Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...

It’s here! House Closing/Moving Day! We are so excited to start this journey (reality show language for ya!) together in our first home. Keep checking back for updates on the Hanna House…

Below are a few pics of us signing the contract in June....smart to sign your largest monetary commitment to date pre Greek Festival on the back of a Honda....luckily Mary gave Brian a fancy graduation pen...so our ink was high brow....

Kudos to the Stevens for capturing this pivotal moment in June....and a big thank you to Semisonic for the Sophomore year (1998) flashback theme song for today! 

Homeowners!

Gather Round You Friends of Mine……

Everything I ever needed to know….I learned from Troop Beverly Hills….

1) Stay Calm In An Emergency: Don’t Worry Girls…I’ve got The Fondue, Throw me a lifesaver….Butterscotch or Wintergreen?
2) There Is Nothing More Frightening Than A Perm: It was a cold and rainy day in March. I went to Kristoff's where I usually get my hair done but Kristoff wasn't there. He had mysteriously disappeared. In his place was a stranger named Rinaldo. I'll never forget him. His eyes were steely gray. His hands were like ice. He said, "I'll streak your hair and I'll give you a body wave." He worked very fast and then, as he turned my chair around to face the mirror, I saw it. He permed me!
3) Too Many Accessories Clutter An Outfit: Patches…we don’t need no stinkin patches…
4) Play To Your Strengths: I may be a beginner at some things, but I've got a black belt in shopping!
5) Never Trust a Redfeather: Stinking redfeathers covered every inch of our turf
6) When Life Gives You Lemons - Go To The Beverly Hills Hotel For Some Lemonade: Her recommendations for a campsite were totally unsuitable. There were no outlets. And there was dirt, and bugs, and... and it rains there. So anyway, we've found a place that's much more us: the Beverly Hills Hotel.
7) Not Your Style – Alter It: It's not that bad…Not that bad?!? Except the color's wrong, the collar's wrong, the material's a nightmare from hell. It's cut badly, it itches, and it's not me. But all of that can be fixed.
8) Speak With Authority: Excuse me officer, do you know who this man is? (Cool it Jasmine) You're too modest daddy. This is the man who put the space in springston's teeth. The man who knocked the hat of hatler's head. He's the best, he's the greatest, he's MY daddy. James the Jackhammer Shackon. Now daddy, shake the man's hand and let's be on our way.
9) Deny, Deny, Deny: I was not spying on your dad! I was checking my azaleas.
10) Wilderness Girls Don’t Bluff
11) First Impressions Are Critical: Annie Herman Boy-yoi-yoing!.....Dictator…Mrs Dictator….Aww Chica Barnfel our first arrival!
12) Be Resourceful: Wouldn’t it save time and a little shoe leather if we hosted a star studded telethon….Johnny could host or Merve?

Khaki Wishes and Cookie Dreams to you all!

This post is dedicated to my fellow TBH uber fan – Dammy!!! xoxo

Theme Party?

Brian and I are obsessed with Mad Men – so obsessed that in order to avoid any spoilers from friends/co-workers discussing the Season 4 premiere – we woke up early on Monday morning to watch the first episode over coffee together - thank goodness for DVR (I was pretty wiped after the bachelorette weekend and physically couldn’t wait up till 11PM as much as I wanted to!).….

Not sure if you have visited the AMC website – but there are tons of fun 1960s trivia, games, and most importantly a cocktail guide. I think we may need to throw a Mad Men themed party this fall at the Hanna House……for costume inspiration I used the Mad Men Yourself feature….

Brian Hanna - Don Draper look alike?

Elizabeth Hanna - Betty? Joan?  Peggy? Hybrid!

Gangs All Here!

Skirts and Suits break out your Lucky Strikes and get ready to down a few Tom Collins, Dirty Martinis, Greyhounds, Brandy Alexanders, Manhattans, and Moscow Mules this fall!

Ready for the Bar?

I know this guy is =)

Brian is leaving for Roanoke this afternoon to take the Virginia Bar Exam. I have always loved and admired Brian’s determination and passion for the law – and this summer he has put 110% into preparing for the exam (it’s a marathon not a sprint after all) – I am so proud of him! He will definitely be ready for some time off and a few beers come Wednesday afternoon!  These pictures are from his William & Mary Law School graduation in May....

