From my view on the couch

Hello lovlies!

Silence for a week isn't fun, but home was perfection (other than my computer breaking) so I am currently sitting in one of my favorite libraries in Springfield.

Wonderment in Neverland may be slightly silent this week. 

But I wanted to share my trip home for Christmas. The five things I heart this week, however, shall have to wait.

Music box my mommy always decorates with

 Mom always decorates the house beautifully for Christmas. Part of why I love going home so much. 

Yum. Coffee and hot chocolate just tastes better when you drink them out of these mugs

Our Christmas tree

the stockings hung by the fire with care

 Every year mom buys the kids new ornaments. This was one from a few years ago.

one of my favorites. Angel of Wonderment

30 day music challenge

Day 06 - A song that reminds you of somewhere

Hopefully this warms you up some. This song always (without fail) reminds me of lazy summers at the lake with my family. 

 

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet

Week 1

drumroll....and introduce my new Monday series...

1) This lovely blogger and her stories about driving in heels. 

photo props here

2) My boots that I forgot I had. Perfection for winter. 

3) New roommates that surprise me with fun made-for-four gifts.

4) Old roommates that are moving to China

(I do not heart the goodbyes however)

photo props here 

5) The idea of having balloons at my wedding. 

30 day music challenge:

Day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone else

Yellow Submarine - The Beatles

(because new memories are made everyday)

The Fremont House

I spent my first time alone at the Fremont House tonight. 

I kinda feel like this house needs a facebook fan page. It holds a lot of pieces of my heart. Like this piece and this piece.

photo props here

I know I've been semi-terrible at blogging lately. I put it off on lack of sleep and overload of stress. But finals went amazingly well, so after I sleep for about 15 hours I'll be back to the blogging world. I promise. Cause I pretty much miss you all with every fiber in my being. 

Also, I'm trying to think of a fun give away for after Christmas. I'll keep you updated, but it'll probably be a new craft inspired by my new roommates and house. 

Also, I need help. I'm trying to revamp my "This girl thinks that..." series. I want a different name. I want to do five things I love every Monday, but I want a more creative name than that. I've been using my thesaurus and Oxford English Dictionary (let's play how can you tell Hannah's an English major!) and I still can't think of a good name.

Help!

30 Day Music Challenge continues:

Day 04 - a song that makes you sad

Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri

(fell in love with this song cause of this dance)

This girl thinks that...

...finals need to crawl into a hole and die.

photo props here

Except her lighting final, cause that's kinda fun. 

Silent Night

Let me be serious for a second. 

For some reason I haven't been enjoying the holiday season as much as I usually do.

I was leaving Potter's House last night rather disgruntled, trying to remember all I have to do this week.

As I was leaving, Brett and Sampson began singing in harmony. Silent Night. More joined in. The whole kitchen was singing as I walked out. And I think I realized why I've been kinda sad the past few weeks. 

Cause I forgot that what we're celebrating at Christmas, has nothing to do with Santa or presents or giving your heart to someone else this Christmas (I hate that song). 

It's about a birth that happened in a barn in the dead of night with nobody else around to help but a very scared husband who wasn't even the father of the baby. About a very young mother, probably scared to the bone, but choosing life. And about a baby. A really important baby. 

photo props here

Happy Christmas blog lovelies. 

I'm missing this post for my 30 day music challenge. Just enjoy this loveliness.

This girl thinks that...

...this necklace makes all of her dreams of a necklace collection come true. 

photo props here

...this vase was so easy to make, and so fun too!

...she laughed out loud when she saw this.

photo props here

...this poster is so amazing, that she just had to share it. Yes, that is my name on Friday the 10th. I didn't plan to tell anyone about this show, but this poster is so cute I couldn't resist!

photo props Dan Turk

 ...this picture of one of her art suitcases completely embodies her life right now, messy and disorganized, but beautiful in it's disorganization.

...despite the fact that her life is a hot mess right now she is still going to...

.

...she forgot how much musicals make her nostalgic.

photo props here

. 

...in honer of nostalgic musicals, she will allow her 30 day music choice of the day to reflect her love of them. So...for your enjoyment (and please do enjoy it). 

Day 03 - A Song that Makes You Happy

The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing - From A White Christmas

I refuse to use lyrics from my song choice...

I'm making Christmas presents this year. I went thrifting last night to start getting some stuff and gather inspiration. I sure as heck found some. 

What is the Purpose of a Banana? 

I have no idea, but soon-to-be roommate Malory taught me how to bind my own book, so I'll never know!

I also found a new little critter to join the wander and the runaway team. Want a clue?

You have to help me convince Koni he's not creepy and actually quite lovable. Just look at those eyes! It was nothing but love at first sight.

 I also started work on my "Discover Beauty" shirts for Africa. More to come, but here's a sneak peak. Who wants one?

And finally, my 30 day music choice of the day.

Day 02 – Your least favorite song

I'm sorry your ex-girlfriend was a pain Steve Holy, but we don't want to hear about your new one. 

Brand New Girlfriend - Steve Holy

This girl thinks that...

...this is the cutest little maybe real newspaper clip she's ever seen. Thanks Little Reminders of Love!

photo props here

...this could possible be the most quoted moment in my life as of late. 

props to A Very Potter Sequel

...it's hysterical that she just walked into the living room to have her roommate tell her "hey, there are bagels rising on the dryer, just fyi.

...she might want to be proposed to this way. Take note future husband. 

photo props we heart it

...she's slightly obsessed with a challenge posted on a blog, but she can't remember the blog, (if it was you tell me!) to post a song that fits a category every day (but let's be honest, it'll probably be every few days from me).

