backpacking

I don't think we could have had a better Memorial weekend this year! Jonathan and I went on a 3-day backpacking trip in the Olympic National Park. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the park was pretty spectaular. To me, it had more or a rain forest type wood with Alaskan mountain and lake views. I felt right at home.

We hiked in about 4 miles the first day, and then 4 more the second. So- when it was time to come home, we had a nice 8 mile trek back to the car on Monday morning. The middle of the park was my favorite part- filled with lots of fun obstacles to conquer like rope climbing up steep slopes, and wading through streams with a heavy pack on. We also saw quite a few creatures along the way like an elk, frogs, tons of banana slugs, and interesting insects I'd never seen before. Really, a great science lesson! I did get about half of my New Moon book read (Starr- you'll be proud), a great tan, a couple of river baths, and a lot of smokey clothes.

We are both incrediably sore and tired from it all. It's been difficult getting around today...so strange what different muscles you use for different workouts. My favorite part about getting home was ordering pizza, taking a long hot bath, and watching a Harry Potter movie. How refreshing it is to spend some quality time in the great outdoors. But, if you didn't already appreciate it, I'm here to tell you- civilization is really quite wonderful too! Here are the pics.

colorbutton abc's

I've been having great fun designing this ABC 8x10 print for colorbutton! I was asked by a customer if I had anything with all of my icons included...which got me thinking. And, when you actually think of it- it's pretty tough trying to come up with images for every letter in the alphabet. At least ones that can easily be depicted, and ones that children would actually learn.

My problem letters were N and Y. I think NEWSPAPER ended up being much more kid-friend than the original NEEDLE, and YAK was my only option. Do let me know if you have any brilliant alternatives!

@ the ballpark

Jonathan and I went to the Mariners vs. Angels baseball game last night at Safeco. What a fun time! I always forget how much fun it is to attend a major sporting event on a weekday night. It was a great distraction from the usual stay-at-home-and-watch-a-movie routine we've become so accustomed to.

The sun was shining, the crowd was lively, and the Mariners pulled out a W. I'm sure we'll be back soon!

the facebook list

A while back, I caved in and filled out the silly list "about me" on facebook. And since I actually took the time to fill it out- I wanted to make sure I saved it somewhere. Here. On the blog. The official keeper of all things written. Well, by me that is. (Take one of Hannah and her weirdness. And, Action!)

1. I can’t stand white walls. I absolutely love color!

2. I miss my family in Alaska so much.

3. I hate the process of putting on make-up. I secretly wish women had a cabinet filled with faces. The going out face. The everyday default face. The going to work face. We could just pick one out, put it on, and be done with it.

4. I didn’t grow up with animals and never ever ever thought I’d be so attached to one. I love our cat Charlie so much. He brings such character to our home.

5. As I get older, I cry so much easier. I hate it.

6. I have always been so glad to have a fairly unique name. And, it kinda bothers me when I hear someone else being called Hannah.

7. I am most happy when I’m creating something. Paint. Clay. Paper. Markers. Fabric. Glitter. Glue. Graphic design. You name it. My home is my canvas and my gallery.

8. Every time I get into my car, I touch my Catholic scapulars (felt squares on a string) hung around my rear view mirror and say, “Blessed Mother, ride with us and keep us safe.” My grandma taught me that when I was seven.

9. My biggest dream has always been to be a country music singer.

10. I have absolutely no idea how I met and fell in love with my husband Jonathan. Seriously- no idea. He is the best part of my life. And, I feel like the luckiest girl alive to wake up every morning and still get to keep him.

11. Towels are folded in a certain way in my house. If you’re not going to fold em right, don’t even bother.

12. I consciously pick out cute outfits for my unborn children.

13. I’m weird about not wanting anyone to know the names I’d like for our kids someday. Jonathan is sworn to secrecy. Seriously. I also won’t find out if we’re having girls or boys. I think there are so few true surprises in life.

14. I think that my husband is the smartest person I know. He’s pretty scary smart about most anything. It does me well to be around him. I’m always so proud to have a local resource (in my home, local) to bounce ideas off of. He’s the CEO of our home and I’m the Creative Director. I think we’re a great team.

15. Coming from a family of nine sisters is one of the biggest blessings in my life. (if not THE biggest.) It is ridiculously wonderful.

16. I have the weirdest, most memorable dreams almost every single night. Jonathan is forced to listen to them in the mornings. If I don’t tell someone else about them- they stick with me all day long.

