AfricanKelli

« Home

Literally. I’ve got new boots on and it is chilly in Golden! The drive was long, but manageable. I slept hard last night and I’m back to work today. Life in Colorado is beautiful.

I forgot my camera cord at a friend’s house the night before I left. So, until I unpack the duplicate, a few more photos from the scavenger hunt that Jason just emailed over: (He was on the team, behind the camera.)

Obviously, we did not have any fun at all. Not a bit. (I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit teary looking at these. I love these folks so much.)

How am I ever going to get all of these people to move north? Well. As the great Adele says, “Don’t under estimate the things I will do.”

~K

I spent my last day in the Valley, among other things hugging many friends and hiking Camelback Mountain.

A sign I will always be Arizonan at heart? My tan officially matches the landscape.

The car is packed, including my bikes. I’m off to a new home in Colorado. Thank you all — near and far — for your well wishes, gifts, notes, meals and parties during this crazy month. What a month it’s been! I will miss this great desert, in great part to the many, many people of Arizona I love. I will miss you dearly.

Now, please start looking for flights to Denver. I will be preparing the homestead for your many visits, especially those with a relocation mission.

xoxo,

K

My current moving alert isn’t red. Or orange. It’s beige. I’m surrounded by beige. Boxes, boxes everywhere. It’s mayhem.

My happy spin on the current homeland Code Beige!: packing is a lot of fun for a girl who loves to organize. I currently own only socks with pairs. Only towels, pillow cases and white T-shirts without that random mascara stain. Only earrings that I’ll actually wear. Only shoes I really love. Only dishes, books, fabric, yarn, plants, and furniture that I plan on using for a very, very long time.

T-minus 56 hours left in Phoenix. Time to write a new story!

May the movers be gentle,

K

My friend Dan, the Relation Chef, was in town last night to whip up a special menu at Scottsdale’s Posh. I don’t typically eat such fancy meals on a Monday — or ever. For that matter, 90% of the time I stay home in my jammies comfortably curled up with my excuses, and don’t go to such dinners.

But I wanted to support Dan and I love Posh. I figured it would be a wonderful meal.

In fact, it was the best meal I’ve ever eat in a restaurant. Huge statement, right? Best. Hands down, best. That egg dish? It was called the 62 degree egg. It had these mushrooms and crispy spinach and some sort of potato layer at the bottom. It was rich, savory, salty and simply delicious. For my main dish, I had the beef wellington — which included that gorgeous tiny scoop of mustard ice cream. Mustard ice cream! Sounds ludicrous, but melting on top of hot, perfectly cooked steak? Holy heaven. A+.

Additional perk: everything was just pricey enough and just tiny enough I felt French. Sitting there sipping my giant glass barely full of chardonnay, I savored every drop and bite. It was a good reminder to eat this way more often — enjoying every sensation and not eating quickly and too much just because you can.

I am so proud of Dan and so glad I went. It is such a delight to see friends finding success with their passion. Watching him work in the kitchen last night was impressive. I hope this is the first of many “best” meals I enjoy at one of his restaurants.

~K

This weekend was one that I will never forget. From the unique + thoughtful going away party a couple girlfriends coordinated — Adios Arizona Urban Adventure — to the Mumford + Son’s concert, with a brief foray afterward in a party bus, to Easter brunch with friends that ended in south Scottsdale far too late. Phew.

Phoenix, I just can’t quit you.

I’ve said “see you later” to so many sweet friends in the last few days. I’ve never slept less and danced more. I’ll let the photos paint the picture because I’m too tired to be clever — just as you should be on your last Monday in town.

Adios Arizona Urban Adventure:

Mumford + Sons, Party Bus:

Easter!

Juliann + Mariah — thank you for the best going away party. Clever, thoughtful and so much fun!

And to the Disbrows + Wrights, my many thanks as always for including me at your table.

~K