AfricanKelli

« Home

2011 will always be known as the year of Willie Nelson Mandela. Granted, there were a few other monsters crossed off the bucket list, but none of those wake me up each morning with a smile and a wagging pom pom tail screaming, “TODAY IS GOING TO BE THE BEST DAY EVER! CAN I GO OUTSIDE NOW?”

A few of my favorite photos from the year, including too many of the prized pup:

A year that begins in Africa can be nothing short of magical; 2011 didn’t disappoint.

Holy crikes. That’s how you do a year right. Thank you 2011! (I hear your younger sister 2012 brings great promise.)

~K

I traveled early to Phoenix for the holidays to see Kim graduate from nursing school. And the girl didn’t disappoint. In fact, she was one of a few in her class honored, and the only one to receive a leadership award.

Needless to say, her fan club went bananas crazy with pride, including ringing a cowbell. She had rows of people screaming like mad for her and every yelp was well deserved.

Because if you are going to have a nurse in the family, let it be a super smart one who can lead!

And then, because this is Adam and Kim, after way too much pizza and libations — we bowled:

Yep. She’s even gorgeous bowling. Smart and gorgeous. I know. 

So damn proud of her!

~K

Thankful for a quick and lovely trip back to Phoenix that was just long enough to make me miss Nelson and the mountains. Celebrated my grandfather’s 85th birthday, had lunch with family in Tucson, howled with laughter during several dinners with the crew, and even got to visit my church.

There wasn’t enough time to see all those I love and miss, but there was enough to make me miss my new home.

Sometimes the cactus is always greener.

~K

I have gin and tonic sitting on my guest bed, which can only mean one thing: Finny’s coming for a visit. It is once again time for the Finny/Donk annual weekend of hijinks and cocktails. (Year 5!)

And if history has anything to say about it:

Santa Fe

S

Portland

Yellowstone

Sun Valley

It’s going to be a weekend to remember.

~K

I will not make this blog for the next year: WHY COLORADO IS BETTER THAN ARIZONA. Or, sadly, WHY ARIZONA IS BETTER THAN COLORADO.

With a few small exceptions.

Mexican Food — Colorado vs: Arizona

Christo, almighty. Mexicans! Where are you? I miss my bretheren, especially those who know how to run an amazing restaurant with a healthy, fresh and tasty menu. The lack of quality Mexican food in these parts is dumbfounding. For my Arizona friends, get on your knees today and thank the heavens for Gallo Blanco. Or Barrio Cafe. Or Ajo Al’s. Or even my former employer Rosita’s. Because everything in Denver so far has been a fancy version of Macayo’s. Yellow cheese. Runny refried beans. Green chile that is called “Bronco sauce” because somehow, it comes out orange. ORANGE.

Ew.

Score one for Arizona.

(Unintended benefit: I’m eating a lot less Mexican food. Hola, pants that fit.)

On the other hand, my new homestead has no rumors of a certain former Alaskan resident buying a ginormous McMansion in the dusty hinterlands of north Scottsdale. Perhaps the only way Arizona politics could get worse, on a day when the news included sheriffs in the county jails being arrested not only for running drugs for prisoners but also being impregnated by drug king pins (you cannot make this nonsense up), is the addition of the Palin family to the foray. Apparently she wants to take Kyl’s senate seat. Palin and McCain both representing my home state?

Score one for Colorado.

~K