17. I’ve always thought I had a big forehead. That’s why I had bangs all throughout school. Now, of course, I’m too lazy to keep bangs. If you didn’t know- they require quite a bit of maintenance.

18. My master plan is to get my whole family to move to the Seattle area. Eventually, that is. I’m constantly plotting and scheming their way here.

19. I pride myself on never ever, not even once, having a cavity.

20. My “what if” man is Patrick Dempsey. It’s ok- you can have him too.

21. I really don’t want to become a housewife. But- I want to stay at home when my kids are little. Tricky, tricky.

22. I’m a little addicted to Sprite zero now. And, um, Goldfish crackers.

23. I love to poke, prod, and investigate skin-related issues. Scabs, zits, hair, needles, stitches, burns. I absolutely loved dissecting things in anatomy and physiology including pigs, cats, and even real human cadavers. Love it! Makes me excited just thinking about it! I think I should have been a surgeon.

24. I’m back up to running 3 miles a day. We’ll see how long that lasts. I felt in such great shape when I ran a half marathon last year. Hey- it’s always an uphill climb.

25. My new favorite meal to cook is meatloaf, mashed potatoes ‘n gravy, and grilled asparagus. Mmmm.

star trek

Jonathan and I watched the new Star Trek movie at a 3D IMAX theatre last night. And, I have to say, it was pretty fabulous!

Even for someone that only watched a little bit of Trek growing up-- it was definitely worth the watch! Unbelievable special effects, great story line, and a fun get-away from reality. If only for a few hours. Watch the official trailer in HD.

chinchilla

I overheard my sister Natalie and her friend Stephanie talking about chinchillas:

Hannah: What is a chinchilla again? Is it a dog or a burrito?
Stephanie: Um, neither. That would be a chihuahua and a chimichanga.

(Followed by uncontrollable laughter)

Note: Chinchillas are crepuscular rodents, slightly larger than ground squirrels, native to the Andes mountains in South America. Along with their relatives, viscachas, they belong to the family Chinchillidae.

the bangs are back

I'm giving them one more try. I thought, ya know- it's been about nine years since the high school bang theory. Maybe I should give em another shot. After all- they DO cover up my big forehead nicely.

It's only been about a day, and they're already driving me crazy... falling in my face, just a wee bit too short to tuck behind my ear, and getting stuck on my eyelash when I blink.

I can only imagine how concerned you all are. But, if I had to guess, it would most likely be you guys (the 4 people that even read my blog) that would understand the most. Happy bang cutting!

you: the coffee cup

Almost every person I know has a Starbucks profile. It’s the description of the type of drink you usually order. And, it’s the list of specific accommodations you would like made to your beloved cup of coffee such as skinny, decaf, tripple-shot, no foam or sugar-free that really put you in a league of your own.

Sugar-free: You’re either watching your weight or you’ve miraculously become accustomed to the “diet” aftertaste of the sugar-free syrup.

No foam: You can’t be bothered to wait until your coffee sip makes its way through the thick foam to your mouth. That, or you don’t want to be cheated out of the full cup of coffee you purchased.

Tripple-shot: You’re going to be a little on edge and/or grumpy until you get your coffee fix…and you know it.

Skinny: You either really can’t stand the extra percentage of milk in your system, or you simply want to cut a few calories because you drink this drink at least twice a day.

Drip or Americano: You’re an older dad and/or you don’t appreciate fruiffy things. That includes fruiffy ingredients in a wholesome cup of freshly brewed black beans. The exceptions to this one are those of you that really need to wake up, or are nursing a hangover.

Chai or Green Tea: You have either never liked the taste of coffee, or rub elbows with the organic people of the world.

Here’s the rundown sportsfans…

Dad: Grande americano with cream + sugar
Tom: Tea
Dana: Venti skinny toffee-nut latte
Jonathan: Grande drip with cream
Hannah: Tall hazelnut latte
Megan: Grande iced americano
Natalie: Grande white mocha
Caitlin: Grande skinny hazelnut latte
Bethany: Grande skinny hazelnut latte

Don’t you just love putting people in their correct boxes? Maybe not. Maybe I’m the only one obsessed with labeling people...figuring out what makes them tick...predicting their behavior. Really, for me, it’s all about analyzing the unusual collection of people belonging to our family. Their likes. Their trends. Their reactions.

We’re a strange animal. But, the same animal. At least when it comes to coffee.

playing the mrs.

