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

She Lives?

It's been a while and it may be a while, but I'm popping in to say hi! I've been buried under dust and construction, but my tiny kitchen is coming along and it's almost finished (!!). I'm preparing myself for the next step...the dreaded bathroom. Eeek! I've become a pro at indoor camping, and I am loving the wall colors we picked and the way my jars look so nice all lined up in a row. I'm waiting until the final-final product to post some befores and afters, but the pictures can really do no justice, anyway. We've come a long way, baby...

Meanwhile, I've had birthday celebrations--I've worked up to running 7.5 miles!--and I've finally started to get the hang of things at work (...sort of).

 The weather in Virginia has been insane. We had 5 inches of snow on Monday, and by Friday it was 75 degrees, sunny, and we were lunching on the roof.

 Old faithful nom nom...

Jimson weed discoveries at Windy Knoll. 

Down on da farm.

 Perfect nose for smooching.

 Hanging on for dear life.

Steve Keene looking good in every nook. 

Finally got to break out my Pyrex dishes!! And Iced Capp season is upon us, so life is beautiful!

I am so so lucky and thankful to have my wonderful grandpa and all his craziness. He may be old and he may be long-winded, but he has always given everything he has to make sure we're happy and taken care of --I   am more grateful that he probably knows. By the time we're finished, ole Bennington won't even know what hit it. 

Happy Almost-Daylights-Savings,

Hannah

The Walls Start Shaking, the Earth Was Quaking...

Nothing like a tiny natural disaster to put little ole Louisa on the map for good. Yes, it's true: The Lou took a lead role in Tuesday's festivities and shook, rattled, and rolled itself onto the national news. I had just gotten back to my office on the 11th floor when the building started swaying and the usual maniacal chaos that is my coworkers began running, true stampede-style, to the stairwell. People were crying, shoes were flying, and I was worried we might lose a few around floor 9 when bodies began to feel the toll of exercise for the first time in decades.

But, we made it out alive and even got to leave work early. Score! especially considering it was absolute perfection outside.

Poor Louisa, on the other hand, didn't fare as well. The high school is effed; chimneys have crumbled, and the Cuckoo House had some damage. Luckily, my parents' ancient farm house stood strong and they only lost a few pieces of glassware/trinkets. They've had several aftershocks since, but it looks like the Lou was pretty lucky. Even North Anna managed to lock it up and not spew its nuclear nasties all over town. Good job, team.

Now, with all this commotion there have obviously been some brilliant interviews featuring Louisa's finest, and let me just say--they have been making my life. I never realized how much of an accent Central Virginia has but dang durn tootin yall, it's bad. Perhaps my favorite comment came from a woman who described her house as, "doin' the hula!" Yes. We may be rural. We may be toothless. But you better gosh durn believe that we know an earthquake when we feel it!

The Epicenter of Doom.

Cuckoo. She's a brick house, but she ain't got nothin' on 5.8.

Thank God Eric Cantor, with his finely combed hair and perfectly white teeth, was there to offer comfort in a time of need. Barf.

NOT THE FOOD LION NOOOOOOO!

LCHS

School's out for-evah.

(PS. there's my old locker circa 2004, holla!).

Hate to see that.

Umm, wtf. Even the mannequin heads in LCHS's "beauty department" didn't stand a chance.

But, if I had to pick one headline that sums up the sheer terror of the day, it would have to be:

Thank god the housewives are ok. I was srsly stressed. Anyway, it's been a wild ride around these parts, but hopefully things will calm down soon. In the meantime, brace yourselves for Irene, because she looks pissed.

xxxx, Hannah

It's 'Your Majesty', Betch.

Dearly beloved--we are gathered here today, at the Mansion on O Street, to celebrate the royal debauchery that is Wills + Kate.

So. Hot babe KMid brought some serious sparkle back to the Brits this morning and was only slightly outdone by her ridiculously fab younger sister, Pippa, who rocked the vision of a perfect wedding dress...to her own sister's wedding. Balls.Of.Steel.

The Deal: set the alarm for 4AM. Yes, AM. Dragged ourselves outta bed. Slapped on some well-planned outfits, complete with hats + tiaras and booked it to the metro and down to Dupont. Found ourselves on the steps of this infamous abode.



We go in, survey the area, duly note everyone's fashion nods to HRH with hats and dresses and madness everywhere. Grab as many scones + melons + jams that we can fit on a plate. Load up on hot tea. Get ourselves situated in the Log Cabin Room (creepiest of all) and settle in for the show.

Yeah yeah yeah! Crown jewels fo-rizzle.

We visited our favorite bathroom and noticed this little addition.

So over it.

Got lost in a sea of mirrors and secret rooms.

Bought more teacups (cup o' soup!?) + books with our complimentary $25 gift certificates!

wtf. wtf. wtf.

Lusted after the lady of the hour. Get ovah yourself, Kate.

Look up the definition of 'babe' and I'll betcha see a picture of her in yo dictionary.

DRP in all her Random House glory.

Rockin' the sequined top at the least cliched venue.

Oh haiiii!

The loot on the way home + future Foxfield hat.

Delaney Parrish for the win!!

New Business:

Odds that KMid + Wills are toasting one another with a celebratory PBR as we speak: 4-1.

Odds that both girls' dress designs will be available and copied for the commoners by tomorrow: 6-1.

Odds that Pippa + Harry will hook up, after-party style in a powder room at Buckingham Palace: 1million-1.

That's fast math. And I'm betting big.

You're royally welcome,

Hannah