for Matt + Mariah. My mom helped get it started when she recently visited. Instead of a traditional wedding registry book, they had guests sign squares we’d cut for the event. Slowly, these squares are transforming into something useful + sentimental.

IMG_5167

Doing this kind of work makes me miss my mom — the kind of miss that you carry around in your stomach like a heavy stone.  The nature of our relationship has changed  in the last few years; I desperately wish we lived in the same city for a period of time to quilt, cook, live together.

~K

Posted in
Journal, handmade
Comments (5)

Phew

August 27th

IMG_5171

I think tenacious + clever are two of my most favorite adjectives. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t like to be a little more of each? In complimenting a friend this week, I noted she was both and meant it.  Surrounding ourselves with the right people — those who inspire us to have a better attitude, work a little harder, be a bit happier –  this is one the greatest tasks we face. Balancing this great social mix with a fair amount of personal downtime is the other side of the coin. I need healthy doses of both to have any spark of tenacity or cleverness.

And so, this weekend I am quite happily spending some much needed quiet time with my running shoes, knitting needles, Netflix and thoughts. I hope to disconnect from all things Internet for a chunk of time and in turn reconnect with my spirit.

Wishing you a peaceful break too!

~K

Posted in
Journal
Comments (5)

Glow

August 26th

I know, I know.  Another book post. We’ll get back to the knitting, cooking, traveling and the such soon. I need a couple more days of enjoying the after-glow.  Amanda — who edited the novel and took the back cover photo — also took a gorgeous collections of shots Tuesday night. How couldn’t I share these?

book

changing hands

signing

new release

zebra

blah blah

matty

rex

Rex! My old running buddy!

mr green

Mr. Green — my 8th grade English teacher.

duda

Clare, who I traveled with to Nicaragua and Bolivia. And, Duda, a friend who grew up in Mozambique.

mama

My mama. This photo makes me a little teary.

kara

Ms. Sunshine Cupcakes!

joe

My boss, Joe.

mark and susie

Mark and Susie, parents to this adorable boy.

alma

Alma! My world traveling buddy.

ms. st. arnauld

Ms. St. Arnauld, my 6th grade teacher.

rett + karen

Rett + Karen, who have been friends with my parents since high school. My dad tells a funny story of Rett giving him shots of whiskey right before he walked down the aisle to marry my mom.

Diane

Diane — a long-time family friend.

the tolars

JT + Kathleen — Mini’s parents and my good friends.

jpm

My minister + friend, Jeff.

the bennetts

The Bennetts! Kacey’s folks + my cheerleaders.

mariah and julez

Mariah and Julez, who among other things are my bowling buddies.

craig

signing 2

O T J

Octavio, Ted + JT.

me

Pretty much the best night of my life so far.

Thank you again, Amanda, for taking these. See the complete set at: www.nemecphotos.com

~K

Tagged
Posted in
Arizona, Celebrate!, Journal
Comments (21)

Lunar

August 25th

Reading

Did you notice last night was a full moon? Couldn’t have been coincidence. The “Under the Same Moon” signing brought more than a 100 of my friends and family under one roof, too. I honestly couldn’t believe how many people were there — my grandparents and uncle from Tucson, my mama from Texas, three of my favorite teachers, many family friends who’ve taken me in as an additional child since my parents moved, my girlfriends, coworkers, fellow church attendants, bloggers and I think, just maybe, even a few strangers.

Little fan

Bill, Mariah, Julie, Jennie

Min

It was a night I’ll never forget. Today I am so full of hope, happiness and gratitude.

Matty

Tina

Thank you, dear blog readers. You too are included on the acknowledgment page.

~K

(And there are many more photos and video clips to come, but I couldn’t help but post a few to start off the day!)

Tagged
Posted in
Arizona, Celebrate!, Goals
Comments (24)