I’ve only been married for about 9 months now, and Jonathan has become the best roommate I’ve ever had! It’s actually even a little weird for me to think of how smooth everything usually is. He helps with the dishes and the laundry. He cooks dinner and takes out the trash. He even watched the entire season of the bachelor with me! Yes, I know- that’s saying a lot. And, no- he would never admit to it.

Lately, I’ve started thinking about what it has taken to get to this point. Have I made any real changes in my life to accommodate for “our life”? Are there things that I have given up for the greater good of the family? And the answer is yes. Little things. Litte, bitty things that have somehow seamlessly slithered their way in somehow. Tongue twist that!

Exhibit A:

My blog title is now hannah and jonathan. He doesn’t really ever contribute to the actual posting, but it somehow makes him feel like he’s part of ‘my’ blogging experience when his name is included. Especially when I chat with his side of the family on blogger.

Exhibit B:

We have framed and signed photographs of LaDainian Tomlinson on our kitchen wall. When did football ever belong next to the spatulas you ask? When Hannah and Jonathan got married. That’s when.

Exhibit C:

I finally bought a huge accordion box organizer today to house all of our most important papers…things like birth certificates, tax returns, and car titles. And, only after the 2 hours it took me to organize the whole thing into neat little folders (complete with clear cello-wrapped pockets of papers and sharpie marker labels) did I realize that I had inadvertently taken control of (and responsibility for) BOTH of our lives on paper. Meanwhile, Jonathan was glued to ESPN. I think it’s so interesting to see how responsibilities are divied up during the first year of marriage. Hey- as long as Jonathan does our taxes, I will continue to file them neatly in place. I think we make a good team.

Exhibit D:

Jonathan and I watch a lot of movies. Really. At least 3 or 4 a week. It’s one thing that we both love doing. However, my unlimited power of choosing the movie has been somewhat compromised since the early dating days of “Oh, sweetie- we’ll watch whatever you want to watch.”
No sir E. It’s a battle of wits now. We take so long to agree on a movie to watch that someone inevitably (more tired than the other) says, “Fine- I don’t care. Put that one in.” The only problem is that we are both fierce competitors. Choosing a movie can be quite the daily episode.

All things considered, I think we’ve pretty seamlessly merged our two lives…our friends, our choices, and our decisions. If only we had a man room for the kitchen football photos...

the conference call

I’ve been thinking more and more about conference calls lately. Maybe the fact that I work at home for a small company that is completely virtual is to blame. My findings are as follows:

1. As much as we are used to the ever-expanding world of technology, I am still secretly amazed that I can be talking on my one phone to 15 different people at once: Each person located in a different city, in their own houses or cars or kitchens, and joining the call with many different moods/expectations/needs.

2. There has to be a leader. Otherwise, the conversation turns more into the sound of 4 radio stations playing simultaneously. Not good.

3. I think that all participants should stay on mute until it is their turn to speak. Background noise is extremely annoying.

4. If the information you’re talking about doesn’t apply to everyone (or most people) on the call, finish your individual conversations off-line. The fact that your fax machine is broken and you’ll be having a repair man come to fix it next week (hmmmm 10 minutes later) does not concern me.

5. Keep your phone a reasonable distance from your mouth when speaking. You don’t want to be known as “the booming voice.”

6. If you only scheduled the call to last 30 minutes, don’t be angry when people have to hang up at 60 minutes.

7. For calls lasting more than 2 hours, do you think it appropriate for me to interject my own commercials? “This call was brought to you by your favorite stationery provider. For more information, visit colorbutton.etsy.com.” I don’t see why not…

cats

No. Not another fuzzy domesticated creature. The Broadway performance! Jonathan got us tickets for my birthday. What a cool show. The costumes were my favorite part. While it probably wasn't my all-time favorite broadway show (psst: Jersey Boys & Wicked) it was an excellent display of imagination, feline impersonation, and musical talent! I have to hand it to Jonathan. He's a historically great gift giver!

camping on whidbey island

Jonathan and I had a fabulous time camping on Whidbey Island! Whidbey is part of the San Juan Islands Northwest of Seattle, and the only island that you can drive to. We had a much-needed mini vacation away from the apartment and laundry and computers and tv.

Jonathan is a true outdoorsman. Even though this was only car camping- he didn't hesitate to bring all of his cool camping/backpacking equipment. Pretty funny, actually.

We're more than ready to take another 3-day trip into the back-country of Yosemite next month! We both absolutely love being out in the middle of nowhere...

