AfricanKelli

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Fin,

By the hair on my chinny chin chin, I got both of these projects completed this weekend. To be honest, I loved the cauliflower recipe. I love veggies just about anyway you give them to me. I went to an international dinner party of sorts last night, hosted by a Sri Lankan friend, and ended up bringing the cauli as an appetizer. I followed your recipe and then threw in all in the blender with a bit of chicken stock (minus the capers) and brought crackers. It was adored! Bravo!

As for that folklore bag, I don’t know if I am just out of practice or grouchy from TOO MUCH YOGA. Phew. Needed to scream that. (Ask me how I feel about “namaste” sometime and I’m likely to bite your head off. I am loving this challenge and yet there are days when I cannot for the life of me catch my breath.)

Anyway – the folklore bag was a chore to make. Not just the tissue paper patterns, which wisely I will now store in Ziplock bags, but also because I found the directions a bit tedious. I am hesitant to criticize, but I will just say it is not my favorite pattern.

It is, however, going to one of my favorite people. The end result is cute enough and on its way to Aimee, who may just be the world’s best advocate for animals. She is beyond sweet and I’ve wanted to return a touch of the kindness she’s sent my way over the years. An elephant bag with bee-print lining is just the ticket.

Now, what’s up for March? I’ve got a recipe or two in mind. (Think Irish and bread.) And did you pick a winner? I’ve got an idea for that too…

xo,

Donk

P.S. More than a little excited I get to see you and the Bubba in a couple weeks!

Used this handy little tutorial last night, during a much needed crafty meeting of the minds with Kara, to create a bit of accessory love. I’m thinking of making a string of these on a long ribbon belt to be worn with spring dresses, as shown in the link.

But for now, it can rock the cardigan. It makes me feel a bit like a superhero.

Need a little color? POW! BAM! WOW!

For those on Twitter, I’ve been posting “dress of the day” for the last couple of weeks and it it is funny how much of a response it’s garnered. Everyone (men, church folk, family, friends, and this being twitter, lots of strangers) have let me hear their fashionista views. I have a new-found love of fashion as art, and a well-constructed and worn garment seems rare. Perhaps it is working in a university environment where I see the worst of fashion humanity waddle past my window. The ass crack! The knee-high Uggs! The skinny jeans on boys (most of whom have been misled and are, in fact, not skinny) and giant crocheted beanies on girls who all look like “The Hills” rejects. And my guess is 95% of those observed need to increase their pant size.

Damn kids these days!

It isn’t pretty. There are far too many whip cream Starbucks calorie traps being enjoyed on this campus for this much flesh to be in view.

And yes, I walk to school both ways up hill in the snow. But I do so in a great dress and on days with good balance, a pair of heels too.*

~K

*And sometimes pants that are too small. Or too short — the curse of the tall girl. What? I’m in the 95%.

Dear Fin,

Okay, I have a big dirty secret to admit: there are times when I am so sick of sewing, I don’t look at my machine for months. When I left for Cancun December 15th, I tucked my machine and supplies away. They didn’t re-emerge until last night. I needed a break. You could tell in my work that I was bored and frankly, it gave me time to fall in love again with knitting. (Not to mention, this craft is much easier to take with you on said beach vacations.)

Yesterday when I pulled out my shiny new copy of “One Yard Wonders” for our sew-along this year I was utterly dismayed to find tissue paper patterns. Am I the only one who finds these insanely difficult to work with and store? Perhaps I don’t have the patience required. When I finally found the pieces, cut them out and refolded all the other giant sheets of tissue patterns, I realized there was absolutely no getting them back in the book’s tiny front pocket from which they had emerged.

The good news is — I’ve got the patterns cut and some super cute fabric to work with for this Folklore Bag. Isn’t this elephant print delightful? It is actually a giant pillow sham I received as a gift from a friend. I’ve been waiting to use it for just the right project. It’s folksy and fun and has elephants! Perfect.

Rant over. Hope you have the patience I’m missing!

xo,

Donk

make limoncello.

My friends Juliann and Jennie are super smart librarians who can drink me under the table. Our outings regularly involve new restaurants and swapped recipes, books that are secret gems of the library, Meatloaf lyrics, and wine. Red wine, to be precise.

They recently decided to make limoncello with the current bounty of Arizona citrus. They threw a limoncello party this weekend and it was, as described above, more fun than you can imagine. We sat outside by a great fire while the men smoked cigars as we sipped our limoncello, enjoyed countless rounds of bruschetta and homemade biscotti (these foodies know no limits) and laughed until my cheeks hurt.  This is a new group of friends for me — but one where I’ve quickly found a comfortable place. And they seem rather comfortable with me too — calling me on my BS and deliberately not laughing at my jokes when they could have been told better.  Juliann and her hubby are two of the most generous hosts I’ve ever encountered. They’ve had me over countless times in the last year and each time I’m surprised by the caliber of their welcoming friends into their home.

It also helps the Js are as sarcastic and cynical as I am about many topics. Much like their limoncello, they are tart and strong. We three are the sole members of the “Anti Vampire Book Club,” where the only rules are: no poetry (not my rule) and most certainly no vampires. If you knew them, even if you are a Twilight fanatic, you’d understand. And you’d be laughing.

~K

Dear Finny,

You say you did a bit of fuzzy math to the tune of pi, and what I read was, “Pie? I want pie!!” The Homer J in me kept me from even trying the hat pattern, but I did rock the dressing. So, mission nearly accomplished for our January One Yard Wonder sew/cook along.

{Your hat is adorable.}

Congrats again to Lori, whose hat is pretty rad. Plus, it is recycled and plaid – two of my most favorite things. Preppy green!

As for February, I was thinking we’d keep up the green theme and go with the folklore bag. I like the simplicity in this design and I go through fabric totes like you wouldn’t believe. They never seem to be quite big enough to get all my gear and my lunch to my desk without appearing like a ragamuffin in the process.

Instead, with this new bag in the works, and your yummy new recipe for spicy cauliflower with capers packed for lunch — I’ll be set!

Also, I’m sending you a Valentine — as I do every year!

xo,

Donk