record-shattering longest post ever...

My lovely little niece, Miss Avry Plum Miller came for a visit this past week.  She was the bright spot in an otherwise gloomy & secluded week.  I have been under the weather in more ways than one and have pretty much been a shut-in.  I didn't even mind that she spent half her visit asleep!  And she is looking more & more like her sister Addie every day.  Look at all her hair!!!
My friend Bethany posted this happiness flow chart earlier this week.

original source unknown

I absolutely love it.  I am actively working towards getting myself healthy & happy again...and I'll take any bit of sunshine (whether from the sky or in the form of my beautiful niece) whenever I can.  I was hoping to make these Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes to celebrate St Patrick's Day...maybe I'll make them a weekend project instead.  My sister has made them before & they come highly recommended.
I also want to share a warm welcome to the world Mister Isaac Ross and congratulations to my dear friend Shelbi & her family on their new addition.  I can't wait to see her this fall for our wedding as it has been far, far too long.

And one last but not least important thing, please send prayers to Japan.  It is the only other place in the world that has been my home and my heart has been breaking this past week watching the devastation there.  I was terrified the first 2 days waiting to hear if my host family & all my friends still living there were all right.  Everyone that I know of is fine and was not near any of the most hard hit areas.  But my mind is constantly focused on what is happening there; the unimaginable devastation, the suffering of the people, the triumphs and small miracles, and the grace with which Japanese society as a whole is handling these disasters.  Please be sure to send your prayers and whatever other assistance you can to the Japanese during this time.

DC Rocks...

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We had a fantastic visit with my sister Molly and her boy Alex in Washington D.C. this past weekend...but it was way too short (I have already been looking into tickets to go back).  I also got sick while we were there which sort of threw a wrench into our plans.  When we got in on Friday night we had margaritas & great Mexican food at Alero.  I was able to keep it together enough to have a huge day on Saturday - walking the mall, seeing the White House, visiting the American History and American Art museums, China Town, and a fantastic dinner at Heritage India.  But on Sunday, I was pretty much down for the count.  Cory and I had late brunch at Scion just 2 blocks from my sister's apartment and then it absolutely poured rain the rest of the day.  It kind of ended up working out OK that I felt like crap and didn't want to go anywhere.  We made my sister's famous "brick oven" pizza for dinner that night - our favorite pizza was the bacon & sliced apple (with a touch of barbecue sauce).  We baked chocolate chip & sliced almond cookies and I learned why my sister has trouble baking (she tries to wing it).  The girl also does not have a set of measuring cups.  We had an amazing meal at Ted's Bulletin (see the above homemade pop-tart they are famous for).  I also learned that my yahoo email address really makes me seem old but it suddenly became cool/vintage when I revealed that it was my 1st ever email address (I do have a gmail address I just rarely use it).  I always laugh a LOT when I am with my sister....miss her already!

headin outta town...

I am going to Washington DC tomorrow for the first time!!!  I can't wait to play with my sister....Anthro, Lush, Ted's Bulletin, the National Mall & Memorial Parks, the National American History Museum (to see Julia Child's kitchen, among other things)...martinis at some Russian bar....possibly some kind of NPR cocktail party, a house party.  I'm not sure we're going to fit all these things in as we are only there until Tuesday but my sister is pretty energetic & ambitious + she's been waiting for this visit for a while :) 

for BP...

Saw this over on Sometimes Sweet & I thought it was really cool & touching. It made me think of my uber amazing soon to be single mama friend Bethany.  Watched it before work & then came home to blog about it on lunch. Ha! I'm super excited cuz I got a bunch of new beads & the flower girl & bridesmaids dresses are scheduled to be delivered today!!!