{ heart of america }

when I think of what I call the heart of america

I think of country music, summer bbq's and the suburbs.

this Christmas, that's truly where the heart was. Walking on the streets of NYC, especially Fifth Avenue, it's hard to believe there's a recession but it's a different story for many other parts of the country. I'm sure you all know people who are still looking for work and in my childhood suburban Colorado neighborhood that's still very much the case. My mom told me about our neighbors across the street and how they had taken another family in from our neighborhood when the father had lost his job and they couldn't afford their home anymore. Very cool. I was lucky enough to have dinner with both of these families and it couldn't have been a better evening. I walked into my neighbors home and there were boxes piled high, belongings from the other families prior home, the treadmill served as a coatrack and things were a bit cluttered but it felt so good there. I can't imagine taking in another couple and their 3 kids, but that's what my neighbors did. They actually moved into their basement

and let the family take over the rest of their home.

and the GREATEST thing ever...

after 13 months of being unemployed,

the father found a job 2 weeks ago.

merry christmas!

CHEERS to the heart of america.

{ a walk in the burbs }

all taken on my iphone. love it.

{ carols for juli }

When I first think of JULI I think of Pop Tarts...she used to keep her pantry fully stocked in high school for me since my mom wouldn't buy them...and the nights we went cruising down county line looking for boys. JULI has always been one of the coolest moms that I know but more importantly, JULI is one of the strongest people I know...she's been fighting cancer now for 10+ years and continues to fight. This Christmas we showed our love for her by bringing the masses out to their home to sing a few carols. It was one of the coldest, wintery nights that I've been out in a long time but well worth the rosy cheeks. I know all 150+ of us that were there feel the same way that I do about JULI.

She's amazing and we love her.

{ a promise }

I made a promise to my good friend nathan once...

back in the day when we lived on an island,

ate pineapple

and always had the ocean in view...

that I would write him a song.

It's been 10+ years but a promise is a promise

so it's about time he gets his song.

nathan, remember that time that you and mounce

called me from maui and you were listening to my song?

that might have been the one of the greatest days ever

because I thought you hated each other

and I was so happy that you were friends

and because you liked my sappy songs.

well, this one's not perfect, but few things are.

I usually would never ever let anyone listen

to anything I've written that I thought

was a bit cheesy or not finished

or that I didn't like for some reason

but I don't care anymore.

maybe I'm tired and need to pack for my trip

and don't want to stay up until 3am

or maybe I really just don't care what people

think anymore and that is a very good thing

so here goes nothing

whatever the case, it's nathan's birthday

I wrote him this song

and he's cool,

even when he uses too many napkins and wastes trees.

{ happy birthday and thanks for never giving up on me }

{ c is for christmas }

I love parties.

Dinner parties...birthday parties...parties just because...

there is always a reason to celebrate.

of all the parties, holiday parties are my favorite,
especially Christmas.

so, I threw a little sunday night gathering,

C is for Christmas

my vision for the evening was to have everyone
come over and relax by the fire and turn
my little apartment into a cozy, winter cabin...

but...no fireplace and I couldn't get the
virtual fireplace on netflix...

so...I decorated...and baked...and cleaned...

and the evening turned out better than I could have ever expect.

I still can't believe the crowd that filled my 5th floor apartment...

at one point I was a little worried there wouldn't
be enough room...but it made things cozy & warm

cause baby, it was cold outside!

and with the exception of a few favorites
that weren't able to make it

(you know who you are and I still love you)

all my favorite New Yorkers were there,
the infamous miss hill perched on her stool
watching over the crowd,
frenchie was so sweet to buzz in all the arrivals,

KZ and her always baked to perfection chocolate ricotta cups,

and two special surprise guests made the night even more perfect.

JJ and her adorable BF

and an old favorite from my HB days I hadn't seen in 5 years!

I couldn't have been happier....!

there's nothing like basking in the after party glow

I should have taken more pictures but....I was busy

{ thank you! } everyone for coming

I loved seeing you.

merry christmas!

{ nineteen twenty }

I love dress-up parties and once again,

NYers showed me that they know how to do things right.

Thanks miss Dyer for throwing yet another fabulous party.

It was a rainy night but well worth the trek downtown.

My friends are hot and josh takes lovely pictures.