Last night was the final community dinner of the Spring season. I hope to resume in the Fall when I’m in a new, larger house where half the crowd doesn’t have to sit outside on the patio furniture.

We had my mom’s Mexican meatloaf. I added a layer of Hatch chiles through the center and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled to have leftovers for this weekend. A cold meatloaf sandwich is pretty close culinary heaven in my book, and no I do not have a mullet.

We also had buttermilk biscuits (which I added way too much baking powder to on accident. Woopsie. Baking power does not equal baking soda), steamed veggies, salad, strawberry pie and chocolate chip cookies.

Spence entertains the crowd. This summer will be his 30th trip to Africa.
There was a steady flow of beer and wine and Spence — my friend from Colorado who is also my Africa travel saint for this summer — brought his iPod with a pretty incredible collection of jazz. It was a lovely night!

~K

P.S. If you have t-shirts you’d like to mail for the Peace t-shirt project, please do! There is still plenty of room. Thanks again!

Just for a second, I wish I could turn of my conscience. I’m not talking about the Holy Spirit or my mother’s voice — which schizophrenically I also hear on occasion. Or even my internal critic who has been piping up way to often lately. (As Annie Lamott would say, it is time stop listening to KFUCKED and turn on something more pleasant, such as KROCKS.)
If I could just temporarily walk away from what is right and wrong for a second, do you know what I’d let myself do? Steal this shirt.

Meegan sent it as part of the Peace T-Shirt project and it is handmade, includes fabric that looks quite African, is soft and I’m pretty sure would fit me perfectly. It is wrong to steal and quadruply wrong to do so when charity is involved. So, I won’t steal, but I will covet. I will hand it out in Nicaragua or Mozambique with a smile and meekly remember I have an entire closet of clothes and I shouldn’t be such a selfish little t-shirt grub.

On a more positive note: my goodness, the t-shirts are rolling in. Stacks of them are arriving at my mailbox and the mailman has joked with me more than once that I certainly receive a suspicious amount of foreign mail. Hopefully he doesn’t have a Bat phone to this crazy administration we are under or you never know — I could be locked up Rovian-style without any rights. Then again, you know what would look pretty appropriate behind bars? This cute stripy t-shirt.

Thanks to all who are sending in shirts. I’m going to have more than I can take, more than likely. It is certainly one of those weeks where I pinch myself because I’m blessed beyond belief.

Peace. Love. Pink onsies. Theft. Hmm…

~K

Ingredients:
One butternut squash/acorn squash/root veggie of your choice
2-4 cloves of garlic
dash of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons horseradish
dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder
Olive oil

Directions:
Cut the squash in half, remove seeds. Fill cavity with garlic and brush squash with olive oil. Carefully flip over on a cookie sheet, flesh down. Roast at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Remove and let cool for 30 minutes.
Scoop out squash and garlic from shell and place in a blender with all other ingredients. Pulse for 20 seconds. Great with pita or veggies. Can be served warm or cold.

~K

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

The apron business is going well. I know that if I had gobs more time to make a dozen of these to distribute to my favorite coffee haunts, I’d sell them like hot cakes. Thankfully, my friend’s orders are keeping me hopping for the time being. One of the bagel boys recently ordered two aprons for Mother’s Day — one for his Norweigan mama.

I hit the fabric store yesterday for some new supplies. While I’m making a tidy $50 per apron, I spent $65 on new fabric without batting an eyelash, using two coupons. Needless to say, it is a good thing I’m not in charge of the finances at work, or we’d really be a nonprofit. That said, you can’t put a price on finding a bolt of fabric that immediately inspires. I’m going to be sewinging up a storm for the next few weeks before I leave for the great summer of travel. Totes, book covers, travel supplies…

A business woman I’m not,
K

I got home this week to a FedEx package on my door full of yarn from my best friend’s husband. Truly. He was out shopping when she was here visiting recently and noticed a yarn store in Seattle the three of us had walked by years prior. Thinking of Emily and me in Phoenix, he went inside and “picked out the softest yarn I could find. I figured you’d like it.”

Like it. I nearly sat down in tears. I swear John and Emily’s generosity knows no bounds. These are the same pair that took me to Costa Rica for Thanksgiving. I’m not sure what I did to earn their friendship, but I am blessed beyond belief.

I’m not sure what this yarn will be used for, but I can tell you distinctly what it will not be used for: nudu caps. Alas, the last two I made (for the same man who claimed he didn’t receive the first) were never paid for. I actually managed to lose money in the deal thanks to taking his word that he’d pay the remaining fee. Instead, this minister from Joliet, IL refuses to return my email now and it makes me cranky. I hate being taken advantage of more than anything else. I considered posting his email address or the photo he emailed me of himself “to best match my skintone,” but it is just too petty. Instead, no more nudu for anyone who doesn’t pay the entire fee beforehand.