- miles away from people
- living off of astronaut food
- reading a few great novels
- skinny dipping in lakes
- drinking coffee out of titanium mugs at sunrise
- weaving wildflower crowns
- squatting in the bushes
- painting mud war stripes on our faces
- writing in my journal
- talking late into the night under the stars
- worrying about the noises in the brush
- day dreaming
- taking pictures

Gotta love the great outdoors! And yes, ladies- the smores were indeed to die for. Here are more pics from the trip.

to do list

1. Fold clean laundry (sitting in a basket for 3 days now and very wrinkly).
2. Fluff the clean, wrinkled clothes in the dryer before folding.
3. Organize the birthday calendar once again.
4. Put the birthday calendar somewhere where I’ll HAVE to see it every day.
5. Buy makeup foundation to match my winter skin: Powder White or Porcelain White?
6. Make Jonathan clip his toenails. They’re deadly sharp in bed. Especially at 4am.
7. Eliminate the under-arm flab before having to appear in a June wedding.

nursery collection

Lately, I have been working on a colorful nursery print collection. And, since I have so many childrens movies that I love, and want to represent, it has been a challenge to pick out only my absolute favorites. I must say, I'm having so much fun with these. I've even been watching the movies as I design. Sleeping Beauty is playing as I type. Here are the first six pieces. Now I just need some babies - to have a nursery - to decorate!

(click on image to enlarge)

bainbridge island

Jonathan and I had a beautiful get-away on Saturday. We took the 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle over to Bainbridge Island. And I don't think we could have had a nicer day. This weekend might quite possibly have been the best weekend of weather we have had in Seattle so far! Sunny. Warm. A lite breeze. Clear, blue sky. Georgous!

Seeing as though it rains quite a bit here, the day of sunshine was enough to make me smile. Throw in a quaint town filled with shops to explore, and I'm one happy girl! Bainbridge is one of the most charming places I've ever been to. The trees are green, the streets are super-clean, and the buildings are colorful. Since it's an island, most houses are considered water-front lots. I couldn't help but think I was driving through Wisteria Lane - waterside! Or, for those of you who aren't familiar with Desperate Housewives- maybe a Mr. Rodgers neighborhood by the sea. Old craftsman houses. Gorgeous pink and white and yellow flowering trees. Sailboats in the harbor. Everyone and their brother walking a dog, sipping coffee. Homeowners working in their yards and gardens. At times, it almost felt like we could have been in a small town in Maine somewhere. I could very easily move across the water, buy a cottage, plant a garden, and live happily ever after. We considered it too.

We were also impressed at how well-organized and effective the ferry system runs. It leaves port from Seattle to Bainbridge and back once and hour all day long, until midnight. Many people commute into the city with no problem. We drove our car on, parked in line, and went up top for some nice views. The ferry has a cafe on board, comfortable seating, and plenty of space. And, by the time it takes you to drink a cup of coffee, you're there. The attendants have an incrediably smooth system for directing cars off, and then directing the new cars going the other way back on. It was a little weird to float across water, get off, and still have our own car to drive around.

One more place crossed off our list, and on to the next!
Here are more pics.

living creatively

Living Creatively is another fun site to browse. It's full of art & design, craft projects, decorating trends, and articles. The latest article was written on current craft trends.

Take a look! How trendy are you?

1) Buttons
2) Birds
3) Aprons
4) Babushka Dolls
5) Pin Cushions
6) Resin Designs
7) Screen Printing
8) Typography
9) Monochrome
10) Blogging

design sponge

Ever want to peek into other peoples' homes? Love getting creatively inspired? I found an awesome site for all of this and more!

DesignSponge gives you sneek peeks inside people's creatively decorated spaces at home, info on the latest design trends, guides on traveling, interesting pod-casts, do-it-yourself instructions for craft project, before and after project pics, recipes, and videos. Just about anything you can think of! The title 'sponge' is perfectly labeled so.

A word of caution: This site will suck you in! I've logged some serious hours here. Oh so much fun for the creative seeker. Enjoy!

3 sprouts

Gotta love cool baby stuff! 3 Sprouts is a cutesy-cute Canadian shop just starting to expand their business. Their website is under construction, but their stuff is sold on various online shops. A simple google search will give you a list of places to purchase.

