AfricanKelli

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I had a few folks over last night to celebrate Matt’s 26th birthday. He isn’t used to such celebrations or being showered with love by new friends. I was so pleased to see so many people who’ve met him in the last two years, and enjoy the craziness that is the Pink Golfer, make time to come over. As a foreigner in Arizona, he is loved and welcomed. This give me hope.

And peanut butter cookie, banana, chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches? They give me happiness.

~K

A couple Mud Run pics, although we didn’t take any “after” shots. It is funny, I kept wondering yesterday why my arms are bruised and my feet are so beat up. DUH!

And yes, to be a smart ass I gave myself a mud beard. I like to think of it as a mask. The entire experience was rather exfoliating.

~K

Finny,

Safe to say, I’m not having much sewing luck these days. While your pattern in One Yard Wonders is adorable and I can’t wait to make it, I’ve had nothing but trouble from the others we’ve so far selected for our monthly sew-along. This month’s Pampered Pooch project was no better.

Dharma, the family pooch, is always next to my mom. In this case, by the sewing table.

I read the pattern for the dog collar with two dogs in mind: Sydney — the super guest, and a new puppy friend — The Snows of Mount Kilimanjaro (Kili). I read the pattern. And then I read it again. And then one more time. Not only was I going to have to guess the length of their necks but I also had no luck finding an O ring at my sewing shops in town.

So I did what any logical seamstress would do. I took the project to Texas and asked my sewing mama for help. Now, I’m going to add the following details as background information — not simple bragging. My mother has won international sewing prizes for her quilts. She’s got more ribbons pinned to sewing projects than you can imagine. Some of these quilts have taken years (like her Dear Jane.) So a simple dog collar shouldn’t be Everest, or in this case — Kilimanjaro.

Alas, even she threw in the towel after two hours of trying to make the instructions work. As you noted, this collar is a Martingale style. Most vets, pet salons, dog parks, etc., require quick release collars. So the shopping for supplies, the gorgeous orange Mozambican capulana I cut up for the fabric and the time trying to decode the pattern were a complete waste.

I see you had problems too. I also see you are far more motivated than I am and you turned these lemons into lemonade. (My mom and instead made margaritas.) I’ll have to give your pattern a whirl! Next month? I’m going to let you happily pick the sewing project. And I promise to do it and be happy about it. May I suggest the laptop sleeve? That looks simple enough. Or better yet — how about your trash bag?

~K

Juliann talked Adam, Matty and I into running a 6 mile mud run with her this weekend; it was one of the silliest things I’ve done, and so worth it. Not only did it provide an opportunity to swim, crawl and jump in mud pits, but I got to do so with some of my closest friends and a gazillion strangers too. The shrieks from a bunch of adults jumping in mud — our collective inner child returned happily and had such a great time.

Matt and Adam, logically, pre-gamed with some breakfast beer. (And gravel guards.)

Next year I am going to wear a two-piece Speedo, old running shoes and a bandana. Wardrobe malfunctions were plentiful at this race. If you can imagine, I was left to run more than 5 miles with yoga pants full of mud in the mid-section — if you get my drift.   It wasn’t pleasant. It was actually a bit rashy and abrasive. I had also foolishly worn hiking shoes. My legs and shoes were weighed down with so much mud, it was like running with kettle bells attached to my ankles. But we sucked it up and made the most of it, mainly by walking most of the race and thoroughly having fun when mud obstacles came into play. (It was also very helpful to have Juliann at my side. She is remarkably encouraging. Adam just made me giggle. Matty met us at the finish line, clean and dry — long having finished. Whatev.)

Thankfully, it did remind me of my love of running and my inherent competitive spirit. It has been far too long since I’ve run regularly or raced for anything. Time to get back into the routine and pick out a new goal.

Just an average Saturday morning!

~K

My parents love living near San Antonio. When they have visitors, they are always interested in jumping in the car and finding a new place to explore. My dad in particular loves Western culture. And so, this week we found ourselves in Waring, Texas for a Wednesday night steak fry — a tradition in this part of the country.

A few photos from the adventure:

A few of the sweet  (and beautiful) people from the Persian party this weekend (I now do have permission to post!):

The hosts of the party, Farshid and Venous.

See? I wasn’t lying. These people are unbelievably gorgeous.

~K

I have a new love of my life, and her name is Lola.

Oh, I’m pretty sure little girls don’t come any more perfect. She is adorable! I am visiting my parents in Texas this week and thankfully had a chance to see my cousin Dax. It has been far too long since we’ve seen each other. Lola is his sweet little girl. Lola, Dax, his wife Jessica, my parents and I all met for pizza today. I was so nervous to see him — it has been 16 years. But we picked up just where we’d left off. I have so many fond memories of us as children and I’ve truly missed him. It is a delight to see him as a daddy and a husband.

Like all of the other wee ones in my life, I promptly scooped up Lola and said, “Don’t worry about remembering my name. You’ll know that soon enough. For now, just remember I’m your favorite Auntie.” ( Second-cousin Kelli doesn’t sound as fun.)

Mama, Papi, Lola, Dax and Jessica.

I don’t have a lot of family, so to have these new members makes my heart swoon. I cannot wait to start making her sweet little outfits and spoiling her rotten with books and art supplies. That is what favorite aunties are for. Right?

~K

A parade of spring, wearing the recent rain like a designer dress about to go out of style

I photographed an elaborate and beautiful party thrown yesterday in Scottsdale by a Persian couple for their friends. A few of my favorite food shots:

I have honestly never in my life been in a room with so many gorgeous women. They were more intimidating than the high school cheer squad. Imagine hair, dresses, shoes, handbags, teeth, skin and jewels you only see in magazines. Now imagine 30 of them, with really sweet husbands in tow, in one room. I can’t post their photos because I didn’t ask permission and try to be careful about such things. Let’s just say, I once thought the Hispanic culture (namely, the women of Torreon, Mexico) had the most unbelievably beautiful, put together women in the world. Persians rival this, toe to manicured toe.

(And of course, to live up to my luck and lack of preparation, I was wearing flats, a messy braid, a shirt that should have been pressed, and blanket of insecurity. I don’t own a thing that would have been appropriate anyway, so at least I was comfy.)

~K

Kim and I drove a cart yesterday and watched Matt and Adam play golf.

There were more than a few laughs,

and even a bit of wildlife. Teenage mutant!

But really, I just wanted an excuse to post this photo. Damn, they are cute.

~K