i came, i saw, i froze

Inside Oktoberfest in Busch Gardens' Germany

ever since busch gardens started christmas town about three years ago my mom has wanted to go. this year she finally got her wish and my brother and i went with her to this enchanting redo of a very popular amusement park.

the tree in Germany...all lit up for the season

the three of us bundled up and wandered around to see the show and the lights of the park. it was so lovely. the lights were fabulous (really, go just for the lights) and the shows were sweet. rejoice! in ireland was my favorite. 

a roller coaster covered in the recent snow

basically, it was a great day to be with family and to savor the final the moments of the holiday. and i've never seen so many christmas trees in one place ever. or an amusement park under snow. 

fab.u.lous. 

oh the weather outside is frightful...

my front door

at the end of christmas day, because christmas miracles really do still happen, it started to snow, and believe it or not, it kept on snowing. six inches later it looked like this. and because it is virginia beach, the entire city shut down...for two days. holler to no work, no going outside, and just watching the snow. 

it was a lot of fun to spend some time with the family. with my work schedule combined with that of my sister's and my mom's, we all hardly get to spend time together. but the snow days really gave us a chance to hang out, eat, and watch tons of movies together (turns out directTV isn't really a fan of snow storms). hours of chick flicks anyone?

me and lc walking in a winter wonderland

so even though it's supposed to get up to sixty again by this weekend, the snow remains. and while i may be dreading finally going to work tonight, it is still lovely to look at. 

a sign of the happening

happy snow days! i hear the north is still covered...

happy christmas!

happy christmas all! i thought i'd spread a little old school love this season (who doesn't love alvin?) it's been a great excitement leading up to today. i hope santa treated you all well. (i got the complete series of the west wing, which i am so completely excited about i did a little diddy in my living room.)

as the day winds down i start to think about the entire holiday season, i will be slightly disappointed to see it go, but the ease will be knowing that it will come again. and the fun will continue, as it always does.

so enjoy the final moments, don't let the rest of the holiday season slip away without savoring the smallest parts.

merry christmas to all, and to all a good night.

eat, drink, and be merry

happy christmas eve! 

it seems like it's taken us a while to get here, but the day has finally come...or at least is on its way. 

this season is wonderful. it's a testament to the best of us...a time of year where people look for the best of themselves and the best of others. and a time where we all seem to be hoping for the best of what is to come. peace on earth good will to men. how beautiful is that?

i just got back from christmas eve church service, my favorite part of the holiday. so much spirit and joy, aspiration for the coming day. singing "silent night" by candles is the climax to any good christmas eve. 

tomorrow i look forward to being home with the family, sleeping in a little bit and dressing in green and red and heading off to church again. (you may think we're overdoing it but my mom and brother like contemporary services which was tonight, and tomorrow we will be going to an episcopal church, which is one of my favorites) we'll stop by my aunt's house and i'll eat her cookies (SO GOOD) and i'll be dreading going to work sunday. 

so for the moment, i'll just savour the goodness that is in christmas. the power, the magic, the faith in something more...something bigger

sweet sweaters

maybe it's just me, but i love a good sweater. let's be honest, i hoard them, adore them, treat them like best friends and collect them like treasures. ok, so it's near obsession, but in the best way possible. i could spend my entire paycheck on these beauties...any favorites i should really invest in? (can you tell i have a type? the open drape exude simple, effortless elegance and look great open with jeans and a t-shirt or belted with a pencil skirt...the perfect piece)

   

wanna buy one? you're not the only one! check them out.

listen...video of the week

another radio find! this one i knew right off the bat was going to be a personal favorite. perri is so heartfelt and melancholic i can't help but feel the narrative of the song right with her. plus the video itself i think is so terrific. the dancing, the ashes, the taffeta and tats...it all makes one pretty solid performance.

firsts

Charlottesville Snowstorm, 2010

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF WINTER!!

hard to believe it hasn't been winter throughout the snow and the twenty degree weather the area has been having, but it's finally official!

i love winter. it's my favorite season. the chill, the scarves, the red noses and cheeks. 

wishing you the best this chilly time of year!

Chris...making a snow angel of course ;)