AfricanKelli

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I’m working on a wedding quilt for Matt + Mariah. My mom helped get it started when she recently visited. Instead of a traditional wedding registry book, they had guests sign squares we’d cut for the event. Slowly, these squares are transforming into something useful + sentimental.

Doing this kind of work makes me miss my mom — the kind of miss that you carry around in your stomach like a heavy stone.  The nature of our relationship has changed  in the last few years; I desperately wish we lived in the same city for a period of time to quilt, cook, live together.

~K

I think tenacious + clever are two of my most favorite adjectives. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t like to be a little more of each? In complimenting a friend this week, I noted she was both and meant it.  Surrounding ourselves with the right people — those who inspire us to have a better attitude, work a little harder, be a bit happier –  this is one the greatest tasks we face. Balancing this great social mix with a fair amount of personal downtime is the other side of the coin. I need healthy doses of both to have any spark of tenacity or cleverness.

And so, this weekend I am quite happily spending some much needed quiet time with my running shoes, knitting needles, Netflix and thoughts. I hope to disconnect from all things Internet for a chunk of time and in turn reconnect with my spirit.

Wishing you a peaceful break too!

~K

I know, I know.  Another book post. We’ll get back to the knitting, cooking, traveling and the such soon. I need a couple more days of enjoying the after-glow.  Amanda — who edited the novel and took the back cover photo — also took a gorgeous collections of shots Tuesday night. How couldn’t I share these?

Rex! My old running buddy!

Mr. Green — my 8th grade English teacher.

Clare, who I traveled with to Nicaragua and Bolivia. And, Duda, a friend who grew up in Mozambique.

My mama. This photo makes me a little teary.

Ms. Sunshine Cupcakes!

My boss, Joe.

Mark and Susie, parents to this adorable boy.

Alma! My world traveling buddy.

Ms. St. Arnauld, my 6th grade teacher.

Rett + Karen, who have been friends with my parents since high school. My dad tells a funny story of Rett giving him shots of whiskey right before he walked down the aisle to marry my mom.

Diane — a long-time family friend.

JT + Kathleen — Mini’s parents and my good friends.

My minister + friend, Jeff.

The Bennetts! Kacey’s folks + my cheerleaders.

Mariah and Julez, who among other things are my bowling buddies.

Octavio, Ted + JT.

Pretty much the best night of my life so far.

Thank you again, Amanda, for taking these. See the complete set at: www.nemecphotos.com

~K

My most favorite way to unwind after a busy week — close friends, homemade meal, big dinner table, generous glasses of wine, plenty of laughter.

I’m fairly certain life doesn’t get any better.

~K

Last weekend I hosted a few friends for dinner — a swim & grill get together. Such gatherings are a  reason I love Arizona.  Managing the heat is much easier when you are up to your neck in cool water. Plus, I’ve got this circle of friends who are crazy, funny, committed, honest, caring and crazy. Did I mention the crazy?

The best part is — they totally call me on my crazy.

For example, about a month ago I posted on Facebook that I was buying yarn for my Christmas knitting projects. I was honestly making an order. It never even crossed my mind that posting about Christmas knitting projects in July in Phoenix was silly. Really. Sometimes I’m swimming so far deep in the crazy pool, it seems like an ocean. Adam, however, almost immediately called me out.

It was July.

In Phoenix.

I needed a cool drink and a date, not another order of yarn.

Indeed.

I also feel a little crazy at the moment because let’s be honest – I can think, talk and dream about only one event. There are so many exciting and happy things happening this month, I feel like skipping. As if having this team of amazing friends wasn’t enough, my family is rallying and will be here Tuesday for the signing.  My sixth grade teacher + my favorite teacher from high school are both attending. (Feel free to cry a bit over that. I did.) My elementary school arch nemesis is attending. (Booyah!) And I have a feeling an ex-boyfriend or two may even show, just to add to the stomach churning nervousness of the night. Hey! Maybe they could all sit together and compare notes?

It’s bound to be a night to remember. And I can’t help but hope this is just the beginning.

To have a taste of what I’ve always wanted has made me delirious. I’ve been thinking about how great it will be when I can rent a summer home in the Puget Sound to write. (I’ve got one picked out.) It will be nice to fly into New York for meetings with editors. Heck, I’ve found myself saying:

“Well, with the next book there will certainly be an agent and a publishing house involved.”

“You know your favorite bookstore in Albuquerque, Denver, Portland? Yes. I’m sending copies.”

“I don’t know about a book tour this time, but certainly with the next.”

“Julia should buy the rights. This would be a great movie.”

And perhaps the most egotastic-crazy yet — “Do you want that signed?”

Julia. As in Julia Roberts. What has happened to me? It’s easy to get carried away. It is also easy to under achieve in this life and to shoot for an average existence. I guess I’d rather be crazy excited about life than apathetic.

Thankfully, I’ve got a lot of good people to keep me grounded. Including those who take photos when I leave my camera unattended.

To crazy dreams coming delightfully true,

K