It's A Christmas Miracle

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday yesterday and ate our faces full of BBQ ribs, cheesy potatoes, brussel sprouts, and amazing chocolate cheesecake that one of Pete's aerobics ladies made him. It was sugar suicide and worth every bite. We had a record 4 dogs in Grandpa's house, ranging from 5 to 75lbs, and amazingly enough, no catastrophes occurred because of them.

Who, me??

On Christmas Eve, we toasted to my wonderful grandma who would have been 83 years old (I think). Truly one of the most amazing women I ever knew, and I think she would have appreciated our semi-flat, local champagne and complimentary bottle of beer toasted in her honor. 

Christmas is always a little weird at our house because we are a super low-maintenance family and rarely ever need anything. This might sound like a blessing, and it probably is, but when it comes to getting gifts for everyone it can be a challenge. We can always resort to the ole socks and underwear grab bag, but that can get old after a while. My mom always manages to find us the strangest, most awesome "treasures" from various thrift stores and estate sales throughout the year--one year we got a baby incubator, a chandelier, and a velvet rendering of the Last Supper. Classics, right??

This is what happens when Rudolph comes through The Lou...

This year's theme seemed driven by alcohol, as we had a more than 40 different beers accumulate under the tree, several bottles of wine that Pete bottled himself, and even fancy old-man whisky. This is particularly funny seeing that my parents aren't big drinkers, and I'm usually satisfied falling back on a light and airy PBR in a can. We fancy huh now, I guess. 

My little house is coming along slowly, and my tree and assortment of Christmas cards on the mantle managed to give it a pretty homey feel. Even the crickets laid low yesterday and gave me some peace...

I went to a killer pedal, kettle, bosu ball class this morning with a couple girls from work, and now I am ready to spend the rest of the day lounging, reading, and downloading music for a new mixed CD. Thank Jewus for week-long vacas! Can't wait to rage in DC with my lovers this weekend to bring in the New Year!

Countdown to VP PIC Pregame in the MPL!! Love it.

Happy early New Year!

xoxox,

Hannah

A Little Tiny Materialistic Wishlist

Tis the season to think of ridiculous crap that I don't need and forward obnoxious links to my brothers with the hopes that I'm doing them a favor by being sooo nice and helpful by sharing my Christmas List! Ho ho hoe, indeed.

I have a tiny wish list that I keep on my phone for rainy days, or when I'm feeling the holes in my pockets burn, or when I break away from my stingy genetics to buy "stuff" that will make me happy(ier).

Have your credit cards at the ready, people! The list stands as follows:

1. Lamy Safari Fountain Pen in shiny aqua blue!! I was in Rock, Paper, Scissors the other day and, as usual, found myself  testing every Lamy pen they have to offer. I have lusted and drooled and pined after these pens for years--they are just begging to be used to scrawl sweet messages to friends or little love notes in coffee shops. One of my old friends has a Lamy tattoo on his forearm and I'm starting to understand the infatuation. Let the journal-keeping documentation begin!

2. Virtuoso Conical Burr Mill for my lovely Rancilio. I've suffered enough harassment for using a sub-par grinder the last few months, and I think it would be OK by me if my fairy espresso godmother decided to drop this little beauty in my stocking this year. I'll make her a capp, for Christssake!

3. Gurgle Pot! Ever since I saw one of these at Julianne's house in Blacksburg, I've been a tad bit obsessed with how weird and cute they are. I could have a whole school of them in different colors, filled with wildflowers or punch or chilled cucumber water. 

4. A gigantic oil painting of a kaleidescope-colored, juicy, naked lady compliments of the one and only Rebecca Derring. Name your price, woman!! I would die to have one!

5. Design*Sponge at Home. This was the very first blog I ever discovered, before I even know what a blog was ("how do you follow a blog??" So cute).  Everything Grace Bonney touches is golden, and I have a hunch this would look practically perfect nestled next to my very favorite Domino hardback. It's sooo pretty. Sooo many crafts! Sooo many ideas!! Sigh.

So there you have it. The best part about this list is that I don't need anything. I have more than enough beautiful "things" in my life, and I would honestly be completely happy and satisfied with little Uli pie by my side, a book from the thrift store, and a hot mug of something delicious.

Three Cheers,

Hannah

While You Were Sleeping...

I'm in Fredvegas with the one and only fabulous Alwang lady and I'm making a special-request post just for her. Here are some snippets of things I've been doing while my poor, sad blog has fallen to the wayside...

Blessing of the Hounds

My parents' new puppy! I spy...

Room with a view and some shiny new windows...

Getting rll fancy...

A very Canard Christmas. <3

Off to Ikea tomorrow, hooray hooray! Then--Julianne on Sunday! The angels are singing for real...

Happy Weekend,

Hannah