I’m cheating a bit for this month’s 12-of-12 challenge by posting my photos today, on the 12th, rather than tomorrow. I had such a great and busy weekend, I figured I could sum it up in a dozen shots instead of bouncing around with my camera today.

Saturday:

The SheRox tri was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the race and it was definitely worth the $85. Tempe Town Lake is warm (74) and the course was well marked. I was impressed with the organization and will do this sprint tri again. Alma completed it and it was her first tri. I was beaming, I was so proud of her.

Groceries. I love apples. I cringe at the fact that these aren’t local, but they are organic and they are from the US. The Chilean apples looked prettier, but my fruit shouldn’t need a passport.

The Tempe Library is so fabulous. Not only do they sell books on the cheap — this stack cost $3 — but they also have a great cafe and selection of audio books and DVDs.

Supplies for another loaf of no knead bread. There is something about buying one giant can of beer that makes me feel a bit like I should be calling my third cousin for a date this Friday. But then I have some of this warm bread and the whiskey tango feeling disappears around slice three.

Africankelli Apron #4 completed; #5 is on my kitchen table ready to be completed this afternoon.

Sunday:

Mama’s day and my British Grannie’s 74th birthday. There was the mandatory visit, along with some beer bread (see above) and brownies. She was tickled.

More sewing — a pintucked, reversible table runner for my psuedo Arizona mom Jackie. Jackie is Rebecca’s mom and their family have me over for dinner every Sunday. They are pretty incredible folk.

Wrapped and ready to be delivered. I stole Finny’s idea for photo cards a while back. I print my favorite photos at Costco and glue them down to some cardstock. They come in handy for just about any occasion.

Shelley, Bec’s eldest sister, wanted this butternut squash spicy dip I make. It isn’t my favorite, but the squash looks so pretty all roasted and rested on the cookie sheet.

Pita for the dip. I make my own pita chips because they are less expensive and healthier. I buy a package of pitas and cut them up and toast them in the oven. Voila — chips without the frying.

Irish soda bread muffins for her other sister, Christy. This recipe is from the June issue of Bon Appetit and is excellent.

And the random drink with my brother, who happened to be in Phoenix for 24-hours to see some friends. It is always nice to spend time with him. I miss him like it is my job.

There was some bowling, napping, church-going, and a fair amount of NPR listening in there too. A great weekend indeed!
~K

Even though Alma grew up in Arizona, she’d never been to Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon until today. I know. Seriously! Flagstaff is one of my favorite places on earth. I would love to live there again one day. And it wasn’t until I was living in Flag and studying at NAU that Amanda took me to the Grand Canyon for the first time. (My mom always told us as children it was “just a big hole in the ground.” With all due respect, mama couldn’t be more wrong on this one.)

We started the morning with a 5 am departure from Tempe, a 8 am appointment with some killer blueberry Swedish pancakes at La Bellavia in Flagstaff and some strong coffee during the 150-mile route in between. By 10 am we were at the South Rim, walking, gaping and people watching. After hitting the IMAX show, Flagstaff for some afternoon shopping and lunch at Crystal Creek, we were back in the Valley by 6 pm. A full, happy day indeed.

The big hole in the ground is in fact a giant, breath taking sight to see. After arriving and watching Alma’s reaction to this wonder of the world, I sat down on rock to give thanks and be mindful of the experience. Large black hawks enjoying the cool, breezy currents above, circled and swooped. Pine trees rustled in the same temperate wind. Squirrels appeared occasionally, schizophrenic with desire. Beg for a treat? Run away, startled by the constant foot traffic and occasional dog? Noisy tourist buses arrived with their gray diesel disturbing an otherwise pristine view. Visitors from dozens of countries gawked in their native tongues, but their awe was universal. And the grand dame herself, with colors ranging from the palest yellow to the darkest indigo and every shade in between. She was spectacular, worthy of the bravado, and even the $3.60 a gallon gas for the 400-mile road trip.

I love this Grand Canyon State.
~K

For April’s 12-of-12 Challenge, I was in Portland with one of my very best friends — Finny! We celebrated our annual girl’s weekend in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, enjoying the city mostly on foot and with a fork.

Breakfast at Bijou Cafe, where we sat, strangely enough, near Steve Kerr. St. Honore’s Bakery was my favorite breakfast find. The cranberry hazelnut rolls are heavenly.

Josephine’s Dry Goods is as great as the reviews. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a fabric district in Phoenix?

The Button Emporium didn’t disappoint either. Ribbon, trim and buttons of all sorts, lined up and beautifully displayed. You know you are on vacation with the right friend when you both jump at the sight of vintage trim/racks of Amy Butler fabric/organic fruit at a farmer’s market/a giant Banana Republic outlet.

There was also yarn, but I was too distracted by this sweet little guy next dooor at The Happy Needle — a needlework shop:

NOODLE! Isn’t he sweet? Napping in the sun.

In the meantime, if I needed a sign I’d fit right in here, voila.

We hit the farmer’s market, the Saturday Market, numerous fun restaurants (Oba, Manzana, Cha Taqueria, Everett Street Bistro) and took our rental Prius out to the country.

We took in the tulip festival at The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. It was a sea of beautiful color. I took more than 100 photos of flowers. (Note to self: less coffee, more restraint.)

