Sunday in DC

On Sunday afternoon we decided to brave the cold, cold weather and go into DC to see a yoga exhibit that I have been wanting to see at the Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian. The exhibit is titled 'Yoga: The Art of Transformation,' and is filled with temple sculptures, icons, colorful manuscripts and paintings from the past 2,000 years, as well as modern photographs, books, and films. The exhibit explores 'yoga's rich diversity and historical transformations, including its philosophies, transformational goals, and importance within multiple religions.' We were lucky to get in on a tour, which really helped us to better understand a lot of the exhibit.

There was no photography allowed, so I took some photos outdoors in the Enid Haupt Garden which is adjacent to the Sackler. Then we headed down the street to the U.S. Botanic Gardens, for the last day of their wonderful holiday display.  We try to get down there every year to see the train display and poinsettias and the displays of the all the Washington monuments made from natural materials--it is a must-see holiday exhibit in DC, and we got there just in time!

Here are just a few of the monuments on display at the Botanic Gardens, as I know I have posted pictures of these in past years, but they are just so amazing and great.

The Capitol at the U.S. Botanic Gardens--made from all natural materials, leaves, twigs, acorns, etc.

Supreme Court with Capitol in background

The train display had model trains and replicas of World's Fair monuments,  and of course I focused in on the Eiffel Tower (sorry, no train passing by).

And of course we wandered through the conservatory, I just love that place. Such a great place to visit on a cold wintery day. So lush and warm, with tropical flowers and orchids bursting with color and fragrance.

Thanksgiving 2013

I totally forgot I had these photos of Thanksgiving, so here are a few shots of Turkey Day a little late. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner with the Langes and the Bensons, and with both our kids at home. Before dinner we watched some football of course, played some games, and Julia was a crafty girl, making a poster for everyone to write on what they were thankful for, and hand lettered place cards on real leaves. So great to be with our family and friends.

And whipped creme à la Aunt Evie

Thanksgiving Prep

Today is a busy day for me, lots to do in the kitchen getting ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I kind of like this busy day in the kitchen by myself, listening to the radio and preparing all the side dishes and sauces.  Sometimes Julia is here to help (or more usually to sit and talk to me while I cook!), but she isn't flying in to DC until tonight. Brooks will be here tomorrow, along with Bob and Carol and their boys,  and our good friends Gillian and Benny.  Lots to do today, but I'm ready. Well, maybe one more stop at the grocery store...

Many of my go-to Thanksgiving recipes are from this 1999 issue of Gourmet magazine. Believe me, I treasure this old copy of Gourmet. I miss you, Gourmet.

Lucky Dad

Father's Day, 2013

Christmas Doors and Windows: Old Town Alexandria

I know, I know, Christmas is over, but I couldn't help myself from taking pictures of all the pretty Christmas doors and windows in Old Town when we went there for lunch on New Year's Eve. There's nothing better in my mind than a brightly painted front door with a natural wreath on it. Love love those acorns in the wreath above. 

Amaryllis in the window

Happy New Year!

Mary playing the accordion

We celebrated 2013 and my birthday last night with our friends the Rubards and Bensons,  as well as two of Mary's neighbors who also joined us. Mary and Mark made a delicious dinner of lamb and roasted vegetables, which was really delicious, and before dinner we did a wine tasting. Everybody brought a bottle of red wine and we had a blind tasting, which was a lot of fun. After dinner, Mary got out all her musical instruments so we could welcome in the New Year playing our own music. We had castanets, tambourines, drums, harmonicas, and Mary really got into playing the accordion (above), which had us all laughing like crazy. Mary wanted us to march around her neighborhood playing the instruments, but we talked her out of that. We also wrote down on pieces of paper anything we wanted to leave behind in 2012, and then we burned them in the fireplace, letting them go...poof...a fresh start for 2013. We did this last year, too, so now it's a tradition!

Today is a pork and sauerkraut day, something I grew up eating in Cleveland every New Year's Day for good luck.  It's interesting what people eat for New Year's Day--a lot of black eyed peas here in Virginia, but I prefer the pork and sauerkraut. I went to a New Year's Day yoga class this morning,  so I feel refreshed and renewed for 2013. And now I can enjoy my yummy birthday cake, made by my dear friend Lorraine for me every year! It is the best cake ever.

Here we go, 2013....

Lorraine's chocolate cake

The Day After

Walt and I have just finished cleaning the kitchen and putting things away from yesterday. I think I used every serving dish in my house!  Everything turned out well yesterday, except the turkey was done about an hour and a half before I expected which threw me off a little.  We had the usual, turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with bourbon (yum), roasted brussels sprouts, root vegetable puree,  creamed onions, Carol's corn dish, and cranberry sauce. Oh, and Julia's rolls of course, which were a big success.  Carol made a pumpkin pie and a caramel apple pie for dessert, which were both delish and most everyone had a slice of both. We watched some football, played some bananagrams, and just enjoyed everyone's favorite holiday. The Langes left around 7:30, as Jackson and Carol had to get up this morning at 5:45 to leave for a soccer tournament in New Jersey. On to Christmas!

Playing Bananagrams