christmas smiles

kentucky roads

yesterday i drove a scenic hour and a half
along the bluegrass parkway to lexington-
to hang, tromp, browse, chuckle and eat
with annie-girl :o).

weisenberger mill

Part 2: A Hettinger Family Christmas
(or, "A Little Sugar Never Hurt Anybody")

I had the nicest day, yesterday! First I got to hang out with my Godmama and cousins, and we made some pretty amazing gingerbread constructions-- Josef made a castle, replete with magical creatures (mer-bears, gargoyles, a dragon made out of 6-year-old starburst pieces...). Erin made a stable with an incredible 3D roof, and Patrick made his first-ever gingerbread house. Mine's below-- note the landscaping, with flower pots!

Finished the day by hanging out with two of my favorite girls, Beth and Gita, and their cutie little girls, Maura and Abby. Lovely :o).

Part 1 of "A Hettinger Family Christmas"
(or, "A Little Chaos Never Hurt Anybody")

My trip home, and then to Seattle, was great. So many good people, lots of music, and sunshine!

Here are a few highlights:





Beth and baby Maura, at Beth and Dennis' new Louisville home!




Little Miss Abigail reclining...




The Altarnatives, hard at work... Yeah, right! I think they're playing Here Comes the Sun.



My gorgeous friends Kristin and Andrea, after our Bullitt Central High School choir reunion. Whoo-hoo!



The view from Theresa and John's (and Patrick's!) peaceful retreat of a house. So much kindness and love, there.


Blooms at Bernheim on January 2, 2007 (Happy Birthday, Mom!). The weather was weirdly warm, but I did my best to soak it in!



Gotta love this picture of Annie. If it's the only one I ever have, I don't care. Fabulous! This was taken right before a night on the town (Seattle) that included a wine tasting (I liked the sauvignon blanc!), yum Thai food and then the new Superman movie (and Annie's subsequent crush on the man of steel himself).