Love Where You Live

I'll be the first to tell you that I. Love. Charlottesville. I am surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains, have quick access to the ocean, get to interact with the smartest people in the country (trust me--they'll tell you), and can take a hop-skip-jump and be immersed in something historic.

This weekend was no exception, and it started on Friday. Sometime earlier this week I go the brilliant idea to ask my boss if I could take a tour/spend the day at Monticello (because I honestly haven't been there since SECOND grade and what if one of my groups wants to visit?! I need to know how to sell the product!!). Being the laid-back boss that she is, she said, "Yes of course!!" Even better--earlier this year I won two Behind-the-Scenes passes to see the upstairs of the house, so naturally I invited my wonderful mama to tag along and snoop inside Mr. Jefferson's abode. 

Friday was the perfect day to visit because a giant rain storm the night before left us this awesome spooky fog:

However, once we got through the tour, we were given beautiful sunshine and perfect fall foliage.

She's sooo pretty! 

Ole TJ knew what he was doin. 

Yesterday, I went to an adorbs baby shower for little Quinn N. She is sure to be the most fashionable baby on the block and I'm pretty pumped to see her rock her infant legwarmers. After the shower, I got a wild hair and decided I HAD TO SEE COPPER ASAP + we had a free pizza coupon that was expiring this weekend (waste not want not!) so I drove up to the VP and we gorged and drank like the good ole days. 

OMG SO EXCITED!!

It's rough around these parts. 

Some things never change...

And what better way to follow up a night of pure, unadulterated laziness? A trip to the Vineyard!

I've missed these two so...

Anything the light touches, Queen Caroline...

Obviously, another wonderful weekend under the belt. The only thing more exciting is that today is Granny's 92nd bday! All those years + a knee AND hip replacement and still lookin' fly. I'll take those genes. 

Cheers to the Weekend,

Hannah

How to Start Your Day

This morning, I woke up to a pile of cat yack filled with cricket carcasses! What a wonderful start to the week. Poor little party cat seems to have overdosed on HBCs...I can't say I'm not thrilled by her inner-killah spirit, but I think someone's learned her limits...

Meanwhile, I have spinach everywhere!!! 

(yes, this post has guaranteed my spot to early granny-hood. Cat + garden = 80-year old trapped in my body. Can't stop won't stop.)

On Saturday, I went to a local wine festival with my love Sara! Met another Sarah and had fun running into people of the past and tasting all the (mostly) delicious wine from around town. Note: Horton's fruit wine is a no-go. Blech.

And finally, the countdown is on. It's been almost two months since I've seen this fool and almost one year since our lives ended completely. SW 2011!!!! Who could forget?!? But not to dwell on these subjects, as we have much more pressing issues at the moment... : 

I would be fooling everyone to say I haven't been brainstorming this little photo shoot. It'll go down in the books! Besides, how could this little LL not create a magical holiday memory?!?

She's sfp.

Riding my bike to work tomorrow and nobody can stop me. I'm looking at you, rain.

Over and out,

hmc

Weekend Scenes

Get-out-of-work-free cards for Caroline. Strolls in the city. Finding our way into the Newseum (for free!!). Long-awaited coffee talks. Visiting groups. Reunions in the Basement of Sin. VP PSLs. Nails done hair done errything done. Banana french toast. Trader J catch ups.  Pizza Pizza! Joyrides in the ole T-Bird. Fantastic start to a beautiful spring. 

Made just for Caroline...

"THAT'S QUEEN CAROLINE, TO YOU!"

Soaking it in.

And then...Molly's birthday! Authentic 80s garb. Bad, bad hair. Violet and green eyeshadow. One-piece glitter jump suits with tight-rolled pants. Dinner at Whisky Jar. Drinks at Sky Bar. Tickets to the Legwarmers! 75-degree nights downtown. Blingidy bling. 

She don't mess. 

....and I got Internet in my house! The clouds have parted and the angels are singing! Or at least my blog may be revived....fingers crossed!

xoxox,
Hannah

She Lives!

... I'm inching closer and closer to having an established homestead and INTERNET!!! I know, it's a miracle beyond words, but just know that I have been insanely busy; cooped in the boondocks; filling my brain with an inordinate amount of information; traveling, near and far, with some of the most glorious ladies in the world; and figuring out what the hell I'm going to craft for our family Thanksgiving feast (horse-shaped pumpkin loaf, duhs).

Still wishing I could enjoy VP PSLs every day and ride my bike to work and be told I'm soooo pretty every .5 seconds, but in the meantime I am packed to the brim with new adventures. 

I'm sitting here, waiting for the dear and wonderful Kirtley to come my way and toast to our new neighborly addresses. This weekend will hold more painting, more scrubbing, and more adjusting of furniture in hopes of creating the most glorious little nest...ever. 

Give it time, people. I'll be back on the radar soon!

xoxox, 

Hannah

Soooo Sad, Sooo Depressed

Shit is getting real now. Can't handle it.

SW continues. We've taken our dorky depression to a whole new level. No shame. None. Sigh.

Oh dear...

Oh Copper...

I'm getting really good at stretching out these weekends, and I think I've found the key: never go to sleep. Go out on Friday night and dance dance dance until it's 4am and crash at a downtown apartment with some fools and an automatic skittles machine. Brilliant!

Friday Night: Rage in Dupont (check it off the list)!

Flew home from work, changed into my boots (boot season is finally upon us), smoothed on the red lips, and headed downtown to meet up with B-rad and Wheels. Did a little pregame, sipped some Abita Purple Haze (oh! my favorite!), attempted to power hour, then walked two feet down the street to bars and dancing and clubs oh my! Either there was something in the water this night or we found the water hole for delicious men because people were on.their.game.

Saturday: Great Falls Park "Hike"

I've been trying for two whole years to go bowling or hiking or SOMETHING with Jenny, and we finally set a date to wander GF Park, gaze at some muddy rapids, and enjoy the textbook-perfect fall weather. We met up at the falls and, in a somewhat hungover state, navigated the treacherous paths together.

I blurred your face to highlight your magical shirt but obvi I still lurve you.

After our walk, I spent the rest of the day catching up on Disney movies I've never seen (I'm looking at you, Fox and Hound), sippin PSLs, sitting in our chairs outside with our slippers, and eating chicken fingers dipped in blue cheese. Mmmm....

Sunday: Ugh. Running.
Woke up. Ran 4 miles-ish. Went to the dog park. Chugged Gatorade. Made some homemade yogurt. Nahx4Nahx4Nahx4.  Begrudgedly began a little tiny teeny bit of packing. Aaanddd the rest is pretty much a blur.

Counting down the days till we dominate das dance floor again. Not counting the days to some other scary deadline. Oh dear...

SW in the Vintage Place...is on....

xoxo, Hannah