Featured here are some of their 100% organic hooded towels for $35 each. I think my favorite one is the white chicken!

burton fam visits seattle

I miss the little man already! Starr, Mac and baby Connor came to visit over the weekend. We had such a great time hanging out, making dinners, and roaming around Seattle. It's times like these when I truly realize that I live way too far away from my best friend! Thanks for visiting!! Check out the pics.

amy wenzel

I'm on the hunt to seek out a cool photographer here in Seattle that has a similar artistic style to Amy Wenzel. My friend Corie introduced me to her about a year ago. I absolutely love her photographic style- the use of bright, bold colors, her tendency to shoot gritty textures, and candid scenes. She specializes in children/family shoots as well as senior girls. Her site is very modern with just a little bit of funky. Love it! The thing is- she's based out of Michigan. So, for now- I'm on the hunt for someone similar in the Seattle area. Happy viewing!

way studios

One of my new-found favorite artists is James McLaughlin Way. I love his mystic circus paintings. They are dramatic and playful and a little scary all at once. I think they would be great pieces for a dimly lit formal dining room or a library/study.

Hmm...I've got to have a study. And, maybe even have Jonathan smoke a few cigars in there. You know, just to get that historic old-mans club smell. Throw in a few globes, thick leather books, and some brandy glasses in a corner. I'll be set!

vintage wallpaper animals

One of my favorite hobbies is surfing the internet for unique and creative ideas. Today's inspiration comes from a super-cool shop in Amsterdam specializing in vintage wallpaper animals. Inke is the first name of the woman who started the business. I need to have kids- if for no other reason than to get to design all of their rooms.

order up a laugh

I think Caitlin tells it the best. This was one of the storytelling hits told while in Council Grove for the weekend:

Lucky Wishbone is one of the oldest mom and pop restaurants in Anchorage specializing in homecooked, pan-fried chicken. Certain menu titles are given to each of the different sized chicken baskets available. Three pieces of chicken is called the "Pop", two pieces is called the "Mom", and 1 piece is called the "Junior."

When Dana and Tom were last in Anchorage, they took some of the family to Lucky Wishbone. Tom took one look at the menu and was ready to order. When the waitress came to him and asked what he would like, he paused, looked at the menu again, looked up at her and said, "Umm, I'll have your mom."

You can only imagine the roar of laughter that follows this story - so much so that our cousin-in-law Josh now wants to visit Alaska, if for no other reason than to be able to make his own order of chicken.

Tom says, "Truth is, I really wanted three pieces of chicken. But I was willing to sacrifice my lunch for a joke of a lifetime."

Throughout the weekend, the group came up with a few filler responses that could also have been plausible:

1) "I'll have your mom....and ummm- I'm also pretty hungry."
2) "What side dishes come with your mom?"

I'm sure it was the first time the waitress had ever heard that before. She just smirked and walked away.

86 candles in the sunflower state

I just flew back into town from a nice long weekend in Council Grove, Kansas for grandma McDiffett’s 86th birthday weekend celebrations. What a fun trip! This had to have been one of the best times we’ve had with our cousins in a long time. Two new babies in the mix, lots of homemade pie, way too much laughing, and some great storytelling made for a weekend worth remembering.

Grandma was introduced to the Wii game of bowling. And, she was dominating the game. What a priceless expression on her face to be beating her two grandsons on her first time playing. She was tickled to death. It is always so special to watch her look around at her big extended family, get choked up, and start crying. We know how much she appreciates us all being there. She wears her emotions of her sleeve, which is so refreshing. I’m always so amazed at how with-it she is at 86 years old. She works out regularly at the gym as a member of the Silver Sneaker group, is involved in many community clubs, prides herself on never having missed the opportunity to send a card for a birthday, and is pretty famous in a town of 2,000 for making pies.

This trip, I was so excited to be given a beautiful watercolor print that she painted over 70 years ago as a sophomore at Junction City high school in 1938. The piece is a likeness of Merna Loy- a movie star at the time.

Overall, it was a great trip! Click here for pictures.

lovey dovey day

Valentine's Day was fabulous! And, for those of you that knew me when I hated the holiday- that's saying quite a lot. We got all dressed up and went to an Italian restaurant I had been dying to go to called Barolo. Dinner was great. The wine was spectacular. The dessert was sweet. This restaurant had the most romantic ambience. Take a look.

We then came home to a fire in the fireplace, chocolate, and cookies to the tune of some fabulous Disney love songs. Thanks mom!

