Philly, version 8.0?

I really have a hard time keeping up on my hotmail account, mostly because 99.7% of the emails in there are junk. Luckily though, I happened to check it the day The Frames announced their 20 anniversary tour. I've seen The Swell Season a couple of times now, and while the newest evolution of Glen Hansard's musical genius is amazing, I really like his earlier work, and as far as I can tell, The Frames hadn't performed in the U.S. for a few years at least.

There's Glen, he's pretty fantastic.

The next day we met up with one of my favorite Philly friends, Whitney, and waited in line for some cheesesteaks. Luckily the line went pretty fast because it was really cold and we were standing in the middle of an intersection in South Philly.

Whitney, Derek and I standing in line..... in the street.

Don't know if you can see it well enough, but that's a giant tub o' Cheese Wiz.

This is where we finally found a spot to sit down, beside an abandoned lot. But please notice the lovely mural background that adds the great Philly ambiance.

Happy Thanksiving

Yet one more thing on the list (are you sick of the list yet? too bad because there's 100 things on it) was hosting Thanksgiving. Unfortunately I have a very small kitchen and house that is not really conducive to large gatherings. And fortunately I have a friend with a brand new kitchen that she wanted to show off, so I was able to co-host with her.

And despite the fact that the turkey took a little longer than anticipated, it turned out to be a lovely day.

Lots of good friends, (18 to be exact) and lots of delicious food, (way way too much) make for a wonderful holiday.

A new home

If you've known me at all, or have been reading this for any length of time, I think it's apparent that I like projects. Whether it's recovering a chair, crocheting a hat or 30, or a little paper and glue art project, I like to create things.

I like to have something to work on and see a finished product (eventually). The only problem with this is that I produce more than I can use or give away. I've sold a few hats and things along the way, but one of the things on my list was to sell some art. I guess I can call it art, because "art" is a very subjective and relative term. But although I did take a collage and assembly class in college, I must admit I feel a little weird/presumptuous calling myself an artist, or any of my projects art.

That being said, I did sell the piece below today to a total stranger at a craft fair. And as she walked out of the building smiling and carrying her new purchase, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride that someone else appreciated something I had created enough to part with some hard earned cash to take it home with them.

This is what happens

When you put pumpkins on your porch in the squirrel infested DC area.

And when the three people that live in your house work at/attend/used to work at and attend George Mason University. We should let them know that we're okay with sharing and save a few trees.

The visit continued......

I did a little looking back through my blog the other day, and I realize that I can not really complain about people not visiting me, because as it turns out, I do actually get quite a few visitors. And while giving up my bed to sleep on my couch isn't exactly my favorite thing in the world, it's nice to get out and see all the "touristy" things that those of us who live here pretend to be blase about, but are really pretty darn cool.

Like a beautiful Sunday afternoon walk around the Tidal Basin.

And Lily's favorite part of the FDR memorial.

And the always impressive Marine Corps Memorial.

-Side note: I saw the original picture and film of this event at the Newseum. It amazes me how this one image captures the struggle and determination of those soldiers in such a dramatic and powerful way, while the impact was actually lessened in the video. It makes me think that if we take the time and examine the small but significant moments in our lives rather than the sum or result, we'll be able to get a glimpse of what we are about and what is really important.

And, I found that when visitors come with a baby, the evenings are somewhat less exciting, but no less entertaining. Babies kind of rule the schedule, but they're just so darn adorable, and all you really need to entertain them is a box.

She even learned how to say "Auntie" while she was here. Rest of the family look out, I'm in the running for favorite Aunt!

p.s. Someone (you know who you are CM) told Alex that these spoons are edible. I think someone is confusing edible with biodegradable. But still pretty entertaining to see him trying to eat his made of corn, plastic, silverware.

Guess Who's Coming to Visit!

Yup, it's my adorable little niece :)

We had to bribe her with ice cream to wear the hat that I'd made.

The Marathon

Checked another item off the list on Saturday, and this one puts me securely into the "nerd" category, but I don't care. I don't even care when a guy that I barely know makes fun of me for knowing most of the lines from the movie.

Yup, it was the Lord of the Rings Marathon. And we went with the extended editions, because we're just that dedicated- 683 minutes dedicated.

I also made 5 hats throughout the day :)