Winter idyll

There I go stealing titles from Victoria magazine again. Actually, this is the most blah time of the year. The excitement of Christmas is over, the living room is in ruins. All the decorations I craved in preparation for Christmas are 50% off and I could care less. I am putting off packing up all my Shiny Brite bulbs and faux poinsettias and glitter gold reindeer for as long as I can stand it. So in the meantime, some fun.

I got to loot someone's house yesterday. It's called an estate sale and I nearly died myself the moment I walked in the door. Check out the lamp I got. It's totally 50's and has the original lampshade. I call it "Black Retro Raspberry."

I also scored a gay Santa. Technically, this is a Mary Kay promotional Santa and he is old. He's got white go-go boots! I love him and can't wait for next years' cubicle decorating extravaganza so I can show him off!

Some highlights showing the Christmas carnage

Cookies

Don't you wish you could discover cookies again for the first time? And that someone was there to take your photo?

Sneak peek...

Does anyone else see a vision of sugar plums?

Snow day!

It's one of those days when I think, "I don't want to go to work today!" So I didn't...because it's Monday! However, tonight was the big cookie swap, which is now canceled. Possibly postponed. I don't know...if anyone has 6 dozen cookies they'd like to swap, let me know.

Hattie and I braved the cold to go to, of all places, Wal-Mart. Truly pathetic, but our Christmas cards were ready, and I need to get those in the mail! So I layered her with a onesie, socks, oversize Santa's Helper pajamas, a hat, and two blankets. I don't think Hattie even noticed she left the house. She slept during the entire excursion.

So everyone is snuggly and happy at home. I have cocoa and 40 Christmas cards to address. Hattie has her deflated Elmo balloon (she is undeterred- still loves him). Etienne has obviously figured out that when no humans are home, he's going to sleep on the sofa (but always on a blanket). Here's my retro rocker chair, covered in snow. And the cookies....

Scooter cutie

Hattie and the fabulous Elmo balloon

It's OK; it's a Sesame Street character. Mommy approves. Most importantly, Hattie loves this balloon. She literally freaks out, kicks her legs, flails and screeches at this thing. Yay for cheap fun!

Next up, eating!

Crazy Hattie, sporting two sweet little baby teeth, is wild about oatmeal. Here's some proof.

Seven months old, and unstoppable!!!

The Incomparable Hattie Jane and her Magical Walker!

Turkey? Check. Cranberries? Yup.

Almost 7-month-old Hattie rockin' out in her Blondie onesie? Got it.
What are YOU thankful for this year?

More Monday

Monday adventures and a visit with Nana

Hattie and I went to Nana's house to say hi and rescue a vintage sewing chair from being donated to Goodwill. Here is Hattie with Nana Kay. Bijoux the Spoiled shared her usual expression.

Rally sweater!

I am been super lame about updating my blog lately. I'm trying to get better about it, but after the whirlwind excitement of Hattie's christening followed by Halloween followed by President Obama's triumphant election smackdown, I really don't have much to report. I had a few minutes to scan through some yet-unpublished photos and found this cute pic of Hattie, zonked out in the car seat from hell, looking super-styling in her handmade rally sweater. Yes, Susan- here it is!!! I can't wait to pair this with one of her cute hats. Thanks again!

Election eve!

We are on the cusp of one of the most exciting times in American History. To commemorate this event, I visited my toy collection and pulled out this tattered and moldy Hello Kitty. Odd behavior? Maybe. But this Hello Kitty is a symbol of the expectation and hope that parents wish for their children. I wish for Hattie to live a peaceful world, to tolerate others, and appreciate the differences that make us unique. I hope she will express herself, and work to better her community. I am really excited about tomorrow, because what happens tomorrow is something many of us hoped to see in our lifetimes. I am filled with hope and thrilled to share this experience with my daughter, just like my dad must have felt 20-odd years ago when he surprised me with this Hello Kitty doll on the evening that Ronald Reagan was elected.

At six months, Hattie has a surprise...

A tooth! Happy six months, Chompy McOuchy Face!

Halloween craziness on Candy Mountain

This isn't the HALF of it...we were so busy answering the door, we barely had time to take any photos! On Halloween, nearly 30 adults and kids showed up (in shifts, thankfully) to celebrate in the coolest trick-or-treat neighborhood in the world. I know for a fact that someone up the street was giving out full-size Hershey bars! Oh, to be a little kid. Most of the kids visiting our house hardly ever eat candy. Believe me, they liked it. A lot. Here are a few memorable shots taken in between doorbells.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Hattie Jane!

Hattie's christening

God Bless Little Hattie

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray,but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me,
and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 19:13-14

More pumpkin love

Hattie meets the pumpkins!

My Mama gets Obama'ed

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