Brian - the scholar - getting his Juris Doctor

Good luck Briguy

Speaking of being ready for the bar – this weekend we celebrated Blake’s bachelorette in Virginia Beach – what an amazing weekend! Blake has a wonderful group of friends and we had a blast on the beach and at “The Tuna” – celebrating our bride to be… Can’t wait for the big day (11th of September)…

“I got the hummus”

Remember the Friends episode “The One Where No One is Ready” when Phoebe gets hummus on her dress right before Ross’s speech at the museum? So funny! At the time (1996) – I have no idea what Hummus was…I just assumed it was a zany Phoebe Buffay food that normal people would not even consider eating!

Fast foward 14 years and Hummus has become a staple in the Hanna House. We love the Trader Joes flavored varieties (mmmm kalamata olive) and often keep a stash of the supermarket Sabra brand on hand for veggie/pita dip.

Recently we conquered the fear of making our own hummus…it’s so easy and inexpensive….I owe it all to my sister-in-law Laura who gave me the most magical kitchen appliance ever – and my cooking fairy godmother Ina Garten ….the recipe is from her Back To Basics cook book – and can be found on Food Network online...

We have yet to modify the flavors because the lemon is just so clean and delicious – but I suspect we will venture into our own combinations soon!

Pics of our preperation:

A few things I’m not “FALL” ing for….

After browsing the first fall clothes on JCrew, Anthro, and Bloomingdales – I'm a bit scared (come on - cargo pants?!?)….maybe this 90+ degree weather (today is the record setting 16th day in July over 90 degrees) is better than the frump-ville ensembles that are headed our way this Fall….let’s hope it’s just a preview and the real deal will be better looking….

On a more optimistic note - I do get a kick out of this Lady GaGa hair and pearls meets hipster nerdy glasses/plaid shirt combo from JCrew (esp those red nails - you know I love them!) and these fabulous boots from House of Harlow....who dosnt need a little fringe in their life?

Farm to Family

While on the elliptical this morning reading my People Magazine – I was pleasantly surprised to come across a local Richmond business – that parks right down the street from fan Hanna House. Parks? That’s right – its Farm to Family the converted 1987 diesel school bus….a mobile micro farmers market on wheels!

Their motto: Why go to the market when the market can come to you!

They are able to provide urban communities with fresh grown local produce and other homemade products through their mobile fresh food stand. “We try and target areas that don't have access to fresh food and teach people what it is and how to cook it. We want people to be proactive about changing bad eating habits. We can help anyone accomplish this goal if they are willing and have the desire!” – Farm to Family

I always enjoy checking out the produce on the school bus parked on Robinson and Stuart – great to see a local business recognized on the National level!

Now speaking of family – we have two new ADORABLE family members to report on….Katharine and Mom have adopted she-poo puppy sisters (Tilly and Emma)! “The girls” as Katharine calls them were born on April 9th and are as cute as can be….even though Tilly often causes trouble and has earned the nickname….”Skunk” by Dad and “Latarian” by the rest of us…..

Puppy love!

Tales from the Inca Trail

This time last year Mary and I were in Peru for an amazing South American adventure...we hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!  Mary and I have been lucky to travel to some beautiful places in the world - but the payoff of seeing Machu Picchu from the top of the sun gate after three days of hiking was the ultimate travelers reward....

We went through a trekking company called Peru Treks - cannot recommend them enough! Our guides and porters (pics below) were friendly, knowledgeable, and made our trip unforgettable.  If you are considering the hike, drop me a line - I'd love to tell you more about our experience!

Little History -
The ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham, is thought to have been built around 1450 bye the Incas on the Andean mountain top (9060 feet elevation)

Machu Picchu (meaning 'Old Peak' in the Quechua language) was revered as a sacred place from a far earlier time. Whatever its origins, the Inca turned the site into a small (5 square miles) but extraordinary city. Invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs, Machu Picchu seems to have been utilized by the Inca as a secret ceremonial city. Two thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba river, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation. These structures, carved from the gray granite of the mountain top are wonders of both architectural and aesthetic genius.

Many of the building blocks weigh 50 tons or more yet are so precisely sculpted and fitted together with such exactitude that the mortarless joints will not permit the insertion of even a thin knife blade.

Such an amazing journey to look back on!