Hope you all had a very lovey dovey day. For more pics- click here.

color your button

Today is the first day in a while that I feel like I'm back in the land of the living! I go through weeks where I slip into project comatoses. It's definitely my drug of choice. Whether it's putting new pictures in old picture frames, re-painting a wall for the 3rd time, or re-organizing all of the dishes in my kitchen cabinets- it's a period of NEW. My latest has been spent immersed in new colorbutton designs. I've always loved the jcrew look of small icons like whales and fish. And, for some reason, I seem to be completely in love with birds. Bird everything! I have even thought of starting a collection of birds. No- not real ones. It's weird, I know. Poor Jonathan is such a good sport throughout my creative nut projects.

And with that- I'm on to the next ones. 1)Looking for slipcovers for the livingroom furniture. 2)Creating a huge, beautiful fake flower arrangement. 3)Throwing away any and all clothing that I haven't worn in 3 years, and 4)Collecting twigs outside for nice fireplace burning.

Projects. They're really quite exciting!

trip to vancouver, canada

Jonathan and I had a great weekend trip to Vancouver, Canada! Highlights included:

1) Visiting the Granville Island public market (quaint/artistic warehouses on the water)
2) Shopping on Robson Street (their Michigan Ave equivalent)
3) A fabulous dinner in Yaletown (hip restaurants bunched around 2 blocks)
4) Brunch in the gay district (they know how to make great pancakes)
5) A tour of Stanley Park (absolutely stunning views)
6) Crossing the Capilano suspension bridge (largest in the world) and
7) Lunch in Gastown (historic, cobblestone Vancouver)

We loved the city so much that we both talked about moving there. Most likely won't happen, but with it being only a short 2.5 hr drive from Seattle, we plan to visit quite a bit! Here are the pics.

the job search continues...

click on the picture to enlarge.

christmas with palm trees

For the full picture album, visit our phanfare site.

disney nature earth

I absolutely can't wait to see Disneynature's new documentary called Earth! Be sure to view the trailor with a full screen and in high definition. The "watch in HD" button will be located just below the icon to make the window full screen. Releases on Earth Day- April 22nd, 2009.

a san diego christmas

When it comes to the holidays, there are three things that rise to the surface. Food. Lounging. Movies. We have had such a fabulous time here in San Diego! This week, we've seen three movies already. And, they've all been excellent.

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Frost & Nixon
3. Valkyrie

As for the oscar winners- my predictions are as follows. Costume and Makeup for the Curious Case, and Best Actor for Frost & Nixon.

We've had some fantastic meals, a few stunning runs on the beach, great sidewalk shopping, and authentic greasy Mexican food. What more could you want? Movie theatre popcorn. Sweat pants. Presents. No make-up. Contagious laughter. And, when you throw in a Chargers football win- everyone is happy. Everyone, of course, meaning Jonathan.

Hope everyone is having a very happy holiday! We return to snowy Seattle on New Years day.

mr. accolade

My last blog post has given me quite a headache. Now, Jonathan's every come-back around the house is, "Well, I'm just glad I'm ranked below snow on your list of what you're thankful for!" And of course, it has taken on a life of its own. He now lets me know that I would most likely rank just after wind, but before rain on his list. Ohhh man- he keeps me laughing, that's for sure!

As much as I have adamantly tried to convince him that my "what I'm thankful for" list was in no particular order, he hasn't been assured. But that's just Jonathan. He's in to rankings. He's all about graphs, top ten lists, movie critic comments and weird, random facts. He's always interested in important titles, fancy degrees, useless factoids, historical accuracy, and scientific data. His co-workers call him The Professor. I call him Mr. Accolade.

Exhibit A)
When I want to see a particular movie, he'll always go with me. But not without pointing out that my choice was only given a B- on Yahoo's latest viewer grade.

Exhibit B)
His beloved Chargers have had a horrific year and most likely have no chance at all of making the playoffs. And even though he might quite possibly be the biggest, most ridiculous Charger fan out there- he now swears he's not watching one more game this year. Yea, right! God forbid you watch a team that isn't ranked.

Exhibit C)
He let me know just how much more he really loved the bottle of wine we drank last night. After all, it was number 13 in the newest list of Best Wines in the World.

Exhibit D (and my favorite one)
He keeps a notepad for recording his runs. The date. How many miles he ran. What his time was. And he's been doing it for years. He loves putting all of the numbers into a graph to see (on average) how many miles he's run each year, and what he needs to do to pick up the pace...per month...per day.

Jonathan: "Did you know that I've run 436.2 miles this year so far?"
Hannah: "No...no I did not. How would I have known that?"

He's a nerd. And I love it.

thanksgiving in anchorage

Jonathan and I had a fabulous time at home in Anchorage for Thanksgiving. We ate, watched 3 feet of beautiful snow fall, followed some moose through the neighborhood, attended the Great Alaska Shootout, ate some more, caught up with great friends, and laughed way too much.

