Cherry Blossoms 2015

I went into DC yesterday afternoon and met Walt after work and we walked down to the Tidal Basin to see the last of the cherry blossoms. They were at their peak bloom last weekend so they were kind of  fading when we were there but it was still a pretty sight.  It was a cloudy day so the photos aren't the best.  I kind of focused on the trees themselves, so many are so old and gnarled, it makes you wonder how many more years they will last.

MLK Day Walk Along the C&O Canal

Yesterday was a pretty day, sunny and not too cold, so we decided to take a walk on the C&O Canal. We started at Lock 6 and walked about three miles.  There weren't too many people out, some walkers, some cyclists, and a couple of kids playing on the somewhat frozen surface of the canal, which made us nervous. It felt good to see the blue skies and to be out in the fresh air for awhile. Every time we walk on the canal we think about what it would have been like to live in one of these lock houses in the 1800s.  You can get an idea by staying in one of these historic lock houses, six of which have been renovated and furnished and are available for overnight stays.  Of the original 57 lock houses, 26 remain today.

Lock House 6

Christmas at the U.S. Botanic Gardens

I know it's the New Year and Christmas is over, but of course I have to share photos from the U.S. Botanic Gardens. It's one of our favorite traditions at Christmas to visit the Botanic Gardens downtown and see their holiday display. We never get tired of seeing (and taking pictures of) the replicas of all the DC monuments, made entirely of natural plant materials. The details on the buildings are amazing.

The poinsettias this year were especially beautiful. Many were a smaller variety,  Euphorbia 'Princettia Hot Pink.'  They are more compact than the usual poinsettia, with smaller bracts, and I loved the bright colors.  I am definitely looking for this variety next year. The conservatory at the Botanic Gardens is one of my favorite places to wander about, especially welcome on a cold winter day. The holiday exhibit is an extra bonus.

Wedding Weekend in DC

We went to a beautiful wedding this weekend in Washington, DC. Julia's best friend and college roommate was married on Saturday and it was one of the most beautiful and thoughtful weddings I have ever been to. Every detail was perfect, and they even got the weather perfect as well. They have a wonderful family and the love was everywhere.  We were so happy to be included in their happy day and it was fun to see Julia and Melissa,  still such good friends all these years later.  Lots of memories this night.

The reception was held at the top of the Hay Adams Hotel, right by the White House, and the views had everyone in awe.  This was the view from the dining room and the dance floor. The dining room was incredible, with two really long tables the length of the room, set all in white and crystal, with beautiful white flowers and tall candles,  so sparkly and magical, and the Washington skyline all lit up behind us. It was beyond gorgeous. There was even a moon.

The maid of honor looked beautiful!

Detail of the back of the dress, so pretty.

Happy faces! As you can imagine, everyone was taking pictures with this view. What a night.

Sunday Morning in DC

Morning activity on the National Mall

On Sunday morning we decided to go downtown early to see the new Degas/Cassatt exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. We got there at 10 am to grab a parking space and because the Gallery doesn't open until 11 am we walked around the Mall, visiting my favorite little pocket garden, the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden,  and the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. I just love that Ripley garden, it is the perfect size and filled with really interesting plants. Sandwiched between the Hirshhorn and the old Smithsonian building, it is easy to miss, but it a beautiful little oasis in DC, definitely worth a visit. It was a beautiful morning to walk around the Mall, especially so with a chocolate croissant and coffee from Bakery Paul.

National Gallery of Art

 The exhibit was great, not too crowded as we were early. Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt were contemporaries and good friends, and had a lot of influence on each other's works. They collected and supported each other's works. It was interesting to see their works together, and especially the portraits and drawings Degas did of Mary Cassatt. I was especially interested because I am reading a book right now, The Art Forger, which is about a woman who is a sort of expert on Degas and there is a lot of talk about Degas and his techniques, so it was even more interesting to view his paintings.

Burghers of Calais by Rodin

Monumental Head by Giacometti

Mary Livingston Riley Garden

Dumbarton Oaks Gardens

Peonies

Sunday was such a gorgeous day and we decided to go downtown in the late afternoon and walk around the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks in upper Georgetown. We got there around 4:30 and I've decided that's the perfect time to visit a garden. It wasn't too crowded, the light was perfect, and everything seemed so calm and tranquil.  The gardens are in the middle of a neighborhood, and we saw many people sitting on benches reading the newspaper or a book.  Dumbarton Oaks was originally owned by Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss, who bought the property and gardens in 1920, and then collaborated with famed American landscape designer Beatrice Farrand for the next thirty years, refining every garden detail. There are more than 50 garden benches, most designed by Farrand, encouraging visitors to sit and reflect. The garden was donated to Harvard University in 1940,  and the adjoining woodland was donated to the U.S. government.

One of the things I like the most about this garden is the beautiful ornament--exquisite urns, balustrades, gates, garden benches, columns, finials, steps, and stonework.

The Rose Garden was in full bloom and each bed of roses was breathtaking. Placed in a geometric pattern, the rosebushes are enclosed by boxwood hedges. The fragrance was amazing, with over 900 roses.

I loved, loved, loved this climber, against that stone wall.  I think it might be 'Joseph's Coat.'

The hilly landscape is terraced into different garden rooms (Rose Garden,  Beech Terrace, Herbaceous Borders, Kitchen Garden, Cutting Garden, Pebble Garden, Green Garden, Fountain Garden, and more), which are further defined by hedges, allées, and gates. All that green is so restful.

The herbaceous borders were a blooming landscape of purples, blues, greens, and silvers.

Baptisia

Iris

And the peonies--so gorgeous and lush. I just wanted to lie down right there.

Detail of the Pebble Garden

The Orangery

And finally, this spreading Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllym japonicum), planted in the 1800s, was gorgeous. I can't tell you how many pictures I took of just this tree.