AfricanKelli

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There was a knitting frenzy underway the last couple of days. A knitting frenzy that makes me blush a bit with confusion. I simply don’t understand why people stare like I’m crazy for knitting in public. It’s KNITTING. Not porn. Not flossing my teeth. Not clipping my toe nails. We are talking about two innocent needles and a ball of yarn. It’s a silly hobby and certainly not that archaic. I’m not carving wood, staining glass or weaving a basket. (Although, to be honest, those do sound fun.) Knitting in a bowling alley, at a stop light, waiting between yoga classes, before church starts? This makes as much social sense as everyone on a smart phone in the same settings. But I end up with a cute hat.

I went to a fun baby shower yesterday and have several more I’m looking forward to. I mentioned a few days ago that I wanted to replicate a cupcake hat I’d seen online. Here is my take — complete with a cherry on top. (Cupcake Baby Hat pattern pdf, for those interested.)

And this adult bell hat is another reproduction from an REI find for my friend Tiffany. She found a hat at the store she really liked, but it was stupidly priced. She took a camera photo and asked if I could make something similar. I don’t know how to crochet, so I called my mom in Texas and we agreed to work on it together. I knit the cap, mailed it to my mama and she added the crochet edge. It is one of my favorite colors and I hope it will serve Tiff well in the cold Midwest. I’m hoping she sends a photo!

~K

Paired with some greens for dinner last night. The new farmer’s market at ASU started yesterday and I spent way too much money on way too little — but the flavors were wonderful. Plus, I’m learning that it is often not cost/time effective to do the best thing for your community (farmer’s markets, carpooling, low energy use electronics) but it is still the better option. And so, we very much enjoyed the $5 tomato — sliced with a bit of salt and savored before scallops and greens.

Today starts lent, and those who’ve been around for a while know that traditionally means the kickoff to Calculated Acts of Kindness (CAOK). I’ve done this for 4 years. This year, with a variety of new challenges in hand, I cannot. I fully believe CAOK is something you do regardless of the season and I hope my excessive efforts of the past have encouraged others. My one hiccup was the jaded feedback I’d misplaced humility to seek praise for good deeds. Noted. This year, my lenten journey will be private.

If you are participating in CAOK, I’m happy to praise you. Keep me posted on what you are doing!

~K

“Talk doesn’t cook rice.”
–Chinese Proverb

Don’t mind the saggy butt on this bag; it doesn’t look like it when it is full of baby supplies. This contemporary take on a baby bag is in the post, heading to Robin. I “met” Robin and her husband via Salty Senor once upon a time. Robin and Jim have two little girls — Amalea and Maya. They are the epitome of a sweet, young family. I love reading both of their blogs and rooting for their success.

I’d been promising Robin this bag for too long and am glad it’s finished. I am loving all things orange right now.

{How great is that duck fabric? I fell in love with it once I saw it peeking out of the remnant basket at the fabric store. Quack!}

The last few weeks have been peacefully busy — productive without stress. I’ve been sewing, gardening, cooking, reading, watching (Mad Men), running, hiking, bowling and spending quite a bit of quality time with friends. I have also been trying to eat more “whole” foods and cut out the junk. You wouldn’t have known this if you saw me at the bowling alley, per se, but change comes in baby steps.

In an attempt to actually cook that metaphoric rice instead of just talking about it, I roasted carrots this weekend for the first time. Roasting veggies for soup seems to be the new fad at my house lately. I grab whatever looks good at the market, throw it on a cookie sheet with some olive oil and an hour later scoop it into a blender before adding some stock.

This week’s bright green soup has roughly 10,000 times your daily dose of goodness in each scoop. Of course, I made way too much and will be eating it for a couple days — but there are worse problems to have. My magic touch with these soups is to add gobs of cayenne. It is so spicy, I can’t help but want more. Perhaps this will fuel a few more healthy changes.

Hope your 2010 is off to an equally happy start!

~K

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Three lap quilts made with African fabric scraps and backed with cordouroy :: Each quilt has at least 50 pieces, symbolizing jubilee :: Gifts to celebrate weddings and friendship.

~K

Prayer shawl #2, knit and ready for delivery — a gift for an African friend.

~K