Weekend Recap: a visit from the 'rents

My parents came to visit this weekend and we ate and drank our way through DC and the Chesapeake Bay area. We spend so much time relaxing and a few days without worries was just what the doctor ordered. Saturday we rented a boat and cruised around Chesapeake Bay (more on that for tomorrow's Destination!) and Sunday we finished working on the back garden. 

It's rare that these types of projects work out to our greatest expectations, especially when a tight budget is concerned, but I couldn't be more happy with the way our garden turned out. I wish I had some before pictures because it was seriously a mess back there (turns out all previous pictures taken were creative enough to hide the scary bits.) The trees were overgrown and half-dead shrubs encroached on the entertaining space. We took out all the dead plants, cleaned out the underbrush, replanted fresh flowers, and even put down some grass! We have grass in the city! I feel like we've really made it in the world. And who cares that our patch of grass is only 9 x 4 ft. There is even a dove who liked our garden so much she decided it would be the perfect place to raise her soon-to-hatch babies.

These pictures are just a preview, there will be more to come!

Weekend Recap: Some down time

Yet another awesome weekend! I love making the best of that smidgen of time off that we get from working, that teeny tiny bit of time just for ourselves. Friday night Gman and I met up with some friends for happy hour. It was the fifth night out for me last week. I had an event or commitment every single night last week! I've never done that. Three or four nights is usually busy for me. Monday was a Wizards game, Tuesday a CapFabb meet-up at Urban Chic, Wednesday Hump Day Happy Hour at the newly opened rooftop pool and bar at Tammy's gym (this one), and Thursday was three openings in one night(!). I'll tell you more about those tomorrow. Of course this week will be less chaotic but not by much. You can see I needed some serious downtime this weekend!

So after happy hour on Friday, I relaxed at home, then slept in on Saturday. Saturday consisted of scrubbing the house clean, a boozy brunch with out-of-town guests, take-out for dinner, and an evening of quietly reading in bed listening to the rain fall.

Sunday we had every intention of doing absolutely nothing. Then my neighbor and I decided to finally tackle the garden. We started in the front and boy does it look great! We're professionals! An epic adventure to Home Depot included three shopping carts full of mulch, plants, mosquito poison, and tiki torches (obviously), as well as a marriage proposal, cocktail recommendations, and very attentive service by the garden center staff. $300 and six hours later we have a front garden we can be proud of.

I have a hate-hate relationship with the rock/mulch garden in the front since we moved in. I wanted to dig it all up plant grass. But the yard is so shaded nothing will grow, hence the rock solution. We added plants and a little fence along the edges of the front and walkway to help define the space. Once the mulch was down the hated rock garden started taking a nice, deliberate-looking shape. We also planted some Begonias in the window box. I have to say that now I'm sort-of warming up to the rock/mulch garden. It looks thoughtful and clean. Let's hope we can keep up with it!

What do you do in your time off from work? What does "down time" mean to you?

Weekend Recap: Spring celebrations

So how was your holiday weekend? Do you celebrate Easter or Passover? We celebrated Easter with a lovely brunch with our neighbors. Spring was definitely in the air and Gman and I spent a lot of time in the garden. We bought a bottle of wine Saturday and slowly sipped it as the afternoon sun crossed the sky and the pollen floated through the air. It looks like the memory of Cherry Blossoms is long gone and everyone in Dupont Circle has moved on to Tulips. They are Gman's favorite flower so I bought some, along with the most beautiful Ranuculus. I loved them so much that I carried them around with me all weekend. Vase in one hand, glass of wine in the other.

I also got my haircut on Friday, you like? I got almost 4 inches cut off! It feels so short and sassy.

Weekend Recap: My best friend's wedding

This weekend I was in Sarasota, Florida for one of my best friend's weddings. She and I were friends in high school and roommates in college. It was a honor to to stand by her side while she married her love. We danced the night away to our favorite songs, ate some delish cake, and reminisced about the good ol' days.

Saturday, Gman and I headed up to St Petersburg to check out the new Dali Museum and spend time with my family.

It was a wonderful weekend and I'm still totally exhausted! Not ready for Monday!

Weekend Recap: Spring is that you?

The flowers in the garden started blooming this weekend! I was happy to see such pretty pink blooms on the tree. Many of the plants and flowers didn't make it through the winter, so there will be lots of digging in a few weeks to make things presentable. But for now, I love looking out the window to see spots of hope.

I had a busy weekend, definitely not ready for Monday (CUSP party Friday night, dance party Saturday night!). Gman and I took a long walk on Saturday. It really is one of my favorite things to do with him! I love the exercise and it's nice to get outside and spend time together. I like that we can just walk along and enjoy our surroundings or chat if we'd like. We always end up having the most enlightening conversations while arm in arm like we did when we first met.

