AfricanKelli

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I think giving a loaf of bread as a CAOK gift might be the most appropriate. Breaking of bread. Sharing of loaves. Feeding friends.

Plus, homemade bread makes nearly everyone smile.

This loaf when to a friend who is interviewing today for a giant job in New York that would make him and his wife very happy. Send much love to the pair and all my fingers and toes are crossed!

Apricot nut bread — aka: “Good luck on the interview Matt!” bread.

What is your favorite bread recipe?

~K

P.S. I might have nibbled a little corner out of the loaf. I made the recipe up! I wanted to make sure I wasn’t poisoning anyone… Who can resist bread hot out of the oven?! Not me, even with the best of intentions.

A coworker gave me a garment that she wanted recycled. She’d had the gown custom made with Heather Bailey fabrics and was so sad the end result didn’t work. She didn’t want the fabric to go to waste. Could I make something of it?

The Betty Draper apron. Pearls and angst not included.

To be delivered this week!

~K

Calculated Acts of Kindness — CAOK — is a Lenten themed project I’ve led for several years. The idea is to spend the 40-plus days of lent in reflection, strengthening your faith through helping others.

This help may come in a note of encouragement, time volunteered at the food bank, buying a stranger lunch or simply paying someone a compliment. The intention of CAOK is to stretch your own comfort by being of service to others, and to do so humbly.

That humble part make this a bit tricky. I encourage you to share your ideas and acts here as a way of encouraging and inspiring others to participate. If you’d like to see what’s been done in the past, there are photo galleries and plenty of posts.

I look forward to this challenge each year because so many people reach out. They send the love letter they’ve been thinking of writing. They buy bus tickets and hand them out at the stop before work. They anonymously send flowers to the woman in the office going through a divorce. You wouldn’t believe how many of these emails I’ve received. It is a powerful project to be a part of.

So! If you are interested — now’s the time. Let’s do what they say can’t be done. Let’s make our homes, communities and world a bit brighter by truly being kind.

A Franciscan Blessing:

May God bless you with discomfort. Discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen

May God bless you with anger. Anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. Amen

May God bless you with tears. Tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy. Amen

May God bless you with foolishness. Enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen

And the blessing of God, who creates, redeems and sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forever more. Amen

~K

My friend Shanlee asked for a bag in “fall colors” and I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather sew something for. Shan and her husband Tom are part of my surrogate parent network in Phoenix — regularly inviting me over for dinner, checking in on me, etc. Also, how fun is that squid fabric? It is weird and bright and certainly “fall.”

To continue the Thanksgiving theme, this print pretty much sums up exactly what I am thankful for in life. Trees! Nice people! Music! Beverages!

~K

My friend Gracie asked the other day if I’d make her a new work bag. She takes public transportation in Italy and she worries about pick-pockets. Could the bag include zippered pockets?

Well, yes it could. But I’d first have to learn how to do so. Thankfully, Autumn’s tutorial all but literally holds your hand through the process. A few minutes later and Gracie’s Commuter Bag had two deep pockets, with zippers, to adorn the red velvet lining.

It’s going in the post tomorrow. I hope it brings good fortune and keeps shenanigans at bay.

~K