This one reminds me of a hungry baby bird.

Definitely my favorite tulips. They were all wavy and I appreciate aesthetically how the light green of the stem carries into the flower’s petals.

And they were only slightly too big.

My favorite purchase — a sandstone elephant from Zimbabwe courtesy of Swahili Imports in the Pearl District. Other purchases included fabric, trim, local wine for a future community dinner, pickled asparagus from the farmer’s market and I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a stack of new books from Powell’s sitting next to me. Powell’s really is my idea of heaven on earth; floors of used and new books, a great coffee shop, and magazine racks that flowith over.

We are a year off, and I’m already dreaming of the next Fin/Donk weekend. And not just because she introduced me to Haagen Dazs double chocolate chip while watching a Deadliest Catch marathon. (What? This isn’t your idea of a great Sunday night? Obviously you haven’t partied with us lately.) It was a great trip; I am such a lucky girl.

~K

One of the many reasons I love Holy Week, Spring and Easter is that it is a time to wipe the slate clean and start over. I’m taking an internal inventory this week, coming up with some new life plans and trying to take quiet time to truly listen to my faith and be in conversation with God. I feel like these Mexican poppies — full of life, not quite yet open, uncertain of what lies ahead but willing to turn my face to the sun with faith that it will all work out for the best.

Happy first day of Spring to all,
Kelli

Even in French, they are still just cats. Jen, by your request, a few of the furry ones who’ve been living in my tiny home.

Jazz, the troublemaker.

Molly, who likes to cuddle. And sleep on top of the fridge. And scratch at my door at 2 am.

Angel, who is slowly but surely eating her own leg because she’s stressed about moving to Canada next week.

And Fudge, my favorite. He likes to just chill in the window and I’d consider keeping him around. He’s pretty sweet.

Plus, he’s got 12 toes, so we bonded over both having giant feet.

Ah, the life of a cat. There is one more around here, but Mulligan isn’t fond of having his photo taken apparently.

~K

Aspens in the winter are nearly as beautiful as they are in full bloom mid-October.

A view of Steamboat from the house where I stayed.

Um, that’s the house. No, I didn’t see Robin Leach. It was silly luxurious and I enjoyed every second of it, including the gourmet kitchen and the hot tub. The funny thing is I would have been just as happy in a snowboarder hostel in town.

Snow shoeing is basically snow hiking. I desperately needed to get outside and do something athletic after tons of traveling. After two miles of hiking around like this, I desperately needed more air. The altitude kicked my ass and I’m pretty sure the hangover didn’t help.

Then again, I can’t wait to return. I feel like I’m dating Colorado and we’re finally getting serious. It’s just a matter of time before it is a passionate affair and I’ve moved in and made myself at home. (Not that I’m the clingy type, but you know. I just don’t see Colorado moving into my condo. It’s a matter of practicality really.)

~K

“And then the day came, when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

- Anais Nin, Danish diarist

I met a new friend today — Katie Lou. Isn’t she beautiful? Her parents should write a book on relaxed parenting. I saw them today for the first time since her birth and they looked like they’d just walked off a beach. They were calm, cool and far too collected. Katie and I chilled for a bit until I tried taking her photo. This is when her inner diva emerged:

“Please, Kelli. We just met I don’t want my pictures in Baby Weekly. I just want my privacy!”

“I’m just not ready for press! Come on! I’m just back from Lacatation Therapy for Pete’s Sake. Have you no shame?”

“But seriously, how cute are these socks? You should see the matching bib.”

~K

Sunday afternoon I took my friend Caitlin for her first horseback ride. I’d given her a gift certificate for her sixth birthday in November and planned on giving her photos of the outing (and maybe a printed t-shirt) for Christmas. Rainy weather kept us from cashing in the gift until today — and I’m pretty sure I had more fun than she did.

Why? Because half-way through her lesson, I noticed two African beauties on the other side of the property. Apparently there is some crazy wealth in Chandler because I spent the rest of the afternoon making googly eyes and these beauties.

One day, I want to have crazy, silly money and look at my husband and say, “Christmas? I want giraffe. And zebra. And donkeys and camels.” I’m pretty sure that’s what went down at this house recently and Noah showed up with an arc and delivered. Seriously, where does one even go to buy a giraffe? I didn’t know this was an option. And they may need a restraining order because I’m pretty sure I’m going to start showing up regularly with food and more photo equipment for my new African friends.

~K

Yesterday, in 12 photos:

Blurry morning

Catch up with podcasts on a much needed canal run

Off to breakfast, ready for the day

Steel cut oatmeal, cottage cheese, ice tea

Home to bake for the day’s parties

Working, blogging, writing, waiting on the oven

A sunny cake for a solar panel party (I love that my friends celebrate being green, even when it costs $30,000 to make such a move. Ouch.)

Cream cheese cupcakes for a Packers’ party (They won. Maybe I’m on to something here?)

Parties celebrated, off to Teakwoods for a drink and nachos before bowling league

Adam’s new Homie ball

Lanes of humiliation — I regularly bowl 60 or so. D’oh!

Three games and too many gutter balls later, we beat the other team and called it a night.

~K