Now, back to the crafting table with my new baggie of supplies…
Happy Friday 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

I’m swimming in work this week and not spending much time behind the Singer or skillet, so I thought I’d instead share a few new environmental resources for Arizonans who may be interested.

- For those on SRP time of use plan, May 1 was the kickoff for the new “on peak” energy hours. I’ve used this plan for quite a while and it saves me boatloads of money, especially in the summer with air conditioning bills. For example, my May bill is less than $35. Granted, my home is tiny, but incorporating a few of their energy saving tips has saved me green.

- SRP is also offering a new tree planting program. For $3 a month you can plant 72 Ponderosa pines in Arizona. Your donation is matched by SRP and the trees will be planted to offset our carbon use. The 72 trees are equivalent to the offsetting of 26 typical households. Giddyup.

- Urban gardeners, there is a fantastic new resource I’m just learning about. Have you heard of this guy? How about his classes? This week’s include raising city chickens (on my agenda soon enough) and using minimal water for vegetable gardening.

Rad! Soon enough I’m going to have my own raised beds full of veggies. Until then, I’ll just keep taking these community lessons and creating the best plan.

FYI — no community dinner this week, peeps. I’m in Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon tomorrow. I’ve got a feast planned for next Thursday. Save the date.

Cheers,
K

Yesterday I received both of these in the mail and couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. Something tells me I’m not going to burn 320 calories at lunch by enjoying the Bon Appetit cover article.

Who burns 320 calories at lunch? Not this Phoenician. I can tell you that it is in the 90s here this week and we’re sweaty driving to lunch, much less going for a walk or workout this time of year.

On the flip side, the postman also brought me two rocking new Amy Butler patterns. Giddyup. I can’t wait to dive into these!

Why yes, this will be my new summer tote. Can’t wait!
~K

P.S. If you are a Phoenician and interested in meeting this crafty gal, she is going to be at the grand opening of the new Blissful Living Studio in downtown Mesa on Saturday.
{I hope to make it post SheRox, but timing and energy levels are questionable post-tri.}

Come to find out, you guys read a ton. We read a lot of the same authors (Kingsolver, Lamott, Coehlo) and you had some mighty suggestions. For anyone interested in a recommended summer reading guide, here is what you’ve suggested in comments that I have not read:
(I copied these directly from comments, forgive the lack of editing style. Some are authors, other book titles.)

Beatrix Potter
Corrie Ten Boom
Jane Austen
Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
Come Back, by Claire and Mia Fontaine
Lucky by Alice Sebold
The Golden Compass
Sala’s Gift: My Mother’s Holocaust Story by Ann Kirschner
Pride and Prejudice
In Lucia’s Eyes
The Historian
The Book Thief
The Traveling Death and Resurrection Show
Janet Evanovich’s number series
Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinkski
The Devil in the White City by Erick Larson
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Necessary Madness by Jenn Crowell
You’re Not You by Michele Wildgen
The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Jane Eyre
Dr. Oz’s book How to Keep Young
PS I love you
March by Geraldine Brooks
The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
The Last Summer of You and Me
Hypocrisy of Disco
See You In A Hundred Years
Highest Tide
The God of Animals
Lullabies for Little Criminals
The Solace of Open Spaces
Haven Kimmel
Ron Carlson’s Five Skies
Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth
Gaia Girls
Wee Free Men
The Birth House
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe by Douglas Adams
Mezzanine Nicholson Baker
A Woman in Berlin
Persepolis

And these I have read and have provided a brief review:
{On a banana scale, Summer Sisters by Judy Blume is a 1 (horrific!) while A Hundred Years of Solitude, The Power of One, The Poisonwood Bible, are all 5 bananas, absoloodle. Fives changed my way of looking at the world. Ones make me want to burn the pages for kindling.}

The Poisonwood Bible — 5 bananas
My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult — 3 bananas
Kite Runner — 4 bananas
Tom Robbins — 4 as a general rule, always entertaining
Eat, Pray Love — 4, loved it, love Elizabeth Gilbert more in person
Hemingway — 3. I realize he’s a classic, but not my favorite.
Blink — 3. Liked the topic but was bored by the end.
Freakonomics — 3. See above.
Sue Grafton — 2. Summer mind candy, good for the occasional craving.
White Oleander — 4, great read, descriptive writing
Water for Elephants — 3, candy.
The Namesake — 5, love Jhumpa Lahiri
The Alchemist — 5, one of my faves of all time. Coelho is gold.
Secret Life of Bees — 3, enjoyed the story
The Red Tent — 4, great imagination, loved the Biblical references
Life of Pi — 4, great story telling, great for discussion afterward
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver — 3, good summer read
Prep, by Curtis Sittenfeld –2, couldn’t identify with the main character

Now, what to read next…
~K