Croissants

I made these.  I have the recipe.  I had a FRENCH PASTRY CHEF show me how to make them.  Okay, so she isn’t technically a chef… YET.  She is a Pastry Student.  But, she shared all her knowledge and technique with me.  I have to say: these are mind-glowingly good.  I will have to make more to perfect the shape and the roll.  So, if you are coming to visit anytime soon, you may be subjected to homemade croissants.  Can you handle that? 

National Arboretum

 It being another gorgeous weekend, Will and I took Charlotte and Rebecca (a visiting French pastry student studying here for the summer) to the National Arboretum.





 We had a picnic in the herbal garden and wandered up to the Capitol Columns.

Theses columns supported the Capitol dome, but after about 1920, they were deemed unsafe and removed.  They were put at the Arboretum and make a fantastic wedding venue.  Stirling likes the mini reflecting pool best.   We then drove over and walked through the Asian gardens, where Stirling found a little pagoda all for her.

Happy Birthday Will!

It’s Will’s Birthday and we all know what that means: BREAKFAST AT MCDONALDS!


Two egg mcmuffins and hash browns with orange juice.

He received his present a few days earlier:

an extra-large outdoor movie screen!

And then to celebrate in the evening: DINNER AT MCDONALDS!!  Two Big Macs and Large fries with a vanilla milkshake!


Later on, he did say that he had a headache and maybe two Big Macs was one too many.  I am going to go with: yes, it was.  Next, he swears he will only have one Big Mac, with a quarter pounder….

Walk to the Potamac

Stirling and I walked along the trials to the Potomac River today because I realized that she has lived in DC for more than 6 years and not been in the river!  I had to remedy that immediately.  

We came out just above the Key Bridge, north of Georgetown. 

It was just deep enough where she could stand and get herself cool, but she didn’t really go for a swim.

We returned the way we came: following the dirt path underneath the abandon trolley tracks from when the trolley would take people from Georgetown to Glen Echo Amusement Park.

Purple, Violet

My African Violets are stunning at the moment.  I love how vibrant this one is especially.

Berries!

This morning I went out into the garden and came back with a handful of berries.  I was even nice and saved some to share.  Amazing. 

Guys, a Little Help Here

Well someone loves to get into the fountains, they may not always be able to get out….

Fourth of July

With Charlotte here, it was a must that we finally return to the Mall for Fourth of July.  We had the most perfect weather of all time, ever, and a great spot.  The fireworks were great and the company, the best!  Happy Birthday America!

You are here. 

a HAMMOCK!!! it is the most brilliant thing ever to use on the Mall.