Holidays at the U.S. Botanic Gardens

On Saturday, as is the tradition on my birthday, we went to lunch in  Old Town Alexandria where I have to have a crabcake sandwich. Every year. It was a beautiful day to be near the water, in the 60s, and there were a lot of people out for lunch and walking around Old Town.  Before lunch we stopped at the U.S. Botanic Gardens, one of my favorite places in D.C.,  to see their awesome holiday display. The main attraction, amidst the poinsettias (ah, the poinsettias, every color and type you can imagine!)  and orchids and other plants, is the display of replica D.C. landmark buildings, crafted entirely of more than 70 kinds of plant material. It took more than 600 hours just to create the U.S. Capitol. The main materials used are pine cone scales and seeds, bark, acorns, gourds, etc. The windows are made with some kind of resin. My fav is the Jefferson Memorial with its gourd roof.

Jefferson Memorial (note gourd roof)

Jefferson Memorial (with TJ)

Library of Congress

U.S. Capitol

White House (back side with Truman Balcony)

Lincoln Memorial 

Supreme Court

The flowers were pretty spectacular, too, especially the orchid room, where I have a hard time not taking a picture of every single bloom.

Isn't this orchid gorgeous?

Walt and Julia