by Kelli Donley | Aug 23, 2017 | Media, Novel, Writer School, Writing
There is a part to writing novels that never gets easier: the critique. On Sunday, I sat with a group of trusted friends and listened to their thoughts on the first draft of my latest novel, “Counting Coup.” For nearly two hours, they discussed the...
by Kelli Donley | Aug 22, 2017 | Travel
Jason and I spent last weekend visiting friends in Livingston, Montana—near Bozeman. This part of the world makes me swoon. Annie Proulx gets it right. Jason is a national park nut, so the chance to spend another vacation wearing dirt-colored clothing, covered in bug...
by Kelli Donley | Aug 10, 2017 | Novel, Writing
When I signed my first publishing contract with Asymmetrical last year, I was overjoyed that it included not only the contract for “Basket Baby,” but for first rights to my next three books, too. I had a unicorn in sight: a small press interested in a...
by Kelli Donley | Aug 1, 2017 | Heirloom Hacienda
This furry cuddle monkey came to stay with us last week for a few days. He is one of the sweetest pups. He is just the right size to hold and loved resting in my arms or on my chest when he was trying to get back to sleep. The other dogs were not as amused....
by Kelli Donley | Jul 30, 2017 | Africa, Arizona
This weekend, we hosted a handful of women from Africa for dinner. They are here studying with the Nelson Mandela fellowship at ASU for the summer. Hawanatu is a doctor from Sierra Leone. Sia is an accountant, also from Sierra Leone. Theresa works in human rights in...
by Kelli Donley | Jul 29, 2017 | handmade
A dear friend of mine is organizing a summer quilt block challenge; she and others will put together the “disappearing 9 patch” squares into quilts and they will be sold for charity. I took one look at this square and said it was outside of my ability. And...
by Kelli Donley | Jul 28, 2017 | Knit
When I recently visited Finny, she said she’d like to have a hood she could wear under sweatshirts when it was rainy or cold. We looked for a pattern and a color of yarn she liked. And within a couple days, this simple project was done. While this makes...
by Kelli Donley | Jul 5, 2017 | Domestic Art, Heirloom Hacienda, June Cleaver, Kitchen Talk
Inspired by Master of None, I borrowed a friend’s Kitchenaid pasta maker attachment the other day with the high hopes of making J ravioli. Several hours later, we ordered takeout. The process: The sauce was great. My trick is to use ground beef and ground...
by Kelli Donley | Jul 4, 2017 | Celebrate!, Nelson
Happy Fourth of July from our zoo to yours! xxxo, K
by Kelli Donley | Jul 3, 2017 | Knit
When I saw the One Way tee on the cover of Interweave Knits, I knew I wanted to try it. I’d never knit lace before, and this is the perfect blouse to wear over a long-sleeve t-shirt in the depths of a Phoenician winter. Logically, I finished this project in...
