Christmas is here in 808

American Girls

Yesterday, I spent time with Whitney, Cameron and Kevin, and some of their W&M friends watching the Redskins lose, hearing about the Browns win, and strolling down Wisconsin partaking in Merriment in Georgetown. I love anything Christmas-y and this event was no exception. We ate a deliciously gourmet s'mores (which really outdid my cupcakes), saw horse-drawn carriages, had our picture taken with over-sized Christmas mascots, and...met the author of the American Girl novels (the only thing Christmas-related here is that Christmas was usually when I received new AG items). We all relived our times with our American Girl Dolls and got a few books signed - and for the record, Kevin had fun too.

Cameron and Whitney read about Felicity - A particular favorite of the W&M alumni.

On Friday, I also spent time with Mevans and Danko, two of my favorite JMUers, having a great catch-up dinner in Old Town and walking around to look at the lights. I can't wait to do it again, and with Leah!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

This weekend I decided it was time to start decorating for Christmas. My parents have always had a strict "No Christmas before Thanksgiving" rule, but then I always feel like I get gypped out of listening to Christmas music for as long as I would have liked. It's acceptable to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, but definitely not after Christmas.

As I sit watching football, relaxing after a way-too-strenuous workout (so I can eat the mint brownies I made this morning), we have about five Christmas-scented candles burning - ranging from White Christmas to Sparking Pine. With Dave Barnes' new Christmas CD playing, chili in the crock pot, and stockings hanging, I'm ready to veg out and hopefully be able to walk/work out again tomorrow. Going to St. John with the fam in March is really going to throw a wrench into my Holiday eating plans.

His real name was Samuel Clemens.

Last night, Brian and I were lucky enough to see Tina Fey receive the 13th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, presented at the Kennedy Center. After a full day of work, we both got dressed up and went to dinner at Georgia Brown's - a restaurant I had been wanting to go to ever since we saw Jimmy McNulty eat there on The Wire. The southern fare was the perfect way to start the evening. After we were stuffed from cornbread, fried chicken [salad], mac 'n' cheese, brussel sprouts and biscuits, we made our way to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

I love walking into the Kennedy Center. I've only been there twice since I moved here, but it's just so majestic. Last night was no different - made even better due to the red carpet! We made our way to our seats in the very last row of the orchestra and spent two hours laughing nonstop as everyone in comedy, from Steve Martin to Betty White, Don Draper-I mean-Jon Hamm to Lorne Michaels spoke about their experiences working with Tina. And I must say, Jennifer Hudson is so skinny. The fact that the camera adds enough weight to make her look anything larger than a toothpick means none of us have any chance.

I can't wait to see the broadcast on PBS this Sunday, November 14 at 9:00 PM. Look for me - I stood out in the crowd of dowdy women and Kennedy Center donors by wearing a bright yellow cardigan over my LBD. I was able to snap a few pictures at the very end - as I'm sure the credits will be rolling!

snOMG!

"The blogosphere is blowing up!" Usually when I hear that quote, it is coming from Whitney and it relates to a Jonas brothers' marriage or something equally important. This time it's blowing up with the official announcement that the Federal Government is closed tomorrow. I'm siked for my second snow day this winter - it will make trudging through the 23 inches of gross, dirty snow much more bearable come Tuesday. For now, I'm cuddling up and watching the Super Bowl with Brian and not even worrying about waking up in the morning!

image from DCist.com

DC vs. Winter

This morning, after getting pretty solid confirmation from the Capital Weather Gang that it will, in fact, snow again this week, the DCist published this drawing. I feel it sums up my feelings on this overly-snowy winter quite well. It was all pretty in the beginning, and it was great to get out of work for a day, but this weekend snow is quickly wearing on my patience. I hate having to walk through piles of black gross slush on my way to get food, go to work, or go see Brian. In the meantime I will get ready for yet another snowy weekend. Time to go buy more hot chocolate!

image from DCist.com

So lay here beside me, just hold me and don't let go.
This feeling I'm feeling is something I've never known.
I just can't take my eyes off you.
I just can't take my eyes off you.



lady antebellum