It always happens as you get older...and perhaps wiser. You start to really appreciate the little things in your life that mean so much, and are so over-looked. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for so many things:

1. Family. It's quite amazing how many people contribute to our immediate family. And, it's funny how many are being added each and every year. This year, we are at a total of 15. Eleven girls. Four guys. It is a circus of a life to live in, and I wouldn't change any of it for the world. My dad is ridiculously hilarious. But don't ever let him know it.

2. Snow. It is everything that is clean and fresh and warm and familiar to what a home during the holidays is for me. Waking up in the morning would not be the same without snow. Four or five kids lounging on the couches. Sweat pants. Hot coffee. Warm smells of cinnamon and toast and eggs and bacon and waffles and hash browns. And a windowsill picture frame of an untouched winter wonderland. And you- burrowed inside.

3. Jonathan. He is my favorite friend. And it seems like he has always been there-somewhere. He has morphed into my family seamlessly and has an uncanny ability to get along with anyone. We share a same love of family, desire for adventure, and need for unnecessary indulgences. He just gets it.

4. Home. It's hard to come by. One that isn't perfect. One that isn't always clean. One that's been in the family for 60 years. One where the left hallway floor board creeks. One with pencil hash marks up the side of the kitchen wall. It's a soft old t-shirt that's been washed a hundred times. It just fits.

invested

You’ve got to be. In the holidays that is. This year, more than ever it seems, I am clinging tightly to all that the holidays have to offer. Last week at church, our priest gave a homily about what it is you would do differently if you knew that this was your last Thanksgiving...your last Christmas. And it started me thinking. It’s not about the gifts. It’s not about the sacrifices I make to fly home for the holidays. And it’s definitely not about the money. For me, it’s all about family, friends, and...well, decorations. I have to admit- decor is one of my favorite parts of this time in the year. Soft twinkle lights, beautiful glittered ornaments, warm fires and soothing music. And when the décor and the family come together, I am completely happy.

Here are a few things I’ve been working on:

1. The magic tree. I came across this picture in a Pottery Barn catalog and decided I had to have one of my own! My magic tree is filled with glittered butterfly pins, and gold and silver birds. Mine is a mini tree this year to start. I absolutely love it, and hope to start a tradition of having not only the main Christmas tree in our house every year, but a separate “magic tree.” I guess it brings out the kid in me. Maybe, by magic, Santa can deliver one present under the magic tree extra early- one week before Christmas.


2. Name cards. I am going home in two days for Thanksgiving in Anchorage and wanted to take something to add to our dinner table for the big meal. Name place cards are one of the things that I love in all holiday catalogs! They make the table so personalized and also add a bit of color. I know. Me? Color?


3. History. I want to start emphasizing the importance of history during the season. Jonathan collects Christmas ornaments, and has about 30 unique ones he’s picked up from his travels around the world. Since becoming a couple, we have continued this tradition. We brought home the cutest ornament in the shape of an elephant bell from Thailand, and a blue and white shoe from the Dutch colony of Curacao when we were in the Carribean. I also dug up some old-time artifacts. Hanging on Jonathan’s stocking is a mold of his hand when he was 3 years old. So cute. So small. And I think it makes for another historical touch to our Christmas.

If my magic tree, place cards, and touches of history are all that I unwrap this year- I will be happy. And if family and friends are all that I have around me this Christmas- I will most definitely be happy. Even if it’s my last!

hip happity birthday jonathan!

I can't help but absolutely LOVE birthdays. And I know that it's because my mom did such a fantastic job of them while I was growing up. They are everything that is colorful, whimsical, and magical in the course of an ordinary month. Jonathan turned the big 33 today! While he isn't as excited about getting older as I am, I wanted to bring some flimsy fun to the day. My sister Natalie helped me hit up the party store for 33 colorful balloons and my favorite New York cupcake shop for 6 rainbow cups of frosting.

The day was filled with coffee and waffles in the morning, watching the Notre Dame game in pajamas, a birthday massage for Jonathan at the spa, a home-cooked meal on our new dining room table, a very nice bottle of wine, and some birthday singing to candles. It was a great day to be 33!

another one bites the dust!

Yes- another one has jumped off the deep end. Well, gotten married that is. Chrissy is one of my best friends from Saint Mary's College. She married her long time boyfriend Mike Openlander. Chrissy Openlander. Christina Openlander...I'll have to get used to that one. Right about now- they should be basking in the hot sun on a sandy beach somewhere in Mexico. I couldn't be happier for them!

