Favorite Family Holiday Photo

This is by far my most favorite family holiday photo ever/ it's one of the only ones I have in my possession but it's hilarious so I don't care.

It's circa 1991, I'm the little grumpy child front and center. We used to attend the Mickey's Holiday Party every December at Disney and I know there are a ton of these laying around somewhere... eventually they will appear and I can really spread the joy. Until then, enjoy this gem!

Letter to Santa

I'm really excited to join in with Ash from The Grits Blog and Tay from Tay Meets World for their Blogmas14. I might not participate in every prompt but some of them will be first times for me (like today's!) That's right folks- I've never written a letter to Santa. This is because I'm Jewish, and usually celebrate Hannukah, but hey I don't see why I can't write a letter... honestly as a child I totally believed in Santa. I just knew that he didn't come to my house because we didn't celebrate Christmas and because we were Jewish.

so here we go..

Dear Santa,

hello! It is so nice to finally be writing you! I'm sure you are surprised to hear from me but I figured why not say hi and mention how awesome I am.

I would like to think I've been a pretty good person this year- I donate to friend's charities, give aid whenever possible and am always open to lend an ear.

I am super thankful for my job, my apartment, my family and friends. I am happy to say I am healthy, my animals are healthy and if anything I have health insurance and that is fantastic.

Anyways, since I've been a pretty cool person this year there are a few things I would love to just magically appear in my presence-  with much debate I would not in anyway turn down a camera, a nice beautiful DSLR camera. This blog space is beginning to turn into something and I want to step up my game.

And that super fancy bar cart that I finally tracked down but then turned out to be over $600. I love it, it's way cute but now officially out of my price range. Totally want it still...

Along with that, a new dining room table and chairs could make me really swoon.

So Santa, if you have any extra room in that giant bag of yours, feel free to throw out a bit of love for little ole' me!

Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1- how you annoy me, let me count the ways

So, like most the population I went and saw the first part of the third Hunger Games movie, Mockingjay Part 1, this past weekend. And don't get me wrong- it was a great movie, well done, good acting, suspenseful, exciting and dramatic,but not very funny...

That might sound weird, but compared to the books (which I will very much do because they are favorites of mine) it was completely lacking in the humor department. LIKE ALL OF MY FAVORITE SCENES WERE GONE!

I was discussing this with my friends when I walked out of the theater- that they had left out on of my favorite scenes of dialogue from the storyline. Not the scene itself, because that's still in the movie but the funny part that happened in the book. Several in fact- to the point that they basically left every funny scene in the book out. Why? Is there any legitimate reason for this? I can only reflect that it is meant for the subject matter of the story- uprising, rebellions, a society that is falling apart. Even so, isn't humor what helps make us human? That we can laugh, find the silly things in life and still carry on even in the worst times. The comedic relief here was few and far between, and completely unnecessary because it is present in the book. Is there a message to to this madness or am I just reading way too much into it. Who knows.

Either way the movie was good and I was very impressed with Josh Hutcherson. When he was first cast in the role of Peeta this is the book that scared me the most for him, would Josh be able to be third book Peeta? Could his acting push himself into that role? So far- yes, he had some excellent scenes and I'm intrigued to see how he does in the second half.

And that's my rant about the hunger games. bah-humbug.

these are a few of my favorite things...

I'm a little late to this link-up but figured it would be the perfect way to end the week. With the arrival of my new couch tomorrow (cross your fingers it fits through the door!!) I figured I'd give a list of what I would like to purchase (or receive) to help finish up decorating my living room.

 so if you need any ideas for what to get me for the holidays... here they are!

1) A new coffee table:

found here at Wayfair

      I really want a two-level coffee table to help keep some of that mail and magazine junk off the top- this is one I've found so far that I've liked, I also really need to measure my space..

2) Floor Rug: Ugh- I'm so torn about a rug. My wall is painted purple, the new couch is light gray. I was thinking of a yellow or blue rug. But this might be the hardest decision of them all- here are a few I've seen and liked..

I

3) Bar Cart: All the rage these days- I'd love one with a wine-rack built in!

4) Fun Wall Prints: a toughy because i really don't know what I want but I know I want something- details, details. I'm a big fan of putting up some quotes- maybe some favorites from books. obviously that means some harry potter. I like the idea of a gallery (below) with a mix of book quotes and fun ones.

 5) Shelving for Pictures: with a look like this..

Happy Friday!