heartwarming & holiday-esque open house

First house party! Atlanta, 11/21/2010.

The formula was simple: a late November date (schedules not too crowded, yet people already starting to think about Christmas shopping), lots of snacks, lots of friends and family. It was great to reconnect with all of these people who raised me, some of whom I hadn't seen in years.

I miraculously got all of my pieces and tools through the security line, and even got home a few days early to put finishing touches on the bolo ties and find displays for all of my dainty creations. I felt on top of my game and excited.

The morning of, however, Caroline and Sarah took it to the next level. They turned what was a side street showcase (all my pieces crowded onto one table in the corner) into a true art gallery. Turns out that momma's house is an ideal space in which to uncover wooden boxes, earth-toned feathers, cotton pieces, river rocks, and fabric of all kinds. The girls made it truly stunning.

My plan? To make a giant vat of white bean chili. Who knows best? Momma. She made a spread: pumpkin breads, chess bars, wine bar, veggie platters, spinach artichoke dip, and her famous sweet tea.

And Paralee came with her soaps which truly made it a holiday house party.

Thanks to everyone who came out! xoxoxo.

Ladies playing dress-up

One example of Paralee's heavenly soaps. They are truly divine and lather like nobody's business. Check out her site and buy a bar for yourself!

The master gallery curators: Sarah Moffett and oldest sis, Caroline.

the south

Every time I am enamored. There is nowhere more rich, more flat, more wholesome, more contradictory, more antique, more porch-bound, more demure, slower, hotter, muskier and more lovely than this place. A few images...

Drink Coca-Cola

Great Grandfather, Papa's, old Chevy

cousins!

BBQ in Atlanta

thankful & sated

And what a good meal it was. Turkey (cooked, in fine Georgia tradition, in a bucket in the driveway), squash casserole, green beans, stuffing with roasted chestnuts, and an abundance of pecan pie. My Dad's side of the family all flocked to Hilton Head Island for the holiday, and luckily, have until the weekend to consume as many leftovers as possible.

On day 7 out of 10 of the trip, I am finally getting to my computer and wanted to share a few photos. Better and actual ones exist, but until I reunite with my camera cord, phone photos will have to suffice. Trips like this amaze me with how much we can squeeze into a day. I mean really. And in this vacation world where relaxing is considered productive, naps totally count.

Crazy successful 'home for the holidays' Jewelry Party at my parents house. More on that later!

Nap with the parents' kitties. Not sure when we became cat people, but since embarking on west coast life, it's happened. In a big way.

Out and about with James & the lil' sis, Leigha. The Masquerade, November 19, 2010.

Fresh side of the road shrimp. Hilton Head Island, November 26 2010.

Post Thanksgiving Cribbage, 19 Cedar Wax Wing House. November 25, 2010.

on stage, tonight!

I've loved Rufus Wainwright since high school, and the love has only grown stronger since.

Being from suburban USA, the milestone of getting my drivers license was a big deal and evokes strong memories of freedom - finally! This freedom translates, in my case, to southern heat, windows down, Rufus, cigarettes, bad (great) rap music, mixed cd's, too many pairs of shoes in my car, being late for school, friends, late-night artistic ventures, and... more Rufus.

Can't believe I'm seeing him tonight! And with the Portland Symphony. It's all happening...

Oh What a World!

'I don't know what it is', with a bit of family footage at the beginning...

Oil hits Louisiana

Generally I see this space as an opportunity to re-post & share goodness, but this is worth sharing. And is not fun. Went to a coffee shop this morning and saw a headline that we've all seen now every morning for over a month. This is what mourning feels like.

Oil Reaches Louisiana.

R.A.G.E.

Everyone has them, favorite t-shirts, long-lost or borrowed, never to be seen again, yet never to be forgotten. Yet, does everyone have pictures of them, doing what is indicated on said shirt?

Hannah.... raging....

an Epic Hello

And then?! As if anything could top this hello, I got a NERF GUN for christmas! It was the family present, meant to be shared between all girls and boys alike. But for me, mostly because of this message, it holds weight.

Toys for life.

Southern Tradition

Says Wikipedia:

"Freaknik was an annual meeting in Atlanta, GA, primarily of students from historically black colleges and universities. Begun in 1982 as a small picnic, it was initially sponsored by The DC Metro Club and was typically held during the third weekend in April to coincide with the schools of the Atlanta University Center's Reading Day. The event increased in size and popularity in the 1990s with dancing, drinking, parties, a basketball tournament, rap sessions, a film festival and a job fair. Atlantans' reception of the festival was mixed. In its heyday, the fest attracted upwards of 250,000 revelers to the city. Many residents attended and enjoyed Freaknik, and others complained about traffic congestion due to street parties. City leaders eventually took measures to curtail Freaknik's accessibility, and hence its popularity. As a result, Freaknik moved to Memorial Drive in Dekalb County then Daytona Beach, Florida."

To me, it was an annual reason for our family to, once again, avoid the crowded streets of traffic-laden Atlanta and enjoy the inner warmth of suburbia. For Hannah, it was an event personified by a t-shirt brought back to her, as a gift, by her Father's magical paralegal/co-worker, Lesilie.

Either way, here is the modern form known by us. Yesssss, the South!