Ferris.

Why yes, I did rock the Christmas gift exchange with a poster of Ferris Bueller.

Ferris was a gift from a friend in high school and he was my best bud through all five years of college (who else will stay up and smile with you during every all-nighter? Not boyfriends I'll tell you!). When I came home he was sent to the basement (you know when it's time to let go) and replaced by:

But I couldn't take him to Goodwill to be scavenged!

And then came the gift exchange. I knew he would find a home filled with love in one of the screaming teenagers we were spending our evening with... and he did! Along with homemade deer jerky and a VHS set of Star Wars he was stolen the max amount of times. My proudest moment.

Joshua brought Citizens, after I convinced him to keep the Lives of the Pope book so I could read it. He wrapped it in the business section of the newspaper and taped a bow down by taping over the bow. It was ridiculous. Mine was WASPy, two big ribbons and a clump of snowflake necklaces... equally ridiculous but waaay prettier.

All in all, a successful Christmas party.

Roma!

It was 70 DEGREES! Isn't that wild for November? We enjoyed our summer weather by wandering the streets without coats and buying gelato liberally. All the walking from the previous cities was undone by scoops of coconut!

They used to flood the Colosseum (before they built the underground bits) and stage naval battles.

Forum.

Why yes, that is the open window of the Pope's study!!! I'm positive he saw me.

Pretty Castel Sant'angelo with a giant flock of tiny birds.

The stairs of St. Peters (always up things..) were curved as you followed the dome- it felt like you were holding up the walls!

But oh the view.

Godzilla seagull.

The Spanish steps.

The last gelato of the trip, coconut was the best flavor. Coconut and cafe were the best combo. I'm so glad there's not a gelato place in town, I'd be in big trouble!

The Circus Maximus! Ben Hur!

Mom, always caught up on here journaling.

Me, always behind.

Something pretty.

I have no idea where I saw this but I love it.

Not mine, although I do wish it was..

I learned the phonetic alphabet last year, just because I didn't know it and it seemed like something everyone should know. Like how to write in cursive.

Christmas List 2011- 23 days and counting!

One of my favorite thing about living in America is that if I never got anything else in my life I would still have everything I really need. Mister, a house, food (okay, I'd need more food) that can be had with my well running car... I am content.

But here is my list of things I'd like.

movie, book, windshield wipers, ship stamps, and yarn. I'm easy to shop for.

Splurges:

You don't have to convince me to go to Hogwarts.

Star Wars Moleskine.

Paris, where Ratatouille is set.

Mister would call that association lowbrow.

Don't care.

Paris was a nice change from chaotic Caribbean neighborhood London... couldn't understand hardly anything! French was the language I knew least of on this trip. But it was easy anyway, if you're quiet and polite you can fool or charm your way almost anywhere.

Most nice was Laduree macaroons! Coconut was best, but mom loved the raspberry too.

We walked from the Louvre to the Arc a bunch of times over the course of three days, with breaks to dodge cars in the middle of giant round-a-bouts.

We climbed 284 steps to see Paris from the top of the Arc... I have now no desire to go to the top of the tower, the view from the Arc is incredible! We didn't use the flash anytime hardly and I like the muted sky that created.

Nursing our wicked blisters and enjoying the lovebirds.

Versailles. It's enormous! I can't even describe how large the grounds and gardens are- that's the view in only two directions.

And the night train- on the way to Rome! With hummus and shopping bags.

Holiday time-

How can you not love the holidays?

Food, lights, and new little beasties in the world.

Crowds and hot drinks and regular drinks with friends

and

peace in my little corner of earth.

(No, I'm not breastfeeding. I'm sorry I was sneak attacked and didn't adjust baby angle okay?!)

It's catchy, and British.

London, condensed and packaged neatly.

First the National Gallery.. and this lovely living painting.

Then the British museum (and Tate Modern, but not really my cup of tea).

ARSENAL!!!

With Theo. What a happy, happy night.

Onion hummus and milk. Hummus is on a whole different level... we might have eaten a container a day. Maybe.

528 steps to get the wind blown hair effect, and a view.

We lived in Seven Sisters (you know a place is sketchy when the customs officer warns you not to walk home after dark), which was chaotic and lovely. Cheap fruit and fresh bread.

Top Three Moments in London:

1. Arsenal (they were terrible, which was actually familiar and perfect)

2. Billy Elliot. The best show I've ever seen. Anywhere, ever.

3. Seeing Pitt and Wilberforce buried next to each other at Westminster, friends in life and death.

Friends.

There is something about the touching of friends that makes me happy.

from here.

Home.

Despite staying up for an entire day I'm still up at an obscenely early hour. So no post about how great my trip was.

Here are a few pictures.. when I have vanquished jet lag I'll be more wordy I promise.

(at the arsenal game...)

Packing and juicing.

Packing and prepping to be gone for a month.

How did one hundred little things not get done before today!?

Even though I'm packed I'm still leaving things until late. Typical.

I miss my Mister already.

We watched this movie with some friends and my mom and Mister both did a ten day juice fast. I think I'm going to ask for one for Christmas (because that's the kind of thing you can ask for at my house)!

When it was warm and sunny (that one week in August).

We went to the lake and splashed around.
And took video of my dad learning how to paddleboard. So funny!
It was sunny today which made me long for summer (a momentary thing, nothing serious).

Cards

Have you seen The Blindside? I saw the tail end of it this weekend at the ocean and the scene where the drunk uncle calls to let them know there is a black boy in their Christmas photo makes me giggle every time.

This year I think we are going to take a goofy Christmas photo- like ugly knit sweaters or workout gear or something fun. We have time to think of it though since it's not even Thanksgiving! Jumping the gun.

'Ello Friday!

Judge if you want.

But really, I'm dancing around my house and packing for Europe... I'm 100% sure this is all perfect.

Waves.

Corey Arnold was put on this earth to make me love the ocean more.

I mean look at this... and this.

It's a birthday!

This is my favorite picture of me and my mom.

It's guaranteed to make me smile even when I'm in a wretched mood (pretty much she makes me smile when I'm in a wretched mood). AND IT'S HER BIRTHDAY!!!

So I did what any daughter would: bought her the sing-along version of Mamma Mia. Duh.

And threw a mini-party with paper chains.

Is it almost here?!

I love Christmas. LOVE IT.

And I love White Christmas most of all.

Making Christmas presents this week put me in the mood I guess.

50/50

Fresh Aire. Heaven on the radio.

And interviewing JGL? Oh man.

Yesterday for date night I used my birthday movie tickets and Mister and I went to 50/50. The only other people there were over 60. Somehow that made it more enjoyable.

Congestion's not just for cars.

I woke up with my eyeballs swollen out of my head (it feels like) and a sinus infection. At least it's happening before my trip! I've never been so excited to be ill before. AND H&M IS A GIANT TEASE. Putting pictures and prices online but not selling? Rude!

Currently dying for these two things (I need a camel coat that I can keep until I am 80).