Weekend Recap: familiar faces, new places

 

Oh, it's Monday again! How does this keep happening? ;) I had an exhausting but very full weekend. The softball game was a success and the image above is the only photographic evidence I was there. I was super nervous about playing but luckily I didn't have to field any balls; I only went up to bat. Also lucky, the pitcher only threw "inside the box" twice so I was walked onto base twice and struck out once. I also go a run! Not to shabby... the rest of the night was spent catching up with ol' college friends. It's amazing how you can pick up right where you left off, as if you just hung out the day before. I really needed that!

Saturday we got the keys to our new apartment! The Super did a great job renovating it and choose finishes that we would have chosen (horray!). He and our broker left a sweet welcome note in the kitchen too. Once I (we) get it all set up I'll post some pictures.

Saturday night we met up with one of Gman's best friends and his lovely wife. They made reservations at Columbia Room (I did not take pictures as I wanted to be in the moment and absorb it with all my senses). I went into the experience blind only expecting an excellently crafted, intimate, prohibition style speakeasy in the back of The Passenger on L St and 7th St. When we walked in I was immediately impressed by the classy, elegant hostess, bartender, and assistant. Little did I know but the bartender was the owner, Derek Brown (who's martini is quiet possibly the best in the world and who was so handsome he reminded me of John Hamm).

The presentation, attention to detail, and complex yet elegant taste of the cocktails were the best I have ever experienced. The first drink opened our palates with a fresh tequila based basil and strawberry cordial. Though I usually avoid sweet drinks, this won me over and would be perfect for a hot summer day.

The second drink, Suffering Bastard, was so complex that Mr. Brown kindly explained the history and process for creating this hangover cure (which I was in dire need of). He thoughtfully built the drink layer by layer even gentally smashing mint leaves before garnishing to truly bring out the aromatic quality in the herb. Bitter, peppery, smooth, citrus-y, and minty only begin to describe the flavor of this cocktail. It was served with a bit of food in order to enhance the flavors. Instead of telling you what one would serve with a hangover specialty, I'll leave you hanging as you must go taste for yourself! This may become a Saturday morning special in our household.

The last drink of the tasting is typically the client's choice but we asked Mr. Brown to choose for us. He nailed our preferences and we had fun speculating as to why he made his selections. What did our drinks say about us? Mine was based on a spicy Jamaican rum punch...

Day Trip: Sarasota, Florida



Rose Gardens at the Ringling Museum of Art

Sarasota, Florida is conveniently located directly between Tampa and Ft Myers on the West Coast of Florida. Like Sanibel, it has fantastic white sandy beaches with crystal clear blue water. The locals like to go boating and I recommend you stay on the beach on Longboat, Lido or St. Armands Key if you stay for the weekend. In St. Armands Circle you will find a wide range of shopping and restaurants. If you are here for a weekend, I would spend time strolling around the circle and going to the beach. However, if you only have a day, skip all that and go to the Ringling Museum of Art.

The Ringling Museum of Art started as the art collection and home of John and Mable Ringling (yes, like the circus). It is located just off the inter coastal waterway and as you walk around the grounds you can imagine the wildly fabulous parties they must have through back in the 1920's and 30's.



Ca' d'Zan Mansion

These days it is the cultural center of Sarasota. It has a fantastic collection of fine art ranging from medieval to contemporary including a number of momentous Peter Paul Rubens Baroque style oil paintings. Start your day by perusing the art museum in the morning. Then have lunch in their cafe, which is actually quite delish.

In the afternoon, check out the miniature circus museum. Not only does it give a thorough history of the circus, and John and Mable's role, but it will take you back to your childhood in an instant! As a die hard Barbie fan growing up I found the miniatures really impressive.

Banyan trees

 

My favorite part of this cultural compound is their beautiful rose garden. Lovely and fragrant, being in the gardens feels so romantic. I also must point out the famous Banyan trees. You can't miss them as their roots start growing from the branches (!). Many tourists come here just to see these trees.

Lastly go to John and Mable Ringling's home, the Ca' d'Zan Mansion. Although I don't normally recommend guided tours, this one gives a good history of the home and the pieces inside. Walking through here, you can imagine the fabulously glamorous parties they once threw...



Back porch of the Ca' d'Zan

 

I found these old tiles surrounding the pool (now garden) particularly inspiring. I would love to design a kitchen around these!

(Getting there: As with all destinations in Florida, the best way to get here is by car. )