Day 1 - Your Favorite Song 

The First Single - The Format

Dear Coffeehouse (a love note),

Home is lovely. 

photo props me

But let's all be honest with each other and just realize that I, despite how much I love people, still need you. I'm dependent on you and the sweet gifts you offer me.

photo props me and Benetti's Coffee Experience my lover for the day

A safe haven: to think, and dream, and type quickly while not looking at the screen as a friend pointed out I do. All of those can be found in you coffeehouse.

You are one in many. You come in different flavors, styles, and languages. But every part of you has a little piece of my heart that you keep bundled up and tucked behind the mug warmer (so it won't get cold).

photo props me and Benetti's Coffee Experience my lover for the day

And so I thank you coffeehouse. For loving me in only the way you can.

Love, love, a hundred times love,

Hannah Elizabeth

photo props Connally

King of the Road

Reasons I am thankful for the Nobrega family:

1) Fantastic singing (even if it is about dead girls)

2) Ability to be loud in any situation

3) Refined sense of humor

4) Not so refined sense of humor

5) Traditions that define my childhood

6) A family that knows how important family is

7) Ability to welcome new people into the family too (I heart you Jason and Addie)

8) An open heart policy

9) Great taste in wine

10) Love that defines my life 

Sometimes I make lists of all the little things I'm thankful for. This year, I'm gunna focus on the one big thing that has defined my life since before I can remember. 

I love you family. You have the biggest part of my heart, forever and ever. 

All the photos (except for the first one) are taken from Jason and Kayla's wedding

And yes, that is my Bugga Boo sining. Ah, what sweet music to my ears.

This girl thinks that...

...drives through Missouri don't always have to be flat and boring. You just have to know how to look.

photo props me

...when Missouri does get flat and boring, a good children's book on tape can be entirely too entertaining. 

photo props me

...her dog is silly. But she loves him anyway.

photo props me

...this song really describes her mood right now. Can't wait Koni!

The Wander and the Runaway - Written and Performed by Hannah Elizabeth (aka me)

...bleaching shirts may be her new favorite pass time.

photo props me


...random photos taken for no reason when you are bored can sometimes be the cutest.

photo props me

...she should start a collection of necklaces with unique charms.

photo props me

..she has been told one too many times that the contents of her purse are hysterical. So for your enjoyment...my purse.

A) purse, says "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

B) checkbook and billfold

C) toys and bubbles (cause you never know when you might need them)

D) spair change

E) stress ball fortune cookie

F) kick butt sunglasses

G) keys

H) headphones and bible promise book

I) cupon and business card for indie

J) lipgloss

K) earings taken off earlier this evening

L) gift brought back from Barain from my daddy

M) Empowermints (from my mom, to empower me when I'm feeling down)

photo props me


...you should take time to enjoy this wonderful new music video by jenny&tyler in honor of attending their show last week.



This is Just So Beautiful - jenny&tyler

Faint Not

There is something about connecting on a deep heart level with people that can't be described in words. At least I can't

I will just say this...

...Jenny was wearing African paper beads from Uganda. Tyler was wearing TOMS. We had a conversation about one of my favorite songs "Desperate Faces" and how we all love it. They released a new song about caring about the poor and destitute and not becoming apathetic. 

I will say it again. 

jenny&tyler write songs about my life. 

And now they know they do too. 

"It's not that we don't know or we're not shown the proof of poverty. It's not that we don't have the tools to go to break this yolk of slavery. We quit because it's not an easy fix and then forget that they're even there. We forget to care."

Faint Not - jenny&tyler

This girl thinks that...

...this is the most hysterical, knee-slapping, amusing, jocular, witty movie I've seen in a very long time...dare I say ever.

Kim Pine: Scott, if your life had a face, I would punch it.

photo props here

...coffeehouses and pictures taken by the hippie make her look at one blog post 15 times in a day.

photo props the hippie

...getting an @ reply on twitter by one of her favorite bands, as small as it is, makes her literally jump up and down in the middle of campus. 

photo props twitter/jennyandtyler

...becoming obsessed with a band isn't a bad thing. Unless it leads to stalking. And even then it's not always bad.

I think...

Harmony - Never Shout Never

...shamelessly promoting yourself is only bad when you are already popular.

So go here and see the new vlog! 

photo props the wander and the runaway

I love you more than you will ever know

Part of the reason I went to Africa is to bring back stories. 

This is Bena II (I added the II)

Not to be confused with my sponsor child Bena.

We met her in a slum in Kampala. 

She asked me to be her sponsor. But because of the circumstances I couldn't. But I did get to see the place she lived and meet her mother and sister. Her father was killed by rebels in the north and her family moved to Kampala to escape. They were only supposed to be there for a few months.

They have lived in the slum for 15 years now. 

Sometimes I forget that the stories I hear about child soldiers, refuges, and violence have faces. And looking in Bena's eyes and seeing what she had see through her eyes is something I won't forget. It's true. You can see war in people's eyes. 

I Love You More Than You Will Ever Know - Never Shout Never 

This girl thinks that...

...she's real excited about her book.

photos props Lucas Carpenter 

..children's theater should be more mainstream.

photo props Missouri State Theater Department

...forts are awesome, epic, the best idea to ever hit this planet earth. 

photo props me

...a new tattoo might not be a bad idea. Please don't kill me mom. 

...this music video not only inspired my new idea for a tattoo but my whole outlook on life.

On the Brightside - Never Shout Never