Jonathan and I had a great trip to Columbus, OH. We even got to spend some time with Jonathan's sister (and my new sister-in-law) Meredith. She's a junior at Ohio State. So, it was great to kill two birds with one stone. Meredith and I got our shopping on, and put in a few fabulous hours of girl talk. What a fun weekend!

With another trip crossed off the list...we are one step closer to going home to Anchorage for Thanksgiving. I can't wait!! More cinnamon rolls. (Those of you out there know what these mean to me.) Lots of catching up on the family gossip...attending the Great Alaskan Shootout...visiting long lost friends at my favorite historical bar in downtown (F Street), and fitting in some sledding in the snow. 2 weeks and counting!

a new day

This is a new day for the world. It is a new day to be an American. What an amazing feeling to be part of such a movement in a time when people need it most. I couldn't be more proud of our country. November 4, 2008 will forever be remembered as one of the most defining moments in American history. My grandkids might even ask me where I was and what I was doing at the time. Well- I'll tell you. Jonathan and I were camped out in front of our TV here in Bellevue, WA. After a nice dinner, we sat down to the rest of the political countdown with a nice big bowl of butter popcorn. Talk about a good show! Even though I was pretty sure that Obama would win, I sat there hanging on the edge of ever pundant's predictions.

Then, after the victory was called, we all waited in anticipation for the Obama family to come out onto the stage at Grant Park in Chicago to deliver his speech. They showed Oprah Winfrey on TV near the stage crying her eyes out. They showed Rev. Jesse Jackson near stage with a calm smile. It was like waiting for the main act to come onto stage after the opening act trailed off. Finally, the crowds errupted, the new first family walked out onto a stage lined with bullet-proof glass and delivered one of the most poised addresses I have ever heard. My eyes were watered. My skin had goosebumps. What a memory it will always be.

Opportunity has always been the strongest characteristic of the American dream. And I hope and pray that the leaps and bounds our country has taken this day will ensure a more prosperous tomorrow for the everyday lives we lead.

colorbutton goes live

After much anticipation and many many long long days glued to the computer- colorbutton had gone live! I'm starting on Etsy until I get my own site up and running- which may be 6 months or so. I was so excited to get my first REAL order from a lady in California yesterday!! Starting a business has always been something I've wanted to do. And, whether I sell one or a thousand pieces- I'll be glad to have had a go at it. Wish me luck!

go irish!

Jonathan and I attended our first ND game this year. The Irish were here in town to play the Huskies. What a beautiful fall day for tailgating, watching the game in mittens, and securing another W.

houston, we have a party

Our first annual McDiffett Sisters Reunion was held in Houston, TX. The line-up included the oldest five girls, and our two token McDiffett husbands.

We had a blast! We started out the weekend going to the New Kids on the Block reunion tour concert. If you can picture it- thousands and thousands of screaming women, 80s dance moves, fabulous mixed drinks, and laughing hysterics from all of my sisters. I don’t think it could have been topped!

A Donnie Walberg quote from the concert: “I’m the only single one out here tonight, and I’m lookin’ for a girl. Can you hear that? All of you single girls out there….and those of you that aren’t and don’t even care.” Yep- that was us. Ha! Talk about feeling 12 years old again. Gotta love those Walberg boys. They never go out of style.

We also spent the weekend wedding dress shopping with Megan- McDiffett girl number three. She made every dress look amazing! And I think Dana and I were secretly picking out our dresses for a second time down the isle. Ya know- just to get to wear another incredible dress. That would be worth it, don’t you think?

We also made our way to Blanco’s, a traditional country western bar filled with cowboy hats, live Texas-only bands, sticky shuffleboard and 50-year-old couples two-steppin out on the dance floor. Fabulous, I tell ya! Megan and I kept our eyes pealed for George Straight. It felt like something right out of the movie Gone Country. We all had a great time.

Shuffleboard Scoreboard:
Hannah & Nat 15
Jonathan & Tom 3

“We knowww.”

We made a trip to the Galleria Mall downtown, ate at Houston’s famous Crave Cupcakes, stopped by the Presidents Heads sculptures and ate authentic tex mex. Brisket tacos, fajita meat queso, and dusty tequila. Mmm mm.

Thanks to Dana and Tom for hosting our first reunion! We sure made quite a few memories. Here is the full album of pics.