I Love My Friends!

A recent text:

me: Just bought a bottle of Hendricks - loving life! ( I know I totally sound like an alchy!)

AC: Whatever hendricks=heaven in a bottle

me: So glad you agree!

FYI- we were referring to Hendrick's Gin, the best thing ever to happen to a G&T!

Even More Christmas Fun!

This weekend was full of tacky Christmas sweaters and other "interesting" attire! Since last weekend we laid low and missed quite a few fun parties, this was the time to make it up! Friday night we went to The Half Birthday/Tree Decorating/Dance Party/Tacky Sweater Throw Down ...OR The Slash Party. It was a great time and I'm pretty sure the hosts are thinking about making it an annual event. Thanks to Maripat for the early Christmas gifts of bubble lights! They look great on our tree!On Saturday we met for brunch with my good friend Mia at one of our favs, Busboys and Poets. They have great brunch on the weekends and are known for an eclectic mix of food including a banana and honey panini.

Saturday night we went with friends to The Costume Christmas Party and had another fun night out. Turns out one of Leslie's best friends from Kanakuk (summer camp) lived at the house so it was fun to catch up!

Chi-Os and Owl Collectors

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that I featured the CUTEST owls today at Spotlights On... so please, if you get a chance, check it out! Also, please let me know if you are interested in being featured...just email me. There is absolutely no cost to you.

Night on the Town

With so many things on a do-to list, sometimes it's hard to just go and enjoy the city where you live! JM and I love living in DC, but we have to make a conscious effort to enjoy it and not be just stuck in our own little world of getting tasks accomplished.

So in a valiant effort to do just that and to catch up with friends, last night we met up with AC & Derrick to enjoy dinner at 2 Amy's. Amy studied pizza making in Italy (although, isn't pizza technically considered a US food?). Anyway, it paid off in that this smaller restaurant is always busy. That and a great wine/beer list and it makes for a great evening out without having a hefty price tag.

After dinner, we were feeling adventurous and decided to enjoy dessert somewhere different. Across the street is a new wine place that has just opened, Enology (which as the waiter explained is the study of wine). The menus were huge and a bit overwhelming until our faithful server explained that the whole restaurant is American wines and liquor with some food such as cheese and chocolate to enhance the flavors of the wine. Funny enough, he also apologized that Tequila was not on the menu...apparently, it is still 100% made in Mexico. Since we were there to indulge in dessert, we ordered chocolate which was handmade by J. Chocolatier. It was amazing! The handmade truffles, about the size of a marble, were by no means inexpensive, but today I am already researching on the internet where I can get ahold of the coconut-lime, green tea and caramel delicacies! Anyway, it is always so fun to get out and explore where you live. Thankfully, last night was filled with good food and good friends.

Spotlights On...

So yes, it really is 3:52 in the morning...you are reading that time stamp correctly and if I cared I would change it. I could not sleep because my mind was racing tonight. Don't you love when that happens?! Right as you are getting into bed, you have a thought that then starts to multiply and before you know it you have created your schedule for the next year, redefined your life's goals, and have such great advice to tell everyone in the morning all to wake up and it's some foggy memory. Well, tonight was one of those nights, but instead of letting it fade I decided to get out of bed and in front of a computer.

All of that is an intro to say that I have launched a new blog called Spotlights On... which will be feature talented people, amazing products and honestly, anything I come across that deserves being shared. I hope that the new site will be helpful, filled with ideas that inspire and that creates a network of sorts. Yes, I am idealistic now (did I mention the time?) but I do really hope that it will be lots of fun and always full of good recommendations.

Why two blogs??? You might say that I am lazy in that I do not want to spend any time cutting, gluing, or sending pictures to friends. In other words, this blog is my virtual scrapbook and will continue to be a personal account of what is going on with both John Mark and me. I decided the easiest way to share fun things was to launch another site that would be more commercial in nature and not personal. Anyway, the first feature starting this week will be Creative Women in Business. I hope you enjoy the new site!

At It Again...

So the obsession with freecycle.org continues! Today I am picking up some photography items for a friend and tonight JM and I are going to an apartment to view and then decide on a wingback recliner...should be interesting!

As for the bookshelf we picked up the other night, it is getting a makeover this weekend so I will post before and after pictures. But for the new chair, does anyone have a clue as to where to learn how to reupholster furniture? I figure with JM's mechanical mind and my creative mind that somehow we could accomplish it, but I am also thinking we could in be way over our heads! So that is all for today...off to clean the house (ok, apartment) and then keeping on with the job search.

Don't forget about the giveaways listed below!

Happy Easter!

He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Happy Easter to all!

This morning, John Mark and I joined our friends Sarah Beth and Emily and went to the Easter morning service at the Washington National Cathedral. We got there early to wait for tickets (yes, the 11am service is so popular that they have to give out tickets). We were the second group in line behind a family that was visiting from Jacksonville (small world)! We were able to get tickets pretty easily and then found seats in the huge beautiful cathedral. The service was amazing! The flowers were gorgeous! As the music was truly heavenly! It made me want to be at that kind of a service every Sunday morning. And most impressive, they even served communion to everyone there! Anyway, it was a wonderful Easter celebration and I would love to attend again! Happy Easter!

New Flickr Account

Golden Gate Bridge-3, originally uploaded by weatherlyh.

Just wanted to let yall know that I have finally joined the 21st century and have set up a flickr account. Check out my new page when you get a chance. There are some photos from last year of my San Francisco trip you might enjoy. Since I used up all of my memory this month I will be deciding whether I want to just contribute monthly or upgrade my account. Please let me know if you have a flickr account!

Gentlemen Take Note!

I want to put a plug in for my sister's friend Brooke Bryan who is a wholesale jewelry supplier. In other words, you can call her and get jewelry for half of the price you would pay in a store. Brooke only charges a small commission, but will actually pay you if you give her business (I wanted to plug her before I found that out). Anyway, she is available by phone at 334-319-3708. Brooke will also appraise the jewelry for twice the price you pay for it for your insurance records. I can personally attest that her prices are great! I have been looking for pearls and went to a reputable jeweler to price them. Brooke's price for the same piece of quality jewelry is less than half of the cost! So gentlemen, wherever you are in life, please take note!